Hollyhock

Tomorrow is my big day. I'm so scared about complications but at the same time I am excited about a new life. One where I can keep up and play with my two year old son, where my autoimmune disease isn't triggered all of the time and where I don't have to where clothes that I feel help me to "hide". I don't where makeup or jewelry or get my hair done because I just want to hide from everyone, to blur in to the background. I don't want to be like that anymore. I don't want my family to have to say "I know you don't want to be in the picture". I hate that person. I'm glad to be getting the chance to show the world that I am a person and I don't have to hide anymore. But that scared feeling still lies there.
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Sounds like the right choice for you. Good luck. Trust me it is so worth it.

This is a good choice. I switched surgeons and went to the one who recommended the bypass. So, I'm a little nervous like you, but the extra reinforcement will help after surgery. I have a problem with sweets and Gerd. Keep us posted! I'm thinking my surgery will be in February.

My Dr says the gastric sleeve is less invasive and I've know several people who have had the bypass and it hasn't went well with them. 1 ends up in the hospital every year like clock work for dehydration and the nutrients from what she does eat doesn't get absorbed because it goes through so fast. So for me I did a lot of research and decided on the gastric sleeve which has been great so far.
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@Hollyhock...I definately don't think you need to hear this, but I've gotta say it...for someone who has had life throw a lot of crap your way, you have managed to overcome so very much....wow.
The decision can be hard, but it has to be yours because it's so very personal. You are obviously trying to make sure you make the "right" choice, and I've no doubts you will. Seems like your gut (no pun intended!) is telling you sleeve from what you've posted. With either surgery, honestly a LOT of the work is mental, and you are going to have a good outcome as long as you remain true to what has gotten you to going down this path, which is being honest with yourself and showing that you have an amazing ability to overcome whatever life sends you. You're going to come out a winner whichever you choose, because you're already doing the mental work of this journey. Best of luck with whatever you decide, and thanks for sharing your journey to this point.
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Go ahead and do it
Life changing my friend
I feel I'm born again after surgery
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When your husband starts calling you "Hottie" in front of all your friends!!

You can answer, "Either is fine with me.", when asked, "Would you like a table or a booth?"

You have the courage to sign up for a pilates class. I was always afraid of getting down on the floor and not being able to get back up

You spend and entire 2 1/2 mile run holding up one side of your pants or another, because by the time you realized hey were gonna shake right off your butt, it was too late to turn around and go back home.

Hello everyone, Im almost done with the process of getting surgery. I don't know which one I should do. Its between the gastric bypass and the gastric sleeve. I want something that will help me long term , that will help me for a long time. I'm 27 years old. I heard the sleeve could get stretched out. I just want some advice or what which one would pick? I'm leaning towards the gastric bypass. Thank you in advance ????

Hi I'm jen. 50 years old. Married for 20 years. 6 months ago we quit our jobs, sold our house and moved to Florida. Just bought a sailboat and ate getting ready to take off for a few months.
I had lost 100 pounds on. My own in 2012. Diet and exercise. But due to medication, prednisone and an illness. I gained back 60. So I decided to have the sleeve 3 months ago. It wasn't easy. But now I wish I had done it 30 years ago!
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Hi, I'm dawn, single and 47 years old. I am a nurse manager working for a derm surgery practice for 17 years. I have 2 brothers, wonderful sisters in laws, and a beautiful/handsome niece and nephew. I have struggled with my weight for years, yo yo dieting and gaining back more than I have ever lost. Started gaining when I was diagnosed with severe PCOS in my teens. My dad died of cancer after a 8 year battle in 2014. 2 months later my mom was in the hospital, 6 months after that my grandmother died, 6 months after that my mom had a stroke and 6 months after that I ended up in the hospital. During that time I focused on everyone but me and my weight ballooned to 297. Being in the hospital scared me and I started on this journey. Surgery date December 30th as long as I get insurance approval. Very scared, but my family is supportive.
I love to read, craft, swim, hike and kayak- though haven't been able to do the last 2 because of my weight. Really looking forward to getting healthy and having some energy again. Thank you all for your inspiring stories and help on this journey.
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Hello Everyone,
My name is Shi. I'm 35 yrs old, I've been married for five months November 6th. I have four children three girls 16, 9 and 6, one boy 16. I was at my highest weight of 324lbs pre-op gastric sleeve. November 30th I will be three month's out and down to 281lbs. I work for the government. I can honestly say that for the most part Thanksgiving went over waaayyy better then I expected it to. But I also can admit that I don't enjoy food the way I used to before sugery. There is only one thing that I have absolutely no problems with eating and that is unsweetened apple sauce 4oz cups. No other fruit, vegetable, meat or anything else sit's well on my new stomach. Every time I think that I've stalled I go in to the doctor and I've loss more weight. Funny thing that I've noticed on this journey is that people see the weight that I've loss more then I do looking in the mirror. I have never been a shopper type. But lately it seems that I have no other choice, it is such a surprise when I put on clothes today because nothing fits...I was in 3X's and 26W comfortably....And is it me or does anyone else have that one family member that has to snap a picture of your most worst dressed day?
Today my husband seems to have put on the weight that I once had and is feeling a little down. Bad part is truthfully if it weren't for this surgery I would be right where he is...Can barely breath, wanting to eat everything in sight and all without cause. Just because I see it or smell it. My biggest task in the stages allowed is ???? bread yes it has always been my biggest weakness... Mostly because it was always made homemade fresh in my home...yeast rolls here, loaves there, fresh from scratch cinnamon rolls there... Now when offered any I feel sick to the stomach...Even thinkingbof certain foods get under my skin... Is anyone else having this problem? Also when I told my nurse that I wasn't including any sugar in my diet she asked why? Well because I assumed that since I was on a sugar free everything mentioned that meant no sugar at all she stated that was when I got out of the hospital and the first and second stage so who here has added sugar to there diet and how much have you added? I have not added any still since my last appointment out of fear...Only equal, and sugar free or unsweetened items...Suggestions welcomed....

I am 46, married for 10 years, and mom to an almost 5 year old boy, who is the most adorable thing on the planet (biased much?) but who I really am is an artist, and more specifically a photographer. I have had a studio doing weddings and portraits for 10 years in the SF Bay Area, and am about to re-invent a scaled down version of my business in our new house up in gold mine country. The studio is all set up, just have to get some people in it and in front of my camera!! It's daunting and exciting at the same time. I am developing workshops to teach in SF, and really love working on some fine art photography projects that I have finally given myself permission to do... I was born in New York, grew up and went to college in Florida, and moved to San Francisco when I was 28... I knew one person. Best thing I ever did. California is my HOME!

@@Hollyhock I appreciate your hardwork and tenacity in your journey. I would like to recommend watching a Youtube video for both surgeries and even the Lapband if you want. I went to 3 surgeons, 1 recommended bypass, the other 2 recommended sleeve. I'm choosing to go with the sleeve because I want less invasive surgery and only want to use it as a tool to help me to eat right. I thought of doing the Lapband, but, I think I would actually feel the device in my stomach and I heard too many people have problems with finding the port, slippage, corrosion, and other issues.

I'm 6 Had revision from sleeve to bypass on Nov 22,2016.Go for it Mom you will gain youth in surgery.

I'm scheduled for Dec 8 and will turn 60 in February - hopefully considerably slimmer!

I had my sleeve on 8/3/2016 and turned 61 on 8/16. Preprogrammed I was 286.6, surgery date I was 220, and now I am 182.8.
I'm not loosing as fast as I'd like, but I run 3 miles every other day and do strength training 3 days a week. I could have never done that before.
Tell your mom you are never too old to become the healthy you you want to be. I'd do it all over again to be where I am today!
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I'm 61, 5 months out and have lost 90 lbs so far. Tell your mom it's never too late and don't live the rest of her life regretting not getting the surgery.
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@@seeingme
What a beautiful story. Your courage is inspiring. I wish you a wonderful journey. It sounds like you are someone who is not easily intimidated by obstacles!

I began looking into WLS almost a year ago after completing 8 months of intensive outpatient treatment for disordered eating. The IOP included supported eating, where we eat as a group and learn to recognize fullness and hunger, and to cope with trigger foods; nutrition classes; DBT therapy, movement, etc. After a year, I had not lost any weight despite considerable changes in behavior. The dietician at the IOP recommended a surgeon in a nearby town. I met her and was very impressed with her entire program and staff. I followed all their directions, began losing weight and went in for an appointment expecting to be scheduled for surgery.
Unfortunately, I was informed that she had gotten into a tussle with hospital administration and quit. Staff informed me they were booting me from their program as I was very close to surgery and it would take them at least another year to start up again. I live in a very rural area. My insurance only covers one bariatric program, which is in another town a few hours away, but I don't mind because it has a good reputation and I like the doctor.
It took several months for me to get an appointment. I first had to track down all the various sleep studies, EGDs, psych evals, labs plus my records from the IOP and the first bariatric clinic and get them over to the new doctor. The first doctor only performed the gastric sleeve, while the second does both sleeve and gastric bypass. I don't really know which surgery makes the most sense for me.
The doctor told me I was the last new patient he is taking for several months. I still have to see the dietician, but he thinks she will clear me for surgery because I am already logging my food, eating three small meals and two to three Snacks, carrying my food with me for the day, and engaging in regular movement. I will probably be scheduled for December which works out very well for me as my husband and I both have time off of work. Also, my insurance coverage will be much better than if I wait till next year.
I am 245 lbs (5' 5"). I don't have diabetes, high blood pressure or heart disease. I have a sweet tooth but do not binge on large quantities of sweets. He said that if I were diabetic, he would recommend roux en Y, and that if I were consistently binging on sweets he would also recommend it because dumping disorder can be a helpful tool to eliminate excess sweet consumption. Finally, he said that on average, a woman of my weight, height and age loses 74 lbs from the sleeve after 18 months compared to 91 with Roux en Y.
I'd be very interested in hear from others about their experience. How did you choose your surgery and are you happy with it?

I am 56 and am probably (finally) going to be scheduled for December. I have a lot of knee pain and can't do the things I enjoyed last year. I don't want to be 57 going on 97, so I am pursuing WLS.

I am 56 and am probably (finally) going to be scheduled for December. I have a lot of knee pain and can't do the things I enjoyed last year. I don't want to be 57 going on 97, so I am pursuing WLS.

Hi everyone, went in to see nutritionist today!! Very happy with my progress in 4 weeks!!! Even more exciting I get to add some soft foods to day!! Down 17lbs!!!
Getting ready to embrace this stall everyone is talking about. I think I'm starting to see it scale hasn't moved in a couple of days. Bring it on!!
Hw: 329
Sw: 314
Cw: 297
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