sunnyd

I'm only 3 1/2 weeks outs (on soft foods) but I have found that I do save a lot less on groceries already. Today I ran to the grocery store and only had one bag of groceries versus the 10 or so that it would've been pre-op. However, the Protein powder and drinks definitely add up. I think they take the place of the money I saved on groceries so far. Not sure if that will change the farther out I get but I would think so since we will be eating more actual foods and hopefully less protein shakes/drinks.

That's fabulous to have your sister by your side as you go through this experience! Good luck to both of you as you begin this journey!

Woo Hoo! April 26th will be here before you know it! Good luck to you!

YAY FOR YOU!!! That's exciting that there was a cancellation and you don't have to wait until May! For me waiting was one of the hardest things to do! Good luck to you as you begin this journey!

CONGRATS TO YOU! I love to hear stories from people who are a year or more out. It assures me that I made the right decision, which of course I have questioned the last 3 weeks post-op. I love the clothes swapping too- how wondefuf for you both!

So I'm now a little over three weeks since being sleeved. I actually typed this up once before but somehow lost it and was too tired to type again until now. My time in the hospital started off with a glitch and ended with a glitch. At first (after being at the hospital for over 5 hours- also had a vena cava filter put in) my bloodwork showed I had low potassium. If they couldn't get it raised by taking what I call potassium "shots", which were super nasty tasting, then my surgery would have to be post-poned. Yeah...I freaked, but my levels did raise about 40 minutes after the potassium shot- so yay surgery! Everything with surgery went fine. The surgeon said if I hadn't lost the 63 lbs. ahead of time she would've had to have done an open procedure because my liver was still pretty big but thank goodness that didn't happen! I was so happy to wake up alive and with the laproscopic option! My other glitch was one night I woke up with a nurse sitting by my side. Apparently my oxygen levels went really low and I stopped breathing. The nurse had to stay with me as I slept that night since it kept going low- scary! Anyways that led me to staying in the hospital another night and I was supposed to stay a fourth night but they decided to let me go home if I slept with oxygen at home and scheduled some heart tests and a sleep study. Whew- I was glad I could leave the hospital! I was so ready to be home! Finally after a couple days home I got on the scale- oh I so shouldn't have- I had gained 15 lbs!!!!! What... I thought I was supposed to lose weight! So I know it was due to receiving fluids for 4 days and the air they pump into your stomach during surgery but still it was depressing. I've since lost those lbs- thank goodness. Then came the appointments. Had an echocardiagram and bubble tests done on the heart, potassium checked, additional bloodwork done, follow- up with the surgeon and nutritionist, and more bloodwork done to see if I had infection (had some bad stomach pain). All of that came back good. And then I had the oh so fun sleep study last night. Wow- that was an experience! How weird to be hooked up to so many wires and to have someone watch you sleep. The strangest thing was waking up in a pitch dark room while someone was saying my name. Of course I woke up forgetting where I was and I kept looking around trying to see who was calling my name- well duh it was over the intercom. he he . I haven't received results yet but the technician said I definitely didn't have severe sleep apnea and she wasn't even sure I'd be diagnosed with sleep apnea/need a c-pap. Both she and my surgeon guess it may be because of the pain meds why I had issues in the hospital- but of course I won't know for sure until my follow-up with the doc. Whew- well there is my story. Overall things went well. It is definitely an adjustment but I continue to tell myself it will get better and better. I've really enjoyed reading all your stories and NSV's and can't wait to be there with you soon!

That's a great story! I love it that your own mom didn't recognize you! Way to go on your continued weight loss!

Congrats to you!!! Those are great results!!

CONGRATS TO YOU~ THAT'S EXCITING!!!

I was trying so hard to lose weight before surgery that I hardly did a food farewell tour. I did well losing weight but dang did I regret not having my favorites before hand. Yes, I know we will eventually be able to have small amounts of food but I wish I would've had one last chicken parmesan meal or chicken chimichanga! I kept thinking about them my first few days post-op. So I wouldn't feel bad if I was you and you didn't cheat yoru pre-op so you're good! Good luck on your pre-op diet and as you begin your sleeve journey!

Congrats to you! Receiving that letter is just wonderful! I reread mine about 10 times before I was sure it was actually an approval letter- I was so sure I'd be denied. It's good that you are having a sleep study done prior to surgery. I didn't and then the nurses realized I had poor oxygen output while I was sleeping at the hospital. It extended my hospital stay and now I have to sleep with oxygen until I have a sleep study done. They wanted me to have one done the week after leaving the hospital. That was crazy since I was and am still sleeping in a recliner (11 days post-op). Need to schedule one soon though. Good luck to you as you begin this journey!

Welcome! Your story sounds so much like mine. I didn't want either the bypass or lap-band either. I knew I needed to do something but wasn't sure weight loss surgery was the way to go. Like you I'm also anemic and was concerned about the malabsorbitive options. I was sleeved on March 16th and am still adjusting to this new way of eating and thinking. I think I will do better when I can actually have real food. Reading posts like yours makes me feel like I'm not alone with thinking about food so much pre-sleeve and to know that kind of thinking can/will change too. Your story is inspiring!! I hope to feel the same as you as I get farther in the journey. Good luck to as you continue as on!!!

Oh I have been feeling the same way!!! I'm 11 days post-op and am on full liquids. I keep thinking will I ever be able to eat mexican food again or drink my guilty pleasure margaritas. I also regret not having some of my favorite foods before surgery- not sure what I was thinking. My mom and sister have been staying with me after surgery and they of course cook and I so want to be having what they are instead of my protein shakes or liquid meals. I know eventually we will be able to have small amounts of our favorite foods but I wonder will it taste the same or will I be happy with that small amount? I guess we need to stay strong and know we are doing what is best for us in the long run. Know that we are becoming healthier which will lead to a longer, more active life. Hang in there and best of luck to you as you start this journey!

Congrats to you!!! It must feel wonderful to reach onderland!!

Congrats to you!!! That must feel wonderful!!!

CONGRATS!!! YOUR POSTS ARE ALWAYS SO INSPIRING!!!

CONGRATS!!! What wonderful news for you and your family.

I was just like you one week ago today, so nervous. It is always scary to have surgery, but as Foxbins said, the risks are very small. You will do great. You are on your way!!! BTW, what is a neck filter? Thanks Maybe I shouldn't call it a neck filter. But they put it in a vein in the neck. It's called a vena cava filter and it helps prevent blood clots.

CONGRATS!!! That is exciting!! It will be here before you know it! Happy dance away!!!

You're doing great!! Yes- very inspiring! I have my surgery tomorrow and I hope I'm as successful as you've been. I'm starting out at a similar size too. I know I have far to go but one step at a time- right? CONGRATS again on your weight loss- that's so EXCITING!!!

Tomorrow is my big day and I'm soooo NERVOUS! I'm NERVOUS about having a filter put in my neck, about not being able to have surgery (just recovered from the flu), and of course about something going wrong. I've done well on the pre-op diet- I've lost about 55 pounds in the last few months- so I think my liver will be smaller, which used to be a concern of mine. I'm also NERVOUS that my doc will have to do open instead of laproscopic or will have to do a bypass instead of a sleeve (both of which she said are small possibilities). I know I should stop freakin' out but it's so hard!!!

I'm definitely in the same mind frame as you. I have four days left and am freaking out about a lot of the same things. I'm up at night worrying. Someone on here wrote that she made goodbye letters to her loved ones and I was thinking about that last night. Should I do the same? Then I started crying thinking about it. Now I'm sick and double worried I might not even be allowed to have it done this week. I keep trying to reassure myself it will be ok- but that's hard to do. So I guess we can try to think positive and pray that everything will turn out ok and lead us to a healthier life!

Ok so I have 4 more days until it's finally time for my surgery. Yesterday I came down with a bad case of the flu. I was getting sick, having the chills and fever at the same time, and spending a lot of time in the bathroom. Today I've been dizzy and sleeping as much as possible. I'm finally able to keep down water and Isopure so I'm working on my fluids. I'm just worried this could affect my chance of having surgery! I even dreamed that once I got at the hospital they told me I would have wait until a later date due to me being sick. Aauugghh! My regular doc said if I get sick to call the office right away- but of course they are closed on the weekend and what would they do anyways for the flu? Anyone experience being sick before surgery? Anyone not able to get their surgery once they got to the hospital? I'm stressing out now!!!

Thanks for sharing your story! I have two weeks left until mine and I love reading all the detailed posts. It seems I can never read enough when it comes to this surgery and all the success people have. Good luck to you as you continue on your journey!

YAY!!! It's coming soon! 2 weeks will go by before you know it! I will be sleeved the 16th. I find myself getting nervous and holding my breath when I think about how close it is. Exciting but scary too! Can't wait to be on the other side and losing like the others here! Good luck to you!