Anyone just starting this journey?

[sunshine6855 1]

I am just starting the process to go from band to sleeve when my MD takes out my gallbladder. I saw my doctor yesterday and they will start the approval process. I am looking at the first to mid part of February. I should have no problems getting the surgery approval. I hope that having the band does not put blocks up with the insurance company. This is exciting meeting people who will be doing this around the same time as I do do. Look forward to getting to know you.

cathy

[TheBestIsYetToCome 0]

Keshia,

My name is Theresa initially I was going to get the Lap Band; however, since changed my mind and am prepared to have the Sleeve. My surgery date is scheduled for January 3, 2011. I hope the insurance doesn't give me any problems, but so far, I haven't heard anything negative. My current weight flucutates between 226 and 231. My smallest weight was probably in middle school some 25+ years ago. One of the main reasons for deciding to go the WLS route was to reduce the havoc obesity plays on your body. I currently have high blood pressure, asthma, allergies, and have family pre-dispositions for cancer, and diabetes. At 46, it's not too late for me to make the changes needed to reduce some of the risks associated with each of these conditions. I just wanted to introduce myself. I'm new here, so it will take me a minute to acclimate, but once I do, I'm sure we will interact again in the future. Much success to you and this process. When I began the process, I titled it, Reseructing T., and it is in full effect. Peace~

Hi there Fellow Sleevers!!! I have just started this journey on 11.22.10 which was a WL Seminar that I attended. I was first interested in the Lap Band but after doing extensive research I decided against it and I'm gonig with the Sleeve. Yesterday 12.07.10 was my first consult with my surgeon and I am on my way to start my prescribed tests.

Anyone out there that is just now starting this journey?

Keshia

[Loricuster 0]

I just attended my first WL seminar yesterday I am very excited but also confused by all the insurance questions i dont know where to begin.But im not giving up it only just begun

Hi there Fellow Sleevers!!! I have just started this journey on 11.22.10 which was a WL Seminar that I attended. I was first interested in the Lap Band but after doing extensive research I decided against it and I'm gonig with the Sleeve. Yesterday 12.07.10 was my first consult with my surgeon and I am on my way to start my prescribed tests.

Anyone out there that is just now starting this journey?

Keshia

[lsereno 2,525]

Hi all,

I began my journey in November, with an appt with my GP. I am with Kaiser. I will be attending a WLS seminar in Fremont on Jan. 1th. My Doctor scheduled bloodwork and sleep apnea testing, which I have completed. I have a BMI of about 40 with controlled high blood pressure and high cholesterol. I have an individual Kaiser coverage, so my out of pocket for the operation will probably be my annual max out of pocket: 3,500.

I was interested in the band, but after doing a little more research have switched to wanting the Vertical Sleeve. I really don't want a port and something that may erode later down the line. And I don't want to deal with the more stringent restrictions caused by the Rouen bypass.

I have been overweight and struggling with it since I quit smoking in 1991: twenty years now. I have tried Weight Watchers, hypnosis, and Medifast liquid diet. I've lost weight with all of them, but it's always come back. At 54, I really want something that works long term. I want more energy. I want to tie my shoes without going "oof." I want my feet to stop hurting. I want to wear regular sized clothing and fit comfortably in a chair with arms. In many areas of my life, I am able to exercise control, but I need help with my weight.

January 11, here I come!

Lynda

[virtualgirl 0]

Hello everyone ~ I am new to the board as well. I am a few months into the journey and making the decision on lap band vs. sleeve. RNY is not an option in my book...the whole re-routing and malabsorption freaks me out. I started the process with Kaiser Mid-Atlantic in July and attended my first WLS class in August and first WLS seminar in September and a second one last week. Under Kaiser Mid-Atlantic and my plan, I have to go through 6 months of NUT appointments that includes 2 gastric bypass surgery classes, attend 2 WLS seminars and a host of test, plus losing 3% of current body weight. I have actually completed all of the tests and the mandatory 2 seminars. I have one more NUT session and then the referral goes before the approving board and then I get to meet with the surgeon that will be performing the surgery. At last check, the surgeon is backed up about 4 months, so I'm thinking my surgery will be in the Spring, which is okay with me. I am leaning more towards the sleeve as someone else mentioned the lap band as a foreign object, the port and the need to have the fills performed. Plus from my research and attending the seminars, it is not the best option for me as I am a big sweet eater; since I don't want RNY, hesitation towards the lap band, the sleeve seems to be the only other viable option. I am 41 and have been fairly overweight most of life, but definitely obese/morbidly obese since my late twenties/early thirties. I have asthma (a fairly recent development) but fairly healthly for a fat girl, but I question how long will that last with a family history of diabetes, hypertension, asthma, cardiac disease and osteoarthritis (which is currently my only problem).

I look forward to sharing and receiving support and advice. Good luck to you all on this journey to a new, improved you.

[HetKF 33]

Hi Keshia and Mary from AZ.

I have also just started my journey. I had an assessment done on Monday, and their insurance specialist said I qualified and should be approved with no problem. I started out very very positively Sleeve, but in reading the packet I got at the doctor's office I'm wondering if I'm doing the right thing. Here's what I'm thinking:

Gastric Bypass--The weight would drop rapidly, but I really am scared of the dumping syndrome and I know I could stretch the stomach back out again

Lapband--I don't like the fact that there would be a foreign object in me at all times and a port for adjustments.

Sleeve--I like that it has fewer complications post-op, but I'm worried about feeling nauseous all the time

After January 1, when they reassess my insurance, I will go to see the surgeon, have my meeting with the nutritionist and exercise physiologist and my psych eval. I also have to get a clearance from my cardiologist (I have a congenital bicuspid aortic valve) and a letter from my PCP validating my weight and co-morbidities. Another two months of meetings, support groups, appointments, and I should be ready to have my stuff submitted to the insurance company by April 1. Then I guess the waiting game starts.

I'm both excited and terrified! But I am so sick of being this size and being limited by it.

Good luck to both of you! Let's keep in touch as the process continues.

Hello, I just happened to read your post. I was sleeved on 11/29 and I have not had any nausea. Nor do most people. The only reason you would experience that is if you had a leak. That is what they tell you pre-op and post op. It is hard at first....but after you get through the 1st two weeks...your golden. Sure, some people have issues but it's surgery.....and things happen regardless of which type you have. I will tell you....you can still experience dumping syndrome with a sleeve. Again, not everyone does but I have experienced it when I attempted to ingest something with a high fat/sugar content. Fifteen minutes later, I was running toi the bathroom....not nausea...the other end. All 3 of these surgeries are a complete lifestyle change. You will all do fine Just keep reading posts on here from everyone and you'll learn the ropes pretty quickly. Good Luck to you all!!