JCassell

Well from the time of diagnosis to surgery was about a month. I told my PCP about my symptoms, I had an ultrasound confirming gallstones the next week, and they called me the day of my ultrasound to schedule surgery. That was scary, by the way. I am a surgery newbie and ultrasound to surgery in one day put me in panic mode. I told her I wanted to wait until my VSG surgery. Then two weeks later I had a third attack and was down ten pounds, and dehydrated. I saw the surgen and he scheduled the surgery about ten days out. It was delayed because of the long weekend. So it went fairly quickly. My aunt waited a year before she had hers removed. I think it just depends on your pain level. I wanted to wait for VSG too, but it was more than 6 months away and I didn't want to risk it. I had several attacks in a short time tho. It couldn't hurt to do the ultrasound and be sure.

The first gallbladder attack I had honestly felt like a heart attack. That was the first thing that went through my mind. It was a pain the the middle of my chest and it went all the way through me. I couldn't find a possition where the pain would ease up and I had to wait it out (about 4 hours). The second attack I had wasn't as painful. I couldn't even sip water, food was out of the question, my whole body was achey and I was kind of disoreinted. The last attack I had wasn't too bad. I was leaned over my desk and all of a sudden it was painful to breath deep. If I straightened my back as far as I could the pain left. Mother said I was putting pressure on my gallbladder. I know this is a random set of symptoms with every attack but I'm being as straight forward as I can. Hope this helps, and hope you don't have them!

I saw my surgeon today. My gallbladder surgery is set for 7-12-13. I haven't had another attack yet. So far So good. He said that it was outpatient surgery and I wouldn't be in the hospital more than four hours and that I would have a few bandaids. My doctor said that he knew my VSG surgeon and that he was a very good doctor that took very good care of his patients. He also said that he thought that VSG was a great option for me and he was proud I was being proactive with my health. I was ready for a talk about how bad the surgery was but instead I came out more confident in my decision. Overall I'm glad I went and this should be good practice for my VSG.

Hi everyone! My mother is getting the sleeve done this year. She is attending her seminar June 22, 2013. She is self pay and she is very worried about the expense of the pre-op testing, and the kinds of testing required. She is also worried about her age and how it will effect her recovery and weight loss. She is a nurse and knows the ins and outs of the testing I've told her about seeing in many stories on this sight. Now I'm afaid she will back out of the surgery altogether. I am really just hoping for some first hand experiences that will help her make her decision and put her mind at ease. She asked me if I could find any information from people around her age. If you can offer any support I would greatly appreciate it!

Thank you everyone for your support! I know Mother will feel so much better knowing she isn't alone. I feel better knowing all of you did so well, hopefully mother will have a easy time of it as well. She understands what the testing is for and knows that its necessary but she is worried about the expense. Ive told her to invest in her future and that it will be good for her. So far I haven't heard anyone say that they regret it.

Congrats! Can't wait until I get there!

I told my Husband, and my mother and sister. My mother is having it done too, so her husband knows, so soon all my town and the next town will know. My sister cares for my grandma so she knows, and she will tell all the aunts and uncles. And my husband blurted it out to my inlaws in the grocerie store. So its really a question of who doesnt know by now.

This is a lot of fun to think about! Here are my ten: 1. Walk into a room and have my husband do a double take. 2. I want to be able to make my kiddo tired 3. I want to wear a dress and not look like a bell. 4. I want to have clothes that reflect my style and not what I coud find that would fit me. 5. To run in the many marathons in my state. They have a Zombie run that looks awesome! 6. To travel to other countries. 7. To not immediately notice that I am the biggest person in a room, or that people are talking about me. 8. To want to go out and do things, instead of thinking of them as chores. 9. To go out for a run 10. To be smaller than my husband and more confident in the bedroom :wub:

Thank you to everyone who wrote POSITIVE posts. I can assure you that if I had my choice I wouldn't be on medicaid, but I will not be bulied or embarrassed to use the insurance the state has determined I qualify for. It has been more than comforting in my situation to have insurance. I am in the begining stages of the process and I'm being impatient, mostly. I am really unsure how it all works. I was just looking for others who have been there and done that I know that I will get approved, I met all the criteria, I'm just nervous.