Well, my story is just beginning. I am 37 years old and was thin (sometimes downright skinny) for most of my life. I gained weight in college, but was able to lose it and stayed at 150 pounds for several years (I am 5'6"). After I married, I gained 20 pounds and lost it within 6 weeks of Weight Watchers. In 1998, I began having back problems, that over the years, have become severe. After losing the weight in WW, I began taking Lyrica and gained 40 pounds within 6 months. After getting off the Lyrica, I couldn't get the weight off. I tried Jenny Craig and lost pretty much nothing except a couple thousand dollars and tried WW again. The weight would not come off. As I gradually got bigger, I developed Thyroid problems, High Blood Pressure, Pre-Diabetes, and sleep Apnea. I pretty much meet all health qualifications for insurance to pay for gastric bypass surgery, but because I haven't had this problem for 3 years, they won't pay. Since I was diagnosed with the majority of health problems in the past year, I'd have to weight 2 years before I qualify. My triglycerides are so high I won't even tell ya'll the number, so do I wait 2 years and hope and pray I don't fall over with a stroke or heart attack or do I go on and have weight loss surgery?

I've decided to finance the surgery. BC/BS of Alabama won't pay for Sleeve and Gastric Bypass is $26,000.00. I attended a seminar last weekend and feel that the Sleeve is a better option for me anyway, so this is the choice I've decided upon. I have my initial consulation with the doctor on 6/7/11. At the seminar, I found that he has criteria that patients must meet, but these things seem to be pretty easy: attend 1 support group, attend a nutritional class to teach me how to eat after surgery, and since I take an anti-depressant, I'll probably have to have a psych evaluation. He said this was for anyone suffering from depression. I was diagnosed with this in high school and am not severely depressed. I'm hoping that since I'm "stable" on medication and don't have any problems, he won't require the psych eval, but if he does, then he does. I'm alright with it. I just want to get going as soon as possible.

I'm a little nervous, but seem to be more at ease since I decided to choose the sleeve. I know many people who have had gastric bypass. Some have done very well, some have not. I kept finding myself nervous about making the decision to have gastric bypass, but have not had those same feelings since learning all I can, and deciding to go with, gastric sleeve. I think the thought of everything having to be "re-wired" made me feel that the bypass was so "final". For some reason, I can wrap my head around having a smaller stomach, while everything else stays in place.

Well, that's pretty much it. I'd love to hear from anyone who is just starting out in this process, as I am. I would also like to know of anyone who has had a psych eval. Of course I'd love to look great, but I'm not severely obese (BMI of 37-38). I have thought about weight loss surgery for several months, but In the past month, I have really started to worry about my health. I know this is what they want to know during psych eval, but I'd like to have some idea of what kinds of questions they ask.

I think a support forum like this is terrific. I look forward to "meeting" several of you as we go through this together.

With love and prayers,

Meg

Oh, and I'm "Meggie" too! My sister and parents call me that, as well as a lot of friends from high school!

Cosmic! Truly.... I don;t suppose his middle name is John? That would be too much! We photographed a wedding once where the groom ws Michael John and so was his son and his father- they had my Michael John do a photo with them- the four Michael Johns.

I am trying to figure out why suddenly after all these years, I have such a plethora of Megs around me!

My Mom was Margaret too but she was Peg and I Meg.

So we are a subset of the Meg's with sleeves (after you get yours) - Meggie's with sleeves and husbands named Michael!

No. His middle name is Scott. Well, now that we've gotten all of that taken care of- LOL- I've got some questions for you about the Sleeve.

How long have you had your's? How did you feel after surgery? How long did it take you to get over surgery and get back to feeling like your old self? Do you work, and if you do, how long before you went back after surgery?

Cosmic! Truly.... I don;t suppose his middle name is John? That would be too much! We photographed a wedding once where the groom ws Michael John and so was his son and his father- they had my Michael John do a photo with them- the four Michael Johns.

I am trying to figure out why suddenly after all these years, I have such a plethora of Megs around me!

My Mom was Margaret too but she was Peg and I Meg.

So we are a subset of the Meg's with sleeves (after you get yours) - Meggie's with sleeves and husbands named Michael!

No. His middle name is Scott. Well, now that we've gotten all of that taken care of- LOL- I've got some questions for you about the Sleeve.

How long have you had your's? How did you feel after surgery? How long did it take you to get over surgery and get back to feeling like your old self? Do you work, and if you do, how long before you went back after surgery?

I will be four weeks out on Monday. I was in a bit of shock after surgery only because no matter how much research you do before- and I was an encyclopedia!) your body had no idea what you were about to do! I was shocked I could not swallow- and for the first few days things were tough. Things turned around on day five.

Honestly I don' quite feel like my old self yet- and perhaps never will as my old self never had to be so focused on drinking fluids and getting portein or counting carbs. However my energy is much better since starting mushies at 3 weeks as I am getting real food now!

I am self employed- we are wedding photographers, so much of my work is from home. I had to hire a replacement for one of our weddings as my weight limit for lifting is 4 pounds unti next week. I have to say I am glad to be home during this recovery period- I also think I probably needed a but longer to recover than the usual person might due to fibromyalgia. I do honestly think three weeks is great if you can get it though many people return to work sooner- and you are 20 years younger than me so that is also a factor! ;-P

I have you tubes from before surgery through day of to now- the link is in my signature. I suggest going to surgery day and then watching those to now to see the unvarnished truth- highs and lows.

I feel better and better every day and I know once I am eating regular food I will come to day I forget I even have a sleeve- and I will tell you one thing- this is the best thing I ever did and I wish I did it at your age!

Hi again, Meg! You are doing the absolute right thing by asking questions, getting advise and doing your research. That is what I did and pretty much everyone on here did. It helps in getting you prepared for what is to happen, how to deal with everything and it gives you over all support as you can see from the responses you have gotten so far. This is a great board for that and if I can help in any way please do not hesitate to ask.

I do appreciate all the responses I've gotten. This is all so new to me, because as I stated earlier, I was totally "gastric bypass" until that seminar. In the past 2 weeks, I've done more research on this than I have anything else in my life- including the bypass.

I don't have a "Pollyanna" attitude and know that this isn't going to be a piece of cake (sorry! LOL). But, I also know that one day, my new eating habits will be just that- habits- and I won't remember what it's been like to be miserable and unhealthy. I know that won't happen overnight, but I'm ready.

I will certainly be asking more questions as this progresses. Although we are all different and our bodies respond differently to surgery, food, supplements, etc., there's no one better than those who have done this to tell me what to expect.

So, thanks again. Best wishes!