A Little Too Fast

Hello Everyone,

I am considering the gastric sleeve and have done a lot of research. I have military insurance and will have it done on base (no Fees) because  this surgery is not covered yet. I can have a different wls and it will be covered to have an outside provider do it. But I really think the sleeve is best for me. I actually started on May 15th with an informational meeting. I saw the doctor on June 19th asked questions and he is already thinking a surgery date of early August. I have a visit with the Nutritionist July 3 and waiting for an appt with psychiatrist. I just think things are moving too fast. I thought I would have to go through a class for a few weeks to teach how to eat and even prove that I have tried to do it on my own. which I have tried every diet probably out there. I am 31 and 271 pounds and only 5'1. I know that I can choose a later date and I am sure I will. I think I want to try to get my eating in check first and loose some weight before the surgery. I want to try to do the pre-op diet for a few weeks and see how it goes. Has anyone else felt this way or even had your surgery at a military hospital? By the way I think this site is awesome and has helped me so much.


 

My goodness that is moving you along fast!  It took me over a year just to get approved by insurance after a mess up with documentation by my primary doc.  That's impressive they can get you rolling that quick.  Good luck with getting your mind in the right place to prepare!  Keep coming back.

Thanks, I think preparing my mind and starting to make small steps before the surgery will add to my success. I don't  want to have the surgery and be in a state of shock and going through sugar with drawls all at the same time. Congratulations on your success so far.

Had my sleeve done on 6/19/12. I was all done and approved in a month. The hardest thing is to get appointments with all these doctors. Some days I had 2 to 3 appointments. After a few days now I feel great . No pain except for the GAS. But that seems to be gone now. Good luck with everything before you know it it will be that time.

I started m journey in Feb. 2012 with education calsses and immediately set up all my other appts.  My goal was to have surgery by my birthday in May and that got thrown off track due to the sleep study and finding out I had sever sleep apnea.  I ended up having my surgery in June.  But I plnned it this way so I wanted to move fast and get it done.  I had previously completed a 17 week WW at work program and lost 15 lbs., whihc I had maintained.  I already knew my success, or lack of, at any number of dients, WW classes, exercise, etc.  I was ready for this and wanted to move forward.  You are very lucky to have that military coverage, it sounds great.  Best of luck to you.  I am 3 weeks out and have NO regrets.

I do not have military insurance or anything like that but I am having my surgery August 13. My whole process has went very fast also! I started everything in April and they wanted me to have the surgery July 13 but I asked if I could have an extra month to get the diet down pat so I wouldn't go into depression mode after surgery. I am 29 and 231 lbs and I am 5'2 so were pretty close. You have to do what feels right for you. I have researched this for a year and can not wait to start this journey but I needed an extra month so I could feel more comfortable so I totally understand.

 I know it feels fast. That same thing happened to me. I went to a seminar late March and had my first appointment on April 11th. I'm scheduled for July 3rd. I've been on the pre-op for two weeks now and have to say that I'm glad it went fast. I have had all sorts of doubts, questions, fears, and unknowns go through my head. BUT I know that if I had to wait longer, I don't think I would do it. I know this is the right thing for me to do and I will be so much happier and healthier. I'm only 4'2" and way 170 now, but started out at 179. 

Good luck with the journey and who knows? Maybe this quick trip is a blessing for you!

 Hey, I'm a military wife and I just had the surgery done 3 months ago at Bethesda.  There's a LOOOOONG wait here so it was exactly 6 months from my initial class to surgery.  I was actually done with everything pre-op in 2 months but it took 4 months to get a surgery date.  I was seriously pissed off I had to wait that long, and I still think I would have been happy to have in in January, because I lost 30lbs in the first 3 months and then really struggled to just maintain that.  But here I am 3 months out and thrilled!  My weight the day of the consult was 262 (sep. 19th) and on surgery day it was 234 now 3 months out I'm at 184.  Congratulations on taking this step in your life.

Hi Thanks for the reply. I am glad to see another military wife on here. You are doing great with the sleeve, congrats. I am a little concerned that when I leave this area and if the military hospital does not have a WLS unit I will have to pay out of pocket for services. I think I will check around to see what areas offer the WLS services. Have you had any problems with this? How did you loose the weight before surgery and are you exercising now and if so how soon did you start.

 No you're fine.  Once you get through the first couple post op appts you really don't need to worry about it.  Your PCM can run all the tests you need and refer you to plastics.  The blood work and stuff will be covered as long as your PCM asks for it (I know I just did it!).  Now complications from the actual surgery is another story, but you'll be there long enough you won't have to worry about that, but I wouldn't plan any big trips until 6 weeks out or so.