Cleosan52

I got home around 6:00pm. yesterday. I was able to rest ( hospital should have a sign posted...Thou shalt not let thy patients sleep)!!! On Monday, we got the hospital at 5 am and got my iv and all the other goodies to get me ready. Surgery was at 7am. I remember sliding off the gerny onto the operating table. They put compression blow up thingies on my legs, tied my arms down and put the mask on me. Next think I remember is waking up in my hodpital room. ( slept through the whole revocery room episode) The staff were very nice but some were clueless, they kept referring my as a RYN pt not a sleeve pt. We had a lot of pt education these last couple of days, lol. Dr said everything was very smooth, liver shrank down and they didn't have to jostle my insides around. -Here is what I noticed: -I have no appetite -I made them order me a binder, I walked much better with one on, the JP drain didn't feel like it was being tugged on. -Sipping is much easier than I thought. I have to force myself actually just to get 1 oz down. -I had so much relief when they took the JP drain out. -Walking helps with gas pain. -use your spirometer ( breathing into thingy) it hurts at first but helps get all the gunk out of you chest - expect nausea and dizziness, part of the process, I ended up dry heaving 4-5 times with family yelling help and nurses running, it was mass chaos for 15 min. The nurse put something in my iv and I was out for 3 hrs, very scary!! - leak test sucks, but it was cool seeing the die go down into my little banana ( note--- it does not look like the cute pictures in the books, lol) I'm home now and not having any pain but the nausea and upset stomach is not fun I gained 6lbs in Fluid so now I'm back up to 290 ( 4 more too lose) Thank you for all you support and prayers!!!

I got home around 6:00pm. yesterday. I was able to rest ( hospital should have a sign posted...Thou shalt not let thy patients sleep)!!! On Monday, we got the hospital at 5 am and got my iv and all the other goodies to get me ready. Surgery was at 7am. I remember sliding off the gerny onto the operating table. They put compression blow up thingies on my legs, tied my arms down and put the mask on me. Next think I remember is waking up in my hospital room. ( slept through the whole recovery room episode) The staff were very nice but some were clueless, they kept referring my as a RYN pt not a sleeve pt. We had a lot of pt education these last couple of days, lol. Dr said everything was very smooth, liver shrank down and they didn't have to jostle my insides around. -Here is what I noticed: -I have no appetite -I made them order me a binder, I walked much better with one on, the JP drain didn't feel like it was being tugged on. -Sipping is much easier than I thought. I have to force myself actually just to get 1 oz down. -I had so much relief when they took the JP drain out. -Walking helps with gas pain. -use your spirometer ( breathing into thingy) it hurts at first but helps get all the gunk out of you chest - expect nausea and dizziness, part of the process, I eneded up dry heaving 4-5 times with family yelling help and nurses running, it was mass chaos for 15 min. The nurse put something in my iv and I was out for 3 hrs, very scary!! - leak test sucks, but it was cool seeing the die go down into my little banana ( note--- it does not look like the cute pictures in the books, lol) I'm home now and not having any pain but the nausea and upset stomach is not fun I gained 6lbs in fluid so now I'm back up to 290 ( 4 more too lose) Thank you for all you support and prayers!!!

Ready, set... Well, the time has finally came. This is the day that God has decreed in my life, and I am walking in it. Psalm 118:24 This is the day which the LORD has made; we will rejoice and be glad in it. I got the kids packed to stay with my parents, and I'm packed for the hospital. My sister is great, she had a bonfire tonight with the immediate family to "take my mind off things". We gathered around and prayed together. And now I'm off with hubby (left the kids with my mom), we have to be at the hospital at 5am and surgery is schedule for 7am. When I wake up, I will be headed to the losers bench for once and for all. Oct 25th is a new day for me, it's the first day of my new life. I am not naive to think that magically I will lose all my weight and life will be all hunky-dory. What I know is, I am given a new chance, a new "tool" that can "help" me keep my weight off. Ultimately, I am in control of what I put in my mouth and how I use this tool in the future. I just thank God that I have the opportunity to do so.

Ready, set... Well, the time has finally came. This is the day that God has decreed in my life, and I am walking in it. Psalm 118:24 This is the day which the LORD has made; we will rejoice and be glad in it. I'm off with hubby, we have to be at the hospital at 5am and surgery is schedule for 7am. When I wake up, I will be headed to the losers bench for once and for all. Oct 25th is a new day for me, it's the first day of my new life. I weighed myself this morning and too my measurements. I'm 286, that's 38 lbs lost pre-op! I am not naive to think that magically I will lose all my weight and life will be all hunky-dory. What I know is, I am given a new chance, a new "tool" that can "help" me keep my weight off. Ultimately, I am in control of what I put in my mouth and how I use this tool in the future. I just thank God that I have the opportunity to do so.

35 here! and getting sleeved tomorrow. I actually saw pegged jeans at the mall and about fell over. I'm class of 93 and my goal is to get back to that weight.

Awesome! How do you do the side by side pictures. I think those are great!

Welcome back! I'm glad everything is going so well and praying that it continues!

That your husband is "allowing" you to have this surgery is half the battle. I know that we want our husbands to be 100% behind us and our decisions without hesitation, but sometimes they just have to be shown. My husband was very quite with the whole thing until recently. He does realize that I come from a heavy family and he comes from a thin one. If you could have done this on your own you would have years ago. But now God is opening all the right doors for you. Keep letting your husband see how God is working in your life. It might come to the point where you will be comforting his fears, but the time will come when he see how much your life (and his) has turned for the better. How much you two will be able to do together. Praying that one day he will day, "Gosh Honey you should have done this years ago!!!" lol. Praying for peace in your spirit and mind for both of you. Hugs...

Awesome!!! I was telling my sister all you (her surgery is Nov 8th) You are an inspiration!

Almost Go but not yet It has been a very busy day. I manage to get everything I need after surgery. Now I just have to make a list of what the kids will need when I'm in the hospital. I also had a date night with hubby. We went to a fancy place with dinner music and all. I splurged for my "last" meal! Half a chicken breast, half a baked potato, a roll and three bites of a goooy, yummy dessert. It was so nce talking with hubby, we got a lot out about our fears about surgery. We both in a good place. We went to see a movie afterwards, held hands the whole time. We don't do a lot of that with three kids, 5 and under, lol. When we got home there was a message on the machine. Hospital called and they changed my surgery time from 9am to 7 am. I have to be there at 5 am. All the butterflies came back, lol. Here's to 2 more days left!!!

"new way of life" I like that Lily. Thanks!

Almost Go but not yet! It has been a very busy day. I manage to get everything I need after surgery. Now I just have to make a list of what the kids will need when I'm in the hospital. I also had a date night with hubby. We went to a fancy place with dinner music and all. I splurged for my "last" meal! Half a chicken breast, half a baked potato, a roll and three bites of a gooy, yummy dessert. It was so nce talking with hubby, we got a lot out about our fears about surgery. We both in a good place. We went to see a movie afterwards, held hands the whole time. We don't do a lot of that with three kids, 5 and under, lol. When we got home there was a message on the machine. Hospital called and they changed my surgery time from 9am to 7 am. I have to be there at 5 am. All the butterflies came back, lol. Here's to 2 more days left!!!

I had a very surreal moment just now. I love reading all our posts both good and bad and everything in between. I love giving encouragement and praying. Hugs and prayers have been my tag line, Why? Because I wish I could just reach out and give you all a hug to let you know I'm there for you, and prayers because, well, that's what I do. I believe if you talk the talk then you walk the walk too. But until know, it's always been the "other" people. It finally dawned on me, "This is going to be me this time next week " By 12:30 next monday, I will have my sleeve, be in my room, learning all over again how to eat and begin with a fresh start in life. I have to be at the hospital by 7am and surgery is 9 am. Oh man, all I can do is say "Wow, it's happening so fast!!!" Don't get me wrong, I'm excited and rearing to go but.... well... OH MAN, WOW!!!

We have a thread on here started by one of our sisters. She writes about the guilt that can flow through us when we make such a big decision in our lives as this surgery is. I took a lot of comfort in that post because I didn't feel alone. There are people of out feeling the same as me, and I don't have hide those fears. I can confess them and move on in the knowledge that God's grace, mercy and love, that are unending, never failing. I hope this can be a place where we can share our new found joy and peace in this journey. I'm trading my sorrows I'm trading my shame I'm laying them down for the joy of the Lord I'm trading my sickness I'm trading my pain I'm laying them down for the joy of the Lord And we're singing Yes Lord, yes Lord, yes yes Lord Yes Lord, yes Lord, yes yes Lord Yes Lord, yes Lord, yes yes Lord, Amen I am pressed but not crushed, Persecuted not abandoned Struck down but not destroyed I am blessed beyond the curse For His promise will endure That His joy is gonna be my strength Though the sorrow may last for the night His joy comes in the morning (the posters on this song are awesome!!!)

I've heard that they only cover this surgery at a Military Facility too. I also heard "a rumor" that this is will change in Jan but I cannot day this is factual. Tiffykins was into insurance and may have some pointers if you want to try an appeal letter, just pm her. I will be honored to pray for you. I pray that God would open doors for you that make man's head spin. He knows the desires of your heart and is not a respecter of persons. What he does for one child, he will do for another. I pray blessings upon your life and health, and peace to you body and mind, in Jesus' name!

Yeah! Praying for a safe surgery and fast recovery. Keep us updated! Hugs and prayers

I just got mine and I've used it 4 times since this morning, lol. Clean up is a snap. Another plus is the steamer lids so you can cook your food in the microwave and then put reg lid on to save the leftovers in the fridge.

Wishing you all the best!!! Keep us updated as soon as you can, hugs and prayers

Aww, big thanks to you girls. I love this board!!! I know God has each one of us in the palm of His hand. This song by Steve Green blessed me today, it was posted on another board and it just ministered so much to me and I hope to you too: If the struggle you're facing Is slowly replacing your hope With despair Or the process is long And you're losing your song In the night You can be sure that the Lord Has His hand on you Safe and secure He will never abandon you You are His treasure And He finds His pleasure in you He who began a good work in you Will be faithful to complete it He'll be faithful to complete it He who started the work Will be faithful to complete it in you This is exactly how I feel right now. Joy comes in the morning. I pray each one of us walk through these open doors with peace. I will be praying for each one of you. Hugs and prayers!!!!

Yeah!!!! Hugs and prayers. You'll do great!!!

I have to give a big WooHooo! I'm at 289lbs, that 35lbs lost!!! I'm doing really good following the low fat/low carb diet. I am feeling a little limited in my food choices though. I could use some great recipes. I had a very surreal moment today too. I love reading all the posts on the VGS board both good and bad and everything in between. I love giving encouragement and praying. Hugs and prayers have been my tag line, Why? Because I wish I could just reach out and give you all a hug to let you know I'm there for you, and prayers because, well, that's what I do. I believe if you talk the talk then you walk the walk too. But until know, it's always been the "other" people. It finally dawned on me, "This is going to be me this time next week " By 12:30 next Monday, I will have my sleeve, be in my room, learning all over again how to eat and begin with a fresh start in life. I have to be at the hospital by 7am and surgery is 9 am. Oh man, all I can do is say "Wow, it's happening so fast!!!" Don't get me wrong, I'm excited and rearing to go but.... well... OH MAN, WOW!!!

Oh Lord, the butterflies are starting!!! I got the call this afternoon, everything went in with the insurance no problem. My date is for Monday October 25th!!!! I was in shock, I wanted to jump up and down, however just having my gall bladder out Tuesday, I thought that would be a bad idea. I called my sister and she took the Nov 8th date so everything is just rolling along for both of us. I was suprised though as I was talking to my sis, I started crying. I'm a little scared, not about the surgery and all that, but about losing the weight. Being obese has been my way of life. I've never been thin and so the thought that by this time next year, I'll be 100 lbs (if not more ) less was just a little too much for me to take in at that moment. I'm back to excited now and just anxious to be done with everything! So move over all, at the end of the month, I'll be on the loser bench!!!!!

This weeks song really spoke to my heart. It was like everything I had bottled up inside, everything I wanted to pour out to the Lord. The prayer typed at the beginning of the song is "my prayer" to Him. I can do nothing without Him. The best part is He takes me as I am, all my faults, failures, distresses, joys, accomplishments. I don't have to be this cookie cutter Christian woman. There is no mold I have to fall into His grace is without works. His love is unfailing. The problem is I'm human with many expectations on myself. But sometimes you just have to "let go and let God". Matthew 11:28-30 Then Jesus said, "Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light." All that I am, all that I have I lay them down before you O Lord All my regrets, all my acclaim The joy and the pain, I'm making them yours Lord I offer my life to You Everything I've been through Use it for your glory Lord I offer my days to You Lifting my praise to You As a pleasing sacrifice Lord I offer You my life Things in the past, things yet unseen Wishes and dreams that are yet to come true All of my hopes, all of my plans My heart and my hands are lifted to You.