New Here, Pre-sleeve And A Bit Nervous

naememac · December 30, 2011

Hello everyone~

I have been going through the rounds of a plethora of doctor's visits and a multitude of tests before my well researched and carefully chosen bariatric surgeon is to meet with me on January 4th to set the date for my gastric sleeve surgery. (Sorry, didn't intend for that sentence to run on forever). I've had 1 support group meeting (another is required, but they are fun)! Four meetings with my dietician/nutritionist; a sleep study; a gastric sonogram; a pre-baritric surgery meeting with a psychiatrist; an angiogram; a gastrectomy with biopsies taken; and a nightmarish amount of paperwork to fill-out.

Are all of these things normal? Granted, I have a slight heart condition (Hypertensive Syndrome), which comes from having high blood pressure for a long time. It's just a stiffening of the heart muscle which will go away eventually after I am lower in weight and am on an exercise program. They discovered that when I had the angiogram done. My cardiologist is the "instigator" of me having the Gastric Sleeve surgery. I flunked the stress test quite admirably (I thought), and he put me on the roller coaster ride that I am now on.

Don't get me wrong, I love my cardiologist. He's a terrific doctor; I am very fortunate, I like and trust all of my doctors with my very life, but I am a bit scared. I was told when I had the gastrectomy that I would be asleep for the entire procedure, they couldn't have been more wrong. The instant he put that camera down my throat it was as though someone threw a bucket of ice cold Water on my face. I choked and gagged the whole way through it. It was the worst 10 minutes of my life. So yea, I'm afraid of being even slightly awake for the surgery.

The last time I was near this weight was when I was pregnant with my daughter, 27 years ago. Since then I've upped and downed like a yoyo gaining and losing the same 50-plus pounds over and over again. I'm now topping out at 213 pounds on a 5'2" frame. Just walking or going to the grocery store makes my back muscles spasm, so I am looking forward to losing the weight permanently.

I'm looking forward to having a slender, new me for the new year and all the new years that follow! And I hope and pray that everyone else has the same!

naememac

Formerly Fluffy · December 30, 2011

As long as you have chosen a good surgeon there is usually nothing to worry about. The risks of complications from VSG is less than the complications from being obese.

Good luck!

savinggrace · December 30, 2011

Hi there, and welcome. I know that every one has different routes to this procedure. With myself I had multiple issues that were worsening. I do believe this surgery saved my life and has enabled me to be here for my family longer. Have a brand new perspective on life to date and am extremely happy. I wish you the best of luck, yes this can be a process but well worth it. Take care and keep us posted.

naememac · January 1, 2012

Thank you very much for your kind responses. I am very fortunate to have two (2) outstanding surgeons, who are a team when the surgery is performed. (As they liked to say when I went in to the "Learn about Bariatric Conference" that they have every month), "You get two for the price of one"! I have checked them out, researched their credentials and they are the very best in the state of North Carolina. Dr. Sharp and Dr. Ng (pronounced "ing"). They are at every monthly support group meeting (which is run by the patients and the other staff members), they take their time to answer ALL of your questions and really make you feel at ease. I've had 4 meetings with their very sweet Dietician; Mary Gray, and I believe I am going to schedule a couple more visits because I am still a bit confused about all of the supplements and replacements, and it seems as though so much was thrown at me all at once, my head is spinning!

I know I need to do this because of my health issues are becoming a real issue...not just something hanging in the background of my life any more. I'm even going to have them remove my gall bladder as I'm starting to have real problems with it. My daughter had hers removed about 5 years ago and hasn't looked back since. So I am looking forward to that one less hassle in my life.

Thank you very much for your support. I'm feeling a bit less jittery and anxious to get it done now and start my new life! Wagons Ho!!!!!