POSTED UNDER Gastric Sleeve Surgery REVIEWS
44 Year Old Mom of 3-Time to Take Control! - Portland, OR
ORIGINAL POST
I am 44 and the Mom of 3 boys, my youngest is 16....
WORTH IT$18,000
I am 44 and the Mom of 3 boys, my youngest is 16. I am 5'9" and weigh @ 280. I am relatively healthy, no diabetes, high blood pressure, ect. I have tried just about every diet under the sun. I lose a good amount of weight, but it always comes back (and brings friends). The last 5 years have been brutal. It has gotten so much harder to keep the weight off. I am losing the battle. It is time to take control... I have been researching weight loss surgery for the last 6 months. I have read literally hundreds of reviews. I have decided that I want to get the sleeve. I finally worked up the nerve to spring my idea on my husband. I was so nervous what his reaction would be. Surprisingly, he listened to my song and dance and asked a few questions about safety and recovery. He then told me that he didn't think I need it but if I really want it he would support me. He knows I don't go into anything without a lot of research and would not make a life changing decision impulsively. I cannot describe how good it felt to have finally have it out there and have his support. I have also confided in my best friend and have her full support. I've decided that I am not telling anyone else (not even my kids or parents) for now. I may change my mind in time but for now I'm good with just these 2 knowing.
I have my first appointments on Thursday. I am excited. I meet with the nurse practitioner first, then I have an appointment with the dietician immediately after. And then a physical therapy evaluation. My I insurance will not cover the surgery so I will be self pay. I am hoping to be able to have surgery in 3 mths or so. My goal is 150-160. I am hoping to be well on my way before my 45th birthday in December. I will post more after my appointments on Thursday.
stef1271's provider
Replies (8)
March 31, 2016
Welcome and good luck to you! I am nearing the end of the pre-op process! I have one more nutritionist appointment on 4/8/16 which is also the day I get to pick my surgery date!! I am very excited and ready to get it over with!
May 16, 2016
I told my close friends, my parents and sister! Honestly if I had to do it over again I would not have told anyone but my husband! It's not that I care that people know but I feel like it consumes you! I'm almost three months post op and down almost 40 lbs! People are really starting to notice and I hate when they ask me how I did it , I feel like I'm lying but my response is eating less and working out! That is the truth I just leave out the part about surgery!
June 10, 2016
I just had my surgery Tues. I am very happy to have taken this step. It's been a hard couple of days but I know this will be worth it. During my surgery they found that I had a hiatal hernia. So I pretty much got a two-fer. Congrats on taking this step. I also kept my decision between my husband and kids. Eventually as it got closer I told my bff, parents and finally co-workers.
UPDATED FROM stef1271
3 months pre
The ball is rolling now...
I had my first consultation today. Actually 3 appointments. The initial consult with the Nurse Practitioner. We went over all my options. She agreed with me that the sleeve is probably the best option for me. I think I need to get a new scale. I weighed more at the clinic than at home. ???? and I'm pretty sure I wasn't wearing 10 lbs of clothes. I weighed 292. I have never weighed that much. I wanted to cry. So the good news is I don't have to do a lot of extra exams because I luckily don't have a lot of health issues that tend to go hand in hand with weight. I have to lose 15 lbs. As long as I get my psychological exam, EKG, mammogram, labs, and nutrition classes done I am good to go. She said I could have surgery by early June. YAY!!
I had my first meeting with the nutritionist after the first appointment. We went over both the pre-surgery and post surgery diet. Gave me a sample of the Unjury protein powder, and some tips on vitamins. I have another meeting in about a month and then one more in May.
Then was the physical therapy assessment after the nutrition appt. She gave me some strength building exercises to start doing now to make recovery easier.
All in all it was a great experience. I feel even better about my choice to take this step. The staff is so nice. They are quick too. Before I even left the parking lot I got a call to schedule my psychological evaluation. All set for Monday April 25th. Feels like June is so far away, but I'm sure it will go fast.
Has anyone dealt with Prosper Health lending? Just wondering if they are easy to work with. They are who the clinic suggests.
I also could use any suggestions or tips for preparing for this journey. Thank you in advance.. ????
I had my first meeting with the nutritionist after the first appointment. We went over both the pre-surgery and post surgery diet. Gave me a sample of the Unjury protein powder, and some tips on vitamins. I have another meeting in about a month and then one more in May.
Then was the physical therapy assessment after the nutrition appt. She gave me some strength building exercises to start doing now to make recovery easier.
All in all it was a great experience. I feel even better about my choice to take this step. The staff is so nice. They are quick too. Before I even left the parking lot I got a call to schedule my psychological evaluation. All set for Monday April 25th. Feels like June is so far away, but I'm sure it will go fast.
Has anyone dealt with Prosper Health lending? Just wondering if they are easy to work with. They are who the clinic suggests.
I also could use any suggestions or tips for preparing for this journey. Thank you in advance.. ????
Replies (4)
March 11, 2016
I'm so happy for you and excited that you now have an idea of when it will be. What type of strength training exercises did they suggest?
You are right, it will go quicker than you can imagine but we are all in this together. Mine is now 4 days away. I have lost a total of 11 lbs since the last weigh in and am hoping to drop a little more before the surgery. Don't worry about the scale at the doctors office. Mine was about 3 or more pds heavier as well. It will not matter soon enough when you drop all of this weight. You are in my prayers.
You are right, it will go quicker than you can imagine but we are all in this together. Mine is now 4 days away. I have lost a total of 11 lbs since the last weigh in and am hoping to drop a little more before the surgery. Don't worry about the scale at the doctors office. Mine was about 3 or more pds heavier as well. It will not matter soon enough when you drop all of this weight. You are in my prayers.
April 3, 2016
I am 46 years old female. 280 lbs. 274cm. No children. No diabetes, slightly higher blood pressure. I will have a gastric sleeve in Mexico mid May 2016. I am travelling from New Zealand. I can't wait.
UPDATED FROM stef1271
3 months pre
This is really happening...
Things are moving along much faster than I ever imagined they would. At my initial appointment I was given "homework". This consists of losing 15 lbs, getting lab work done, mammogram, 2 nutritionist appts, psychological evaluation, and EKG. I have lost 4 lbs so far and got my lab work and mammogram done last Friday. I am scheduled for my 1st nutritionist appt on 4/11 and my 2nd one on 5/9. My psychological eval is set for 4/25. I am in the process of scheduling an appt with my PTP so he can order the EKG.( Hoping my insurance will cover it if he orders it, since they won't cover anything related to or ordered by bariatrics. I am paying out of pocket. ) My doctors office says I am possibly looking at surgery mid-to end of May.
I ordered a sample pack of protein powders from Unjury that should be here any day now. I am going to start trying different protein drinks to see what I like. Any suggestions would be great! And I just bought a new Ninja blender for Smoothies and such.
I am SO excited.. and a little (lot) nervous. But I know this is the right decision.
I am downloading a picture that is the catalyst for me starting this journey. It was taken last fall on a trip to the beach. When I saw it I was mortified. It was a very defining moment. Whole I hate this picture with a passion, it is also one I am grateful for because it pushed me to do something to take my life back. ????
I ordered a sample pack of protein powders from Unjury that should be here any day now. I am going to start trying different protein drinks to see what I like. Any suggestions would be great! And I just bought a new Ninja blender for Smoothies and such.
I am SO excited.. and a little (lot) nervous. But I know this is the right decision.
I am downloading a picture that is the catalyst for me starting this journey. It was taken last fall on a trip to the beach. When I saw it I was mortified. It was a very defining moment. Whole I hate this picture with a passion, it is also one I am grateful for because it pushed me to do something to take my life back. ????
Replies (5)
March 30, 2016
Hello and God's blessing . I too am scheduled to have surgery o April 5th, 2016 in Boca Raton , Florida. I am very excited ! I have been on a liquid diet since March 21st and I am very ready to have this surgery. The Gastric Sleeve. I am using protein powders with almond milk, the premiere protein shakes from Sams Club, chocolate, vanilla and strawberry. By the way the vanilla is too sweet and the strawberry taste gritty when almost finished. The chocolate is good . I've had the chocolate and vanilla before when dieting. I also am using bariatric protein liquid with 18 grams of protein that I bought on line at Bariatric Choice. Com I the cherry flavor. 30oz bottle $29.00 . Taste very good , I add it to my bottled water .
Proteinex -18 liquid protein.
Only 72 calories per serving, no fat, no sugar, no carbohydrates and no phosphorus, with 18 grams of protein and it taste good in water ! Great huh! I PLAN TO PUT IT IN MY GREEK YOGURT FOR FLAVOR. I also bought small shots of protein from Big lots for $1.00 WITH 15 GRAMS OF PROTEIN. Tropical twist or strawberry splash. Don't get the ones with energy, they have caffeine, which you shouldn't have. I bought of of them . Because at the vitamin shoppe and GNC they are $3.99 - $5.00 if not more.
Probalance protein shot. 3oz bottle. I haven't tried them yet. I'm sure they will be tolerable for one dollar ☺. I also bought Myoplex protein shake chocolate fudge 40 grams of protein, 1 pint 1 gram of sugar, 7 grams of fat, 560 mg of sodium, i also look at that too. Big lots as well for $2.00.
I bought True Lime and True Lemon 100%all natural ingredients. Twelve little packets in a box at the The Dollar Tree store for one dollar. Also Walmart has them for two dollars. This liquid diet is very hard !!!! I started two days earlier I was so excited. I advise you not to do that
Proteinex -18 liquid protein.
Only 72 calories per serving, no fat, no sugar, no carbohydrates and no phosphorus, with 18 grams of protein and it taste good in water ! Great huh! I PLAN TO PUT IT IN MY GREEK YOGURT FOR FLAVOR. I also bought small shots of protein from Big lots for $1.00 WITH 15 GRAMS OF PROTEIN. Tropical twist or strawberry splash. Don't get the ones with energy, they have caffeine, which you shouldn't have. I bought of of them . Because at the vitamin shoppe and GNC they are $3.99 - $5.00 if not more.
Probalance protein shot. 3oz bottle. I haven't tried them yet. I'm sure they will be tolerable for one dollar ☺. I also bought Myoplex protein shake chocolate fudge 40 grams of protein, 1 pint 1 gram of sugar, 7 grams of fat, 560 mg of sodium, i also look at that too. Big lots as well for $2.00.
I bought True Lime and True Lemon 100%all natural ingredients. Twelve little packets in a box at the The Dollar Tree store for one dollar. Also Walmart has them for two dollars. This liquid diet is very hard !!!! I started two days earlier I was so excited. I advise you not to do that
March 31, 2016
Thanks for the suggestions! I will definitely check them out. I don't have Sam's club here but I think Costco has the Premier drinks.
Good luck next week! So exciting!! My doctor hasn't mentioned the liquid diet yet but if he does I will be sure not to start early. ☺ Good luck!! I will be watching for an update.
Good luck next week! So exciting!! My doctor hasn't mentioned the liquid diet yet but if he does I will be sure not to start early. ☺ Good luck!! I will be watching for an update.
April 3, 2016
Thank you for the information. Very helpful. I am having gastric sleeve mid May in Mexico. I am travelling from New Zealand
March 31, 2016
Good luck to both of you. I am 9 days post-op and all ready feel better. Don't get too stocked because what you like before the operation may change "a lot". I loved my chocolate milk shakes and now I am avoiding them. So far plain vanilla is my fav but that depends. Also milk is giving me pain. Try to have healthy food as well as the milkshakes because the 2 weeks liquid diet post op feel like it last forever! Still 5 days more before next stage.
Cheers!
April 1, 2016
SOOO excited for you! Congratulations! I was sleeved on Dec 16th and I wish I had done this sooner :)
I can't wait to be a week out from surgery. I will definitely be checking your blog. I am sending positive thoughts your way and can't wait to hear how you are doing. Good luck!