SarahSleeve

Another update/entry for my VSG journey.
April 18, 2016
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This weekend I had several reminders why I want to do this. Be healthier, of course - getting my BP under control (so I can drop the meds - which I hate) and taking some pressure off my heart are the major motivators that pushed me over the top. But also - it got up to 70 here this weekend. (I live in New Hampshire, so it's been hovering around 40 - 50 on and off for a few weeks, but this weekend was the first really warm one). I was SO uncomfortable. Why? Because I won't wear shorts and tank tops like the other moms I was with. They were wearing cute sundresses or shorts, all looking comfortable and enjoying the beautiful day. Me, I was wearing jeans, a t-shirt and a cardigan over it to cover my lumps and flabby arms. This is how I am year round. I only wear weather appropriate clothing at home - I layer up when I go out. I've been like this for as long as I can remember. Only on the really hot days when it tops 90, will I shed the sweater and then I'm self conscious the entire time. And forget the beach. It's an anxiety attack waiting to happen (I have a mild anxiety disorder, which is currently under control). And of course, I have the "mom suit" with the skirt and long top and cover-up that only comes off if there's basically no one else at our little town lake beach.
I took my kids to 2 parties over the weekend and there were party games and other activities going on. They talked me into joining in and all I could think about what "I sure hope no one is taking pictures of me right now!!" Instead of just having fun (because it was a lot of fun) - I was focused on my fat body yet again. I'm so done with this feeling. I just want to enjoy my life instead of focusing on the size of my stomach! I know that part is psychological, and I plan to work on that while I work on the physical stuff, but I've been this way for 25+ years, and it just seems like it's never going away. It's been my life since I was a kid. Even when I lose the weight, I'm sure I'll have to work on my self-esteem. But staying this weight won't help me get there.
We're taking the kids on vacation next week. I don't plan to layer up, but then again I'll be 1,000 miles away from home so I don't care who sees my fat rolls (well, I do, but I'll never see them again, so I don't - you know what I mean I'm sure). I do dread the vacation photos, but I'll have to get over that. But I am SO looking forward to not HAVING fat rolls to cover up. To be able to walk down the hall at my kids' school when I'm volunteering and not break a sweat (seriously, it's gross). To not be hiding in the back of all the photos. To be able to wear those cute little sundresses - I love sundresses, but my body shape doesn't really allow me to wear them (I have the double belly problem, the roll above the pants - not because my pants are currently too tight, but I think from years and years of wearing pants that were so that's how my stomach expanded as I gained - not attractive at all in a floaty dress).
The informational seminar at the second hospital I'm looking at is at the beginning of May. After vacation. Which means my high weight will probably be even higher :/ but I guess that might work in my favor - if I choose this program I have to lose about 22 lbs before surgery. Which might be easier if some of the initial weight they see is Water weight from vacation (flying, eating out for 6 days straight - I plan to make good choices but still). 22 lbs shouldn't be too hard to lose over 3 to 4 months, not when I know that I'll soon be having a procedure that will help me keep it off and take many friends with it. I'm already used to drinking Protein shakes and eating Protein Bars and lots of Water, just have to work on cutting out some of the Snacks and I think I'll be ok.
On a good note, I didn't eat any junk this weekend - no cake at either party, no candy, no ice cream, no pizza. Stuck to my Protein and veggies both days with the exception of my guilty pleasure (Dunkin' iced coffee - that's my warm weather treat, I know I'll have to give those up for at least a while after surgery, but it's a nice thing to be able to sip on that for an hour or 2 and avoid the goodies around me at this point). Of course the scale doesn't care, still tells me I gained. I can't wait until the scale goes down, down, down in a regular pattern for a few months.
Think I'm done rambling for today.

Step #1 complete! I've registered with the program and completed my introductory seminar. They said their average pre-op time is between 6-7 months, sometimes as short as 4 depending on what the surgeon and insurance require. So that should line up for late Sept, early Oct which is what I was thinking. Would I like an earlier date? Heck yes. Do I know I need to give myself the full 6-7 months to truly absorb the changes that are about to happen? Absolutely. This time next year I could be 6 months post-sleeve and in a completely different place when Summer comes around. I can't even imagine! More energy, better sleep (Hoping my snoring subsides - it usually does when I lose some weight so fingers crossed!), more beach days with my kids enjoying the sun and sand instead of hiding in my house. MORE MORE MORE!!
Up Next - meeting with the PCP to get the referral in place, get labs organized, and see if she'll go off my own spreadsheets detailing my weight loss attempts over the past 5 years. I will also be required to lose up to 10lbs (the surgeon will let me know once all my papers are in) and complete three more informational seminars along with the labs/paperwork.
I could actually be losing serious weight already by my November birthday!! And up to 3 months out by Christmas!! I am so excited and ready.
Oh, and I had to giggle at myself when I walked into the meeting today. I looked around and saw the 25+ other prospective patients and finally felt like I wasn't alone. I was like "these are my people". I mean, I knew everyone attending would be overweight, but I didn't feel like I was being stared at or judged. Is this what "normal" people feel like every day???? I cannot wait for this to be my life!

Thank you for this. This is exactly what I hope for myself.
Congratulations on your surgery, I hope recovery is kind to you
Up until now I've avoided being in pictures, too. I have so many awkward pictures of me trying to hide behind people. I don't know why I try, a person my size doesn't hide from anyone, ha! I'm taking my kids to Disney in a few weeks (their first time!) and we bought the photopass so I'm preparing myself to be in as many photos as possible and to just smile and enjoy myself without worrying about how I look. My kids will see my happiness, not my stomach. One of the things that's making me OK with that is knowing that next time we go on vacation, I will be many pounds lighter and much healthier Kinda like a chance to get some "before" pics to compare to later. I know I'll have a blast regardless of my weight, but it does always sit there in my mind no matter what I'm doing.
Heading off to my first info seminar in a couple hours. I'm excited to find out what the process will be and when they think I might be able to get on the table

Good morning all. I've been reading up on VSG for several years now but was never to the point where I was really truly ready to make the life-altering changes required. In that time, I've lost and gained 40lbs twice. I've been put on hypertension meds, and my knees creak when I walk. I've been miserable about my weight for as long as I can remember but wasn't ready to never eat a full meal again, or chug a glass of Water when I was parched. But something finally clicked when I was planning a family vacation (which should be the most exciting thing ever) and was focused on "will I fit on the plane? How about the rides? Will I run out of energy halfway through? Will my knees give out?" etc, etc, blah, blah, blah. Not the stuff I want to be focusing on!! So, now I'm ready and I'm signed up for three different information seminars at three local hospitals over the next two months. I'm hopeful to get sleeved around Sept/Oct depending on insurance and doctor requirements. That would be the best timing for me. Unless for some reason they could get me in before the first week or so of June (which I know isn't likely) so I'd be on my way to recovery by the time school is out for my kids. Summer is a bad time for me to be on my butt, with 2 very active boys running around.
If anyone has any tips/suggestions for someone at the beginning of the journey, please share. I'm going to be spending a lot of time on this and other forum soaking up the experiences and knowledge. A little about me - 36 year old mom of 2, married, current BMI 43 . Been struggling with my weight since I was 10. Tried alllllll the things - Weight Watchers, FitnessPal, very low calorie diets (which work, until you eat normally again), etc. The weight always comes back. I'm sure most people here know exactly where I am and how I feel. I do have someone close to me that had the surgery 5 years ago and has been talking me through the overall process but I'm big on getting as much information as possible.
Thank you for your support
Oh, and if anyone has used Harvard Pilgrim insurance and has any info related to that I'd love to hear it


CJ

I hope you keep updating. Great read! Hope you're feeling good today.


Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I had those! Ugh...they hurt me. I called them stomach spasms and were less intense when I didn't drink cold things. I drank room temp Water and Premier Protein shakes that whole first week. Warm, clear broth feels good too.

Thankfully they pass. I don't have them anymore. Whew!

Take care.

6 pounds!!! You rock!!!!!

I just read your entire thread. What an amazing and difficult journey. I look forward to reading all of your continued successes.

Your thread has to be an inspiration to many who are just beginning the process to approval.

Congratulations on being on the right side of good health and future amazing family vacations!

Take care

Thanks for the support!! I appreciate it more than you know. Only 4 people know I'm doing this and I don't talk about it much off this forum, so I get the majority of my support here!
On another note - Target had swimsuits out when I went today. Ugh! So glad I'll be a few months post op when the heat returns this Summer. I cover up with a light sweater year round because I don't want my rolls exposed. I can't wait to be comfortable in tanks and shorts, and not be afraid to swim in my pool in front of other people!
Sent from my Nexus 5X using the BariatricPal App

Syntrax Nectar has fruity flavors, if the thick milk based ones aren't working for you.

My surgery is scheduled for 5:30AM (I'm in Napa California). I'm nervous and scared but mostly excited. I'm also what I feel like starving! Day 13 on the liquid diet....ugggh. This has been tough!!! I almost chewed food yesterday and just spit it out because I wanted to taste it!! I'm terrible ! (I didn't do it fyi). Anyhow, this is just the beginning, and I'm looking forward to my future.

Wow!

Hey guys! Hope everyone is doing well this morning. I am soooo excited - I hit onderland today!! I have been waiting for this moment and I'm so glad that I made the decision to have surgery. Just wish I would have done it sooner! I included a pic of when I started, and a current pic as well. Only 8 more pounds to go until I am 100 pounds down. Hope everyone has a great Friday and weekend.

March 11, 2017
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Day 7 of my preop liver-shrink diet. Not losing as much as I'd hoped, but all I can figure is that I've been eating similarly for the past several months to reach the surgeon's goal so it's not as much of a shock to my body as it would be otherwise. I really didn't have to cut much - just dropped calories. As long as I lose at least a few pounds I think I'll be OK and so far I'm down about 3lbs from my March 1st surgeon visit. I have my final pre-op visit on Wednesday and TEN DAYS it's surgery day! I am so excited. And scared. I've never had major surgery but this will lead to such great things, the excitement wins

Got my date!!! March 21st - my new, healthier life begins [emoji4]

February 19, 2017

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So after some consideration and calendar calculations, it seems it might actually be best for me to assume I'm not going to get surgery until after my scheduled vacation in April. I don't want to be miserable and ruin vacation for my family just to get in there 3-4 weeks earlier.

So I'm planning now for an early May surgery date and will be doing my best to keep losing weight and being active until then. It can only help my recovery

Feb 12, 2017
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My final appt was rescheduled for this Thursday so hopefully I'll get some surgery timeline info then. I'm just so ready to join the other side

Feb 6, 2017
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Well I was supposed to be at my "final check in" today, right now. But now I wait for a call to be rescheduled. I did verify that I can drop below a 40 BMI and still be OK with regards to insurance since I have been diagnosed with sleep apnea (even if it is mild) and have to use meds to treat hypertension. Which is good because as of this weekend I'm RIGHT at 40 on my scale - so if it takes a week or two to get in to the doc I could be right on the border or a little under. I don't want to change my eating since it's become much easier for me to eat high Protein and low carb this past month and I seem to be losing steadily on it.
Fingers crossed they get me in in the next couple weeks!!! I'm really hoping to get sleeved by mid-March as we have a vacation planned at the end of April and I want 4-6 weeks to rest before we go!!!
:/

Starting my pre-op diet tomorrow! It's just high protein/low carb so it's not too bad. Just need to pick up some veggies and meats tomorrow and I'm good to go 16 days to go! I CAN'T BELIEVE THIS IS REALLY HAPPENING!

Starting my pre-op diet tomorrow! It's just high protein/low carb so it's not too bad. Just need to pick up some veggies and meats tomorrow and I'm good to go 16 days to go! I CAN'T BELIEVE THIS IS REALLY HAPPENING!

Syntrax Nectar has fruity flavors, if the thick milk based ones aren't working for you.

I got the call check in is at 5:15 am. chicken broth for dinner. My last meal as this person

SW: 244
CW: 150
GW: 140
I still sometimes think someone's playing a joke on me - after 10 years of feeling awful, my body finally feels really healthy and I'm loving what I see in the mirror.
Best thing I've ever done!

Just got scheduled for the 21st! 20 days to go

Ready to say good bye to the old me