POSTED UNDER Gastric Sleeve Surgery REVIEWS
The Start of my Journey Towards Being Born Again.....South Florida
ORIGINAL POST
I’ve been in this forum for almost a month now....
$150
I’ve been in this forum for almost a month now. I had decided to wait to visit my surgeon for the first consultation on 4/2/15 to tell my story.
I am currently 51, 5’ 3 ½” and 245 lbs., BMI= 43. I used to be a small thin girl when I was little and so flexible I could put my leg behind my head! As puberty came along I wasn’t such a thin child, but not terribly overweight, but as the years rolled around and for the rest of my life, I’ve struggled with weight issues. In 1993 before giving birth to my only daughter, I weighed 199 and was 29 years old. In the 2-3 years that followed, I managed to lose a lot of the weight but never got back to my weight pre-baby. Fast forward to about 15 years ago and since then I’ve been doing the traditional yo yo dieting, losing 20-25 lbs and putting it back + more, and then again, and again. Like most people I’ve tried everything (Nutrisystem, Jenny Craig, HCG, Quick Weight Loss, Atkins, Weight Watchers, pills, cabage diet, grapefruit diet, etc, etc, etc). There’s no surprise in the fact that my body has become resistant to losing weight. About 6 years ago I had attended a weight loss seminar at the hospital where I work. At that time only the gastric bypass and lap band were being offered. I knew for sure that the gastric bypass was not for me. I never had any interest in rearranging my intestines, and I couldn’t bring myself to make a decision for the lap band. So I dropped the idea of surgery altogether. Years after, on and off, I would think about the lap band again, do more research, reading pros and cons, and I just didn’t feel convinced of the lap band. About 2 or 3 years ago I heard of the sleeve for the first time and started reading about it, but again I felt that this was too drastic of a measure to lose weight and that I should try to do it the traditional way (AGAIN). Add to that the fact that my husband agreed that it was too drastic and was discouraging me from doing it. In 2013 again when I thought about this, I made the final decision that I did not want lap band as I didn’t want a device in me to lose weight. This was when I signed up for Quick Weight Loss Center and started walking a LOT more with my husband. In 4 months I had only lost 17 lbs. (Nov. 2013 – March 2014). That was pretty much the final straw in my discouraging journey. Since then I didn’t care to do anything anymore.
Just as a little background in my nutritional habits, I am not one to eat a lot of fast food or fried foods. I was raised with a mother who always cooked homemade and I lived outside of the US for many years, so I’ve grown up with good eating habits. Unfortunately I have a good appetite and of course I’m addicted to carbs and sweets. I know that losing weight slower is better, more effective, and healthier, but there’s a limit to that!!
Come 2015 and I have now reached 250 lbs. and at the beginning of March I called Dr. Brett Cohen, surgeon, and made that appointment for my first consultation. I sat my husband down and told him that I had finally made this decision and that I needed him to not be scared anymore, because I was leaving my fears aside. I was doing this no matter what, and that I needed his support now and I wasn’t going to change my mind. A couple of days after that I found this site and signed up for this forum. Everyone here has been a blessing, so supportive and not hesitating to share their experiences and advise. I think between March 6th, when I signed up and now, I went from being 90 sure of doing the surgery to 100%!
So today, 4/2/15, I have met with my surgeon. He’s as nice a guy and pleasant as the reviews I had read about him. So that was a big plus. He wanted to know what surgery I had in mind and why and how I had made that decision. What left me so discouraged was hearing that my insurance (remember, I work for a hospital and we are SELF insured) is requiring a 6 month nutritional/evaluation process prior to surgery. The doctor confirmed that a lot has changed with our insurance because they only used to require a 3 month process. This again made me angry towards our insurance because in the last 3 years they have changed many things for the worse. After giving myself a few minutes to let the steam out, my husband and I sat with a coordinator to discuss the next steps (nutritionist appts, cardiologist, pulmonologist, psychologist, etc). I managed to calm down and remember the end game and that I’m still fortunate that the insurance does cover my surgery, minus $150 co-pay. That…… I cannot complain about… but as I feared I have to arm myself with patience!!!
I think that’s it in a nutshell.
Until next time.
I am currently 51, 5’ 3 ½” and 245 lbs., BMI= 43. I used to be a small thin girl when I was little and so flexible I could put my leg behind my head! As puberty came along I wasn’t such a thin child, but not terribly overweight, but as the years rolled around and for the rest of my life, I’ve struggled with weight issues. In 1993 before giving birth to my only daughter, I weighed 199 and was 29 years old. In the 2-3 years that followed, I managed to lose a lot of the weight but never got back to my weight pre-baby. Fast forward to about 15 years ago and since then I’ve been doing the traditional yo yo dieting, losing 20-25 lbs and putting it back + more, and then again, and again. Like most people I’ve tried everything (Nutrisystem, Jenny Craig, HCG, Quick Weight Loss, Atkins, Weight Watchers, pills, cabage diet, grapefruit diet, etc, etc, etc). There’s no surprise in the fact that my body has become resistant to losing weight. About 6 years ago I had attended a weight loss seminar at the hospital where I work. At that time only the gastric bypass and lap band were being offered. I knew for sure that the gastric bypass was not for me. I never had any interest in rearranging my intestines, and I couldn’t bring myself to make a decision for the lap band. So I dropped the idea of surgery altogether. Years after, on and off, I would think about the lap band again, do more research, reading pros and cons, and I just didn’t feel convinced of the lap band. About 2 or 3 years ago I heard of the sleeve for the first time and started reading about it, but again I felt that this was too drastic of a measure to lose weight and that I should try to do it the traditional way (AGAIN). Add to that the fact that my husband agreed that it was too drastic and was discouraging me from doing it. In 2013 again when I thought about this, I made the final decision that I did not want lap band as I didn’t want a device in me to lose weight. This was when I signed up for Quick Weight Loss Center and started walking a LOT more with my husband. In 4 months I had only lost 17 lbs. (Nov. 2013 – March 2014). That was pretty much the final straw in my discouraging journey. Since then I didn’t care to do anything anymore.
Just as a little background in my nutritional habits, I am not one to eat a lot of fast food or fried foods. I was raised with a mother who always cooked homemade and I lived outside of the US for many years, so I’ve grown up with good eating habits. Unfortunately I have a good appetite and of course I’m addicted to carbs and sweets. I know that losing weight slower is better, more effective, and healthier, but there’s a limit to that!!
Come 2015 and I have now reached 250 lbs. and at the beginning of March I called Dr. Brett Cohen, surgeon, and made that appointment for my first consultation. I sat my husband down and told him that I had finally made this decision and that I needed him to not be scared anymore, because I was leaving my fears aside. I was doing this no matter what, and that I needed his support now and I wasn’t going to change my mind. A couple of days after that I found this site and signed up for this forum. Everyone here has been a blessing, so supportive and not hesitating to share their experiences and advise. I think between March 6th, when I signed up and now, I went from being 90 sure of doing the surgery to 100%!
So today, 4/2/15, I have met with my surgeon. He’s as nice a guy and pleasant as the reviews I had read about him. So that was a big plus. He wanted to know what surgery I had in mind and why and how I had made that decision. What left me so discouraged was hearing that my insurance (remember, I work for a hospital and we are SELF insured) is requiring a 6 month nutritional/evaluation process prior to surgery. The doctor confirmed that a lot has changed with our insurance because they only used to require a 3 month process. This again made me angry towards our insurance because in the last 3 years they have changed many things for the worse. After giving myself a few minutes to let the steam out, my husband and I sat with a coordinator to discuss the next steps (nutritionist appts, cardiologist, pulmonologist, psychologist, etc). I managed to calm down and remember the end game and that I’m still fortunate that the insurance does cover my surgery, minus $150 co-pay. That…… I cannot complain about… but as I feared I have to arm myself with patience!!!
I think that’s it in a nutshell.
Until next time.
UPDATED FROM Choripan's newbeginning2015
Appointments lined up....
So I've made all the appointments I can make so far:
4/15/15 - psych eval (God help me.....if you don't hear from me it's because they committed me!!)
4/16/16 - nutritionist (I'll be teach her a thing or two about eating healthy....cause you know we all know it all don't we?)
4/21/15 - pulmonologist (we'll see if I'll have to do another sleep study. Had one about 8 years ago)
5/5/15 - primary for yearly physical in addition to blood work the surgeon wants in advance
So I'll be busy for a while and I'm more than happy to get everything started. The cardiologist is the only one left and I was told to wait until closer to the end of the 6 month period (which is SUPPOSED TO BE closer to surgery....but only if the surgery approves it! We'll see how that goes).
Oh the joy...... :-)
ta ta for now!
4/15/15 - psych eval (God help me.....if you don't hear from me it's because they committed me!!)
4/16/16 - nutritionist (I'll be teach her a thing or two about eating healthy....cause you know we all know it all don't we?)
4/21/15 - pulmonologist (we'll see if I'll have to do another sleep study. Had one about 8 years ago)
5/5/15 - primary for yearly physical in addition to blood work the surgeon wants in advance
So I'll be busy for a while and I'm more than happy to get everything started. The cardiologist is the only one left and I was told to wait until closer to the end of the 6 month period (which is SUPPOSED TO BE closer to surgery....but only if the surgery approves it! We'll see how that goes).
Oh the joy...... :-)
ta ta for now!
Replies (19)
April 14, 2015
Sounds like you have it all under control. You are doing great. I have a few other bariatric companies for you: www.bariatricadvantage.com www.bariatricfusion.com www.celebratebariatrics.com
April 14, 2015
awww, you're the best!!! Thanks a million..... I started looking at Bariatric Choice....how are the products (shakes, drinks, bars?)
April 14, 2015
Too sweet for my taste. Pre-sleeve the sweetness wouldn't have been a problem, but it sure is now.
April 30, 2015
Congratulations on starting your life changing journey. Just from reading your post, you seem so organized. I had mine done in Mexico so I was able to skip all the extra steps that we have to take here in the states. I know you will be approved with no problem. Good luck on your journey to a better you.
April 30, 2015
thank you so much. I'm just a bundle of anxiety to be honest.....just trying to keep my calm, sometimes it works sometimes it doesn't....grrrr!
May 24, 2015
too funny, i just did my psych appt a week ago, i had to do a test, like a bubble in test, the most depressing questions i've ever had to answer in my life!!! thank goodness i passed lol, but noe they want me to do a sleep study, ughhh that one i'm going to fight.. but everything else i passed!!!now i have a one meeting i have to attend with my husband..ahhhg good times i tell ya lol
May 25, 2015
I've gotten a lot of things out of the way, still have a follow up with the pulmonologist as he agreed not to do another sleep study because I had one 7 years ago and was going to TRY to get the records of the results from that test but also gave me a script for a pulmonary function test. Only thing left for me to do is keep doing the monthly visit with the nutritionist and then the cardiologist but that wont be until towards the end of the 6 month period, I was told. Good luck with everything . I hope things get all lined up soon for you. Keep us posted.
UPDATED FROM Choripan's newbeginning2015
1 month down - 5 to go.......tick tock.....
So this Saturday it'll be 1 month since my first appointment with the surgeon. I’ve survived the first month of this 6 month wait period. I have to be honest as I haven't been that great with 'dieting' as they expect me to be for this evaluating period. Simply because when I made this decision to have surgery, I truly felt fed up with dieting and failing......so right now I feel stuck between what I ‘should’ be doing and what I don’t feel like doing. I'll do what I can, that's all I can do.
So as I move forward today I received my Unjury trial package so we'll see how these taste. I like that they send suggestions on how to use them.
Monday I have my rescheduled appointment with the pulmonologist....'"can't wait" to see if he'll want to do another sleep study or not. I had one some years ago, and oh surprise I needed a c-pap machine. When I received it I lasted 2 nights (of which I actually used it for 5 minutes) and returned it, and proposed to LOSE WEIGHT to resolve the issue…. aha......we all know how that went or I wouldn't be here. It’s no fun trying to sleep dressed like an astronaut.
Tuesday I have a yearly physical. I already got a sneak peak of the results and thankfully things aren’t horrible but could be better and I know getting healthy and losing weight will take care of that. I have been pre-diabetic since last year and that is the one thing I’m terrified of.
So as I move forward today I received my Unjury trial package so we'll see how these taste. I like that they send suggestions on how to use them.
Monday I have my rescheduled appointment with the pulmonologist....'"can't wait" to see if he'll want to do another sleep study or not. I had one some years ago, and oh surprise I needed a c-pap machine. When I received it I lasted 2 nights (of which I actually used it for 5 minutes) and returned it, and proposed to LOSE WEIGHT to resolve the issue…. aha......we all know how that went or I wouldn't be here. It’s no fun trying to sleep dressed like an astronaut.
Tuesday I have a yearly physical. I already got a sneak peak of the results and thankfully things aren’t horrible but could be better and I know getting healthy and losing weight will take care of that. I have been pre-diabetic since last year and that is the one thing I’m terrified of.
Replies (19)
May 1, 2015
Great read. Don't consider these 6 months to be a diet, more of a lifestyle change. Try to transition into low fat foods, lite breads, smaller portions, protein based meals and snacks, etc. You will be able to do this. That dreaded word "diet" is to be blamed for our past failures.
I thought the astronaut reference to the C-pap machine was hysterical. I didn't have to do a sleep study, guess I was lucky. But I qualified on my BMI alone. That says a lot.
Keep looking forward, the best is yet to come.
May 1, 2015
thank you always for your encouraging words! I agree with that, and yes I'm trying to make those changes. As I had mentioned in my original story I'm not the worst eater. I have learned a lot of nutrition through the years AND those 'diets' and I am very aware of the healthy way of eating, but I do fall on bad habits like eating too much carb!! I have considerably cut back on sweets. I'm avoiding buying any goodies for home. trying to eat more salads....and trying to focus more on the proteins but this does need more work. It's amazing with this process to realize how we don't give protein as much importance as it needs and this is definitely bringing it into the spotlight. With this process I am learning new things, no doubt. I know if I wasn't so stressed at work and so anxious I'd have a better handle on this.....and I will....I will..... :-)
May 1, 2015
Thanks for the update! The next 5 months is all about preparing yourself for life after surgery, so like Puppy's Mom says, don't think of it as a diet. It's the next stepping stone to a healthier you and a better life for you and your family!
If you fall of the wagon, wipe yourself down and get right back on it. Don't beat yourself up about it or it will make you not want to keep going. You can do this! :-)
May 24, 2015
during my 6months, i lost 20 pounds, how the hell i don't know, then at seven months it came back, all i could do was laugh, my doctor looked at me like i was crazy, i only laughed harder lololol... they didn't believe me when i told them my weight is up, and down, it has been for the past 12 years, so this 4 months was a joke to me, but whatevee it takes to get to the next step.. pre-diabetic is no joke, my mom is, and i'm doing this so i wont be, so I full understand your fear... praying this sleeve does all you need it to do my friend ;-)
May 25, 2015
Im right there with you there. Thats how I'm feeling about these months. I know my body and it has literally become resistany to losing weight, and that is no joke! so mentally I dont feel like even trying...nevertheless I do try to eat healthy and I've been buying and trying protein shakes to get familiar with the brands and in some cases i drink it as a snack instead of eating something. I reached pre-diabetic stage a couple of years ago, I try to control it by not eating so many sweets. That can easily be done. I do not want to put myself in the situation of needing meds to control it. That has run in my family as well eith grandmother and mother with pre-diabetes. So I totallt get you. So among other personal reasons why we are all here, we are also here to support each other. Even if it's only virtual we do all beed support and its nice to know we csn get it here.
May 25, 2015
yes, talking to you, and other on here has been such a great help to me, it's really been a blessing too me
May 25, 2015
thank you. Same here. Thankfully we dont need to do this alone.
May 25, 2015
I'm using UNJURY...doctor recommended...I add ice and drink it very cold...the chicken soup is great, but the water can't be hotter than 160 degrees...use it along with Benefiber...
May 25, 2015
Meaning 4x a day protein drink...3x per day Benefiber...also allowed a small salad...
May 25, 2015
thank you redhat. I have yet to try the unflavored, chicken soup, vanilla and orange ones.
May 25, 2015
Have only used the vanilla, chocolate and chicken soup...generally mix the vanilla and chocolate together 50/50...
May 25, 2015
I too use a C-PAP since April 2014... Since my diagnosis was listed as severe, I'm not expecting to get off the C-PAP, I'm really used to it and I use it diligently every night, and during the day if I must take a nap...I don't have a face mask, but rather a nose piece...
May 25, 2015
right yes I know which one you mean. But I'm sure when you lose the weight you won't need it any more. It is being overweight that restricts the airways and what causes sleep apnea.
Replies (48)
Here you go! So happy to join your journey with you. It's so hard to wait 6 months when you FINALLY made your decision to move forward both physically and mentally. You are in the right frame of mind...being grateful for what you do have. Remind yourself that 6 months is but a blip on the screen of life and you're on a path to a healthier and more confident You.