putasleeveonit

Hang in there, it will get better, based on what I've read on these boards. I haven't had my surgery yet, but the way you're feeling is normal! Good luck!

Yes, I'm going through that right now. Tomorrow begins the 2 week countdown to my arrival in Mexico for surgery, so I plan to buckle down starting tomorrow (I know it's bad to not start today). I'm not required to go on a pre-op diet, but I still want to wind down my eating and also lose weight prior to surgery, if possible.

Since the moment the idea of surgery came into my mind, I've been overeating--I always kind of overeat, but I've really been overeating lately. It's as if a part of me wants to eat as much as possible before surgery. Or, maybe I'm eating because I'm excited and nervous about what's to come. At any rate, tomorrow, I'm going to begin my own version of a pre-op diet, even though the doctor said it was optional. My plan is to just keep things low calorie. I was going to do low carb, but since I'm so out of control, I need to have yogurt and TV dinners that I can just pop in the microwave. With TV dinners, I'll have no excuse for getting off plan. Then, I will probably transition into cooking again in the final 10 days before surgery, and at that point, I can do low carb. I'm also going to begin working out tomorrow. A friend and I plan to climb Stone Mountain. Good luck to me!

OK, so tonight as I was settling in upstairs, I turned on the news and they were covering a plane crash at an air show. I guess it got to me, because I began to feel anxiety about the upcoming flight to San Diego for my sleeve surgery. The part that bothers me is that my sister is coming too, so it wouldn't just be me. She has a son too, so both of our boys would be without moms if anything bad happened . Before that, I was downstairs with my baby and "fiance." He has been acting really different ever since I told him I was doing the surgery whether he liked it or not. He's trying to eat healthy all of a sudden, and it seems like he's being a lot nicer because I guess he knows what I'll look like if my VSG is a success... (yes, I do feel somewhat resentful about our situation but that's another story)... But... what if it isn't a success? What if I don't lose weight? What if the loss is really really slow and everyone piles on with criticism about what a bad decision I made? Now that he and everyone knows what I'm doing, it adds to my pressure to succeed. But, unfortunately, I don't do well under pressure. At least I can't do what I used to do and eat my way back up the moment I'm discouraged. Other fears: I read a shocking statistic: The mortality rate for gastric surgery is 1 in 200!!! The article I read said the risk increased the heavier the person is due to blood clots. I'm not too heavy, but I will be on a 4.5 hour plane ride a few days after surgery. I guess I need to sit near the bathroom so I can walk around as much as possible on the flight. I guess now that my surgery date is set (October 8th), I'm starting to do my usual fight or flight/self sabotage routine. I haven't sent off my deposit check yet, but I did pay $800 for our plane tickets. I told myself I'm going to give myself the weekend to really be sure I want to go through with this. I'm 99.99% sure that I'll send off the deposit on Monday.

Mine will sound cheesy and shallow, but here goes: I can't wait to take a picture with my son who is now 8 months old. So far, I've only been in a few pictures with him, shown only from the neck up. I've taken hundreds of pictures of him alone though I can't wait to be able to update my Facebook picture with a RECENT picture of me, and not just my baby. LOL I can't wait to have my SO sweat when other guys are checking me out. I can't wait to *not* feel like getting my hair and nails done are a waste of time because I'm fat. I can't wait to not have to worry that I will run into someone who knew me back when I was slim at the grocery store. I can't wait to work out at the gym without worrying about feeling and looking fat. Gosh, I can't wait to leave the house more! I've been practically hiding out in my house for the past year!

I cannot wait to schedule my surgery! Since I've decided on this surgery, I've been eating more and more. Tomorrow I'm going to attempt to begin a pre-op plan--nothing major, just mostly low carb until my surgery date. The only thing holding me up from setting a date is I'm waiting for my PCP to tell me the results of my complete blood count. I have a history of anemia that I thought I overcame for the most part, but I haven't checked on it in a while, and I wasn't taking vitamins until I decided to get this surgery.

That's wonderful! Keep up the great work!

Hi Helen! Thank you so much for the info! I hope I have your results as far as acid reflux is concerned.

Thank you! I'm 99% sure I'll be going through with this procedure

So I've been thinking about the pros and cons of this surgery: Pros: Have a chance to get and stay at my goal weight. I know it'll take work on my end as well, and in the past, I've shown that I can be dedicated and consistent, but I just need something to catch me when I fall Everything that comes with being slim--I'll enjoy shopping, new hair styles, etc Possibly lowering my chances of getting obesity related illnesses Cons: i think my biggest fear is how it might affect any future kids I have. Would I be able to get the right amount of nutrients in? From what I'm reading, everything should be fine as long as I take vitamins. I'm willing to take a prenatal vitamin every day for the remainder of my child bearing years if necessary (which won't be much longer, considering I'm about to be 32). In addition, it is recommended that you wait 18 months before having a baby. Well, I'm about to be 32. In 18 months, I'll be approaching 34! The older I get, the older my eggs will be, and the more chances of complications. Also, I was hoping my son would have a brother (or sister) close to his age. Acid reflux! On my first (and only) pregnancy, I got a taste of what acid reflux was like. It was horrible! One night I was awakened to acid going up my nose! Worst. Feeling. Ever. I think I even cried one night because I was so frustrated. The question is: Am I willing to possibly experience acid reflux for the rest of my life in exchange for being slim? Honestly, I think so. I'm at the point now where I ordered pills off the internet that have foreign labeling and I have no idea what's *really* in it. I was willing to risk my life to lose weight, so I should be willing to deal with acid reflux, right? The usual surgery risks. There's a chance of dying or something going wrong during any surgery. Of course, there's a risk when I drive to the grocery store as well. Yes, this worries me, especially since I have a child now. But I honestly feel like I can't give my son my best when I feel like hiding under a rock all the time. To be continued...

To make a long story short, for days I had been telling myself that I would begin yet another diet on September 1, and that this time I wouldn't stop until I reached goal. By day 2, I had already messed up. Day 3, I messed up again. Day 4, I knew in my heart that I would never get to my goal weight. Something had to give. My first idea was to get my jaw wired shut for 12 weeks so that I could do a liquid diet. I was literally picking out plane tickets, but something started to worry me: If I were successful after the jaw wiring... how would I maintain my weight loss? How would I be sure that I wouldn't put the weight back on? After all, I've lost and regained 20 lbs at least 4 times this year alone since the birth of my son. Then I started to think that the lap band would be perfect for me. I mentioned it to my sister and she talked me out of it, using the same arguments I used with her 2 years ago when she was considering it! LOL. It's funny, I had forgotten all about those things! My sister said if I wanted to go the WLS route, I should do the sleeve. So that's why I'm here. I want to get this done right away. I don't know if my insurance covers it, but I doubt it. Even if it did, they would never approve me because I don't have a documented history of obesity. In 2008 I was in the 140s. In 2009 I was in the 150s. Didn't get back to the 180s until I became pregnant. Yet, the only reason why my weight was lower in those years was because I was on diet pills and constantly dieting. My highest weight ever was around 215 lbs in 2004. Basically, I'm tired. I lost my 20s to this battle, and I don't want to spend my 30s fighting this. I can't succeed on my own. I know that now.

Thanks Rick! Your post is very helpful!

I've been looking at videos all day! I'm not terribly obese (BMI 35) but I'm a compulsive overeater and I've struggled with yo-yo dieting for the past almost 13 years now. Should I tell the surgeon I need my sleeve to be extra tight or do they do all sleeves the same size? Sorry if this seems like a silly question! I just need to be stopped from overeating!

Hey! I'm late to the party but I'm in the metro Atl area and am leaning towards seeing Dr. Aceves in early October. I'd love to have a buddy/mentor! Thanks

I haven't set a date yet, but I'd like to go to Dr. Aceves in early October, around the 9th or 10th. Anyone else? I'm worried that I might end up going by myself!