OT - Weight Loss Surgery

[cabmom]

Just thought I would share my personal experience.
I've been overweight my whole adult life. I've struggled with obesity related issues and some co morbidities that going along with being overweight.
I've tried all the diets and then some. I found out that I had severe sleep apnea and could die in my sleep, got the CPAP machine and started getting a better nights sleep. My father has cancer and everyone in his family has died of cancer or heart related issues. My mother died of diabetes 18 yrs ago this month. I was prone to get diabetes due to being obese.
I decided this year again to approach my Dr. about going for WLS. I gained her support by showing my research and knowledge of the different surgeries.
I decided with my surgeon that a VSG was the best surgery for me. A VSG is a vertical sleeve gastrectomy.
I had surgery on July 2nd/2009 in Michigan and OHIP covered it. My surgeon is amazing. I decided to go OOC as they call it, as the wait time was too long in Ontario. I'm down 50lbs and feel amazing. I hope to get down another 70 lbs by next July.
If anyone has any questions I'd be happy to answer. I was a very scary experience leading up to surgery realizing I was going in for major surgery, but I'm pretty sure I've given myself a few more yrs to live.

 

[Ham Ham]

What did the surgery do directly make the weight loss happens.

Are you under the supervision of a doctor and nutritionist?

Wishing you all the best.
Loose wieght ins't the hard keeping it off is the challenging part

 

[cabmom]

I had 85% of my stomach removed. All of my organs remain the same except for the size of my stomach.
You are right once the weight is off, you must maintain. My goal is to get protein in first then anything else. I also take a regular mutivitamin and vitamin B. I can stretch the stomach if I eat too much, however my goal is to use this tool to the full extent.
Yes, I am under a Dr's care and my surgeon and a NUT.

 

[highland3]

Thanks for sharing your story.

Family history and genetics can be a great motivator.

You are very brave for sharing this... and for showing pictures. You're looking good. Keep up the good work!!!!

 

[indigodisney]

What a great story, you are doing so well! You look great and I bet you feel so much better. Weight loss is so hard!

 

[tone.def]

you look great! congratulations!

 

[mousy_in_canada]

WTG you look awesome!

 

[NikP]

You are amazing, and brave too. I wish you all best in your road to success.

 

[cabmom]

Thanks for the comments! They are appreciated.

 

[pl'smama]

Congratulations and thank you for your sharing your story with us all.

Can I ask, how much can you typically eat in a given day? If you "over eat" will you be sick to your stomach?

Thanks again for sharing and good luck with everything.

Suz

 

[cabmom]

I know when I feel full. I just stop eating as it hurts to eat anymore. I can eat a small chili from Wendy's in about an hour. I eat 3 meals and 2 snacks. I always get protein in first.
The only downer to all of this is I'm losing my hair. It was really thick to begin with and I lose lots of it daily. Not in clumps, but strands here and there. It will grow back, eventually.
I'm happy to share with everyone. You can pm if you want more details if you are interested in having surgery and having OHIP cover it. You have to be at least 100 lbs overweight and have comorbities.

 

[2forMe]

I would be interested in what research you did..i.e. what web sites you visited, found helpful etc. Also how long did it take, from your Dr. giving you the go ahead, to get your surgery? What about the process with OHIP...I did not think it was very easy to get them to pay for ooc surgery.
I have looked at the lap bands, but they are about 17-20k in Canada and not covered by OHIP