My Gastric Sleeve Journey

[TRClark23 41]

Hello everyone!

I'm new to the forum and didn't really know where to begin, so I figured why not start a thread about my journey?

So, I've always been kind of obese (there were a few years that I lost a lot of weight sticking to a low carb diet) I hovered around 300lbs give or take for many years. In 2012 during a divorce, I ballooned all the way up to 365lbs and I swore I'd never get to that point again. I started doing low carb and got all the way down to 235lbs before getting re-married and gaining back about 50lbs. During COVID in 2020, I just completely fell apart and ended up getting to my all-time highest weight of 385lbs.

I drive trucks for a living and in August of 2022, I had to go for a sleep apnea test and I failed miserably. Failing the sleep apnea test put my career in jeopardy. I decided immediately afterwards to contact my local hospital about bariatric surgery and immediately started a 6 month program in October, 2022. Since I had already had the sleep apnea test and failed, I'd already knocked that part out at least.

I literally just got back from my final doctors appointment and they told me that it's up to my insurance provider to approve or deny me for surgery. I'm really excited but also really nervous. The only time I've ever stayed in a hospital overnight was to take my sleep apnea tests.

I started this journey at 385lbs, today I weighed in at 365lbs. I had my ups and downs, but I'm really looking forward to this journey and really looking forward to getting to know everyone and to share my journey.

[Synlee 17]

Good luck on your journey!.. I will have my VGS on Monday It's been a long 7 month process to get approved, but surgery day is near.. Nervous but ready!

[TRClark23 41]

15 minutes ago, Synlee said:

Good luck on your journey!.. I will have my VGS on Monday It's been a long 7 month process to get approved, but surgery day is near.. Nervous but ready!

Congrats! How has the liquid diet been for you so far?

[Synlee 17]

17 minutes ago, TRClark23 said:

Congrats! How has the liquid diet been for you so far?

Not to bad, In the beginning it was a little rough, took a few days for my stomach to adjust to just having liquid, and now I have been getting a little bit of nausea here at the end stretch, but from all that I have read that is common.

[Jeanniebug 473]

Welcome!

[ChubRub 1,702]

Hello and Welcome!! Fingers crossed for a quick insurance approval, and then you will be off to the races!!

[Fred in Pa 234]

Welcome!

That insurance wait is torture. Having someone you never met holding the strings to your future….sucks!

Im sure it will be fine and you will be on your way to a new life.

I will say a prayer for you on your journey and for a quick approval!

[NovaLuna 710]

The approval can take awhile. It took them 3 whole weeks to approve mine so try not to stress if they take their time. Welcome to the site though and wishing you the best on your journey!

[NP_WIP 274]

Welcome and good luck on your journey!

[theProcess 13]

Hi, I just came upon this site! Wow! This is awesome, good luck on your journey! My Sadi-s is Tuesday and I’m nervous because I have white coat anxiety bad, but I’m staying prayed up and I’m praying for you new friend!

[kcuster83 1,504]

Hello and welcome! This forum is full of information and opinions! Just remember, listen to and trust your doctor.

BEST WISHES!

[theProcess 13]

Thanks KCuster83. Yeah my doctor has put me at ease from the jump. So I know I’ll be a ok!

[TRClark23 41]

Thank you everyone, I appreciate all of the kind words and well wishes. I can't wait wait to get started. ☺️

[mcipanda 121]

Welcome! Like many of us, you’ve had some ups and downs… as my doctor would say, it’s all part of the obesity disease. There are good reasons to approve you for the procedure, so try not to be too nervous 😬 haha easier said than done right? Best of luck to you!

[TRClark23 41]

9 hours ago, mcipanda said:

Welcome! Like many of us, you’ve had some ups and downs… as my doctor would say, it’s all part of the obesity disease. There are good reasons to approve you for the procedure, so try not to be too nervous 😬 haha easier said than done right? Best of luck to you!

Yeah, never thought I'd say I was happy about having sleep apnea and high blood pressure, but here we are! 😂

Thank you