Did anybody meet somebody that had Gastric sleeve surgery prior to when you had yours?

[jaleko 6]

Support group was helpful. I was lucky enough to have 2 people i knew go through prior and were about 2 years out from when i did it

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[cccdenise 19]

That's a fantastic story! And it's so nice to hear so much positivity around this surgery. I just hope I don't have to wait too long to get the surgery - I've decided not to do self-pay as it means not having any support before or after - so going through our healthcare system means possible long waits. I'm going to get all the courses out of the way this weekend - taking me ages - then I can set up an appt. with the clinic. I've been referred and accepted - but that's just a tiny bit of the journey! Thanks again - really helped to hear your experience. And feel free to tell me whatever you think of regarding the surgery, pre-op and post-op, good and bad. You can message me here too. What city are you in? I spent about 8 months in Australia in the 80's! And loved it :-)

I met a lady on a cruise who had it done. Had a long chat with her and she actually helped me to decide. Seeing how good she looked and how positive she was about it all was a great help to me. I actually used the same surgeon as her and couldn't have been happier. Three and a half months out now and exceedingly happy with it all! Good luck, you won't regret it.

That's great you got to speak with somebody - how did the subject come up? Just wondering - not something commonly discussed on a cruise of course! lol

She was sitting at the next table talking to a friend about how great she felt after the surgery. I had been researching for a while and thought this is a great opportunity to get an unbiased opinion. I figured if she didn't want people to know she wouldn't have been talking about it quite as loudly as she was. Maybe she did it for my benefit Either way I am glad she did because it gave me the final reason to go and see the doctor, and it is one of the be decisions I ever made, other than marrying my darling husband, am just loving life now!

I live about an hour north of Sydney. I had to wait 12 months for my private health insurance to cover me, and I found that to be great. Gave me lots of time to make sure that this was the right decision for me. I can honestly say that I have not had one single regret. I had some nausea and gas pain in my shoulders for about a week after the surgery but that was really all. The incisions healed really well and caused me no pain at all. The first two weeks after when you are on just liquids (well I was) I thought would be hard, but they really weren't, what people say is true (again for me) you have no appetite or hunger, it's a really strange feeling for someone who has always been completely food focused, especially bad foods, to not be even the slightest bit interested was odd. Even now 3 and a half months post op, food doesn't have the hold over me that it used to.

I love this new me, and am happy to answer any questions you might have.

I think that's the one fact I can't really understand - the loss of desire for food! And what I've heard as well, the fact you could dislike something you really loved to eat before. Maybe it's one of those things that's not only hard to explain, but something you need to experience to really truly get it. I've also read on here that some people have their appetite return at 6 months post-op. Everyone is different of course. I have a recurring thought about food right now - food is often what brings families together - special occasions, kids move out and come home for dinner (and you cook them their favourite meal!), dinner out with spouse to a favourite restaurant, etc. My husband and I have been raising kids for 25+ years now and our youngest just turned 11. The one thing that's always been a common thread with my husband and I is our love for really, really good restaurants, and it's been the only thing we really do together as a couple. I keep thinking that I'll lose that connection between us. Does that sound silly? lol Honestly, I'm trying to think of every eventuality while making this decision to have my stomach (radically) removed! What am I going to lose that I wish I hadn't? Will I feel completely deprived when I can't go out and look 'normal' around the dinner table, or a neighbour's Christmas party? When I can't have a glass of wine, etc.? Do you have any wisdom to share on these points? I keep thinking I have 'one more question to deal with' and then I'm going to be ok with the surgery decision. But then I think of something else! Thanks so much - you've been a great help and inspiration :-)

I felt the same way. Me and my husband's whole relationship has always revolved around food. I was nervous. 5 weeks post op. We have had family gatherings. Did not bother me. My husband is so supportive. We had two dates out this weekend. He had same meals as I. Chilli last night and seafood chowder tonight. I gave cup he has bowl. It's all so much better than I ever imagined. Food issues I worried about after never were issues.

Denise~Macon, GA

[duckydoom 128]

I have two very dear friends who had it done about 5 or 6 years ago. Being able to talk to both of them has been so beneficial for me to keep me motivated and excited for surgery. When I start to get freaked out about the process they both talk me down, and they're great examples of how well it can go.

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[nene07 6]

I had a girl that worked with my husband that had the surgery. It was great to have Someone to talk to and get some info. Really made a difference . Good luck. Amy questions just ask

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[TracyBar 132]

That's a fantastic story! And it's so nice to hear so much positivity around this surgery. I just hope I don't have to wait too long to get the surgery - I've decided not to do self-pay as it means not having any support before or after - so going through our healthcare system means possible long waits. I'm going to get all the courses out of the way this weekend - taking me ages - then I can set up an appt. with the clinic. I've been referred and accepted - but that's just a tiny bit of the journey! Thanks again - really helped to hear your experience. And feel free to tell me whatever you think of regarding the surgery, pre-op and post-op, good and bad. You can message me here too. What city are you in? I spent about 8 months in Australia in the 80's! And loved it :-)

I met a lady on a cruise who had it done. Had a long chat with her and she actually helped me to decide. Seeing how good she looked and how positive she was about it all was a great help to me. I actually used the same surgeon as her and couldn't have been happier. Three and a half months out now and exceedingly happy with it all! Good luck, you won't regret it.

That's great you got to speak with somebody - how did the subject come up? Just wondering - not something commonly discussed on a cruise of course! lol

She was sitting at the next table talking to a friend about how great she felt after the surgery. I had been researching for a while and thought this is a great opportunity to get an unbiased opinion. I figured if she didn't want people to know she wouldn't have been talking about it quite as loudly as she was. Maybe she did it for my benefit Either way I am glad she did because it gave me the final reason to go and see the doctor, and it is one of the be decisions I ever made, other than marrying my darling husband, am just loving life now!

I live about an hour north of Sydney. I had to wait 12 months for my private health insurance to cover me, and I found that to be great. Gave me lots of time to make sure that this was the right decision for me. I can honestly say that I have not had one single regret. I had some nausea and gas pain in my shoulders for about a week after the surgery but that was really all. The incisions healed really well and caused me no pain at all. The first two weeks after when you are on just liquids (well I was) I thought would be hard, but they really weren't, what people say is true (again for me) you have no appetite or hunger, it's a really strange feeling for someone who has always been completely food focused, especially bad foods, to not be even the slightest bit interested was odd. Even now 3 and a half months post op, food doesn't have the hold over me that it used to.

I love this new me, and am happy to answer any questions you might have.

I think that's the one fact I can't really understand - the loss of desire for food! And what I've heard as well, the fact you could dislike something you really loved to eat before. Maybe it's one of those things that's not only hard to explain, but something you need to experience to really truly get it. I've also read on here that some people have their appetite return at 6 months post-op. Everyone is different of course. I have a recurring thought about food right now - food is often what brings families together - special occasions, kids move out and come home for dinner (and you cook them their favourite meal!), dinner out with spouse to a favourite restaurant, etc. My husband and I have been raising kids for 25+ years now and our youngest just turned 11. The one thing that's always been a common thread with my husband and I is our love for really, really good restaurants, and it's been the only thing we really do together as a couple. I keep thinking that I'll lose that connection between us. Does that sound silly? lol Honestly, I'm trying to think of every eventuality while making this decision to have my stomach (radically) removed! What am I going to lose that I wish I hadn't? Will I feel completely deprived when I can't go out and look 'normal' around the dinner table, or a neighbour's Christmas party? When I can't have a glass of wine, etc.? Do you have any wisdom to share on these points? I keep thinking I have 'one more question to deal with' and then I'm going to be ok with the surgery decision. But then I think of something else! Thanks so much - you've been a great help and inspiration :-)

I felt the same way. Me and my husband's whole relationship has always revolved around food. I was nervous. 5 weeks post op. We have had family gatherings. Did not bother me. My husband is so supportive. We had two dates out this weekend. He had same meals as I. Chilli last night and seafood chowder tonight. I gave cup he has bowl. It's all so much better than I ever imagined. Food issues I worried about after never were issues.

Denise~Macon, GA

that's great to hear - how is your weight loss 5 weeks out? It's great too that you are able to eat regular food just 5 weeks past surgery too. I'm sure I'll be fine - it just still gives me a funny feeling when I hear things like "got sleeved", etc.!

[Sally-anne 71 2]

When I went for my Pre-op there was 2 ladies in waiting room one had a bypass one a sleeve they were both quite happy to talk about it x

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[Diana74 6]

I knew a couple of ppl. Both with different experiences. It's really not the same for everyone. I had it and I don't regret it. It wasn't too bad for me. Taking the meds is actually the hardest part. Oh and making sure you get enough Protein

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[georgi04 8]

I have spoken to an aunt of a friend who was very helpful. She shared the good, bad and ugly of her experience and it cemented that this was the right decision for me. I am scheduled for September 27. God bless you and best wishes.

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[TracyBar 132]

I knew a couple of ppl. Both with different experiences. It's really not the same for everyone. I had it and I don't regret it. It wasn't too bad for me. Taking the meds is actually the hardest part. Oh and making sure you get enough Protein

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Hi Diana74- what meds do you mean? Or do you mean Vitamins??

[AmiLou 41]

My sister and niece both had the gastric bypass surgery several years ago. Honestly, I was a tad jealous but never pursued it. I tried many years of dieting and failed. I actually knew multiple people who had the gastric sleeve. One in particular was so enthusiastic that I decided to go to a seminar at the local hospital. I also attended support group a couple of times before making the decision. I was a self pay. Going to the support group was awesome. I've never met a single person who regretted their surgery.