Veebear

Hey fam, New here and strongly considering gastric sleeve surgery. I found this site from a helpful youtuber who documented their journey and spoke highly on it. Been looking more into it to be sure my insurance covers or at least will pay for the majority as well. I'm mostly looking for thoughts/suggestions/pointers for those of you who have gone through it. Things you wish you had known before going into it to better mentally prepare myself (or anyone considering ) before making the leap. Currently, I'm 35 5'3 and a bit over 300lbs struggling with weight most of my life as I know many do. I know my stress eating is something I'll really need to work on prior to also making that leap as I sure do not want to go into this, have it help, and backslide. I'll likely see someone about that before committing to anything in hopes I can jump-start working on myself in that aspect. I have watched a lot of videos and read quite a bit on experiences, but I'm really interested to get more information and absorb as much as I can as you all know, this is life-changing surgery. Also curious for those with so-so insurances if they covered skin removal, not an immediate concern but trying to take in everything. Truthfully, I think after being heavy ones whole life, I think I'd be happier just feeling healthy and being more active over that but this is also why I'd like thoughts. Any guidance is much appreciated, whether it be before surgery prep, a week, or a year+ after. I read a bunch the other day joining and am looking forward to the wisdom anyone would be willing to share. Thank you!!

That's great! I also heard it can be a somewhat long process for many, which I wasn't bothered by. Actually, it will likely be quite a long process for me now. turns out the person I spoke to for my insurance who said it was approved was wrong. I found out yesterday it's not approved which was a bit rough for me mentally, but I spoke to our president today and he'll be adding it either this year or next year for January, so i'm sure the program I'm working on currently should be okay with making it a Jan surgery. The insurance company we changed to this year is not great so we likely will be switching again. It's my work busy season from now til Jan anyway so least they'll add it for next period. Hopefully it won't cause any issues since I'll already have completed the program by then. Gotcha, the quick one seems pretty well put together. I think the nutritionist I'm seeing next month is a single but I'm not positive. They didn't mention it being a class but I could be wrong. I'm thankful the support groups are via zoom for this one too. It's like a 25-30 minute drive for me for each appointment and I've been taking a lot of time from work haha but it's worth it to work on myself. We haven't touched too much onto the other testing. I did a sleep study previously, so I don't think I'll need to do another since it was end of last year or so. Wow, that moved quickly, but it must be a relief also to be finishing up? That's great how things worked out and went fairly smooth. Not too much longer until the road to recovery! The open flexibility is nice, I'm also pretty open to taking cancellations but I may hold off on that since my stuff may now be delayed until they can fix the insurance for me. I doubt we can add it half way into the insurance year, but I'm not too sure. that's great you both could go through this together for the support and they're willing to work with him on the timing. It has been super helpful having a supportive spouse. My husband wasn't able to make my changed appointments due to timing, but he's been super supportive and whenever I'm able to move forward, he'll be able to wfh and help me. Excited for you!

Hey there @LookingForward22! It went great. Had the initial "educational" call with a ton of other people. My appointments were originally scheduled for the end of August, but due to cancellations, I had my health and exercise appointments this past Monday, and the nutritionist will be at the end of August. Both appointments went well and we talked a bit about the surgeries and medicine-type options. I think I'm leaning towards sleeve as recovery time isn't too bad but also still very effective. Still learning, but from everything I've read and heard, I think that'll be the option for me. I also started seeing a Psychologist (took a bit to find one taking new patients, but did it!) who has been super helpful. I found out during my appointment she could also be the one to do my eval. I didn't know it prior, but she used to do evals for these types of surgeries in the past so it's nice talking to someone who has an understanding. Happy to hear things for you are going well! out of curiousity, how long did your program go? I think this one I'm on would be 4-6 months. I'm not in a rush though, it has been pretty interesting and happy to have motivation to work towards a healthy goal again. @Midgetlegs I have had kidney stones a few times but it has been about 2-3 years since. I've really kicked up my water intake over the years, those are no fun. The Dr. I saw did mention it could increase risk. I recall same for Gallstones as you mention. My brother has gotten those in the past and I hear they're also super painful. thanks for the tip, though. Glad to hear yours have not been an issue! I definitely plan to be careful around those high fatty foods as I know how painful Kidney stones are and I'd rather not have to deal with gallstones. @ShoppGirl Yeah, the eating stuff I've kind of accepted for a while but this is one of the first times I'm trying to seek help on it also because I want this surgery if/when I move forward to be a success. Mine is definitely more emotional/anxiety driven, but I have also snacked when bored. I appreciate your support! Being on this forum I really have learned a lot from the threads and discussions and everyone is super helpful. I think having different opinions/views/experiences can really help someone such as myself make educated decisions and the support really helps.

@LilaNicole20 Thanks for the additional info! i read that the gas pain can be rough at first but that once that passes, normally, it's not too bad. Glad to hear yours is going well and best of luck with the summer!! @redhead_che Thanks, that's good to know. I'm set to have my initial zoom learning session on 7/6. I'm excited to learn more and meet the surgeon and see if it's something I want to move forward with. My SO is also going to join and listen for support. I figure regardless of what I decide if I move forward, I plan to be at home for some time and thankfully, I can have time saved by then or wfh if needed if I'm feeling well enough. @blackcatsandbaddecisions Thanks! Didn't know some insurances wrote that in, I'll need to check mine to see if there are any exclusions for it in my current insurance. I found out that my insurance is accepted where I'm considering the surgery, but not sure if they'd block this specific thing. I thought a lot about the extra skin and honestly, I'm not bothered by it and think the health benefits far outweigh extra skin. It's always something I can save for in the future if needed, but to be healthy and comfortable is where I'd like to be. @Queen ApisM Thanks! Super helpful as well. I figure after we go through the initial learning session on 7/6 which I think will cover any surgical options they offer, I'll be asking all the questions and trying to also get insight into my body type and what they find to be most successful and safe. I think for me, I want to be sure I'm mentally ready. More so because I am a stress eater which I can admit helped put me where I am today so I know I need to overcome that. I think I'm ready in most ways such as cutting out some things and knowing I need to be more active to help take off and keep the weight off. More a question for anyone, but for stress eaters, did you see someone to discuss this before or after surgery? I know prior to, you talk with someone about the obvious live changes that any weight loss surgery can do to you, but i'm curious if someone has/is overcoming the stress of eating and what helps you? That's I think my biggest hurdle so i'm hoping for some inspiration. I think once I go through the information zoom call next month, I need to mentally set myself on the path to find more healthy ways to work through those emotions tbh my job is a large cause so I've been working towards that change already.

@LookingForward22 Thank you! This is super helpful. Agreed you should be 100% comfortable with who is doing the surgery. If I move forward. My husband is super supportive and I'm hoping he hops on board if I make this decision and truthfully, he's really good about asking questions and observing where sometimes I am not... Not for lack of care, but sometimes I miss important things where he catches them haha. I think that'll be helpful when it comes to really digging into who we I'll be seeing and talking with. Happy to hear you are comfortable now with the new option and all the best! @The Greater Fool Thanks! this is very helpful. I read a bit on how some have been able to prove skin reconstruction can be proved as health required with some insurance but hadn't found too much on the more in-depth what insurances/proving other than back and rash issues. I read the tummy-tucks were more likely covered due to the back issues but not as much on other areas. Appreciate the additional info on this. @redhead_che Truthfully, I haven't looked into bypass too much but know someone going for sleeve and also read/head it was a shorter recovery, but as I said, I haven't looked/confirmed this yet since I'm still more in research mode haha. I appreciate the mention, though. I definitely am open to other options to move forward with a healthier lifestyle. Since you have had both, do you happen to have any feedback on recovery, and do you find now that bypass has been more effective in weight loss than the sleeve now? @LilaNicole20 In addition to my post above, definitely interested in your experience with bypass too with any recovery and after feelings. Will look into videos and posts with experiences as well to help educate myself on both. I currently only have a referral in somewhere as of late last week so waiting to schedule something and talk to a dr about options too but I want to kinda soak up info so I can prepare some questions when I can meet with someone. Thanks everyone!! ❤️

Thanks! To clarify, I think I meant panniculectomy which (from what I read...could have changed now) can at times be approved due to it causing back pain ext. That's great progress! I am about 10-15lbs heavier than your starting weight. I've been trying to be more active again the last month or two, but after you don't for so long it is hard getting back into walking and not exhausting yourself. Also not confident enough to do gym memberships or more public things short of us walking around where we live. Our insurance changed this year to one that isn't as good, I feel, but am hopeful if I can find an in-network option, I can move forward if decided. I messaged them today to see what info I could get on it. Thankfully, I stopped doing fast food a lot over the last few years...but that doesn't mean I don't pick up things that I binge on or that are quick to eat due to general laziness on my part and because I'm too tired after work to cook. Frozen items like pizza have been our go-to off and on weekly. As a stress eater, snacks are my downfall. Thankfully, never had acid reflux but that's good to know, something I hadn't read or seen!

I have looked into the surgery a lot in the past but I'm a bit more serious now into considering it. My husband is concerned and wants me to keep trying to lose it normally so I can somewhat relate, though he hasn't been as insistent yet anyway. Glad he came around and I hope things are going well! I think it's important to know this is for your health as I have also been working with my husband on. Moving to a healthier way of life and managing our weight and becoming more active. These are life changes and I think it's important to support your SO if they're considering this change to a better/healthier life. We need to do things for ourselves sometimes.