I'm sure some of you read my other threads about my journey to having my sleeve, but I decided to combine it all in one post.

So I started my journey on accident actually... A couple years back, I had some stomach problems.. it required surgery, and 4 weeks in the hospital. It also brought on diabetes due to insult on my pancreas from the whole issue. Fast forward to Christmas time of last year, I was 305lbs, and in an attempt to get myself in shape I started hitting the gym. The day after my first trip I found a hernia the popped up literally overnight in my abdomen to the side of my scar from previous surgery (it ended up being emergency surgery, so I was opened up the hard way, straight down the middle)

I got a referral to go see a surgeon about fixing it, and the surgeon denied me the surgery, because as he put it, overweight people tend to have poor results with hernia repair, and requested I lose 40-50lbs and then come back to see him. That wasn't going to happen, even with diet, I just couldn't do it without being active, and this huge hernia wasn't helping. It was at that time that I started considering bariatric surgery. I had been feeling like total crap for the better part of the last year, and I knew I wasn't in a good spot as far as my health goes.. I have 2 young daughters, and the thought of not being here for them was enough to make me do the surgery.

Originally in Tulsa, Oklahoma where I am currently residing (for another 2 weeks), I found a great surgeon by the name of Luis Gorospe. He has performed thousands upon thousands of baratric procedures. It was at his seminar I was introduced to the sleeve. I followed up with him, and was on my way to doing pre-op insurance stuff I needed to do. I did my two psych evaluations, 2 sleep studies, and a 90 day physician supervised diet and lifestyle program. All went off without a hitch.. and 90 days later, it was time to submit to Aetna.

I got a call from Aetna, saying they were unable to approve me for the surgery, because my surgeon didn't operate out of an Aetna Institute of Quality. There were other surgeons in Tulsa, but no surgeons in Tulsa that operated at that hospital did the sleeve. So, that wasn't going to work out. I turned then to Las Vegas.. I had just moved from Las Vegas, and had researched the surgery in Vegas before the move, so I knew a few surgeons I was interested in.

I decided on Dr. Thomas Umbach, who operates out of Las Vegas, at Desert Springs Hospital. He was an Aetna approved surgeon, who operated out of an Institute of Quality and Bariatric Center of Excellence. In face, he is the head of the Valley Health System Bariatric Department here in Las Vegas, which is a chain of I believe 5-7 hospitals. I called Aetna back and asked to switch everything over to Dr. Umbach, and just like that.. 2 hours later I had a surgery date.

Over the next week I did more research on Dr. Umbach, and I found a rather scary story that I'm sure we've all read, granted it was the only bad incident I found regarding him, it was scary.. but in the end, I found that it was just the same people associated with said person, that were bashing Dr. Umbach everywhere and understandably so. I however also talked to several people that had surgery with Dr. Umbach, all with positive things to say. So I decided to stay on course.

2 weeks before surgery, I went in for my labs and EKG. EKG was ok, borderline, but ok, and labs were just awful. Tryglicerides were over 4000... Cholesterol was 666, and my PCP said he wouldn't clear me for surgery. I started my pre-op diet that same day, and went to Vegas as planned despite not being cleared. 8 days later, after being on my pre-op diet, and working out, I had lost almost 10lbs, and we redid everything.. this time EKG was perfect, and my labs came back Tryglicerides down from over 4000 to 500, and cholesterol down to 215 from 666, in just 8 days. Even with those improvements, my PCP here sent me over to get full cardiac clearance mostly because of my diabetes. I had another EKG, an echo, and stress test. All passed and I got a low risk clearance.

The day before my surgery, I finally met Dr. Umbach, I could tell he knew what he was talking about, even though I got kind of a cocky vibe from him, but I know a lot of surgeons, and some of the best surgeons in the world are also the biggest assholes. Not saying Dr. Umbach is an a*****e by any means, but he was kind of cocky with me, and tried to talk me out of the sleeve briefly in lieu of the band because of my previous surgery, and he was worried about it being difficult due to scar tissue and such. I told him I had no interest in the band, and while I had a little bit of bad taste in my mouth personally regarding him, I trusted in his abilities and his reputation in Vegas (both my PCP and cardiologist recommended him)...

The next morning was my surgery. I checked in at Desert Springs Hospital at 8:30am, for a 10am surgery.. My nurses and other people from the bariatric program there at the hospital came in to cheer me on, a couple of them even operated on by Dr. Umbach... I got on my gown, and took some pain meds, and just like that it was go time. I was in the pre-op area where I was met by the man who would be putting me under, and Dr. Umbach... he seemed a lot nicer and personable that day than he did the day before.

They wheeled me in to the Operating room, and told me they'd slowly be putting me under... I barely remember finishing that conversation and the next thing I knew surgery was over... and I was in recovery. Dr. Umbach was nice enough to come and talk to my wife and mother who were there waiting for me, he came to see me as well, but I was still out of it, and I may have scared him off. My first thought after waking up, was "WTF did I just do!?" I had serious gas pain, as well as overall soreness... and wasn't a happy camper.. after sitting there in recovery for about 2 hours, they wheeled me up, had me get up and walk off some of the gas pain, and then go pee.. then it was time to go home.

My first day home, I won't lie, I felt like ****, and I wasn't so sure about my choice... The gas pain passed with the help of Gas-X and the soreness was helped with the lortab. I woke up the next morning feeling bad but better.. no more gas pain, but was really sore... the next day was better, and by day 4, I was painfree and back to normal.

Today is one week since I got my sleeve. I call him Pedro. I've lost 17lbs in the last week, and 34lbs overall since the start of my pre-op diet. I had my doubts at first, but since the pre-op diet, I haven't had to take any insulin at all.. I've been sleeping better, feel overall like a million bucks, and am just already feeling like a totally new person. It was a hard choice finally admitting that I needed some assistance in losing weight, it's a total lifestyle change, but not really a bad one.. It's one that was needed, and so far has been welcomed.

I'd do it again in a heartbeat, I feel that it's saved my life, I feel like the old me again, and I'm loving every minute.

Thank you so much for your postings, they have really helped me see a step-by-step journey.

They wheeled me in to the Operating room, and told me they'd slowly be putting me under... I barely remember finishing that conversation and the next thing I knew surgery was over... and I was in recovery. Dr. Umbach was nice enough to come and talk to my wife and mother who were there waiting for me, he came to see me as well, but I was still out of it, and I may have scared him off. My first thought after waking up, was "WTF did I just do!?" I had serious gas pain, as well as overall soreness... and wasn't a happy camper.. after sitting there in recovery for about 2 hours, they wheeled me up, had me get up and walk off some of the gas pain, and then go pee.. then it was time to go home.

Hey Codename Spivey!

I've had many surgeries and they do that same song and dance every time. Funny thing is, I fall for it every time too...

It sounds like you had a very easy recovery! Keep recovering well and it seems you'll be able to get your hernia repair next month already!!!

Take care!

Sorry for my slacking on lack of updates... I stay busy these days..

So I'm I think 4 1/2 months out... Started out at 305 - today I'm at 219! 86lbs lost! My goal was 220lbs.. so I'm over my goal weight.. I really need to find some before pictures, I avoided the camera for so long, I just don't know if I have any...

I'd be lying if I said that I'd follow things strictly... I really haven't... I try to eat well, keep my carbs low and my Protein up.. but there are days I just don't.. especially days I'm busy...

I had some issues with my hair, but it's passed - I had pretty long hair as it was, and that made it worse, I cut my hair kind of short when the hair loss was peaking.. and since then really it's been a non-issue and has pretty much stopped... I feel like I've took the easy way this whole journey.. I haven't been to the gym once, I do walk around, and my job keeps me on my feet the other day... the only areas of fat i have to deal with is some in my abdomen.. I still have a hernia in my mid abdomen, and doing any kind of routine to help eliminate that scares me because I don't know what I can and can't do.

So, recapping my totals.. started at 305lbs - 287 i believe day of surgery.. 219lbs today! 44 size waist, down to a 34... and a XXXL shirt to a L sometimes XL depending on the brand... weirdly it seems like I've went down a tad in shoe size too..

I've got tired of chewable Vitamins, so I've went to every day multi-vitamins once a tad, then a chewable later in the day to kind of not burn myself out on them... that's the one thing I don't slack on, I get my Water and vitamins everyday.. I do good on protein, though there are days I know I don't meet my goals, however, I'm always fairly close...

I still find myself frustrated at times when I'm eating, especially if i'm out eating... I sometimes forget i have my sleeve and let my eyes get the best of me, only to find out I can't eat 1/2 of what I put on my plate... I still have problems eating a little too quickly... and I'm sure that leads to me getting full quicker... I still order drinks with meals, and I don't know why, I never drink them...

I can pretty much do whatever I want as far as foods go... some tortilla's I don't agree with.. and some breads... but I pretty much can do whatever... I guess my sleeve has been very kind to me, and I've been very lucky, and almost feel bad, as the weight has fell off almost without effort..

I think I can probably stand to lose maybe another 10lbs... I'm totally happy where I am right now, and I'd never thought I'd get here.... Normally I see a fluctuation of 2-3 lbs a day... I weight myself in the morning before i eat or drink anything, and my goal is to be 220lbs after any flucuation.. so I have a couple more pounds to go.. but I'm getting close... it'd be amazing to see 199... though, I'm a big guy by nature, I have a big build, and that's almost too much... but seeing myself now, maybe I can do it... it's a pipedream, but if it happens, it happens.. otherwise I've never been happier... If I could get rid of this hernia, I'd be excited, because right now I just need to tighten things up, if i do that, i'd be in the best shape i've ever been in..

Anywho, that's my update... I'm there... and in only 4 1/2 months. I feel great, I sleep better, I'm not diabetic anymore... if anything my blood sugar is running a tad low... I'm going to go get labs drawn at 6 months and see how everything is... but I don't expect any problems.. my immune system seems stronger too, I haven't been sick at all.. despite my wife and kids all getting colds... I don't even have those feel like crap days anymore either... which were the majority of my overweight days... next up, my wife getting sleeved and joining me in being happy with themselves...

Congrats! I wish you the best!

Wow.. I had not realized that I haven't updated this in so long...... So, I'm 8 months out from surgery today... well, yesterday... Weighed myself before surgery... and saw the most magical thing... 199.6!

Giving me 106lbs lost.... I still lose a little here and there, I'm not really actively trying to lose anymore as I'm perfectly content where I am now... I wish I had a before picture.. I'm totally a different person, I'm still myself but a better version.. I feel great, I'm just a happier person... Size 44 jeans down to a 32, wearing large shirts versus XXXL... and in only 8 months...

As far as my diet goes, I don't eat a whole lot, I know I'm supposed to eat my 3 meals a day, but I find myself realizing that I don't want to force myself to eat.. if I'm not hungry... so I eat 2-3 small meals.. usually lunch and dinner. I've been doing a mostly vegitarian lifestyle for a while, so I'm getting my Protein via protein shots, and I found over the last couple months meat makes me sick a little bit..

I had my 6 month check up and my labs were great.. great blood pressure, no cholesterol issues, everything was perfect!

I'm happy to start the next chapter in my journey.. as last week my wife was sleeved with Dr. Ortiz in Tijuana... I'm so happy and proud of her for taking the step... I love her so much... and I hope this brings her the happiness it's brought me... she's awesome, and deserves this way more than I did...it's another thing we can share and have in common now!

I started taking a phenominal new multi-Vitamin... that Dr. Ortiz's office sells, they're in capsule form and as fast desolving, however, nutritional value off the charts... I was tired of the chewables, and the chalky after taste... they're a little on the pricey side, but if you're looking for a good alternative.. check these out.. which also includes an energy blend (no caffine) and 100% of your daily Biotin... and more.. and 6 servings of fruits and vegtables...

here's a link to the nutritional value..and info...

http://store.obesitycontrolcenter.com/products/espira-the-complete-Multivitamin

Anywho, I'm stoked to see all the success people are having with the sleeve around these parts! I'm trying to take time to support people and help with questions, but this group is so supportive and fast, it's hard to keep up!

Stay Frosty!