gardendiva3

It sounds like you are down in the dumps and I hope you share this with your family doctor. Sometimes you need a bit of help in the form of medication or talking it out. I struggled for quite a while (mother had to move in with me as her dementia was getting quite bad) before my doctor suggested I try a low-dose anti-depressant (sertralene). It allowed me to sleep better at night and cope with coming home and finding she had peeled a sack of potatoes, cut them in perfect cubes and put them in the dishwasher to cook. She also had a thing about green dish soap and thought it would be great to cook peas in. So start thinking everyday about something you CAN be thankful for and try to keep moving forward one step at a time. You can do this and this website has lots of wonderful people to encourage you and provide similar stories. Bless you.

Good Luck and don't forget....a small travel clock, earplugs, and take your own pillow if possible. I sucked all the air out of one of the "space" bags from costco and man - my pillow fits perfect in my suitcase! Things do happen for a reason and I know you will be better prepared because you have the support (your fiance) with you and the extra time to sluff off some of that yucky looking fat I see in the VSG video. That's enough to make me lose my appetite forever.

Absolutely! I look forward with mustard and relish...to "lose" my driver's license. I don't know when I have ever looked so bad and the angle of the camera ...I look like jabba the hut! So about the forum question. I am sure if someone had been skinny and gained a lot of weight they would have had to ask the question too. It could have been done a lot better. I guess in today's world with identity theft so prevalent-- they had to check. I look forward to NOT having a "Jabba ID".

Kamay1234 - Remember how you felt 4 weeks before your surgery? Anxious, excited, nervous, possibly hungry... I know in a few weeks you will feel much better. The turning point seems to be somewhere in the 5th week, according to a lot of blogs. Perhaps because they begin to introduce more solid foods. Hang in there Lady! I'll be sleeved in 15 days and you can comfort me.!

Simply beautiful! Congratulations and enjoy your new life - for many years to come. Reb

Congratulations Sassygirl! I love that you posted so soon after surgery. I'm absorbing every word as my surgery is right around the corner. Be well...keep chewing (the gum) and hopefully you'll get some water really soon! Reb

Hey KB - 16 days to go ...and I know just what you mean by taking a break from VST. I had to get away from all of the "hearsay slammers" that just don't get it. Remember playing "pass it on" as children - we would sit in a circle and whisper something and it would go around the circle. By the time it got back to the beginning - the original message does not even resemble the final message. That's what happens with gossip and spreading fear with hacker, idiotic emails about doctors who killed their patients blah blah blah. I was ready to never return to this site. But alas, I finally realized some people can't live unless they can rain on a sunny day. I laughed when I read your treadmill story because a few years ago (8 or so...omg) I had a flutter that had to be checked. I ran for about 30 seconds and thought I was going to die. I started shooting PVCs or something like that and they stopped the test. Eventually the flutters went away - probably about the same time as they discovered I had sleep apnea...and set me up with a CPAP. It's good to not overly think this journey. We go through the educational stage where we gather information, and then we go through the decision stage followed by the excitement stage and then we settle into being consumed by every piece of information we can get...and finally we move to the ...ok it's just another surgery - let's move on. I think that is why so many people get on VST a LOT before surgery...some after... and then don't respond as much because it is no longer a big deal as they have lost...and lost...and lost more weight. I look forward to that last stage.

Gem - I can totally relate..good bye Butterfinger, BabyRuth and Snickers!... so long Papa Murphys, pizza Hut and Dominoes....and toodle ooo to pastry, maple bars, and scones. Seriously I have found that getting my pantry ready for the "after" has helped and clearing out the Cereal and Pasta dishes satisfied my hunger and cravings. The new immediate challenge is they just built a Sonic and a Little Ceasars Pizza two blocks from my house. So I will do my best to visit before we start that lovely lardless luscious liquid lifestyle on August 29th. . I'm right up there with you but we can do this liquid diet thing. I just plan on not making mine all low-calorie because I am smart enough to recognize I will faint dead away faster than you can say hypo-glycemic! So do your best and leave the rest up to God! See you soon sleeve-sis. Reb

There once was a gal who was fluffy, And all too often quite stuffy, With allergies galore Would frequently snore And sneeze till her eyes were all puffy. Her health was a problem for sure, Sleep apnea, CPAP, she'd endure. Blood sugar quite high And her knees gave a cry When long or short walks were the cure. And then one day she was sleeved, Oh yes – her symptoms relieved With a svelte figurine She appeared so serene A new she could hardly be believed. Her family and friends all agreed Her coworkers and boss true indeed With support and some love And with thanks up above Her fluff was snuffed by her sleeve. (Ok ...i was bored at work)

My oh my. Miss Carmen - good to hear you are doing ok. A new Sonic is going in 2 blocks from me...I hope it opens by Sep 1!!!! Thanks for that tip. I hate cottage cheese but I love eggs and scrambled w/cheese. Did you buy canned beef stew and blend? I took some chiken breasts, cooked on the stove for 40 minutes with a can of cream of celery soup and then pureed it in my Ninja. I put it in tiny muffin/tart tins - froze it - bagged it --froze them and they are ready for consumption!! I bought EOS and Atkins shakes (they are ok over ice) or frozen - but what do you drink most of the time-Water? GemintheRough and I are both scheduled for Sep 2 and of course there was some pretty icky blogging today on the Forum about Dr. Almanza. Kind of scary. Never-the-less I am scheduled and come heck or high Protein - I'm going! Keep the posts up. I'm following every word! Reb

I've been wearing Pappy for about 3 years now. Last month the VA fit me with a new ultra-light weight hose and soft mask (covers nose only - but is entirely pliable) and OMg, I loved it before - and now--- I don't leave home without it. The brand is ResMed and I am very happy with the new machine and hose/mask. Another comment about traveling - if you get one of the new "hard side" 4 wheels rolling suitcases from costco (Riviera) I think -- you can unzip the side and fit the entire CPAP (in a padded case) inside this suitcase and travel safely with it. It was wonderful not having to pack themachine with me on theplane because TSA always makes a big deal about opening the Water chamber and testing the droplets left...geez! Anyway - I love ResMed and Pappy goes where I go. Keep trying with the mask - it doesn't take long to get used to it.

PG80 - Right there with you girl. I have a SF popsicle and a Eco friendly 16 oz cup of "Great Value (WalMart brand)" Cherry Pomegranite flavored water as soon as I get home. That gives me enough "oomf" to get through the warming up my chicken and fixing a big bowl of salad. Here's the trick. I hate to make salad. So on Sunday evening I cut up all the lettuce, carrots, celery, green onion, radish, (no tomatoes yet...add those separate) whatever else in very small pieces. I put all of it in the salad spinner and get all of the water OUT. Then I bag it in a unused shopping bag- and it's great all week long. (Since it's just me - I grab a handful and enjoy with my favorite dressing.) Costco sells chunked chicken already grilled and this is great warmed up and tossed on the salad!. I keep shakes at the ready for work...over ice - they are much better!

Just keep Swimming would be a great Blog that you could continue to post! I love that movie...my first grandson was born during the turtle scenes ...we all said "Hey dude"...when he was born. ANyway - you came to the right place. My sleeve is a month from today...this very minute - it should be over. I have found so much love and encouragement and help on this site and especially in the CHAT room after work. Phily13, Michele, and several others are routine evening chatters and I love to get caught up every few evenings. Remember - not one person has stated on this website - I didn't lose my weight and I wish I hadn't done it! That's good enough for me!! Reb

You will be just fine. Remember the pain after that little guy was born. We all seem to forget in our joy of loving this new little person. Now it's your turn to start loving the new little person you will be. I laughed out loud about the bending over to shave. That's the good thing about being nearsighted or far sighted ...whatever I am. I can't see my hairy legs in the shower anyway so I'm sure I miss quite a few. Every now and then I will notice someone staring intently at my chin....yep. A great big giant 1/4 inch hair growing fast and furious...nearly covering my lip, or curling under my chin... where the heck are my pluckers???? It wouldn't matter anyway. I can't see them. So my girls check out my chin and lip every few days...particularly if we are going to Costco or WalMart together. (I wonder why?)You earned those staples... they just barely pinch a teensy bit when they are taken out! :cheer2: Reb

That's right - next year she will be scopin' out what you have on your plate! KB - you inspire me. I know the fat is temporary. (Yes, I've said that for 30 years) but this time...we will have the tools to succeed... primarily a much smaller tool box! Reb

OK - All of you have me smiling big time! Sue - for your incredible writing style and honest application of transferring thoughts to the page. I laughed out loud about the french fry because no matter how naughty that was - it was still perfect and taught you something that most of us might totally miss. You want a BITE - have ONE. Just don't have 54. I mean - honestly - last week I opened a bag of yellow oreos...don't ask me why - but after eating 4 - I heard 3 more calling my name. So I topped off those three with a glass of milk and 7 more so the columns would be even (of remaining cookies). But then I realized... Ok - enough you know exactly that the NEW truth is - bet you CAN eat just ONE! Lays new ad for the VSG person! KB - If you wanna shack up with Sue - you're going to have to fight me for her. OK? I mean she is funny and insightful - but so are you.. so maybe we just need a great big VSG commune somewhere in northern Idaho where the skinheads used to live - but the compound is empty now... Do you think we could convince others to join? No kool-aid here. And Melissa - bless you sweetie - you can have that piece of toast or a tortilla - as a pizza crust maybe ... Just use smaller torillas or use the ROUNDS and make a sort of mini pizza or nacho or taco or burrito...just on a cap instead of in a roll. How I love reading your comments - all of you! Blessings from Reb in IDAHO!!!

Amen to all of the Above! If someone doesn't accept the decision we've made to gain back our LIFE - then heck with them. I'm 56 and wish this had been available 20 years ago. I've wasted a lot of my life hiding indoors, home at 5:05 pm and in my "favorite dress" my nightgown (you know the kind - Lane Bryant or Women Within - really big and comfy). Sit on the couch read a book, crochet, play computer games, watch tv or a DVD....notice all of these are single person activities. I told myself how "happy" I was - how much I enjoyed my quiet time. BULL!!! The fact is - I've felt too obese to go places, visit family, play with the grandkids on the grass, get on my knees, and be anywhere in a situation that someone might look at me and say "what a fat cow". After being married for 20 years and divorced for 17, I've allowed myself to think I am not worthy of a fella - and so I told myself I CHOOSE to remain single and not let anyone tell me what to do. The fact is - I long for a good friend to share VST with - to share the "I'm ok'you're ok" side of whatever skin you are wearing. I abhor the term obese...but I have to lose 30 pounds just to qualify. So let me reaffirm that in the 3 weeks or so that I have been attached to this site - I have met more wonderful, encouraging people than I have met my entire life up to this point. YOU are part of the reason I need to get on VST 4 or five times a day. To reassure myself that I am not alone in this endeavor. So if your friends dumped you - get some new ones... we're only a keystroke away. CHeers to all of you. I can hardly wait for sleevedom!! Reb (Gardendiva3)

Hey S - It's liquid...so keep a 7-up or sprite on hand to suck down a few sugars to keep those in check. I'm hypoglycemic and can pass out really fast by letting them get too low. Also add the protein WHEY from Walmart to milk and blend it - It's much cheaper than buying the Atkins or EAS shakes. (And they have chocolate peanut butter) There's a reason the DIET says 4- shakes a day. I still plan on having 2-liters of regular 7-up available for that ligh-headed headache I get when on all liquids. Good luck...Just think next Wednesday!!! Yahoo! I am excited for you! Reb

Hey KB - You and I and every other person that is on this website goes through the same thing. I was just telling Melissa about my "last suppers" and eating candy. Who knows why..I certainly have not been a candy hog in the past but for some reason it jumps in my cart and when I get up to checkout...welll there it is.

Melissa - I just sent an email to SeattleSue asking how she was doing and if she suffered from mental food anguish.. (MFA) ha ha OK - So I'm 41 days from sleeving and I still find myself buying a candy bar or a box of Mike & Ike...why? Don't know. Did you sort of enjoy many different "last suppers" where you thought I better get this in before I'm sleeved cause I won't be having it for some time!! I find myself thinking about PIZZA or Chinese food and should I go get some now and I better hurry. So far I haven't done that - but I think about it. I only have to do three days liquid pre-op but I have to make sure I can do that and still travel. So this weekend is my trial - (a previous weekend I made the attempt but had company and by 5:00 pm I was grazing in the kitchen). I have my Ninja to make smoothies now and I think the key for me will be making interesting shakes and getting all of my vitamins in. (I haven't been taking any). I get on VST several times a day (3 or 4) and I will keep reading your posts to see how you are doing. You can do it! Reb

Thanks very much for sharing. I appreciate knowing that chest pain is very likely the gas they blow you up with rising to your chest and shoulders. I remember it well from a previous laproscope. Good luck - and speedy recovery.

GOOD jOB...NO GREAT JOB!! I am sure your energy level will continue to increase and you will be a formidable example to your friends, family, and VST community. Reb

Yes - I absolutely know what you are talking about!! When I had my sleep study several years ago - they told me I was waking up more than 100 times per night - I couldn't believe it. So - I sleep with Pappy now...(my CPAP) and it only took about 2 nights to get used to the mask and hose. After that - can't sleep without it. And I love to crawl under the covers in my Bed Bath and Beyond "Beech" sheets which are sort of like T-shirt sheets except they feel like a million bucks. I first slept in them at my niece's house and OMg, I was amazed. So - now that I love getting a good nights sleep with Pappy...I just had to have those sheets too! I can also relate to the excitement of your upcoming surgery. I have 43 days to being sleeved. Sigh... I talk about it to my daughters, and I can barely focus at work because I am so HAPPY to never have to be on yo-yo diets again. My insurance doesn't cover so I decided to self pay in Mexico ($4500) and most people are saying their out-of-pocket was at least that much. Plus I don't have to go through all of those tests ahead of time. I'm glad and I've met such great people on this website. People that understand completely what it's like to suffer the "looks" and comments related to obesity. Bless you and good luck. Full steam ahead! Reb

Just think...in 6 months you will look back on your pre-op diet days and think "i'm so glad I did." It's a good idea to get that liver shrunk a bit because I guess the weight loss helps it "stay out of the way" during surgery. Your lil one is so cute. I am loving the grandbabies climbing on Nana and giving hugs and kisses. I didn't "enjoy" my children as much as I should have because I was so busy working, cleaning, cooking, and the rest. But I'm making up for lost time...with the grandbabies (4, 4, and 3) I'm so happy. Soon it will be much easier to chase after them and pull them in the wagon or play with them in the park. Life is good. Enjoy your pre-op diet. If you don't have a high-speed blender - find one andmix up your own vegetable chicken soup from www.allrecipes.com and enjoy pureed soup... (Hopefully you can have that). Reb

What I love about VST is reading people's blogs and finding out there is an entire community of people that relate to what we are feeling and can empathize with our situation. In the everyday world - people judge you for your size so we go through that endless cycle of joining WW, losing 20 pounds and then gaining 28 back after we get bored with the plan. Next we try Jenny or Nutri____ and to make up for the flavorless "mailorder food" we sneak real food to "fill up the corners". After that "failure" we decide to try slimslow or optislow or some other shake program...lose some weight but gain it back the first time we watch a Pizza Hut commercial. And...we're starving after a few hours .... The problem with this cyclical method of TRYING to lose weight is we feel like failures every time we don't achieve our goal. Are we really failures? No. Could we have tried harder? Maybe. The point is the one thread that is common is we keep typing to lose weight by changing the type of food we are eating and counting endless fat grams, calories, and fiber. Through VSG - you will succeed. The sleeve is going to take one important factor out of the equation...hunger followed by binging. Not gonna happenl! How do I know - because I've read about hundreds of women and men who DID succeed --on this website. I haven't read a single entry of "oh gee I wish I had not done this ..." You will succeed because the single fact that you can't eat too much or you'll be seeing it again.... will help you modify former behaviors. It will happen. You've changed the formula by electing to have surgery...and that was not an EASY decision. Have a great surgery!