NancyLF

all the stuff you have to do is very common. It bugged me at first, too, but it gave me a lot of time to thoroughly research the surgery and the requirements of post-op life, practice habits I'd need for after surgery, etc. I felt very prepared by the time I went under the knife. The six months ended up going quickly, and I'm now grateful for them.

WELCOME, LIZZIE!!
My doctor had been urging me to have the surgery for 2 years. I wasn't emotionally ready. When my hip was getting worse, I went to the orthopedic surgeon pretty much knowing I needed hip replacement surgery. He said I needed to lose weight before he could do the surgery safely. He's the one who recommended my bariatric surgeon. Their requirements included meeting with a Dietitian, Phycologist & 6 month weight study. My doctor, since I've been seeing him for over 25 years, had the weight info. He just went back 6 months & filled in the form. I think he was so happy I was finally doing it, he would have filled out 20 years of forms! LOL!
My 1st meeting with the Bariatric surgeon was 3/29/2019. My surgery was 7/22/2019. It could have been sooner (in May) but the date they had available conflicted with another event on my calendar, so I was scheduled for June. Then I failed my stress test (part of my clearance fo the surgery), so I ended up with the July date. I was lucky, I guess.
My doctor is very pleased. He kept teasing me about waiting 2 years. I'm SO glad I did it & yes, I wish (now) that I had it done years ago.
This site has been very helpful. While everyone's experiences are different, there's a lot of info. The Store has SO many products! Some are yummy... some not so much. I also found many YouTube videos that were inspiring and informative. There are even some of the actual surgery! WARNING: Don't watch if you're the squeamish type.
This was a long way around to tell you not to let the delay deter you. My surgery was 4 weeks ago today. I have lost 40 pounds. I have been taken off 2 of my diabetes meds. My happy moment today was when I was able to move the weight on the doctor's scale from the 250 to the 200 mark. One of the girls in my church told me, "Miss Nancy, you look smaller!"
Believe me, it's worth it!

It's normal to be nervous. I think I was SO psyched about getting it done, I didn't get really nervous until they were putting in the IV!
Relax! You can do this! Get ready for the NEW YOU!!

I’ve been looking to connect with people that have had, or are going to have, the gastric sleeve surgery. I stumbled across this site today. I’m not sure what I’m doing quite yet on here as far as the format, etc. I have been thinking about doing the gastric sleeve for a while now. Today I took the first steps and talked to my insurance company. Luckily, they do cover all, minus 15% of the total cost. Yet, it comes with the stipulations that I’ve read other people having to do first. That being the 6 months of documented dietary therapy, physical activity, and behavior modification before they’ll approve the surgery.
I kind of figured there would be some hoops to jump through before getting the green light, but I’m still a little bummed that I have to wait 6 mths. I filled out some paperwork online today and should get a call in a week or two from the Dr. for a consultation. I’m really hoping to speed this process up, but as Petty wisely said, “waiting is the hardest part.” 😅 I’ve tried for so many years to shed this weight, to no avail, I’ve thought this through... I know it’s not a decision you just make on a whim thinking it’ll cure everything. I know I have my work cut out for me. So that’s just a little bit about where I’m at on this journey... right at the starting line bahahaha! I can’t wait to read more from all of you and your experiences. Sorry for rambling! Take care everyone!

WELCOME, LIZZIE!!
My doctor had been urging me to have the surgery for 2 years. I wasn't emotionally ready. When my hip was getting worse, I went to the orthopedic surgeon pretty much knowing I needed hip replacement surgery. He said I needed to lose weight before he could do the surgery safely. He's the one who recommended my bariatric surgeon. Their requirements included meeting with a Dietitian, Phycologist & 6 month weight study. My doctor, since I've been seeing him for over 25 years, had the weight info. He just went back 6 months & filled in the form. I think he was so happy I was finally doing it, he would have filled out 20 years of forms! LOL!
My 1st meeting with the Bariatric surgeon was 3/29/2019. My surgery was 7/22/2019. It could have been sooner (in May) but the date they had available conflicted with another event on my calendar, so I was scheduled for June. Then I failed my stress test (part of my clearance fo the surgery), so I ended up with the July date. I was lucky, I guess.
My doctor is very pleased. He kept teasing me about waiting 2 years. I'm SO glad I did it & yes, I wish (now) that I had it done years ago.
This site has been very helpful. While everyone's experiences are different, there's a lot of info. The Store has SO many products! Some are yummy... some not so much. I also found many YouTube videos that were inspiring and informative. There are even some of the actual surgery! WARNING: Don't watch if you're the squeamish type.
This was a long way around to tell you not to let the delay deter you. My surgery was 4 weeks ago today. I have lost 40 pounds. I have been taken off 2 of my diabetes meds. My happy moment today was when I was able to move the weight on the doctor's scale from the 250 to the 200 mark. One of the girls in my church told me, "Miss Nancy, you look smaller!"
Believe me, it's worth it!

My surgery was July 22. So far, so good. I have lost 39 lbs. I am stoked to be able to move the weight on the scale from the 250 mark to 200 - then use the smaller one.
50 lbs to ONE-derland!! YIPPEE!!

My surgery was July 22. So far, so good. I have lost 39 lbs. I am stoked to be able to move the weight on the scale from the 250 mark to 200 - then use the smaller one.
50 lbs to ONE-derland!! YIPPEE!!

Totally do-able! Here are my tips. 1) Log every bite, with calories and Protein. It is the only way you can look at trends and understand what your body is doing. 2) STICK WITH THE PROGRAM. Just do it. Don't cheat. It's not worth it. Just make up your mind to be determined in this and keep focused on the long term goal. 3) Exercise from the get-go. Get a step tracker and work toward 10,000 steps a day. I was doing this by the end of week one post op. Gradually add in other elements - stair climbing, light weights, leg exercises, stretching, swimming, biking, hiking, yoga, pilates, etc. It doesn't have to be at a gym. Set your exercise goals daily. There will be a LOT you cannot control after surgery - pain, nausea, food restriction, BUT you CAN control your exercise. I found this to be very empowering and helpful. Most research shows that people who stick with the food program AND exercise are the biggest losers who maintain the weight loss long term. You have to create a new lifestyle and it must include exercise. I am getting really toned now, with nice muscle definition in my arms and legs. This lean muscle burns more calories than fat, so it will be tremendously helpful in maintaining my goal weight. 4) Give up your addictions NOW - before surgery. recovery is hard enough without going through withdrawal as well. Sugar, simple carbs, alcohol, soda, caffeine. No matter what anyone says, flirting around with this stuff only undermines your longterm success. There is no reason to ever eat sugar again. It jacks your insulin up, which results in fat STORAGE, not fat burning, and creates cravings. Alcohol messes with your gut lining and can cause gastritis, ulcers, and erosion - even years after surgery. Besides, the empty calories are just not worth it. Without sugar and caffeine, my energy levels are higher than ever and constant throughout the day - no slumps. 5) Start focusing on unprocessed, whole foods. This is what you should be eating for life. If it comes in a box, don't eat it. Down the road when you can start adding carbs back in, make them whole cooked grains like quinoa, brown rice, teff, steel cut oats, amaranth, millet, sorghum, legumes like Beans and lentils- not processed flours which absorb quickly and jack up insulin. Avoid wheat and corn as much as possible - they are the worst for raising insulin levels. Learn to love veggies when you can start having them. 6) Develop some mantras to get through tough situations. Mine are: "I AM NEVER GOING BACK!" "IT'S JUST NOT WORTH IT!" (When tempted by some treat or bite.) "I CAN'T HAVE THAT NOW, BUT I WILL HAVE IT LATER." (Foods will come back, gradually - just not right away. You WILL have versions of your favorite foods again, but you have to be patient.) 7) Above all - you must look forward to a new life that you will LOVE. Look at all the challenges as just another chapter in this new adventure. Stay positive about the changes you are making. Don't look at this as deprivation, but rather as a whole new you that is going to emerge as a beautiful butterfly. It is going to be hard sometimes, no doubt. But just the fact that you are asking this question shows that you are serious about making the changes and wanting the very best outcome. It takes tremendous effort - it really does. "There ain't no such thing as a free lunch" here. WLS is only a tool - it will help get a lot of weight off, but YOU have to do the rest. Go into this with fixed determination and you will be fine.

Day 24 post-op and got cleared for all exercises at my first post-op visit! So excited to be going to Aqua Fit! Great class!!

I put some watermelon in my blender & drank it. It was delicious, but man, oh man! About a half hour later it EXPLODED out my butt! YIKES!

Hello all! It will be 1 year for me on July 5 th! HW 257 SW 240 and I just hit 155lbs! I can’t even remember weighing that little 😂. I had my surgery at 60 so seniors take heart, it can be done! Congratulations to all!

Watermelon here at 6 months. Did loosen me up lol

I put some watermelon in my blender & drank it. It was delicious, but man, oh man! About a half hour later it EXPLODED out my butt! YIKES!

I put some watermelon in my blender & drank it. It was delicious, but man, oh man! About a half hour later it EXPLODED out my butt! YIKES!

Welcome! I had my surgery 3 weeks ago today. So far, I have lost 36 pounds! I hope you have an easy time like I did. I had very little pain, just some soreness. I am not feeling hungry- which makes things easier. Goo luck! Keep us updated.

Chapstick! Chapstick! Chapstick! Chapstick! Chapstick! Chapstick!
Oh, in case you didn’t get it... CHAPSTICK!!

I put some watermelon in my blender & drank it. It was delicious, but man, oh man! About a half hour later it EXPLODED out my butt! YIKES!

YAY!!! That's great!

Welcome! I had my surgery 3 weeks ago today. So far, I have lost 36 pounds! I hope you have an easy time like I did. I had very little pain, just some soreness. I am not feeling hungry- which makes things easier. Goo luck! Keep us updated.

Welcome! I had my surgery 3 weeks ago today. So far, I have lost 36 pounds! I hope you have an easy time like I did. I had very little pain, just some soreness. I am not feeling hungry- which makes things easier. Goo luck! Keep us updated.

YAY!!! That's great!

I literally just got the phone call!!! I’ve been approved!!! Pre Op appointment is Wednesday!!

I put some watermelon in my blender & drank it. It was delicious, but man, oh man! About a half hour later it EXPLODED out my butt! YIKES!

I put some watermelon in my blender & drank it. It was delicious, but man, oh man! About a half hour later it EXPLODED out my butt! YIKES!

I hope everyone is doing well. I am very happy with my result. I am logging food and exercising about 5-6 days a week, a combination of spinning and weight training. My advice is to stick with the program whether the weight loss is fast or slow. The excess weight happened over time, so will the weight loss.
Remember exercise is your friend!!
Surgery date 4/29/19
Starting weight -260
Weight day of surgery -244
Current with -195