Lifetime of Weight, 3 Surgeries in One, Approved in One Week, and Scheduled to happen in 8 days. Need Support Like Never Before!

[ellie123 374]

Hello everyone my name is Ellie and I am about to get a sleeve on September 29! This was all very sudden and unexpected unlike some folks who have researched this for many years and gone through a long qualifying process, I have stumbled onto this procedure through a very roundabout way and in a matter of weeks I was approved. I am 37 years old and I weigh 270lbs at 5.8", I am hypothyroidic, I have sleep apnea and I'm prediabetic at this time.

A Little history: In 2007 I weighed 273 pounds! I had mild sleep apnea but aside from that I was relatively healthy. I had the Lap band procedure done mostly because I did not like the way I looked. But the band yielded very little results, despite 13 fills and unfills to adjust, I never achieved an ideal restriction and was always hungry the weight that I did lose was because I was starving and working out and then I plateaued at about 245 pounds.

Then I got pregnant in 2009 I decided to take all liquid out of the band (complete unfill) so that I could eat tons of vegetables and fruits. Funnily enough during the pregnancy and the one that followed I actually lost weight!? I guess something to do with the baby and the restriction I felt because the baby was pushing against the the band. At birth I was 214lbs. But as soon as my children came out in 2010 and 2013, even as I breast-fed, I was completely ravenous and the pounds returned at an alarming rate. So I have found myself right back to where I started at 270 pounds. Only this time mother nature has not been so kind...

I am prediabetic and my sleep apnea has returned with a vengeance! On a day to day bases I ache and hurt like an old rickety roller coaster! I feel like I am walking through Jell-O all the time everything has just slowed down. Even so, being busy with a three-year-old and a five-year-old and being a full-time working mom I put myself in last place and have not focused much on trying to lose the weight. It's basically been, whatever I need to do to make it to the next day! I have ignored the aching that my body feels on a day-to-day basis and how hard it has become living and getting around at this weight. I have ignored the emotional and social impact of my weight, or maybe ignored is not the best word, more like drowned out with more food. And I experience some of what most mothers will relate to, I don't want to be in pictures with my children because I feel like I ruin the pictures with my presence. But even all this did not bring me to a decision to refill my lapband or do anything about it until a few weeks ago...

In unrelated events I twisted funnily and managed to cause harm to my port. I was in severe pain like having stitches after running but the pain never went away. So due to that event, I finally went back to see my bariatric surgeon and upon further examination I was told that my port had ripped out of my muscles and was now flipped. Great!

It was then that my surgeon told me that my options were to repair the port and try the band again or do something different. He recommended I try the sleeve because if I was initially unsuccessful with the band chances of me being successful the second time around were slim to none. I had heard about the sleeve before but never really in-depth.

I also have gallstones and have had two attacks which I feel is not enough to warrant surgery but my surgeons seem to think differently. They say the gallbladder wall has thickened and that it is a matter of if and not when I will need to have it removed

I hate surgery I do terrible with general anesthesia it takes me hours and hours of tortured nauseated foggy horrible sickness and pain to come out of it. And there is nothing I want more than to avoid having to go through another surgery. However My surgeon sent me to other surgeon who specializes in lap band revision who said he could perform all three surgeries at one time!! He would take out the Lapband remove my gallbladder and perform the gastric sleeve. And we are close to maxing out our yearly insurance maximum out of pocket, so if approved these procedures will be completely at no cost to me!!

If I have to go under the knife anyways, I reason, I might as well get as much stuff done at one time, so that I don't have to go under the knife several times. I have not had too much time to do research on the sleeve or get emotionally prepared for the journey ahead but I have spent the past few weeks ferociously researching and ferociously reading up on it and doing a lot of soul-searching realizing that given my Freewill to eat, I am killing myself by being morbidly obese.

My doctor submitted the proposal for surgeries to my insurance and I prepared for a long wait. However a week later I found myself getting approved by my insurance and my doctors office saying September 29 is available so start your diet now!! WOA?????

No time for food funerals, no time for that last binge, no time to take a cruise which I love to do because of all the deliciousness, and no time to deliberate too long. I do have an option of doing it at the next available date in November but that would be very close to holidays and who knows what other circumstances could arise to prevent me from having the surgery at that time.

It seems like all the factors have aligned together perfectly... my job is willing to let me go for that period of time the surgery will cost me nothing I can do three in one surgeries and I can have it relatively soon so that I don't have an agonizing time to wait and stress about it. It's like it's now or never. Most reviews I've read have people saying they wish they had done it sooner.

I have already started my pre-op diet which means I would've only been on it for 10 days versus 12 like most people. And unlike most people rather than being on full liquids I have been placed on a South Beach supercharged phase 1 diet that includes lean meats, low-fat dairy and vegetables.

I am finally wrapping my brain around what is about to take place mentally emotionally and physically. I have stocked up on many things and thanks to all you wonderful sharing caring people that have taken time to share your journey I have had a chance to very quickly catch up on all the information that I will need to be successful.

But I'm so scared and so nervous not even about the liquid diet following surgery , (although, my coworker who got the sleeve weeks ago says that she is hungry all the time), or anything like that but of the surgery itself of being under Anastasia, of the pain I will feel when I wake up, and I wonder if I will miss the stomach that God gave me with which I was born...I'm sure all these things have crossed your mind too. And because my Lapband failed I fear that if this procedure does not work for me and I shall be that one anomaly for whom this did not work, there is not much else to be done. And since this is so life altering and Permanent, I don't know where to go from there if it does not work out for me. I know...I know...not thoughts I should be thinking .., but I'm being candid and sharing from the deepest parts of my heart the secret fears that I have, I would never admit to anyone.

Any words of encouragement advice, solidarity, anything will be so very much appreciated at this time! Like many of you my weight loss journey is a very personal and private one and I don't have much support from the few friends with whom I have shared this information.

I am sorry this has been long, but the welcome letter encouraged that we share details about our experience and I hope that Sharing this much will give you a more in-depth insight into my personal journey struggles and fears.

Sending you blessings and green lights, Ellie

[Margie122 845]

Hi,

I didn't have a band revision, but I did have the sleeve. I think if you can get all 3 done at the same time that would be great. I was sleeved on 8/17. I was readmitted after surgery for 3 more nights because I had severe nausea and dry heaves. Once they got that under control I was fine. I had my gallbladder removed years ago - I remember the gallbladder attacks as being awful - I felt like I was having a heart attack and they made me vomit.

I wish you all the best. I can tell you that I AM SO HAPPY I made the choice to get the sleeve. It's been a life changer. I think you will do well.

BEST OF LUCK!

[jane13 2,256]

@@ellie123 - I started out with roughly the same stats and I am very happy that I got my sleeve and like you mentioned I wish I had done it sooner. I was also pre-diabetic and hypertensive. I probably have sleep apnea as well but that has not been diagnosed. My experience has been very good. I have had no issues. I do eat more calories than most and therefore my weight loss hasn't been as phenomenal as others but I am losing and that is my goal. I have some personal drama right now and honestly I haven't been as diligent with my Water & Protein the last two weeks and the scale has shown it.

IMO if I had three surgeries that I could wipe out in one, I would jump on it. My WLS was my first and hopefully my last intrusive surgery. I had wisdom teeth and surgery on my finger where I was put under and I hope I have done my last.

As far as the liquid diet post-op unless the co-worker has the same doctor the diet may be different. Generally the liquid diet is two weeks +/- to give your tummy time to heal post-op. I had 3 days, then on the pureed food, like scrambled eggs, tuna, etc. I had started a pre-op diet before my surgical appointment and like you I could've had my surgery about 9 days later. I wanted to be first in for surgery that morning so I ended up having it about 2-1/2 weeks later.

Your fears are not uncommon - follow your doctors orders and you will be fine. There are a lot of people here who have "been there and done that" and we can chime in on your concerns and guide you back to your medical team for serious physical questions/symptoms/concerns. The "mental" part of it is where we can help best -

Good luck and I have your seat saved here on the losers bench!

[Fatty McFatster 888]

Thanks for sharing your story. I have had a similar journey in regards to the lap band. I was successful losing weight with it for a while, but had complications and the weight came back.

I am hoping to have the band to sleeve revision surgery soon, but I'm currently having to jump through a few hoops. Grrrrrr.

I have some of the same fears as well. Fears that the sleeve will fail since the lap band did. But I think these fears are normal.

Anyway, I'm happy you made the decision to do something about it and equally happy (and jealous...lol) that your surgeon and insurance are making this process quick and painless.

Good luck to you!!

Edited September 21, 2015 by Fatty McFatster

[ellie123 374]

Thank you all SOOOO much for your response. Just being heard by folks in similar shoes makes a HUGE difference for me.

Not sure if I mentioned, but it took me 2 years, MANY hoops, pre-op diets, nutritional consults, phyc evals etc and 2 denial letters, before I finally got approved for my Lapband back in 2007. So basically they used that pre-qualification. So whatever I was spared "insurance wise" this time, I had already made up a while back. I think the philosophy is "You qualified for the band, it failed, we'll take it out, and replace it with something else".

Margie122, OMG, you have done so well! Your weight loss has been amazing, and the fact that despite all the nausea issues, you still do not regret it is very encouraging! (Nausea and Vomiting by the ways, is one of my worst fears...I've heard of people wearing the ear patch the day before surgery.....maybe I need to ask about that...). But congratulations on your amazing success! Hugs!

SLIPSHOD, Thank you for sharing your experience, and the encouragement to knock em out! I don't know your starting weight but regardless, 63lbs is no chump change (certainly not something I've been able to do in a 4 month period on any diet!). I bet your blood chemistry is so much improved! I can't wait to join you on the "loser bench" lolol...Blessings and love dear!

Fatty McFaster, looks like we are rocking in similar boats! LOL But not for long. Like I mentioned above, I was not spared the insurance game the first time around, I pray your approval is swift! We'll do this together, so help us God! I am looking forward to your name being changed to Slimmy McSlimster Hugs!

[Fatty McFatster 888]

Fatty McFaster, looks like we are rocking in similar boats! LOL But not for long. Like I mentioned above, I was not spared the insurance game the first time around, I pray your approval is swift! We'll do this together, so help us God! I am looking forward to your name being changed to Slimmy McSlimster Hugs!

Thanks so much!! I might just have to do that once I have the surgery and lose the weight again. I lost 115 lbs with the band (before I gained it back due to complications), but know I can do it again with the help of the sleeve.

We can do this!!! Only 1 more week for you! That's so exciting!!

Please keep us posted along the way.

[ellie123 374]

I will! Whats the best way to keep everyone posted? In this thread or is there another way?