OK, had my first consult with the surgeon today, then met with my advocate. Thankfully, if approved, insurance will cover a large percentage of it all. Now to go through the hoops. I am at 280 and 5'4", so I qualify without comorbities, of which I have none right now. Doctor suggested I seriously consider RNY, but said he would do the sleeve if, after I do more research on both, I still want the sleeve. His preference for the GB is because it has a longer tract record. I'm still leaning towards sleeve, though.

I told my boss today, so that I can make my appointments without feeling like I'm cheating on work somehow. She said she supports me in whatever I plan on doing, so that is a huge relief. I already spoke to my husband and my MIL, and they both support me. Now I need to talk to my parents about all this, and for some reason it freaks me out, but I know they will support me in the end - just the idea of major surgery will be scary for everyone, not just for me. DEEP BREATH. Breathe....yes, I'm panicking a little. HUGE decision.

If I can get my psych done (can't get through to the office for some reason today), then I should be done with all classes and such, in for approval by mid Feb (per my advocate), and then approval takes 2-3 weeks (per advocate), and possibility of surgery in MARCH! OMG, this might really happen.

Did I tell you I hit 280 today. My head is everywhere. This is the heaviest I've EVER been. Going over all my issues and reasons with the Dr made my heart sink, but knowing I was there to help find a solution to help me go in the right direction....SO MANY CONFLICTING FEELINGS.

He's also the same doctor who did my hernia repair, so he said that went so well, he believes that I should have similar recovery from this surgery and could go back to work in about a week. This was a huge worry for me, so that was one less worry off my mind. I know nothing is guaranteed, but he knows me and my body, so it was nice to have a little reassurance, even if it was just to help be lower my panic level.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not a total OMG RUNNING AROUND FREAKED OUT, but in my mind, yeah, I'm doing a little of that.

Tell me good positive stories about your adventure in WLS, help me put my mind at ease and help me get my brain in the zone.

I did a ton of research too and if it helps ease your mind one of the deciding factors for me is that the gastric sleeve surgery isn't as new as everyone seems to think. True, the reference to it as sleeve surgery is relatively new but the procedure itself is the first step of the gastric bypass in extremely obese patients, people that doctors felt had to have the procedure in two steps. If my research is correct then this procedure has been around as long as gastric bypass - just now is popular as more research by obesity experts have come to realize how effective it is. Congrats on the approval, I know you will be successful

Duodenal Switch, the first step in Duodenal Switch, not Gastric By-pass

Actually, this surgery (gastrectomy) has been around for over 50 years. Just not done for weight loss purposes. People have been having complete and partial gastrectomies as treatment for ulcers, cancer and traumatic abdominal injuries for decades. I researched the long term stats (10-20-30 years postop) on these patients when looking at VSG. The biggest thing they found is the issues surrounding vitamin deficiencies...Vitamin D, B12, Folate, Iron and increased osteoporosis. That is why they want us taking supplements postop. Of course these studies didn't address long term weight loss success, but ultimately that is up to us anyways.

You know I never thought of those non-weight loss gastrectomies in my research, that was very smart! Back to the Google page and more research for me!

Oh, VERY reassuring, THANK YOU all - off to look it up, that does help some.

I know the idea of surgery is always a little scary. All I can say in my own experience is that I had been fortunate enough to be a very healthy obese person for 20 years with no need for any surgery except my 2 c sections. The idea of an "elective" surgery seemed crazy to me and I was a bit judgmental about people who had other elective surgeries such as boob jobs, lyposuction etc. as crazy to "go under the knife" without it being a medical necessity. Then 1 day i heard about the daughter of Caroline Manzo on the Real Housewives of New Jersey having lap band surgery and it was like a light switch went off in my head and I began research. Then I saw a female comedian (can't think of her name) who had gastric sleeve which I never heard of before and she looked amazing and lost so much weight and began researching the sleeve. I went to a weight loss surgery informational meeting and there was a doctor their with her fiancé who was having weight loss surgery and she explained her reasons for recommending the sleeve for her fiancé and thats when I decided on the sleeve. Her reasons had to do with the hunger hormone ghrelin and the issues with fills and slippage and other lap band complications.

I had my surgery march of 2013 and it was a great decision for me. I had exercised like a fiend and watched my diet and would loose some weight but then become discouraged when the scale would barely move and return to old eating habits.

Once I made the decision to have this surgery it was like I was on auto pilot and just kept going through each step without worrying and pondering my decision. I walked into the hospital on my surgery date alone (hubby worked so he could take off when i came home from the hospital) and was frighteningly calm and numb to worry. This was so different from the way I normally act that I just knew I was determined and doing the right thing.

I wish you the best of luck and a fast and easy recovery with whatever decision you make.

scarlet333, thank you! I can relate to so much of what you just posted - I always sort of turned my nose up at the idea of elective surgery. But I had an ah ha moment, and realized, that although it may not seem like it, this is medically and mentally Necessary for me. Seeing the before an after pics has just solidified that for me, I obviously can't do this on my own, and I need the mental and physical kick in the ass to keep me in line.

You are such an inspiration!

I have been through anxiety, fear, hope, shame in the last two years.

I have thought about everything you mentioned. I've been through so much and I have to start over with a new surgeon and hospital. If anything my struggle just convinced me how much I want this and that I'm making the right decision.

Good luck to you!