Tuesday Question of the day

ALOT OF NEW FACES I THOUGHT IT WOULD BE NICE TO GIVE A CURRENT UPDATE ON US....

Are you pre-op/post op?
How far pre/post are you?
Whats your story on which surgery type you choose?
What has been the hardest part of your jouney so far?
What has been the easiest part of your journey so far?
Is there anything that you would do differently that might help the next person to know who is starting the journey?
How did you choose the right dr for you?
Are you happy with the results?
How close are you to goal?
Starting stats vs current stats?

Have a WONDERFUL day!

 I am just over 4 months post-op.  
Chose the VSG because it seemed less invasive and a better fit for me.
Hardest part:  just making the decision to do it and admitting I needed to
Easiest Part:  adjusting to new lifestyle
Do Differently:  Not freak over pre-op weight loss requirements and post-op stalls
How did I choose right Dr?  I just knew the minute I walked into WW and heard Dr. B speak.
Am I happy with results?  HECK YEAH!!!
I'm 28# from goal - but really more focused just on being healthy now and staying that way.
Start weight:  234  Lost 17# before surgery   Current 163
71# GONE FOREVER!!!

I am pre-op!  Hope to have surgery in Dec

I am having lap RNY, I have been overweight for my WHOLE life. 

The hardest part right now for me is deciding to do this.  I'm scared spittless! 

The easiest part has been coming to oh.com for support from my new friends. 

If I could do something differently it would be start out right with my pcp and have the proper forms filled out so that I don't have to start over on my 6 mo. pre op weight loss. 

I hope I chose the right Dr.  I have heard great things about him and he is the closest to my home. 

I am Pre- Op
I am 4 months away from surgey.
I am choosing the Sleeve. I wanted less invasive. Being the age I am, and with the medical conditions I have, I was afraid that I may need medications at some point that I may not be able to take if I had the RNY. I felt this procedure would have fewer side effects too.
The hardest part has been the lack of communication and lack of response of the advocate I have had. Sad to say....but true.
Easiest part was making the decision to do this....I just knew it was time.
What would I do differently?  I'd would have been more assertive in addressing the situations that kept coming up. I was afraid to be a pain in the butt.(so not me!) I would also say...be patient and don't give up. Though 4 mo. is a long wait....I have more time to learn what I need to learn on here and save for other costs.  All good things come to those who wait!!
I would also advise people who are doing this to get ALL the info on this surgery. There are many added costs that are not in that price. A LOT of added costs! A person needs to know ALL that they will be financially responsible for. I really don't think that that is explained in this process. Yes, if you have insurance that could be covered, but not always. As a self pay...you better know how many other things are not covered before starting this.It could be a few thousand more that you need to have.
After the seminar I attended with, Dr. Walton, I went out to sign up for an appointment and they never asked me who I wanted...They just made the appointment with Dr. Walton. I am fine with that...Maybe God chose who I should have....I didn't! lol
I don't have results yet....but I am sooooo glad that I am going to have a date soon!!
As a pre-op I was to lose 22 lbs. I have 5 to go now. I think I can lose 5 lbs in 4 mo..I am hoping for more to be gone so he has plenty of room to work in there.
220lbs starting and am at 203 this morning.
My goal weight after the surgery is 135 to 140

 

Are you pre-op/post op?
I am post op.  My surgery date or as I refer to it, my new birthdate was 3/12/08. 
How far pre/post are you?
6 months
Whats your story on which surgery type you choose?
I did a lot of research and prayed.  I have been overweight my entire life.  I've done it all trying to loose and have lost it many times to only gain it back.  For me I chose the lap RNY with the help of Dr. Walton and my son who is also a doctor.  I didn't want to be able to tolerate sweets and for the most part those who have had the RNY don't tolerate them well.  I also liked the fact that there was much more long term data out there on the lap RNY since the sleeve is relatively new although all my friends who have been sleeved have been as successful as well.  Each person has to do their on research and choose with their doctor what is best for you personally.  No textbook answer for that one.  Look at your own history and needs. 
What has been the hardest part of your jouney so far?
Learning how to eat small bites and chewing more thoroughly. 
What has been the easiest part of your journey so far?
Loosing the weight.  I never thought I would be a success but so far so good.  My new tool is absolutely wonderful and with it and learning self-discipline, choosing food carefully and exercising I'm sure I will loose the rest in time.
Is there anything that you would do differently that might help the next person to know who is starting the journey?
No, I did a LOT of homework prior to surgery.  This wasn't a decision I made over-night.  I have been looking into it several years but it was unaffordable and my insurance always excluded it.  I finally was able to finance my own surgery as a self-pay and would do it again in a heartbeat.
How did you choose the right dr for you?
I had many referrances on Dr. Walton.  He has been in Oklahoma a long time.
Are you happy with the results?
YES, YES and YES!!!  Did anyone not hear that? (LOL)
How close are you to goal?
I have lost 60% of the weight I want to loose before reaching goal in just 6 short months.  I would like to think I can get to goal in another year or so.  If I don't I certainly won't complain.  I'm so much healthier, happier, energetic now than I have been in so many years!!  No more insulin, high blood presure medicines, antidepressants and soon to be gone is my lovely face serpant as some call it...the CPAP!!!  My A1C prior to surgery was always over 11 and I had been taking 140 units of insulin per day.  I had my last insulin shot the day after surgery and NO MORE SINCE!!  My last 2 A1C's were 5.5 and 5.4........  Don't need to say anymore about that...this works!!!
Starting stats vs current stats?
I began this journey at 408, lost 32 pounds post op and have lost 107 pounds in the 6 months since surgery...AMAZING. 

Hi, everyone.
My name is Mary, and I'm a VSG pre-op, hoping to have surgery in November. When I went to the informational seminar at Weight Wise and heard Dr. Walton explain the 3 types of surgeries, I knew that he was the surgeon for me and that the Sleeve was the surgery for me.
Being on OH.com has confirmed my surgery choice. While there are no guarantees, the VSG seems to have fewer complications, as compared to the RNY. I didn't think I could handle knowing I had the lap band inside me, so that was a factor, too.
The hardest part of this journey has been just getting all the pre-op requirments done: required weight loss, sleep study, labwork and other tests, getting a CPAP machine and getting used to sleeping with it, and waiting to get that surgery date! As a self-pay, the cost is pretty scary. My church opened up their Emergency Relief Fund, to accept donations for my surgery. So far, $3,500 has come in, which is such a blessing, especially from a church of about 250 people. I don't know where the other $7,000 will come from, but I know that God will provide.
The easiest part of this journey has been getting to know people on OH.com and feeling like I may be able to encourage others, in the future.
The only thing I would have done differently is that I would have chosen WLS earlier! I'm ready to have a better-quality life (fewer health issues, etc.).
I had heard of Dr. Walton. My best friend had the VSG, with him as her surgeon. When I heard him speak at the seminar, it just confirmed to me that he was the doctor for me. I felt comfortable with him, which is such a blessing, and I knew he would probably be able to understand the scars on my arms, from my first husband's abuse, since he had experienced tragedy and scars.
Dr. Walton wanted me to have a certain test, but I just couldn't handle it, because of past abuses. He understood that and said it could wait. For the first time in my life, I felt that a man had actually heard me! It was amazing, and, after that, the weight started to come off even faster. It was like a wall had been torn down.
My highest weight was 400 lbs.  My first weigh-in at Weight Wise was 373 lbs.  Currently, I am 345 lbs.  My post-surgery goal weight is 155 lbs.
I know this isn't in response to any question, but I just want to say that I've quickly grown to love each of you on the Oklahoma Forum. I think of you and pray for each of you, daily. I thank God for each of you and how you have welcomed me and encouraged me.

I'm Deb (formerly the avatar known as Hoodoowoman) and I had surgery July 2007-Lap Band in TJ Mexico.  I've lost about 85 pounds and I'd like to lose maybe 30 more.  I was bulemic, so I have issues with trying to get too low, so I set a size goal of 12, but it looks like I'm going to hit that before the number pleases me as well, so I am in the process of thoughtfully deciding where I want to go from here.  For me, hovering at a size 14 for months is a great victory and something I needed to experience-the nowness of being at a certain weight and size.

Now I'd like to progress a little further without turning on that crazy switch.

Hardest part was coming to fully realize how emotionally dependent I was on food.  Easiest part was giving up diet coke-I really thought that would be a deal breaker.

I'm not sure I would do anything differently-although I'm first to point out going to Mexico was something that was right for ME, at that time in my life, and not for everyone.  I had just moved back to Oklahoma to take care of relatives, and I needed an adventure to tie me to the outside world, so I knew that I wasn't crawling into a cave or something.  I think I'm part Meerkat, and Mexico has always been my bolt hole of choice.

The "right dr." has been a series of choices-ultimately it is Dr. Nelson at OWLO-she's convenient geographically and we have the same philosophy towards the band (caution vs. aggressive fills, etc).

I'm very happy.  I've had no major issues-just a few bumps.  (Talk to my parents and you would hear a different story-but they are of the mindset that you go in, get a device, and live happily ever after and that isn't the reality of any of these surgeries.  There is work, learning, etc.).

Parting advice-plan and understand as much as you possibly can, but realize the actual ride is a bit different for everyone, and just trust in your ability to adapt to the changes as they come. 

 

 

Are you pre-op/post op?  I'm a post-op (open RNY)
How far pre/post are you? I'm 4 + years post-op (August 3, 2004)
Whats your story on which surgery type you choose? My story on the type of surgery I chose is that it is the type of surgery that my surgeon performed at that time~ I was very comfortable with Dr. Warnock and did not want to go with any other surgeon.  I felt that I was in the best hands with him.
What has been the hardest part of your journey so far?  I am an anorexic (recovering/remissioned, however you want to put it).  I struggle a lot with size acceptance.  I have had eating disorder issues since the age of 12.  I don't always see myself in the same way others do, but I am working on it and I have come a long ways with it.  I am very proud of my progress thus far :)
What has been the easiest part of your journey so far?  Believe it or not, adjusting my diet...  It got easier and easier for me.  I enjoy trying new combinations/recipes in order to make meals that are pouch-friendly.
Is there anything that you would do differently that might help the next person to know who is starting the journey?  I think it's different for every single person who goes into the surgery, but if I could do one thing different, I would not listen to people so much and follow my own heart more.  Friends can be very toxic at times...  I found that out the hard way as as new post-op.  I have since then, weeded out the bad seeds and things are much better.
How did you choose the right dr for you?  Well, he was offered as a choice to me from Tricare and I went to a consultation with him.  I felt an instant connection to him.
Are you happy with the results?  I am extremely happy with my results.  I have lost 160 + pounds and several co-morbidities and medications that I had to take pre-op.  I have a ton more energy than I had before!  I also now have 2 children (well, soon to be, 2 children) and prior to my WLS, I was told I would never be able to conceive due to the severity of my PCOS. 
How close are you to goal? I have been at goal/exceeded goal for a long time now.
Starting stats vs current stats? Starting weight: 297 lbs; Current weight: 138 lbs (37 weeks 6 days pregnant), normal weight 125-135 lbs

I am post-op 5 mos.

I chose the RNY because it has a longer history and did not require any implantation of foreign devices. Also, the RNY is a lot harder to cheat than the band. I knew myself pretty well.

Hardest: dealing with being unable to eat what others are eating and answering all the questions people have.

Easiest: exercise; I enjoy it now when I didn't before.

What would I do differently?: I would have done this earlier. I was in denial about how much I weighed and how unhealthy I was.

I chose Dr. B because he came highly recommended by some nursing friends.

I am very happy with my results. I have not felt this good since I was in college.

I am 22 pounds away from my goal. WOOHOO!

I weighed 271 at my first ww visit. I lost 14 pounds pre-op. I've lost 90 post-op. Total: 104 pounds.

Are you pre-op/post op?  POST
How far pre/post are you? 5 1/2 MONTHS
Whats your story on which surgery type you choose? I CHOOSE THE VSG BECAUSE OF THE COSTS AND
What has been the hardest part of your jouney so far? GETTING ENOUGH PROTEIN, I JUST CAN NOT EAT ENOUGH FOOD TO GET MY PROTEIN REQUIREMENTS MET
What has been the easiest part of your journey so far?  SURGERY ITSELF
Is there anything that you would do differently that might help the next person to know who is starting the journey? RESEARCH RESEARCH AND MORE RESEARCH
How did you choose the right dr for you? RESEARCH
Are you happy with the results? YES
How close are you to goal? 35 POUNDS
Starting stats vs current stats? HIGHEST WEIGHT=298 PRE-OP WEIGHT =280 CURRENT WEIGHT = 205 GOAL =170.