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How do you start the process?



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Hello all,

My name is Samantha (Sam) and I've been considering gastric surgery for years now. I feel that the sleeve may be my best option as I hear it is relatively low maintenance post-op. I am looking to lose about 80-100 pounds. I am 27, 5'10" and 270 lbs, although I do not "look it". I used to be so athletic and fit and unfortunately, due to depression, injury, and PCOS, I have packed it on. My PCOS also makes it extremely difficult to lose weight.

I was wondering, what is the process? From beginning to end? How do I get started? Anyone in my similar situation? My husband and I do not have any children, but would like to start trying in about a year or so. Does the sleeve affect pregnancy? How long is recovery?

ANY information is appreciated and welcomed. I apologize for all of the silly questions, I'm just lost and confused as to how to start this journey and if it is possible.

Thanks

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Google local bariatric surgeons many have free seminars for potential new patients. And they'll gladly walk you through the process and answer all your questions

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Yep, I went to a Bariatric surgery seminar in January with my mom. They were very thorough and gave us a packet that listed everything that was expected of us. At the end of the seminar we could opt to make a consultation appointment with a surgeon if we wanted to. It was very easy and straight forward. After the surgeon consultation I could then pay a fee to start the program and my six month pre-op journey started with my dietitian appointment. I started the process in January technically but my program didn't begin until March.

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I also did a seminar. They gave us all the information, I needed to contact my ins co make sure this was covered, get a letter from my pcp and meet the surgeon. There office has been great. You will see a dietician, (I saw mine a few times) have a psychologist meeting and then your ready. Research everything you can and just know this is YOUR choice no one else's. this is a commitment we all need to make personally. Know it's scary as anything (my surgery is scheduled aug 1) but I feel ready. Good luck in whatever you choose!


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Yep, I went to a Bariatric surgery seminar in January with my mom. They were very thorough and gave us a packet that listed everything that was expected of us. At the end of the seminar we could opt to make a consultation appointment with a surgeon if we wanted to. It was very easy and straight forward. After the surgeon consultation I could then pay a fee to start the program and my six month pre-op journey started with my dietitian appointment. I started the process in January technically but my program didn't begin until March.


How much was the fee to start the program? Did you pay out of pocket or did insurance cover it?


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I went to a seminar also. I paid $250 consultation paperwork fee and my co-pay for seeing a specialist. That was it. I had already met my out of pocket and I paid nothing else.

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    • LeighaTR

      I am new here today... and only two weeks out from my sleeve surgery on the 23rd. I am amazed I have kept my calories down to 467 today so far... that leaves me almost 750 left for dinner and maybe a snack. This is going to be tough for two weeks... but I have to believe I can do it!
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    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. LeighaTR

        I hope your surgery on Wednesday goes well. You will be able to do all sorts of new things as you find your new normal after surgery. I don't know this from experience yet, but I am seeing a lot of positive things from people who have had it done. Best of luck!

    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. summerseeker

        Life as a big person had limited my life to what I knew I could manage to do each day. That was eat. I hadn't anything else to look forward to. So my eating choices were the best I could dream up. I planned the cooking in managable lots in my head and filled my day with and around it.

        Now I have a whole new big, bigger, biggest, best days ever. I am out there with those skinny people doing stuff i could never have dreamt of. Food is now an after thought. It doesn't consume my day. I still enjoy the good home cooked food but I eat smaller portions. I leave food on my plate when I am full. I can no longer hear my mother's voice saying eat it all up, ther are starving children in Africa who would want that!

        I still cook for family feasts, I love cooking. I still do holidays but I have changed from the All inclusive drinking and eating everything everyday kind to Self catering accommodation. This gives me the choice of cooking or eating out as I choose. I rarely drink anymore as I usually travel alone now and I feel I need to keep aware of my surroundings.

        I don't know at what point my life expanded, was it when I lost 100 pounds? Was it when I left my walking stick at home ? Was it when I said yes to an outing instead of finding an excuse to stay home ? i look back at my last five years and wonder how loosing weight has made such a difference. Be ready to amaze yourself.

        BTW, the liquid diet sucks, one more day and you are over the worst. You can do it.

    • CaseyP1011

      Officially here for a long time, not just a good time💪
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
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