Deanna V.

Just wanted to reach out to anyone in my area at any stage of the surgery process! I haven't been approved for surgery yet (praying!!), so I have barely even began my journey. Hope to connect with someone in Bako! Deanna V.

Has anyone got their ultrasound results back with the findings of a cyst in their thyroid? I did last week and I'm curious what the process looks like if it is and isn't cancerous. They told me to make an appointment with my primary doctor to have a scan done to find out if it's cancerous or not. I'm not really worried if it is cancerous. But I would like an idea of what to expect and what anyone else has gone through. Does it postpone any other pre-op tests? I haven't gotten approved yet or not and that's really my main concern, if it will interfere with the gastric sleeve surgery. Thanks so much (: Deanna V.

Thank you! How's the healing process for you so far? Deanna V.

Nutrilite is the best. I don't use anything else. Deanna V.

I haven't been approved yet, but I have done an EKG, stress test, ultrasound, endoscopy, sleep study, and have had two appointments with a nutritionist, and one appointment so far with a psychologist, which was a group call. I'm anxious about being approved for surgery since I have regained weight that I lost from a few years ago. I was diagnosed with Ulcerative Colitis when I was 13 and had a total colectomy when I was 16. I lived with an ileostomy bag for slightly over 5 years. First year I was in and out of the hospital with a bowel blockage and eventually my surgeon was able to locate it and remove it. My surgeon said I had to lose weight for the last two surgery. I had no clue how to lose weight so I could get rid of my ileostomy bag. I had no guidance. I eventually met a nutritionist and he helped me on my journey to get my life back. He put me on phentermine and gave me a meal plan and encouraged exercise like crazy. I lost 80-90 lbs in 5 months and was approved for surgery! I cried. I worked so hard and I didn't have high expectations when I went in just in case he said to lose more weight. So I had my last two surgeries and I stopped working out consistently and eating healthy. I gained it all back, because I thought I was finally free. The only thing I was really from from, was my ileostomy bag. But now I'm back to weighing over 200 lbs at 5' 4" and feeling like food is the friendemy. Since I don't have a colon food goes through me very quickly. The result is painful and life is difficult with many trips to the bathroom and pain from rawness. The gastric sleeve surgery won't only help me to be healthier and lose weight, but it will also help me to decrease the amount of trips to the bathroom daily. Praying God's will be done on being approved for surgery and helping me mentally get through this process with adopting a new mindset! If I were to be approved, surgery would be in August/September. Is anyone's surgery schedule for those months? I would love to have a sleeve buddy! Deanna V.

OHMYGOSH! I LOVE WATER! I'm still pre-op and I keep reading about everyone hating Water post-op and feeling sick! I'm so afraid of not wanting Water post-op. I can't even imagine feeling that way. I have twist tubes on hand to flavor my water and get vitamins and nutrients at the same time already, even before I decided on starting the process to get the sleeve. So it's a win-win since I feel more prepared knowledge wise with consuming things I already consume (protein shakes, bars, adding protein powder to foods, fruit and veggie twist tubes, joint health twist tubes, immunity, and hydrating twist tubes). Deanna V.

I have Blue Cross Blue Shield and I have yet to be approved. I have completed 2 sessions with my nutritionist, 1 session with my psychologist, have completed my endoscopy, sleep study, stress test, ultrasound, and other tests, and I've read a recommended book called, "The Emotional First-Aide Kit," which was phenomenal. My insurance does indeed cover most of the surgery. I have one or two more calls with my nutritionist and psychologist for them to determine if I'm eligible for surgery. I'm anxious and excited. Deanna V.

I know it's been a while since you've posted these, but I love reading your day-to-day post-op experience! You seem to have an awesome wife and that's just great to hear. My husband is the same way and I know he will be helping me a lot. God is good! Thank you for being very descriptive on your journey! Deanna V.

I'm so sorry about the lack of support you have at home and with your family and friend. But just remember, you have the ability to succeed and only you can choose to listen to the haters or you can prove them all wrong and then just keep smiling! Be a light in their life because they're obviously in the dark. Anytime you ever have a dream, there will be people who try to drag you down! Don't let them! Best of luck to you and I'll be praying for strength or courage for your journey!!! Keep going! And know you always have friends here who are going through the same things. Deanna V.

1.) I had a total colectomy when I was 15 years old. Has an ileostomy bag for a little over 5 years and then got it reversed.. so the more I eat, the more trips to the bathroom, and the more pain I have since food goes through me very quickly. Extreme pain from the acidity of my bowels, rawness and even bleeding. 2.) the heavier I am the more of a chance my Ulcerative Colitis can return. 3.) I'm tired of not being strong and fit. 4.) I'm tired of not liking my body. 5.) I'm tired of sweating during the summertime and never wanting to wear summer clothes that reveal my arms and legs. 6.) not being happy with all the fat on my body. 7.) My husband and I want to get pregnant eventually and we are aware that the heavier I am the harder it is to carry a baby in a healthy way. 8. I have a strong desire to do Cross Fit and just working out like a beast. I want to be physically strong and healthy. 9. I don't want to be self-conscious about how I look and how I feel. 10. I want to wear all the cute clothes in my closet that I have been collecting for years! Deanna V.

Hi there! I haven't had the surgery yet, but the only people I have told was my husband, our mentors, my mother in-law, my sister in-law, and my brother. Simply because I knew they would support me and encourage me. And even though I know my sister will support me, I know she has loose lips and would tell other family members. Everyone else in my family and even friends don't know and I have NO desire to tell them. I firmly believe that if you're confident in your association, then tell them. But if you have doubts or worries that they won't understand or be supportive then you don't actually 'have' to tell them. My responses to people once I start losing weight will be, "I've made a lifestyle change." [emoji91] Good luck! Deanna V.

I haven't been schedule yet, but if I get approved (praying!) I will be scheduled in August/September [emoji171] Deanna V.