I haven't been approved yet, but I have done an EKG, stress test, ultrasound, endoscopy, sleep study, and have had two appointments with a nutritionist, and one appointment so far with a psychologist, which was a group call. I'm anxious about being approved for surgery since I have regained weight that I lost from a few years ago.

I was diagnosed with Ulcerative Colitis when I was 13 and had a total colectomy when I was 16. I lived with an ileostomy bag for slightly over 5 years. First year I was in and out of the hospital with a bowel blockage and eventually my surgeon was able to locate it and remove it. My surgeon said I had to lose weight for the last two surgery. I had no clue how to lose weight so I could get rid of my ileostomy bag. I had no guidance. I eventually met a nutritionist and he helped me on my journey to get my life back. He put me on phentermine and gave me a meal plan and encouraged exercise like crazy. I lost 80-90 lbs in 5 months and was approved for surgery! I cried. I worked so hard and I didn't have high expectations when I went in just in case he said to lose more weight.

So I had my last two surgeries and I stopped working out consistently and eating healthy. I gained it all back, because I thought I was finally free. The only thing I was really from from, was my ileostomy bag. But now I'm back to weighing over 200 lbs at 5' 4" and feeling like food is the friendemy.

Since I don't have a colon food goes through me very quickly. The result is painful and life is difficult with many trips to the bathroom and pain from rawness.

The gastric sleeve surgery won't only help me to be healthier and lose weight, but it will also help me to decrease the amount of trips to the bathroom daily.

Praying God's will be done on being approved for surgery and helping me mentally get through this process with adopting a new mindset!

If I were to be approved, surgery would be in August/September.

Is anyone's surgery schedule for those months? I would love to have a sleeve buddy!

Deanna V.

I haven't been approved yet, but I have done an EKG, stress test, ultrasound, endoscopy, sleep study, and have had two appointments with a nutritionist, and one appointment so far with a psychologist, which was a group call. I'm anxious about being approved for surgery since I have regained weight that I lost from a few years ago.
I was diagnosed with Ulcerative Colitis when I was 13 and had a total colectomy when I was 16. I lived with an ileostomy bag for slightly over 5 years. First year I was in and out of the hospital with a bowel blockage and eventually my surgeon was able to locate it and remove it. My surgeon said I had to lose weight for the last two surgery. I had no clue how to lose weight so I could get rid of my ileostomy bag. I had no guidance. I eventually met a nutritionist and he helped me on my journey to get my life back. He put me on phentermine and gave me a meal plan and encouraged exercise like crazy. I lost 80-90 lbs in 5 months and was approved for surgery! I cried. I worked so hard and I didn't have high expectations when I went in just in case he said to lose more weight.
So I had my last two surgeries and I stopped working out consistently and eating healthy. I gained it all back, because I thought I was finally free. The only thing I was really from from, was my ileostomy bag. But now I'm back to weighing over 200 lbs at 5' 4" and feeling like food is the friendemy.
Since I don't have a colon food goes through me very quickly. The result is painful and life is difficult with many trips to the bathroom and pain from rawness.
The gastric sleeve surgery won't only help me to be healthier and lose weight, but it will also help me to decrease the amount of trips to the bathroom daily.
Praying God's will be done on being approved for surgery and helping me mentally get through this process with adopting a new mindset!
If I were to be approved, surgery would be in August/September.
Is anyone's surgery schedule for those months? I would love to have a sleeve buddy!
Deanna V.

I m scheduled Sept 20th. I have been scheduled twice before. First time I chickened out. Second time my orthopedic rehab Dr told me not to do it because of my pain issues I was working on.
I rescheduled again. Weigh more now than before. Not sure how I will deal with the food issues but I need to do this. Need a healthier perspective on food portions and how to eat slower. Would love to be buddies.

Hi Deanna! It looks like I'm on a similar time schedule as you. I've done the initial meeting with the surgeon, 2 educational sessions, psych eval, exercise eval, EKG/lab work, and 2 Dietitian visits.
I'm in Pennsylvania working with Dr Ichter through Healthy Weight Management (Lancaster General Hospital). I am hoping for a late August/early September surgery date.