Jump to content
×
Are you looking for the BariatricPal Store? Go now!

Leaning toward sleeve!



Recommended Posts

Hi all!!

My name is Libbe and I am 39. My oldest daughter got married 1-1-11 and my youngest turns 16 tomorrow (!!!) and I decided this is the year for ME!! I matter and I want to be around to enjoy my grandkids some day! I am 4'11 and weigh in the 230's right now. Other than my weight, my only health issue is Migraines and recently some neck troubles.

Well, I started my journey in January - went to an orientation I believe it was January 9th, pondered it until late February and decided to start the process. Saw my primary care Dr on March 7th to get his referral to the program, March 14th had my psych appointment, yesterday went to the nutrition classes and have my consult with the nutritionist and physical therapy this coming Monday.

I was originally set on Lap Band and the LCSW suggested I may not be happy with those results so I started looking at RNY and VSG as they are the other two options the surgeons do. My insurance covers all of them so not a problem there. After alot of reading and research, I am going to talk to the surgeon about VSG. I am calling tomorrow to set that appointment. The program office told me today my surgeon will be Dr Hammer in Springfield, IL.

I am so encouraged by the things I have read here on this board and a few others. So I guess I'm not too far in to the process but I feel like it is moving along pretty well.

I actually work for my insurance (BCBS of IL) doing International claims and it has been interesting to read about alot of your experiences in Mexico - sounds like most have great experiences! Well, really looking forward to this journey and sharing it with you all - as well as following all of your journeys.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Welcome! You will love the support, inspiration, and information here.

I evaluated all three, as we all did I think, and for many reasons decided the sleeve is for me. The band , I feel, is not effective enough, not to mention the problems with slippage and erosion. I personally do not want to re-route my intestines so RNY is out. The sleeve seems to have everything I want- restriction of eating leaving the digestive process intact, with little dumping, leaving the process of losing the weight in my control.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Well just found out my insurance changed to 6 months of medically supervised weight loss. And here I thought I was almost half way there. Oh well, I will be ready!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Don't get discouraged. That will give you more time to read this forum and prepare for your life changing adventure.

Good luck to you and your journey. You'll love it. The sleeve ROCKS!!!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Thanks! I am trying not to - and I had been rushing to get to all these appointments and classes but now feel like I don't need to do that, I am going to only scheduled appointments 1-2 days a month so I can have some of my Monday's home to enjoy (I work a 4 day work week). Went today to the nutritionist and have to go back to her - got to work on balanced plate eating. Physical Therapy appointment also - cleared that one. Was going back to LCSW but 3 hours between appointments so will reschedule that for another week I have to make several appointments. They are all about a 45 min drive away.

I joined weight watchers tonight so I can be a little more proactive on the "medically supervised" diet part....

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now

  • Trending Products

  • Trending Topics

  • Recent Status Updates

    • LeighaTR

      I am new here today... and only two weeks out from my sleeve surgery on the 23rd. I am amazed I have kept my calories down to 467 today so far... that leaves me almost 750 left for dinner and maybe a snack. This is going to be tough for two weeks... but I have to believe I can do it!
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • Doughgurl

      Hey everyone. I'm new here so I thought I should introduce myself. I am 53y/o and am scheduled for Gastric Bypass on June 25th, 2025. I'm located in San Antonio, Texas. I will be having my surgery in Tiajuana Mexico. I've wanted this for years, but I always had insurance where bariatric procedures were excluded. Finally I am able to afford to pay out of pocket.  I can't wait to get started, and I hope I'm prepared for the initial period of "hell". I know what I have signed up for, but I'm sure the good to come will out way the temporary period of discomfort and feelings of regret. I'd love to find people to talk to who have been through the same procedure or experience before. So I look forward to meeting you all. Hope you have a great week!
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. LeighaTR

        I hope your surgery on Wednesday goes well. You will be able to do all sorts of new things as you find your new normal after surgery. I don't know this from experience yet, but I am seeing a lot of positive things from people who have had it done. Best of luck!

    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. summerseeker

        Life as a big person had limited my life to what I knew I could manage to do each day. That was eat. I hadn't anything else to look forward to. So my eating choices were the best I could dream up. I planned the cooking in managable lots in my head and filled my day with and around it.

        Now I have a whole new big, bigger, biggest, best days ever. I am out there with those skinny people doing stuff i could never have dreamt of. Food is now an after thought. It doesn't consume my day. I still enjoy the good home cooked food but I eat smaller portions. I leave food on my plate when I am full. I can no longer hear my mother's voice saying eat it all up, ther are starving children in Africa who would want that!

        I still cook for family feasts, I love cooking. I still do holidays but I have changed from the All inclusive drinking and eating everything everyday kind to Self catering accommodation. This gives me the choice of cooking or eating out as I choose. I rarely drink anymore as I usually travel alone now and I feel I need to keep aware of my surroundings.

        I don't know at what point my life expanded, was it when I lost 100 pounds? Was it when I left my walking stick at home ? Was it when I said yes to an outing instead of finding an excuse to stay home ? i look back at my last five years and wonder how loosing weight has made such a difference. Be ready to amaze yourself.

        BTW, the liquid diet sucks, one more day and you are over the worst. You can do it.

    • CaseyP1011

      Officially here for a long time, not just a good time💪
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
  • Recent Topics

  • Hot Products

  • Sign Up For
    Our Newsletter

    Follow us for the latest news
    and special product offers!
  • Together, we have lost...
      lbs

    PatchAid Vitamin Patches

    ×