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So I have had my psch eval, my weight records sent to my surgeon, and an appt with the nutritionist. My ins requires a 3 month doctor monitored weight loss program, which I am now undergoing- so far it is at my surgeon's office, and they are having me start to make small changes in preparation for the surgery (getting off carbonated beverages, more walking, etc). If all goes wellI shouldbe sleeved some time in April. But I am nervous... I have failed on soooo many diets before, and we are paying about 11K out of pocket for this... what if it does not work? Or what if it works then I gain it all back? Hubby waxes hot and cold about the surgery. On one hand, he loves me and supports me on doing what it takes to have a healthier, longer life. On the other hand, he has told me he is afraid I wont be able to stick with it and lose the weight... I can't blame him, we have been married for 18 years so he is well aware olf my history. But before this, i was feeling so confident and excited, now doubts are creeping in. Has anyone else been in my shoes and went ahead and did the surgery? Were you successful? Did you have any regrets? Thanks so much for your help, I am glad to have found these forums- people here seem to be incredibly supportive! Beth

Though my complications weren't anywhere near as bad as yours, I had a tough time and my dr has been doing this for years and he told me I was his first to have complications like I did. I was so angry because it seemed everyone else sailed through with no problems and I was so sick. Why did I have the rotten luck? Or what did I do wrong that I screwed this up? Of course before all surgeries we are told the risks. All kinds or horrible things, including death. And I was scared of complications. Everyone said no matter what they went through, they never regretted it. Well I did. I regretted it for a while. Buuuht... Now I have almost fully recovered, my diabetes is in check, my weight is going down, my energy level is going up. I feel better, the only real problem I'm having now is I'm having trouble keeping food down sometimes. But even that isn't too bad. When I was going through the worst health problem of my life, I couldn't find anyone who had been through what I had been. Well maybe we can help others who have issues with their surgeries. I'm sorry for what happened to you. It sounds like you have a lot to deal with but thank goodness it wasn't the alternative.

Well, through a mess up at the hospital, I wasn't allowed to get out of bed or walk much and ended up being readmitted after 2 days with pneumonia. So, whether you feel like it or not, walk, walk, walk. Other than that, the recovery after the pneumonia was pretty slow... I felt like I lost a week in time there. But, that smoothed over and life has been on the upward trend (and weight on the downward trend) ever since. Stick to the plan, do what your doctor says and hope for the best! And take Fiber -- constipation is a killer!

Thank you for telling us, I,for one, feel honored you shared this secret with us. I am waiting for my surgery, maybe May, after curves and a threatened derailment of my journey on the weight loss road , I am fighting what seems an uphill battle to secure a RnY . Started my battle in August 2015, now ready to proceed with program # 2 at bariatric center#2 for hopefully not a 3rd set of requirements, I should have clairification after April 25th 2 hour meeting with OSU psychologist Dr Kramer in Columbus Ohio. There are days I toy with the idea of novacaine, a box cutter and 30 wt fishing line and doing my own . I have begged, pleaded ,jumped through hoops, crawled through minefields of quasi regulations, slithered across broken glass, had various portions of my anatomy scanned, prodded ultrasounded and groped to no avail. Every portion of my gastrointestinal system is there except the appendix and gall bladder I gave up 30+ years ago.[emoji10] I have answered questions, allowed my psyche to be probed, and presented myself in abject humiliation to have surgery and it still has not happened. If this is truly a journey I have gone around enough hairpin turns to last me until infinity.But I have resolved not to let it triump over me, I will subdue the Bariatric dragons in my path with my Rightness sword. And surgery will be mine![emoji7][emoji626] Sent from my VS880PP using BariatricPal mobile app

Hello everyone, I am new to this forum. I wanted to share my journey that involved highs, lows and severe gutter blows. I have been overweight for about 10 yrs and gradually became obese before I knew it. I knew when I saw a pic of myself, I did not know that person That was photographed with my family...Who was that? What happened to my 100 lb body that I had just 11 short years ago? I felt sad and disgusted for allowing myself to look like that. I begin layering clothes to hide the bulge, advanced to sweat pants and my husbands T-shirt. About 1 yr ago in March I finally decided to get VSG- I was paying out of pocket 100%. Paid my deposit, paid anesthesia, then death in family. Had to reschedule, paid all deposits again, came home, my husband said I was being selfish for doing that to my body and spending that amount of money on what he saw as frivolous. Weekend of arguing, gave up and cancelled surgery. I was so depressed . Quit my nursing job that I had for 21 yrs, Started a new job. Obviously, still in public eye, and feelings of disgust that hid behind my cracked, fake smile. New insurance. Sit down with hubby 25yrs and he agreed I was unhappy and he knows I have exhausted all other avenues, including: exercise, medical directed wt loss program since 2008, multiple drugs: phentermine, belvique and Contrave. I was carried by my husband’s insurance and the policy lacked WLS. Great. So signed up 11/30/17 last day at work to get insurance. Planned to go see dr ASAP. One of my close friends secretly got sleeved. I was so jealous and angry at her for doing that. Met with new surgeon, brought all of my records and he was impressed, didn’t have to wait normal 6 mos. 3 denials from insurance co., and all I have left is 1 appeal. By the way-the Inursing I do deals with ins and coding for payment- so I know all the rules and had everything worded perfectly; no avail : DENIED!!!!! I cried. Phoned coordinator 2/25/18 told her it was denied again, requested surgeon file an appeal. On Wednesday 2/28/18 I received a call from coordinator, all she said”are u ready to get excited, u are APPROVED”!!! Elated! Received letter of approval for inpatient procedure on My Birthday! Scheduled surgery. 3/26 day before surgery, medical center called and said my portion was $25k need it before surgery.... WHAAAATTTT??? Called insurance straighten out everything, phoned medical center and instructed her who to contact. Wow, I got sleeved Tuesday 3/27/18. Wooohooo!!! Now, what the heck did I do? Lasted 5 mins then was delighted. So I am 4 days post op, still hungry, but I fought so hard for this, I have this under control! Besides, I was out of pocket almost 10K. my husband agrees it was the best $ we have ever spent! Happy Silver Anniversary. Stats: highest wt 170 Ht: 4’10” BMI 35.5. Pre surgical wt 168.8 and current weight 160.0. Moral of my journey: Fight for what you deserve and make it happen! Looking forward to the rest of my journey and becoming the person I know I am! Sorry for being so winded; I have kept my procedure from everyone except my husband and kids.

Hope the paperwork is enough for you. I had the same situation. I didn’t have the visits but I had to have documentation of prior weight loss failed attempts and my doctors notes were not overly supportive. Thank musk they approved me because I was a pure mess when the nurse told me it didn’t look good.

@@Latoya1214 You can do this!!! I wish I had done it at your age - instead I waited until my weight sky rocketed to 300 lbs and I had hypertension, degenerative disc disease, sleep apnea, joint pain, and soon (I'm sure) diabetes. I wasted several years of my life and missed out on having children (PCOS). Get your health under control while you still have many more years ahead of you! Good luck and I look forward to seeing your journey continue!

Over 65 next week go for 3 month pre-op diet. Gained 10 pounds in two months. Time to get serious. I hope nobody makes me feel uncomfortable. I need some buddy help to get to the end of this journey at age 67.

I had my gallbladder removed before my surgery. My gallbladder was only working at 12% (any dysfunction under 35% is abnormal). The gallbladder can fail from rapid weight gain and rapid weight loss. Rapid weight loss may cause an imbalance of bile and cholesterol in the body, as well, which can lead to the formation of gallstones. I had a feeling my gallbladder wasn't functioning correctly. The main indicators were, a Charlie Horse feeling in my sides and major indigestion.

Wow. I'm sorry to hear about your aunt. of course you are scared it's perfectly normal. I had revision surgery too from lapband to the sleeve. I also have my gallbladder removed and a hernia repaired the same day. And like you I get very sick from the anesthesia. I told the anesthesiologist about how badly I react and they gave me medicine through an IV and also a patch behind my ear that helped immensely. I won't lie the first couple of days were rough but by day three I was sitting out at my son's baseball game and on day 4 I was back at my desk job. I'm losing weight better and feel so much healthier than I ever did with my band because I can eat real food and I don't feel hungry all the time. It's nice not to be throwing up all the time of course 2. I just wanted to share that with you good luck in making a decision.

My husband had to have open heart surgery at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota a couple of weeks ago. I was VERY worried about how this would effect my weight. My triggers for eating have always been boredom and stress. I was going to have a lot of both. I started buying sugar free gum and breath mints. I made sure I had a couple bottles of water to drink in the car. The nervous eating was taken care of by the gum and mints. To my amazement, I actually lost weight over the week we were in the hospital. I made a point of getting a walk in everyday, but other than that did not get any other exercise. This is a very stressful time for you and your family. Take some time to take care of yourself.

I have my first appointment tomorrow. I am meeting with the dietitian and doctor to start my 6 months of supervised weight loss. What if I mess up? What if I can't do it?

Anyone else sick of Protein drinks? I am 2 1/2 weeks post op and can barley stomach them! I fell like I have to choke them down! Anyone else feeling this way? Suggestions? surgerversary: sept 24th 2012. Starting weight: 240 Today's weight: 222!

I was told I might have to do liquids 2 weeks before and 2 weeks after? Did you all lose weight with the liquids, before and/or after? And was it hard not eating? Seems like you would crave all the time?

Hello Sleevers, I weighed myself in the am and was 238. Yay!! 10 pounds in 8 days. Now I weigh myself this evening and I'm 240. I'm only drinking Protein shakes and a half cup of Soup for lunch. Total calories is about 470. I'm also walking at a brisk pace for an hour for exercise. It's not the calories. The only thing diffrent today was that I managed to get about 58 ounces of Water down. So, I think this could be just water weight and it will all work it's way out eventually. Has anyone else had or seen this?

Okay, seriously, a pound of muscle, weights the same as a pound of fat. A pound is equal to a pound.

Hi all (yay I'm in the post-op section now!)-- am now a week out of surgery and feeling much better -- I had some mild reactions to the anesthesia (which is no big deal considering it went away), but left me feeling miserable for the past week. Now I'm feeling almost 100 percent and so glad I did this. I did hold on to all the IV Water they put into -- I lost 13 pounds of weight from the pre-op diet and then promptly held on to all of it following the surgery. So, I am just now into "virgin" weight loss territory, but I'll take what I can get! So, all in all, pretty good! Happy to be here in the losing side of things! :scared0:

That stuff is so addictive! my hubby is soooooo addicted to mountain dew, but not the diet either. He drinks a 24 pack of them in 3 days, not exagerating either. No one has ever seen him anywhere without one in his hand, or pocket. He just happens to be one of those lucky people that has a high metabolism and doesnt gain a pound from anything. seriously, he is 6'2" and weighs 179 pounds. it is sooooo not fair. I keep telling him one day his age is going to change his luck and then he is going to be huge! good for you kicking that nasty habit, i swear if my hubby could have an iv hooked up to it he would. his blood has to be yellow green by now...hehe

My kids are first grandkids on either side. Starting with Christmas they get their body weight in candy. I don't buy any candy because the rest of the family does,easter egg hunt at church, valentines exchange at school. This easter they ended up with over 4 bags of candy to add to the 2 bags of valentines candy and the half bag left from Christmas. Its sickening, so I started a deal with them. They pick about 5 pieces each to have after dinner and the rest goes to the fairy that works for candy (I either donate to their preschool or to the food banks. I had no clue food banks took candy but they do as a treat to the kids of family down on their luck). So they give me all their candy I take it and the fairy brings them each a book or small toy. Its the best thing I have come up with because if not, I couldn't even imagine what would it be like. At their old dentist, you could take candy in and trade it for new toothbrushes or stickers or little toys. But yeah I have to do it quickly because if not I will totally eat it. It needs to be out of the house and fast.

not to have the surgery? I started mine yesterday and I was just dreaming last night of how awesome it would be if I could actually make this a lifestyle change and avoid the surgery completely. I wondered if anyone else had done it.

Hey everyone I was sleeved 6 January 2015 here are some pictures of my progress im having a problem with constipation bad I've taken all the recommended stuff for it does anyone else have this problem i think its slowing down my weight loss surgery date weight 221 weight as of today 179 march 21 2015

I'd stick with the sleeve, studies have shown it gives the same results as the bypass if used correctly. Also, if you happen to not lose the weight you want, you can always have it switched to the duodonel switch, which is the end all of WLS. Although I doubt you'll need to go that far. You will do great!

I too have PCOS and have been struggling for years with the abnormal menstrual cycles. There has been times I gone 90 days so that is definitely one of my primary reasons I had to choose this aggressive approach to lose the weight. I'm so glad for this forum bc I've been having similar thoughts of actually feeling unsure a out having kids since there will be actually a chance now I can...it's so weird...bc i also have a 13yr old stepson and i would love the opportunity to have a child with my hubby...but I'm hoping that this year will be my last crazy "aunt flow" cycle and I can begin to live "normal". So I pray that as you progress that you choose what will be best for you and if u decide on not wanting a child that's okay too.

Im 33 no kids(want them something terrible) my awesome husband has a spunky 6 almost 7 yr old son. I've been throwing the idea of wls around in my head for over 3 yrs and now that i am actually in the process im kinda scared shitless....any who I've been on thyroid meds for over 6 yrs they promised the pills would work then it was oh u have pcos then metabolic syndrome and on top of that u r well over weight for your height not to mention crazy cycles bleeding for 35-60 days an then not at all...for some reason when i went in for my first consultation with the surgeon i thought for sure they would have some reason for why i didn't qualify for sleeve procedure....low an behold he said yes that was july 25th....he says u need to quit smoking an lose some weight ....anyone else know how hard that is???? Its becoming a reality and i might actually get a child of my own(oops sorry hun ours). Has anyone worked so hard for something then when u realize it could come true u fall apart and wonder if u will be any good at what you've wanted for what seems like an eternity.....my poor husband has been on a rollercoster and he never bought a ticket!!! Thanks to all that see this and don't think im totally nuts *BUG*

Everyone's experience is different but I got a good 8 weeks post op where I just wasnt that interested in food. I really had no trouble sticking to the routine and lost huge amounts of weight.