So here I am 5ft 3in and 280 pounds. How the F*$K did that happen.
I wasn't a fat kid or adult until about 8 - 10 years ago when I stopped smoking. I guess I replaced the nicotine addiction for a food addition.
So you can see by these pictures, even after 3 kids I was still healthy and average size. 1994/1996/1998 were the years I gave birth. Even through that, I had no issues keeping my weight down. Sure my metabolism slowed as I got older and I probably would have been fine with gaining 5 pounds ever year or two from that. Instead over the last 8 - 10 years I have gained 120 - 140 pounds. 
Around 2017 I started taking phentermine and stuck to a strict 1200 calorie a day diet, walked at least 10,000 steps a day, gave up soda and made sure to drink lots of water. I lost 30 pounds over a few months. Then phentermine stops working and we went on vacation to Hawaii. I slacked off on vacation and I never got back on the wagon.
I 100% accept responsibility for getting to this point. My weight gain was caused by MY poor eating habits and MY lack of movement.
So here I am morbidly obese and miserable. Doing simple tasks like putting on socks or tying a shoe are impossible. I keep buying larger clothes and feeling less and less like myself. I don't leave the house much because I am uncomfortable in my own skin.
So I have decided to have a vertical sleeve gastrectomy.
Sleeve gastrectomy is a surgical procedure that induces weight loss by restricting food intake. With this procedure, which is usually performed laparoscopically, the surgeon removes approximately 75 percent of the stomach. This results in the stomach taking on the shape of a tube or "sleeve" which holds much less food.
Removing a portion of the stomach reduces the body’s level of a hormone called ghrelin, which is commonly referred to as the “hunger hormone.” Thus, many people find that they are much less hungry after the sleeve gastrectomy. Ghrelin also plays a role in blood sugar metabolism, so people with type II diabetes often see an immediate decrease in their need for diabetes medications (especially oral medications) after the sleeve gastrectomy.
Sleeve gastrectomy induces rapid and effective weight loss comparable to gastric bypass surgery. Patients can expect to lose 50% or more of their excess weight in three years. The procedure does not require implantation of a band, nor does it re-route the digestive process. Hormonal changes after the procedure help patients to feel sated, eat less, as well as improve or resolve diabetes.
I have chosen to go with Dr. Snow and St. Louis Bariatrics. https://www.stlouisbariatrics.com/
I have been thinking about this surgery for several years. I finally took the plunge and called in January. The sleeve through St Louis Bariatrics is $11,111. So I filled out new patient paperwork and came up with a plan to pay for this (weight loss surgery is an exclusion under my insurance).
3/23/2021 - My 1st office visit with Candice, Dr. Snow's Nurse Practitioner. She gave me some info, answered questions, discussed a plan as well as other options.
3/25/2021 - I have a virtual appointment with Olivia the dietitian/nutritionist. She sent me the Gastric Sleeve diet book. After reading this over I almost reconsidered this whole thing. No red meat or raw vegetables (salads) for 6 months? No Bread, rice or pasta really ever again? Rice and pasta I could do. Bread, that one hurt!!! After talking myself down off a ledge and realizing that was my food addict brain telling me I couldn't do this - I pushed on.
3/30/21 - PCP appointment to discuss the surgery and get her approval/sign off on moving forward with this surgery. She was all for it!
4/6/2021 - My phone appointment with Dr. Snow. Okay seriously guys, I know I get along with most people but he really is a SUPER COOL GUY. We discussed the the only thing that worried him about the sleeve was that I have heartburn/acid reflux now. Sometimes after the sleeve that is worse.
4/7/2021- My PCP wanted some annual blood work run. I have been borderline diabetic for awhile. I got the blood drawn for tests
4/8/2021 - My bloodwork came back and I am now officially diabetic. My PCP said she doesn't want to anything at this point because she thinks the surgery will fix this.
4/10/2021 - I had my psych eval over the phone. Somehow I passed!! ($100)
4/16/2021 - Paid Dr. Snow and scheduled my procedure. May 5th is the big day!!! ($4,000)
4/20/2021 - Pre-surgery bloodwork and EKG (and COVID test prior to my procedure on 4/23)
4/21/2021 - Paid Mercy Hospital for the use of the operating room and overnight stay. ($6,361)
4/22/2021 - Paid the anesthesiologist. ($750)
4/23/2021 - Met Dr. Snow in person before my upper endoscopy.
So every week I plan to share the struggles, the successes, the good, the bad and the indifferent about my journey. No two people share the same journey, but I hope that one person finds even a little hope in my journey.
Starting measurements, weight and VERY DEPRESSING pictures, but again, I want to be 100% real here. That means showing my true self, even if it makes me cry.
All measurements and photos were taken 4/23 - 4/24
I am also posting a weekly face shot so I can see the changes there as well.
So this is where the journey starts.
Over the last couple weeks I allowed myself to eat tons of CRAP giving myself the last hurrah!
Staring Monday, April 26, 2021 I start the clear liquid pre-op diet. I don't "have to" start until the 28th but I am starting the 26th just in case I slip, I want to do it before I *have to* be on the diet.
Surgery is scheduled for 5/5/2021. I am excited and nervous and a million other emotions at once. Here's to the 1st step on the path to taking back my life and my health. Wish me luck!!
And you you stumbled upon this and want to troll, knock yourself out. There is literally nothing you can say to me that I haven't said to myself. I own this and I am doing my best to make the necessary changes! Light & love!
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