HW 335

Last week 244.9

This week 241.1

Next goal 235 (100# lost)

Thank you ladies so much especially you JOLLY for the break down of your visits...I was just filled with curiosity but now that I have some idea of what the first visit may be like I'm even more excited.. Just thank you all for taking the time to comment!!!

My BMI was over 70 when I started the process to have WLS.

My surgeon gave me the choice between the RNY and the VSG.  I was always reluctant to have the RNY.  When I heard about the VSG, it sounded like the perfect choice for me.  I'm a quantity/emotional eater and although I've lost a significant amount of weight, I haven't reached my personal goal.  Plus I've found that the emotional triggers that brought me to SSMO don't go away unless you deal with them, which I'm still working on.

My surgeon said that the weight loss difference for patients who have had the RNY vs the VSG are statistically similar at the two year point.  The RNY gives you an extra benefit with the malabsorption component.  The VSG removes the portion of your stomach that generates ghrelin, the hunger hormone.

It's a very personal decision.  You can ask the surgeon for his recommendation, but in the end, go with the type of surgery that you feel most comfortable with.  You're going to be living in that body for a long time and the decision should ultimately be yours.

Good luck on your journey.  It was the very best thing I ever did for myself 

Congrats on starting the journey!

I had my first visit in July ( I think...June or July...) this year, so I remember what you're going through right now! (Fun Fact: Your first appointment is on the 29th, my surgery is on the 29th!)

This process will fly by and before you know it, you will be on your preop diet getting ready for surgery. 

So what happened at my first visit?

We weighed. We measured. I filled out a "what am I eating/exercise" profile (which I had to do every time I came in). We did my BMI. Then I visited with the Physicians Assistant and we talked about my options. I came in having done a lot of research and talking with my coworkers, friends and family who had had surgery. I knew i wanted the lap band or the sleeve--my dad convinced me to do the sleeve after presenting me with several research articles (we're nurses, so we have free access to medical journal articles). 

My PA gave me a detailed description of lap band and the sleeve. He gave me pro's and cons of each and even had two mannequins of the abdomen to show me. I presented my questions and then I was given a big book and packet regarding each surgery. I didn't have to decide that day which surgery. 

My second appointment we weighed and I talked with a nutritionist about my diet and met with the PA who just did his routine assessment and asked me if I had questions or concerns. I was also scheduled to meet with a psychologist which is required by 99.99999999% of insurance companies. 

My third appointment we weighed and met the nutritionist again and with the PA. This appointment took about 3 hours because we also did a lot of tests. I did a breathing test, heart test, lab work was drawn and I honestly can't remember what else. But it took a long time...being a nurse, it was fun to do it though and see my EKG results and know what was going on with my heart! 

My fourth appointment I had gained weight(Thanksgiving happened....). So I talked with the PA, nutritionist and my representative (who is awesome! and like my personal cheerleader!). I had to be put on the preop diet 3 weeks before I should've had to start it. My insurance denied the surgery because of the weight gain. I had about 2 weeks to lose the weight. 

5th appointment. I lost the weight plus some! Met with the PA. Scheduled my surgery. 

6th appointment. Met the surgeon at his office. Went over preop diet, meds, assessment, what to expect etc. 

7th appointment. Surgery! (on Dec 29th). 

You can do this! Do the research. Start making little changes now (switch from full fat dressing to low fat then to no fat. Switch from lemonade to crystal light lemon, switch from full fat milk to 2% etc).  It will make surgery easier.

Thanks you guys for your comments I really appreciate it... The surgeon I'm going to doesn't do the DS.. I've never even heard of the DS till I joined this website.. Before joining the website I had decided on getting the sleeve done but after reading and researching things on this website I've become torn between the two.. I've read that those who's BMI is high (50+) have to get the RNY but I've read some who's was high but they gotten the sleeve done... I'm just so confused... 

As as far as dieting I've never done well because I never had help with what to eat, how much to eat.. So I always ended up sick because I wasn't properly doing it right.. Which is one of the reasons I choose a weight loss program... I need to be taught what to eat and how much to eat... I chose to do the surgery because I'm so heavy and I need the extra help to lose the weight I've gained..