rkmom0506

Hey friends. Any of you guys battling severe Iron deficiency anemia? Ugh I had a hysterectomy a few months ago due to a huge fibroid and murderous periods which we thought was the cause (my iron, hemoglobin, and ferritin were less than 1 I had to have three iron infusions to correct) but it’s been almost 5 months and my levels continue to drop significantly each month. My hemotologist is searching for answers and I’m thinking my sleeve may have a big thing to do with it even though he does not. Just curious about you guys and what you may be experiencing. I’m 2 1/2 years out.

Hey friends. Any of you guys battling severe Iron deficiency anemia? Ugh I had a hysterectomy a few months ago due to a huge fibroid and murderous periods which we thought was the cause (my iron, hemoglobin, and ferritin were less than 1 I had to have three iron infusions to correct) but it’s been almost 5 months and my levels continue to drop significantly each month. My hemotologist is searching for answers and I’m thinking my sleeve may have a big thing to do with it even though he does not. Just curious about you guys and what you may be experiencing. I’m 2 1/2 years out.

Hey friends. Any of you guys battling severe Iron deficiency anemia? Ugh I had a hysterectomy a few months ago due to a huge fibroid and murderous periods which we thought was the cause (my iron, hemoglobin, and ferritin were less than 1 I had to have three iron infusions to correct) but it’s been almost 5 months and my levels continue to drop significantly each month. My hemotologist is searching for answers and I’m thinking my sleeve may have a big thing to do with it even though he does not. Just curious about you guys and what you may be experiencing. I’m 2 1/2 years out.

Something changed with Tricare between October 2015 and this month. Sleeve was on the exclusion list which is why I didn't get it done last year. I just noticed a couple weeks ago it's now covered. See http://www.tricare.mil/CoveredServices/IsItCovered/BariatricSurgery.aspx - Also, I called and verified my benefit coverage with Tricare for procedure code 43775 (Gastric Sleeve In-Patient) and they gave me all the copay, etc. Anyone with Tricare should check it out.

Instead of losing who you are, you will discover who you are. Weight loss shrinks your belly, not your sense of humor. Most of our bariatric teams include access to a psychologist who can help us navigate through the mental and emotional changes that come with a shape we are not familiar with.
You don't have to eat healthy food. You get to eat healthy food. You will no longer be a slave to the processed food industry and their marketing machine. Their stuff is not really food anyway. They produce factory edibles full of chemicals and pesticides. With you new high Protein lifestyle, your body will thrive instead of just exist under reduced circumstances.
You don't have to exercise. You will be in a new body the enables you to exercise. The human body is built to move. That is why we have arms and legs and muscles and joints. We were not meant to become part of the sofa, but that is what our excess weight has done to us,
You will get to re-invent yourself. You may be shy now, but when you lose weight, you gain confidence. When someone gives you are hard time about your body or medical choices, you will either want to educate them or cold-konk them. But you won't take it any more and hide behind your weight with shame.
Although it may be painful, people can't keep their opinions to themselves and they will expose how they really think of you. That's when you realize that you may indeed have to adjust your circle of friends or distance yourself from toxic family who would rather see you fail than be thinner, happier and healthier than they are.
Chirp up. You can ditch the spiral of despair and grief for the old you and accept the challenge and adventure of creating the best you that you are supposed to be.
Are you familiar with the comedienne Lisa Lampanelli? She got sleeved a couple of years ago and is just as funny as she ever was.
You have already had your surgery and may as well hang on for the ride.
By the way, the discomfort and nausea will go away. Before you know it, you will be at your one year anniversary and wonder where the time went.

I haven't been on here in FOREVER.
But figured I would update!
Sleeved on Jan 5th 2015
Picture on left is from my sisters wedding
march 2014
Right is TODAY!
down 130lbs.
Best thing I've ever done!!

I am 6 weeks out today and I feel fantastic. So much so that I just registered for my first ever half marathon in November. WTF? I don't run. A killer could be chasing me and I'd just lay down.
To think just a few short weeks ago I was an emotional wreck and kicking myself for going through with the surgery, and now here I am feeling better than ever and registered for a freaking half marathon.
Never in a million years did I think this could be my life.
THANK YOU VSG!!!

Finally back home. Super sore hoping its up and up from here!
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Surgery went great. Only one incision at no catheter I'm so happy. Been up and walking to bathroom. Getting my first lap around the floor in A couple of hours. So good so far )

So I've been reading (reading and reading) this forum for the last month as I went through my consult and initial workups for surgery. Saw my doc Tuesday and he scheduled me for surgery Monday! Crazy less than a week, super excited and happy it's a short time on liquid diet, but today I'm FREAKInG out - second guessing my decisions, and basically scared to death. I've never had any surgery whatsoever, let alone something life altering. So, I just wants to share my date and finally chime in on something more than insurance lol
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Surgery went great. Only one incision at no catheter I'm so happy. Been up and walking to bathroom. Getting my first lap around the floor in A couple of hours. So good so far )

So happy to hear it!! ????

Surgery went great. Only one incision at no catheter I'm so happy. Been up and walking to bathroom. Getting my first lap around the floor in A couple of hours. So good so far )

I'm happy to see your feeling better! I'm freaking out!

May 2nd!
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May 2nd for me! I'm getting nervous!

May 2nd???
That's, like, SOON!!!
Congratulations to you...
Keep us updated as to where you're at - both physically and mentally!!!
Kinda...

Make sure you spend a lot of time before your surgery reading the Post-Op forum, if you haven't already! Some questions get asked every single day so you'll be well-prepared if you read in advance. Things like:
--omg it's three weeks after my surgery and I haven't lost any weight for the past week, is my surgery a failure?
--omg I can drink liquids easily, what is wrong with me? Did my surgery even happen?
--omg I'm eating puree and I can eat more than two teaspoonfuls, am I doomed to fail?
--my stomach is making weird rumbly noises like a dying moose, is it about to explode?
--I had surgery two days ago and don't feel up to running a 10K yet, what is wrong with me?
--I had major surgery three days ago where a big part of a vital organ was removed, muscles and nerves were cut and I have incisions all over the front of my body. I am in pain. Is this normal? Should I actually be taking the painkillers that were prescribed for me?
--what should I take to the hospital with me?
etc etc
(as you can see I'm feeling kind of grumpy about endlessly repeated questions this morning, lol -- it is nothing personal, I promise)
Good luck on your upcoming surgery! Check in when you can and let us know how everything went

@@rkmom0506 Congrats on your date! It's good you are researching ahead of time, because like @@Bufflehead said, a lot of people come on here for the first time a day or two after surgery asking all the same questions. But PLEASE do not hesitate to ask questions if you have them. I researched for hours a day every day for a couple of months pre-op and I still ended up with questions. Plus sometimes, you just want to commiserate or get some reassurance.

Haha @Bafflehead I hear ya! I've been reading/watching so much I felt like I could perform the surgery and walk everyone through it hold their hand... Until I got my date now I can barely remember what type of Protein shakes I like lol. My insurance is pretty awesome, not a lot of red tape and quick to approve. I am starting at a lower BMI 36/37 so I think that allowed me to be on shorter preop diet and my liver seemed good on the scans. Taking it day by day until Monday thanks for your support!
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