Hi all,

My surgery is in a few hours and I have a lot of feelings. I'm doing it just in case I need a kidney transplant, and my doctor is hopeful that it would actually get me off of dialysis. I was diagnosed with an autoimmune disorder this summer that damaged my kidneys.

I'd just like people to share a few ways this surgery has positively impacted their health. I need some positive vibes this morning. I think this is the right decision, but it's still tough.

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I was diagnosed with severe sleep apnea and Pseudotumor cerebri (which causes severe migraines and visual obscurations). Pseudotumor cerebri is usually in women who are overweight, and it can cause permanent blindness. Since I've lost 60 pounds, I haven't had a single migraine or visual obscuration. I don't feel as tired anymore, and I'm getting more restful sleep. When I was at my highest weight of 255, my ankles would swell a few times a week. Since I've lost weight, they have not gotten swollen once. My health is already beginning to improve significantly.

Hi Broove. I had a kidney transplant in June 2014. I lost kidney function due to an autoimmune disorder. I was on dialysis for 2.5 years. The last 9 months I switched from hemodialysis to peritoneal dialysis. That is when my weight gain started. My transplant doctor is the one that put me on the road to bariatric surgery. I am having surgery in January. I can't speak to life after sleeve yet but I have been down the dialysis road. Best of luck.

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My apnea seems to have resolved (I still need a sleep study to confirm, but I'm not snoring and my symptoms have subsided), my blood pressure is normal without medication, and my auto-immune arthritis is slightly better with my inflammatory factors slightly down. My rheumatologist suggested the VSG because the stomach tissue that is removed is responsible for large amounts of inflammatory hormones, as are the fat stores that are lost as we lose weight.

You'll probably already know this, but high Protein diets are the norm post WLS with people pushing VERY high protein goals at you. With pre-existing kidney damage, you're going to be a special case, and will need to work with your medical team to determine what the right protein goal for you is, and don't listen to anyone other than your team.

But my health is definitely better after surgery, and it's continuing to improve. There's a really good chance yours will too Best of luck!!

You will have a new life, a second life! I cannot describe how much my weight loss has meant to me. I feel so much healthier and and so much more energized. Good luck.

I am not huffing and puffing every three minutes. I have gone from not having a period over a year to getting it every single month since I got the surgery done and my periodontal disease is gone. I will have more news when I review the blood test I went for today, with my doctor.

Oh! And no migraines or cluster headaches!

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Edited December 22, 20169 yr by Lema

Since losing my weight all of my blood test ranges have come back into the normal range. I am completely off my blood pressure medication as well - 120/80 now. And also, no more heal spurs. One negative though - my bum has shrunk alot so there isn't much padding there anymore, so I really feel hard chairs. LOL

This is a very small thing but I can't help and grin every time I realize it. Back in the days, I would cross my legs whenever I sat and within 3 minutes, one of the legs would be numb. That doesn't happen now. It's so much easier now. I can be in that position for half an hour and mange just fine. I am so excited for my 14 hour flights now. I wonder how it feels to sit in those seats with a tiny tush.

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