POSTED UNDER Gastric Sleeve Surgery REVIEWS
Had the Sleeve Surgery on Sept. 3, 2013 and Happy!
ORIGINAL POST
Hi everyone, My name is Lisa and I am 37 years...
WORTH IT$850
Hi everyone,
My name is Lisa and I am 37 years old. I have to decide on Monday, August 5, 2013 which procedure I would like to do. I qualify for both. I have no co-morbidity symptoms except sleep apnea (and am not sure if that's genetic or from obesity). I am 5'7" and weight about 280 lbs.
Insurance has cleared me for the surgery...just have to do an EKG, chest x-ray and abdominal sonogram and blood work.
I am extremely nervous about both procedures.... both have risks and benefits. I understand that Bypass is the gold-standard and that the sleeve is relatively new. My surgery team really says that the outcomes (weight loss, diet changes, etc. will be about the same) and its up to me to choose the surgery. Both seem very scary to me... so I would like to hear from you about how you made the decision.
Thanks,
Lisa
My name is Lisa and I am 37 years old. I have to decide on Monday, August 5, 2013 which procedure I would like to do. I qualify for both. I have no co-morbidity symptoms except sleep apnea (and am not sure if that's genetic or from obesity). I am 5'7" and weight about 280 lbs.
Insurance has cleared me for the surgery...just have to do an EKG, chest x-ray and abdominal sonogram and blood work.
I am extremely nervous about both procedures.... both have risks and benefits. I understand that Bypass is the gold-standard and that the sleeve is relatively new. My surgery team really says that the outcomes (weight loss, diet changes, etc. will be about the same) and its up to me to choose the surgery. Both seem very scary to me... so I would like to hear from you about how you made the decision.
Thanks,
Lisa
UPDATED FROM LisaM2013
1 month pre
Surgery Date - September 3, 2013
Hi all,
I finally have a surgery date and it will be Tuesday, September 3. I decided on the sleeve surgery. I am excited and scared at the same time. I am in the process of scheduling the remaining exams-- EKG, chest x-ray, abdominal sonogram/ultrasound, and blood work. I also have the nutrition class tomorrow (August 8) where I will pick up the liquid diet foods that I will eat/drink the two weeks prior to surgery. I guess now is the time to start trying protein drinks and different powders.
This process will feel more real to me after I pick up the two-week meal replacement drinks. The first time I will see the "drastic" changes that I will be making. Right now, I am slowly cutting out caffeine, and have stopped drinking carbonated drinks and alcohol. Right now, I am doing tests and exams.and the surgery date is still a month away. The endoscopy was the first time I had anesthesia, and since I did that procedure at the hospital where I will have my surgery, I now have a feel for how the process will work for surgery.
I finally have a surgery date and it will be Tuesday, September 3. I decided on the sleeve surgery. I am excited and scared at the same time. I am in the process of scheduling the remaining exams-- EKG, chest x-ray, abdominal sonogram/ultrasound, and blood work. I also have the nutrition class tomorrow (August 8) where I will pick up the liquid diet foods that I will eat/drink the two weeks prior to surgery. I guess now is the time to start trying protein drinks and different powders.
This process will feel more real to me after I pick up the two-week meal replacement drinks. The first time I will see the "drastic" changes that I will be making. Right now, I am slowly cutting out caffeine, and have stopped drinking carbonated drinks and alcohol. Right now, I am doing tests and exams.and the surgery date is still a month away. The endoscopy was the first time I had anesthesia, and since I did that procedure at the hospital where I will have my surgery, I now have a feel for how the process will work for surgery.
Replies (8)
August 7, 2013
Yay! Glad you decided and have it set. I am doing all of the above stuff you mentioned as well. Just scheduled the pre-op and meeting with the anesthetist. I'm getting nervous but I am so excited to just get it over with and be thin by Xmas! Even told my husband if I look good I will buy a fancy party dress and we can finally go to his company Xmas party :)
August 7, 2013
We can help each other! I am also moving to a new home on August 17! I start the optifast diet on the 20th of August! I just want to get past the surgery to where I am feeling better and back to normal! I know the first 2 weeks will be rough. I do so hope you can buy the dress you want and have fun at your husband's Christmas party! :)
August 8, 2013
my email is [RS bleep]@yahoo.com :) I'm going August 20th to do the pre-op. Supposed to start the all liquid Sept 4th. They said I only need to do it one week prior to surgery! Thank Goodness!
August 10, 2013
Congrats on setting your date, it sounds like it's all becoming real now! I hope everything goes really well for you.
I'm a little jealous that you got anesthesia when you had your endoscopy! ;-) I was awake and it wasn't the nicest of experiences, but it's all for a good cause!
August 11, 2013
OMG! I can't believe they did that with NO anesthesia! The first time I had one they did not give me enough and I remember everything! This time I told the doctor and he said "no way! you will be knocked out" and I was!
August 11, 2013
Ugh, I wish I was knocked out. I just had a throat spray to numb the back of my throat. Hopefully I never have to do that again!
August 11, 2013
I picked up my pre-surgery food on Thursdays. My surgeon uses optifast, and will have 4 protein shakes, one soup and one bar per day for two weeks. I did my blood work today, have my pre-op visit with my surgeon on Thursday. I have my final exams on August 22. I bought some chewable vitamins today from GNC and some trial packs of protein powder. I also bought some pre-made shakes from Costco. I also bought a camera...need something to focus on while I am recovering from surgery.
August 11, 2013
Look into Unjury Protein Powders. They make all kinds of flavors, even chicken soup!! And it's good! The vitamins they sell are chewable and free of any ingredients from China ;)
We have a whole foods here that carries a powder called Thin-Berry Opti-Curb in Cinnamon Twist which was really good too.
UPDATED FROM LisaM2013
20 days pre
Last Day of Food as I know it....
Tomorrow marks my two week mark before surgery. I start the pre-operation diet tomorrow. The forms say I can expect to lose up to 25 lbs in these two weeks. I sure hope so, and will be happy with any weight loss! I will take my before picture tonight and post to my profile. I have my chest X-ray and abdominal ultrasound and last nutrition class before surgery all on Thursday (August 22). I should be done will all doctor appointments until surgery.
I can't believe surgery is 2 weeks away. I am slowly telling my close friends at work about my surgery. I am not sure about the rest of my colleagues...am planning to just say I am out on leave...I guess they will figure it out as I lose weight. Maybe I won't mind them knowing after the surgery.
I moved into my new condo over the weekend....have lots to unpack and get organized. I hope to have it done all before surgery so I have a nice clean home.
I can't believe surgery is 2 weeks away. I am slowly telling my close friends at work about my surgery. I am not sure about the rest of my colleagues...am planning to just say I am out on leave...I guess they will figure it out as I lose weight. Maybe I won't mind them knowing after the surgery.
I moved into my new condo over the weekend....have lots to unpack and get organized. I hope to have it done all before surgery so I have a nice clean home.
Replies (1)
April 11, 2015
No, it's not. Your change will be a welcome one and you won't, well I don't feel deprived! Good luck and congrats on your new home!
Replies (6)
Hey there, welcome and thanks so much for sharing your journey with us!
Congrats on getting your insurance clearance!
I'm having my sleeve surgery in September. Next week I'm scheduled to have my blood work, chest x-ray, abdominal ultrasound and then the week after, my pre-op appointment. It's a lot to remember!
I was like you, choosing between the sleeve and the bypass, but I eventually decided on the sleeve. The sleeve gives similar great results to the bypass, but it comes with a lot less risks and complications. Which is why I went with the sleeve.
Please do keep us updated with your progress!