Susan Mary

So I had my surgery on 3/31, and thankfully, everything went so smoothly! I had no gas or pain or nausea post-op. My nurse woke me up every 2 hours to walk, and I was able to walk four times around the ward each time. I've had no issues since I've been home, other than fatigue, and haven't taken any pain meds since the first day I was home. My stomach is a little sore, but not too bad. So, this has been an amazing experience, and I'm SO glad I did it. Oh, the icing on the cake....I'm down 11 lbs. since last Sunday!~!

I was sleeved on March 31st, and I have had ZERO issues! I had no gas to speak of after surgery; no pain, no nausea....nothing! I'm starting to feel very fatigued, so that's about the biggest issue I've had since Tuesday's surgery. But, I am working on getting my Protein in by focusing on the protein shakes; they are by far the best source of a large amount of protein. I've managed to eat 2 oz. of cottage cheese and yogurt as well, twice a day, and am up to about 35-40 oz. of Water per day. I also haven't had any acid reflux, and I suffered with that prior to surgery. I've lost 11 lbs. since last Sunday.....so, I am SO happy I did this for myself, and all of my fears and worries were for naught!! I hope and pray everyone else has the same, amazing experience I've had. Blessing to you all~~

I'm having sleeve surgery TOMORROW; and I do understand the ups and downs of this decision. I've been very excited up until today; fears and doubts have crept in, and the worst case scenarios have been plaguing my mind all day....WHAT IF.....I have two teens...WHAT IF....you get the drift. So, I decided to refocus, trust God and remember how miserable I've been these past six years, and how every single diet plan has failed!! Or I've failed at every single one!! I used to know how to lose weight in a jiffy....I was a gym rat. Then, I broke my ankle, and after three surgeries, had to have it fused. That began my journey to obesity, and it has been such a mental and physical struggle. So, focus on WHY you decided to have this surgery in the first place, and that should ease your fears. I'll be saying a special prayer for all of the upcoming sleevers....and trust that we will all be so happy with this decision looking back. BEST OF LUCK!!

I need to hear this! I am scheduled for sleeve surgery on March 31st, and although I've done a ton of research and I am excited, the "worries" are starting to kick in. Will I have horrible GERD afterwards; will I lose too much hair; will I be one of the unlucky ones who suffer all kinds of complications??? I'm trying to stay positive, but posts like yours encourage me!!! What was the hardest part of being sleeved?

Forgive me for saying this, but your husband is an insensitive jerk! The reason you did this was to feel and look better; he can't keep his hurtful comments to himself during this difficult post-op adjustment, and just shower you with TLC? It sounds like you have an additional 200 lbs. to drop....your husband. Hold your head high and be proud of yourself!!! You are awesome!1

I'm having my sleeve on the 31st, too~! Post your experience, ok, and I'll do the same. Best of luck!!!!

I'm on day four of my pre-op and haven't done so well! I think people with BMI's over 40 are told it's mandatory because of the liver issue. My doctor said to try and lose some weight, but because I'm on the lower BMI scale (35), he didn't make it sound like it was that urgent. Maybe he should have! Tomorrow, I will try to be more faithful. It's definitely psychological. I drink health shakes all the time, but trying to drink up to five a day has been rough. Tomorrow's a new day!!

Yoyolifechange: You go girl, you can and should do this!! It is not the easy way out by a longshot. It is a LIFETIME commitment, and it is just a tool to help you achieve your goal. Show your husband the before and after photos from gastric sleeve....that should convince him as well. Your kids are old enough to pitch in....mine are 15 and 16, and they are completely on board, along with my husband, for my March 31st sleeve surgery. They see how my weight gain over the past eight years has changed me, my personality, my health....they want the old, thin, healthy me back!!! Show him the positives about this surgery; include him so he'll understand. I pray you are successful in your Quest for the you YOU want to be!!

That's awesome, Michelle! I'm getting sleeved on March 31st, and the horror stories of vomiting and pain scare me, but I'm praying I'll be one of the lucky ones, like you, and not go through all of that!!!

Hi March Sleevers! My surgery is March 31st, and I'm not doing so great on my liquid pre-op diet! I think the fact that my surgeon said I'm on the low-end bmi didn't give me the urgency to do it right! He kinda made it sound like it would be good to lose some weight, but there was no urgency in his voice. So, now I have 10 days to hunker down and get serious. I've been averaging two shakes a day, and by dinner I gag at the thought of ANOTHER Bariatric Advantage banana or vanilla shake, and I usually love them!! OK, so starting tomorrow, NO MORE EXCUSES! Best of luck to my fellow pre-oppers....

Wow, you all look faboo!!!!! I cannot imagine how it will feel to be a normal weight again.....been struggling for eight long years after an ankle fusion, and my weight just won't budge enough to make a real difference, and I've tried EVERYTHING! March 31st cannot come soon enough!!!

Hi March sleevers! Mine is scheduled for March 31st, and it still seems like an eternity waiting! Keep your posts coming, and I'll let you all know how I make out. Can you also post how much weight you lose each week? I'm curious to see how much weight we can potentially lose on a weekly basis. Thanks!

I am 5"11, and my doctor said my goal weight was 150~ !! I was a size 10 when I weighed 165, so as a large boned person, I cannot imagine being 150...too skinny. I'll be thrilled to be 175 again......with 165 being the lowest that I think will look decent without looking anorexic!!! See how you feel and look once you reach each milestone and go from there. Good luck!

My psych did it over the phone for $250.00. Her name is Jean Rafferty with the NY Bariatric Group, so I don't see why she wouldn't do a phone evaluation with you, if that makes your life easier.

Hi....I am waiting for Medicare to approve my gastric sleeve surgery request. I have severe sleep apnea, a BMI of 36, am pre-diabetic, have osteo-arthritis, a fused right ankle and GERD. Has anyone else had sleeve surgery through Medicare with similar issues? Thanks!

Hindsight being 20/20, if I had to do this all over again, the FIRST thing I would do is schedule the sleep study. I just finished all of my pre-op doctor visits and clearances, and I started the process in December. Due to severe snow, I canceled the sleep study in January, not realizing how long it takes to get results back, etc. I had my first sleep study on January 22nd, and it took over two weeks to get the results. Turns out I have severe sleep apnea, which is actually a blessing because I needed it to get cleared for surgery! You have to have a second sleep study to get fitted for the mask, which I had on February 9th. THEN, Medicare had to approve my cpap machine, and I am still waiting for it!! So, I rented one because I didn't want to wait 4-6 weeks for the machine, and my pulmonary doctor wouldn't give me clearance for surgery until I got it. SO, long story short, DO YOUR SLEEP STUDY ASAP if you want to have surgery quickly!! Now I have to wait for Medicare to approve me, but with sleep apnea, GERD, degenerative disc disease, osteo-arthritis, a fused right ankle and being pre-diabetic, my doctor said Medicare should approve me with no problem. I would be DEVASTATED if I got denied! This process has been very long and stressful, and I just cannot wait to start my life again. The best of luck to all going through the pre-approval process!!!