Changed2016

Hi @@jane13 how long ago was your surgery?
@@Ruth1ess so excited for your approval! My insurance plan doesn't cover anything regarding weight loss, just crazy. So, I am self pay. I have met with Karen my coordinator, ️ her and have my appointment with Dr. Lynch on 4/6 and Dr. Ames, Psych on 4/7. Then meet with nutritionist on 4/11. I'm hoping to have my surgery in June. Did you already take the two session classes? How were they?
I am so glad to meet you both! Very excited to know there are others in my area on the journey. I would love to stay in touch with you both @@jane13 and @@Ruth1ess.
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I can relate to this so much! I am hoping surgery will help with this. My doctor is confident that it will.

Yes, I was diagnosed with Insulin Resistance very early on from PCOS then I was diagnosed with diabetes when I was only 23. I lost 20 lbs and reversed the diabetes but continued with IR. I had the dark ring around my neck and everything I was on Metformin for a while and it tore me up. Finally got switched to the ER version and was able to tolerate it.
I stopped all medication the day I had to fast pre-op. I've hit my goal weight a year and 3 months post op and my fasting sugar averages 70-90. I've had some issues with low sugar and low blood pressure but I've figured out I need to eat every 4-5 hours to stay level. I turned 30 recently and I'm the smallest I've ever been in my adult life.

My surgeon will be Dr. Steven Bowers.
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@@Changed2016 & @@Ruth1ess - I am just south of Jacksonville. Had my surgery at St Vincents Southside with Dr Uchal.

Hi there! I'm going through the process there now. I just got insurance approval!

I'm new to the site and was wondering if anyone has had their gastric sleeve surgery at mayo Clinic in Jacksonville?
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Thanks everyone for sharing! I have been very blessed with no other medical issues or meds. However, I just had my lab work done and my cholesterol and triglycerides were too high that my PCP is considering putting me on Cholesterol lowering meds. I told her I'm in the process for the WLS and hoping I can hold off. I've lost 30 lbs twice while on Metformin once 7 years ago, got pregnant, stopped Metformin and gained all weight back and then I lost 30lbs on my own 2 1/2 yrs ago watching my carbs (less than 20 grams a day) and no sugar. And staying on my metformin very strictly. But, I started having other issues, like repeated bladder infections, constant diarrhea, (TMI) but results of 4 extended release Metformins a day! I found myself stopping the Metformin when I knew I was going to be on a trip or away from a bathroom during the day and slowly started adding the carbs back into my diet. Now, I'm at the exact weight I was when I gave birth, accept this time no baby excuse.
Looking forward to starting a new journey with my sleeve and not looking back!
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I was sleeved on 3/7 and left the hospital on no metformin or blood pressure medication. My blood sugars have been in the 80's. Its the best thing i have ever done. I dont have an ache or pain. My BMI was only 35 but I had 4 co mobidities. I presently am down 27 pounds. I hope this answered your question. The Metformin was killing me!!!

I was on metformin for over a year - in fact it was a diagnosis of diabetes that drove me to seek surgery. My blood sugars averaged between 130-140 on 4 metformin a day. It was AWFUL on my tummy. serious problems the whole time I was on it.
I stopped Meformin two days before surgery. after surgery my sugar went down to 120-135 on NO MEDICATION. Now 5 weeks out my fasting sugar is usually 110-115. on no medication.
All of my symptoms from the metformin are GONE and I have to manage things for having the opposite bathroom trouble (which is very common post surgery)
I am happy happy happy. the weight loss is a side effect for me, pleasant - but the being off Metformin was my #1 main goal. my complexion is brighter with normal blood sugar too. I am VERY HAPPY. :-)

I've been told that if you have been diagnosed within 5 years of having the surgery then your chances are good that it will be gone. Same with high cholesterol and blood pressure. I've even heard of people who don't need to lose weight getting the surgery just for those benefits.
If you are on meds for high blood pressure they will need to be adjusted or even discontinued as blood pressure drops drastically after surgery. So if you are on these meds check with your doctor. I would check for the Meformin as well.
As an added oddity, your body temp will also drop. I think my lowest in the weeks after surgery was an average 96.0 degrees (98.6 is normal).

Here's the thing: Postop, in order to get your Protein in, by default your carb intake is practically zero, especially in the first few weeks to months. Your simple carb intake is so low that your blood sugar level stays much more even. I can't speak to metformin, but if you read posts here you will notice a real emphasis on protein and veg, which go a long, long way in handling insulin resistance, to say nothing of weight loss, which has a synergistic effect.

Hi swinglifeaway! I am looking at a June surgery date too! I would love to stay in touch throughout our journey!
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I should be having my surgery in June! I'm in Tallahassee.

I'm a stomach sleeper and six days post-op I was sleeping on it. Listen to your body!
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Watch this...

I side/stomach sleeper, meaning I look like I'm climbing rocks. I had many concerns about a lot of things that were really unwarranted. I didn't know if I could bend over to tie my shoes, wash my feet, pick up anything and so on. Fact is, we are all different and you will have your own experiences but you will be able to do a lot of things normally, including sleeping on your stomach. Probably has a little to do with the surgeons technique as well.

a little over 1 month post op and down 22 pounds and who knows how many inches, no regrets and people can already see a difference
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I'm up for Apr 7th and have only told a few people. My changes have been pre-op. Smoking was the biggest. I had to be quit for 6?weeks prior. I was a lifer so that was a milestone. Also, I love Diet Pepsi so to have to give that up is also a milestone. I just keep telling myself the health benefits are well worth the sacrifice
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I think friends, family and even to an extent, yourself get used to seeing you a certain way. Heavy. It's hard to break that thought process. I was relatively at a healthy weight when I was younger in my 20's, hovering around the 200-220lbs mark but when I hit 30, it started to pile on. I am now 40 with 2 little boys and I'm almost 290 lbs! By far the heaviest I've ever been. Each year I seem to gain anywhere from 15-20 lbs. now I am ashamed of the way I look. Clothes don't fit me correctly. I'm so self conscious that I avoid doing things in public. This is really hard because my boys are into sports and I help coach their teams. Winter is my favorite time of year because I can hide under sweatshirts and stuff. I have been miserable and I've tried weight watchers and all kinds of diets to no avail. Now I find myself at a crossroads. Do nothing and continue to be miserable and gain weight or take control of my life and lose the weight. I've chosen to lose the weight, for myself and my children. Thank you for letting me vent!
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I had a stash of pillows waiting for me at home, because I, too am a belly sleeper and was anticipating a problem. With the pillows placed here, tucked there, under this, supporting that --all was well in dreamland.
We belly sleepers are a stubborn lot, aren't we?

Thank you so much! I'm hopeful!
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Hey! Thanks!
I CONSTANTLY stalked the before and after photos like a crazy person.
Actually, for a year and a half i stalked b&a pics and dreamt that my time would come and I'd be posting mine...
And it's here! And you will be here soon too! ????????????????????????????????

Positives of self pay are that you can decide to do it and get a surgery date in 2 weeks!