TexasMommy80

How long have you been back to work?

Your stats are almost identical to mine. I am 5’6 and 239. I am hoping to have the sleeve in April and my GW is 150 (ideally 160 but I want to leave a rebound cushion).

Thank you for this! I actually just looked at the calendar and if everything worked out and insurance didn’t deny me (I have Cigna and it seems they deny everyone at first, lol) then I have a three week window in between testing sessions. It might just work out! I really don’t want to give my summer up to another surgery. Three years ago I had knee surgery over summer break, two years ago I had a total knee replacement over the break and last summer I worked summer school. I really want to take a summer to focus on myself and the kids. [emoji3]

Thank you! I actually work at home and can take breaks as needed, but there are three weeks in April and May that I would have to go into work to administer standardized tests to students. I worry that pacing in a room for a few hours at at a time would be hard on me, only a week after my sleeve. If it wasn’t for the testing, I would definitely have the sleeve done in April. (I am a virtual teacher).

Thank you!! [emoji3]

My brother in law was ahead of schedule when he had his sleeve. His doctor told him to focus on fluids and protein, but that he could move to foods as he felt he could handle it. He just has to be careful to listen to his body and try a little at a time.

I haven’t had the sleeve yet but I am getting my gallbladder out on Friday. I am curious about the pain from GB surgery verses the pain from the gastric sleeve. Which one is worse?

I’m in! I’ve been wanting to start a journal of photos anyhow, so now is a good day. I am 239 lbs and 5’6 (37 years old). I’ve always carried more weight on my lower body than on my upper half, but the past few years, I’ve lost my flat stomach. I hope to get it back, even if that means a little skin here and there. I work out a lot and have really changed my focus to weight lifting. I am looking at May surgery so that gives me some time to get a nice head start before taking a break to recover when I finally do it.

Well, this might be where I am a bit lucky. For some reason, that is the one area of my body that never grew much, LoL. I am finally up to a full B now that I weigh 239. When I was at my smallest and fittest, I pretty much could have worn a training bra and been ok.

LoL too funny! 🤣🤣

Thank you, all! I really appreciate the help on this.

Just curious, but when you are months or even years out of the surgery, will you ever be able to eat more than a few bites of food at a time? I have been reading horror stories on here lately, and it has scared me a bit. I understand, and even look forward to, only eating smaller portions. But I have seen people say that for the rest of your life, you will only be able to have a bite or two at a time. I am just curious how accurate that is, or if it more customary to just have very small meals later on in your journey?

I am now 239 but when I was younger and weighed 169, I still had curves but also a flat stomach. I was super fit and weight lifting did wonders for my shape (also contributed to the higher weight for my size). I still work out a few times a week but I am really changing my focus to lifting for the next few months. I also don’t want to go below 150, so that might help me. I expect some skin but I am also going to be proactive in the weight room.

Thank you, everyone, I really appreciate your responses. You have definitely put me at ease. I have my first consultation on January 9th and then will start my 3-month supervised diet shortly after. I am a teacher but I teach Seniors, so I am going to plan to wait until late May or early June to have the surgery. I can't miss out on graduation, LoL! For now, though, my gallbladder is my issue at hand. That little problem maker is coming out on December 29th.

Well, I went to my Family doctor and she is dead set against weight loss surgery, for anyone. She doesn’t seem to be too educated about it because she said that the only surgery doctors do anymore is gastric bypass, and in her words, it causes terrible side effects that are hard to live with. I told her I was considering the sleeve and she said most doctors won’t do the sleeve. I know this is not true, and my bariatric patient coordinator confirmed that I was correct and my doc was not. Now though, my insurance requires a detailed letter from my primary care doc stating that she recommends the surgery, and I can’t get that from her. Do you think they will take a letter from a new doc? I feel like if I am serious about this, I need to find a new doctor that will support me anyhow.

Thank you so much for this...I feel much better.

Thank you! That makes me feel better. Everything I have researched said that, but I have read a few negative posts on here lately. One woman even said she cried at every meal because she literally can only eat one bite or two at a time, and she was years out. It really scared me so I wanted to ask.

Of course portion control doesn’t scare me, and in fact, I said in my post that I welcome it. But when I see people talking about the worst mistake of their life, only eating a bite or two years out, and talking about the sadness they feel, of course I have questions and concerns. I would think that anyone that is considering this surgery (sleeve) would have questions and concerns, and if they don’t, they are not taking it seriously.

Just an update...this same doc diagnosed me with acid reflux (which I know I don’t have), and ordered an ultra sound just to make sure I don’t have gallstones. I get the ultrasound back and my gallbladder is full of stones. My doc calls me and tells me that even though I have gall stones, she still thinks it’s acid reflux so she won’t give me a referral to a surgeon until I’ve tried several weeks of meds for acid reflux. I went to a stomach specialist for a second opinion and they said that without a doubt, I am having gallstone attacks, and don’t have a single symptom of acid reflux. I am scheduled for surgery next Friday to get it out. And the kicker....the meds my doctor wanted me to take can actually do damage if you don’t have acid reflux (per the specialist)! Needless to say, definitely time for a new doctor, for several reasons.

Haha I actually just found out that I need my gallbladder out so that will be happening in the next two weeks. I will use that to gauge how I feel. [emoji3]

I am 5’6. Let me know how it all goes for you and keep in touch! Good luck!!

Congrats! I am just starting the process and my insurance requires a 3 month diet before approval, so I am looking at April. I teach seniors too, so I may just end up waiting until summer break and graduation. I am 238 and my goal weight is 140-150. The lowest I ever got to was 170 and I was pretty happy with my shape, so I think 150 would be good. My goal now for the next few months is to maintain my weight and really shift my focus to heavy lifting. I know I will be out of commission from the weight room for a bit after the sleeve, so I want to work as hard as I can now. (My insurance will deny you if you gain a single pound during the 3 month diet, and will deny you if you lose too much. I am have anxiety about the diet and weigh ins than the actual surgery).

I had a knee replacement at 36 and had this happen. I told the nurses and they just laughed because they had never had a patient young enough to have a period during surgery. Anyhow, they just let me keep my tampon in.

Thanks y’all! I am definitely looking to switch. I didn’t like how she tried to “scare” me to get her point across. It’s one thing to not agree, but another to exaggerate to the point she did. It really said a lot about her as a doctor.

I have a friend who has hidden it and now does health and fitness coaching. I can’t help but flinch when I hear her telling other friends and clients that she did it all naturally. Saying that, now that I am considering doing the surgery, I understand the hesitation to tell people. Really, it is what you feel most comfortable with.