tiredmama

So glad to hear of these positive experiences with Abington- I have my intake appointment there coming up January 8th and are hoping to get sleeved this summer! Happy New Year to everyone!

There is a lot of food for thought here. One good thing about my history of major yo-yo-ing is that I have already experienced the reality that a much thinner me is not necessarily any happier, less self-critical, more secure... In the past that would always depress me which would send me right back to emotional overeating, made worse by the feeling of deprivation that built up with dieting. I hope that this time around my expectations are more realistic and my motivation really is more about investing in my long-term health rather than a magic bullet, but I do catch myself fantasizing about how wonderful everything will be a year post-sleeve. I am still pre-op and trying to be honest with myself and preparing myself emotionally as well as possible

An old therapist of mine suggested that since soothing myself with food has been my preferred coping mechanism since I was a young child, any substitutes need to also work from a child's perspective. She suggested hugging a giant teddy bear, screaming or crying instead of journaling (too cerebral and not primal enough). I know it sounds crazy but I think there is some truth to it, at least for me.

Hi! You are ahead of me- I will have my initial consult 1/8/14. I have been doing a ton of research and I have decided to go for it if the doctor thinks I am a good candidate. I am 38 years old and I live in PA. I am hoping for a June or July surgery because that would work best for my work schedule and childcare needs.

You look amazing- congratulations!

Beautiful before and beautiful after! I hope you feel as awesome as you look!

Hi! Also an autism mom here- for those of you post-surgery, how did you manage at home while you were recovering?

I have a 9 year old with autism! Would love to hear how you managing caring for your child with special needs post-surgery; I am very nervous about it!

Went to my first info session last night and found out today my insurance would cover vsg 100%. Now it's really up to me- do I really want to do this? My BMI is just over 40- would it be better to try to lose the weight on my own? Will the sleeve be the tool that helps me maintain a major weight lost when in the past I have always regained every pound I lost with a few years? Will the sleeve help free me from my lifelong obsession with my weight or will it reinforce it? So overwhelmed!

Thanks, everyone. Lots to think about. For me the primary issue is fear of the surgery itself and possible complications. I have a young son with significant special needs who will likely need lifetime support- I want to invest in my ability to be there for him for many years to come but he also really needs me now and I am worried about my ability to care for him after surgery- if it was just a week or so I could rely on others but I know complications can happen and some people are put of commission for longer than they anticipated. I know no one else can decide for me- it just helps me to put my thoughts into writing and hear others' perspectives.

I am seriously considering vsg and finding these boards so helpful! I am curious if anyone had a history of major yo-yo weight loss and gain? Over the last 25 years I have lost and re-gained 80 pounds about every 5 years. :-( I am now at my all time high and know that I could probably lose the weight on my own again but I would be very likely to gain it all back again and I am so tired of this cycle. Any advice? Thanks so much!

I am sorry you are going through all of this- I also have PCOS and struggled with infertility. This may be a wacky idea but have you considered looking for a clinical trial? When my insurance wouldn't pay for any further fertility treatments, I considered participating in a clinical trial. I didn't ultimately find one that worked for me but I imagine there must be some that cover wls. Good luck!

Hi all! I am new to this site- just started seriously considering VSG a few weeks ago. I live in the Philly suburbs. It looks like my insurance would probably approve Abington or Einstein and both are convenient for me- anyone want to weigh in on pros/cons of either program? Thanks!