KristeyK

WOOHOO!!!!! And yeah, know that move ALL too well. LOL!

Hello and welcome Manda!!! You will find all KINDS of support here, along with a wealth on information. How exciting that you're only a week away from your big surgery date. YAY!!!!!

You will be GREAT!!! Don't sweat the complications...even if it's a major one, it's still able to be taken care of fairly quickly. Just follow your surgeon's orders to a "T" and make sure to get your liquids in. I'm excited for you! My date is still about 6 weeks away, so the only anxiety I am feeling is "HOW LONG WILL THE 6 WEEKS TAKE???!!!" lol. Let us know how everything goes! Oh! Hints...WALK, WALK, WALK, WALK...as soon as you are able to be on your feet, make sure you get out of bed and walk as much as your pain level will tolerate. Also, DO NOT let any pain get out of control. It shouldn't be too bad, but expect a little bit. Just make sure keep what pain you do have in check. Now...go get a nap!

The four weeks after is his insurance to make sure your stomach heals properly. It's a little long, but if you ask him I bet he has a VERY good rationale for it. Mine was that way for my band, but they've since updated it. Pre-op diet is two weeks of two shakes a day and a SMALL meal, post-op is a week of clears, three weeks of full liquids, then two months of mushies. Mine doesn't even allow things like chicken or beef for six months. (Man I hope I will not miss my few bites of steak like I think I will!!!) Take heart...it's going to be HARD, but you can do it.

If you're off all of those meds, I am sure you'll be fine. I say give it a try!!!

I think for a lot of us who are married, not wanting to embarrass your spouse is a huge thing that has turned our lives upside down. I mean, I don't want to be the cause of my hubby being laughed at. Who does? I haven't let it stop me from DOING a lot, but I am also not the extrovert that I used to be, and I kind of miss that girl. You are totally doing what is right for you. Your husband could seem "meh" about it due to the fact that he is so far away. Also, he may not want to hurt you by saying the wrong thing, so he doesn't say anything at all. Good luck to you in your journey. I hope we continue seeing you here!!!

I think as it gets closer to August, there will be more of us. Heck, my surgeon's office tried to schedule me for two weeks out. LOL! (Wish I could have done it then...KILLS me!) MrsJ- YAY!!!

When you say swollen and red...more so than when you were discharged? Have you done anything that may cause them to become more inflamed and burn? I probably wouldn't be too worried, but if you start seeing any kind of streaking from the wound, or start having a fever or purulent drainage, CALL YOUR DR!

WOOHOO!!! Doing the happy dance with you!

Oh Lord...I think that is my worst fear of what can happen post-op. YIKES!!! But yeah, those little macaroons are one of MANY things that did me in to begin with! lol.

There is a man in my support group who weighed 494 when he got his sleeve done. He is four years pot-op, and he now weighs 195. He is A-MAZ-ING!!! He used to pretty much be a recluse, then decided he couldn't live like that anymore. He started walking at night so no one would see him. Something changed and he decided to start walking during the day. It ended being that as his neighbors saw him, they were HIGHLY encouraging him. Some of them even started walking with him every evening. He's now a personal trainer, and likes to work mainly with people looking into, or previously had, bariatric surgery so he can be a means of support like he had.

Too broke and too fat to be able to own and ride a horse. HOWEVER, one of my long term goals is to be able to have a couple out in my back yard. (We live on acreage, on horse property, lol.) I just want to get good trail horses, as there is a LOT of desert around here to go explore and enjoy on horseback.

Here's my take on thongs...you can have 1" of material crawl up your rear or 5"...take your pick! lol. I used to wear them ALL the time before I gained all this fart noodling weight, and I can't wait to start wearing them again! They won't take too long to get used to at all.

With everything going on, I am surprised the military doesn't take better care of y'all...whether you're the one in uniform or the one behind it sending your spouse out everyday in uniform. GRRRR!!!! I'd go on to another psych too. Part of making a marriage work is also being able to make yourself work...I'm wondering why she won't clear you for it. I hope you can find someone soon! I am in your boat...I want to lose about 145lbs myself. We can do it!!!

It shouldn't take them too, too long. I know they have up to 30 days to respond with any request for non-urgent procedures, but it they typically take two weeks. And as someone who is being revised from the band to a sleeve, I commend you on your decision!

I just got word this afternoon that it was approved. WOOOHOOO!!!! I don't have my date yet, but it'll be the week of the 22nd.

YAY!!!!! Congratulations!

I just got word today that insurance authorized the revision. YAY!!!!! The countdown is on to the last week of August when I can get it done. I CAN'T WAIT!!!!

Your individual insurance policy, no matter which company you have, is what determines whether or not they cover the surgery. For instance, I have a friend who also has United Health Care, but her company didn't have the bariatric rider in their policy, so it's not covered for her. I have United Health Care for Railroad employees and just got word today that I was approved! (Not just ANY approval, but a band to sleeve revision, which is NOT common for carriers to cover.) For any WLS, they require a BMI of 35 and co-morbidities, or a BMI of 40+.

Your urine being dark is a cause for concern...I know you are hungry, but GET SOME FLUIDS IN!!! It could also be the reason for you craving other things. I cannot stress enough the importance of staying hydrated, ESPECIALLY in the summer months.

Out of curiosity...how has the weather been in Chicago? Has it been hot the last few days? Are you drinking enough? It almost sounds like you're getting an electrolyte imbalance.

WOOOHOOO!!!! Congratulations!!!!

I can't add too much to what everyone else says. One thing you should be prepared for though, as you get this surgery and start losing weight, is that the friends you used to bond over food with, who are also obese, will begin to feel more and more uncomfortable around you. One thing I have heard a lot of is that your old "fat friends" don't want to made to feel uncomfortable, and more than likely you will see those friendships disappear. If she is someone that you treasure, talk to her and let her know that you really do want the friendship continue, but that you WILL need her support. Who knows...maybe once she sees you doing well- she may follow your lead.

I didn't have THIS surgery when my son was young, but I did have the crapband put in when he was 18 months. The first few days home were HARD, I won't lie about that. Having the energy to keep up with the booger was a challenge, but I took full advantage of nap time and napped when he did. lol. Otherwise, it wasn't bad. I just had to be guarded about my incisions for a couple of weeks, which wasn't as hard as I thought it would be. I also had a harder time picking him up. (My kid is off the charts when it comes to his height, and also 95% for his weight. He's five now and he's still WAY tall!!!) Good luck! It'll be a little difficult with a toddler, but it's doable.

SCORE!!! Mine won't be until the tail end IF they authorize it. (On pins and needles waiting to hear from insurance! lol)