Sleeve Gastrectomy - Was it worth it?

Sleeve Gastrectomy - Was it worth it?

Absolutely YES! ...for now.   The issues I hoped the Sleeve Gastrectomy would solve were my constant hunger, fast eating, and over stuffing of my stomach.  And it certainly solved all of them.  I am now enjoying slow munching.  It's amazing how I'm not hungry all the time.   Of course losing 22 lbs in a month helped my psyche.  So far, so good.  However, every now and then I think I need to ask myself,  "Was it worth it?"

Sleeve Gastrectomy - Acid Reflux - GERD

Sleeve Gastrectomy - Acid Reflux - GERD

Before my Bariatric Sleeve Gastrectomy, my doctor asked me if I had a problem with heart burn, acid reflux or GERD.  I told him that I occasionally would take TUMS, or an acid reducer, or an acid controller.  But I didn't think I had a problem.

After my surgery, my doctor mentioned that I had a significant hiatal hernia and that he repaired it.

My suggestion to everyone is to not ignore heart burn or acid reflux.  It can become a very serious problem.  If left untreated, it could cause Barrett's esophagus and a risk of cancer, or an esophageal ulcer.  Make sure you check with your doctor.

Bariatric Surgery - How much does it cost?

Bariatric Surgery - How much does it cost?

At my last doctors' visit, I asked how much would the Sleeve Gastronomy cost if I paid cash for it.  Here's the approximate costs for the three bariatric surgeries that my doctor performs: 

            Lap-Band:  $11,000

            Sleeve Gastrectomy:  $15,000 - $17,000

            Gastric Bypass:  $23,000

Caveat:    Of course all costs can change at a moment's notice, and each State might have different requirements.  In other words, these costs can give you a good idea of the price range, but don't take them to the bank.  

Sleeve Gastrectomy - Meeting the "Insurance" company requirements

Unless, you're paying cash, it can be a long time, 3 months to a year or longer or never, to meet the insurance company requirements before they will pay for the Sleeve Gastrectomy surgery.  Apparently, not all insurance companies will pay for this surgery, because some consider it "experimental".

My insurance company did pay for my surgery and here are some of the requirements that had to be met:

1.  BMI (Body Mass Index) of 40 and above or BMI of 35 and above with significant other severe problems like, high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol, sleep apnea, etc.

2.    6 months under a doctors' office weight management program (not programs like Weight Watchers) it has to be at a doctors' office or 3 months at the Bariatric Surgery Office.

3.  Visit a psychiatrist for a psychiatric evaluation.

  4.  Attend a bariatric nutrition class.

Bottom line: If you are considering having bariatric surgery, visit the surgeon's office, as soon as possible and find out what your insurance company requirements are with the surgeon office "insurance" person.  It might be a very long time before you can qualify for the surgery.   It's very frustrating to be emotionally ready to have the surgery, but  having to wait a long time to meet the insurance requirements.

Sleeve Gastrectomy - Calorie Counters & Calorie Burned Gadgets

I'm keeping a careful food diary of what I'm eating.  Throughout the years, I have tried many on-line and paper food diaries.  My latest favorite is  myFitnessPal.com.  this is  an on-line program which links to an app on mobile devices.    First thing, it's FREE and secondly, with my iPad, I can scan a food barcode and it puts all the nutritional information in my food diary.  Pretty nifty.  On-line, it has great printable reports and graphs.  I keep my iPad in the kitchen, so I input the food diary as soon as I can.  I found out that if I wait too long, it's amazing how I forget what I ate.

I wear a "Bodybugg" (bodybugg.com) device on my arm to keep track of how many calories I burn.  Not only does it keep an accurate track of calories being burned, but also it's an excellent pedometer.  I've been wearing this device for many years.  It also has a food diary, but I prefer myFitnessPal for recording the diary.  Years ago, BodyBugg was the only game in town, but now there are many similar devices available.

I transfer the BodyBugg information into myFitnessPal, so I have one place for producing reports.

Sleeve Gastrectomy - Nordic Walking

Since I want to keep walking as much as possible, my husband and I signed up for a Nordic Walking class to add some interest.  It seems like it's one of the hottest fitness trend in Europe.  However, it looks like we're the first ones in our block to do it. 

I would suggest taking a class for this; there is more to it than you would think.  Good technique is necessary, you wouldn't want to do a faux pas, the exercise police might complain.

Seriously, it's a great exercise, because you use your upper body to propel you instead of swaying your arms when you walk.  I'm amazed how easily I can climb up and down hills, especially in Colorado, when no matter which direction you go, it's uphill.  I also noticed that it reduces stress on my knees, hips and lower back!  It feels like the poles and upper body absorb some impact of each step.  So far, it's fun.

Being from Colorado, I have a plethora of poles in the house.  I have many poles for skiing, snowshoeing, and trekking (backpacking).   You would think one of those would work for Nordic Walking.   Nope, had to buy another set of "special" Nordic Walking poles.  Glad I did: you got to get the "right tool for the right job".  Besides, the poles were from a Colorado company.  Buy local, I say.  The company is www.boomyah.com.  Check their web site for more information.

Sleeve Gastrectomy - Exercise

For the first month after my Sleeve Gastrectomy, I walked as much as possible.  Within, 2 weeks, I was reaching my 10,000 steps goal, which is a little over 4 miles a day.  I've now been walking 10K at least 3 times a week.  Two months after my procedure, the doctor said I could restart my "Women's Result” exercise program.  It's a great program that incorporates weight training and aerobics.  My favorite at-home exercise is using the Swiss fitness ball.  I was concerned about rolling on my tummy, but my doctor said my stomach would be healed by then.  I just have to pay attention to my body and stop anything that doesn't feel right.