brandynd

Hey there kids! I'm glad we've got this forum active now! I'm 22 and will be sleeved February 25 with Dr. Rod in TJ!

Woo hoo kids! Sleeved in a month and I'm soooo excited! This is gonna sound ridiculous, but I'm already looking forward to June, when we head to Chicago for the NKOTBSB show. I know I won't be into a 6-8 by then (I'm currently in a 22), but I'm hoping to be down to about a 14/16...that's 3/4 sizes in about 5 months...doable? I hope so! Anyways...I've had my eye on the cutest outfit that I want to buy for the trip! So, from the warped mind of Brandy, here are the clothes I want for my first goal (granted, they'll be in the upper sizes of what the store sells, but at this point, just fitting into the clothes from my favorite store sounds AWESOME!!): http://evanity.com/category/fashion-outfits-for-women/outfit-1.do?nType=2 Soooo cute! Ahh to fit into regular sizes again! I'm tempted to buy the jeans in size 34 (vanity equivalent of a 17/18), but I'm hoping I have the discipline to be smaller than that by then (I typically go down a size for every 10-15 pounds...so by my count, that's about 45 pounds to fit into these pants!)

Oh you are so sweet. It's just been difficult dealing with that, as well as handling the stress of the upcoming surgery. Sometimes it feels like I'm looking into a mirror and seeing the worst parts of myself being lived out by her. I doubt that makes much sense, but that's how it feels. She called me last night sloppy drunk again. This time wanting to talk about how she's so excited to go to TJ with me so we can go out and have margaritas. Explained to her AGAIN that I won't be drinking...I'll be having surgery, and she's going to make sure that I'm okay. At this point I'm rethinking whether or not I want her to go. She's a wonderful nurse, and great when she isn't drinking; but I don't know if I can trust her to stay sober the entire time we're down there. That's awful. I feel like I've betrayed her just by typing those words onto the screen. I plan on getting into group for adult children of alcoholics, but right now the only time they meet in my city is Monday's, and I have class on Monday night. So I'll have to try and get there once I finish up this course. I'm in an accelerated program at my school (trying to knock out my last 5 classes before grad school!) and this class ends at the end of the month, so hopefully I'll be able to get in there soon! I did call and talk to my dad today. He's been pretty supportive of everything. I told him about being worried for her, and he feels the same way. He's been clean and sober for 15 years, after a particularly frightening incident when my siblings and I were children. I don't know how he does it being around her, but he's still on the wagon and going strong. Said he couldn't stand the thought of taking another drink and hurting the family any more than what he's already done. I'm just hoping he'll talk her into getting help before it gets worse.

So I just returned from a scary visit at my parents house. I went out to see my mom, and she's been on a four day drinking binge. She's had some depression issues since her RNY and chooses to self medicate with alcohol. My mom had a bad drinking problem when I was growing up, but got it under control by the time I graduated high school. She's maintained her weight well, but she's had some major issues since her RNY with regards to depression. I went out to visit her at 2 this afternoon. By the time I got there she was already half crocked, and had been drinking while taking her medicated cough syrup as she was diagnosed with bad bronchitis earlier this week. It was so bad today that she thought I was 17, and proceeded to lecture me about hating my boyfriend (I broke up with him almost 4 years ago). I explained to her repeatedly that I'm 22, in college, and married to a man who she adores. I'm so scared I'm going to turn into my mom. I know I'm predisposed to having an alcohol problem, and I'll be honest with you....there are days when I just get up and I want to drink. I never do of course, and I've never abused alcohol (I drink once a month--if that, and even then it's usually just a couple glasses of wine or a few beers); but still, sometimes the urge is there. This is probably irrational and I aware of that...I'm just so scared that I'm going to spin out of control. I can't exactly talk with my friends about this, because it's so humiliating to admit that she's back to her old ways. Just feeling a little lost this evening. Sorry if this doesn't make much sense.

Anybody sleeved by Dr. Rod care to weigh in on the catheter conversation?

Oh hunny I didn't mean to scare you! I just feel like if somebody is gonna go spelunking in my candy cave they can at leastbuy me dinner first lol

So....as my date nears, I'm getting more and more nervous about my surgery. Everyone talks about nerves, and their fears for the future after VSG. I too, have my fair share of fear; but, can I be honest? The thing that I'm most worried about is waking up and still having a catheter crammed in my chooney. I know that sounds ridiculous, but EVERY TIME I've been cathed I've wound up with a killer UTI. My body hates me (my kidneys have a tendency to act up), and I'm good for one UTI every six months as it is....seriously, it's like clockwork. I know they'll probably give me one anyways, but do you think it's possible to tell them to pull it out before I'm lucid? I swear I'll pee without it. Hell, I'll pee on command if that's what it takes to get the damn thing out of my vajayjay. Seriously...I think I have a legit phobia of catheters and their tendency to lead to urinary tract infections. I'm freaked out by it. Like...."If I wake up with a catheter still in my vaj I'm gonna beat you with it..." kinda freaked out. Oh....and beat them with the catheter bag; not my vaj. Just so we're clear. I'm sure there's probably nothing that can be done to prevent getting the foley, but it sure does feel good to get my irrational fear out on paper (you know what I mean). Does anybody else share in this fear? The thought of somebody poking around in my lady flower weirds me out. On a completely unrelated topic, I have successfully used four different slang terms for the female anatomy within one post. That has to be some kind of a VST record. Just trying to lighten up an otherwise terrifying situation. But all joking aside, if anybody has any recommendations or coping mechanisms for dealing with the catheter I would greatly appreciate it. Sad....I'm going in for major surgery, and this is my number one concern..not coding on the table, or developing infection; but having a tube shoved into my hoo-ha. Lovely. Oh, there's 5.

Apparently is was a VSG'er that made the comment about the DS'ers. Now I feel bad for starting this thread.....while I do agree that the DS forum tends to be a little....hostile I guess, I don't think it was right of a VSG patient to all out say that they think that the vocal chords of everyone having another surgery should have been cut. I think we all have a tendency to forget that the WLS community is a small one, and anything we say within the VSG community can easily be read by anybody else. Meh....guess I just added fuel to the fire on that one...my bad. On a completely unrelated topic, it got up to 14 degrees here today! Woo hoo...we're getting tropical up in this beyotch!

I would be careful if you opt to go the RnY route.....your absorption will be out of whack and in order to keep your body supplied with the nutrients it needs it's possible you'll have to take a bunch of different vitamin supplements for life. That being said, if you feel that the RnY is the right surgery for you, then of course everyone here will stand behind your decision! Do you mind me asking you why you were debating the RnY? Was there something in particular about the procedure that appeals to you? Just wondering. I'm always curious about what makes people pick one WLS over another

Thanks for the reassurance everyone! I'm very well aware that any WLS is a tool, and if you try hard enough you can defeat any of them. My mom is 5 years post op RnY, and while she's still maintaining at 115-120, she very firmly stood against me getting the same procedure due to malabsorbtion and continued difficulty with vomiting and dumping. She seems to be on board with my choice of surgery, as are the vast majority of RnYers and bandsters that I know. I was just trying to find some info about the DS "from the horses mouth" so I could use the firsthand info to back up my own choice to go with the VSG. I always knew it didn't sound like an attractive option for me because the idea of having my insides rerouted scares the living hell out of me, but I was just info gathering....and being a creepy lurker lol. I wasn't expecting to hear all of the trash talk and the scewed numbers about the success "or lack thereof" of the VSG. I wish I had copied the link.....I don't think I've heard any group of WLS patients talk so much trash about others simply because of their choice of procedure....I have to admit, I am completely baffled.

So I was over on OH, and I was just kinda looking through the different forums. I'm confident in my choice of the VSG (a month and some change away!), and I would not even consider another surgery, but I was just kinda curious about the stats for other surgeries (my family is throwing a fit about my choice). Anyways, I was on the DS board, and they have some pretty frightening things to say about the VSG....about how it'll surely fail and all sleevers will regain their weight eventually, etc. Any veterans have words of advice for a now terrified baby sleever?

Or everybody could come to Omaha in June for the CWS and the biggest party of the year....just sayin' (I'm kidding, I'm kidding, nobody would INTENTIONALLY schedule a meetup in Omaha). I do love those baseball boys..specifically their tight pants. But does anybody have any feelings about the Ozarks/Okoboji? Before you start the "Middle of the country....BORING" thoughts, I will assure you both spots are actually alot of fun! It is in the middle of the country (making it closer for both coasts), and boating, barbeque, and bars (not to mention the kickin' Coach outlet) could be fun. But of everything mentioned, Florida gets this girls vote....I am for snorkel! Also, whenever everyone agrees on a locale let me know! I work for a hotel chain (we're not the Ritz, but our rooms are clean and spacious), so I'm sure I could negotiate a heck of a group discount! Ah, the perks of the tourism industry! I'm just loads of random ideas this evening....probably because I've been stuck inside all day...we're getting our first "real" snow of the winter, and it shut my city down! But, if I need to put my corporate contacts to work to make this happen for everyone, let me know!

My flights are going to be terrible. I'm flying from Omaha, and there is no direct flight into SAN from here, so I have a layover in Denver that's about an hour long. Definitely scared about making it from one gate to another in that time period, as well as being in pain trying to board. I decided not to spring for first class tickets. I really thought about it, but I can't justify an extra $2,000 for a relatively short flight. Don't worry too much about your passport! They've been arriving relatively quickly (at least in the states). I'm sure it'll come on time and everything will work out, but I do get how that could be stressful for you. I'm wondering if maybe I should switch my flight to come home on March 1st instead of the 28th...maybe that extra day of recovery would make a difference. I don't know. It's not like it would cost me anything extra....I work for a hotel chain, so I get free nights, and I'm willing to bet our San Diego property would let me use an extra one out there. Hmm...I'm going to have to find someone who's had the surgery in Mexico and see what they'd recommend.

I've become somewhat of a "youtube stalker" for VSG patients. I swear it's not as creepy as it sounds. I've just found that whenever I'm lacking confidence about my upcoming surgery it helps to watch other people who have been there!" One of my favorites is Maryposa1978. She's been really informative and updates every week as well. I recently started my pre-op blog, but I really feel self conscious because my face looks so fat in my laptops webcam...lol.

Ridiculously nervous, but definitely excited. My mom is 5 years out from her RNY, so she's been really supportive about everything. So excited to get down there and get it done. It sounds ridiculous, but at this point my biggest concern is waking up with a catheter still in! lol... I'm also hoping that my flights are booked correctly. As I understand we'll spend 1 night in the hospital and 2 in the recovery house. I used that as my gauge and booked our flight back home on the 28th. Is that what you did as well?

Awesome! I'm so glad I won't be the only one there! I think I'm flying into SAN on the 24th....mom and I are going to hit the San Diego zoo....kinda like my "last hurrah" before I go under the knife! Are you so excited to get down there??

@Dawn-isn't it crazy? Never thought something like that could happen here. More violence in the news today...shooting at a gas station in the western part of the city just a couple miles from my house. Scary. Police say it wasn't over money either....how nuts that all of this is happening at once here. There go our low violent crime rates.

February 25 with Dr. Jose Rodriguez in TJ! Woo hoo!!

Just having a sad day today. My city made national news today because of a school shooting. Today it was at my former high school. This is the second time in three years that we've made the news because of very public, very violent occurences. My city is (and I know this point is arguable) the best city in the world. It's usually so safe, and I'd feel comfortable pretty much ANYWHERE here walking by myself at night. Today a kid killed one school administrator and seriously injured another before taking his own life. I'm not sure why I'm so upset, it isn't like I was there, nor did I know the suspect or either of the two victims, but it just makes me so sad to hear about the things that are going on in the world around me. I don't know....just needed to vent a bit I guess. I don't know if any of you are even remotely religious, but if you are, please say a prayer for all of those poor students who had to witness this, as well as the families of the victims and of the shooter. Just a sad, sad day here in the midwest. Nobody ever thought anything like this could happen here, and now it's like Columbine in my own backyard. What in Gods name is happening to the youth of our nation, and in our school systems?

I feel your pain my dear. I'm still trying to kick the habit before surgery in February. Successfully went smoke free for a month and then picked up a pack at a family Christmas party. I actually went and picked up an E-cigarette called New 1's....something to that effect for like $10 at a gas station. It's helped a great deal, and hopefully I'll be able to put that down soon too! Best of luck, and if all else fails try using a cross over addiction. Every time you feel like you need a cigarette you could go for a short little walk or pop a tic tac or something. For me it's not about the nicotine it's the act of smoking itself. I hope this helps!

I've never been too concerned about the number on the scale. I've always been on the heavier side, but I guess I carry my weight well? Throughout college (up until my junior year) I weighed in at around 205 at 5'8" and wore size 11 in juniors with plenty of room to spare. I would, however, like to get down to a size 6/8. I don't know why, but for me this is the magic size. I just want to be able to go in and shop at Francesca's, Cache, and White House Black Market and fit into all of their cute clothes! That sounds so shallow, but I was always a bit of a "fashionista". I'm definitely looking forward to the weight loss process though; I have all of my cute clothes from my sorority days ( I'm only 22 and those clothes are still in style!)hanging up in my closet and just waiting for me! As soon as I can fit both butt cheeks into those size 11 pants I'll be in business! Ahhh!!! A month and a half until my surgery date, and I can hear my hollister denim and silver jeans calling out to me! You ladies make me so antsy...

Woo hoo!! 249 looks good on ya, sir!

I haven't had my surgery yet, but I actually lost a significant amount of weight after having my gallbladder removed. Granted, I cut out all greasy foods, but I lost almost 100 pounds after the removal simply by modifying my diet. Of course I've gained most of that back, but still. I wouldn't sweat it too much, since the surgery just takes out a good portion of your stomach. The gallbladder aids in digestion by housing bile that breaks foods down, and as long as you're following the post-op instructions on what you can and cannot eat, you won't be eating greasy foods or large quantities. Good luck, stop worrying, and we'll compare stories in a few months!

Today is your day! Congrats and check in with us when you're feeling up to it!

By now you're sleeved and on your way! Congratulations! I just wanted to stop and wish you luck on a speedy recovery!