recreatingcate

Hi there! i was supposed to have surgery five years ago. I'm 5'4, and at the time, I was 19 and 220. The surgery was stopped by circumstances outside my control. Here I am, 24 and 40 pounds heavier, and I WISH surgery had happened for me five years ago!! DO IT GIRL. Get it done, and do it for YOU. I'm aiming for a Jan/Feb surgery this time around, and short of a personal or physical catastrophe, God forbid, nothing's getting in my way this time!! Good luck, and keep us posted on your decision!

I'm from Westchester!! Hoping to be sleeved in Jan./Feb.!

Friends who have had the sleeve, which I'm in pre-op for, have warned me about this. I say to them that I can't wait for the day to come when I'm not sweating bullets at all times and constantly feeling overheated. They respond to me that being ice cold at all times isn't ideal either. I don't know which one I'd prefer - I guess being cold I can always throw on another layer? Not excited for these northeast winters I endure yearly. Sigh.

I'm in the same boat! All of my requirements will be completed by the end of December/beginning of January so I'm aiming for an early February 2017 surgery date! Good luck! Happy 2017 to us!

You're too funny! I'm sorry for the troubles you've had. Good for your for taking it in stride!! As someone who is also seemingly cursed, I am hoping that 24 years of bad luck have built up enough good karma for me that I can have an easy, foolproof surgery. I am no stranger to the hospital.. I have broken more bones in my body then I have not broken. My orthopedist is on speed dial, and is part of the family! Since I'm still pre-op, I'll end with this - I have a leg rebuilt out of titanium, but my butt would still look *terrible* in a bikini!

Congrats!! You look awesome! Keep up the fantastic work!

You guys can add me, too! I'm obsessed with my Fitbit, but mine broke last week, so I'm waiting for my replacement in the mail. I have an older Flex I'm charging for the weekend! Challenges are my favorite! recreatingcate@gmail.com @@OhHeyMarina how do you like the Fitbit scale? The name of it escapes me now, but I've been looking into getting one. Just want some feedback on it if you can!

Hi! I'm still pre-op, but I can give you my thoughts so far - I chose the sleeve for myself, and I can tell you why! Your stats and mine aren't too far off from each other. I don't know what your age is, but I'm 24, 249 lbs., 5'4. That makes my BMI somewhere around 43 now, I believe. I have PCOS, hypothyroid, and am borderline diabetic, but do not take medication for it. I picked the sleeve, and my surgeon also recommended it. My doc said that for someone my age, and someone on the "lower end of things," weight wise, the sleeve made more sense. He doesn't feel comfortable rerouting my insides if he thinks I can have the same results with something less invasive. I don't think a ~16 lb. difference is worth the extra steps in surgery, IMO. I do, however, think and recognize that you've worked really, really hard to get to where you are right now. Picking the surgery that's right for you is also important. What does your surgeon have to say? I have two good friends who both got the sleeve, and they have had incredible results. You're in a good place for stories and opinions, too! Take your time to think about your decision, talk to as many people as possible, and do your research. You'll be happy that you did! Good luck!

I have an incredibly physically demanding job (running, preforming restraints, etc) and my surgeon told me he would clear me after two weeks, fully duty, no restrictions. I still plan on requesting four weeks from work. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I had one done six years ago because I was having palpitations but everything was normal and I haven't had any since so cardio cleared me without rerunning any tests. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Woohoo! Good luck! Hoping everything goes great! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I would say something to your surgeon ASAP. Aside from the fact the the pre-up diet is a foreshadowing of sorts to show your what life will be like post-op, it's also created for a reason. To reduce your fatty liver, to assist with the transition post-op, to make sure your stomach is 110% empty and ready to go. These are essentially doctors orders!! Call tomorrow morning - that way, if you have to reschedule, you'll get the earliest possible date. Also, your surgeon will still charge you/your insurance company even if they open you up to discover they can't continue with surgery just the same if they completed the procedure. And you don't want to pay for something that didn't happen! Good luck! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Yay for you both!! You'll be on the loser's bench before 2017!

RoachBug is right - if your surgeon's office is willing to work with you, they can word things and pitch things in ways that will often work in your favor! Good luck, keep us posted! ETA: words are still hard, ugh.

You look great! I think the most progress is usually seen in the face.. at least in the beginning! Also, I LOVE your hair!!

My doc's only requirement was that weight wasn't gained. I'm not allowed to gain anywhere over 5-10 pounds of my starting weight. Does your doc require a pre-op diet? That will probably get things moving in the right direction!

They should give you something. I think I would have gotten on the defensive at that point with whomever I was speaking to. As an individual who pays them for the service in which they provide to you, and as a consumer who is vigilant about both your health and finances, they should be happy to give you some kind of information to help you. That's literally their only job - to assist the customer. That's the end of my rant, sorry. I deal with insurance companies at work all the time and it's frustrating. Are you insured through work? Maybe your HR rep would be able to give you some kind of info. If you feel inclined to call again, maybe a different person would provide you with the info you're looking for. If they refuse again, I would ask to speak to a supervisor and see what's up. Lastly, maybe speak to your patient coordinator at your surgeon's office and see if they have any insight into individuals at a similar weight/height/BMI with your insurance. I'm not sure, but it's a start! I understand the PCOS completely. It's hell. Have you submitted to insurance yet? Will send you good vibes!

@@Laura62 so far, so good! I have completed my upper GI X-ray, got my letter of medical necessity from my PCP, got cardio clearance, did my blood work. In the next two weeks, I have my psych and NUT evals, and meet with the surgeon again, end will schedule my endoscopy then. My thyroid levels are off though (I'm hypothyroid), and can't get in to see my endo until the end of the month, and it takes six weeks for meds to kick in. Hopefully, this won't stall things too long! How are things going for you?

I was approved five years ago (although then with different health insurance, and decided against surgery) with PCOS, pre-diabetes, hypothyroidism and a BMI of 36.7. I had Empire BCBS at the time. Currently, I have CDPHP and none of those comorbidities are considered with a BMI of 25-40. Depends on your insurance, I feel. Call them up and see what they consider to be comorbidities.

Ha, see what I did there? Anyway.. I have PCOS, and have been on oral contraceptives since I was diagnosed with PCOS at age 12 with an 8 month break in-between sometime when I was 15/16 (now 24). I operate on a totally different emotional scale when I am off the pill, and my weight goes haywire, up and down and up again. Not to mention the horrendous, life stopping cramps.. ouch! I'm still in the pre-op stages, but my surgeon has talked to me about going off the pill since I've been on it for some time, and the risk of blood clots is high enough as it is. What method of birth control have any of you used/tried/loved/hated? I'm a fan of getting my cycle monthly (for a variety of personal reasons, but mostly, so I know I'm not pregnant! haha! I definitely plan on talking to my doctor, even so, any input that can be provided would be awesome! Currently looking into the patch and IUD, but opinions on all are welcome! TIA!

From my own research while deciding on surgery at all, the sleeve just seemed like the best fit. I kept an open mind though, when speaking to my surgeon and his team to see what his thoughts were. This is what I learned: 1. The band is not something that is preformed too often anymore; at least, not in my bariatric center. It is also not covered by my health insurance (CDPHP). So, that particular procedure was not an option for me. 2. I'm not "obese enough" for bypass (the nurse practitioner's words, not mine - I've never been told I'm not fat enough for anything, HA!) I am not diabetic, do not have a high BP or cholesterol. These factors played into my surgeon's decision to do the sleeve versus any of the other options. This is just something that is specific for me, and could vary from person to person. For me, the sleeve was my choice and I was happy my surgeon was also on board. I have friends who have had successful sleeves, and I'm excited for my own!! Also, welcome! ETA: Words are hard..

I'm submitting to insurance at the end of the month, so I imagine we'll be having surgery around the same time. Welcome!!

Yay! It will be here before you know it!!

I created one for all things VSG, since my surgery is a secret. At least, for now. You can find my on IG as recreatingcate! i'll follow you guys, as well.

I also took care of my mother, and did so for most of my life until she passed away. Take care of yourself - I know it is SO, SO much easier said then done, but you're no good to anyone if you aren't at your best. Take the one hour to see a therapist, take your antidepressants, find a hobby that helps you relax and try to do it for a half hour or so before bed - yoga, reading, knitting, ect. I'm happy that you've had so much success post-op, so keep up your great work! I will keep you and your mama and your family in my thoughts and prayers!!