Before & After VSG with ItsTimeNow99, losing 101 pounds!
April 24, 2018Why I Decided To Have WLS
Weight had been a struggle for me all my life. It became the norm for me to lose and then gain back what I had lost and more. There was always a reason for unhealthy or excessive eating. Reasons such as school schedules, work schedules, marriage, divorce, kids, emotional support, you-name-it, at some point in time, one or more of those reasons came into play.
But the bigger issue was that I never saw myself as obese. I was tall and could carry more weight without looking as heavy as I was. But my joints dealt with the brunt of all that excess weight. As the years passed, my joints, particularly my knees, began to show the result of years of abuse to the point of limiting my activity. I had looked into weight loss surgery a few years before, but it was not covered by my insurance.
Fortunately, a co-worker found that our health insurance changed and WLS was covered as long as it was by a surgeon in a particular area. I immediately made an appointment with my PCP, who had been pushing me to have knee replacements. I explained to my doctor that I wanted to try WLS first, rather than replacing both knees with the knowledge that I would have to have the replacements redone due to my age and the amount of time an artificial knee can be in place.
One important note to anyone trying to get WLS approved by insurance - don't take no for an answer.
My PCP sent his referral to the insurance who immediately contacted me to advise that I didn't qualify. The referral the insurance company received had my height documented incorrectly and did not include the discussion at every PCP visit about how bad my knees were. My case manager at the insurance company went to bat for me and got all the needed documentation. I went back to my PCP and had my height re-measured and my medical record amended to include my correct height. I was approved within a day, so again, don't take no for an answer!
Do your research!!! Read the boards at ObesityHelp; ask the questions of people you know who have either had WLS surgery, your PCP, your WLS office. Not every WLS practice is the same, but more knowledge is better than none.
I started tweaking my eating habits and thought processes about food in general even before I went for my first WLS visit. I incorporated protein shakes into my daily routine, as well as lots of water and more focus on protein, which paid off since I lost 14 pounds before surgery.
My first visit with the Behaviorist and Nutritionist was mid-August 2016. I was cleared for surgery by the end of September and was sleeved on October 12, 2016. Getting my mind and eating wrapped around the expectations post-surgery and incorporating that mindset pre-op played a huge role in this short turn-over process for a surgery date.
Before & After VSG with ItsTimeNow99
OH Username: ItsTimeNow99
Weight loss to date: 101 pounds
Surgery Type: VSG
Surgery date: October 12, 2016
Surgeon: Dr. Sajani N. Shah
My Surgery and Post-Op Life
I cannot sing the praises of the entire WLS team – office, surgical suite, alike. I had no anxiety at all the day on my procedure. The most difficult part for me was waiting since my surgery was scheduled for 3 pm. My surgeon was able to use the trocar sites from my gallbladder surgery the previous year, so I have only 5 tiny scars – another win, win!
My surgery took a little longer because my surgeon also repaired my hiatal hernia, so the two being done at the same time was definitely worth the extra time. I no longer have heartburn, reflux, or GERD – bonus! I spent two nights in the hospital, due to the late day surgery and having a 6-hour ride home.
Needless to say, I don't remember much about the first night, since I didn't get back to my room until after 8 pm. The next morning I went to Radiology to have the 'leak' test and once I was cleared, I was started on my clear liquids.
I walked periodically during the day and evening and the only discomfort was finding a comfortable position to sleep since I'm a side sleeper. I was discharged home the next day and cleared to add soft foods as well as having several prescriptions, which I never filled. I didn't need them. Once home, I took two extra strength acetaminophen upon arrival and nothing from that point on.
I took two weeks off from work but could have easily gone back in one week. I do work in an office so if my job was more strenuous, at least two weeks would have been the best. At my two-week WLS check-up, I was cleared to start introducing dense protein, and haven't looked back since.
I walked, ate protein, drank water, and focused on my vitamins and felt my body being reborn. I lost consistently, not massive amounts at once, but the scale moved at every week's weigh-in. I also took the advice of my Behaviorist and took my measurements pre-op and continued to take them once a month post-op. I've had two 3-week stalls in a year, but dealt with it with the knowledge that the body also needs time to assimilate all the changes it's been through. Even when the scale didn't budge, the tape measure showed my progress until my body decided everything was good and the scales registered success.
Special Milestone / Non-Scale Victory
It's been the most awe-inspiring journey since having my two daughters. My only regret would be that VSG wasn't an option back when I was younger.
- I still weigh and measure my food, and log everything I eat or drink on My Fitness Pal. This gives me a sense of security because I know that with time also comes the potential regain of at least a few pounds. But I also know that when that happens, I can go back to my food logs to a point where the losses were consistent and get right back on track.
- I can walk comfortably again, and hike, and even run.....now that is a rush. I finally was able to get in the kayak this summer and enjoy the serenity of the lake in the early morning without worrying about how I was going to in or out. I can walk for hours at big box stores with concrete floors without pain.
- I stood for four hours at not one but two concerts.
These all may seem like small things but to me, they are the huge NSVs! I have my life back, the quality of that life is A++++++++++. What more could any 64-year-old ask for!
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