Like many I have always had a weight problem. Chubby kid, that grew into a chubby teen and eventually turned into a morbidly obese adult. The one thing different is I always thought I was cute. I was't ashamed of my curves and had an active and happy social life. However in my 40's things started to change. I got uterine cancer and was told that excess weight could put me in a line for a recurrence. I would diet on and off, losing and gaining 30 - 50 lbs each time. I was a frequent exercisers but slowly things like walking became more of a challenge. At 45 I had a wake up call. I got a severe bout of facial shingles that completely knocked me on my butt. I promised then and there to do better for myself. I joined a gym, began working out and once again lost 35lbs. Then I got sick again and regained it all plus 10 more. I have multiple allergies and between that and the after effects of older illnesses, I was on a cycle of get better, get sick, regain. A friend of mind had GPS and did really well. I decided to investigate for myself. I looked at 2 local hospitals programs, gathered my information and decided between the GPS and the sleeve. I decided the sleeve was for me and went with my friend's doctor. My process couldn't have been easier. They provided me with a binder that listed all the testing I needed to have done.The doctor sent in the request for authorization to my insurance company ( I was approved on the first request). I didn't have to lose any weight pre-surgery. They quite literally walked me through the whole process. I had a vena cava filter placed as a precaution and on 09/18/14 I had the gastric sleeve done laproscopically. Hospital course was a breeze. I was walking in recovery. In fact I had to pee and they asked if I wanted a bedpan or could I walk. I opted to walk. I had to go so bad, I practically ran into the bathroom and the nurses laughed. I was in the hospital for 2 days. Only mild pain, no worse than a bad cramp and not gas pains at all. They arranged a visiting nurse since I live alone. She discharged me after my 2 week follow up since I was doing so well.
I am 6 weeks post op. I'll be having my vena cava filter removed as soon as possible. So far I'm down 32lbs and feeling great. My biggest challenges are being a vegetarian with food allergies on an already limited diet, but I am making it work! Best decision I ever made. In fact, I wish I had done this sooner.
Like many I have always had a weight problem. Chubby kid, that grew into a chubby teen and eventually turned into a morbidly obese adult. The one thing different is I always thought I was cute. I was't ashamed of my curves and had an active and happy social life. However in my 40's things started to change. I got uterine cancer and was told that excess weight could put me in a line for a recurrence. I would diet on and off, losing and gaining 30 - 50 lbs each time. I was a frequent exercisers but slowly things like walking became more of a challenge. At 45 I had a wake up call. I got a severe bout of facial shingles that completely knocked me on my butt. I promised then and there to do better for myself. I joined a gym, began working out and once again lost 35lbs. Then I got sick again and regained it all plus 10 more. I have multiple allergies and between that and the after effects of older illnesses, I was on a cycle of get better, get sick, regain. A friend of mind had GPS and did really well. I decided to investigate for myself. I looked at 2 local hospitals programs, gathered my information and decided between the GPS and the sleeve. I decided the sleeve was for me and went with my friend's doctor. My process couldn't have been easier. They provided me with a binder that listed all the testing I needed to have done.The doctor sent in the request for authorization to my insurance company ( I was approved on the first request). I didn't have to lose any weight pre-surgery. They quite literally walked me through the whole process. I had a vena cava filter placed as a precaution and on 09/18/14 I had the gastric sleeve done laproscopically. Hospital course was a breeze. I was walking in recovery. In fact I had to pee and they asked if I wanted a bedpan or could I walk. I opted to walk. I had to go so bad, I practically ran into the bathroom and the nurses laughed. I was in the hospital for 2 days. Only mild pain, no worse than a bad cramp and not gas pains at all. They arranged a visiting nurse since I live alone. She discharged me after my 2 week follow up since I was doing so well.
I am 6 weeks post op. I'll be having my vena cava filter removed as soon as possible. So far I'm down 32lbs and feeling great. My biggest challenges are being a vegetarian with food allergies on an already limited diet, but I am making it work! Best decision I ever made. In fact, I wish I had done this sooner.