amy terese

hey! Just thinking about you today!

update:

I'm done! Other than the gas chest pain i am doing well. Gonna walk a few more times the ask for meds. Drinking/sipping is going well. I sill update more in morning...

yeah you are on the other side.....congrats

I have 5 tiny incisions ... also i had a hysterectomy and gall bladder removeal 4 years ago and those scars basically disappeared.... so it should be ok...

hey also i used ice packs on the incision and it helped alot.... when getting out of your bed roll onto your side and it will hurt less.... always squeeze you pillow it also helps anytime you move in bed or out!!! it will go well....you will see...

@ Savinggrace - Thank you!

@ Peguinlover - Thanks! Fortuntely my surgery got moved up one week. I am having the prodecure done on Monday, the 12th!

@ Krystle - Thanks for the info. I feel ready.

I will not hesitate to take more time off from work, if need be.

@ Amy - I will check out some youtube videos. That is a good suggestion about the mouth spray. I will add that to my list. Thanks.

I hope I don't end up with too many incisions.

Today I completed my first day of Clear liquids. It was rough but I got through it. Each day I get a step closer. I can't wait!

I have 5 tiny incisions ... also i had a hysterectomy and gall bladder removeal 4 years ago and those scars basically disappeared.... so it should be ok...

I'm just under 5'2". I started my milk diet today. I'm already starving. I bought tons of microwaveable dinners from costco so my boys can cook for themselves. This is going to be a very long 2 weeks.

hang in there ,,, i was luckly my doc put me on phedrene for the pre-op diet and it totally curbed my appetite... also the preop diet is what you will be on following surgery for the first few weeks so its good to practice... after surgery diet you do not get as hungry however so its easier ... at least thats been my experience....

Hey good luck ... pretty soon you will be on the other side!!!! bring a list of questions to ask your doc .. it really helped me. I woke up with a drain , a foley Catheter, oxygen 2 iv's alot of bruises from the blood thinner shots they gave me ...and if i didn't ask him aboout that stuff he wouldn't have probably told me ( not because he is a bad doc but because he just thinks most people know that stuff?? ) plus every doc does the surgery differently. i was glad when i woke up i knew exactly why i had everything and what it was... it eased my nerves..... also i watched a sleeve surgery on u tube so i knew what was going on, but i love blood and guts and i am in the medical field myself so i was happy to see the video....the techniques have been vastly improved in the last years so thats good. well good luck and keep me updated !!!!!!

i also forgot to tell you that i got my nerves so worked up prior to surgery for nothing.. the surgery itself was fine... day after post op is rough so keep up with the pain meds and walk walk walk.... also get a mouth spray by biotene its like fake salivia and it really helped my mouth from not getting to dry after surgery before i could have my leak test.....

Hey good luck ... pretty soon you will be on the other side!!!! bring a list of questions to ask your doc .. it really helped me. I woke up with a drain , a foley Catheter, oxygen 2 iv's alot of bruises from the blood thinner shots they gave me ...and if i didn't ask him aboout that stuff he wouldn't have probably told me ( not because he is a bad doc but because he just thinks most people know that stuff?? ) plus every doc does the surgery differently. i was glad when i woke up i knew exactly why i had everything and what it was... it eased my nerves..... also i watched a sleeve surgery on u tube so i knew what was going on, but i love blood and guts and i am in the medical field myself so i was happy to see the video....the techniques have been vastly improved in the last years so thats good. well good luck and keep me updated !!!!!!

Hi! I know what you mean about the 6 month PSWL, during that process, I couldn't quite figure out what I was supposed to do...was I supposed to succeed and be told by the insurance company that I didn't need surgery because I could in fact follow a weight loss program from my physician? or was I to fail at the 6 month of dieting to be told by my surgeon that I would fail at the after surgery diet if I couldn't succeed on the physician guided diet. It was very confusing and now I sit in limbo somewhere between the 6 month diet (which I completed on 8/25), and insurance approval (submitted on 8/30 ) and no word yet...still a little confused, do I bug the insurance approval office to the point that they deny me because I'm a pest or wait patiently and get denied because I didn't push hard enough...ARRRRRGGGGG!!

Can't wait until I hear something because I'm going insane waiting to know. I feel different every day, up because no news isn't a denial, yet down because no news isn't an approval either, arrrg!

just a little fyi .. insurance companies have a 2 week deadline to respond to pre-authorization for surgeries.. i still called mine everyday just to be annoying .. they waited untill day 14 and then told me that day at 4pm... so hang in there and keep up the positive thoughts!! if they deny it appeal appeal and appeal!!

Well, I am very new to this entire process and new to forums. I just started this process in late June by attending the initial seminar, then this past week I had my initial appoitment with the sergon and staff. Because I my BMI is 38.9, I have to jump through the insurance hoops. My insurance has the requirment of six-months of a doctor supervised weight loss program and two medical issues related to weight. My fear right now is jumping through all the hoops and BAM! Insurance denial. But I guess that is a bridge I will need to cross when it's time.

As for the rest, I have only told very close friends and family that I am considering WLS. The reactions is what gets me the most. My good friend and co-worker was so positive. She knows I have struggled, we spent six months together working two days a week with a personal trainer. She lost thirty pounds, I ate my way through the exercise. Another "friend" told me to come over to her house and she would go through her pantry with me and show me how to make simple healthy choices. What? Seriously? I have two Masters degrees, do you think I am mentally retarded (sorry if I offend)? I KNOW what healthy eating looks like, I eat healthy (before 9 PM after that, it's all down hill). The last reaction is, "don't you think this is drastic?" Well, yes, yes it is drastic. I have tried for ten years to get back to a healthy weight and I keep gaining. I can no longer be trusted with a stomach.

Here's to the next six to eight months. I am going to keep a positive attitude and know that the best is yet to come.

Aren't people wonderful??? remember an opinion is just that an opinion...period..... it has nothing to do with not trying on diets or exercise, nothing to do with which diet we try.... it has to do with a lifetime of poor eating choices combined with our emotions combined with metabolic issues sometimes with self esteem issues etc....Bariatric surgery has nothing to do with loosing weight ...daaa logically if you have the surgery you will loose weight ... but bARIATRIC SURGERY HAS EVERYTHING TO DO WITH KEEPING IT OFF!!!! so tell all the negative Nellies in your life to just watch and see..... love the people who tell me i am unhealthy and overweight and then when i finally decide to get the surgery they tell me its drastic or not healthy or whatever...ok they apparently only want me to loose the weight the way they want me to loose the weight... thats like telling a diabetic their brand of insulin is the wrong brand... even if it works just fine.... well my dear i support your decision 100 % no one knows you like you do and this is a great positive thing you are doing for yourself!!! Sorry you had to go through so many hoops with the insurance ... just keep pushing and even if they deny it you appeal and appeal .... trust me the squeeky wheel gets the oil when it comes to insurance companies so don't give up without a fight!!! I am 5 ft 1 in and if i put anymore weight on this frame, or lost weight and gained it back again i knew it was going to eventually kill me, i just couldn't do it alone... i see the sleeve in comparison to smokers.... it is my patch .. it helps me and gives me the tool... I am 7 days out from my surgery and doing fine. I am not very hungary and am enjoying the break from constantly thinking about food all of the time. well i am done from my soap box .... hang in there and go for it .. keep me posted i promise i will support you every step of the way!!!

no it won't be a problem... i woke up with a foley catheter however and was glad i didn't have to deal with my period and that ... goood luck... let us know how u do!!!

You guys are so inspiring! I decided I was going to buy a size 8 goal LBD as motivation. Well, when I went to the store this weekend, I found a great one & I found a size 12 that I fit into now. I haven't willing worn a dress in 15 years, but I didn't think I looked to bad... So here I am in my LBD & me looking fierce. LOL!

i am so inspired by you!! i too am a shorty 5ft one and my whole life i have battled my weight. Especially on us short peeps, 10 pounds loook like 30 on us..... but this dress on you is awesome you do not look any larger than a size 8!!! you must feel great and congrats!!!!

And here's the rest...

     

amazing pics thanks for sharing!!!

i also have not been hungary per say... i still see a pizza and think hmmm i could down 10 slices but then when i really think about doing it i want to puke....hope it gets better for you soon... also these eating habits have been with us our whole lives, the head hunger we always will have to battle i am told. just like a 10 year post smoker smells a cig and will still get a urge..... its so hard... but we have our sleeve and each other..... make a list iif stuff you can do instead when it hits you... hmmm i will go for a walk, or pop on Facebook, or make my kids give me a back rub or what ever.... or how about a quickie with your hubby, or significant other ! of course then they would never want your hunger pains to go away !!! hahaha good luck keep us posted!!!

So, as the topic says it's time to go ahead and say hello!

I am 29 years old and I am scheduled to have VSG with Dr Thomas Lavin in Metairie LA on Tuesday (9/6). I am starting to freak a little so I've just been doing stuff to get ready but not really thinking about it. I know that its the right choice. I am confident in his ability. Just a little worried about what it will be like after. I know everyone is different and some have swelling and difficulties drinking etc. That and obviously a leak are my main worries.

Now a little about myself. I was banded in April 2003 (also with Dr Lavin) and started refluxing about a year out. I was banded at about 235 and lost to 160 before the reflux started. I freaked out and had the Fluid removed because i was worried about aspiration. I gained about 20lbs and went back to get Fluid put back but the reflux was worse then. So i just had the fluid removed and went on with life and of course gained all my weight back. I also had a beautiful baby boy in 2007. He is almost 4! Time flies!! Anyway while pg with him i developed gestational diabetes that have seemed to stick around. So my main reason for doing this is my blood sugar and i really would love to be able to have more children. Minus all the complications of being over weight.

So more about the band --- i just had all the fluid removed and left it that way until last year when i started having horrible pain in my hips. The pain would move side to side and hurt with every step and when i would sit down to go to the bathroom it would be the most horrible stabbing pain in my behind. It was just crazy pain and i couldn't figure out any of the symptoms, as to what it might be. Well i finally after a month of dealing with the pain, went to the ER. They did a CT and it showed that the tubing that went from my band to the port had broken. it was hanging around my hips and moving from side to side! I was seriously freaked so i called my Dr and got scheduled as quick as i could to get it removed.

I had surgery in April 2010 to removed both the band and my gallbladder. I have done well since and haven't really gained anything extra. I am still here around 235-240. I should have been brave and decided to do the surgery then but i was so freaked from the complication with the band, i just wasn't there mentally, i guess. So i have spend the last year worried about my blood sugar and trying to workout and lose weight. Which obviously hasn't gotten me far.

Also on a side note, cant seem to get a straight answer about what will happen if the weather turns bad with the hurricane that is threatening. I am supposed to be there for pre-op that morning at 8. labor day is Monday and of course they are closed so guess i will find out when i get there if we are still on..

So all that rambling to say, i am here and nervous and... and... and... !!!

hi my name is Amy terese! welcome ....my surgery was August 31 so i am 5 days post op and doing great . It sounds to me like the hell you have been through with the lap band is worse than what i have been through with my sleeve surgery ...so i wouldn't worry . I worried myself into a tizzy before the surgery and in hindsight it was just wasted energy. I willshare my surgery story and give you pointers that helped me out... my surgery went well i had it at noon and was out of recovery and into the regular hospital medical floor by 530 pm. The first thing i did was get out of bed and put on shorts (loose ones and my favorite tank top. I absolutely hate hospital gowns. Then i took my iv pole and walked the halls for 5 laps. I preceeded to do this every hour until 1am when i fell asleep. I also did not want to have any narcotics as i was afraid they would make me throw up so i took tylenol suppositories. By 9am i was having alot of pain( more than i expected and i am tough ) and i still tried to just take tylenol. then i went to xray for the leak test andthe stuff i drank tasted so bad i started to have the dry heaves for an hour or so. the nurses kept having me drink 3 cc's of Water, it felt like i was drinking broken glass i would have sharp stomach pain and then start to throw -up . the best nurse in the world said to me....hey you can have free drugs and a great high why in the hell won't you just take the roxicett the doc ordered for pain? i said because i hate throwing up and narcs make me puke....she gave me a funny look and said....hmmm looks like you are doing that anyway what is the difference? i laughed my butt off and said ok i guess I am just stubborn and do not want people to think i am a baby who needed pain meds....she said you are all ready a baby because you didn't have your surgery without anesthesia!!! we laughed so hard...she said i was the only patient in 5 years that had this surgery and did not have anything for pain but tylenol, she also said the second day after surgery is the worst because the anesthesia and narcotics they pumped in me during the proceedure have worn off. She said my blood pressure was 200/120 and i had to have insulin because my blood sugars were 230 ( i am not a diabetic normally) she said it was from the pain and if i didn't try to get that under control i would be in big trouble. SOOOO i put my stubborn streak aside and took the pain med... 5cc of the best drug i have ever had in my life!!! within 15 min i was just sore, could drink Water from a med cup and my bp dropped to 150/ 100. my blood counts were also low and i needed a transfusion. Moral of the story ...take the pain meds and keep them in your system.....my leak test was good no leaks so i was allowed to drink fluids. They give you a med cup and i had to drink one med cup every 15 min no more no less. It is the weirdest feeling....swish gurgle then you feel it go down your new stomach. then i would burb! i knew if i did it too fast it would feel like a huge gas bubble and was just plain uncomfortable. I finally was over the hump....so i would sip, walk, sip walk, sip walk, nap etc. My doc decided to keep me in an extra day however because he wanted my blood sugars to normal and bp in higher than 120/80. which was ok with me. i also had a foley cath and a drain and 2 iv's. They took the cath out on thursday pm shift and that was heaven.. i was able to pee right away without any issues. it was so nice to walk without that thing hanging down !! they kept the iv's in for 2 reasons, in case i wasn't drinking enough or if the vomiting came back but those came out early morning the next day. The drain was another thing,it didn't hurt per say it just made me feel really sore like i pulled a huge muscle . They just cut the stitches and pull it out really fast

but what a weird feeling... like your guts are coming out of a little hole accompanied by some stinging. now that i am home for2 days i can honestly say the only pain i have is where they pulled the drain... the rest is just soreness that i can deal with. I only take the pain med in the morning and before bed vs every 4 hours so i know its getting better.

ok so now that you read my freaking novel here is a list of things i did that really really helped me: 1. by biotene mouth moisture spray its a little minty and you can spray it in your mouth after surgery and before you are allowed to drink anything because your mouth will get so dry !! depending upon when your doc does the leak test my surgery was at noon on wed and i didn't get to have anything by mouth until thurs morning ....this spray was a godsend! Walmart has it or any pharmacy 2. you can also suck on a wet washcloth that worked too 9 thanks to my friend sassygirl for that idea) 3. the 8 hours prior to your surgery when they let you have water ....drink like a fish! my surgery was at noon and after 8 am i was not allowed anything by mouth so from midnight to 8 am i had 10 water bottles ... it helped my not get a dry mouth and helped the nurses get an iv in easier ( you need hydrated veins ) 4. buy a kids sippy cup!!!! i used the soft plastic top kind.... it made me only be able to take a sip of water after my surgery because i wanted to guzzle so bad...i still use it now. 5. i also bought baby spoons and one of those baby bowls with the divider... the spoon keeps me from taking too much in at once now that i am at home and able to eat 3 puree meals.......6. put a pillow over your tummy anytime you move in the hospital bed but especially when getting up and out of the bed it helps the pain alot. 7. walk every hour as much as you can take.. it gets the weird gas bubbles out and gives you a chance to check out all the hot( and not so hot) doctors who are in the nurses stations signing orders!!! i will friend you and feel free to ask anything ... remember each doc has different protocols so you may or may not have a catheter, drain etc... do not let anything i said freak you out... it was my experience and i wouldn't change it for anything... but doesn't mean you will go through the things i did and it wasn't that bad at all.... good luck you are in my prayer chain!!!

peace amy terese

I'm having serious anxiety about what I've done. Its hard to explain. I am feeling scared that I changed my internal body. I'm scared that down the road they are going to find that gastric sleeving is dangers. Unlike the by pass it is not reversible. And now its too late. Please tell me others have felt like this...I had mine done 8/26/11

i am having my surgery tommrow but other members have told me of the buyers remorse feeling...from what they have told me just stick to it and it does get better...plus if you were an emotional /stress eater and now that has been taken away from you during a very stressful time like surgery , panic attacks are bound to happen....

2 weeks! It has been 2 weeks since surgery! I am back in school and back to work and am doing great. The hives are clearing up and I have lost.......................... OVER 40 POUNDS SINCE BEGINNING THE PRE OP DIET!!!!

It's so hard to believe that the time has gone by this fast. I had waited for so long for the surgery and now I can say I am officially on the "other side". I don't have any full body pictures ready to post yet, but I do have a couple of upper body/face shots. It's amazing the difference there is in my face already.

I'm so happy. I am begininng to want to go out and about again. I don't feel ashamed to leave the house and go places. When someone looks at me on the street, my first thought isn't "Yah, I know I'm fat.... Quit looking at me!!" but now it is "Hmmm... are they flirting with me?" haha, such a change! I know I still have a long way to go but I am suddenly so excited for all that is to come.

Today I get to start REAL FOOD! I was so tired of the liquid diet and I am ecstatic to move on to cottage cheese, cream Soup, oatmeal, mashed potatoes........... Oh man am I a happy girl!

Lastly, I am wondering if it is normal to not even be able to fit in 1/4 cup of food (cottage cheese) within 45 minutes. I thought it would be a little easier than it was, so I am just wondering if anyone else really struggled with getting in enough food (despite feeling hungry)?

 

i can see the difference in your face allready too.. keep rocking girl!

My boss is the only other person who knows other than my bestie (my right hand).

I didn't even tell my family.

While he shuns the whole weight lost surgery idea (ex-Navy SEAL), he is very, very supportive of my decision to take control of my health issues have the surgery. He has even given me permission to incorporate 45 minutes of activity/exercise (we have a gym at work) into my workday...and believe me, he holds me accountable to getting my 45 minutes in at least 4 days a week.

I have a million leave hours banked away since I never take off...so everyone just thinks I am taking a much need vacation for 3 weeks.

sounds like he is a good boss!!

gosh you guys are lucky!!! no one at my job knows I am having surgery! I had to lie to my boss and co-workers because its an elective surgery and they legally do not have to give me any time off since its not medically needed . If i would have told my boss the truth she would not have granted my time off request. (she is a really tough person and boss). I arranged for a contract worker to cover my days and presented to her that i wanted a weekend get away and i have gotten my own coverage so they wouldn't be short handed.luckily i caught her in a good mood and she said ok. I am having my surgery on the 31st and i will have to go back on the day after labor day . lets hope and pray my surgery goes off without a hitch!!

It has not hit me yet yesterday I just want to eat..but I made it...ok I'm really starting to feel it now writing this...be back to tell it all....

good luck you will do great ! here is a toast of a Protein shake to your new life!!!:martini_shaken:

I was pleased to find this page, I'm glad you're here!

I'm reminded just from joining this site what an ongoing process "coming out" can be. Being asked, "Are you married" when chatting on here always results in the inevitable thoughts about whether this is the time/place to add, "to a woman" to the "Yes, I am married" answer. Oh well, so far so good, no one has run screaming from the chat room!

I just had surgery about 2 weeks ago and so far so good. The decision put a little stress on my relationship just because it was scary and stressful but thankfully post-op wifey is much more on board.

I hope to meet some folks on here, it's always nice to find other GLBT folks out in cyberspace.

Hi good to meet you i have my surgery scheduled for next week....i can't wait ! so good to see other lesbians on this web site! how was the pain after surgery? i am pretty tough but you never know.....good luck and good to meet you !!

Hi folks,

Relatively new here, but thrilled to see support for glbt folks. i post to the obesity help vsg forum a lot but have hesitated to come out to anyone so haven't yet.

i'm ann, i live in arlington, va with my partner of 30 years (in november!) whose name is also ann (i know!) and our two kitties -- no kids.

i'm excited to finally almost be at the ins submission stage and hopeful that things will got thru!!!

i'd love to hear from other friendly folks. everyone is so nice here!!!

do you find issues related to your glbt-hood and the forum or reaction from friends???

so happy to be here!!!!!! xoxoxoxo Ann

hey Ann good to meet you and yes gay peeps are everywhere! congrats on the 30 years together ! I have been with my partner 17 years and we have 2 girls through artificial insemination but that is a whole different story with its own websight! be patient with the whole insurance process mine took 3 months and lots of appointments and tests just be your own advocate and don't give up....as far as having reactions on the forum i haven't outed myself either but my guess its like coming out anywhere...some people are ok, others are not and we gravitate to the ones who do not have an issue with it.....good luck i added u as my friend so keep in touch! amy