Susan Mary

Hindsight being 20/20, if I had to do this all over again, the FIRST thing I would do is schedule the sleep study. I just finished all of my pre-op doctor visits and clearances, and I started the process in December. Due to severe snow, I canceled the sleep study in January, not realizing how long it takes to get results back, etc. I had my first sleep study on January 22nd, and it took over two weeks to get the results. Turns out I have severe sleep apnea, which is actually a blessing because I needed it to get cleared for surgery! You have to have a second sleep study to get fitted for the mask, which I had on February 9th. THEN, Medicare had to approve my cpap machine, and I am still waiting for it!! So, I rented one because I didn't want to wait 4-6 weeks for the machine, and my pulmonary doctor wouldn't give me clearance for surgery until I got it. SO, long story short, DO YOUR SLEEP STUDY ASAP if you want to have surgery quickly!! Now I have to wait for Medicare to approve me, but with sleep apnea, GERD, degenerative disc disease, osteo-arthritis, a fused right ankle and being pre-diabetic, my doctor said Medicare should approve me with no problem. I would be DEVASTATED if I got denied! This process has been very long and stressful, and I just cannot wait to start my life again. The best of luck to all going through the pre-approval process!!!

I am 5"11, and my doctor said my goal weight was 150~ !! I was a size 10 when I weighed 165, so as a large boned person, I cannot imagine being 150...too skinny. I'll be thrilled to be 175 again......with 165 being the lowest that I think will look decent without looking anorexic!!! See how you feel and look once you reach each milestone and go from there. Good luck!

I am 5"11, and my doctor said my goal weight was 150~ !! I was a size 10 when I weighed 165, so as a large boned person, I cannot imagine being 150...too skinny. I'll be thrilled to be 175 again......with 165 being the lowest that I think will look decent without looking anorexic!!! See how you feel and look once you reach each milestone and go from there. Good luck!

I was sleeved on March 31st, and I have had ZERO issues! I had no gas to speak of after surgery; no pain, no nausea....nothing! I'm starting to feel very fatigued, so that's about the biggest issue I've had since Tuesday's surgery. But, I am working on getting my Protein in by focusing on the Protein shakes; they are by far the best source of a large amount of protein. I've managed to eat 2 oz. of cottage cheese and yogurt as well, twice a day, and am up to about 35-40 oz. of Water per day. I also haven't had any acid reflux, and I suffered with that prior to surgery. I've lost 11 lbs. since last Sunday.....so, I am SO happy I did this for myself, and all of my fears and worries were for naught!! I hope and pray everyone else has the same, amazing experience I've had. Blessing to you all~~

So I had my surgery on 3/31, and thankfully, everything went so smoothly! I had no gas or pain or nausea post-op. My nurse woke me up every 2 hours to walk, and I was able to walk four times around the ward each time. I've had no issues since I've been home, other than fatigue, and haven't taken any pain meds since the first day I was home. My stomach is a little sore, but not too bad. So, this has been an amazing experience, and I'm SO glad I did it. Oh, the icing on the cake....I'm down 11 lbs. since last Sunday!~!

I'm having sleeve surgery TOMORROW; and I do understand the ups and downs of this decision. I've been very excited up until today; fears and doubts have crept in, and the worst case scenarios have been plaguing my mind all day....WHAT IF.....I have two teens...WHAT IF....you get the drift. So, I decided to refocus, trust God and remember how miserable I've been these past six years, and how every single diet plan has failed!! Or I've failed at every single one!! I used to know how to lose weight in a jiffy....I was a gym rat. Then, I broke my ankle, and after three surgeries, had to have it fused. That began my journey to obesity, and it has been such a mental and physical struggle. So, focus on WHY you decided to have this surgery in the first place, and that should ease your fears. I'll be saying a special prayer for all of the upcoming sleevers....and trust that we will all be so happy with this decision looking back. BEST OF LUCK!!

I'm having sleeve surgery TOMORROW; and I do understand the ups and downs of this decision. I've been very excited up until today; fears and doubts have crept in, and the worst case scenarios have been plaguing my mind all day....WHAT IF.....I have two teens...WHAT IF....you get the drift. So, I decided to refocus, trust God and remember how miserable I've been these past six years, and how every single diet plan has failed!! Or I've failed at every single one!! I used to know how to lose weight in a jiffy....I was a gym rat. Then, I broke my ankle, and after three surgeries, had to have it fused. That began my journey to obesity, and it has been such a mental and physical struggle. So, focus on WHY you decided to have this surgery in the first place, and that should ease your fears. I'll be saying a special prayer for all of the upcoming sleevers....and trust that we will all be so happy with this decision looking back. BEST OF LUCK!!

I'm having my sleeve on the 31st, too~! Post your experience, ok, and I'll do the same. Best of luck!!!!

I'm on day four of my pre-op and haven't done so well! I think people with BMI's over 40 are told it's mandatory because of the liver issue. My doctor said to try and lose some weight, but because I'm on the lower BMI scale (35), he didn't make it sound like it was that urgent. Maybe he should have! Tomorrow, I will try to be more faithful. It's definitely psychological. I drink health shakes all the time, but trying to drink up to five a day has been rough. Tomorrow's a new day!!

Yoyolifechange: You go girl, you can and should do this!! It is not the easy way out by a longshot. It is a LIFETIME commitment, and it is just a tool to help you achieve your goal. Show your husband the before and after photos from gastric sleeve....that should convince him as well. Your kids are old enough to pitch in....mine are 15 and 16, and they are completely on board, along with my husband, for my March 31st sleeve surgery. They see how my weight gain over the past eight years has changed me, my personality, my health....they want the old, thin, healthy me back!!! Show him the positives about this surgery; include him so he'll understand. I pray you are successful in your Quest for the you YOU want to be!!

Yoyolifechange: You go girl, you can and should do this!! It is not the easy way out by a longshot. It is a LIFETIME commitment, and it is just a tool to help you achieve your goal. Show your husband the before and after photos from gastric sleeve....that should convince him as well. Your kids are old enough to pitch in....mine are 15 and 16, and they are completely on board, along with my husband, for my March 31st sleeve surgery. They see how my weight gain over the past eight years has changed me, my personality, my health....they want the old, thin, healthy me back!!! Show him the positives about this surgery; include him so he'll understand. I pray you are successful in your Quest for the you YOU want to be!!

Yoyolifechange: You go girl, you can and should do this!! It is not the easy way out by a longshot. It is a LIFETIME commitment, and it is just a tool to help you achieve your goal. Show your husband the before and after photos from gastric sleeve....that should convince him as well. Your kids are old enough to pitch in....mine are 15 and 16, and they are completely on board, along with my husband, for my March 31st sleeve surgery. They see how my weight gain over the past eight years has changed me, my personality, my health....they want the old, thin, healthy me back!!! Show him the positives about this surgery; include him so he'll understand. I pray you are successful in your Quest for the you YOU want to be!!

Hi March Sleevers! My surgery is March 31st, and I'm not doing so great on my liquid pre-op diet! I think the fact that my surgeon said I'm on the low-end bmi didn't give me the urgency to do it right! He kinda made it sound like it would be good to lose some weight, but there was no urgency in his voice. So, now I have 10 days to hunker down and get serious. I've been averaging two shakes a day, and by dinner I gag at the thought of ANOTHER Bariatric Advantage banana or vanilla shake, and I usually love them!! OK, so starting tomorrow, NO MORE EXCUSES! Best of luck to my fellow pre-oppers....

Hi March Sleevers! My surgery is March 31st, and I'm not doing so great on my liquid pre-op diet! I think the fact that my surgeon said I'm on the low-end bmi didn't give me the urgency to do it right! He kinda made it sound like it would be good to lose some weight, but there was no urgency in his voice. So, now I have 10 days to hunker down and get serious. I've been averaging two shakes a day, and by dinner I gag at the thought of ANOTHER Bariatric Advantage banana or vanilla shake, and I usually love them!! OK, so starting tomorrow, NO MORE EXCUSES! Best of luck to my fellow pre-oppers....

I am literally at the end of my rope here and don't know what to do. I've gone to the seminars and scheduled my consultation appt in 2 weeks for sleeve surgery. I've not told anyone about this because "my weight" has become such a huge issue within my marriage and family. My husband views weight gain as a result of being weak and "giving up fighting for life". I've been my heaviest the past 2 years and they have been absolute misery. I've tried every diet known to man, only to plateau or loose so slowly that I end up giving up. I don't work outside the home so hubby thinks I should be "fighting for my family" everyday by going to the gym for 6 hours. Every morning I'm met with the "so whats your plan for exercise today?" instead of good morning or i love you. His nagging and negative comments about my weight have led to most of my unhappiness, which I counter balance by eating. I've tried and tried to talk to him about how he makes me feel, but he feels this is a black and white situation....I either want to loose the weight and will go full force with an exercise plan or I don't. Simple as that. If only, right?
So secretly I've been going through the steps and researching the sleeve surgery, getting my thoughts together on when and how I can make it work and as usual, he asks me first thing this morning what my plan of attack was with exercise today. I reply "eliptical" to which he starts the normal lecture about how that's not enough, its not gonna give me the results I need, I've gotta go hard, he thinks I would've had more results by now......so I decide to broach the subject of "getting some drastic done" to which he boldly tells me gastric bypass is nothing but giving up, taking the easy way out, how will the kids react knowing their mother wouldn't fight for her family, fight for her marriage. I said I wasn't doing bypass and he asks "what then"? and I refused to tell him. I said I didn't trust him, obviously I don't have his support, and there was no reason for him to know. He asks "well than why are we together" and I'm left thinking I really don't know.
I refuse to let him see me naked, we haven't made love in over a year because he makes me feel like a fat slob, so theres no way I'm down for giving myself to him in that way. I don't work, so I have no income of my own. Insurance won't pay for this, so I'm left wondering how I will pay for this without having to go to him and ask for the money.
I was finally proud of myself for being selfish for once and I do view this as a total fight for my family and children. Im trying to think big picture and make a true lifestyle change and because it's not a "6hr in the gym" change HE wants, it's not worthwhile.....
what to do? What to do?

That's awesome, Michelle! I'm getting sleeved on March 31st, and the horror stories of vomiting and pain scare me, but I'm praying I'll be one of the lucky ones, like you, and not go through all of that!!!

Day 3 Post-Op and I'm feeling great!
To be honest, I'm rather surprised based on things that I've read and people that I've talked to that have had the same surgery.
Many were saying they were very tired, still in pain, etc, but not here...
I'm still on Clear Liquids through the rest of the day today (mainly just had Water or water with a Protein & Fiber enhancement in it) but feeling really good, lots of energy.
I was able to get back to my "norm", ran some errands this morning, got about 30 mins of walking in, was sure to keep my water bottle with me and sip sip sip smile emoticon

Hello Everyone,
I am 4 days from surgery (3/25). I am struggling with this pre-op diet. I am finding that I need to eat during lunch, but I can do the shake for dinner. Also, I am tired and I have the worst headaches. I plan to do all liquids on Monday and Tuesday. I hope I make it.
Had my pre-op appointment. They took blood, chest x-rays, urine sample, and EKG.
I plan to pack for the hospital this weekend, and finish shopping for all my food and supplies.
I am so ready to get the surgery and begin my new life.
Good luck to the rest of you March Sleevers!
Mo

I started this journey back in September. I've kept a spreadsheet of all the HOOPS to jump through and I'm ALMOST there!! Like most of you, I really questioned this decision. I have always struggled with my weight, and have gained and lost 30 - 40 pounds every year for the past 20 years...but this time in 2014 I gained 85 pounds and was still climbing. I became a fitness instructor in 2002 and know how to keep healthy and fit, but since this last year of unprecedented weight gain and new and scary health consequences deleloping, it's clear I need a more permanent solution than sheer will power and head knowledge.
I've got every size in my closet from an 8 to a 20 and I've worn them all just about every 18 months or so. Ugh. ANYWAY! I'm on the home stretch and have every reason to believe my surgery will be scheduled for March. I'm so excited! I'm so tired of being like those little plastic animals that expand to 10 times their size in Water, and shrink back down when they dry out.

My surgery is scheduled for Monday (3/16) at 11:30am. I am very excited with a touch of nervousness. I am glad I found this site as I will need support.

I am currently at 172lbs and I am 5'8".
In this picture I was 178 which was a month ago.
My doctor set a goal at 170.. Im two pounds away!

I'm tallish I'm 5'8" I'm down to 182 from a high of 315 I think I'm at goal if I lost another 5 lbs I'd be ok too..


These are my befores


These are after

I am 5"11, and my doctor said my goal weight was 150~ !! I was a size 10 when I weighed 165, so as a large boned person, I cannot imagine being 150...too skinny. I'll be thrilled to be 175 again......with 165 being the lowest that I think will look decent without looking anorexic!!! See how you feel and look once you reach each milestone and go from there. Good luck!

This is my 1st post-op post!!! So far so good. Surgery was completed about 10:00, and I was in my room by 11:00. Gas pain in chest and left shoulder at first, but it's pretty much gone by now. Some soreness on my left side where they pulled my tummy out, but no significant pain to speak of. 1st leak test went well - that stuff I had to drink was NASTY!!!
Now I'm working on my 1st cup of Water - best h2o I've ever had!!! No nausea or discomfort!!!!

I am 5"11, and my doctor said my goal weight was 150~ !! I was a size 10 when I weighed 165, so as a large boned person, I cannot imagine being 150...too skinny. I'll be thrilled to be 175 again......with 165 being the lowest that I think will look decent without looking anorexic!!! See how you feel and look once you reach each milestone and go from there. Good luck!