Newbie, a little freaked out

[Mana 0]

Hello,

I am new to the forum. I am waiting insurance approval for my sleeve. My doctors originally thought I would be a canidate for the Duodenal Switch but due to IBS they decided not a good choice! So on to the sleeve, my preferred procedure! This has been a long process for me, I started the pre-bari stuff in October. Have been dxd with sleep apnea-mild and anemia. I also have PCOS.

I am wondering a few things.

1. Experiences with IBS and the sleeve?

2. weight loss expectations for the 1st year?

3. Excercising before and after surgery. Right now I am walking 1 1/2 to 2 miles per day. How much more should I plan to do after surgery??

Any thoughts or encouragement will be appreciated! I am kind of freaking out!!! Thanks!

[Virginia S 13]

Hello,

I am new to the forum. I am waiting insurance approval for my sleeve. My doctors originally thought I would be a canidate for the Duodenal Switch but due to IBS they decided not a good choice! So on to the sleeve, my preferred procedure! This has been a long process for me, I started the pre-bari stuff in October. Have been dxd with sleep apnea-mild and anemia. I also have PCOS.

I am wondering a few things.

1. Experiences with IBS and the sleeve?

2. weight loss expectations for the 1st year?

3. Excercising before and after surgery. Right now I am walking 1 1/2 to 2 miles per day. How much more should I plan to do after surgery??

Any thoughts or encouragement will be appreciated! I am kind of freaking out!!! Thanks!

Welcome. I haven't been sleeved yet, but have surgery scheduled 4/18. I can answer some of your questions:

The sleeve shouldn't affect the IBS if it's intestinal. If you have heartburn/reflux as well, make sure you take a daily medicine such as Zantaz 150 as soon as you're allowed back on meds (some surgeons prescribe one of these meds for all their patients - if so, just take what they prescribe). You may have diarrhea until you get back on solid foods, but that's not an IBS thing - many folks have it.

Some folks seem to lose faster than others - I've seen some on here who've lost 100 lbs in 6 months and others who've lost like 50 lbs in the same time. A lot of factors determine this.

Exercise - I've been walking too. Exercise is great for speeding up your metabolism. I've read that weights after surgery really help firm things up (but you won't be allowed to do them for maybe 6 weeks - again that figure varies from surgeon to surgeon). Basically you'll need aerobic exercise - your walking will be great to start, but as you lose weight try to increase your pace and walk a little farther in the same amount of time - and some kind of resistance thing for toning. I'm going to start with pilates and move up to weights - I'm 295 right now (down from 319) and need to start small.

I've researched and researched and I'm ready to have this DONE.

Good luck to you!

[Mana 0]

Hi Virginia!

Thank you for your response. Congrats on your surgery date! I was hoping to have my surgery date by now but there was some delays with my insurance. No surprise there.

That makes sense about diarrhea until on solids, I am just hoping that it is not a long term issue. Guess time will tell.

I have seen the same too, some lose 50 others 100... I am just hoping for great success, I would be thrilled with 100 within 1 year! Heck, I would be thrilled with 100 pounds total!!

I am at 298 now(down from 313) and walking the 1 1/2 to 2 miles a day is hard, it had gotten easier over time and I am sure once I start losing more it will get even easier! I will continue to increase time and distance/pace as you said. Pilates is a great idea, right now I am not even close to coordinated enough to try that! I will have to look into that... I am really worried about the excess skin too and have heard that strength training is good.

I too have done all the research and am so ready for this to be done!!! I have wanted the sleeve since the beginning so when the doctor recommended the switch I was a little apprehensive and am very glad they decided the sleeve is a better option!

Good luck to you as well!!!

[mjs6172 2]

Hi Mana---Wondering how everything is going for you? I too, have PCOS and am scheduled for surgery on June 7th. I'm nervous but excited.