patrice1

Hi All! My surgery is June 20th. I am very excited, same as all of you. I am totally cool with staying in touch via Facebook or through the forums here or private messages. I have a few people I am friends with that I met either through my pre-surgery classes at Kaiser or here on Bariatric Pal. It's super helpful to share tips, etc. from those who have had the surgery. This forum is great because we are going through this pretty much at the same time. Love it.

I started the process in November 2013 with a visit to my doctor. Paperwork in December, bloodwork in January, then 6 weeks of pre-surgery classes, including a few counseling sessions. To be fair, they would have put me in the class that started late February, but I had to go into March due to my work schedule and traveling. I was done with the class mid-April, and could have had the surgery in May (again had to postpone because of work schedule and traveling). BUT .... my surgery is scheduled for June 20. Very exciting. Basically 8 months (which is what they told me it would take). It is a lot faster than it used to be. I heard of people waiting 18 months before.

Hi ! Love this forum. My surgery date is June 20th. My 14 day liquid diet starts soon. Beyond excited and ready to get those first few awful days after surgery over. I have heard they pass quickly (no pun intended ha ha) and you get better fast. I am so encouraged by all of you on here. I started this journey last October and now my surgery date is almost here! It is hard to believe after all the work to get here. We are all brave and passionate people to go forward with our healthy new life. I had toget super low, before taking this risk. But now I can't imagine not taking this step. I am addicted to hope far more than what brought me to my low point. I am actually excited about exercise again and doing the work it will take to utilize my new sleeve tool. Congrats my new Sleever friends! Patrice

I loved your post. So true! Life is good. Except for my weight, this is the happiest and best time of my life. I want my health tone the best too. Onward and upward while the scale goes downward! Lol I am scheduled for surgery in 3 weeks: June 20th. All the best to you too.

Yes- mine is June 20th. Soooo excited! Yet, nervous too. What helps me with the fear though is the power of hope. I gave up after so many failures at losing weight. But I didn't realize how dead inside I felt from giving up. Sure, I know that my VSG won't solve all my problems. I have to work it. But the difference is - by analogy - the difference between having a boat to cross the river and trying to swim without one. Hope is a powerful thing!

Queenie: me too - we have the same date. Very very excited!

Hi! I am having the sleeve, so all I need to take is the multi, vitamin B-12, and calcium. I take Vita-Fusion gummies because I suck at pills, always have. I won't be able to take them while I am on the liquid only phase post-op, but there's another option for me at that time. My NUT approved these, but there may be differences with other people's programs. I love them.

Dear Sharon - It is very painful to be rejected by someone you thought was your best friend. It adds pain upon the pain you already feel about your health and what, as you said, prompted you to take this step for your health. That is unfair of her. A true friend, even if they disagreed, would support your decision anyway. They would support your right to make your own choices. I know you already know this, but it bears repeating. What I see here is that she projected all her anger about the "politics" of being overweight on to you. She made this a "cause" rather than seeing your heart, and the difficulty and struggle it no doubt took for you to make this decision, and one that is right for you! None of this violates some political code of ethics about fat acceptance. Of course we are beautiful and wonderful. But the weight threatens that because it threatens our health. For me, I have written that the larger I get, the less of me there is - of my life, my future, and my ability to enjoy the wonderful life I have been given. She also did not do the research to learn about weight loss surgery and why it is being done. She would have realized that insurance companies would love to paint surgery as only cosmetic and not have to pay for it if in fact it were only cosmetic. Rather, it is a serious surgery that is only undertaken when the weight of an individual is threatening their life and survival. Let's put it bluntly, because that is what it is. I know that this is the reason I am getting the surgery, because my health and life, physically, mentally, and emotionally is impacted. I know you have expressed the same. It takes courage for anyone to choose the surgery and no one does it lightly. I had to work through feeling like a failure because I had to resort to surgery when all other repeated attempts to lose weight failed. (I no longer think that, of course). Some people, who are ignorant of this path and don't take the time to educate themselves, think that it is the "easy way out." I had friends say to me,"If you have to exercise and eat small portions anyway, why don't you do it without the surgery?" Or another friend said, "I am just naturally disciplined," in her response to me, implying I am not and that's why I am resorting to this. However, they all are supporting me whether they agree with it or not. I see that most people see us through their own lens of who they are, and what they think - whether negative or positive. When things work out with this (and they will) no one will remember their critique, they will only see how healthy and happy I am. The results will speak for themselves, I don't have to. I also look at it as a way of "educating" those who don't understand the surgery or the reasons for it. And I won't post much in response to your friend's arguments about eating disorders, except to say that weight loss surgery can be a viable tool in the treatment arsenal (in alignment with other therapeutic options) to help control eating disorders and food addictions, as well. Is it right for everyone? Of course not. Is surgery itself "imposing an eating disorder" as she said? Well, she's entitled to her opinion, but as a binge eater and compulsive overeater, I need the restriction my new stomach will give me if I get off track. I am also in therapy and will remain. Your friend may have her ideas on how to treat her own eating disorder, but to assume that her way is the only way to treat that is arrogant and ignorant. Someday, your friend will see the results. Perhaps she may learn from your experience and become a better person and friend (learn some compassion for one thing, and stop projecting her own negativity on others). Some day, if she is a true friend, she will apologize for what she said. But regardless of what she does or does not do, you will know you made the right decision for you and it will more than pay off. We overweight people get a thick skin (no pun intended, lol) because people say a lot of insensitive things to us. I think we all use that skill we've acquired to toughen up with the amazing courage, hope, and positivity it takes to have the surgery, to bet on our future, to know that we are worth doing this - more than worth it. It is actually a step we take because we value ourselves, and not, as your friend accused, because we are vain, shallow, or think we are worthless being fat. I am sorry for this long response, but I really felt for you on what you are going through. One of the things I have seen through the forums and on You Tube videos is the impact that this decision will have on relationships. People have said they moved away from relationships that no longer served them, or those that did not treat them well. I am already doing that, and you are too. I think that your friend's true colors are coming out, and saved you the trouble of ending it yourself later. We are all changing, but the regard and love that true friends have for each other does not change. For those that do, as your friend painfully showed, I am glad you are choosing yourself instead. Now that is a sign of healthy self-acceptance! All the best to you, and to meeting so many new friends! You deserve friends like that, because that's who you are. Patrice

June 20th is going to be here before I know it ... it really helps just to think of so many of us going through this surgery at the same time. It is scary, but it is far more frightening for me to remain at this weight (and growing). I have been practicing with chewing my food more slowly, sipping Water, trying out various shakes .... a lot of what you all are doing. I did start the Vitamin regimen already. I am also watching You Tube videos. I am excited for me and for all of us.

Yes yes and yes to all you said - me too. I am ready to do all the work for this, and the surgery has given me hope again!

. Thank you! I am most looking forward to finally being able to live with a normal sized body again! Yay!! What are you most looking forward to?

DollFace- you and I have the same surgery date!

I am scheduled for June 20th. It cannot come any too soon! All the best, everyone!

UPDATE: I just found out that you can add people to a secret group you are not friends with on Facebook by using the feature "Invite by email." So if you want to be added to the group without being friends on FB, then just send me your email through BariatricPal or send me your email by emailing me at the address I gave above. I'll send you an invite by email! OR, if you are cool with being my friend on FB, you can just send me your name and I'll send you an invite. Just let me know which. Okay, I'll stop boring y'all with this. Hope to see you in the group! There is just me and SlimminDownThick! We're waiting for you.... LOL

Hi Everybody! I can only create the group by adding each of you. It is a "Secret Group" so only we can see it (once you've been added). No one else can. So privacy is great. I think this will be fun. If you are comfortable with it, just use mail me your Facebook name so I can add you. (Either through BariatricPal or my email: wordgeek1@gmail.com.) My name is Patrice Delanty.

Great!! I'll get right on it ...

RTP - That's great!! Awesome results. It made me happy for you, and excited for me to get going on my own weight loss. Counting the days until June 20 .... I'll go check out Instagram!

Hi All. What great responses. I already feel like I have a "sleever tribe" Let's definitely all stay in touch. I should go to one of those support groups, too. Are you all on Facebook? I could set up a private group for us Colorado Sleevers to stay in touch. Maybe we might all meet our soon to be skinny selves. That would be awesome too. Just let me know about the FB group. We don't have to do that, but just a thought. The NUT leading our 6 week pre-surgery classes at Kaiser mentioned that some people have done that. I have two people in particular from those classes getting the sleeve too, and I think they would be totally up for it. Patrice

Hi! I live in Denver and I am scheduled for surgery on June 20th, with the Sleeve. All the best to you on your surgery day (coming up soon!). I would love to stay in touch and compare notes!

Hi Friends. I am new to the site, and have been approved by Kaiser for weight loss surgery. I have a meeting this week to decide which path I want to pursue. I live in the Denver area, and the only options shown are Lapband or RNY. Of those two, of course I will choose RNY. However, I have researched DS (Duodenal Switch) and I see the benefits of it and now am not sure which way to go. The only problem is, Kaiser does not offer DS here in Colorado. I have heard if you pressure them you have a chance to get that approved under certain circumstances. I have 120 pounds to lose (I am 5'7" tall and 280 pounds). Currently, Kaiser approves DS only if you are above 50 BMI. (I have a BMI of 42-44). But I have heard of exceptions to that, if someone is willing to pay to fly to another Kaiser region to have an in-network surgeon perform DS. In short, DS seems like a better long-term solution, but I know it is more extreme than the RNY. RNY is great, but requires a person to use the tool well, and change one's lifestyle drastically to ensure its success. I get that and am motivated to do that. I just get scared when I hear of people who went through the RNY only to get back right where they started after the first year. I have a sluggish metabolism and a tendency to regain after diet success anyway, so this is of concern. I want to take responsibility for my life and choices, of course. But if I am going under the knife, I want the best solution available, and I have heard that DS offers a better long-term success percentage (not sure if this is true for everyone, but just saying what I have read). So here's my question - any thoughts out there as to why you chose one or the other? I am truly not sure which path to go. Any advice or simply sharing your experience with me would be so helpful! Thank you

Very true! I agree

This is extremely helpful. I am a sugar eater. I had never considered the VSG, but started reading about it today after reading this post. I get scared that I will fail but I know I have to get that out of my mind. Your results are great and I am reading about others. Did the portion control mechanism of the VSG end up being enough? Tell me more. And I will be open with my doctor about it, too. Is there some malabsorption with the sleeve? Can you have NSAIDs? Thank you for your help!

Iamsoworthit and 7BitesJen: Thank you both - that really helps. I had my first meeting this morning and I am soooo excited. They have a much more expedited program now with Kaiser, and so I could have surgery in as little as two months from now. I have to re-learn how to trust myself, regardless of what I do, I have to put myself in the driver's seat again, instead of feeling so defeated. As you said, Jen - any WLS can be defeated if a person elects to do so. I won't let my fear of my past influence my decision, thanks for that. I'll let you know! Onward and upward! (Or downward, actually, as in weight!) LOL

Hi Dave- Thank you - these articles are very helpful. It is a "pro-and-con" analysis for sure! I appreciate your taking the time to research this and pass info along. Your personal stats on your surgery are undeniably successful. If you were able to do that on RNY that says a lot for this surgery! Patrice

Hi Tater! Thanks for the info on Kaiser surgeons. If I go toward the DS route, it is good to know they are out there. I know that there are Kaiser patients that have achieved approval (and subsequent success) for DS. So much to think about. Good luck on your surgery! I would love to stay in touch. I am excited for you. Every single person here, I feel like I have found my "tribe" I have to get very, very honest with myself about how I think I will fare post-surgery. While I am motivated, it is hard to not fear the lack of long-term success I have had in the past with how I will do in the future. I will know a lot more after speaking with my surgeon and getting more information on how Kaiser feels about all the choices available. It is not just the physical, it is getting my head wrapped around the entire thing. This process truly helps with both. All the best to you - it's exciting, isn't it?