Hi - I am new to this site and wanted to introduce myself. I have been overweight since childhood, but after two (amazing and beautiful) kids my weight is the highest it's ever been.

I have always been very confident and self-assured and didn't let the weight effect my zest for life, but I now have developed hypertension and with a strong family history of hypertension/heart disease, I recently had my "aha" moment and decided that now is the time. The bottom line is that I want to do everything in my power to live a long and healthy life for myself and for my family. So here we go!

I am married and my wife is supportive of my decision to pursue VSG (but she is nervous about the idea of surgery and is a naturally thin person so doesn't have the same perspective).

I have KP Northern CA insurance so everything will be covered. I had my orientation/appt with nutritionist on August 4, then my surgical consult on 8/12, and I have my psych consult scheduled for 9/1. If I am at pre-surg goal weight by 9/1 (fingers-crossed) then hopefully my surgery will be a month(ish) later. Yay!

Stats:

Age: 35

Height: 5'8"

Weight at referral: 254

Current weight: 246

Pre-surg goal weight: 243

Welcome @ !

"Nervous" and "Excited" are certainly both normal feelings, and expected this early on. Glad to hear you are doing your research and getting involved in discussions early on. Be sure to ask any questions you have.

Your wife being nervous is also normal. It comes from a place of love. My wife was also nervous but tried to hide it once she saw that I was happy with my research and decision to move forward, and now, I think she realizes it was one of the best decisions I've made for my health!

Best of luck to you on your journey and welcome again!

Welcome and congratulations on taking some steps toward surgery! This site is a great resource on all stages of the process before surgery and years after. Feel free to ask questions, contribute to existing threads, and just lurk around!

Nervous and excited is pretty much how all of us felt in the beginning, so you are certainly not alone!

I'm so glad you're here! You made a choice and it's yours. However, not an easy one.

This is the place to learn great things and get support from some great people.

Good luck in your journey. Ask questions of us, doc, anyone. No subject is off limits. This is your body and life changing event. Gather all the info you feel you need.

Keep us posted. How exciting. It'll be here before you know it. And then you'll look back and think about these weeks and how it already happened.

HW: 281.5 on 10.30.15

SW: 245.7 on 6.1.16

CW: 199.4 on 8.22.16

I went in for my psych appt on 9/1 and weighed in at 240.6! Surgical goal weight (pre-op) was 243 so I'm there plus some. I also met with the case manager and got my surgery date - 10/5. Now that it is real I am more "nervous but excited" than ever.

I have told my family/ closest friends at this point and they are all trying to be supportive, but they are also trying to talk me into doing something less drastic. It's tough. I went through a couple of days of second guessing myself, but now I am feeling more confident in this path than ever.

I just hope that I am able to be up and playing with my kiddos (ages 2 and 4) again quickly after surgery (I know, no lifting). We are traveling to see family for Halloween (1.5 hour flight), do you think that I'll be ok to travel/go swimming while there?

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How exciting. Glad the psych appt went well. Congrats on a date! Yup, now it's real.

It's hard to tell you what you will or will not be up for. Everyone is different.

Be sure to walk, walk, walk. Now and for life!

Talk with your doc and feel it out. You'll know if you are up for the trip. I think you'll be fine to swim.

Keep us posted as the days get closer!

HW: 281.5 on 10.30.15

SW: 245.7 on 6.1.16

CW: 196.6 on 8.29.16

You should be fine to fly. I flew home three days after my surgery, so several weeks out shouldn't be a problem. Make sure you bring protein powder to mix into water that you buy in the airport, since you won't be allowed to bring liquids in with you. As for swimming, you'd need to ask your surgeon. Depending on what method is used to close your incisions, you may not be allowed to swim for a couple of weeks.

@@perspectiveiseverything Just talk to your Dr about flying - to make sure he doesn't want you on blood thinners. Although it's a short flight so may not be an issue.

@@perspectiveiseverything congrats on making the decision to be healthy so you can have a long wonderful life with your family! You will be fine for that flight, I took 2 weeks off of work but ended up working part time after one week out of boredom. I was only in slight pain for 3 days. Kaiser uses skin glue so no swimming for a month I believe, but showers are ok

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Well it's here! Tomorrow is the day! Check in at 7:15, surgery is at 9:15am. Nervous and excited still sums it up nicely. :-).

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Yay!!!! It's here already. Just wait until you are four months out looking back and not even remembering that you've already gone through it!

You'll do great. It'll be hard. Your are on your way to great things!

HW: 281.5 on 10.30.15

SW: 245.7 on 6.1.16

CW: 183.4 on 10.3.16

Edited October 5, 20169 yr by Sleeve it to Beaver

How are you doing? Sending good vibes.

HW: 281.5 on 10.30.15

SW: 245.7 on 6.1.16

CW: 183.4 on 10.3.16

I'm doing very well! Thanks for checking in! Surgery went well, I spent one night then came home yesterday morning. Focusing on staying hydrated and doing well with that (it's only 9:30am here and I've already had 24oz of fluids). Will start full liquids tomorrow and start focusing on Protein then.

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Good job. Keep it up. Sounds like you are in good spirits. You are on your way. Let us know of any questions.

HW: 281.5 on 10.30.15

SW: 245.7 on 6.1.16

CW: 183.4 on 10.3.16