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Sleep Apnea Was My Final Straw



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I was diagnosed with sleep apnea in May of 2013 weighing 321 lbs. I already have diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol, so being diagnosed with sleep apnea was the final straw. I went to see my primary care doctor and got a referral. My first visit with my bariatric surgeon, Dr. Amin, was in August. Dr. Amin said that I was a good candidate for the gastric sleeve. He told me that I would have to get some tests done, get a psych eval and have to take a class. I had done Weight Watchers for 2 years prior and because of this, I was put on the fast track to have surgery. That was fine with me. I had to take the class for 6 straight weeks. Other people had to do it for 6 months, once a month. After completing my class, all my documents were sent to my insurance company and the waiting game began.

At the end of October I got the call that my surgery was approved and my date for surgery was November 12, 2013. Needless to say, I was thrilled. Two weeks before surgery, I did a liquid diet. The first couple of days were hard. After the third day, I was good. The sugar free popsicles were my best friend during this time. On the day of surgery I weighed 310 lbs. My surgery was scheduled for 8:30am. I've never been more excited to have surgery and I've had several.

Surgery went well. I was up and walking around the hospital that evening. I was sent home the very next day. Things were ok when I got home. I had lots of help and I made sure I walked everyday. I came home on liquids for the first few days then I transitioned to soft foods. I had a hard time drinking Protein Drinks. They really didn't sit well with me. After a about a week, I was able to tolerate them a little better.

Three weeks into my recovery I started having severe stomach pains. I went back to Dr. Amin and was told that I was having muscle spasms from being cut through my stomach muscles. I haven't quite reached a month yet, but overall things are going well.

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I was diagnosed with sleep apnea in May of 2013 weighing 321 lbs. I already have diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol, so being diagnosed with sleep apnea was the final straw. I went to see my primary care doctor and got a referral. My first visit with my bariatric surgeon, Dr. Amin, was in August. Dr. Amin said that I was a good candidate for the gastric sleeve. He told me that I would have to get some tests done, get a psych eval and have to take a class. I had done Weight Watchers for 2 years prior and because of this, I was put on the fast track to have surgery. That was fine with me. I had to take the class for 6 straight weeks. Other people had to do it for 6 months, once a month. After completing my class, all my documents were sent to my insurance company and the waiting game began. At the end of October I got the call that my surgery was approved and my date for surgery was November 12, 2013. Needless to say, I was thrilled. Two weeks before surgery, I did a liquid diet. The first couple of days were hard. After the third day, I was good. The sugar free popsicles were my best friend during this time. On the day of surgery I weighed 310 lbs. My surgery was scheduled for 8:30am. I've never been more excited to have surgery and I've had several. Surgery went well. I was up and walking around the hospital that evening. I was sent home the very next day. Things were ok when I got home. I had lots of help and I made sure I walked everyday. I came home on liquids for the first few days then I transitioned to soft foods. I had a hard time drinking Protein Drinks. They really didn't sit well with me. After a about a week, I was able to tolerate them a little better. Three weeks into my recovery I started having severe stomach pains. I went back to Dr. Amin and was told that I was having muscle spasms from being cut through my stomach muscles. I haven't quite reached a month yet, but overall things are going well.

how are you doing now? Dr. Amin is my doctor too.

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how are you doing now? Dr. Amin is my doctor too.

Did Dr. Amin say he would do tour surgery open instead of laproscopic? He told me this but my insurance approved laproscopic gastric sleeve. So i am unsure if he changed his mind or if he sends that to the insurance instead of saying open to get the approval.

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    • 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.
      · 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. 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.
    • KimBaxleyWilson

      Three months and four days ago... I was in Costa Rica having a life changing surgery! Yesterday we had a followup visit with Dr. Esmeral via video chat and this morning my middle number changed.  I'm down 47lbs and two pants sizes. I can wear a Large tshirt for the first time in like... 14 years! Woot!! Everything is going great. I have zero regrets. I went down to the riverwalk with a friend and walked 2 miles on Monday without even getting fatigued. And no more snoring or chugging pickle juice for crazy leg cramps! I need to go to the gym more... I'm making new shirts next week so that will motivate me. LOL But I'm also just not as TIRED all the time! I have a LONG way to go...but seeing the progress on the scales and in the mirror is a huge motivator!! Thank you all for cheering me on and supporting me!!
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • bellaamey

      https://alluniqueguide.com/java-burn-coffee-reviews/
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
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