Brian88ss

I started out wanting the sleeve because my wife had one and with great success but because I have barrets esophagus ( results from acid reflux) and can be precancerous so as long as it is in check no worries. My surgeon wouldn't consider the sleeve. I was more interested in the benefits rather than the procedure I was going to have. From what I've learned along my journey that the bypass pretty much cures reflux.????. June 15th can't get here soon enough.????. Good luck to everyone no matter what or where your journey takes you.????

JessiL--I'm writing to you as Brian88ss' wife. I'm 14 months out from my VSG (sleeve) surgery. Your post has struck a major chord in me. I've lived with anxiety my entire life, and it became acute in 2012. I sought help through I psychiatrist and counselor.
I also live with chronic arthritis pain that I was told would be greatly reduced by several physicians (hasn't happened), which has really ratcheted up my anxiety. One of my friends, who is a psychologist (not the one I see) said, "when you live with anxiety, there's good news and bad news-the good news is you're going to live. The bad news is, you're going to live."
I am working on something called mindfulness meditation (living with the anxiety and pain, but putting it in the back of your mind-like the needle on the record is down, but you don't have to always listen to it." I also switched from Xanax to clonazepam (which is like a longer-acting form of Xanax). That being said, I know that our population (bariatrics) is at a huge risk for cross-addiction (alcohol, pills, shopping, gambling, etc.) and I struggle with tension headaches, for which I take a medication that has a sedative in it (I have noticed myself using it more recently, so I know the anxiety is ratcheting back up ).
What I do know, is there's hope. NEVER give up hope. You had this surgery to improve and extend your life (I have to tell myself that lots). I also know that one of the best anti-anxiety exercises out there is exercise. I'm not even talking anything hard-core, even getting outside for a walk can help (I know this because I use it as one of my tools to deal with what my friends and I call "the big A."
When my husband read me your post, my heart totally went out to you. Please know there are people out there who care about you (and they are people you may not even know!). This is going to sound really weird, but I'm going to try something new-adult coloring books (you can find them on Amazon and if you have a Prime membership, you get a discount and free shipping. My online anxiety group has been raving about them, so I thought it would be worth a try.
Remember that you are special. You have a purpose in this life. And you are the only "you" in this world.
Thinking of you and sending you hugs and good vibes. If you want, you can message me through my hubby-I'm trying to limit my time online right now, as that might be a contributing factor to the increased anxiety. Please do take care and know that you are not alone.
Julie

JessiL--I'm writing to you as Brian88ss' wife. I'm 14 months out from my VSG (sleeve) surgery. Your post has struck a major chord in me. I've lived with anxiety my entire life, and it became acute in 2012. I sought help through I psychiatrist and counselor.
I also live with chronic arthritis pain that I was told would be greatly reduced by several physicians (hasn't happened), which has really ratcheted up my anxiety. One of my friends, who is a psychologist (not the one I see) said, "when you live with anxiety, there's good news and bad news-the good news is you're going to live. The bad news is, you're going to live."
I am working on something called mindfulness meditation (living with the anxiety and pain, but putting it in the back of your mind-like the needle on the record is down, but you don't have to always listen to it." I also switched from Xanax to clonazepam (which is like a longer-acting form of Xanax). That being said, I know that our population (bariatrics) is at a huge risk for cross-addiction (alcohol, pills, shopping, gambling, etc.) and I struggle with tension headaches, for which I take a medication that has a sedative in it (I have noticed myself using it more recently, so I know the anxiety is ratcheting back up ).
What I do know, is there's hope. NEVER give up hope. You had this surgery to improve and extend your life (I have to tell myself that lots). I also know that one of the best anti-anxiety exercises out there is exercise. I'm not even talking anything hard-core, even getting outside for a walk can help (I know this because I use it as one of my tools to deal with what my friends and I call "the big A."
When my husband read me your post, my heart totally went out to you. Please know there are people out there who care about you (and they are people you may not even know!). This is going to sound really weird, but I'm going to try something new-adult coloring books (you can find them on Amazon and if you have a Prime membership, you get a discount and free shipping. My online anxiety group has been raving about them, so I thought it would be worth a try.
Remember that you are special. You have a purpose in this life. And you are the only "you" in this world.
Thinking of you and sending you hugs and good vibes. If you want, you can message me through my hubby-I'm trying to limit my time online right now, as that might be a contributing factor to the increased anxiety. Please do take care and know that you are not alone.
Julie

JessiL--I'm writing to you as Brian88ss' wife. I'm 14 months out from my VSG (sleeve) surgery. Your post has struck a major chord in me. I've lived with anxiety my entire life, and it became acute in 2012. I sought help through I psychiatrist and counselor.
I also live with chronic arthritis pain that I was told would be greatly reduced by several physicians (hasn't happened), which has really ratcheted up my anxiety. One of my friends, who is a psychologist (not the one I see) said, "when you live with anxiety, there's good news and bad news-the good news is you're going to live. The bad news is, you're going to live."
I am working on something called mindfulness meditation (living with the anxiety and pain, but putting it in the back of your mind-like the needle on the record is down, but you don't have to always listen to it." I also switched from Xanax to clonazepam (which is like a longer-acting form of Xanax). That being said, I know that our population (bariatrics) is at a huge risk for cross-addiction (alcohol, pills, shopping, gambling, etc.) and I struggle with tension headaches, for which I take a medication that has a sedative in it (I have noticed myself using it more recently, so I know the anxiety is ratcheting back up ).
What I do know, is there's hope. NEVER give up hope. You had this surgery to improve and extend your life (I have to tell myself that lots). I also know that one of the best anti-anxiety exercises out there is exercise. I'm not even talking anything hard-core, even getting outside for a walk can help (I know this because I use it as one of my tools to deal with what my friends and I call "the big A."
When my husband read me your post, my heart totally went out to you. Please know there are people out there who care about you (and they are people you may not even know!). This is going to sound really weird, but I'm going to try something new-adult coloring books (you can find them on Amazon and if you have a Prime membership, you get a discount and free shipping. My online anxiety group has been raving about them, so I thought it would be worth a try.
Remember that you are special. You have a purpose in this life. And you are the only "you" in this world.
Thinking of you and sending you hugs and good vibes. If you want, you can message me through my hubby-I'm trying to limit my time online right now, as that might be a contributing factor to the increased anxiety. Please do take care and know that you are not alone.
Julie

MzAlice,
I personally think that insurances and doctors make it so difficult because like getting a job interview they want to know how serious you are about making the commitment in changing your life around to make this surgery work for you. I took me almost 9 months from start to finish ( once I restarted documentation with my primary care doctor). Needless to say I was pretty upset that I had to start over and do 6 months of diet and exercise consultation with my PCD. But actually that was a blessing in disguise it allowed my to attend over 12 different support group sessions (between my wife's support group and mine) and allowed me to get a better understanding and get my head wrapped around this mentally of what exactly I'm about to get myself into. As far as eating more, that probably is true I found myself rather bitter on days and I seemed to think that eating that extra Snacks or bowl of popcorn while I watch TV would make me feel better about the situation. So I get what your saying and so will so many others at Bariatric Pal will too. Keep your head up focus on the prize. (The New You) I just had my surgery on Monday the 15th and I am so glad I went through all of the requirements that UHC required. Best Wishes Brian

Splenda (sucralose), Truvia (stevia), Equal (aspartame), and Agave nectar to name a few. On some natural sugars like agave nectar be sure to read the nutritional information on it. My wife and I primarily use Splenda. We use to use stevia but it would tend to leave an after taste. It may very well be up to your taste what you'll like. Hope this helps. Brian

I eat any Popsicle brand sugar free Popsicles they are 15 calories each..
Hope this helps. Brian

I also wanted the sleeve as a first choice because of my wife's great success with hers and the fact it is the lesser evasive surgery of the two. But since I have a diagnosis Barrett's the sleeve was out for me. When the weight loss center nurse told me my surgeon probably won't do a sleeve on me because of the Barrett's that's the same attitude I had, it wasn't the procedure, it was the benefit from the procedure I was looking for. Best of Luck...

I also wanted the sleeve as a first choice because of my wife's great success with hers and the fact it is the lesser evasive surgery of the two. But since I have a diagnosis Barrett's the sleeve was out for me. When the weight loss center nurse told me my surgeon probably won't do a sleeve on me because of the Barrett's that's the same attitude I had, it wasn't the procedure, it was the benefit from the procedure I was looking for. Best of Luck...

I also wanted the sleeve as a first choice because of my wife's great success with hers and the fact it is the lesser evasive surgery of the two. But since I have a diagnosis Barrett's the sleeve was out for me. When the weight loss center nurse told me my surgeon probably won't do a sleeve on me because of the Barrett's that's the same attitude I had, it wasn't the procedure, it was the benefit from the procedure I was looking for. Best of Luck...

If you have your heart set on the sleeve and your surgeon will do a sleeve with your diagnosis of Barret's you must also see if your insurance would allow for a sleeve to bypass revision in case reflux gets to bad. Most insurances will only cover 1 procedure per lifetime check the fine print. My surgeon wouldn't do a sleeve on me because of my diagnosis of Barret's so I had the bypass on the 15th of June. Hope this helps. Best of Luck.

If you have your heart set on the sleeve and your surgeon will do a sleeve with your diagnosis of Barret's you must also see if your insurance would allow for a sleeve to bypass revision in case reflux gets to bad. Most insurances will only cover 1 procedure per lifetime check the fine print. My surgeon wouldn't do a sleeve on me because of my diagnosis of Barret's so I had the bypass on the 15th of June. Hope this helps. Best of Luck.

Sarabeth,
I am truly sorry your having a rough time of it. But I think that if you weren't so emotional about this there would be a problem. It really shows how serious your taking this and like me I'm not a very patient person but like everyone else has said it will pass. If you need too lean on your friends here. Best wishes. Brian

Here are some examples that I got from the girls at the weight loss clinic. Hope this helps.   

My name is Brian at my heaviest in my life I weighed 360 lbs I currently weigh 295. Since graduating High School in 1986 my weight has been up and down ( sound familiar) out of high school I weighed 250 lbs so I've never really been a "small" guy and have never seen a doctor that was satisfied with my weight. Now with type 2 diabetes and blood pressure issues (which both are controlled) and the dreaded sleep apnea machine. I was faced with the fear of possibly shortening my life and not being able to spend the best years to come with my wife and family. Also watching what I thought were healthy people around me not much older than me kick the bucket was weighing in on me (Nothing like a funeral to make you do a little soul searching).
So I had been talking to my primary care Dr about the surgery for about the last year and a half, but didn't have the courage to admit to myself that what I was doing wasn't working and I needed something "MORE" than just pushing the plate away. Then love of my life stepped up to be ( unaware to her) an inspiration to me and had the sleeve surgery because she was fed up with the chronic low back pain she was having.
After seeing the amazing results of her weight loss September 22 2014 on her 40th birthday I sprung the news that I had made an appointment to go to my first lecture and module one for weight loss surgery. Little did I know the long journey ahead and that it would take almost a year later to actually get on the surgery schedule. Along the way I've had several hurdles to jump (as I'm sure most everyone does) all the conversation my DR and I have were not exactly what my Insurance was looking for we DID NOT have enough conversation about "diet and exercise" for it to count for my 6 months D&E counseling they required.
So back to the drawing board. No matter how pissed it made me that all the discussions we had didn't count it really worked out in my favor. For at least the last 8 months I have been blessed with the knowledge I received from the 12 support local support group sessions and the awesome insight that this forum is making available to all that is open to reading and supporting other patients posts. (Drum roll please) if your curious to my date (since I've been rambling on) it is June 15th 2015 and it can't get here fast enough. As I am typing I'm doing my 2 week pre op diet, and thoughts of changing my mind run rampant through my head. It doesn't make a person feel and better when "some" people you talk to about your surgery don't get it.
For some reason it's like they think that this is something that you've just woke up one morning and decided I'm going to have weight loss surgery because it's so "easy" (yeah right I've seen what my wife has gone through I assure you it's not) or some doctor is coercing you into it. Here what I say to you not under standers " Drink a big glass of shut the HELL UP!" This is my life, and this is for ME and only ME to make my life better. I say there are two kinds of people out there that don't understand our need for the surgery. Those are the people who have never had issues with there weight and the people who haven't realized they have issues with there weight. I WAS one of the latter but no longer, as of June 15th 2015 my wife and I will be able to start a new long life together. That is my story thanks for caring enough to read it.
God Bless to Everyone having Weight Loss Surgery and Great Things to You All in Your New Beginnings...
Thank You for Your Support in Advance...

Your very welcome. If you need anymore help/advice you can message me, no question is out of bounds. If I know the answer I'll tell you or hopefully where to possibly look for answer. Your goal should be if you going to have the surgery get yourself as educated as possible. It will make your journey seem a lot easier. My wife has anxiety so I understand your husbands point of view, but he most likely never understand it and hopefully never be able to. Most people who don't have anxiety don't understand and shouldn't say they do, because it's one of those things that if you don't have it you will most likely not ever completely understand. He will at best like me understand how it effects your relationship. The best he can do is admit he doesn't know what your going through and just keep supporting you and hang in there it could be a rough road. Hopefully he will see how important loosing weight for your health is to you, and he still can be amazing support just he will need to keep an open mind and communicate with you if he has concerns don't let things fester. There will be enough stressful things to handle no need to make more. Also you need to be doing this for YOURSELF and your health. Even as you go through the period before surgery you most likely learn a lot about yourself and the people currently in your life and also you'll meet new acquaintances along the way. I wish you great succession your journey. Best of luck. Brian

Here are some examples that I got from the girls at the weight loss clinic. Hope this helps.   

Rhonda,
It may sound silly but try using a baby spoon it works for me. I really can tell a big difference just by looking at the size of the spoon as I dig in to my food as a reminder. It definitely has helped me. Brian

@@Julez_schmidt Hello! Congratulations on your success!

Grandma,
I know you are very determined to win, with that said weighing your self everyday could be quite depressing, even without wls. Most people I have heard from and I have chose to believe say once a week on the same scale at the same time of day. That's the best way to get the most consistent results. Wls journey is hard enough without the disappointment of a daily reminder. Your weight can and will fluctuate hang in there you'll get there. Brian

Hey Big Opie,
I say going into wls with out the knowledge is VERY foolish. One of the best ways I gained great amounts of knowledge before I had my bypass is #1 have a wonderful wife who had a sleeve and has managed to lose 100 lbs in her first 6 months with great determination and complete commitment to following the rules. #2 is I have attended over 12 in person different support groups between her program and mine. If you have access to support group before or after surgery take it. The people at them will be people who have been there or are going on the same journey as you and are most likely to be the most help to you, and you to them. If anyone is to tell you that support group is for POST OP ONLY tell them I don't care I would like to attend anyway I am trying to gain perspective of wls (I was told this by my program and I informed them after I had attended several that they still had people at their front desk informing people it was for POST OP ONLY and the organizers of our support group took care of it). To tell the truth when I went to my support group I was the first pre op patient to come to it, they seemed quite shocked that I was attending but I must say they were very welcoming, supportive, and wanted nothing but success for their fellow friends. That is where you will find your acceptance it's almost a church of your people (if you will) they get it and understand the sacrifices and commitment that you will be facing in your near future and can be a tremendous help in your journey. I have found that the more you talk to people that either don't need a tool such as ours or haven't realized they are in need of help they generally don't understand or want to face the reality of their health concerns (god knows I didn't) until they come to the bottom of the well and figure out the only way up is to change (no matter how you do it whether it be wls or if your able to change your whole lifestyle without wls) they will never get it. If they don't support you in your life's journey, you don't want them anyway. (keep in mind everyone's wls journey is theirs and everyone's results most likely will be different). Welcome and Best of Luck Fellow Friend!!! Brian

A year ago I started this process in the exact same frame of mind. I was going to get a sleeve. Period, end of question. I actually have myself on video stating that exact same thing, quite vehemently too, as I had started a video diary for myself early on to track my progress.
I was perhaps halfway through my insurance's mandated pre op classes before I began to wonder if perhaps bypass might be a better choice in my case. I have the occasional reflux too. I also have a wicked sweet tooth, so dumping might not be a bad incentive to have to stay on track.
I'm also older (54), and really don't want to think of the possibility of having to revise to bypass if the sleeve didn't work for me. Not to mention the fact that my insurance has made it very clear that they will only pay for one wls per lifetime. I currently take a huge regimen of Vitamins anyway, so I'm willing to take on both the positive and negative outlets of malabsorption. In all I've come to believe that restriction just might not be enough for me. Hence, the switch.
So here I am, a year later, having completed every single requirement my insurance put in front of me, including losing 10% of my excess weight. I even have undeniable written proof of my insurance's approval in my hands and... I'm still waiting. I carry my phone with me everywhere, waiting for *that* call - the surgical consult. The last step before actual surgery. But because of the high demand and back log, I might not get there for another couple of months. I've resigned myself to the fact. But I know one thing, my resolve that this is the right step for me has never once wavered, and it never will.
There's nothing anyone can say that will make the waiting any easier. It's hell sometimes, I won't lie. But I'll get there and so will you. You've done everything right. Extensive research is the key. You have to know what's right for you, which might be something entirely different than someone else. WLS is definitely not a one size fits all kind of thing, and it's not something to enter into without knowing exactly what you're getting into. You sound like you are well on your way to being monumentally successful. Keep on that path, and you'll suddenly look back one day and realize that it all passed by a lot faster than you thought it did. That's what keeps me going. Good luck on your journey!

Grandma,
I know you are very determined to win, with that said weighing your self everyday could be quite depressing, even without wls. Most people I have heard from and I have chose to believe say once a week on the same scale at the same time of day. That's the best way to get the most consistent results. Wls journey is hard enough without the disappointment of a daily reminder. Your weight can and will fluctuate hang in there you'll get there. Brian

I believe it is very normal!
You are excited and hopeful to achieve something very important to you and you are keeping your eye on the prize. That's partly why the forum is here - to give people a support network; to speak of successes and challenges; to encourage and make each other accountable; to let us know that we are not alone in this journey.
I too have been doing what you have. I log on from work; home; my cell (lol). I also go to youtube to hear all the stories. I haven't watched the surgery itself, don't think I want to - a bit squimish here.
Anyhow, I say keep doing YOU! This is ALL about you. Remember that, your doing something for yourself and you should be excited and take interest.
Best wishes......hugs from New York!

The other thing I would add is I really hope you stay obsessed with it! I think those that are most successful from what I have read and trust me, I like you have been obsessed with learning everything are most successful when they stay on top of things.
I am almost 9 months post op and I am on this site whenever I have spare time. I am always learning about new things to try, new exercise regimes and most importantly meeting new Bariatric family members who support me and I support as I experience all these life changes.
Your life really does change after having WLS. Only others experiencing it can relate. Leverage them for support. Stay away from the folks that are negative and look for Bari buddies that motivate and support you. You are going to need it, this is hard work.
The recovery from surgery is very short, the recovery from obesity is for life.
I have never ever for one second second guessed my decision and it is be causeI was obsessed with learning everything I could and staying connected. I know that I will be someone 10 years from now still at my goal weight and loving my life again as I do today.
I wish you all the best with your upcoming surgery and if you ever need to talk please feel free to reach out.