laurenantics

I just got my surgery date for July 12th at 10AM. I'm so freaking excited!

We're twinzies! I'm doing July 12th as well. I have my pre-op appointment tomorrow. EEK!

We're twinzies! I'm doing July 12th as well. I have my pre-op appointment tomorrow. EEK!

We're twinzies! I'm doing July 12th as well. I have my pre-op appointment tomorrow. EEK!

I am 11 months post op gastric sleeve. My highest weight ever was reached in June of 2019 and I was horrified to weigh in at 502 lbs! I didn't believe it and requested the doctor to re-weigh me. That was my first wake-up call. I was suffering from very high blood pressure, debilitating back pain/spasms, knee pain and damage, sciatica, and sleep apnea. I started doing Keto and got down to 415lbs. During COVID quarantine, I gained back up to about 459lbs.
In July of 2020, I finally decided to take back my life and financed a vertical sleeve gastrectomy surgery (out of pocket, since insurance would not cover it).
As of yesterday, I'm down to 275 lbs. I have gone from a 6xl shirt to a 2xl. From size 62 pants, to a size 44. I still struggle to see myself as anything but fat from time to time, but it's the Non-Scale Victories (NSVs) that keep me going! My only regret is not doing this sooner. Sometimes I wish I could go back and re-do certain life experiences without the extreme morbid obesity.

Here's my running list:
- I’m off of all medications (including 2 BP meds). - No more seat belt extension on airplanes - Seats with arm rests are no problem. - Restaurant booths are now no problem - I can fit in an MRI machine (if needed). - I can now walk ANYWHERE without debilitating back pain. - The car steering wheel no longer rubs my stomach. - I can shop in most “regular” stores for clothes. - I no longer worry about a seat being able to hold me (those plastic white ones at weddings are even ok now). - I can use my own step ladder to do things around the house like change a light bulb. - I can sit with my legs crossed. - I can now get down on the floor. - My “love life” has drastically changed/Improved. - too many to list! Notice there is a lot of use of the word “CAN” here? All in less than a year. The little black battery operated box on the floor cannot control me any longer! Yea, it’s still important. But weight is no longer the defining characteristic of my life. Sleeved 7/23/20. HW 502, SW 459, CW 275, GW healthy

July 12th. Freaking out Bc I have to start my no starch diet soon.

July 23rd eekk, it's getting real

Hello everyone I’m scheduled for July 7th. I’m a little nervous.

Just thought I'd post about how this process has gone for me over the past "almost" year as today I crossed a big milestone (at least big to me).
198.8 - which when I think about it - I haven't been this weight since 2007 when I was doing weight watchers and had lost 40lbs. I think back over this past year it's still a little surreal.
At this time last year, I was finishing up my insurance pre-reqs of meeting with a nutritionist and therapist for 6 months. I had already started to transition my diet to two Protein Shakes for Breakfast and lunch to prep for my pre-surgical diet. I was nervous, scared and not 100% sure that I wanted to go through with bypass but also beginning to realize that I couldn't lose the weight on my own or I would have already.
My surgery was at the end of August and the two weeks of fluids before hand was really hard, but honestly - I was really proud of myself for doing it and grinding through what I couldn't imagine doing before. Those two weeks, to me, helped to set me up for what I could expect after surgery.
The day of surgery I almost told my husband to drive me back home. It was my first time anywhere since COVID hit and that alone was kind of terrifying to me. I remember being wheeled back to surgery and the anesthesiologist talking to me and asking me if I was excited. My response, "No. I'm terrified." But he gave my hand a squeeze and kept reassuring me that it was going to be ok and the team was great. Once I got in the surgical room it seemed to have the same kind of vibe - the team was more excited for me than I was.
I just don't think I could get my head wrapped around this procedure working. That I would lose weight and that my life would change. I think it all still felt very unreal - even as they put me to sleep.
Recovery - overall wasn't the most awful thing but it wasn't great. I ended up in the ER a couple days later due to dehydration. What helped me the most was an abdominal binder that they gave me when I left the hospital. I left this on for about three weeks until things stopped feeling like they were shifting or pulling. While the pain wasn't too unbearable, the reality that drinking, eating and for a short time peeing was a chore. Trying to get enough fluids was hard. Drinking the amount of Protein I needed to afterwards was impossible for me. I had to measure out 3oz and a time and set timers throughout the day to help me remember no to drink Water for a half hour before and a half hour after. Once I started solid foods it was also difficult for me. Trying to figure out what I was ok to eat (that didn't completely turn my stomach) and learning that crab, tuna, salmon would be my go to food for awhile. Adding in cheeses, eventually chicken and turkey on top of the protein shakes I was still doing.
After three months things started to get a little easier for me, my check up with the Nutritionist went well although she wanted me to get my calories way up. So I started to incorporate things with more fat into my diet. Nuts, Peanut Butter, avocado were just a few things that I started to try.
I think it was around this point where I realized, ok... this is starting to work. I was seeing weight come off and while food was a struggle I was walking around the block and having an easier time of it. My breathing was easier, sitting on the couch was easier, my back was hurting less, my clothes were starting to fit better.
As time went on I continued to add things to my diet, fruit, veggies, and eventually some carbs. Were there things that did not agree with me, absolutely, but I learned from trying them and adjusted my diet.
I waited to buy clothes until about two months ago. I had to go into the store to try on pants because I had no idea what size I was. I fit into a 16 and 14... which blew my mind. At my highest I was a size 24 and even that was tight. I've since ordered a bunch of new things which also helps me to see the difference in weight.
Things I still struggle with - drinking enough water. Losing hair - I still have a good amount but had a 2 month stint where I lost a lot. I still am freaking out when I see more than 10 hairs coming out on the brush but I have a ton of new baby hair growing back in. Making sure I'm focusing on eating enough protein and not drinking with meals. Going to the bathroom - it's either all or nothing for me. 😂 I usually weigh in after I go though - seems like a solid strategy in my mind.
The things that worked for me: ProCare Health Bariatric Multivitamins with Iron (1/day). Their sea salt caramel calcium chews (2.5/day). Biotin gummies - no idea if they helped but considering that I didn't lose soooo much hair I'm just going to keep taking them.
And if you're still with me - A big thanks to everyone who posted on here before my surgery. I was definitely a lurker but your stories helped to prepare me and give me confidence as I went through this myself. Thank you, thank you, thank you.
Now on to Celebrate being in ONDERLAND again and I'd still like to lose another 30-40lbs - which I know the surgery won't get me there for the full amount (at least from my doctor's perspective) but I'm going to keep working at it and chipping away to see where I end up.

dinner. Smoked chicken breast with tzatziki and salad with watermelon, feta, pepitas, and balsamic vinaigrette. Yummy! Ate all of it 😬😊

June surgery canceled rescheduled for July 13th… fingers crossed

I'm sorry this is happening. Can you discuss what his concerns are? Is he afraid you won't be able to enjoy going out to eat with him anymore? Or that you will leave him once you are thin? Or that you will have a lot of health problems afterwards? Or something else? It might be something to discuss with a therapist who is well-educated about bariatric surgery. If he is unhappy with your weight and unhappy with your efforts to do something about it, it really puts you in a difficult spot.

Hi!!! I am also scheduled for July 20th. Done with all of my pre op requirements. Waiting on insurance now!! Starting liquids on July 6th. Excited and nervous!!

July 13 for me.

I recently had my sleeve performed at Oasis of Hope in Tijuana by Dr. Gonzales. I could NOT be happier with my decision! I think most people skitz out a little when they think of going to Mexico for any type of medical procedure, but it’s so much more common than people realize, and not as dangerous as they think! The hospital was beautiful, and VERY clean. Some parts were older, like x-ray and the blood lab, but they are currently remodeling and updating the hospital. The doctors and staff are AMAZING! Though there was a communication issue at times, I NEVER felt like I wasn’t cared for or looked after. I’m my 3 days there, I was visited by 4 doctors, 8 nurses, the nutritionist and my coordinator. I was made to feel incredibly special, at home and cared for. The entire cost for my procedure, all tests, medicines, etc was $4400, which is probably a tenth of what I would have paid in the states. Absolutely worth it in my opinion!

I just got my surgery date scheduled for July 28th.

Hi, everyone! I'm new here so I just wanted to say hi, and that I'm so excited! I just scheduled my first appointment with Dr. Khandelwal at UWMC. The first step on my journey to a new me!

My revision to bypass is July 13th

My pre-op starts one week before the surgery (July 9). Good luck!

July 14th!! [emoji322][emoji898] I had to have hianal hernia surgery first so just healed and ready for step 2

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My surgery is scheduled for July 8th. I will be having my lap band removed and converting to a sleeve.

I do…I’m Type 2 diabetic for almost 8 years, but it has been under control. So, my surgeon decides that I need DS surgery ASAP because he wanted to see losing weight under 300 lbs. I will have my surgery on 7/6/21. Can’t wait!

Welcome to Team July!!

Just got my date for July 20th, pending insurance approval and clearance from my PCP!
I'm both excited and freaked out...

I have the same surgery date! I’m doing the DS and insurance will not cover it so it’s $15,000 USD. I just paid for it yesterday. Ouch! Most ins covers it, but I don’t have traditional ins.
which surgery are you having?