SassySenior

There is a great article on ObesityHelp.com that covers all the surgeries and the pros and cons. I think I made a copy of it. Will try to find for you. It's called Choice of Bariatric Procedure: A Philosophy Obtained in 20 years of Bariatric Practice by Mitchell Roslin, MD, FACS. To locate on your own, Go to Obesity Help.com. Look under "Articles" on the top left navigation bar. When the list appears, go to bottom and click on "Older Posts." It appeared April 29, 2013. It is excellent and should provide you and your friend with the information she needs.,

Well, you're in the right place, now. The people here are fonts of knowledge, tons of experience, and many words of wisdom. I'm glad they operated on you and took care of your problem. I know it's hard, but that's a good thing to focus on - how lucky you are to have such a supportive doctor who was capable of focusing on what was important. Other doctors might have tried to do it all, but I wouldn't want to take that chance. I like a doctor to do the wise thing. My God, that's a lot of repairing you needed. It doesn't sound like a good idea to do all that and then proceed with removing a large portion of your stomach. It's really hard to have our expectations crushed. It's a painful lesson I learned, but it took me literally decades to get it. I am persistent, and I don't take no for an answer. I've been working on getting WLS surgery for 10 years. As I neared my goal to get the lap band, I learned about the sleeve, and had to wait another 1 1/2 years to have my insurance cover it. I had a ton of hoops I had to jump through. After every hoop, I would have the expectation of nearing surgery. It was never true. There was still more work to be done. Yeah, you''re gonna miss out on this summer ... but you will have a lifetime of great summers to come. Just dig in your heels, keep your expectations in check. You're gonna be OK. You're gonna love your sleeve, I just know it..

That's just not fair ... getting a UTI and being in pain. Then again, you may not even notice any post-surgery pain. It's kinda llike when I get cellulitis - I hardly even realize how bad my arthritis is. Anyway, wanted to send you warm wishes. Hope you're feeling better now ... or at least can see a light, no matter how faint, at the end of the tunnell. ((Hugs))

Healthier2day1227 - Glad you liked my sense of humor. I give funny answers all the time. I can be serious, but too often everyone is so darn serious about what others think, they fail to realize #1 It's probably none of their business, and 2) you can be lighthearted about it!

Gotcha. Thanks.

Sounds Yummy! What do you do with the bacon?

Thanks, Faye. We await further details AND I can't wait to hear your creative ideas for the pre-op diet, which I know you're gonna come up with! BTW Like your new pic! (((Hugs)))

This is a repost of one made by Webchickadee. It's so good, I just had to share! Hi guys. I see a lot of you are struggling and worried pre-op about the pre-op diet. It is a HUGE challenge, but for me, it was an important one. Exactly 1 year ago, I was in the middle of a 2 week liquid pre-op diet because my BMI was 55+ and I was self-pay in Mexico. Traveling from Canada meant that a reschedule would be A LOT of extra expense if my surgeon had to stop due to an enlarged liver mid-surgery. I had NO CHOICE but to follow the diet. It also meant that cheating would increase the chance of complications and a longer recovery (or worse), all because I could not follow a 2 WEEK diet. Really? Here I was, about to take a seriously radical, life-changing step and get 85% of my stomach cut out permanently. But I can't follow a 2 week diet? That's crazy. Post-op was going to be difficult for MONTHS, not days. So if I couldn't get my head in the game for the pre-op diet, then maybe I wasn't ready for what was going to follow post-op. I was terrified! So I started the liquid diet. And I was STARVING. I was dreaming of all the foods I thought were leaving my life forever. Suddenly I didn't care that I had spent my life morbidly obese, I wanted my comfort back. I wanted to fill myself to bursting at every meal, like it was my last meal forever. But I didn't break my diet. Because for once, I wasn't going to cheat myself. It was time to grow up (I'm 43....) and take responsibility for my health, my future and my choices. A lifetime of justification, gluttony and excuses brought me to that operating room. Now it was time to face the music and get on with owing my future. The first 3 days were HELL. That is when your body is detoxing from the carbs. You are using up the glycogen in your liver (to help "shrink" it) and it's screaming for replacement carbs to fill it back up. You can get through it. After 3 days it gets MUCH better. After a week you start to feel normal and more healthy than you have felt in years. You may be hungry, but you don't have the carb cravings anymore. Most importantly, you feel IN CONTROL; and mentally and emotionally strong for battling your demons and winning. This is the first tangible proof in an unsure future that you CAN get through the post-op recovery and that you CAN succeed in losing the weight this time, FOR LIFE. Whatever weight you lose during your pre-op diet is really inconsequential. What is important is what you gain: - Confidence - Emotional and physical self-control - The desire to succeed and overcome "impossible" obstacles - The knowledge that you are a WINNER as long as you do your best Please don't look at the pre-op diet as a "condition" that your surgeon imposes on you (and some surgeons don't require it!). It is an OPPORTUNITY for you to test yourself, to help build your will, character and emotional toughness BEFORE you have the surgery. It's like training for a marathon.....you put the blood sweat and tears in before the race to help you finish the race on game day. Without training and preparation, you will likely fail and you can get hurt really badly along the way! Use your pre-op diet to work through your demons, build up your confidence and prove to yourself you can do it. If you "fall off the wagon" one day, the next day is a fresh start. Aim for excellence. You owe it to yourself."

Hey kiddos, Do you ever surprise yourself and write such a wise or witty post in some topic that you think others might enjoy? Well I do and I also find myself responding to posts others have made with things I want to know. So here are a coupla questions I've put in other topics AND one I wrote that I think is witty and maybe even wise. Whatcha think? Re: Sipping. How many ounces of Water is a sip? Re: Does anyone know how to add pictures or files? Also, as to what you say to others who don't know you've had surgery, how about ... If I tell you, I'd have to kill you. I'd tell you, but I'm afraid you'd lose all desire to eat. If you really want to know, I can give you the name of my drug dealer. (Eating out with a group) They're having a biggest loser contest at ... work ... church ... in my family ... in my neighborhood ... and I wanna win first place, which is a trip to Hawaii for 2. Maybe I'll bring one of you along. Thanks for noticing. I really appreciate that kind of support!

Hey - I appreciate it because I have no idea what that will be like. How many ounces of Water is a sip? On a completely different topic, does anyone know how to add pictures or files? Also, as to what you say to others. I'd say something like: 1) If I tell you, I'd have to kill you. 2) I'd tell you, but I'm afraid you'd lose all desire to eat. 3) If you really want to know, I can give you the name of my drug dealer. 4) They're having a biggest loser contest at ... work ... church ... in my family ... in my neighborhood ... and I wanna win first place, which is a trip to Hawaii for 2. Maybe I'll bring one of you along. 5) Thank you for noticing. I really appreciate that kind of support!

This is a first! I'm replying to my own post. Hmm. Maybe I just like to talk ad nauseum. Happy Sunday everyone. SEARCHING - Great to hear from you again. I completely understand where you're at. I was there for 2 years, trying to figure out what to do. While I have reservations about getting through surgery, I have no reservations about having the surgery. I simply can't live like I am any longer. I will be getting a surgery date soon, and I'm both excited and scared at the same time. Let us know if you have any questions. I've done extensive research, like many others here, and we probably know the answer. kckitty - Ha! Dec. 47. Who asked? And suggesting that you're the oldest ... well I never. I am not ready to spill all the Beans, but as Billy Joel said, "You may be right, I may be crazy." Or I still might be the oldest. Sssh. Don't spread that rumor. Lets just say many people think I'm in my 40s, a few guess in the 50s, and no one talks about the 60s. Oh, pshaw, I just can't handle talking about age. Yech. But very happy to hear from y'all, as we say in Texas. My favorite is all y'alls.

It's really hard to remember where everyone is at ala pre-op hoops jumped over, surgery date, weight loss pre-op, weight loss at 1 week, 2 weeks, 1 month, yearly, etc. Plus other milestones that happen ... like Chris got married since this group began. I'd like to share those important milestones in one place where we can keep of track of who's doing what and offering our praise and support. Its helpful and comforting to know what we're all going through. Usually, no matter how bad it may be, it usually gets better even if all you say is you're in a stall and when it started. I want us to be as informed as possible. We learn from each other.I don't yet have anything to discuss right now. But I'll start by posting where I'm at today. I hope you do the same Kate - Pre-op. Waiting for surgery date. Lost 35 lbs. 5/19. Coco - 8 wks post op. Lost 35 lbs. 5/24

FAYE -`I'm glad they approved you without a hitch. How exciting ... just a little more than a month away. What's the pre-op diet? Cheryl - Now, now. Stop beating yourself up! You're human. We all make misteps. It's a learning process. One of the many things we need to change is replacing negative thoughts with positive thoughts. Your brain will program itself with the tools you give itl. If you think of a good side to a seemingly bad story, your brain will remember that. Ultimately, you'll live in positivity, and occasionally will start to lapse into negative thinking, but you'll catch yourself and stop it before it continues. This is something I have to do all the time. It's just me and my doggie. Altho my friends think highly of me and rarely say anything negative, I'm alone with only Shiki for company. I have to be the one to keep my brain on the right track. I get negative thoughts and I immediately stop it and think of something good instead. It works, try it. Give youself credit for what you've done so far, My God ... it took a lot of courage to even have this surgery! And you've lost some 30 lbs. Congratulations.

Hi WeeWers, I saw your post in Sophia Bubbles group, so I thot I'd check this out as well. There is another group doing what you want to do here. Ah, but I see now that you are just posting to it. The group was centered around some kind of program or books or whatever. Clearly no one got into it. You might wanna funnel your efforts into my group Baby Boomers, which I started a few months ago. We're staying alive but it will be nice when it picks up a bit more steam. Either way, good luck to you.

Coco, I am also in a wheelchair, so I understand exercise limitations. Unfortunately, I am a sensitive child who gets chilled easily. As a result, most of the pools are too cold for me. When I get chilled, sometimes I get sick afterwords ... with either the flu or cellulitis and I wind up in the hospital. I even wear clothes in the pool to try and stay warmer. It's quite a site with my purple print bathing suite, my black leggings, and my gray & white strp[ed long sleeved knit top underneath the suit. Hmm ... maybe that's why they are so glad when I leave -- I probaby scare the traffic away! LOL There is only 1 pool in my area that is warm enough for me. It costs like $90/month after a yearly fee of $150 - $300, depending on specials. I wanted to swim there soooo badly, but they refused to let my attendant in unless I paid for a separate membership for her (even tho she wasn't getting in the pool). It's called the Tom Landry Center, named after the long-time coach of the Dallas Cowboys. I guess he wanted it only for the elite who have money to burn. If your doctor gets mad at you, tell him if he can be either part of the solution or part of them problem. If he can't be supportive, you can see a different doctor for your aftercare. Last thing you need is some blowhard breathing down your neck, blaming you.. Stalls are a part of being sleeved, and if he doesn't know that and can reassure you, screw him! Of course, you're gonna lost more weight. I know of no one on the Sleeve that hasn't. I know it feels like that now, but "this, too, shall pass." Hang in Cheryl and Coco ... and any anonymous Boomers who aren't posting. You're gonna be just fine. I'm sure.

Hi girls, I'm glad you guys are talking to each other. I've been buried with work, which was supposed to end May 9, but is still going on. I'm pretty sure I'll be free very soon and will have some time to talk at all y'all. With regard to stalls, have any of you read anything about them. I have copied a large amount of info on many aspects of the sleeve, but nothing about stalls. I guess that's cause I haven't yet had the surgery. But I do a lot of reading at this site and a couple others. So I have read a lot of info about stalls. I would suggest that you do a search for stalls, and see what you turn up. As I recall, they usually occur at the 2nd month and periodically after that. It's part of the "Sleeve Experience." Seems there are a couple of things you can do to move a stall along. Hydration plays a big role, as does Protein. But one of the reasons I've seen is that stalls can occur if you're not eating enough. I don't know the exact numbers, but it is something like eating a minimum of 800 calories a day. What have you heard or done to stop stalls in their tracks?

Welcome to the Boomers, kckitty. Liking a post I made makes sp instant best friends! :wub: We get so little acknowledge or reactions, I gotta jump on your click as significant that I might have said something worthwhile! Yay - sometimes I feel like I'm talking to a wall. It's hard to imagine that my brilliant tidbits would not arouse anyone's interest. LOL p.s. Humility doesn't run in my family.

GOOD TOPIC. I have bad osteoarthritis, knees and hip hurt the worst, although hands are bad also. Right now I'm taking 500 mg. Hydrocodone (Lortab) 2/day and 800 mg. Ibuprofen. What can I take after surgery? Help, please! I can barely take a step now,even with all the meds I take. COKE ZERO? NO, NO. No carbonation. It stretchers your stomach. Of all the things I have to give up, this is the worst. I'm a Diet Coke addict. I'm not sleeved yet, but I've cut down to 1 a day vs. 4. I use Cherry Pomegranate from Crystal Light.

You are my newest rock star. I love the post you just did. I am still pre-op, was hoping for a May date, but only a miracle can make than happen now. Anyway, you gave such a complete, no holds barred account of your experience, I am sure it will help many people. It certainly helped me! You have just done at least 1 month (maybe more) of community service, so in case you get arrested for being too excited about your success, you can say you've already done the time! I love your description of passing gas (tooting and burping). I'm a big tooter because I have IBS. I can only imagine (with dread) how noticeable it will be after surgery. Then I'll have a whole 'nother different reason for hiding in my apartment. LOL

Doncha just love a good story? I do! I really enjoy hearing others stories on life before the sleeve, experience with surgery, and life after the sleeve. However, we haven't heard many others. SouthernSoul was gonna post her story here but didn't. She probably was busy with a ton of other things. I think she's going through finals right now, so wish her good luck. But I did mosey on over to her page & read the story last night. It's a good one. I could see so many similarities. I'm gonna check out you other guys to read what you had to say. Hey ... I know it's a chore to write out your story, but it really helps us to compare our similarities. We hardly ever get a chance to do that with anyone. I hope other Boomers have left a peek into their past. How 'bout you?

Hey Boomer Buds, I've been absent quite a bit, but that will come to a halt on Thursday, my first day of freedom. I'll have time to keep up with everybody -- if there's anyone to keep up with. Like you, I thought it'd be good to see how other Boomers were doing. If we're all older than most of the sleevers, then it makes sense to get acquainted. Right? Well .... It's tough to keep a group like this going, and other similar ones have failed. I hope that doesn't happen to us, but it's been quite a while since anyone posted. Baby Boomers is dying on the vine. I've had a chance to get to know some of you, and really like you all. But you're either not posting online or just not posting here. Much as I like having this group, if you guys don't feel inclined to drop by and say something, then it'll be a ghost group. Luv to all.

Good luck, girls. Party as much as you can up till the night before. Don't worry any sooner than you have to -- that's my philosophy.

Thanks for the advice. I always like to consider all sides of an issue. I didn't disclose everything, so here's some additional info I had an echo and an EKG, which I passed with flying colors. No evidence of any problems. In fact, have not had any problems since my heart attack 15 years ago. I don't have cardiac clearance yet. I only saw the PA, and he told me it was the other Dr's day off. So I gotta fax a bunch of forms for the cardiologist to fill out and request that he write a letter giving me cardiac clearance. If he thinks more testing is necessary, he will deny clearance. My other doctor is my PCP, and I dislike her immensely, so I'm not likely to listen to much she has to say. I will be changing doctors as soon as I get my surgery date. Just don't want to slow up the process by changing PCP's now. Thanks for caring, Mrs. Newlywed or should I say Ms. Noodle? tee hee So how the heck are you anyway? How are you feeling? How much have you lost? I just gotta know! :wub:

Toodles. I don't want to bring any more negativity than I have already. The Aussie is back, and that's really I care about.

Hey, all, I'm happy for you. What I wrote was specific for the Aussie. It was tongue in cheek. I wasn't serious, she and I were just having fun. Sometimes you're gonna run across people like me who use irony or other writing styles to get their point across. I'm sorry if I created any confusion or irritation for you guys. Never planned that. The Aussie knew I was kidding and we were laughing at that, which is why she wrote, "GULP" My doctor is very conservative. He wants to be sure there are no problems. He still advocates the bypass as the "gold standard." He doesn't think the sleeve has been around long enough to be absolutely certain it's safe. I totally respect him. He is, after all, a true expert on bariatric surgery ... in executive committees all over the country on bariatric boards. Who knows, your doctor may have been one of the many he's proctored *taught." In my neck of the words, he is extremely well known and highly respected.