My sleeve journey

[VSjrs 43]

So it all started June of 2015, I weighed myself for the fist time and realized how much I had let myself go. I had always been a chunky kid but growing into a "fat" adult is hard. So I did my research and found the perfect doctor. I proceeded to make an appointment for July, they told me that I was a candidate and went to my first class the next day. I finally felt a wave of relief. The next few months were challenging but I finally had my final class as well as a surgery date, which was supposed to be December 29th. However, there was an error made and I was denied by insurance. I was heart broken because I felt like it was not realistic for me to get the sleeve, one because I had a whole new deductible in January and two because I just felt defeated. Well I resubmitted any ways and ended up I couldn't pass this down. I was on Monday the 4th of January and my surgery date was the 11th of January. I was so excited and ready for this journey that I was about to start.

The 11th rolled around and my nerves didn't kick in until I was in the pre op room. It took 10 different tries and 4 different nurses to get the IV in my. I am a baby about needles as it is so of course my nerves started to kick in. The next thing I remember after signing the consents is waking up in recovery in the worst pain I had every felt in my entire life. I could actually feel where my stomach was gone, soon after that the nausea kicked in. The next 4 days were filled with being poked with needles, vomiting, being woken up to walk, and not being able to eat or drink anything. I had the support of my family, and my boyfriend was there helping me every step of the way. Helping me to the bathroom, helping me in the shower, getting nurses for me. Without him and my family I wouldn't have made it through this.

On the 4th day I was released from the hospital and had a 4 hour drive home. It was awful. The next two weeks consisted of still vomiting, lots of tears, and lots of regrets. Finally at week 4 I started to feel normal, I was not longer nauseated and I could keep everything I consumed down, including Vitamins.

I am sitting at exactly a month post op and there are so many things I've learned.

1. It is worth it

2. Regret is normal

3. Listen to your body

4. You will feel normal again

Of course this is very trial and error, I am figuring out what I can tolerate and what I cant.

I have lost 35 pounds and I feel happy again. Of course this surgery isn't an easy fix and its just a tool, but so far, I've never been so sure of a decision I've made than I am at this moment.

[Spiceyfrog 269]

Great post! I know it is hard for people to believe and trust that it truly does get better every day! I never really had any regrets, just remember feeling so run down. Listening to your body is so very important and I still have to remind myself of that today at eight months post op. If I listen, I know when I cannot take that one last bite and have to throw it away or I will be throwing it up!