I have been heavy since my teens. Struggled for 24 years while in the Coast Guard to stay within required standard.. Which lead to my voluntold retirement. Since then my weight has been climbing even though I try to watch what i eat and try to stay active. I've had both knees operated on and the pain keeps me from doing too much in the form of exercise. I started researching gastric sleeve surgery in December. Talked to my wife and neighbors (neighbors both had bypass) and on Saturday I filled out and submitted the 10 page questionnaire to start the process with the local university hospital. I originally submitted and was approved for the sleeve with evolve weight loss but they are out of network and would be over 7k. In network would be 2k so trying again. Hopefully I attend the seminar on Thursday and get the show on the road!! Thanks to everyone here, reading your stories have really put my mind at ease regarding the process.

Good for you! Seems like you've got a great support system already too. That's always a big plus!

I attended my first appointment with the Dr and nutritionist today. Was pretty hones with them...they laughed at some of the stuff I told them and since I am at a BMI of 36, and no real documented health history she ordered up a sleep study and full run of blood work...I think the guy who drew my blood had to go get more vials for all the test. The nutritionist has me logging everything I eat/drink of course and wants me to make sure I eat all three meals a day as I sometimes skip a meal or two and then binge eat when I get home. Oh any my blood pressure was a tad elevated today, so they are going to closely monitor that.

Sounds good! That elevated blood pressure might be your ticket in. 36 BMI usually needs 1 or 2 comorbidities.

Good luck!

My bmi is 37.9 I had my first appointment January 30th I had high blood pressure in the past and was on medication for it for 6 years got in under control so no longer being treated for it I'm waiting on an appointment for my sleep apnea test. I'm hoping my insurance will cover this it requires 6 months of supervised visits with the nutritionist.. Keeping my fingers crossed!

Ok, this logging everything you eat/drink is a pain, and a really good motivator to not eat a bunch of crap. I don't want my nut to crack on me when she reads my logs.

sleep study appointment made.

Psyh appointment made

Have not heard from the physical therapy people yet.

Just do everything they want you to do... sometimes gets frustrating but stick with it... life on the other side is gonna be GREAT!

I bought some Protein shakes to try and thought I would have one for Breakfast. I picked up Premier Protein vanilla and slowly drank it. Once it was gone, I felt just as hungry as I did before the shake. Are you supposed to chug it to feel full. Maybe after surgery it will fill me up. Will talk to the nut at my next appointment.

1 hour ago, txsrooster said:

I bought some Protein shakes to try and thought I would have one for Breakfast. I picked up Premier Protein vanilla and slowly drank it. Once it was gone, I felt just as hungry as I did before the shake. Are you supposed to chug it to feel full. Maybe after surgery it will fill me up. Will talk to the nut at my next appointment.

It takes a couple days to retrain your body. I am on a three shake a day preop diet, and the shakes (sipped slowly) do remove the hunger. Maybe not FULL, but good enough.

Well I have completed my psychiatrist appointment, physical therapy, and my first follow up with the NP with the weight loss clinic. I have a split sleep study on April 11 as my final hurdle to submitting to insurance. Was told my liver is not enlarged so no pre surgery diet with the exception of the day before. Down 4 pounds from the beginning.