Introduction and excited pre-sleeve

[Fit4myFam 8]

Hello Everyone! I am new to this forum, although I have been reading everyone's very informative and inspirational posts for many months now! As my gastric sleeve journey is about to take off, I thought I should finally introduce myself to the group as I hope to post here throughout my journey...

About me... I am what you would consider a gastric sleeve 'lightweight', although I have never thought of myself as "light" in the past 10 years! I am 5'2" female and 210 lbs, making my BMI 38.2. I am a self-pay patient as my BMI is "too low" (under 40) for insurance coverage. I am "pre-diabetic", have borderline high blood pressure, and ahve a strong family prevalence of diabetes, heart disease, high cholesterol, high blood pressure. I want this surgery for my health.

I used to be very fit. I was never an overweight child, but the pounds started creeping on when I went to college. Faced with buffets at the college diner and 24 hour pizza places, I gorged myself and the pounds slowly packed on. Eating became about "fun" and not nutrition, and I was tempted by sweets, fast foods, fried stuff.... I used to be very conscious about nutrition and have a wealth of information in my head about calories/protein/fiber of different foods. Somehow I am lacking the ability to translate that knowledge into my habits and hoping the sleeve will give me that missing tool I need.

Fast forward 10 years later and I have never been able to "control" my weight. I have gained and lost 60+ pounds twice. My highest weight was 230 just after delivering my son... a weight that puts me at morbidly obese. Over the years, I have tried all sorts of diets--- phentermine prescribed by doctor (twice), weight watchers, Atkins, medifast, slimfast, other physician controlled diets.... only to lose weight and have it come back. I am sure you are all familiar with this. I am looking forward to this surgery to get me back into a healthy range where I belong, and to give me a tool to help me eat nutritiously, and not purely for taste.

My sleeve journey so far... I am planning to be sleeved my Dr. Tiffany Jessee at Suncoast Bariatrics in Tampa, FL. She has excellent reviews and very high patient satisfaction scores/very low complication rate. I met her at her informational session and am very confident in her. I have already attended the info session, nutritional counseling, and psych eval. Next up is my surgical consultation (next week), endoscopy and then pre-op diet. I am aiming to be sleeved n January.

My support system is primarily my husband. He is amazingly supportive. He, too, needs to lose 30lbs or so, and I hope that with my smaller portion sizes and healthy choices (as I am the cook for us), this will also help his health. I also want to use these boards for support and plan to attend support group meetings. I realy don't want to tell anyone else in my lifea bout this surgery... I think they may hve a negative attidue about this and I am trying to surround myself with motivation and positive attitudes so I have the best chance at success here.

I am really hoping I can get through the next few months fine (pre op diet, surgery and initial recovery phase) and get to a point where I dont ahve to think about the sleeve all the time and my choices are my "new normal". Thats what I am really hoping for out of this surgery.

Does anyone have a similar circumstance to mine and want to stay in touch? (e.g., sleeved at the same time; similar starting stats; location in FL)?

Good luck to all on your sleeve journey.... I can't wait to be on the other side and on the losers bench!

[Teachamy 1,042]

Best of luck on your journey! My main motivation here is also health related. (I have many of the conditions you are fighting to avoid! ) I am looking forward to feeling healthy and fit again. It's been about 10 yrs!

Here's to health!

Amy

Edited December 12, 2013 by Teachamy

[hayesa727 4]

Hi Fit4myFam. I too am a low bmier I have a bmi of 38. I have been fortunate that my health insurance believes in preventive care, they approved me the first try. Believe me I am shocked too. I am hoping that they will schedule my surgery in the first weeks of January. I will soon have my preop appoint on Christmas Eve, what a great Christmas present to myself. I am in the process of gathering all of the food that I will need in the first two months post operations. I am still trying to prepare myself for this lifestyle change. I am still struggling with the cravings for junk food especially around that TOM. I am currently looking into healthier snack choices, ie. baked apple chips, kale chips, etc. I wish the best of luck in your journey.

Edited December 18, 2013 by hayesa727

[Fit4myFam 8]

Hayesa, good luck to you too! Lucky thar your insurance approved with low bmi! Self-pay here.... But hoping it will be one of the best investments ever!!

Update: i got my surgery date... Feb 3!! Cant velieve that is only 6 weeks away!! I am going to be busy with pre op testing and like you, grtting my post op supplies (food scale, Protein powder, shaker bottle etc)!

Lets stay updated on each others progress... Hope you fins oht your surgery date soon!

[Ballermom 803]

Welcome and best of luck to you all who are on this Journey!

[Booandfrida 37]

I'm researching Dr. Jessee as well. I am self pay too. Can I ask how much Dr. Jessee charged for the self pay sleeve?