LessLei

Hi All, I'm Lei. I'm new to the board. Obviously And new to the bariatric surgery program at Geisinger Medical Center in Pennsylvania. I haven't been green lighted yet, just attended my first class and have made the decision to go forward with the vertical gastric sleeve a few days before the class. Don't get me wrong, it's not like I made the decision over night (I suspect, not a lot of us have!). I've been struggling with my weight my whole life, for the most part and have been considering surgery as an intervention for the past 6 years. I guess you could say the "straw that broke the camel's back" was my recent trip to Europe. I was boarding a plane from Dublin to London w/ Ryanair (1st row) and the lap belt BARELY snapped into place. I almost broke down crying and didn't want to speak to my husband the remainder of the flight (he understood, bless his heart). All of the moments came flooding back to me.. my wedding, seeing myself in my dress and being disgusted, trying to shave my legs in the shower and having to pull a balancing act.. all the times I broke down crying in department stores because my size was "snug" or just didn't fit anymore. It was that moment that I decided enough was enough. Current health issues I'm dealing with: PCOS (Polycystic Ovary Syndrome) Metabolic Syndrome (Pre-Diabetic w/ insulin resistance, carry my weight around my midsection, and have an all around "slow metabolism" (my awesome Endocrinologist puts it in air quotes, it's brilliant!)) Chronic back pain Trouble sleeping (not diagnosed as sleep apnea, but I wake up CONSTANTLY with numb limbs and just all around discomfort because of my size) I had my gallbladder removed in 2008 for gallstones and I've more recently had to have a colonoscopy for digestive issues. They didn't find anything remarkable in the colonoscopy, but they did remove a 4mm polyp from my Sigmoid colon. I'm a vegetarian and I restrict my dairy consumption (Forks over Knives!). I was exercising 3x week at the height of my efforts, but have since stopped. It's very discouraging when nothing is happening! I gave the exercise and strict diet about 6 months this go round with very little results. I'm 29 years old. I suspect that my friends from work are getting sick of me yammering on about how excited I am to get rolling on with the program and how excited I am to MAYBE be slimmer and healthier. Which brings me here. I look forward to getting to know some fellow "sleevers" and learning about your stories of success!

Wishing you the best of luck and quick healing! I've read that leaks with vsg is 2-5%, but that's not a good measure. It really boils down to the surgeon.. I asked for my surgeon's readmission and mortality rates beforehand. Don't be scared to request that!

Hi I'm Lei. I'm 29 years old, married, and a working IT professional for Geisinger Health System. Surgery outlook in possible March/April timeframe, pending I'm green lighted (no reason why I shouldn't be according to my nutritionist). Enrolled in the bariatric surgery program at Geisinger Medical Center in PA. Dr. Gabrielsen will be my surgeon (he took out my gallbladder and specializes in bariatric surgery, so I trust him and had a great experience with him previously). I've been enrolled in the weight management clinic for roughly 6 years (off and on, successes and failures) and after a meltdown on a Ryanair flight, I've had enough of my waistline dictating my life. Thank you for reading!

Being on a European flight from Dublin to London on Ryanair.. and the lap belt BARELY clipping into place. Definitely had a meltdown and decided enough was enough. I'm a pretty stubborn person and I've already changed my eating habits and lifestyle.. I just felt I needed this intervention to keep me motivated to stick with it. The insulin resistance was working against my body. Not green lighted or scheduled yet. Just had my first class..

Good luck Carly! Just visited the UK!, had a wonderful time. Wish you the best and look forward to your updates.

Wow! Surgery is coming up for you huh?! Approaching fast! Are you ready? Nice to meet you btw

Congrats!!!

Hi! I'm new to the board and this is the first post I was able to find that was relevant to my concern post-surgery. I have 5 months yet before I go in for surgery (which isn't even scheduled yet). So I'm very very early in the process and I've been a vegetarian for quite some time now with no desire what so ever to return to meats. I also backed off a lot of dairy (mostly due to Forks over Knives!!). I still do eat Yogurt from time to time, and cheese occasionally (though, I prefer to purchase Veggie cheese). Some time has lapsed since this thread was posted - I was wondering if you went forward with your plans for surgery nyxa? And if so - any thoughts on still maintaining a vegetarian lifestyle? I plan to eat Beans and some Protein supplements to help. But I have absolutely no plans of returning to eating meat!