New here - Lots of health issues

[TheGoodLyfe 14]

Hello! I'm new here and have been stalking the forum, but decided to post so I have a place to unload and not feel judged. I'm a very private person IRL. My husband is the only person who I've discussed WLS with in person besides the doctor/surgeon.

So I began this journey on Jan 8th watching a webinar I signed up for with my surgeon. My first visit with the bariatric team was Jan 10th. My last several random Dr appts over the past year I have had high BP. I always chalked it up to being nervous. The high BP was confirmed at this appt and I'm now diagnosed with hypertension. I started on a med for that. My BMI is recorded at about 41%. Because I know I snore loud and have woke to gasping a few times, they had me do an at-home overnight oximeter test. The results were that I'd had over 600 events () and at the lowest my saturation reached was 59%. So now I have the full at home sleep study kit on its way to me. I'll probably be diagnosed with severe apnea and have to use a CPAP. (Ugh!) I have quite a bit of acid reflux that I need to admit to my Dr as well. Hoping it's not GERD, but I'm leaning toward asking for a bypass rather than a sleeve because it seems to be getting worse.

Next Tuesday, Jan 29th I have 4 appointments back-to-back. Metabolic testing, Labs (bloodwork), DEXA scan and then a NUT consult. My insurance company is BCBS and based on the wording in my policy, it looks like I'll probably have to do the 6 months of "attempted weight loss" before my surgeon can send off for approval. I'm hoping that somehow it will be sooner! It's been a little overwhelming facing all the health issues I've been in denial about, but I'm extremely focused on getting WLS and steering toward a much healthier future! Thankful to have found this group!

[Recidivist 1,141]

Welcome, Good Life. As you know from "stalking" the forum, many of our stories are very similar to yours. And one way or another, each of us reached a point when we said "enough!" and decided we no longer wanted to live that way. Congratulations to you for focusing on your health, which is really what this is about.

It may seem like an eternity at this point, but you'll be on your way to a "good life" before you know it. Hang in there, and keep visiting this forum--it has helped me tremendously. I have had doubts at many points during my journey, and this forum always reassures me that I'm doing the right thing.

[TheGoodLyfe 14]

Thank you and yes, I’ve definitely had enough! I have gained and lost weight so many times. Even lost 60 lbs after my second kid was born. Sadly, over the last 6 years, it’s all back. The older I get the more uphill this battle is, ya know?

[catwoman7 10,875]

a lot of people have those kinds of problems pre-surgery - and many are resolved by the surgery!

if you have GERD, you're definitely wise to be leaning toward bypass. The bypass usually improves and often cures it - VSG can make it worse (not always - but as a fellow pre-surgery GERD-sufferer, I didn't want to take the risk of making it worse)

you'll be really happy with the surgery - as mentioned above, it should resolve a lot of those health problems you mentioned

[TheGoodLyfe 14]

Thanks catwoman7. I’m so physically uncomfortable right now and just so ready to commit to a new healthy life. For my family! I’m a little nervous about the bloodwork, but need to lay it all out and get to fixing it ASAP.

[Frustr8 7,886]

And welcome @ TheGoodLyfe, you'll find a lot of friendly people on here. If you have any questions, ask, one of us will be happy to give you answers if we have them. There are all kinds of people, from Newbees to veterans of many years, and at least one of us has encountered most everythi,h under the sun. I know they sure have helped me in the past!

[Hellosweetie 3]

Hi! I’m new too. Just joined today. Met with the surgeon on Jan 14. I saw the Pulmonologist Friday and will have my sleep study in a week or so. I also have to see a cardiologist (I have supra-ventricular tachycardia) and get cleared there (May need a small but horrifying procedure done but at trying to avoid).
I also have to attend four nutritionist appts (the first is the 28th) and be cleared by a psychologist
It’s all so daunting
I’m not really telling anyone either.
A couple people I’ve told really really went negative on me and made me feel bad. Like why can’t you just lose the weight? Well, Becky, I’m 41 and I’ve tried my hardest and here I am at my height weight and I need help.
Why hadn’t anyone expressed concern over the harm I have been causing my body but here we are now and I’m extreme?
Sort
Ranting on your post.
We got this.
<3

[Hellosweetie 3]

*sorry for ranting
Idk how to edit lol

[Frustr8 7,886]

Okay to rant a little, I'm 73 and a relative RnY newbee, only 5 months out, it took years to summon courage, thought I was fated to die obese, had a " Come to Jesus " moment, realized surgery fightened me less than continuing to live as I was, and many programs did not honor my search for surgery, I was told too many years had gone by, some cut off at 55, many at 60, a few at 70, but I found the best(for me) at Ohio State University Hospital- Wexner Medical Center in my state Capital of Columbus Ohio. He agreed with me, time had not totally passed me by, I deserved the same chance as everyone else to make my life better. Mine has not been a sunlight and spring flowers recovery, still have. a roadway with bumps in it, but guess what? It still will get me where I need to go, I trust his and his partner Sabrena Noria MD 's advice, I believe in ME, even though I didn't always, and I WILL BE A FINAL SUCCESS! And if I can do it, I know YOU can too! The journey is a path to a better, longer, healthier life! So come along with me, okay?

[Hellosweetie 3]

How was your recovery? How are you feeling now?
Thank you for sharing!

[Frustr8 7,886]

Tonight pretty good, my pump in the backpack mentally pumping away, be just before noon when I finish. It lays on a bedside table at night while I try to sleep, bad news. is- 3 liters of Fluid contained, I'm up as much as a guy my age with prostate problems. Ah it is what it is, slowed down my weight loss, I am much healthier, and I still lost 3 pounds between Christmas and now, Yippee Skippee! Oh don't count Frustr8 out, I was built at the end of WW 2, solid stainless steel, not cheap plastic, I'll be okay yet!😝💓😝

[TheGoodLyfe 14]

Thank you Frustr8. I’m really glad I came across this group. It’s reassuring to see the victories and comforting to have people going thru the process right along with me.

Hi Hellosweetie! I feel the same and have no desire to have to discuss it with everyone. (I’m 40, btw) It’s going to be a lot of work and I’d hate to be treated like I took the “easy” way out!

We’ve definitely got this! Here we go!

[Hellosweetie 3]

Where are you located? I’m in Tampa.
I made a friend at the bariatric place I went to and now I’m not as alone

[Frustr8 7,886]

TheGoodLyfe is in God's Country, South Dakota, of course I'm in the Northern Bible Belt so I think He owns it All. I'm in Central Ohio, my city is Mount Vernon, approx.19,000, 14 miles from Ohio's Geographic Center , Centerburg, where my Late Mama graduated from in 1935. My family has been here from the early pioneer days on, never lived farther away than 50 miles from here, don't whether. we were too chicken to move anywhere else or just satisfied with location. Mama was the least fertile of the family, I am an only child but my 11 paternal aunts and uncles and my 6 maternal had at least 3 each,so I have a flock of first cousins, some real winners , some pains in the wazoo, if you're on here very long you'll hear about them. Quite a varied bunch when all said and done. Been to Florida once, spent a week in a condo on Sierra Key, lot,of good memories. And I'll talk on most any subject, if I don't have a subject already I'll think of something. But basically I am having fun with my pist-surgery life although it has been bumpy, I feel often like I have been re-born! So pull up a chair and let's chat, got a pit of Decaf tea on!

[TheGoodLyfe 14]

Yep, I’m in SD. I live about a half hour from Mt Rushmore. It’s a really nice area, but we have been in a deep freeze lately. I have yet to come across anyone else from my area on here. My doctor said there’s a support group I’ll be set up with at some point. So that will be good... I think...

I grew up a military kid and have lived a lot of places, including Hawaii and England, but not Florida or Ohio! Both places I’d like to visit someday.

So, last night I went to bed with all the monitor stuff hooked up. First, I accidentally fell asleep before putting it on. Lol... whoops! I usually take a while to wind down, so I thought I’d watch tv a bit and turn the stuff on when I felt sleepy. So it was like 2 am when I started it. Then I kept waking and checking that everything was on. It’s supposed to show a red light when something isn’t working and I had to adjust the nose cannula (sp?) so the light would go green. Then it shut off completely at like 6 am. Ughhh!! So I’m going to try again tonight. They sent extra batteries for a second night if the first night didn’t go well. Wish me luck!