Hi Everyone,

I've been reading these boards for a while but first time posting. I decided to post today since I officially scheduled sleeve surgery! My journey has been interesting thus far but not nearly as long/hard as some posts I've read. I originally started thinking about wls over 2 years ago. I had always been thin growing up and it wasn't until I had my first child that I began to gain weight. Actually after I had my first child I lost all the baby weight and fit into my pre-pregnancy jeans 2 weeks later (size 5). But it did not last long as I found my appetite had increased and the weight would not come off like it used to. That was over 16 years ago. Since then I've tried numerous diet & exercise programs. Bootcamp, weight watchers, slim fast, intensive bootcamp, jenny craig, well you get the idea. Each time the same thing would happen, I would lose a bunch of weight and then slowly regain the weight lost and some. I grew tired of the see-saw but never really thought about wls as my immediate friends & family view it as taking the easy way out. Also at 5'4 and 220lbs (my heaviest to date), I was looked at as not having the large amount of weight which would deem wls appropriate. In other words, you don't have that much to lose so you should just work out and eat right. That stuck with me for a long time. I think during the exercise and diets the lowest I came down to was about 180lbs.

Anyway about 2 years ago I began intensely researching wls. But before making the decision, I decided to give myself one year to do it on my own without surgery. Well a year later and although I initially lost 20lbs, I gained it all back and am at my heaviest weight to date. That was it for me. So I began the process of getting approved for surgery. Since I have BCBS, the only requirements were BMI over 40 or BMI over 35 with co-morbidities. Every doctor I checked out online was in-network so I made a couple of consultation appointments to feel them out. Next I just had to have 2 dr. visits (the consultation satisfied 1 visit) and one psych consultation. At both consultations I received a script for blood work. The one I ended up going with was more thorough with their bloodwork requirements, while the other one set me up with a surgery date on my first visit. I didn’t go with the second one because I felt like they were treating me in a rushed manner because of my “easy” approval requirements and it felt kind of like they were a salesperson.

The first place, (nj bariatric center) I felt they were more professional and I felt more comfortable with the doctors but the office staff leaves much to be desired. I almost went to look for another place because of my dissatisfaction.

I decided to go to a different psychiatrist rather than the one associated with my doctor’s office just due to logistics of when they would be in the office (I missed my first appt. and so had to reschedule for one a month later). I found one that had Saturday hours and met with her and she was able to write my report and send it off that same day.

My bloodwork came back with some issues requiring follow-up: had low iron so was put on iron pills, EKG came back with something troubling on my heart so had to see a cardiologist to get cleared (the cardiologist required 3 visits before clearing me).

So I finally got all of my “extra” clearances and met with the doctor for the second time to go over the results of my tests. I was then told that now that I was cleared I would be called to schedule my surgery. The next day I was called and was offered surgery dates as early as June 5 but I decided instead on July 12 because my daughter will be out of school by then and able to help me around the house.

So here I am. I still have to get some pre-surgery bloodwork done at least 2 weeks before surgery. I also have to meet with the doctor again to sign some consent forms and I have to view a video on the surgery. So from my first appt on 2/10 to my scheduled surgery date of 7/12 it will have taking me approximately 5 months and some of the delay has been self-inflicted. I am excited and nervous.

Hang in there. This is the hardest time. It gets better.

13 hours ago, gwbicster said:

Hang in there. This is the hardest time. It gets better.

Thank you i'm trying.

So far today I've been to the bathroom 4 times. Luckily from reading the boards I know this is somewhat normal otherwise I'd be freaking out right about now. I'm glad it happened on a non-work day and hope it passes quickly.

Don't know if it's related or not but I was able to drink my first protein shake today rather quickly. I was done with it in under 10 mins whereas normally I'll sip on it throughout the day til lunch time.

Day 9 done. Stopped going to bathroom after 4th time so that's good. Tried to get in extra water so I wouldn't be dehydrated.

Son wanted popcorn and then after it was made took 2 pieces. Now it's just in a bowl looking at me. How I wish I could have some. Ugh

Day 10. So I'm upstairs while the family is downstairs eating breakfast. I know I shouldn't isolate myself but i just couldn't take it anymore. They're having pancakes eggs and bacon while I'm sipping on protein shake.

I have to cook dinner for them a dinner I can't even eat. Sigh.

On 7/22/2017 at 2:01 PM, Litecaramel said:

So far today I've been to the bathroom 4 times. Luckily from reading the boards I know this is somewhat normal otherwise I'd be freaking out right about now. I'm glad it happened on a non-work day and hope it passes quickly.

Don't know if it's related or not but I was able to drink my first Protein shake today rather quickly. I was done with it in under 10 mins whereas normally I'll sip on it throughout the day til lunch time.

This may explain why you were in the bathroom a lot. Drinking a shake too quickly was something that caused a similar problem for me. I would still drink them a little slower.

This may explain why you were in the bathroom a lot. Drinking a shake too quickly was something that caused a similar problem for me. I would still drink them a little slower.

Yeah I took it a lot slower today and haven't had any issues. Lesson learned. Even if you can do it doesn't mean you should.

The old addage "chew your drink and drink your food "is getting me through this

So I'm currently at my one week appt. a little late since technically it should've happened on Thursday. Current weight 215.5

Hmm so maybe I didn't read the weight on the scale right when they sent me in for surgery. I thought it said 220. When I went today to the dr. a week and a half later my weight is 215.5 and the nutritionist said I lost 20lbs. So dunno but in any event I've lost weight so yay!

Unfortunately I'm on liquids for another week soooo protein shakes & water it remains, week 3 is when I get to move to soft foods. I can have yogurt and cottage cheese and oatmeal though so maybe I'll try those even though I don't like cottage cheese.

I asked about exercising and was told anything that uses my core is out for another 3 weeks but I can do bicycling and other non-core activities. Think I'll stick to walking (outside and on treadmill for now).

All in all everything looked good, I'm healing nicely.

Thank you so much for sharing your journey.

My start is quite similar to yours, and reading your blog has helped me with so many questions.

So it's been a very rough last week emotionally for me. First my fiance breaks up with me, then my dad ends up in the hospital and needs to have brain surgery. Sigh. I can't eat or drink anything but these stupid shakes and water. I did have lobster bisque while up at the hospital. It was completely strained. I made sure to go slow and it was delicious. Sunday I was at the mall and I stopped at a smoothie shop and had a banana protein smoothie. It's basically banana, rice milk, & protein, & ice blended together. I figured since I'm moving to soft foods this week (Wednesday) I should try to test myself with something other than premier protein and water. I actually tolerated it better than I do the premier protein shakes.

Every day I feel better and better physically. I can bend down and put on my own sneakers and I mistakenly picked up my son 2x last week. I don't want to do that though since I don't know what's going on inside and my Dr. warned me that lifting heavy objects at this stage can cause a hernia.

Last week was bad for getting my water & protein in. I think I had like one protein shake and maybe a few oz. of water one day so I need to get back on track with that this week. More water is my goal.

Panera bread is evil. They just sent me an email saying they're giving me a free bagel every day this month. Evil!

So it's finally almost here. Tomorrow I transition to soft foods. Only problem is I drank a protein shake tonight that made me feel sick. Now I'm nervous about eating real food. Ugh.

Oh my good lord. You have had a run of things! Good luck on your transition tomorrow!