Mantecawife
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- Nov 9, 2023
- Messages
- 81
I joined about 10 days ago but I have not sat down to introduce myself!
My name is Shana. I am a 50 year (51 years old in April) stay at home mother. My sons are 20 years old (21 years old in May) and 17 years old (18 years old in May). I have been married for 22 years.
I have been overweight since 9 years old. I have been on EVERY diet known to man.
I was approved for surgery (sleeve) in 9/2021 but I cancelled it 2 days prior to surgery. Something felt off. I also felt I was not ready. In the 6 month waiting period per insurance, I GAINED approximately 40 pounds. When I started the journey, I was approximately 260 pounds.
Also, in 4/2023, I had a total knee replacement.
So, flash forward 1year, 8 months (5/2023), I came across an Instagram account that featured a woman who had had the duodenal switch loop WLS in 12/2021 and lost a massive amount of weight and was preparing for plastic surgery to remove her excess fat from her stomach.
I was floored! She looked fantastic! I had never heard of that type of WLS. It was not an option at my last MD’s office.
After researching for about a month. I looked into my insurance again for coverage of WLS. I noticed that there was a Bariactric surgeons’ office about 20 minutes away. The last time, the only office that was covered was about 2 hours away. I had to do all my testing and requirements there.
So I called the office located near me at the end of May. It was the first good sign! They have a seminar once a month and the next one was June 9th, 2023! I quickly signed up!
On June 9th, 2023, I went to the seminar. We were able to meet one of the surgeons and he answered a lot of questions! Also, the office gave each person a folder with the insurance requirements to Bariactric surgery. Again, I was floored! It was 1/3 of the requirements from 2/2021! I was so happy! My husband, not so much. Was against the surgery in 9/2021. And now was REALLY against this surgery for many reasons. One being, I never finish what I start. I did agree with him on that. I have not kept off weight when I lost it. I never did any exercise after my knee replacement. I agree with him. But I brought up the point that I am so determined and desperate, I am willing to risk my life to get healthy. He was not happy. But, I needed to do this.
On 6/9/23, I weighed 283. On August 29, 2023, I met with the Bariactric nutritionist (a requirement). We discussed my eating habits, soda drinking habits, and my fast food habits. I was a mess. I thought I only had to meet with her 1 time. She said she wanted me to come up with a discontinue date for soda/carbonation. I told her I was quitting 8/30/23. I don’t think she had much hope. She told me to only eat out up to 10 times. (I ate about 15 take out meals a week).
The next day, I started my new way of life. I was to meet with her in 2 weeks. I logged everything I ate
Well, in two weeks, I lost 15 pounds and had not had a drop of carbonation. No soda of any kind. I only ate out once. She was so impressed, she approved me to go forward with the surgery. During the two weeks, my husband would tell me that I was doing so well, I did not need the surgery. Other comment: how the surgery is dangerous. I finally talked to him because I was tired of it. I told him that he may not like it but it is happening. He stopped with the smart comments. I know it was because he was scared. I know that. I was trying to be gentle with him but enough was enough.
I got negative feedback from his father as well. He is a whole different story. This introduction is way too long as it. So, another time.
On surgery day, 10/31/23, I weighed 263.7 pounds.
Surgery went well, went home the next day. Until 12/21/23, when my gallbladder came out, I was miserable. But I never regretted. The office staff and doctors were amazing!
Around 1/1/24, is when I started to feel like myself, well, my new self.
So much has happened since my WLS! So many positives! But with not being able use food to deal with things, I am noticing the increase of my shopping. I thought I would be so good and have not have transfer addiction. But, I started to address it head on this past weekend. I am pretty proud of that!
I searched for a group would understand the emotions and events that go along with WLS. I am excited I found this forum!
Anyway, as you can tell, I am a very detailed open book! Ask me anything!
Thank you for reading!
My name is Shana. I am a 50 year (51 years old in April) stay at home mother. My sons are 20 years old (21 years old in May) and 17 years old (18 years old in May). I have been married for 22 years.
I have been overweight since 9 years old. I have been on EVERY diet known to man.
I was approved for surgery (sleeve) in 9/2021 but I cancelled it 2 days prior to surgery. Something felt off. I also felt I was not ready. In the 6 month waiting period per insurance, I GAINED approximately 40 pounds. When I started the journey, I was approximately 260 pounds.
Also, in 4/2023, I had a total knee replacement.
So, flash forward 1year, 8 months (5/2023), I came across an Instagram account that featured a woman who had had the duodenal switch loop WLS in 12/2021 and lost a massive amount of weight and was preparing for plastic surgery to remove her excess fat from her stomach.
I was floored! She looked fantastic! I had never heard of that type of WLS. It was not an option at my last MD’s office.
After researching for about a month. I looked into my insurance again for coverage of WLS. I noticed that there was a Bariactric surgeons’ office about 20 minutes away. The last time, the only office that was covered was about 2 hours away. I had to do all my testing and requirements there.
So I called the office located near me at the end of May. It was the first good sign! They have a seminar once a month and the next one was June 9th, 2023! I quickly signed up!
On June 9th, 2023, I went to the seminar. We were able to meet one of the surgeons and he answered a lot of questions! Also, the office gave each person a folder with the insurance requirements to Bariactric surgery. Again, I was floored! It was 1/3 of the requirements from 2/2021! I was so happy! My husband, not so much. Was against the surgery in 9/2021. And now was REALLY against this surgery for many reasons. One being, I never finish what I start. I did agree with him on that. I have not kept off weight when I lost it. I never did any exercise after my knee replacement. I agree with him. But I brought up the point that I am so determined and desperate, I am willing to risk my life to get healthy. He was not happy. But, I needed to do this.
On 6/9/23, I weighed 283. On August 29, 2023, I met with the Bariactric nutritionist (a requirement). We discussed my eating habits, soda drinking habits, and my fast food habits. I was a mess. I thought I only had to meet with her 1 time. She said she wanted me to come up with a discontinue date for soda/carbonation. I told her I was quitting 8/30/23. I don’t think she had much hope. She told me to only eat out up to 10 times. (I ate about 15 take out meals a week).
The next day, I started my new way of life. I was to meet with her in 2 weeks. I logged everything I ate
Well, in two weeks, I lost 15 pounds and had not had a drop of carbonation. No soda of any kind. I only ate out once. She was so impressed, she approved me to go forward with the surgery. During the two weeks, my husband would tell me that I was doing so well, I did not need the surgery. Other comment: how the surgery is dangerous. I finally talked to him because I was tired of it. I told him that he may not like it but it is happening. He stopped with the smart comments. I know it was because he was scared. I know that. I was trying to be gentle with him but enough was enough.
I got negative feedback from his father as well. He is a whole different story. This introduction is way too long as it. So, another time.
On surgery day, 10/31/23, I weighed 263.7 pounds.
Surgery went well, went home the next day. Until 12/21/23, when my gallbladder came out, I was miserable. But I never regretted. The office staff and doctors were amazing!
Around 1/1/24, is when I started to feel like myself, well, my new self.
So much has happened since my WLS! So many positives! But with not being able use food to deal with things, I am noticing the increase of my shopping. I thought I would be so good and have not have transfer addiction. But, I started to address it head on this past weekend. I am pretty proud of that!
I searched for a group would understand the emotions and events that go along with WLS. I am excited I found this forum!
Anyway, as you can tell, I am a very detailed open book! Ask me anything!
Thank you for reading!