Beth323

Thought it was about time I introduced myself! I am married 25 years to a great guy. I have 2 grown children that find it easier to live at home. Son 24 and daughter 20. Like probably most I think I have attempted every diet out there, had some successes however cannot keep it off. Thus leaving me at 320lbs at 5'4". I almost went in for the lapband about 6 years ago but 2 weeks prior to surgery ins said no. I needed 12 months of medically approved weight lose plan. Get this though they would have payed for a bypass! At the time they were still opening you up from stem to sterm and I wanted no part of that. Besides 2 of my cousins had a bypass and both have dumping syndrome and a few other problems. However they are skinny. I am 54 have had both knees replaced. I have been to the information seminar, found out ins will pay.except for a co pay. $900.00. whick is doable for me. I am scheduled to meet and review my medical history 7/11/11. I really do not have any other medical problems and know my primary care will sign or recommend whatever is needed. I work in the nursing field and have a high stress working enviroment. I do love my job and not alway like it! However my home and family are my foundation, my good place. They are very supportive of me, and I know will continue to support me thru this journey also. My daughter is actually going thru this with me and is considering a lap band or a sleeve. She will need $2,000.00. I will try to assist with that but that will be tough. I just don't want her to be 54 and fat, like her Momma. But this is her decision and I will back her with whatever she decides.

Hello! I am 54! I will be sleeved in Oct. Shoudl be setting the date soon. I have done all the pretesting, I think. Get the results from my sleep study today. Right now everything I do I think to myself next year right now you are going to be ........? Easier getting in and our of our camper, fitting in to the recliners in the camper better, fitting into the camper shower better. Wear a sun dress when it is hot! I meet with my high school friends every sept for dinner. I am not telling them about the sleeve so next year I can get the wow factor. Summer cloths that are cute! etc etc etc. Concerns I don't want a turkey neck! Or wings! I will probably have wings I gues it wont be a sleeveless sundress! What have others done? Has anyone worn the body shapers are they comfortable?

My daughter got her call today that she passed all her pretests and now needs to see the surgeon. I was happy she said she would like me to go with her for her consult. I got a call this morning from the sleep study people but I did not have access to my phone until after 6pm tonight. I will call them tommorow hopefully there is no problems there, I will find out tommorow. Time is moving fast right now. I am hoping to be sleeved first week of Oct. My daughter turns 21 on 10/4/11 and she wants a couple days to 'enjoy the benefits' I think she to wants her sleeve around 10/7/11.

You probaly had your surgery by the time you see this post. I pray all is well with you. Hopefully your bundle of nerves subsided and you are on your way to a speedy recovery and a new you. Keep us posted on your progress

You have to make the decision that you think is right four you. You are the one that is going to have to live with it for the rest of your life. Whether it was a good or bad decision you are the one that needs to deal with it. That being said I think one of the Big differences between the 2 surgeries is that the bypass has a higher success rate of maintaining the weight off. Basically because of the dumping syndrome with overeating of high sugar content kinda makes you not want to over eat and make better food choices. The sucess of either one though depends on us. I do think though if you are not successful with the desired weight loss of the sleeve they can go back in and convert to a bypass. The sleeve use to be part one of a two part bypass procedure. I am doing the sleeve my BMI is 54. I know the weight will come off the first 18 months. I am really afraid that I will have a problem maintaining. Like so many others I have lost large amounts of weight ie WW and put it all back on plus more. The psychologist I saw for my pre surgical gave me her cell # I think I might need it for maintainance to get my head on straight. Good luck to you!

Thyank yo for all the up days there is not TMI if you know what I mean. I am going to be sleeved soon and I need to know what it is store with all the Ins and Outs!

I am 54, lookig to be sleeved in Oct. I had a hysterectomy at 51, still have the ovaries . I was having some hugh mood swings and a fair amount of hot flashes. My gyn put me on an antidepressant zoloft. the mood swings leveled right out and the hot flashes drastically decreases. It was a safer alternative for me than estrogen therapy considering my weight (310). Talk to your gyn see what your alternatives are, what is best for you. Everyone's menopause journey is different

I am an RN, Graduated Nursing school (associates) 1985. Currently am a Medicare Nurse manager in a skilled nursing facility in the Rehab dept. No matter what aspect of Nursing one goes into I believe we have one of the most physical/mental/emotional/rewarding jobs there are! Nurses Rock!

Good luck to you, Hopefully we can keep track of one another. My daughter and I are both hoping to be sleeved in Oct.

Well so far we have both seen and been approved by our family doctor, psychologist, . pulmonary, Me a sleep study and attended our all day seminar. Now we wait for all the paperwork from the appts to get to the surgical center so we can see the surgical Dr. and set our date. We are hoping for sometime in Oct! We will need to do a 2 week pre op diet but when I reviewed it I have been on it before. 3 shakes a day plus 5 fruit and veg, and a protien. I have been following the Message boards and have found so much info and inspiration.

Thank you for shareing I will be getting sleeved in Mid October. Glad to hear your surgery went so well

I was just at my all day seminar where they review what to expect and the concerns with returning back to work. Mind you I plan on taking just a week off. The really want you to take more time not because of the physical healing but they want to make sure you are getting all your nutrition and fluids in. They are afraid that we will be side tracked and not able to maintain the regimine that we need to. It is really important the we "eat" every 2-3 hours plus get in our 64 +oz of fluids. You need to do what is best for you. If you think your job will allow to follow your Dr orders. Where you can set alarms or reminders to eat and have the time to slowly work on the food then go fo it. Mind you I am not sleeved yet. I have had several other surgeries and know that the anesthesia kicks your butt for a couple of weeks and your stamina will be low.

I was reading the posts on a typical days food intack once your on reg foods again. So now that your not spending a big portion of your day eating what have you done to fill the void?

I am thankful I found this topic. For the past couple of months I have been not feeling myself, Tired, not wanting to do things etc. I am on an antidepressant already for menopause. Right now I am in the Presurgical phase scheduled to meet with the dietician next week. I have always been a private person with my feelings, so admitting even to myself I think I am clincally depressed is a tough one. Right now I am attributing it to my weigh 320 I am at my all time highest and find it affecting every part of my life. The things that I enjoy and help me destress I struggle to do, Go for a leisurely walk,, ride my bike, garden. I am hoping when a get my VSG and the weight starts coming off I can find myself again.

Northern Macomb county here. Hopeing to be sleeved in Sept!