SarahSleeve

I've been considering and researching surgery for 2 years, decided to go ahead with it back in February. But, I had a Disney vacation scheduled for this past week (first time we took the kids!) and knew I wanted to be able to fully enjoy the vacation without worrying about anything before getting things officially started. I wasn't horrible about the food, but I definitely ate more (and more Desserts and such) in general than I usually do. Thankfully we walked miles every day and I drank a ton of Water in addition to the Snacks, indulgent meals, and a few fancy drinks throughout the week. We got back this morning, and on Monday I have my informational seminar. I already have the paperwork and list of requirements; I plan to get my PCP referral in place and get all my tests and appointments scheduled this week. I didn't have any major weight-related issues on vacation, besides being really really hot and sweaty (but it was 90 degrees and I live in New England where we're still in the 60s for high temps, so I guess that wasn't unreasonable ) . One day I almost got sick due to the heat. I'm sure part of that was due to lugging around an extra 125lbs of fat. My knees and ankles are pretty angry right now, too; again I'm sure due to the extra weight. Thankfully, I fit on all the rides I wanted to, no problem on the plane (I was really worried about getting asked to buy a second ticket but I fit in the seat no problem and even had extra belt to spare, whew!). BUT, I have about 300 pictures and hate the way I look in about 75% of them. The ones I do like, I'm hiding behind my kids. I am so ready to move forward with the next chapter of my life - the "healthy" chapter! I'm beyond excited to see what the next year brings

Who stopped snoring after having surgery and losing weight? I know everyone is different but I'm just curious. Sent from my Nexus 5 using the BariatricPal App

Love it, you look great! I'm looking forward to wearing more colors Sent from my Nexus 5 using the BariatricPal App

Congratulations!!! Sent from my Nexus 5 using the BariatricPal App

You guys have given me hope! Thank you!!!

It is scary, but the general consensus seems to be that it's totally worth it. That's what I hold onto as I get started. My first info seminar is the beginning of May, and while I've been doing lots of research for the past 2 years, I'm still nervous. I've also never had any kind of invasive surgery, but if I keep myself at this weight for much longer I can only imagine the medical issues I'd be facing as I get older. I keep asking myself why I've spent the last 30 years of my 36 year life overweight (with a few thinner teen years when I basically starved myself), why I can't just "eat less and move more" like people say? Well, I can - but it never sticks past a few months before the weight comes right back. I've come to terms with the fact that unless I get some real solid help via surgery, I'll be fighting the same yo-yo battle for the rest of my life. I've already spent my childhood, teen years, and young adulthood as an obese person. Now, the medical problems are slowly starting. Time to make a change for the better. Just imagine how much healthier we will be by next Summer.

I don't know. I've never had a sleep study. I'm not sure if they'll require one during my pre-op (I'm just starting the process). I know that in the past when I got down about 50lbs from where I am now, my husband told me I basically stopped snoring. But then I regained and it's worse than ever.

I sleep alone most nights lately, too. Problem is, I'm married. :/ My snoring forces my husband to the couch a few nights a week so he can get a good night's rest. Makes me feel seriously crappy. I am so so so hoping this surgery helps my snoring subside.

I'm just starting and curious. I think I'm going to be trying for a late September/early October surgery. I have my first intro seminar this month and while I would love to get it done before Summer, I know most surgeons will take longer than that. It either has to be early June or not until Sept/Oct. Summer's not good for me (home with the kids). So just looking for some basic timelines. Thanks! Sent from my Nexus 5 using the BariatricPal App

Another update/entry for my VSG journey. April 18, 2016 -------------------------------------------------------- This weekend I had several reminders why I want to do this. Be healthier, of course - getting my BP under control (so I can drop the meds - which I hate) and taking some pressure off my heart are the major motivators that pushed me over the top. But also - it got up to 70 here this weekend. (I live in New Hampshire, so it's been hovering around 40 - 50 on and off for a few weeks, but this weekend was the first really warm one). I was SO uncomfortable. Why? Because I won't wear shorts and tank tops like the other moms I was with. They were wearing cute sundresses or shorts, all looking comfortable and enjoying the beautiful day. Me, I was wearing jeans, a t-shirt and a cardigan over it to cover my lumps and flabby arms. This is how I am year round. I only wear weather appropriate clothing at home - I layer up when I go out. I've been like this for as long as I can remember. Only on the really hot days when it tops 90, will I shed the sweater and then I'm self conscious the entire time. And forget the beach. It's an anxiety attack waiting to happen (I have a mild anxiety disorder, which is currently under control). And of course, I have the "mom suit" with the skirt and long top and cover-up that only comes off if there's basically no one else at our little town lake beach. I took my kids to 2 parties over the weekend and there were party games and other activities going on. They talked me into joining in and all I could think about what "I sure hope no one is taking pictures of me right now!!" Instead of just having fun (because it was a lot of fun) - I was focused on my fat body yet again. I'm so done with this feeling. I just want to enjoy my life instead of focusing on the size of my stomach! I know that part is psychological, and I plan to work on that while I work on the physical stuff, but I've been this way for 25+ years, and it just seems like it's never going away. It's been my life since I was a kid. Even when I lose the weight, I'm sure I'll have to work on my self-esteem. But staying this weight won't help me get there. We're taking the kids on vacation next week. I don't plan to layer up, but then again I'll be 1,000 miles away from home so I don't care who sees my fat rolls (well, I do, but I'll never see them again, so I don't - you know what I mean I'm sure). I do dread the vacation photos, but I'll have to get over that. But I am SO looking forward to not HAVING fat rolls to cover up. To be able to walk down the hall at my kids' school when I'm volunteering and not break a sweat (seriously, it's gross). To not be hiding in the back of all the photos. To be able to wear those cute little sundresses - I love sundresses, but my body shape doesn't really allow me to wear them (I have the double belly problem, the roll above the pants - not because my pants are currently too tight, but I think from years and years of wearing pants that were so that's how my stomach expanded as I gained - not attractive at all in a floaty dress). The informational seminar at the second hospital I'm looking at is at the beginning of May. After vacation. Which means my high weight will probably be even higher :/ but I guess that might work in my favor - if I choose this program I have to lose about 22 lbs before surgery. Which might be easier if some of the initial weight they see is Water weight from vacation (flying, eating out for 6 days straight - I plan to make good choices but still). 22 lbs shouldn't be too hard to lose over 3 to 4 months, not when I know that I'll soon be having a procedure that will help me keep it off and take many friends with it. I'm already used to drinking Protein shakes and eating Protein Bars and lots of water, just have to work on cutting out some of the Snacks and I think I'll be ok. On a good note, I didn't eat any junk this weekend - no cake at either party, no candy, no ice cream, no pizza. Stuck to my protein and veggies both days with the exception of my guilty pleasure (Dunkin' iced coffee - that's my warm weather treat, I know I'll have to give those up for at least a while after surgery, but it's a nice thing to be able to sip on that for an hour or 2 and avoid the goodies around me at this point). Of course the scale doesn't care, still tells me I gained. I can't wait until the scale goes down, down, down in a regular pattern for a few months. Think I'm done rambling for today.

Thanks! I think 20lbs won't be too hard. I've lost 40lbs repeatedly over the years, it just keeps coming back. The motivation this time is that once it's gone, it's GONE. This is such a weird feeling! Knowing that by this time next year, I'll be in a totally different place with regards to weight and health. So exciting!

**Sorry if this has already been asked, there are so many threads here!!!** Has anyone switched PCPs for the purpose of getting through surgery requirements? I haven't been seeing my doc very long (previous doc retired in Sept after being my doc for almost 10 years) but I don't think she's done many bariatric referrals. At my info seminar today they said some people choose to switch to a doc more knowledgeable with bariatrics for this process and either switch back after or stick with the new one because they know more about post-op stuff. Just curious if anyone has any experience with this. Oh, also - the surgeon I'm getting started with has done about 900 bariatric surgeries.~600 bypass, ~150 sleeves, the rest lap band. Are those good numbers experience-wise? It seems pretty good to me. Sent from my Nexus 5 using the BariatricPal App

I'm surprised your bariatric team is not providing you with names of psychologist that provide the service Sent from my SM-G930T using the BariatricPal App They did provide the names of a couple but said they are booking several months out so I wasn't sure if I could find someone sooner. On a good note, looks like my PCP's office has done this before. I called and told them I was starting the bariatric surgery process and they were like "OK! We'll need to bring you in for a pre-op physical, EKG..." and kept going. So I feel confident that they will work with me fairly well

Hi! I'm just starting out too I have all the intake forms here and have my first informational seminar at the beginning of May. No waiting period set by my insurance, but the surgeon appears to require an 8% weight loss (around 20lbs for me, eek), 6 weekly meetings, and the normal pre-op labs/tests. So it looks like I could possibly lineup for August as well but with my 2 kids (ages 8,10) home all Summer I'm thinking it might be better to wait until school starts so I have more available down time at home. Haven't decided how to handle it if they offer me an earlier date! I'm nervous, too - but so ready. I'm 36 and have been overweight since I was 6. It's beyond obvious that I can't do this alone. Here's to a bright new (much healthier) future!!

Being able to be more active with my family. Sent from my Nexus 5 using the BariatricPal App

I'm facing the same thing in a couple weeks - taking my kids on vacation. It's been a while since I flew, about 10 years. I was around this size last time I flew, but never flown this airline and the seats looks small . I'm more concerned about embarrassing my kids by having to ask for an extension or something. The stress I faced while planning this trip is actually what prompted me to finally start the surgery process after years of researching it. I don't want to focus on not fitting in the plane seats or running out of breath just walking around next time I plan a vacation. I have better things to think about!! So I totally get what you're saying Sent from my Nexus 5 using the BariatricPal App

I haven't tried Premier ( but I will now, after seeing so many people recommend it!). I have been using Optimum Nutrition Gold (double chocolate and vanilla ice cream flavors) for years and it's one of the only ones I can stand. Sent from my Nexus 5 using the BariatricPal App

Glad to hear you're feeling better! You must feel so good knowing the surgery is behind you As a pre-op patient, I cannot wait until my surgery is a past event Sent from my Nexus 5 using the BariatricPal App

Maybe drink lots of Water?? At least it's only one day. You'll have the sleeve to help with that hungry feeling tomorrow . Good luck with your surgery, and congrats! Sent from my Nexus 5 using the BariatricPal App

Congratulations, you look amazing!

That's awesome, congratulations!! I can't imagine how good that feels

On my intake form I have to list three diet attempts over the past two years. I've only used MFP in that time frame. I've lost and gained a few times during that time. I have spreadsheets with all my weigh ins and details on how many calories I was eating, etc. Do you think that will be enough for them? I have WW documents going back off and on 10 years back, but the latest attempt was early 2014, so just out of the two year range. I hope this doesn't mess my process up Sent from my Nexus 5 using the BariatricPal App

It is the surgeon's requirement. My insurance is very straightforward, just asks for a doc to sign off on "previous weight loss attempts" and then I have to meet BMI (which I do) and age requirements. No supervised diet or anything. So most of my pre-op stuff will be set by the surgeon. I actually signed up for the intro meetings for two different local hospitals that offer programs and are covered by the Center of Excellence requirements and the other one seems to be a bit more simple on requirements. Still ask me to list previous diet attempts but not within a certain time period. They don't require as much from my PCP, either. And they offer more post-op support in the form of free meetings for life. I am already leaning towards switching over to that surgeon. It's nice to have options, but so strange that two hospitals in the same town can offer such different programs! Thank you for the reply!

Thought of another one. We live in a lake town so we spend a lot of the Summer at the Water. We bought kayaks last year, so each of the 4 of us (my husband, kids, and myself) have our own boats. I was SO not graceful getting in and out of that thing! I almost tipped it several times because I didn't have the strength to get my big body out of it correctly. I'm looking forward to being able to go out with my family and not panic that I'm going to get stuck and make a fool of myself. Also - the size of my life jacket is ridiculous. I'd like a "normal" sized one! Being comfortable in a swimsuit is going to be amazing, as well. Next Summer should be a lot more fun for me

Oh yeah, absolutely. Then I was put on hypertension meds, which are totally screwing with my body, and started having trouble keeping up with my kids. I have lost and gained the same 40-50lbs over the past 15 years. I was 225 at my wedding 15 years ago. I went back up over the course of the next six years, hitting my high of 300 lbs at the end of my first pregnancy back on '05. Lost back down to about 225 a couple years after my second child. Since then, I've spent 8 years yo-yoing between 245 and 270. Back and forth repeatedly. I have clothes ranging from XL - 3XL and size 14 - 22 in my closet. And they keep getting pulled out and then stored again. Over and over. I have come to terms with it. I can't do it alone. I can lose the weight, but it always comes back. I've been fat since I was 6. I'm 36 now. If I can fix this now and live the rest of my years in a healthier body, I owe it to myself and my family.