Author's note: I wasn't ready to write about weight loss surgery before I had actually been under the knife. I still wasn't confident to publish until after I had seen some results. This is my story. It was basically my diary in the days leading up to my sleeve gastrectomy. I hope someone that reads this can identify.
I'm going to attempt to document the entire process of my WLS journey on this format. I hope to have it as a personal record and if my journey helps someone else along the way, all the better.
So here's where I am now: I made the decision to have a sleeve gastrectomy in September 2015. I began my research and chose a surgeon. I watched his online seminar and filled in all my information for them to contact me. I then completely panicked when the patient advocate called my cell and didn't answer. I needed a little more time to adjust to my fate. Also, I figured I should tell my husband what I was about to do first.
His reaction was probably typical. He was about 75 pounds overweight when I told him what I was planning. So what choice did he have but to go on a crash diet and prove that weight loss was easy. The holidays were closing in so I did the opposite. I went into a denial binge. I lived it up and ate anything I wanted. He lost 2-4 pounds a week and I packed on another 20 pounds from September until December.
December 26 I stepped on the scales at a whopping 334.6 pounds. That's the heaviest I have ever been in my life. I resolved to change my life then (again). I started a high protein low carbohydrate diet. January I called and made the appointment with Dr. Schmitt for my initial consultation. In the mean time something happened with my husband. After many talks and lots of tears he decided to support my decision. He's still not excited... I think he's mostly nervous. He is happy for me so that makes me more comfortable going forward.
My first consult was honestly kind of disappointing, to be honest. I don't know what I was expecting but whatever that was didn't happen. I met with a patient advocate, she told me what I was going to have to do in order to get a surgery date. Bariatric surgery is excluded on our insurance (thanks obama). The bright side of this is that for around $13,000 I can have the surgery out patient without having to go on a medically supervised diet (which is required with most insurance policies). This gets me closer to the goal but I still have a few hurdles to jump. I have to have a visit with my GP to obtain a letter stating I am physically cleared. I have to have basic labs drawn. These include a Chemistry, CBC, Thyroid Panel and Cholesterol. Lastly, I have to be evaluated for sleep apnea. This one is the biggest hurdle in my opinion. I have to meet with an ENT or sleep specialist and they will evaluate me and if deemed necessary set me up for a sleep study. My appointment with the ENT is next week. I will let you know how that goes when it happens.
So that's what's happened so far. It's an emotional journey and I haven't even gotten through the first steps. Currently I'm battling my food addictions when there's a voice inside saying "go ahead, eat it now, you won't be able to have that later." I'm fighting those urges but it's extremely hard. Over the next few weeks I hope to cut all sodas out of my diet, I only drink diet soda but I drink way too many and carbonated drinks are advised against post surgery. I am starting an exercise program so that hopefully my body will bounce back quicker. Right now I'm just walking and trying to get steps in on the fit bit. I'm also buying my protein drinks ahead of time. The are quite expensive so I hope to have my pantry stocked by the time I have to start the liquid diet.
So that's what's happened so far. It's an emotional journey and I haven't even gotten through the first steps. Currently I'm battling my food addictions when there's a voice inside saying "go ahead, eat it now, you won't be able to have that later." I'm fighting those urges but it's extremely hard. Over the next few weeks I hope to cut all sodas out of my diet, I only drink diet soda but I drink way too many and carbonated drinks are advised against post surgery. I am starting an exercise program so that hopefully my body will bounce back quicker. Right now I'm just walking and trying to get steps in on the fit bit. I'm also buying my protein drinks ahead of time. The are quite expensive so I hope to have my pantry stocked by the time I have to start the liquid diet.
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