Seriously Contemplating This Procedure

[ToriTerry 2]

Hello everyone! I have been researching the Gastric Sleeve Surgery for a few months now and feel strongly about pursuing it. I currently weigh 215 and at 5' 5" and a BMI of 35.8, I'm nowhere near the weight I should be. I've been overweight most of my adult life with the exception of about a year when I went from 205 to 125 during my Mother's illness as I cared for her.

I just stopped eating and didn't care if I ate. My life was a mess and as my Mother became sicker, I became thinner. She passed away in early 2009. I have come to believe I was doing this without realizing it was a control thing. I couldn't control all that was occuring with my Mother's health, and somehow I think that got translated to controling my eating.

Since her passing, I have been eating just about anything and everything I want. I am still grieving my loss as if it were yesterday, but I am now eating to simply comfort myself. My blood pressure is now high (which it never was) and my hips, legs and knees cry out to me every single day due to this excess weight. I have heart disease, diabetis, hypertension and arthritis that run in my family.

I don't have a choice, I HAVE to lose weight, but I don't feel inspired. I eat a huge piece of chocolate care and enjoy it, but regret it afterwards. That never stops me from doing it again (and again, and again). Pasta, Cookies, cake, bread, its all fair game it seems. I know I am hurting myself by eating, and gaining. All my docs tell me to lose weight.

Okay, I'd love to. But my saddness drives me to eat, just so I can feel good ... if only for short periods of time. The Sleeve Procedure in addition to the nutrition education and support system seems like the perfect way to get healthy. I'm only 50, and I have multiple health problems (Multiple Sclerosis, Fibromyalgia, Arthritis, GERD ....). Becoming a healthy weight, being able to exersise and tone up sounds like a wonderful dream.

Can anyone offer me any advice as to making that first step to call and set up that first consultation appointment. I feel nervous because if I get turned away, I am scared what my comfort eating will do to me. Thank you so much.

*Miss V*

[HollyC 7]

I also am 51 and lost my mother last year after nursing her for a while and have my first consultation for the sleeve on Monday. Weight has been an issue my entire lifeand I have tried every program and had success several times but put the weight back on. My husband had the sleeve with DS (the more drastic operation) 3 years ago and loss and has kept off 200 pounds.

The first thing you should do is find a seminar/support group in your area. You will get fired up and ready to make a change. My insurance might be the only thing holding me back. It would be nice to go thru this with someone the same age.

Good luck with your decision.

[Ssilian 67]

Ms V,

I am 55 yrs old I have been researching the VSG for 10 months. I have 6 weeks left of a 12 month insurance mandated weight loss counseling program. I have not had a death in the family but I eat for other reasons. I realized that the surgery is only a tool and I have to get a handle on why I eat like I do. So I started seeing a counselor. I know that I can't keep the same habits after the surgery. Good luck to you on your decision! Keep us posted!!

[atkinsoncl 62]

Hi Miss V,

I'm sorry to hear about the your loss. I am happy that you are focusing on yourself now and trying to get yourself healthy.

If you are planning on going through insurance for your surgery, your first step should be to call them, find out if it's covered and what the requirements are. Then you should contact the hospital of your choice to attend an informational seminar.

If you are not going through insurance, you should contact the hospital directly. They will have their own requirements for you to meet.

I am going through my insurance. Each insurance has different requirements that they expect you to have. I needed a 3 month supervised program, 2 dietician appointments, 2 small group preop classes, 2 group post op classes, and mental health visit. I also needed to be at least 35 BMI with one comortality or 40 BMI with none.

I have completed all of my requirements and my surgery is April 4. So excited to start this journey and get on with a healthy lifestyle.

Good luck!! This is a wonderful supportive site. If you have any questions, just ask.

Take care,

Courtney

[slim46 25]

Hello everyone! I have been researching the Gastric Sleeve Surgery for a few months now and feel strongly about pursuing it. I currently weigh 215 and at 5' 5" and a BMI of 35.8' date=' I'm nowhere near the weight I should be. I've been overweight most of my adult life with the exception of about a year when I went from 205 to 125 during my Mother's illness as I cared for her.

I just stopped eating and didn't care if I ate. My life was a mess and as my Mother became sicker, I became thinner. She passed away in early 2009. I have come to believe I was doing this without realizing it was a control thing. I couldn't control all that was occuring with my Mother's health, and somehow I think that got translated to controling my eating.

Since her passing, I have been eating just about anything and everything I want. I am still grieving my loss as if it were yesterday, but I am now eating to simply comfort myself. My blood pressure is now high (which it never was) and my hips, legs and knees cry out to me every single day due to this excess weight. I have heart disease, diabetis, hypertension and arthritis that run in my family.

I don't have a choice, I HAVE to lose weight, but I don't feel inspired. I eat a huge piece of chocolate care and enjoy it, but regret it afterwards. That never stops me from doing it again (and again, and again). Pasta, Cookies, cake, bread, its all fair game it seems. I know I am hurting myself by eating, and gaining. All my docs tell me to lose weight.

Okay, I'd love to. But my saddness drives me to eat, just so I can feel good ... if only for short periods of time. The Sleeve Procedure in addition to the nutrition education and support system seems like the perfect way to get healthy. I'm only 50, and I have multiple health problems (Multiple Sclerosis, Fibromyalgia, Arthritis, GERD ....). Becoming a healthy weight, being able to exersise and tone up sounds like a wonderful dream.

Can anyone offer me any advice as to making that first step to call and set up that first consultation appointment. I feel nervous because if I get turned away, I am scared what my comfort eating will do to me. Thank you so much.

*Miss V*[/quote']

Miss V, life is hard and we do so much for others. I'm glad ur taking the first step.. I'm 51y and I took the first step for me as well. I am divorced, had and raised 4 kids on my own. Now it's time for meeee. I'm going to take care of me.. Lose weight, get control of my health and enjoy life..my body might get older with the aches n pains, but .I feel young (23). The first thing is pick up the phone and call for a consultattion, keep ur appt and then one step at a time... Think positive, u will not get turned away.. We re here for you.. Keep us posted

[ToriTerry 2]

Thank you to everyone who responded to my post. For some of us as I've been reading, this seems to be a scary decision. But what is scarier, having a stroke or a heart attack, or being diagnosed with diabites? I have spinal stenosis, a herniated disc, knee issues and my body is screaming HELP ME!! The weight is making all my many additional ailments worse. For some reason, I have not called the doctor to set up my initial appointment .... I'm thinking it is nerves. I think I am afraid of being declined. I know I can't do this alone with a diet. Depression will see to that. Any other advice that can push me in the right direction?? Thank you all!

[GivingItMyAll 168]

I went through several weeks of being hung-ho, nervous, telling myself I could loose weight through sheer will power (yeah right), and am now comfortable with my decision to pursue surgery. I am still in the pre-op phase. Keep reading the threads on here. Keep researching. You will know the "right choice" for you. I think the turning point for me was when it clicked that I would be okay, even better than okay, if I never ate the bad foods that I eat now again. I can do this, an so can you.

[ToriTerry 2]

Hello everyone!

I finally got up the nerve to pick up the phone and call the doctors office for my initial consultation! The second week in May I go to speak with the bariatric program director and the surgeon. I was screened on that first phone call to make sure I was eligable (which I am) and I now am anxiously awaiting my appointment! I am praying this all goes smoothly and I encounter no blips on this journey. I so very much need the assistance of these experts to help me get healthier and feeling well.

Blessings to all,

Miss V

[atkinsoncl 62]

Hello everyone!

I finally got up the nerve to pick up the phone and call the doctors office for my initial consultation! The second week in May I go to speak with the bariatric program director and the surgeon. I was screened on that first phone call to make sure I was eligable (which I am) and I now am anxiously awaiting my appointment! I am praying this all goes smoothly and I encounter no blips on this journey. I so very much need the assistance of these experts to help me get healthier and feeling well.

Blessings to all,

Miss V

Good for you!! Congratulations on your first steps to a healthier you!

[slim46 25]

Good for you!! Congratulations on your first steps to a healthier you!

Congrats on ur first step! Keep us updated