Kate is our oldest daughter. Kate is the kind of person that would truly give you her last dime if it would help you out, and she’d do it in a heartbeat. She has always been a giving person with a heart of gold. Kate is married to Shelby and together they have four children. If you’ve been reading for a while, then you will remember that it was Kate and Shelby that experienced the flood in their home, not once, but twice, in the summer of 2017 when everything over here seemed to have a dark cloud looming above. Kate and her family moved in with us while Mike and Shelby worked liked crazy to get their house put back together.
Since that summer, many great things have happened for them, including buying their first home and being able to put the “flood house” behind them.
Kate had a surgery scheduled for earlier this year that she has been thinking about having for some time, but due to the coronavirus she had to reschedule it. Kates surgery is this Friday, May 29th.
Knowing that Kate had done a lot of research and thinking before deciding to have her surgery, I decided to ask her if I could blog about her surgery and her experience in hopes that it might offer support to any of my readers that may be considering having the same surgery. She graciously agreed.
I sent Kate a few questions and these are her answers.
What is the surgery called?
The surgery that I am getting is call the Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy. You may also hear it called the gastric sleeve or VSG.
What is done during surgery?
During the surgery my surgeon will laparoscopically remove 85% of my stomach. My new, smaller stomach will be about the size of a banana. It limits the amount of food I can eat by making me feel full after eating a small amount of food.
How did you make the decision to have the surgery?
I have always been the “big” girl my entire life. I started gaining weight around the age of 3 and I don’t think I’ve been at a healthy weight since then. I feel uncomfortable, unhealthy, and truly unhappy with myself. There is a list of things I want to do that my weight just really holds me back on. My husband and I want to buy kayaks and the weight limit on most of them is 250lbs. I want to jump on the trampoline with my kids, ride a bike with my family, go swimming with my kids without hating every second of it. I want to be able to be active without becoming winded within a few minutes. I think I just got fed up. I got freaking tired of settling for this body when I know this tool (sleeve) and hard work could change my entire life! So here we go!
What did you have to do to get approved for the surgery?
I had to lose 5% of my body weight, meet with my surgeon 6 consecutive months to monitor my weight, see a nutritionist, have a therapy session, and go to a class. I had to also do all the pre-op blood work and testing which includes a COVID-19 test. What is your pre-op diet like? I am required to be on a diet 10 days before surgery. Days 1-6 I am allowed a protein shake breakfast, protein shake for lunch, and 6oz of lean meat and a green veggie for dinner. It averages about 700 calories per day. At first, I was really struggling with caffeine withdrawal and pure shock to my system. I started seeing my energy increase on day 5. Day 7 starts a liquid only diet until surgery.
Tuesday for Kate……
Pre-op appointment ✔️
Bloodwork in outdoor medical tent ✔️
Covid-19 test in my car ✔️
Ready for Friday ✔️
I took the following from Kate’s Facebook page this week.
For over a year now I’ve been working towards something that is going to change my life. I’ve worked hard, had countless appointments, many tests, therapy, nutrition classes, a seminar, etc etc.
I am currently on day 3 of my 10 day pre-op diet for the Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy. Next Friday will be the first day of the rest of my life and I cannot wait! For those of you that don’t know, this surgery removes 85% of your stomach. Who needs that anyways?
I’ve struggled with my weight since I was a very young child. It has been something that has really prevented me from truly enjoying many things that I want to experience. I want to shop in a regular store for regular sized clothing, hike, kayak, RUN, etc etc. I have faith that I WILL get there!
Although it is a very vulnerable feeling putting this on social media, I hope that it will encourage someone else to take a step and do something brave in their life! I will be sharing my journey here and on Instagram for anyone who would like to follow along!
I cannot wait to share my progress!
I’m so excited for Kate to feel better and be able to do the things she would like to do with her family.
Prayers and good vibes are appreciated as this brave lady goes into surgery Friday morning.
“love the life you live, live the life you love”
Karen, thank you so much for sharing your personal story and for your support. Thank you also for the link to the story. So helpful and encouraging. The prayers are greatly appreciated.🥰
Thank you Diane. Everyone’s prayers mean so much to all of us!🙏🏼❤️🙏🏼
Yes she is! And we love Shelby a ton! 👩❤️👨
Thank you for your support Wendi! It means so much to Kate and myself.🥰
Molly, thank you so much for your prayers and your support!😊💕
Nancy, she is one brave woman. That’s absolutely right. Thank you so much for your prayers.
Thank you so much Ronda. I know that it is Kates hope to be healthy for her family and I want what is best for her. Thank you for your support.❤️
Julie, thank you so much for your prayers. It means so much to me and to Kate!
Thanks for this story Julie. Wishing Kate speedy recovery and blessings.
Prayers and best wishes to your beautiful daughter !! I look forward to reading her updates.
Thank you all SO MUCH for the kind words and encouragement! I feel all the love! ❤️
Prayers for Katie and her adorable family, Julie.
Dear Kate and family,
You are a beautiful young woman with a beautiful family!
I commend you for your decision to have this surgery. It will definitely change your life. A few years ago my husband went through the process to have this surgery too. Our insurance approved the surgery. He went to his appointments, started the special diet, counseling, etc. I know it is not easy to prepare for this surgery. You did it and I am so proud of you. I will follow your progress and be on your support team from Oregon.
Along the way, my husband opted out of the surgery. It wasn’t an easy decision for him for sure. You are brave and strong! You have a lovely and supportive family!
I’m thinking of you and remembering you and your family in prayer.
I’m attaching a link to a blog of a young woman that had her bariatric 16 years ago. She has made it her life’s passion to tell her story to help others along the way.
http://theworldaccordingtoeggface.blogspot.com
Many blessings to you! ~Karen
Such a beautiful girl and precious family! So grateful you’ve shared Kate’s story with us so we can all pray for her to sail through Friday’s surgery and start this new chapter in her life.
Kate is an amazing Mother, Wife, with more courage than I could ever muster up! She’s Beautiful inside and out! And I am honored to call her my Daughter in Law. My Son is a lucky man! Best wishes to Kate through her journey! Love you sweetie
Congratulations on taking the first step of changing your life. It’s one step at a time in everything we do so bravo! Go forth and be free and be happy from the bondage of self 😁
She is beautiful, brave and motivated!! You GO GIRL! Will be anxious to hear how she does! Good luck and prayers sent for the medical team, patient and family on Friday!
One brave woman!
Hope and pray all goes well for her.
It’s something I just couldn’t do even though my doctor wanted it for me–I avoid the doctor and the dentist.
Kudos for her! She has a strong and healthy ”why” which I feel is key. I battled my weight my whole life and every time I went to “diet“ my why is that “I wanted to look good”. It wasn’t until I got old and my why sincerely changed to “I want to be healthy and enjoy my later-in-life years” that I was truly successful in losing and maintaining my weight! All the best to your Kate ❤️
Prayers for Kate and her beautiful family. Her courage is a gift to others who are considering this surgery. I look forward to hearing about her life post-surgery and the many new options it will have for her.