I have always been fairly active and ate healthier foods more often than not. When I smoked I could maintain 176 lbs., no matter what I ate. That weight is in the overweight category for my 5'2" frame, but because I worked out I wasn't flabby. When I decided to quit smoking, I knew I was going to gain weight, but my logic was, it's worse to smoke than be overweight. When I quit 8 years ago, I gained 30 lbs. in 30 days--putting me over the 200 lb. mark. It took me a full year to get over my nicotine addiction, and to this day, it is STILL the hardest thing I have ever done. I can't tell you how many times I lost the same 10-15 lbs. -- over and over again. Then, 2 years later, I was diagnosed with Hashimoto's disease (low thyroid). I could still lose the 10-15 lbs. if I worked hard at it, but once my body would lose the weight, I would plateau....for months at a time.....and I could NEVER lose much weight after that. And, then, I hit 60. And it was as if my metabolism ceased to exist. I bought a Fitbit and meticulously calculated calories in/calories out, and I SHOULD have been losing 1/2 lb. - 1 lb. a week; Instead, I continued to gain--until I reached my all-time high of 230 lbs. Add to that a diagnosis in January 2015 of a "very large hiatal hernia." That thing pushed so far into my diaphragm that I was out of breath just walking to my car. I could no longer go to the gym or walk 4 miles a day like I did in the not-too-distant past. When I visited my endocrinologist in April 2015, she asked me if I'd heard of the gastric sleeve. I said I had, and from that moment she planted the seed. I couldn't do anything about it until my daughter's May wedding was over, but then I made an appointment with Dr. Paul Enochs of Bariatric Specialists of NC. I saw him in mid-July, and started jumping through all the hoops to get insurance clearance. I went to see him for my pre-op visit on Wed. Sept. 22, and when he looked at my x-rays, he said, "you have a REALLY big hiatal hernia." Then he told me that he could still do the sleeve on me, but chances are, in 3-4 years I'd be back with another hernia and I'd need a gastric bypass. Did I want the gastric bypass? No. I preferred the sleeve. But, I only wanted to do this ONCE, and I trusted Dr. Enoch's judgement. So, 6 days later -- before I could lose my nerve -- my surgery was done. I had the hernia repaired, the gallbladder removed, and the gastric bypass. And I feel great! Still have a way to go, but every day I get stronger and stronger, and I don't regret my decision at all. I know I will lose slower due to my age and hypothyroidism, but I'm okay with that--as long as I continue to lose. As far as pain, the first 3 days were the worst. The gas was bad, but was alleviated by simethacone--once the nurses saw that walking wasn't doing the trick. I'm still on the liquid diet. I don't like it, but I can do ANYTHING for 2 weeks :) I'm very excited to introduce the semi-solid phase of the diet next week! Periodically, I'll update you as to my progress. When I was researching weight loss options, I found this site, and there weren't many testimonials from people my age. Hopefully, my post will help other 60-somethings get excited about the possibility of a new lease on life! Photos will come later. Updated on 15 Oct 2015: I go to my 3-week follow up appointment with my surgeon on Oct. 20, and I have my 6-month check up with my endocrinologist Oct. 22. In preparation of my Oct. 22 appointment, I got my blood work done. I had no other co-morbid conditions prior to surgery; The only medication I take is synthroid. Test results for things like cholesterol, vitamin D, A1C, etc., were SUPER, except for my TSH. For years, synthroid has kept my TSH at around 1.0. Results of my bloodwork taken 2 weeks post-op show a TSH level of 5.040--about the level it was when I was diagnosed with Hashimoto's thyroiditis. I researched the effect of RNY gastric bypass on the absorption of synthroid, and I think my dr. will put me on liquid T4. That seems to work with patients who have thyroid issues and have RNY gastric bypass. I'll post what the doctor says after my appointment next week, but if you are considering this surgery and have thyroid disease, discuss with your endocrinologist before surgery. Updated on 21 Oct 2015: I went yesterday for my 3 weeks post-op appointment and I am 17 lbs. down. I am very happy with these results! I have no problem getting all my fluid and protein down, and I'm walking 5 miles or more a day. I feel like a million bucks! On Monday I go in to see the nutritionist for my soft foods diet class. Can't wait! Updated on 26 Oct 2015: I have lost 19.4 lbs. at my one-month anniversary! Today I visit the nutritionist to learn how to prepare my soft foods meals, so hopefully, I can start the 6 small meals a day tomorrow. I did visit my endocrinologist about my thyroid numbers going up. She wasn't really sure why that happened. For now, I am to take one extra synthroid a week, and we'll start doing my bloodwork monthly until we get my numbers regulated. I feel incredible! I walk 5 miles a day, and can plan to go back to the gym by Thanksgiving. The surgeon wanted me to hold off on lifting weights until 8 weeks post-op to give my hernia repair time to heal. I cannot believe how well I've done, and I am so happy I moved forward with this decision! Updated on 6 Nov 2015: I have enjoyed these last couple of weeks on soft foods--rather than the tedious liquids phase every 15 minutes--but I have noticed this: 1. It's MUCH harder now to get all my fluids in; working is a distraction. 2. I'm an early riser. I get up at 4:30 am and go to bed at 8:30 pm. I'm having a lot of trouble getting 6 meals in a day on an "every 3 hours" schedule. I just cannot eat the minute I get out of bed, and I HATE having to eat a meal 30 minutes before I go to bed. 3. Monday is my 6-week weigh in, and I'm pretty sure I am already stalled. My BCBS caseworker says it's because I'm not always eating the 6 meals. I told her I wanted to try and do 5 meals a day and still get the same caloric intake as I would with 6 meals, which she approved to try. I have downloaded an app to help me track my protein and calories, but if anyone knows of a free app designed expressly for bariatric patients, I'd love to check it out. I'm certainly not discouraged; I knew my journey would be slower than most. For me, the best part of this journey is that I feel better than I've felt in about 10 years, and I no longer dread getting older. :) Updated on 10 Nov 2015: I'm down 20.5 lbs. I only lost 0.2 lb. last week, though, so I hope this isn't a pattern. I've begun to try some crock pot recipes in order to provide more variety. I've learned a very hard lesson, though. If I don't chew chicken really, really, really well, it gets stuck in my pouch and hurts like the dickens! I've had no problem with shredded beef thus far. I haven't tried salmon yet (my favorite fish), but that is on the list. I really wish I liked cottage cheese, but it's a texture thing. I do eat it, though, covered in cinnamon and a little whole leaf stevia. I look forward to the future when I can start incorporating fresh salads, nuts, and fruits -- with the hope that it helps the chronic constipation I've suffered with all the protein consumption. I go back in a week or so for more bloodwork to see if my TSH levels are better regulated. I'm hoping with that gets back to "my normal" the weight loss will improve. Still no regrets! Still feel great! Updated on 16 Nov 2015: I went to my Blue Cross site and looked at all the claims....and I am stunned at the actual billing vs. what was paid for in-network services of my gastric bypass. From the day I visited the bariatric surgeon on 7/21/15 to my post-surgical follow up appointment on 10/22/15, total amount billed has been $85,561. Amount paid by BCBS has been $40,880.43. My deductible was $250, and my copayments were $435.31. So, total cost, when all was said and done was $41,565.74. I would never have been able to afford that out of pocket, and if I'd had t pay for it myself, I would have definitely considered the Mexico option. Updated on 23 Nov 2015: I'm down 27.2 pounds -- currently weigh 200.2 lbs. I hope to be in Onederland at my 9-week weigh in. I won't know how to behave.... I still have lots of issues with chronic constipation, which has been the only downside to this whole journey. I keep hoping that when I can start eating salads and such that this is going to ease up. I go back to the doctor Dec. 22, so that's a discussion I'll have...... Updated on 30 Nov 2015: This morning's results: 197.8....So, 2.4 lbs. lost this past week! Hopefully, by next Monday I will surpass the 30-lbs. lost mark. I almost weigh less than my husband now...just a few more weeks :) Still suffering -- a lot -- with chronic constipation. I am now taking a laxative daily for 7 days to try and "retrain the bowel." I had the worst episode EVER while I was off over Thanksgiving. It is quite debilitating. It's very hard getting vegetables in when protein is the #1 priority, as well as getting fluids in. I'm not sure if this affects sleevers as much as bypass patients, but most of the comments I've read from constipation sufferers come from bypass patients. Time will tell, but I suspect I will be one of those little old ladies that has to take daily laxatives for the rest of my life. I'm working hard to prevent that and I haven't given up yet, but given my history since toddlerhood, I suspect my body is going to be unwilling to cooperate. And, I'm okay taking a little bit different path than I expected to get where I want to go--as long as I can remain healthy and vital in my golden years! And on another front....I am on monthly labs for a few months to see how my weight loss is affecting my hypothyroidism. A few weeks after my surgery my TSH levels were as high as when I was diagnosed 7 years ago and I was scared that my body was not absorbing my synthroid. I was tested a week and a half ago and everything was in the normal range, so I'm happy with that! My dr. is also tracking my calcium, iron, B12, etc., to insure the vitamin supplements are being absorbed. I hope everyone has a marvelous week. I took the day off today and I'm headed out (in the rain) for a relaxing walk around the lake behind my neighborhood. Updated on 7 Dec 2015: This past week I decided to focus on this chronic constipation I've had since having bypass surgery. Thanksgiving weekend was the worst I'd ever had, so I decided I had waited long enough to introduce some fresh greenery. My dad, who was disabled at a young age, had a lot of problems with constipation. But, he always said, "if I can have my beans and greens, all is well." So, last week, I started eating salads for lunch. I stayed away from iceburg lettuce, since it's known to be constipating, and I didn't put hard to chew veggies in the salad. I included some black beans and eggs for protein. I also added a little guacamole instead of salad dressing. Then, every morning when I drank my coffee, I went to the bathroom (retraining the "urge"--bought a Squatty Potty). Voila. Success! Oh. And I did not lose this week; I maintained. But, I was also unable to walk every morning last week because of the "retraining" I was working on. However, this morning I was back on schedule in both the bathroom and walking department! Sorry if this was TMI; I only record this for those who may have the same issues. I'm so happy to have found something that works for me, and now I feel like I can get back to the business of weight loss....
Hello everyone! I started my journey to VSG a May 2nd 2017. My insurance is BCBS, and so far I have completed the upper GI, EKG, CXR, Psych, & Nutritionist. I still have my sleep study to complete and get a letter and/or documentation from my Primary Doc stating I have attempted weight loss continuously in the last 12 months. I heard from my Batriatric Doctor that there is a possibility I will be denied if BCBS does not accept the forms I have. ( recorded medical records are as followed: April 2016 my first visit is notated that I wanted to loose weight and she went over diet and exercise options. March 2016 I was prescribed Apidex to assist with weight loss. Oct 2016 more weight loss notes were added to my chart) I'm hoping to pick them up Friday. I'm Worried it will not be enough and my insurance denies me. I'll honestly be devastated, BC I've put so much time and effort into getting this done. Updated on 2 Jun 2017: Current pics 246lbsish Updated on 17 Jun 2017: Hello everyone! My insurance was approved and I am so happy!. I'm going through a range of emotions as i have always been a thicker woman, and I know my body will drastically change. I started my liver reduction diet and I'm able to have 4-5 shakes a day with one lean meat and veggie meal for dinner. I'm trying to get used to drinking my meal... it is a lot to get used to! My final visit with my surgeon is 6/22/17, My surgery date is penciled in for 6/26. ONE WEEK AND A DAY AWAY! I've requested 10 days off from work, hoping that is enough. Id love any feedback or advice leading up to this.
So I have been lurking around the site for months, now I am 5 days away from surgery. Getting scared, excited, nervous and all other emotions possible. This site has been very helpful during my research and information seeking. Every time I had a thought or a question during my process thus far, I could go on here and find that someone else has the same thought ! I have been in the yo-yo for 25 years. As an adult I weighed about 140 which was comfortable. I had my first child at 20 and my last at 40. From the first to the last I have lost the same 20-30 pounds about 20 times! The least I have weighed as an adult since the age of 21 is 213, current weight 232. I am 5'2" I can't wait to be a normal weight again!
