A record of my experience... from start to finish... rants and all!

[Smores 56]

I'm waiting for my doctor to call me to set the date. I'm praying for July 12th. I work at a school and this would give me time to recover and get used to my new life. I've gone through all my testing, meetings and have been approved by my insurance for a few weeks now. I can't really say it's been a long journey, but it seems like it. I pray that everything goes well for you. Keep us posted.

[njgal 535]

2 hours ago, Freija said:

Im checking in again...

I'm currently in Illinois but I've been all over the place from Michigan to Texas.

I just had my upper GI. Turns out I have a hiatal hernia. That's one test down anyway, I'm on my way to the lab for bloodwork then I have an appt. With the NUT this afternoon. Have you had any tests done yet?

Sent from my SM-G950U using BariatricPal mobile app

Upper GI.. hmm I don't have that on my list. I'm scheduled for an endoscopy next month and I've had the at-home sleep test.. other than that I have appointments with NUT every month when I go in to get weighed. I had to get the psych eval done too as well as an on the record session with a NUT (which is in addition to what I get monthly) but I think the only other thing left will be the bloodwork and the pre-op class at my surgeon's so we'll see.

Sorry to hear about your hernia; maybe they can fix that while they're at it?

[njgal 535]

2 hours ago, Smores said:

I'm waiting for my doctor to call me to set the date. I'm praying for July 12th. I work at a school and this would give me time to recover and get used to my new life. I've gone through all my testing, meetings and have been approved by my insurance for a few weeks now. I can't really say it's been a long journey, but it seems like it. I pray that everything goes well for you. Keep us posted.

Hey, good luck! Though I'm puzzled as to why you would be waiting for as long as you seem to have.. A few weeks since insurance has approved you and you're still waiting? Maybe you should call them and ask about this delay?

[MTL 54]

My hiatal hernia was repaired when I was sleeved, 5/24/17. What a relief it is to not have GERD/Acid Reflux or to need Rx's for these, as well as high blood pressure, diabetes & high cholesterol. I called my surgeon's office for cancellations & was able to get in two mos earlier for my surgery, which was great. Pain, stomach spasms & nausea were the greatest things to overcome just after surgery: I was up and walking the day of surgery & have kept that up. Ice chips help you right after surgery & then a little bit afterwards I had NS/No Gluten Lemon ices, popsicles & broths, which really helped me feel better. The morning after surgery, I had all these plus my 1st NS shake & drank H20. My 1 mo post-op on the 23rd showed I'd lost just a bit over 21 lbs. I measure my NS drinks w plastic glasses they gave me at the hsp & have just been able to tolerate H20 by itself this week: for some reason H20 is harder on the stomach I've discovered for many of us post-op. I teach H20 aerobics during the summer mos & have added treadmill & recumbent bike to my exercise plan, all approved & I can begin adding in yoga & Pilates Reformer at about 6 wks. I do nothing w/o the approval of my surgeon & although my next appt. is in Aug, if anything comes up, I can discuss it w them in anyone of the 3 post-op seminars they offer we patients or ask directly. I can eat a scrambled egg, but that's about all. Tried fruit in my shakes, but boy that ran right through me, as did NF cream Soups. I don't know if this is a fact that my gallbladder was removed in late 2012, but I'll retry re-introducing these things slowly 1 at a time at about my 8 wks post-op. Whatever you do, be proud of yourself & what you've accomplished to bring you to this decision, which will change your life in the best possible way. The only opinions that matter are your surgeon's & yourself, but having forums to discover what lies ahead on your journey has been a Godsend for me. I researched for over 2.5 yrs before I made the decision to move forward & I'm glad bc I found the perfect surgeon & weightloss medical group after mtg w two others for myself; yet, on the otherhand, I wonder "Why didn't I do this for myself earlier?" My answer is "all things happen in perfect timing during our life" so I don't beat myself up & now feel very happy w myself/my journey. Good luck everyone on your own journeys.

[njgal 535]

18 hours ago, MTL said:

My hiatal hernia was repaired when I was sleeved, 5/24/17. What a relief it is to not have GERD/Acid Reflux or to need Rx's for these, as well as high blood pressure, diabetes & high cholesterol. I called my surgeon's office for cancellations & was able to get in two mos earlier for my surgery, which was great. Pain, stomach spasms & nausea were the greatest things to overcome just after surgery: I was up and walking the day of surgery & have kept that up. Ice chips help you right after surgery & then a little bit afterwards I had NS/No Gluten Lemon ices, popsicles & broths, which really helped me feel better. The morning after surgery, I had all these plus my 1st NS shake & drank H20. My 1 mo post-op on the 23rd showed I'd lost just a bit over 21 lbs. I measure my NS drinks w plastic glasses they gave me at the hsp & have just been able to tolerate H20 by itself this week: for some reason H20 is harder on the stomach I've discovered for many of us post-op. I teach H20 aerobics during the summer mos & have added treadmill & recumbent bike to my exercise plan, all approved & I can begin adding in yoga & Pilates Reformer at about 6 wks. I do nothing w/o the approval of my surgeon & although my next appt. is in Aug, if anything comes up, I can discuss it w them in anyone of the 3 post-op seminars they offer we patients or ask directly. I can eat a scrambled egg, but that's about all. Tried fruit in my shakes, but boy that ran right through me, as did NF cream Soups. I don't know if this is a fact that my gallbladder was removed in late 2012, but I'll retry re-introducing these things slowly 1 at a time at about my 8 wks post-op. Whatever you do, be proud of yourself & what you've accomplished to bring you to this decision, which will change your life in the best possible way. The only opinions that matter are your surgeon's & yourself, but having forums to discover what lies ahead on your journey has been a Godsend for me. I researched for over 2.5 yrs before I made the decision to move forward & I'm glad bc I found the perfect surgeon & weightloss medical group after mtg w two others for myself; yet, on the otherhand, I wonder "Why didn't I do this for myself earlier?" My answer is "all things happen in perfect timing during our life" so I don't beat myself up & now feel very happy w myself/my journey. Good luck everyone on your own journeys.

Good advice, thank you. I guess everybody's varies just a little but but like you said reading these forums is excellent in preparation so thanks for sharing

[bigjoe1234 48]

!

[njgal 535]

Hello folks.... so I've been thinking about how some of the things discussed here are rather relative. I haven't really thought it through but what got me thinking was this one post (can't remember which one but it was one from years ago!) and the poster was my height and considerably more overweight when she got started. She was celebrating having come down to my current weight and was listing her current NSV as well. That got me thinking... so we are the same height and at that point in time the same weight and this was a big success for this poster and that was great... I mean I was genuinely happy for her as it had clearly been a while since she was that weight. But then I started thinking about how her [emoji106] was my [emoji107]... so I started wondering how much of this was perception.


H 5'6" HW 253, CW 245, TBS 9/19

[leahkatehanks 17]

I love your posts! I am scheduled for VSG on September 19th as well!

[njgal 535]

I love your posts! I am scheduled for VSG on September 19th as well!

Yay!!! Let's buddy up where, when, who... tell me everything


H 5'6" HW 253, CW 245, TBS 9/19

[lpritzker 3]

Hey Njgal I'm in New Jersey too! My insurance made me wait 6 months. It was very frustrating, but in the end I think it was a good thing. I only lost 3 or 4 pounds in the 6 months but I thought a lot about my habits and relationship with food.

I was sleeved 6/21 with Dr. Goyal at NJ Bariatrics in Springfield NJ (they have an office in Somerset too.) he is fabulous as is the whole office.

I was at Overlook hospital and stayed an additional night because I couldn't drink the 20 oz I needed to be discharged. The first few days were very tough but getting on the scale at day 6 and seeing I had lost 14 pounds was just incredible! And so motivating!

I'm on stage 2 now- eating soft foods. After 2 weeks of shakes this is a god send lol

Where in NJ are you? Who is you doc?

H 5'6 HW 299, CW 277 VGS 6/21

[anniesez76 3]

I have done my thinking and thought I was prepared. My appts have been done for the past 6 months which i think were definitely worth the wait. I eat and think totally different. I thought I was good before but jumping into something so quick would not have been good for anyone of us. I am preparing myself. i just have to get the endoscopy and chest xray and I will get my date. I do try my best to get Protein in all the time and try to stay low card for the most part. I am down 27lbs since i started nearly 300lbs. My worst nightmare was to go over 300. I am a mom of 3 and i just turned 40. I do not want my kids to be embarrassed of me being over weight although they have never ever felt that way that i know of. they kind of brag about me to their friends for the most part. We are all pretty unhealthy in my house. I am trying to show them all what good nutrion and health look like. I have hit a plateau for the past 3 months and started exercising. still have not lost a thing. weight is still 270lbs. Body is changing a little as far as gaining strength and flexibility so i am greatful for that. I look forward to getting my sleeve dispite what my family is saying. my parents ans sibilings are against surgery for weightloss. Bad knees and diabetes run in my family. All the woman in my family for the past 3 generations are all 300lbs or more. I dont want to be like them! I watch my aunt struggle everyday with bad knees. I watch my sister take diabetes medicine. oh i also have Hypo thyroid disease so I think this may play a part in my weightloss but how does that work with Surgery???

[njgal 535]

Hey Njgal I'm in New Jersey too! My insurance made me wait 6 months. It was very frustrating, but in the end I think it was a good thing. I only lost 3 or 4 pounds in the 6 months but I thought a lot about my habits and relationship with food.

I was sleeved 6/21 with Dr. Goyal at NJ Bariatrics in Springfield NJ (they have an office in Somerset too.) he is fabulous as is the whole office.

I was at Overlook hospital and stayed an additional night because I couldn't drink the 20 oz I needed to be discharged. The first few days were very tough but getting on the scale at day 6 and seeing I had lost 14 pounds was just incredible! And so motivating!

I'm on stage 2 now- eating soft foods. After 2 weeks of shakes this is a god send lol

Where in NJ are you? Who is you doc?

H 5'6 HW 299, CW 277 VGS 6/21

Hi there... I am totally starting to agree with the waiting period. Like you said, it helps though I certainly haven't gotten into any sort of prep mode yet.. losing weight or otherwise:) but does it have to be 6 months? [emoji12]

I bet 14 lbs in 6 days was motivating!! Can't wait to see my own numbers drop of course but hearing your success is great, congratulations.

I'm in Nutley and am scheduled with Dr Bertha in Morristown... who I think also has an office in Somerset.

Did you have to do the liquid diet for long pre-op?


H 5'6" HW 253, CW 245, TBS 9/19

[njgal 535]

I have done my thinking and thought I was prepared. My appts have been done for the past 6 months which i think were definitely worth the wait. I eat and think totally different. I thought I was good before but jumping into something so quick would not have been good for anyone of us. I am preparing myself. i just have to get the endoscopy and chest xray and I will get my date. I do try my best to get Protein in all the time and try to stay low card for the most part. I am down 27lbs since i started nearly 300lbs. My worst nightmare was to go over 300. I am a mom of 3 and i just turned 40. I do not want my kids to be embarrassed of me being over weight although they have never ever felt that way that i know of. they kind of brag about me to their friends for the most part. We are all pretty unhealthy in my house. I am trying to show them all what good nutrion and health look like. I have hit a plateau for the past 3 months and started exercising. still have not lost a thing. weight is still 270lbs. Body is changing a little as far as gaining strength and flexibility so i am greatful for that. I look forward to getting my sleeve dispite what my family is saying. my parents ans sibilings are against surgery for weightloss. Bad knees and diabetes run in my family. All the woman in my family for the past 3 generations are all 300lbs or more. I dont want to be like them! I watch my aunt struggle everyday with bad knees. I watch my sister take diabetes medicine. oh i also have Hypo thyroid disease so I think this may play a part in my weightloss but how does that work with Surgery???

Hey fellow mom and 40 year old [emoji2]

Think of yourself as the first in your family to take a step in the right direction and don't get discouraged if they don't immediately follow suit. Think about how long it took for you to get to this point. Everybody in their own time but you being the role model might just make all the difference.

Who's your surgeon? I would definitely ask him/her about the thyroid question. How is your pcp with your decision to go with surgery?


H 5'6" HW 253, CW 245, TBS 9/19

[lpritzker 3]

I didn't have to do the liquid diet pre-op- thank goodness!

[njgal 535]

I didn't have to do the liquid diet pre-op- thank goodness!

Yep, each surgeon is different. Mine only has me do day before.


H 5'6" HW 253, CW 245, TBS 9/19