Jump to content
×
Are you looking for the BariatricPal Store? Go now!
$99 Yearly Supply Alert! 🌈 "1 per Day!" Bariatric Multivitamins

I'm New And Just Getting Started

LinSmargiassi

Recommended Posts

LinSmargiassi    22

LinSmargiassi
Posted

Hi everyone. So, I'm totally new. I only started hearing about VSG about a year ago and I currently have 3 friends who have had successful surgeries. One was done at Cornell Weill, and two others had theirs done at Overlook Hospital. I have been unbelievable impressed with their individual successes and it has encouraged me to take the same journey.

I am a complicated patient, however. I have Rheumatoid Arthritis, Osteo Arthritis, Fibromyalgia, only one kidney, and have had one support joint replaced. I am only 45 years old, but I still feel like there's hope if I can lose weight. Granted, it won't reverse my RA, but losing weight can only benefit my health, as I am 295 pounds and only 5'7" tall. I have been heavy my entire life and felt heavy even as a child. I come from a heavy family, although my Dad was always a relatively good weight and never obese, but carried an extra 20 pounds or so.

I have been following a lot of video bloggers on youtube and have seen surgeries via youtube... but you know, keeping it real is so important - knowing that i have to give up diet coke and coffee is making me nervous, but I also know that in the end nothing will feel better than losing this weight and being able to move more easily. My Rheumatologist is also advocating this surgery for me. I am considering Cornell in NYC, and Overlook in Summit, NJ. Any advice would be appreciated - I'm here and I'll be hanging out and communicating with folks!

slojo, SweetnCurvy and Teriiann reacted to this

Share this post

Link to post
Share on other sites

gtracygilby    15

gtracygilby
Posted

Welcome!!!! I'm waiting to see if I'm cleared by my insurance company. I've been thru my 6 NUT visits, seen the surgeon and saw the psych doctor. Its a waiting game now.

Share this post

Link to post
Share on other sites

LinSmargiassi    22

LinSmargiassi
Posted

Thank you for stopping by and for your message of welcome! I really hope your insurance company comes through for you!!! I have several friends that have had this surgery, and it really does seem like an answer to my prayers. I have hope for the first time in a long time!

:^)

DanaInNewOrleans reacted to this

Share this post

Link to post
Share on other sites

LinSmargiassi    22

LinSmargiassi
Posted

Today I am confirming that I am getting vsg. Moving forward.

slojo and Earwood reacted to this

Share this post

Link to post
Share on other sites

gtracygilby    15

gtracygilby
Posted

Good for you! I can't wait to hear your journey!

Share this post

Link to post
Share on other sites

amykins    202

amykins
Posted

Welcome! I researched, researched, and researched while I was deciding, and even after I made my decision. I read success stories, I wrote alot about how I felt when I was trying to find clothes before my cruise, and yes, ate alot of ice cream and drank my favorite soda.

I wish you the best in your journey. Keep a positive attitude and you'll do great. :)

Share this post

Link to post
Share on other sites

Teriiann    34

Teriiann
Posted

Welcome! I took have looked and read and is taking the steps to move forward!!! Good luck on your new journey....)

Share this post

Link to post
Share on other sites

slojo    150

slojo
Posted

Welcome to you! and good luck! Keep in touch...

Share this post

Link to post
Share on other sites

cbd    78

cbd
Posted

Good luck in your journey. I am still pre surgery. Getting thru step by step...waitin for my psych appointment then all we be submitted to my insurance for approval. This site has been a great source of support and information.

Good luck!

slojo reacted to this

Share this post

Link to post
Share on other sites

SweetnCurvy    112

SweetnCurvy
Posted

Hi everyone. So' date=' I'm totally new. I only started hearing about VSG about a year ago and I currently have 3 friends who have had successful surgeries. One was done at Cornell Weill, and two others had theirs done at Overlook Hospital. I have been unbelievable impressed with their individual successes and it has encouraged me to take the same journey.

I am a complicated patient, however. I have Rheumatoid Arthritis, Osteo Arthritis, Fibromyalgia, only one kidney, and have had one support joint replaced. I am only 45 years old, but I still feel like there's hope if I can lose weight. Granted, it won't reverse my RA, but losing weight can only benefit my health, as I am 295 pounds and only 5'7" tall. I have been heavy my entire life and felt heavy even as a child. I come from a heavy family, although my Dad was always a relatively good weight and never obese, but carried an extra 20 pounds or so.

I have been following a lot of video bloggers on youtube and have seen surgeries via youtube... but you know, keeping it real is so important - knowing that i have to give up diet coke and coffee is making me nervous, but I also know that in the end nothing will feel better than losing this weight and being able to move more easily. My Rheumatologist is also advocating this surgery for me. I am considering Cornell in NYC, and Overlook in Summit, NJ. Any advice would be appreciated - I'm here and I'll be hanging out and communicating with folks![/quote']

I wish you the best in your surgery process!:)

LinSmargiassi reacted to this

Share this post

Link to post
Share on other sites

slojo    150

slojo
Posted

Your photo is gorgeous! Is it a professional photo? I really like it!

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
Go To Topic Listing Tell Your Weight Loss Surgery Story

  • Trending Products

  • Trending Topics

  • Recent Status Updates

    • BeanitoDiego

      BeanitoDiego

      Oh yeah, something I wanted to rant about, a billing dispute that cropped up 3 months ago.
      Surgery was in August of 2023. A bill shows up for over $7,000 in January. WTF? I asks myself. I know that I jumped through all of the insurance hoops and verified this and triple checked that, as did the surgeon's office. All was set, and I paid all of the known costs before surgery.
      A looong story short, is that an assistant surgeon that was in the process of accepting money from my insurance company touched me while I was under anesthesia. That is what the bill was for. But hey, guess what? Some federal legislation was enacted last year to help patients out when they cannot consent to being touched by someone out of their insurance network. These types of bills fall under something called, "surprise billing," and you don't have to put up with it.
      https://www.cms.gov/nosurprises
      I had to make a lot of phone calls to both the surgeon's office and the insurance company and explain my rights and what the maximum out of pocket costs were that I could be liable for. Also had to remind them that it isn't my place to be taking care of all of this and that I was going to escalate things if they could not play nice with one another.
      Quick ending is that I don't have to pay that $7,000+. Advocate, advocate, advocate for yourself no matter how long it takes and learn more about this law if you are ever hit with a surprise bill.
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • BeanitoDiego

      BeanitoDiego

      Some days I feel like an infiltrator... I'm participating in society as a "thin" person. They have no idea that I haven't always been one of them! 🤣
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • ChunkCat

      ChunkCat

      Thank you everyone for your well wishes! I totally forgot I wrote an update here... I'm one week post op today. I gained 15 lbs in water weight overnight because they had to give me tons of fluids to bring my BP up after surgery! I stayed one night in the hospital. Everything has been fine except I seem to have picked up a bug while I was there and I've been running a low grade fever, coughing, and a sore throat. So I've been hydrating well and sleeping a ton. So far the Covid tests are negative.
      I haven't been able to advance my diet past purees. Everything I eat other than tofu makes me choke and feels like trying to swallow rocks. They warned me it would get worse before it gets better, so lets hope this is all normal. I have my follow up on Monday so we'll see. Living on shakes and soup again is not fun. I had enough of them the first time!! LOL 
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • BeanitoDiego

      BeanitoDiego

      Still purging all of the larger clothing. This morning, a shirt that I ADORED wearing ended up on top. Hard to let it go, but it was also hard to let go of those habits that also no longer serve my highest good. Onward and upward!
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • Onedayatatime365

      Onedayatatime365

      Looking to connect with others who are also on the journey of better health. Post-Op Gastric Sleeve (4/11/24).
      · 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

    Bariatric Forums

    For Patients

    Health Professionals

    Search Surgeons

    Bariatric Surgeons: Want to research a weight loss surgery surgeon? Enter their last name below to start!

    ×