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Sleep Apnea Was My Final Straw



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I was diagnosed with sleep apnea in May of 2013 weighing 321 lbs. I already have diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol, so being diagnosed with sleep apnea was the final straw. I went to see my primary care doctor and got a referral. My first visit with my bariatric surgeon, Dr. Amin, was in August. Dr. Amin said that I was a good candidate for the gastric sleeve. He told me that I would have to get some tests done, get a psych eval and have to take a class. I had done Weight Watchers for 2 years prior and because of this, I was put on the fast track to have surgery. That was fine with me. I had to take the class for 6 straight weeks. Other people had to do it for 6 months, once a month. After completing my class, all my documents were sent to my insurance company and the waiting game began.

At the end of October I got the call that my surgery was approved and my date for surgery was November 12, 2013. Needless to say, I was thrilled. Two weeks before surgery, I did a liquid diet. The first couple of days were hard. After the third day, I was good. The sugar free popsicles were my best friend during this time. On the day of surgery I weighed 310 lbs. My surgery was scheduled for 8:30am. I've never been more excited to have surgery and I've had several.

Surgery went well. I was up and walking around the hospital that evening. I was sent home the very next day. Things were ok when I got home. I had lots of help and I made sure I walked everyday. I came home on liquids for the first few days then I transitioned to soft foods. I had a hard time drinking Protein Drinks. They really didn't sit well with me. After a about a week, I was able to tolerate them a little better.

Three weeks into my recovery I started having severe stomach pains. I went back to Dr. Amin and was told that I was having muscle spasms from being cut through my stomach muscles. I haven't quite reached a month yet, but overall things are going well.

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I was diagnosed with sleep apnea in May of 2013 weighing 321 lbs. I already have diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol, so being diagnosed with sleep apnea was the final straw. I went to see my primary care doctor and got a referral. My first visit with my bariatric surgeon, Dr. Amin, was in August. Dr. Amin said that I was a good candidate for the gastric sleeve. He told me that I would have to get some tests done, get a psych eval and have to take a class. I had done Weight Watchers for 2 years prior and because of this, I was put on the fast track to have surgery. That was fine with me. I had to take the class for 6 straight weeks. Other people had to do it for 6 months, once a month. After completing my class, all my documents were sent to my insurance company and the waiting game began. At the end of October I got the call that my surgery was approved and my date for surgery was November 12, 2013. Needless to say, I was thrilled. Two weeks before surgery, I did a liquid diet. The first couple of days were hard. After the third day, I was good. The sugar free popsicles were my best friend during this time. On the day of surgery I weighed 310 lbs. My surgery was scheduled for 8:30am. I've never been more excited to have surgery and I've had several. Surgery went well. I was up and walking around the hospital that evening. I was sent home the very next day. Things were ok when I got home. I had lots of help and I made sure I walked everyday. I came home on liquids for the first few days then I transitioned to soft foods. I had a hard time drinking Protein Drinks. They really didn't sit well with me. After a about a week, I was able to tolerate them a little better. Three weeks into my recovery I started having severe stomach pains. I went back to Dr. Amin and was told that I was having muscle spasms from being cut through my stomach muscles. I haven't quite reached a month yet, but overall things are going well.

how are you doing now? Dr. Amin is my doctor too.

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how are you doing now? Dr. Amin is my doctor too.

Did Dr. Amin say he would do tour surgery open instead of laproscopic? He told me this but my insurance approved laproscopic gastric sleeve. So i am unsure if he changed his mind or if he sends that to the insurance instead of saying open to get the approval.

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      Sleeve surgery is on April 14th.  I am counting the days!!  Can't wait!
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      2. LadyVeteran1

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      Hi everyone! I’m brand new here. I just went through all my pre-op requirements per my insurance company and now everything has been submitted and I’m just waiting for final approval and my surgery date. I’ve been doing research, watching YouTube videos, TikTok’s, ect.. trying to prepare my mind and what to expect so I’ll be ready for the surgery. I was so sure and so set and so ready and excited. However, now that I’ve done everything & it’s almost here, I am sooooooo scared! I know why I want it bc I’ve tried everything and I just don’t feel like I can lose weight by myself. I’m tired of being overweight my entire life. I’m miserable, but I keep psyching myself out afraid of GERD bc I know how that can be and I don’t want to have to get a bypass after already gaining the courage to even get VSG. I’m scared of complications like I’mgoing to regret doing it and be depressed that I didn’t just be more disciplined and try again to lose the weight on my own even sitting here typing this knowing in my mind i just can’t and don’t possess the discipline. I’m also afraid I won’t be able to handle the restrictions of the sleeve. What do I eat? I don’t know how to eat healthy really and don’t enjoy healthy food. I don’t know how to do this! I feel so defeated!Someone tell me they felt anything similar to this or am I not ready? I thought I was. I am so tired of being sick and tired and so tired of myself and so tired of being stuck and stuck in this body and somebody different on the outside from what I feel inside. I just want to ball up and cry.
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        Am feeling this right now. My surgery date is 4/1. Sign the consent tomorrow. I feel like I overloaded myself with too much info, too many opinions. Got to the point where I was wondering if I should do this. Then I thought of my reasons for taking this step and that settled my nerves. Still get moments of doubt but am striving forward. Am just going to follow my book from the surgeon. Joined this because I was told by my dietician that I should do this for support

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