POSTED UNDER Gastric Sleeve Surgery REVIEWS
Starting a new life at 40!
ORIGINAL POST
I am 39 years old and a married mother to 3 kids...
$62,000
I am 39 years old and a married mother to 3 kids (19,16,&14). Numerous times over the years I have researched bariatric surgery. Each time I stop short of actually attending a seminar. Well..... I went to the bariatric surgery seminar on 06/30/15. After listening (with my very supportive husband) to the surgeon, psychiatrist, and a prior patient, I decided that I would like to pursue the vertical sleeve gastrectomy. I have my first appointment with the surgeons office to go over my insurance company's requirements on 07/28/15. I am excited. I barely qualify without a medical condition (my BMI is 41). I have Cardiomyopathy with a pacemaker/defibrillator, but that is not an "approved condition" so I will likely have to get my cardiologist to say that I need the procedure. This should be an interesting journey and I am excited to be getting it started.
Replies (9)
July 23, 2015
Hi, Laurieshill! Welcome to the forum :-) Everyone here is wonderfully supportive and helped me make the decision to go through with the surgery......and I'm so glad I did! There are lots of helpful hints that are shared as well. Kristy is right, write down everything as you will forget when you get the opportunity to ask. Remember, this surgery is a tool to help you eat less. There's still healthy foods to choose and exercise to do, but the tiny tummy is a big help.
I wish you well in this journey. I'm 5 weeks out and a total of 44lbs down (pre and post surgery weight) . Best thing I ever did!!
I wish you well in this journey. I'm 5 weeks out and a total of 44lbs down (pre and post surgery weight) . Best thing I ever did!!
July 24, 2015
Thanks. I appreciate the help. I can't wait for my appt with the surgeon's office on Tuesday.
July 26, 2015
Hi Laurie: So happy to read a post from someone who lives close to me. I'm in Sacramento, CA and I am about 3 months away from surgery I hope. I'm still going through the required classes but will be done with them in 2 months. I look forward to following your journey and I wish you the best of luck. Take care.
July 26, 2015
Nice to see someone close by too! I will be following your journey as well. You are at least a few months ahead of me in the process. Good luck to you as well.
September 2, 2015
Hi Laurie: Hope you are doing well. It's been a month or so since I posted an update. I'm getting closer to my surgery date. Yay!!! Just had my first appointment with my surgeon's dietician. I will meet with the surgeon hopefully by the end of this month or the beginning of October. Planning for a mid-November surgery date. Any updates on your journey?
July 30, 2015
Thanks Laurie. I will definitely post my journey as I get farther along in the process.
February 2, 2016
I had a lapband 10 years ago. I am getting it taken out as the band shifted and my stomach has herniated up through the band, rendering it ineffective.
I did not lose 1 pound until my DO corrected my thyroid condition. My previous family doc has me on synth roid for 20 years without improvement. My weight gain was the perfect storm of the wrong anti depressant (Zoloft caused me to gain 100 lbs!) my hormones were out of wack, I was deficient in many minerals and vitamins from yo-yo dieting for so long. I went to an Endocrinologist armed with the info from my DO. It wasn't until I switched to the anti-depressant, Wellbutrin, changed my thyroid Med to Tirosint, got on bio-identical hormones to ease me through menopause and beefed up my vitamin D. Even though I do not have diabetes, my DO put me on Metformin to help me better process carbs. The weight started coming off! I still needed a diet so alternated between Atkins and the HCG shot diet. The weight MELTED OFF! The band or sleeve only helps you if you were a HIGH VOLUME eater. I was a nibbler who made bad choices. Cheetoes, beer, cookies, candy, all slipped thru the band easily. So unless you can sit down and eat a 12 inch sub in one sitting, the surgery won't help. I am now a size 10, had a tummy tuck and weigh
I did not lose 1 pound until my DO corrected my thyroid condition. My previous family doc has me on synth roid for 20 years without improvement. My weight gain was the perfect storm of the wrong anti depressant (Zoloft caused me to gain 100 lbs!) my hormones were out of wack, I was deficient in many minerals and vitamins from yo-yo dieting for so long. I went to an Endocrinologist armed with the info from my DO. It wasn't until I switched to the anti-depressant, Wellbutrin, changed my thyroid Med to Tirosint, got on bio-identical hormones to ease me through menopause and beefed up my vitamin D. Even though I do not have diabetes, my DO put me on Metformin to help me better process carbs. The weight started coming off! I still needed a diet so alternated between Atkins and the HCG shot diet. The weight MELTED OFF! The band or sleeve only helps you if you were a HIGH VOLUME eater. I was a nibbler who made bad choices. Cheetoes, beer, cookies, candy, all slipped thru the band easily. So unless you can sit down and eat a 12 inch sub in one sitting, the surgery won't help. I am now a size 10, had a tummy tuck and weigh
UPDATED FROM loser4life
1 year pre
First Surgeon Appt
This afternoon I had my first appointment at the surgeon's office to go over my insurance's requirements. I weighed in at 239.6 lbs, I am 5'4", and my BMI is 41. I have to do the 6 month physician supervised diet which mean 5 more monthly appointments to the surgeon's office. I need a psychological evaluation. The surgeon's office will request my last 2 years medical records from my primary care physician. Lastly, I have to get cardiac clearance.
I met with the PA and the insurance coordinator. They were both very friendly and helpful. I was a little embarrassed and ashamed by my need for bariatric surgery and they made me feel really comfortable. My next appointment is September 2nd. If all goes smoothly, I should be getting sleeved around February-March 2016.
I met with the PA and the insurance coordinator. They were both very friendly and helpful. I was a little embarrassed and ashamed by my need for bariatric surgery and they made me feel really comfortable. My next appointment is September 2nd. If all goes smoothly, I should be getting sleeved around February-March 2016.
Replies (3)
February 2, 2016
......Oops and weigh 160 down from 318! So before you go under the knife, get all of those things checked by a good endocrinologist and you may not need the surgery. So only get the surgery if you are a "high volume" eater NOT a "bad choose" eater. I'm getting my bad removed in March. Good luck!
Hi there, welcome to the WLS community!
Good look with your appointment, I hope it goes well. Make sure you take a list of questions with you (start making it now) because it's easy to forget what you want to ask once you're in the room.
We have a very active Sleeve Forum, if you're looking for support. There are hundreds of other sleevers in there and we're all on the same journey.
You should also check out the links below to some guides, which may help you prepare.
Sleeve Gastrectomy Guide
Food Survival Guide
Nutritional Guide
Good luck and please keep us updated with your progress.