KimA-GA

Greetings, Kim from central Georgia - I am going to have VSG surgery late September or early October per my surgeon yesterday. I understand what you are saying about lack of support! Struggling a built with the reality of my support network right now. Adding stress! It’s tough to know you will be vulnerable and be unsure of who to turn to.

Exactly! I love to hear experiences and understanding the thought process of others because we are on similar but very individual journeys. The only right answer is the one for you! an update for me: I have let some family know and, well, I can’t say they are being supportive or not because it was almost a whatever response. Kinda disappointed because I hoped for some encouragement but at least haven’t gotten discouragement! Still have not told anyone else. Endoscopy is scheduled and surgeon says may be September instead of October, so it’s getting close. I still know I will be open about it, but I am not ready yet. I have lost about 50 lbs already, but unfortunately I have lost a bit all over so it’s not really noticeable on me (I fit better place and some clothes fit more comfortably). I am entering my next phase of self preparation before surgery so it may become more evident soon.

Excellent! Find out the requirements from the insurance plan that you have and the surgeon you want to use. You may be able to tick boxes faster that way. Also, take time to work on any food related issues (overeating, unbalanced diet etc.). It will help!

Ok, ladies… this is the stuff many of us wonder about but don’t talk enough about… we all understand the impact of our hormones and cycles on our lives, but how does the presurgical diets, surgery and post surgical steps impact your hormones and cycles? Did it have little to no impact? Leave you a quivering mess? Make periods come more or less often? Or randomly? experiences from any stage of the process and stage of life is helpful!! I am pre-surgical but have been loosing weight and my cycles have gotten longer and less consistent when I have them (it also could partially be my age of 42). I also used to feel a hormone surge right before my cycle would start and that has shifted. I am going to talk to my regular dr in two weeks about me, but wanted to hear other experiences. Thanks for sharing!!

Thanks to everyone so far! what about pms/hormones around periods/cycles?

That’s not a question that can be answered by anyone but your provider/surgeon. Have you asked them?

Have you seen an actual endocrinologist? Sounds like you have a problem which does not need bariatric surgery but an endocrinologist

Look at good rx for discount coupon… might save you a ton of money

Good luck in finding a plan with coverage.. I am lucky, my insurance does not cover it, but my husband added me to his insurance which started covering the surgery this year.

Diet modification can work well.. mine increased once and I added regular oatmeal twice a week for a few months and it brought it down to normal.

Best of luck! Keep us updated

Greetings, I am Kim.. 42 in central GA, mom of two older teen boys. Working on requirements for insurance. Hope to have sleeve surgery in October. Been working on the issues that for me to this weight (such as too much fast food, emotional eating etc) while I go through the steps for insurance approval. I want this surgery to be a success and not struggle as bad as I would without doing the work before surgery.

Call your current insurance and see coverage and criteria. Many plans exclude bariatric, unfortunately. That will show what your options are or if you will have so self pay. then research the pros and cons of each surgical procedure and decide which is for you.

Got my virtual psych consul tomorrow. Psych doesn’t scare me, I have had a lot of therapy;)! But the high stakes of this appointment has me nervous. I know that I am in a good place for this surgery and am mentally dealing with my food issues etc in preparation for being as healthy and successful as possible. Still , I got the jitters!!! How was your psych consult? Any issues or was it simpler than you thought ? would love to hear experiences!

Thank you for asking. It was like an intro appt with a psych. Lots of background questions (which I dreaded because I do have a complex history) . I tried to keep focus on the changes I have made and my current feelings and actions. Now is different then past. He is putting in a recommendation that the surgeons office continue to screen for my mental health status at appointments but is clearing me for surgery.

I live near macon in central ga, so not far probably an hour away. *wave*

Sounds like you might want to talk to your dr about reflux. Did you have hustle hernia repair with your sleeve?

Thank you for this. What are you doing to get back on track?

Fast food was so hard to overcome! I started putting convenience over cost for healthy grab and go foods and it became easier. Also, when I do get something I opt for smaller portions (4 nugget happy meal for example) and simpler options and find that works as well as the big meals used to. keep working and hopefully we will be surgery buddies!

Was your surgery stay same day or multiple day? thoughts on your experience either way?

It’s amazing the difference that a good doctor makes! So many dismiss people because they are fat (I have many stories). Was it the pre surgery endoscopy that dx the celiac or were you being tested for celiac with an endoscopy? (My dr requires a pre surgery endoscopy)

Yes! WLS is a tool for success. Once you reach a certain size it can be extremely hard without medical help to loose enough weight and this is one way to get medical help. You still have to work hard at it and you still have to monitor diet and exercise but the modification makes the weight loss more achievable!

First, forgive yourself for struggling! It’s ok. I am pre-op but trying to overcome my food issues before surgery (many people don’t). It’s not a straight path to success but a journey of learning and understanding yourself that takes twists and turns. Talk to your doctor about the struggle. Talk to a nutritionist or a counselor or both! Get the support needed to get to know your new existence. It takes a while to get to know a new person, and you are getting to know the new you. But most importantly please forgive yourself. You are doing better than you think and can get through this bump.

I am pre op. Food addiction is real and hard! I am trying to overcome now with mindfulness and journaling and lots and lots of learning how to forgive myself. and maybe it will be easier when you can have the soft foods. Lots of great roasted veggies you can purée into thick soups that are easy to prepare (and freeze great)

Did you loose weight with the pre op diet? how much? issues with hunger or fatigue?