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My Journey

VSG_FireMedic

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VSG_FireMedic    16

VSG_FireMedic
Posted

Hey everyone, my name is Frank. I'm 29 years old and I'm a paramedic in the Tampa Bay Area. I'm currently 326lbs and was 356lbs at my heaviest. At 6'3" I carry the weight a little better than some are capable of doing so when I talk about getting the sleeve done a lot of people seem surprised and try to discourage me from doing it. These people never saw me at 220lbs 10 years ago and I was a stud. A femur fracture and some tough events in my life lead to a steady weight gain and I've battled with it for some time now. Back in August 2016 I did my research and made the decision to move forward with my decision to get a VSG. My surgeon is Dr. Richard Gordon out of Largo, FL and I will be having the surgery at Mease Dunedin Hospital just north of Clearwater. My insurance requires 3 months of a physicians supervised diet so I've been doing that. I've also met with the nutritionist, had my abdominal Ultrasound, a sleep Study and this week will have an endoscopy done as well as my psych eval. All that willl be left after this week is one more meeting with my physician as well as a pre-op EKG, Chest X-Ray, and Blood work. Hoping for a mid-January surgery and excited for the lifestyle change that comes with it. I love reading all of your individual journeys and hope to share as much of mine as I feel comfortable with. I feel like this adds a special level of support and accountability that my peers who haven't experienced this can't provide.

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sharris88619    8

sharris88619
Posted

I was sleeved on the 21st I stopped telling people as well cause I always got that look like really you don't need to do that. I'm bigger boned so I carry weight a little better than some but my weight was still effecting my health and that's why I made this decision. Good luck to you on your journey!!

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sleeveisa    333

sleeveisa
Posted

Greetings from South Fla, congratulations on yo it r decision. We r here to support each other. My sleeve date is Dec 7 and I can't wait. I've seen many videos but on here we seem to keep in touch better. Support is a key and we all can help with getting through our liquid diet. Good luck

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N920A using the BariatricPal App

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teedsg    250

teedsg
Posted

Congratulations on your new journey and welcome to Bariatric Pal. Seems like you have been rocking and rolling. I wish I only had 3months of nutritional visits..

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VSG_FireMedic    16

VSG_FireMedic
Posted

Finally got a date set for my surgery. I'm a little disappointed as it's about 2-3 weeks later than what I was hoping so I'm gonna have to finagle my work schedule a bit. So the big day is February 14th....I told my wife that I'm bringing sexy back for her Valentine's Day present.

Today I had an Endoscopy done and it was discovered that I also have a hiatal hernia that will need to be repaired on the day I'm sleeved. Next week I have my psych evaluation, nutritionist consult, and a physical training session with a personal trainer. My sleep Study was scheduled at a sleep lab, but my insurance denied it and said I need to do an in-house study to diagnose my sleep apnea. Other than that....everything is looking just fine!

Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

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teedsg    250

teedsg
Posted

Finally got a date set for my surgery. I'm a little disappointed as it's about 2-3 weeks later than what I was hoping so I'm gonna have to finagle my work schedule a bit. So the big day is February 14th....I told my wife that I'm bringing sexy back for her Valentine's Day present.

Today I had an Endoscopy done and it was discovered that I also have a hiatal hernia that will need to be repaired on the day I'm sleeved. Next week I have my psych evaluation, nutritionist consult, and a physical training session with a personal trainer. My sleep Study was scheduled at a sleep lab, but my insurance denied it and said I need to do an in-house study to diagnose my sleep apnea. Other than that....everything is looking just fine!

Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Cool! You have a date! Save room for me on the loser's bench!

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VSG_FireMedic    16

VSG_FireMedic
Posted

Just an update......I've finished the entire process. My third and final month of physician supervised weight loss is complete, and all I have to do is get approved by insurance. My tentative date for surgery is 2/14/17 but that could change if I get approved quicker. So my stats on awaiting approval are 315lbs and a BMI of 39.4 with comorbidities of hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and obstructive sleep apnea.

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teedsg    250

teedsg
Posted

Just an update......I've finished the entire process. My third and final month of physician supervised weight loss is complete, and all I have to do is get approved by insurance. My tentative date for surgery is 2/14/17 but that could change if I get approved quicker. So my stats on awaiting approval are 315lbs and a BMI of 39.4 with comorbidities of hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and obstructive sleep apnea.

Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Are you excited? Good thing you only had to do 3 months of weight loss visits. Did you lose any weight during that time?

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teedsg    250

teedsg
Posted

@@VSG_FireMedic, that's great! I just did my last 6 month diet visit yesterday. I need to get my letter of recommendation from my PCP tomorrow and then, it will be submitted to my insurance. I'm so excited, nervous, and overwhelmed at the same time. Do you know how you're going to plan your liquids and Vitamins post-op? I have no idea how to do this just yet. I need an app. :) ;)

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Go To Topic Listing Tell Your Weight Loss Surgery Story

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      I have no clue where to upload this, so I'll put it here. This is pre-op vs the morning of my 6 month appointment! In office I weight 232, that's 88 lbs down since my highest weight, 75 lbs since my surgery weight! I can't believe this jacket fit... I am smaller now than the last time I was this size which the surgeon found really amusing. He's happy with where I am in my weight loss and estimates I'll be around 200 lbs by my 1 year anniversary! My lowest weight as an adult is 195, so that's pretty damn exciting to think I'll be near that at a year. Everything from there will be unknown territory!!

      · 3 replies
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        You look amazing!!! 😻 you have been killing it!

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        Congratulations! You're making excellent progress and looking amazing!

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        So proud of you Cat. Getting into those smaller size clothes is half the fun isn't it?. Keep up the good work!!!!

    • BeanitoDiego

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      I changed my profile image to a molecule of protein. Why? Because I am certain that it saved my life.
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        That's brilliant! You've done amazing!! I should probably think about changing my profile picture at some point. Mine is the doll from Squid Games. Ironically the whole premise of the show is about dodging death. We've both done that...

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      Two years out. Lost 120 , regained 5 lbs. Recently has a bout of Norovirus, lost 7 pounds in two days. Now my stomach feels like it did right after my surgery. Sore, sensitive to even water.  Anyone out there have a similar experience?
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    • Eve411

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    • Clueless_girl

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      Well recovering from gallbladder removal was a lot like recovering from the modified duodenal switch surgery, twice in 4 months yay 🥳😭. I'm having to battle cravings for everything i shouldn't have, on top of trying to figure out what happens after i eat something. Sigh, let me fast forward a couple of months when everyday isn't a constant battle and i can function like a normal person again! 😞
      · 1 reply
      1. kezbeth

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        I may have to have gall bladder surgery during my weight loss surgery. Not thrilled about it either but do not want 2 recovery times. Just want it over with.

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