I'm terrible at intros, and hope this is where I'm supposed to be doing that (I'm assuming so, since this is where the link in the email sent me ?‍♂️).
I'm about to be 45, married mom of 2 boys, 1 daughter-in-law, 1 daughter-in-love and 6 grandbabies! I have always been a stout girl, but over the years the weight has piled on. Like many of you, I'm sure, I've tried everything! No matter how healthy I was eating and living, I would lose a bit of weight and then it would just stop and/or I would even gain. I'm so frustrated! I have decided to have wls, in hopes that I will actually see results from my hard work. Now, to choose: bypass or sleeve? ...and to get this ball rolling. While I wait for everything to open up normally after COVID, I'm researching like crazy. My very highest weight ever was around 370 lb. It took me 9 years losing a little here and a little there, but my CW is 298 (and that is up from my weight loss lowest). ...with that said, for my surgery stats, do I use my very highest ever of 370 or my current pre-surgery process weight of 298? Yes, I overthink things. It's a curse. Also, any tips as I start this process? What do you wish you'd known going into this journey?

Thanks for reading and thanks in advance for your input!
❤️

re: sleeve vs bypass, see what your surgeon recommends. There are some health conditions that make one surgery more appropriate than the other (depending on what health condition you're talking about). If you don't have any health issues that would warrant one surgery over the other, then you'll have to just decide which one you're more comfortable with - and which you think would be a better "fit" for you. They're both good surgeries and there are people who've had great success with both.

Your first step should be to your insurance co. Check to see if they even cover WLS. If they do ask, what are your requirements? Most go by what you weigh currently. After you find out you can move forward. Most start with your GP. I started with my GYN. I see your BMI is 53... "most" insurance require a Min of 35 with two comorbidies or a 40+ with no co's. I was the 40+ with no co's. 5'2" SW: 232. 2009 i had the LB and was the perfect bandmember till 2017 when my band slipped due to a virus... Till then i had zero problems and maintain my WL at 143#.

As far as choosing a WLS, this is up to you and your WLSx.... He/she will help you make the best choice. There's a lot more than just bypass or sleeve. Gastric Sleeve, Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy - (VSG), Lap Band (yes they still do them), Gastric Bypass -(GB, RNY), Mini gastric bypas (MGB), Duodenal Switch (DS), Stomach Intestinal pylorus sparing (SIPS), Gastric sleeve with plication, Band with plication, Balloon .... and i'm sure some i don't know about. At this time... the VSG is the "sweetheart" of the WLS world right now.

There are other things to consider when having WLS. The biggest one (i think) is what do you expect from WLS and what are you prepared to gain and lose from it.... Losses are always just weight. WLS community has a very high divorce rate. You sometimes lose family and friends too. You also have to be prepared for the questions on your health. When you start to lose where people notice, they will ask questions as to if your sick? how are you losing? ... you need to choose if you are going to tell anyone. If you do, don't expect those people to keep it a secret. At first, i only told my (now ex) husband, sons and a few very close friends.... Well that was just the amount for everyone to know... This time, VSG 8 months yesterday, only my now-husband knows. I didn't tell any family, friends or co-workers.

I also suggest you go watch some Dr. V youtube videos... he is great and always 100% spot on. He curses but gets the point across. He has so many.....

The above Nailed it! But i wish i would have had my workshop in order before getting this tool called the sleeve. The head games are bumps in the road

4 hours ago, catwoman7 said:

re: sleeve vs bypass, see what your surgeon recommends. There are some health conditions that make one surgery more appropriate than the other (depending on what health condition you're talking about). If you don't have any health issues that would warrant one surgery over the other, then you'll have to just decide which one you're more comfortable with - and which you think would be a better "fit" for you. They're both good surgeries and there are people who've had great success with both.

Thank you for your input!

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Your first step should be to your insurance co. Check to see if they even cover WLS. If they do ask, what are your requirements? Most go by what you weigh currently. After you find out you can move forward. Most start with your GP. I started with my GYN. I see your BMI is 53... "most" insurance require a Min of 35 with two comorbidies or a 40+ with no co's. I was the 40+ with no co's. 5'2" SW: 232. 2009 i had the LB and was the perfect bandmember till 2017 when my band slipped due to a virus... Till then i had zero problems and maintain my WL at 143#.

Thank you! I have looked into as much as I can without calling...checked my insurance packet and info on my portal and know that my insurance does cover it and the surgeon I'm going with is in network, but I haven't called for the details and requirements. I definitely need to get on that!

Quote

As far as choosing a WLS, this is up to you and your WLSx.... He/she will help you make the best choice. There's a lot more than just bypass or sleeve. Gastric Sleeve, Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy - (VSG), Lap Band (yes they still do them), Gastric Bypass -(GB, RNY), Mini gastric bypas (MGB), Duodenal Switch (DS), Stomach Intestinal pylorus sparing (SIPS), Gastric sleeve with plication, Band with plication, Balloon .... and i'm sure some i don't know about. At this time... the VSG is the "sweetheart" of the WLS world right now.

There are definitely many that you listed that I haven't heard of before! ...and that's with what research I've done (which I thought was a lot, but apparently not, lol). I do know that the website of the surgeon I'm going with mostly gives general info about the lap band, gastric bypass and the sleeve gastrectomy. I personally know two of his patients and both had the sleeve gastrectomy.

Quote

There are other things to consider when having WLS. The biggest one (i think) is what do you expect from WLS and what are you prepared to gain and lose from it.... Losses are always just weight. WLS community has a very high divorce rate. You sometimes lose family and friends too. You also have to be prepared for the questions on your health. When you start to lose where people notice, they will ask questions as to if your sick? how are you losing? ... you need to choose if you are going to tell anyone. If you do, don't expect those people to keep it a secret. At first, i only told my (now ex) husband, sons and a few very close friends.... Well that was just the amount for everyone to know... This time, VSG 8 months yesterday, only my now-husband knows. I didn't tell any family, friends or co-workers.

There have been a lot of things that I have been considering, but some that I hadn't thought of, like divorce. My husband knows and while he's not a fan of weight loss surgery as a general rule, he has seen all of the work in the healthy lifestyle I have been living with little results and is supportive of me in this because he understands the frustration and knows that this will be a tool for me. As of right now, I've only talked to a very select few...and probably more than I really want to know already, at least at this stage. I just don't want the static of everyone's opinions. I don't think I mind those closest to me knowing eventually, but not yet. We'll see. I'm sorry to hear about the divorce.

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I also suggest you go watch some Dr. V youtube videos... he is great and always 100% spot on. He curses but gets the point across. He has so many.....

I actually have some of his videos saved on my watch list! I will definitely be sure to get started on those!

Thanks again for all of the wonderful info! I sincerely appreciate it!

3 hours ago, WInston223322 said:

The above Nailed it! But i wish i would have had my workshop in order before getting this tool called the sleeve. The head games are bumps in the road

Thanks for the input and heads up! I've been bracing myself for the head games.

6 hours ago, aseknc said:

for my surgery stats, do I use my very highest ever of 370 or my current pre-surgery process weight of 298?

For stats, I keep my own spreadsheet that has both my weight loss from my top weight and from my day of surgery weight. I calculate my excess weight lost (a common measure for WLS) based on the day of surgery weight

1 minute ago, notmyname said:

For stats, I keep my own spreadsheet that has both my weight loss from my top weight and from my day of surgery weight. I calculate my excess weight lost (a common measure for WLS) based on the day of surgery weight

Great suggestion, thank you!