To Sleeve (or Not to Sleeve) Series - #5, Waiting and Deciding and Thinking and Preparing

(This is part of a series I posted on my other (formerly anonymous) blog, tobypass.wordpress.com)

In my opening post, I tried to make it clear that I haven’t yet decided how I should proceed with dealing with my weight. My doctor suggested I explore the option of bariatric surgery and while surprised, I decided to at least take a look. Thus far, I have been additionally and continually surprised with how interested I actually am with this option.

I had never considered it viable.

I had never even thought of it as something people do. It had always been something in my mind that was a last ditch, ‘half-baked’, easy-way-out strategy that rarely worked and had untold side effects. It was only something for those over 500lbs and were in danger of dropping dead within the decade because of their weight.

After my doctor suggested it, I first went online and read several scholarly articles. To my surprise I found ones like this one which coalesces over 150 studies on the outcomes of bariatric surgery. It concludes: “Our study suggests that bariatric surgery has substantial and sustained effects on weight and significantly ameliorates obesity-attributable comorbidities in the majority of bariatric surgery patients.”  Taking into account over 150,000 patients, the authors of this study estimated that the average person sustained a 16 point drop in BMI after 5 years of surgery.
This journal article stated it even more strongly: “Bariatric surgery is the only
effective treatment of morbid obesity resulting in a long-term sustained weight loss, a
decrease in comorbidity, and an improvement in the quality of life.”

This isn’t a message I have ever heard from media or friends or family.

In fact, this concept (that not only is bariatric surgery a viable option for me right now at a BMI of 41 with elevated liver enzymes, high blood pressure and sleep apnea — but actually a very good option) is startling to me. I’m still absorbing it.

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I guess this is in part why I feel as though I’m waiting.

I attended the Bariatric Clinic Information Session. I got the information. I learned a ton. (i’ll write more on that soon). The doctor there essentially said what I read in those journal articles. I was shocked.

But I still can’t hardly believe it.

I had an appointment with my GP this week and we talked in detail about some of the pros and cons of the procedure for me. I reiterated my feelings about the above. My reactions and feelings. I told him about some of my fears and worries. The long term impacts or consequences.

He more or less said that he thinks the benefits of doing the surgery will outweigh the negatives. That if I had diabetes (my A1C right now is around 5.4 — so pretty healthy really), he’d say it’s a no brainer. But even with elevated liver enzymes, apnea, bp — and mobility issues — it’s worth it. And that trying to continue with the diet thing is a doable trial. Just not a terribly realistic comparison to getting the surgery because of the change in anatomy/hunger/hormones.

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So this is where I’m at right now.

I’m beginning to follow the pre-surgery diet instructions the clinic gave.

1. No fluid 1/2 hour before or after meals (I’ve been mildly successful at this this week)…this will be a challenging habit to change. Doable though.

2. No caffeine. (I’ve been unsuccessful at this).

3. Quit calories by mouth (pretty successful at this — although I don’t usually drink a lot of calories).

4. Keeping a food journal (CHECK!!)

5. Slow eating times — chew slowly — take time (CHECK)

6. Exercise (3 out of 4 days so far this week so that’s pretty good)

I also called my insurance company and got the skinny (ha!) on what they cover and don’t — (I’m in luck) — and whether or not the Rockwood clinic is in network (again – in luck!).

SO that leaves me to wait until consults and pre-workups begin. We’ll see how things unfold.

I still want to do a pretty exhaustive survey of pros and cons — as well as look at long term risks of getting this surgery — what is known and what is not. At this point however, I must say that I am leaning toward moving forward with it.