KimA-GA

i am going to be getting the sleeve in late sept or early october. i decided against bypass because of outcomes of people i know. 2 people i know had sleeves with no big complications (very minor issues like nausea directly after surgery) and two more that had the equivalent of a sleeve for ulcers with the same positive experiences … all four of them kept the weight off but i also know 3 people who got bypass (different places/surgeons) and all three have had complications that keep sending them back to the hospital and have developed major nutritional problems and health issues from those too and, honestly, all three of them ate their way back to 3/4 of their original weight… (they are all from different areas of the country too!) reading medical literature i know the sleeve is better for me because i feel it’s safer, less drastic and has less inherent problems… but only you know what is right for you! there are successes and “failures” on both sides… educate yourself and make the best decision for you

my nerves are getting to me today! (8/17/2022) I have my cardiac clearance testing at my surgeons office today. Going to do an ultrasound on my heart and legs as well as a stress test on a bicycle. Very nervous about it. I had a couple of long bouts of atrial fibrillation before I got my bipap and know that I have seen occasional PVCs on my apple watch. My Dad has a complex cardiac history, so between that and my weight I think the worry is justified. will try to update for good or bad when I am done !

it was pressure in uncomfortable places!!! guess it was for a baseline *shrug*. i was there to do as i was told hehe was your leg issue something simple or a dvt?

update: the day after cardiac testing. It went well as far as I can tell. the first thing they did was do an ultrasound on both of my legs from the top of my thigh/groin area down to my ankles. the u/s tech scanned and put pressure down my legs. then she moved me on my side and placed a couple of electrodes on my chest and did an ultrasound of my heart. i could see some profusion scans but didn’t have a good angle of the screen most of the time. then i got dressed and went into a second room. the first thing i did there was a series of pulmonary profusion tests. i blew into a plastic tube in various ways with my nose blocked. after that i lifted my shirt (still fully dressed) and they put more electrodes on. then i very ungracefully got onto the exercise bike. i pedaled and pedaled for 10 minutes or so with my blood pressure being taken every minute or so. they needed my heart to get to 85% of max. after the bike i sat back in the chair and did another pulmonary profusion test. then i went home! legs felt very tired from the exertion- but i was glad i was able to do it.

building strength and stamina while working on overall health is my goal. heard it helps a little with loose skin after surgery so wanted to start. I like working with weights waaay more than any cardio..

that sounds perfect! thank you

Oh and I am getting a sleeve.. I know too many people with issues with bypass that sent them to the hospital over and over again It isn’t for me! (But everyone should do what’s good for them) my surgeon fixed hiatal hernia with sleeve which brings the gerd rate down to about 10% of patients .. I am a bit freaked about the endoscopy (and surgery!) but know it’s the right thing

Ask to speak to your insurance broker … they can answer that about the available plans

My health insurance plan does not cover bariatrics (united health) but my husband put me on his plan which started covering bariatrics this year (anthem/bcbs state health benefit plan -Georgia school employee insurance) I have had to get: a sleep study 3 months consecutive weight loss program/advisement by dr Psychological exam (virtual) cardiac exam/clearance nutritionist consult (virtual) endoscopy weekly inhealth coach visits (virtual) 1 year history from primary dr letter of recommendation from primary dr I am mostly done with the requirements.. so far I am lacking one consecutive dr visit (aug 29th), doing cardiac testing tomorrow and endoscopy sept 6th. Don’t have surgery date yet, but end of September or first week in October likely. remember, bariatric coverage is not insurer specific but plan specific. Your plan has to have coverage and no exclusion. Most plans have exclusions in my experience. More are covering it, but they are usually very large employer plans with good overall coverage (expensive coverage ) it’s getting closer and real!

Post surgery people…. What do you wish you knew before surgery? Knowledge, surprises, something you wish you did….. thanks!

My surgeon recommends celebrate bariatric vitamins and thiamine supplements pre surgery (and celebrate vitamins after()

excellent to see how healthy you are becoming !!!

Sorry you are feeling so out of step with your family. Maybe turn meals into a social event for you? you can enjoy the small portions of things at the restaurant and really try to spend the time talking or maybe playing some games around the table? Change it into an advantage for you since you won’t be spending as much time consuming as much. Or go on after meal walks or other low budget adventures. If there is more to it, I hope you can find the cause and bring it out in the open and deal with what’s upsetting you.

My surgeon requires a cardiac clearance for surgery- he has a cardiac group that comes to his office and runs tests (I think an ekg, echo and stress test) … I go august 18th so can tell more then

Greetings! I am Kim from Central Georgia. Pre op VSG, hopefully in late September or early October. Married, two late teen teenage boys. I excited to break free of my fat shell and into the new phase of my life

July 2021 was my highest weight… so It looks like we are on similar paths I got a lot to loose in order to gain my life fully back. I hope to loose around 200 lbs with the surgery if I can keep the positive lifestyle changes (and actually start exercising)

Celebrate 🎉 !! keep up the good work!

Did you have reflux before? did you have a hiatal hernia ?

Congrats! Keep up the good work

If you sound like a barking seal, call your doctor … I never sounded like that with reflux, but was distinctive when I had whooping cough

check what you are eating for sugar alcohol sweeteners.. they can cause diarrhea issues (if you need a laugh, google for reviews of haribo sugar free gummy bears… lol) Erythritol Maltitol Mannitol sorbitol Xylitol Hydrogenated starch hydrolysates (HSH) Isomalt

Congrats on your milestone! you must move and feel great!

Happy birthday!!! Thanks for sharing! How alcohol is tolerated has been something I have wondered about. I am going on a cruise next August for my birthday (and celebrate my new me). Last time I went I got the alcohol package and drank, well, a lot (hey, it was vacation a decade ago;) ). I figure it won’t be worth it at all to get the package (especially since my husband doesn’t really drink much ) but I do plan on having some adult beverages for that 5 day cruise.

Greetings, my nutritional consultant suggested I get my B12 level checked prior to surgery. So far my surgeon has not suggested any additional blood checks. is there any helpful blood screenings I should request during my annual physical next week? Vitamin screenings or other non-annual physical standard (lipids, CBC, A1C, vitamin D) I am looking at surgery either late September or early October.

Glad you are having a good experience. Hope mine is good like that. how is your energy level?