Newbie here, just telling my story

[buttercup7676]

So I'm starting my journey down the path of gastric bypass surgery. I have my consultation on Thursday and an appointment with the nutritionist too.
I'm very excited and nervous too. I've done a lot of research and feel like I am very prepared for what is ahead of me, I know this means a huge lifestyle change, and I am ready to make that change.
I'm a little scared for my appointment on Thursday though. What if they tell me I can't move forward?
I'm a glass is half empty kind if person lately. I've had a rough last 3 years, and I just feel like nothing wants to go my way.
My weight has been an issue for almost 30 years, I've struggled with diets and exercise where I follow the plan for months/years with little weight loss.
It's been very discouraging over the years but about 3 years ago on a Sunday early afternoon I began having very bad chest pains, I knew it was not heartburn and had never felt this kind of pain before. After almost an hour my husband made me go to the ER. Good news is that it was not a heart attack, but after hours of tests they could tell me nothing. They decided to keep me overnight for observation as the pain came and went a few more times. All they could tell me was I had very high blood pressure.
I had not seen a doctor in a few years as my last one had done something to make me feel uncomfortable. So I began the hunt for a new Dr. I did find a good one and she is awesome. We worked on getting my high blood pressure under control with multiple med changes over the next few months but I had other issues popping up. I had times where I had those chest pain episodes again, also I was having a lot of pain that was hard for me to describe, after some tests and blood work she diagnosed me with fibromyalgia. Over the next few months she had me see a pulmonary dr as she said she believed I had sleep apnea, and she was right, I now use a cpap machine. She also began treating me for depression and anxiety. I also started having issues with my right foot, I have this weird nerve sensation that makes my toes twitch 24/7. I went to a neurologist and after several more months i have no answers as to why or what it is. I am currently waiting to see a new neurologist cause the first one didn't seem to really care about my problem. My dr also sent me to a Rheumatologist about my fibromyalgia he has also diagnosed me with having degenerative disc disease in my lower back and osteoarthritis in my hands. My doctor has been sending me to specialists to help with all my issues, but every one of the doctors has said they think I need to loose weight to help with my issues.
I am currently 210 lbs but since I'm very short my BMI is 43+. 210 does not seem like a huge number, but it really is hurting my health to be carrying around an extra 90 lbs.
My doctor has recommended I use wegovy or zepbound to loose the weight but my insurance will not cover them and they are so expensive. I then found out my insurance will cover the gastric bypass surgery 100%. With no prior authorization needed.
Again my glass is half full attitude kicks in and says this may be too good to be true. So that is why I am so nervous for Thursday because I feel like this is my last option to lose this weight that I so badly need to lose and work to get myself healthy again.
Thanks for reading my story

 

[JustMe]

How did the consultation go, Buttercup7676? I hope it went really well, it helped you feel more at peace about your decisions, and that the doctor was awesome.

 

[buttercup7676]

I think it went very well. I have my second visit scheduled at the end of May. I have to start a food log to show the nutritionist I can get on board.
I also have to schedule some procedures she wants done like an upper endoscopy and colonoscopy.
But I feel like it's all moving in the right direction.

 

[JustMe]

Hooray! I'm so glad that it went well. I am almost through my checklist from my bariatric doctor. It was both the endoscopy and esophogram that found my 4 stomach ulcers and my hiatal hernia. I don't get to see my doctor again until June! He wants the checklist complete. Premera and the surgeon require three months of meeting with the bariatric dietician. My last visit with her is on June 3rd. I think I will get to see him shortly after that, and that's also when all of the paperwork will get submitted to Premera. My last grandbaby is due to be born in early July, so I can't have my surgery until early August anyway. I am using the Bariatastic app to track food, water, weight, nutritional information, bowel movements, body measurements, and exercise. Moreover, this helpful app has a bariatric surgery checklist section for pre-op, post-op, and weight management. I love it and I've been using it every day since I met with the bariatric surgeon. I will try to add the link here. I have an android phone. Bariatastic app

I hope, if you choose to use it, the app helps you, too. It not only helps me, I feel more in control and motivated using it each day. Today, I have lost 45 pounds since starting my weight loss journey.

I hope the tests and labs all go very well for you! It's actually nice to see all the data and get a more complete picture of my overall health than I've ever had before
I'm grateful that the bariatric doctors are so thorough and cautious! I wish you the best!

 

[cherylpottsfoutch]

Thank you for sharing the app! I just downloaded it. I started my journey a year and a half ago when I discovered i weighed 350 pounds. I was horrified. Since then I've lost 90 pounds, but I want to get down to 150. I'm kind of in a rut right now. I had given up coffee but the iced coffee in the warmer weather has me under its spell. Im trying to make sure I get enough protein but it is very hard. I found protein bars I like and I've found a protein drink mix that I like that isn't chalkat all. I have to switch my vitamins because the ones with iron in them that I got were killing me. I could not go to the bathroom at all. It was horrible. So I found some I can order that are supposed to be easier on the system. I excited and scared about the surgery, but the thought of maybe not having to have back surgery is major motivation. I worry about being able to drink enough water after surgery too. But I guess I will handle it because I have to. I really want to succeed at this! Thanks for sharing your story.

 

[JustMe]

Hi,

Thank you for sharing your story. Hope your bariatric surgery is a great success and you won't need back surgery. I worry about not getting enough water after surgery, too. I drink a lot of water every day. I always have! I chug down 8 ounces a time. My checklist from the surgeon says I will need to sip water and drink 8 ounces in an hour. I'm worried about being thirsty and dehydrated, but the doctor and dietician say that won't happen. That's probably my biggest worry because I don't want to hurt my kidneys. As far as the actual surgery goes, I am not worried about that because they all do this all of the time, technology and medicine and the information that doctors have these days is so much better and advanced than it used to be. They are very skilled, dedicated, and determined to keep each one of us safe. I believe you will be okay and I will be okay, too. Great job on losing 90 pounds so far! As of yesterday, I've lost 45. My Zepbound is helping me do that!

 

[Paigan]

So I'm starting my journey down the path of gastric bypass surgery. I have my consultation on Thursday and an appointment with the nutritionist too.
I'm very excited and nervous too. I've done a lot of research and feel like I am very prepared for what is ahead of me, I know this means a huge lifestyle change, and I am ready to make that change.
I'm a little scared for my appointment on Thursday though. What if they tell me I can't move forward?
I'm a glass is half empty kind if person lately. I've had a rough last 3 years, and I just feel like nothing wants to go my way.
My weight has been an issue for almost 30 years, I've struggled with diets and exercise where I follow the plan for months/years with little weight loss.
It's been very discouraging over the years but about 3 years ago on a Sunday early afternoon I began having very bad chest pains, I knew it was not heartburn and had never felt this kind of pain before. After almost an hour my husband made me go to the ER. Good news is that it was not a heart attack, but after hours of tests they could tell me nothing. They decided to keep me overnight for observation as the pain came and went a few more times. All they could tell me was I had very high blood pressure.
I had not seen a doctor in a few years as my last one had done something to make me feel uncomfortable. So I began the hunt for a new Dr. I did find a good one and she is awesome. We worked on getting my high blood pressure under control with multiple med changes over the next few months but I had other issues popping up. I had times where I had those chest pain episodes again, also I was having a lot of pain that was hard for me to describe, after some tests and blood work she diagnosed me with fibromyalgia. Over the next few months she had me see a pulmonary dr as she said she believed I had sleep apnea, and she was right, I now use a cpap machine. She also began treating me for depression and anxiety. I also started having issues with my right foot, I have this weird nerve sensation that makes my toes twitch 24/7. I went to a neurologist and after several more months i have no answers as to why or what it is. I am currently waiting to see a new neurologist cause the first one didn't seem to really care about my problem. My dr also sent me to a Rheumatologist about my fibromyalgia he has also diagnosed me with having degenerative disc disease in my lower back and osteoarthritis in my hands. My doctor has been sending me to specialists to help with all my issues, but every one of the doctors has said they think I need to loose weight to help with my issues.
I am currently 210 lbs but since I'm very short my BMI is 43+. 210 does not seem like a huge number, but it really is hurting my health to be carrying around an extra 90 lbs.
My doctor has recommended I use wegovy or zepbound to loose the weight but my insurance will not cover them and they are so expensive. I then found out my insurance will cover the gastric bypass surgery 100%. With no prior authorization needed.
Again my glass is half full attitude kicks in and says this may be too good to be true. So that is why I am so nervous for Thursday because I feel like this is my last option to lose this weight that I so badly need to lose and work to get myself healthy again.
Thanks for reading my story

Hang in there. You sound like the perfect candidate for surgery. Weight loss surgery has become much safer and less invasive since I had my bypass in 2004. Doctors are less hesitant to use it for weight loss now. I'm sure you'll be fine. It sounds like you've done your homework, now all there is to do is sit back and....OBSESS every minute of every day!!!! LOLOL. At least that's where I'm at. I have an appointment with my new surgeon on May 14th, which is only 2 weeks away but it feels like years. Believe me, I understand the anxiety. We will both be fine. It doesn't sound like there's any reason NOT to give you the surgery as it would greatly benefit your comorbidities, especially with a BMI of 43+. My BMI is also 43.5, at 5'1.5" and 230 pounds. WE WILL PERSEVERE!!!

 

[StephT]

So I'm starting my journey down the path of gastric bypass surgery. I have my consultation on Thursday and an appointment with the nutritionist too.
I'm very excited and nervous too. I've done a lot of research and feel like I am very prepared for what is ahead of me, I know this means a huge lifestyle change, and I am ready to make that change.
I'm a little scared for my appointment on Thursday though. What if they tell me I can't move forward?
I'm a glass is half empty kind if person lately. I've had a rough last 3 years, and I just feel like nothing wants to go my way.
My weight has been an issue for almost 30 years, I've struggled with diets and exercise where I follow the plan for months/years with little weight loss.
It's been very discouraging over the years but about 3 years ago on a Sunday early afternoon I began having very bad chest pains, I knew it was not heartburn and had never felt this kind of pain before. After almost an hour my husband made me go to the ER. Good news is that it was not a heart attack, but after hours of tests they could tell me nothing. They decided to keep me overnight for observation as the pain came and went a few more times. All they could tell me was I had very high blood pressure.
I had not seen a doctor in a few years as my last one had done something to make me feel uncomfortable. So I began the hunt for a new Dr. I did find a good one and she is awesome. We worked on getting my high blood pressure under control with multiple med changes over the next few months but I had other issues popping up. I had times where I had those chest pain episodes again, also I was having a lot of pain that was hard for me to describe, after some tests and blood work she diagnosed me with fibromyalgia. Over the next few months she had me see a pulmonary dr as she said she believed I had sleep apnea, and she was right, I now use a cpap machine. She also began treating me for depression and anxiety. I also started having issues with my right foot, I have this weird nerve sensation that makes my toes twitch 24/7. I went to a neurologist and after several more months i have no answers as to why or what it is. I am currently waiting to see a new neurologist cause the first one didn't seem to really care about my problem. My dr also sent me to a Rheumatologist about my fibromyalgia he has also diagnosed me with having degenerative disc disease in my lower back and osteoarthritis in my hands. My doctor has been sending me to specialists to help with all my issues, but every one of the doctors has said they think I need to loose weight to help with my issues.
I am currently 210 lbs but since I'm very short my BMI is 43+. 210 does not seem like a huge number, but it really is hurting my health to be carrying around an extra 90 lbs.
My doctor has recommended I use wegovy or zepbound to loose the weight but my insurance will not cover them and they are so expensive. I then found out my insurance will cover the gastric bypass surgery 100%. With no prior authorization needed.
Again my glass is half full attitude kicks in and says this may be too good to be true. So that is why I am so nervous for Thursday because I feel like this is my last option to lose this weight that I so badly need to lose and work to get myself healthy again.
Thanks for reading my story

Congratulations on starting the process - picking up the phone and making that first call is a huge and emotional step! Keep us updated as you work through the checklist.

 

[buttercup7676]

Hooray! I'm so glad that it went well. I am almost through my checklist from my bariatric doctor. It was both the endoscopy and esophogram that found my 4 stomach ulcers and my hiatal hernia. I don't get to see my doctor again until June! He wants the checklist complete. Premera and the surgeon require three months of meeting with the bariatric dietician. My last visit with her is on June 3rd. I think I will get to see him shortly after that, and that's also when all of the paperwork will get submitted to Premera. My last grandbaby is due to be born in early July, so I can't have my surgery until early August anyway. I am using the Bariatastic app to track food, water, weight, nutritional information, bowel movements, body measurements, and exercise. Moreover, this helpful app has a bariatric surgery checklist section for pre-op, post-op, and weight management. I love it and I've been using it every day since I met with the bariatric surgeon. I will try to add the link here. I have an android phone. Bariatastic app
I hope, if you choose to use it, the app helps you, too. It not only helps me, I feel more in control and motivated using it each day. Today, I have lost 45 pounds since starting my weight loss journey.

I hope the tests and labs all go very well for you! It's actually nice to see all the data and get a more complete picture of my overall health than I've ever had before
I'm grateful that the bariatric doctors are so thorough and cautious! I wish you the best!

I had previously downloaded that app, but I really have not used it. I'm glad it is working well for you. Maybe I'll look at it again and see if I want to use it. I currently just have a nice food journal I purchased on Amazon. I like writing things down, even though I use my phone a lot. Lol
When I met with the nutritionist she told me I needed to start a food log to have at our next appointment, and I've been really good with logging everything. We went through my food and eating habits, and she said I eat healthy foods but I needed to up my protein and fiber intake. And I needed to eat more appropriately. I was only drinking a protein shake for breakfast and skipping lunch and only eating dinner. I always get busy at work and just don't feel like eating, but I ate better meals all this week logging everything.

 

[buttercup7676]

Thank you for sharing the app! I just downloaded it. I started my journey a year and a half ago when I discovered i weighed 350 pounds. I was horrified. Since then I've lost 90 pounds, but I want to get down to 150. I'm kind of in a rut right now. I had given up coffee but the iced coffee in the warmer weather has me under its spell. Im trying to make sure I get enough protein but it is very hard. I found protein bars I like and I've found a protein drink mix that I like that isn't chalkat all. I have to switch my vitamins because the ones with iron in them that I got were killing me. I could not go to the bathroom at all. It was horrible. So I found some I can order that are supposed to be easier on the system. I excited and scared about the surgery, but the thought of maybe not having to have back surgery is major motivation. I worry about being able to drink enough water after surgery too. But I guess I will handle it because I have to. I really want to succeed at this! Thanks for sharing your story.

Wow 90 pounds is a wonderful achievement I'm proud of you.
I love coffee too. I don't want to give that up. Lol
I found that the premier protein shakes are pretty good. I love the Cafe latte flavor and it does not taste chalky like some of the others.
I have been working on upping my water intake too. I also worry about not being able to drink enough after the surgery, but I figure I will just have to work hard to make it all work for me.

 

[buttercup7676]

My first consultation with the surgeon went well. With my insurance I have to use specific surgeons and the one I selected on their list is about 2 hours away from where I live. The insurance company does give me money towards gas and they will pay for a hotel for my husband while I'm in the hospital. But I am partnering with my regular dr to have my pre-op tests done here. So she referred me to a local gastrointestinal Dr to have an upper endoscopy and colonoscopy done. And I'm working on some of the other stuff here locally. I meet with the bariatric Dr again at the end of May and she said she can do the visit virtually so I don't have to drive the 4 hours round trip.
I also met with the nutritionist and I have some things to work on. She has me doing a food journal and she says I eat healthy foods but I have bad eating habits. I typically just have a protein shake for breakfast and I get so busy at work I don't eat lunch and then just eat dinner when I get home. And maybe a snack later before bed.
This week has felt so different, I have been eating breakfast, lunch and dinner with a small snack somewhere in there. She also said I needed to up my protein and fiber intake.
So I have some new goals and I'm working on them.

 

[JustMe]

It's weird to be told to eat more often, right! I, too, ate one or two meals .. breakfast and supper....for decades, actually. At my heaviest, various doctors (primary and specialists) said my body was in starvation mode. I truly didn't understand that. It also didn't change my eating habits, unfortunately. I started in September, when I had my first bariatric dietician appointment, with trying to eat three healthy small meals a day. It was a huge challenge to learn how to eat at lunchtime...to remember, to take a break, and to actually eat it because I wasn't hungry. But I eventually got there...it took a couple of months. Then, my second big challenge was to eat five smaller meals a day. That's where I am now. I mostly meet this goal. Some days it's still just breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Because I'm a teacher, I'm trying to eat right when I get up with my cats (between 5 and 6), right before the children start school (8:45), 12:30, right after school, and then sometime before 7 pm. I can accomplish it on normal days. If my schedule is weird or I'm away from work and home, I don't do so well with it. Because I'm on Zepbound (which is awesome), I'm not hungry...ever. I just need to plan well and remember to eat those five meals. It's been good. I'm losing about 10 pounds a month. I wish I would have understood long ago that eating small nutrient-dense meals every few hours from morning to evening would be the way to lose weight, along with exercising, of course. I am so...glad things are going well for you!!!!

 

[buttercup7676]

I agree eating more times a day feels weird. I feel like I had a pretty successful 1st week, the food journal is really what is keeping me on track with this.

 

[JustMe]

I agree. It's like I'm holding myself more accountable for everything I consume and I'm more motivated to meet my goals each part of each day.

 

[StephT]

Wow 90 pounds is a wonderful achievement I'm proud of you.
I love coffee too. I don't want to give that up. Lol
I found that the premier protein shakes are pretty good. I love the Cafe latte flavor and it does not taste chalky like some of the others.
I have been working on upping my water intake too. I also worry about not being able to drink enough after the surgery, but I figure I will just have to work hard to make it all work for me.

Cafe Latte is my favorite! Have you tried the 2 new Premiere Protein coffeehouse flavors? They are Mocha and Caramel Macchiato. I order those from Walmart but today my local Safeway had them on sale for $8.99 for a 4 pack!

 

[buttercup7676]

Cafe Latte is my favorite! Have you tried the 2 new Premiere Protein coffeehouse flavors? They are Mocha and Caramel Macchiato. I order those from Walmart but today my local Safeway had them on sale for $8.99 for a 4 pack!

I usually just buy mine on a big case from Costco. I'll have to look for those other coffee flavors. I'd love to try them.

 

[Coys grandma]

So I'm starting my journey down the path of gastric bypass surgery. I have my consultation on Thursday and an appointment with the nutritionist too.
I'm very excited and nervous too. I've done a lot of research and feel like I am very prepared for what is ahead of me, I know this means a huge lifestyle change, and I am ready to make that change.
I'm a little scared for my appointment on Thursday though. What if they tell me I can't move forward?
I'm a glass is half empty kind if person lately. I've had a rough last 3 years, and I just feel like nothing wants to go my way.
My weight has been an issue for almost 30 years, I've struggled with diets and exercise where I follow the plan for months/years with little weight loss.
It's been very discouraging over the years but about 3 years ago on a Sunday early afternoon I began having very bad chest pains, I knew it was not heartburn and had never felt this kind of pain before. After almost an hour my husband made me go to the ER. Good news is that it was not a heart attack, but after hours of tests they could tell me nothing. They decided to keep me overnight for observation as the pain came and went a few more times. All they could tell me was I had very high blood pressure.
I had not seen a doctor in a few years as my last one had done something to make me feel uncomfortable. So I began the hunt for a new Dr. I did find a good one and she is awesome. We worked on getting my high blood pressure under control with multiple med changes over the next few months but I had other issues popping up. I had times where I had those chest pain episodes again, also I was having a lot of pain that was hard for me to describe, after some tests and blood work she diagnosed me with fibromyalgia. Over the next few months she had me see a pulmonary dr as she said she believed I had sleep apnea, and she was right, I now use a cpap machine. She also began treating me for depression and anxiety. I also started having issues with my right foot, I have this weird nerve sensation that makes my toes twitch 24/7. I went to a neurologist and after several more months i have no answers as to why or what it is. I am currently waiting to see a new neurologist cause the first one didn't seem to really care about my problem. My dr also sent me to a Rheumatologist about my fibromyalgia he has also diagnosed me with having degenerative disc disease in my lower back and osteoarthritis in my hands. My doctor has been sending me to specialists to help with all my issues, but every one of the doctors has said they think I need to loose weight to help with my issues.
I am currently 210 lbs but since I'm very short my BMI is 43+. 210 does not seem like a huge number, but it really is hurting my health to be carrying around an extra 90 lbs.
My doctor has recommended I use wegovy or zepbound to loose the weight but my insurance will not cover them and they are so expensive. I then found out my insurance will cover the gastric bypass surgery 100%. With no prior authorization needed.
Again my glass is half full attitude kicks in and says this may be too good to be true. So that is why I am so nervous for Thursday because I feel like this is my last option to lose this weight that I so badly need to lose and work to get myself healthy again.
Thanks for reading my story

hi nice to meet you im Mae i had my gastric sleeve on April 15, 2026. I’m 20 days postop. It’s a slow go, but it will be worth it in the end.

 

[buttercup7676]

hi nice to meet you im Mae i had my gastric sleeve on April 15, 2026. I’m 20 days postop. It’s a slow go, but it will be worth it in the end.

Hi Mae, it's nice to meet you. I'm glad you are doing well. I know with the surgery it can be a ruff time at first, so I already have that mind set, but I to believe that it will be so Worth it in the long run.
Stay connected, we are here to support each other on this journey.