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POSTED UNDER Gastric Sleeve Surgery REVIEWS

READY FOR A CHANGE - Gastric Sleeve - Birmingham, AL

ORIGINAL POST

I am dealing with a lot of health issues and have...

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krjones
WORTH IT$500
I am dealing with a lot of health issues and have been dealing with weight my entire life. I've tried every weight loss program, diet pill, fad diet there is and nothing has been successful. I am now turning 50 this year and I refuse to go one more year feeling and looking like a blob. I am scheduled for surgery on September 22. I weight 230 but my frame is small so I should be around 125. I have degenerative disc disease in my low back and I take heavy narcotics for pain. I also have a bladder disease that I hope to get rid of after I have cosmetic surgery to remove breast implants (which will be scheduled after I lose weight). So my goal is to get off all the meds and prolong my lifespan. It will be wonderful to exercise again, wear cute clothes and not feel so tired all the time. I am super excited to go on this journey and I joined this site for the support you ladies generously give.

krjones's provider

W. Scott Pennington, MD

Bariatric Surgeon, Board Certified in General Surgery

Replies (2)

August 19, 2016
WOW! I hope everything goes smoothly. You sound like you are hurting and want real change. Think positive, you can and will reach your goal with hard work. Normally, I don't type this much but I too used to weigh 228 at my heaviest and my knees were hurting A LOT. I got a very experienced personal trainer who helped me strengthen my quadricep muscles (among other things) but I see her 5x a week. Today there is no pain or crunching in the knee anymore. My advice would be to workout with a trainer (once you've recovered) regularly and build some muscle to prevent SOME sagging skin after major weight loss, and muscle helps burn fat too (too many benefits to list). When I read your post, I was sad to see that you referred to yourself as a "blob", don't self-depreciate like that, you are a strong and brave woman that wants a normal BMI. We often hear cheesy lines like "the change starts from within", but it's true. I used to eat junk food all day every day and I only felt sleepy and lazy afterwards (not to mention weight gain etc). Now when I see bad food I think "I deserve to feel full of life and energy, not guilt" and it might sound stupid but little things like that truly help me to stick to healthier foods. Love yourself, even right now where you are, and with the changes you want to make. Embrace it! YOU GO GIRL! I'M ROOTING FOR YOU ALL THE WAY
I am curious; normally this surgery costs thousands but you have the price listed at $500, why is it so affordable?
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August 19, 2016
Ok, you are officially my pep squad! Thanks for the kind words of encouragement and I appreciate your insight. I will post pictures soon. I want to give a full body pic so everyone can see the progress I make through the year. My health insurance is covering the procedure. My husband has a great plan with his job so we have no out of pocket, the $500 is basically the surgeons fee $300 and hospital fee $200.
UPDATED FROM krjones
15 days pre

16 DAYS AND COUNTING

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krjones
I can't believe that I start my 2 week diet tomorrow. Am I actually saying goodbye to my favorite drink - Coke? I will miss you terribly! I can't believe I am doing this but I know it is the right thing to do. Also I go in today to meet with the nutritionist and psychologist and order my food for the two week diet. I wish it would hurry up and get here. The anticipation and then the regret is sometimes too much.

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September 13, 2016
You got this. Your story is so similar to mine. I started out at 235 and at 5'2 with degenerative discs and a slew of other issues, I knew I wanted to make a change before I turned 50.
Well had my gastric sleeve Dec 30th, and by the time I turned 50 in August, I was a totally different person. I am down to 140 now and most importantly, I can sleep better and have energy to boot.
I miss my coke still, but when I look back and see all my changes, I realize it is not worth it.
Good luck!!! Although you will be fine
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September 13, 2016
Thanks so much, that is just what I needed to hear.
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September 13, 2016
Anytime. Keep in touch and let us know how it went. If you have any questions do not hesitate to ask
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September 14, 2016
Thanks so much!
UPDATED FROM krjones
1 day pre

2 DAYS TIL SURGERY

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krjones
Tomorrow I go on all liquid diet and drink the magnesium citrate, fun! At least I get to leave work early which will kick off 12 days of time off I am taking. I am believing for a easy recovery period and downtime. I'm not anxious at all. More curious about the new me and how I will look 100 lbs lighter. I've never been skinny, ever.... And yes, I do want to be skinny. I want to live the remaining years of my life as a waif. Seriously, I am doing this for #1-health and getting out of all the risk categories. I am beyond tired of having no energy or motivation to do anything. I've actually been moving around more these last few weeks than I can remember. It kind of reminds me of nesting...like when I had my children. The anticipation of bringing home a child except I'll be bringing home a new pouch! I've been reading a lot about clean eating and I'm definitely going the organic route. I figure if I gotta be picky about what goes in my pouch than I might as well put good things in there. I haven't stayed on my pre-diet too good. The first three days I lost 5 lbs. But then I started thinking about these dishes and desserts that I would not eat anymore so I fudged a little.

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