Going to an Info Seminar on Gastric Sleeve next week - Scared and Excited!

[Bonifaccia 3]

Hi Everyone!

Just joined Bariatric Pal and hope I can find support! I am female and going to a VSG Seminar next week with Dr. Glasgow in Norwood, MA. First I said, "I'm not mutilating my body just to lose weight!" but I have reached almost 300 pounds on a 5'5" frame and I'm starting to waddle, not walk. Oh it's a terrible feeling! Tell me anyone what it was like after your seminar - did you feel excited or scared? Can someone tell me how they came to the decision? I'm just fed up with binge eating at night, gaining, then losing, gaining then losing, then gaining. It's time I owned up to happiness in my life, not depression and feelings of uselessness are overtaking me. Would love to hear from you! Bonifaccia

[joatsaint 2,814]

I didn't attend any seminars, I just made up my mind that VSG was my only solution. I was nervous/excited about my new life. I mean, I was excited to have the surgery, but I didn't know how I was going to handle being thin. I could do FAT... I've always been FAT. How do I do skinny? It turned out that it wasn't that hard to adjust. :-)

Hope these videos help.

[BLERDgirl 6,417]

Hi Everyone!

Just joined Bariatric Pal and hope I can find support! I am female and going to a VSG Seminar next week with Dr. Glasgow in Norwood, MA. First I said, "I'm not mutilating my body just to lose weight!" but I have reached almost 300 pounds on a 5'5" frame and I'm starting to waddle, not walk. Oh it's a terrible feeling! Tell me anyone what it was like after your seminar - did you feel excited or scared? Can someone tell me how they came to the decision? I'm just fed up with binge eating at night, gaining, then losing, gaining then losing, then gaining. It's time I owned up to happiness in my life, not depression and feelings of uselessness are overtaking me. Would love to hear from you! Bonifaccia

I was considering the surgery but didn't want the bypass. I am the type that researches everything before I make a decision. I looked at 2 different hospitals. The seminars were helpful in discovering what to expect and also what other options were available to me other than bypass. I like hearing about the options available so I would have time to think about it before I met with the surgeon.

Edited November 12, 2014 by Blerdgirl

[Bonifaccia 3]

Hello! So what did you end up having? And how are you feeling now? Hope all is well with you and things are going well for you congrats on the weight loss!

[BLERDgirl 6,417]

I did the sleeve. I'm 7 weeks post op and feel GREAT! I had a wonderful hospital experience. No pain at all, walking in recovery. No gas pains.

I am very pleased with my surgeon and medical team. They offer support groups at a variety of times and locations. They provided a helpful binder that literally walked me through the process from start to finish. The pre nutrition class was very informative. They carefully reviewed the various types of Protein drinks. The binder had 2 pages of suggestions to try. They also reviewed the Vitamins and supplements needed and again the binder had 2 pages listing what was needed. At my bariatric appts I met with the nurse practitioner, the nutritionist and the surgeon. The nutritionist always takes time to review my food diary and offer helpful suggestions.

I fell very comforted with this hands on approach that I am being guided into a new, healthier lifestyle.

Edited November 12, 2014 by Blerdgirl

[Bonifaccia 3]

Thank you so much for your response Blerdgirl!! Yes, I am comforted also, knowing that there is a team involved in my care. I know this is a long process, but that's great...this is a serious decision and you need time to (pardon the pun!) digest all the experience and know that this is the right thing for you to do. I'd like to think that maybe it's about 6 mos to a year from the time you make the decision to the final surgery - is that about right?

[stedfast01 11]

Depends on your insurance, mine was less than a month to get approved