Stacey Nicole

I'm so glad I posted something! I actually thought twice about doing it because I hate to sound like I'm complaining but I'm not alone!!! I've gained weight over the past few months. food funerals? I'm the director. I need to chill out and realize I will eat everything again - in moderation of course! I've never looked bigger in pictures....and I hate even looking at them as well!!!! I had to shop on Saturday for an outfit for a holiday party my work has every year. I got black pants - and the all mighty shirt with the big band at the bottom. I'm not sure I would have survived dressing in the past few years without the invention of the band on shirts - cant wait to be rid of them!!!!! I scheduled a few more appointments today - and it looks like I won't have surgery until February - but I'm still hoping for January!! Thanks for the support!

It's so good to know I'm not alone! I'm here to chat if you ever need to!!

My surgeon is Dr. Macaron. His office is in Middlebury, and he operates out of St. Mary's Hospital in Waterbury. Hoping to have surgery in January!!!

I am in the middle of getting my appointments done (psych eval, nutristion, and pulmonologist). I work alone and when I need a day off, I have to find coverage. I have already given my boss a heads up that I am doing this and will require time off in January or February (Hoping for Jan!). I do not think anyone can tell you that you cant take the time off - Especially for surgery! If you dont want them knowing what kind of surgery you are having - request that your doc put abdominal surgery on your paperwork. It is no ones business! If you dont have vacation time off, you can usually take a medical leave as well. I am sure I will have to jump through some hurdles for my time off as well. Good luck on your journey

Great idea!!! Thanks so much

That makes sense. Hopefully I'll be having mine done next month!! Thanks for all the info everyone:)

I meant that it was not a completely open surgery - It is done through smaller incisions reducing the recovering period and chance for wound infection.

I went to my WLS seminar last night. The surgeon offers bypass, lap band, and VSG. Before I arrived I was pretty sure that the lap band would be my choice. I was surprised to learn how successful the sleeve has been and now I feel more confused than ever! Today I scheduled my consultation for the 26th and got the requirements needed from my insurance (less required than I had feared). Has anyone else been this lost? What was the major factor that made you choose the VSG over the band?

Update: I have chosen the sleeve. It is the best option for me. I'm hoping to have my surgery in January! Thanks again for all of the advice and support - i love this forum!

That was my thread - I think you can find it in my profile! Good luck on your journey:)

I definitely took the same true false eval last week. Would I like to be a park ranger? No. Lol my favorite was : I love the shape of my buttocks. True or false. It asked that like 3 times in different ways! And there were lots of do you hear voices questions. You'll do fine! I go back to finish mine this week. Good luck!

Same question as Ian - my surgeon is Dr. Macaron from St. Mary's in Waterbury. Hoping for a date in January!

I have to tell my boss that I've gotten the ball rolling in this process and will need a couple of weeks off. I don't know how to say it. It's literally making me sick to my stomach! I've known my boss for 10 years - She is the best. I am just terrified!!!!!! I'm also just as nervous about my family and my inlaws knowing about it. How did you tell the people closest to you? HELP!!

It's the surgeons job to make sure his patient knows their options and takes the time to explain them all. Sad that she didn't care to do any work but she seems to have taken the surgeons advice and how can we blame her for that?!?

I don't mean to stand up for your wife but maybe she is angry and jealous that it's you and not her starting a new life. At some point we were all sitting on the couch with a container of ice cream and hating the world. The only difference is that now you left that world! I support the fact that you chose to be sleeved - as I am in the process of doing so as well. However, sometimes us women say or do things that seem crazy.....and why? Because we are. All women are nuts!!! I would give her some time to adjust - and you need time to adjust as well. I hope you can work it out and move past the anger. If not, move on and congrats on your new sleeve!!!

MidState is a great hospital - I am not far from there. My consultation went well. The power outages have messed up my appointments for this week but he said we could do it as early as December or January. I'm aiming for January. I don't know exactly how many sleeves he has done but he averages 3 to 4 a week right now and he has been performing the surgery for 8 years. I just have a really good feeling about him - he took time to explain everything and answer all of my questions. I can't wait!!

She smiled for a photo on her first day in this world - I love that!! She is gorgeous. Congrats!

Yesterday I shared the news with my boss that I was planning on being sleeved in January. She was so supportive - I was on cloud 9!! I decided that it would also be a good day for my brother and sister in law to know. I am an open book the majority of the time and wanted to share my special news with them. My brother was worried and asked questions which I happily answered. My sister in law who is a nurse had NOT ONE nice thing to say to me. She asked "Why are you giving up?" "Do you know the risks, my patients almost die!" I have been a mess ever since the conversation. I know that not everyone will support me - But I do expect that they should respect MY DECISIONS! I have attended my seminar, met with my surgeon and will begin my psych clearance next week. I've been thinking about doing this for months - And one bad reaction scared the crap out of me!!! I intend to prove her wrong and I will be moving ahead with my process but I do want to know - Do you regret your surgery? Did you ever regret it? Thanks

Any bra type suggestions? I'm rather well endowed and will need to keep these puppies off of my incisions! )

WW is great and the support is group. However you do need to be aware of their anti-surgery views. I've done WW several times and in different locations each time - and every time they put down people who have "given up" or "not dealt with their real problems" by having surgery. If you have a thick skin and can keep your thoughts about surgery to yourself you will find a wonderful support:)

My sister in law messaged me today to apologize. I was relieved. I have definitely seen some people with regrets....they are the small percentage of people that have had the very serious problems that can come along with the sleeve. I can understand questioning actions and small amounts of regret in the beginning - especially before eating real food is reintroduced! I am so greatful to all of you for the endless support I receive on here everyday!

Thank you Lissa (funny side note: my bf is a lissa too haha)!!!! I started telling her all the statistics I knew. I was defending myself - and it felt like I was being attacked. All while she was doing this she never even asked me what type of surgery I was having. Not only did she tell me i was giving up - she also told me that I was WRONG!!!! Ugh I'm still annoyed the morning after. It just goes to show that sometimes you have to do things for you and only you! Hoping today is a better day - she owes me such an apology......but I'm sure I'll never hear it.

Today I told my brother an sister in law that I was in the process of getting approved for surgery. My sister in law acted as if I had offended her. She asked why I was giving up. She asked if I had spoken to a doctor - like I invented this in my head yesterday lol ummmm hello!!!! How the heck does my decision to do this offend her? I had a good cry and then I realized that this is about me - not her. I'm sure she is only one of many that will react this way. I guess it's all part of the process.

Well I was on a roll today after telling my boss. I figured my brother should know - his wife went crazy on me. She is a nurse and has dealt with patients and their complications from surgery. She went on and on and on. I can respect her telling me about her experiences - but she had the balls to ask why I was giving up. Some people think they are so damn entitled - like really? Giving up? Yea I don't think so!!! Ugh I'm so mad!!!