Dooter

My date is the 13th of February too! I will be doing the 2 weeks liquids as well. I started going to the gym again with my husband after Christmas, because the better shape we're in, the quicker/better the healing. I also planned to start eating better in preparation, but that part has been a bit harder. :s

I am 31 days, 20 hours and 6 minutes from my scheduled surgery (but who's counting?!). So, as I scour the forum here for advice and information important to pre and post op, I'm seeing something very clearly. Once the surgery is done, it seems that one tends to become quite myopic. The big picture quickly narrows to a tiny pinhole of that exact moment and circumstance and it would seems that life will now only be that way. Let's look at the dreaded "3 week stall" for example. The more I read, the more I see that the body is trying to cope with its new configuration and trauma of surgery, and when the body is trying figure out what's happening to it, it will often start clinging to fluids or fat or whatever it thinks it needs to keep you alive. The fact that everyone goes through this just confirms that in my mind. Once you are healed more, the body can relax and start running on a regular rhythm again and let go of excess. I'm not a doctor or any kind of medical or health professional, but it's starting to make sense to me seeing it from a distance. It is for this very reason that I am going to take my scale to my mother's house right before the surgery and leave it there for a month. Sounds crazy huh!!! Well, I know me, and that's the only way I will stay sane. I can tell how much I weigh by the way my clothes fit anyway. I think if we back up from the scale and the daily "how much do I weigh" routine, it gives us a chance to settle into the reality of "this is my life now" and realize that the weight will come off. Just let it happen. Relax. It doesn't help to obsess over bouncing up half a pound between losing four more. Let go of the minutae of it. Wait a while to see a bigger result. Broaden your scope and just let it happen. I'm telling this to myself more than anything....

Ok cool! That's good to know. I'm gathering info, as my surgery is in February. Good info, thank you!

:clap2: BRAVO!!

Ok Bcole-- I have been reading my patient info packet obsessively, because I haven't been sleeved yet. I remembered hearing about this liquid. It usually comes out of the drain that some people end up with. (Depends on the doc and the patient as to whether you get one or need one) It says about the color: "A normal color of Fluid looks like light reddish Kool-Aid®. " That can be coming out for a week or more, apparently. Does that help any? I guess this fluid can seep out even if you don't have a drain...?

Yes. That's about right. In 2009, I had a strange stomach problem that caused severe pain anytime i ate any food at all. at first, even cloudy liquids hurt it, so I was on Clear Liquids for close to a month before i could even tolerate a nutritional liquid. CLEAR liquids. It was absolutely brutal. I cried more than a few times over it. When I got to drink some ensure it was like HEAVEN! That went on for 3 months. (no diagnosis either.) So...here's my point in telling you this- when it gets hard- do clear liquids for a day and then the liquid diet shakes will seem luxurious! I'm serious. And keep yourself busy, busy busy. Charming picture, btw. LOL

Can anyone tell me if Syntha 6 is a good protein to use for the post op diet? My husband uses it for muscle building and it tastes REALLY good (which I hear is an issue with many powders), and he did a lot of research on it, but like I said, that was for muscle building primarily. I'm not sure what to look for in a protein powder when it comes to sleeve success.

Stunning beauty!!!

THEY don't have to live in your body, but YOU do. They will never understand. WE DO THOUGH!!

Well- I hope and pray this gets resolved for you quickly- In the meantime, if you need a distraction...go look at how stinkin' skinny you are!!! Wow!!

OOOHHHHHHH That's one of the things I can't WAIT for!!!!! I wear a 10ww, and let me tell you, finding shoes is IMPOSSIBLE!! When I do find them, they are unaffordable. When I was small, I wore a 9 regular. I would be thrilled to pieces!! 33 days to go!

YIKES!! and <<shiver>> :s

That's great! I hear a lot about the post op pain, and very few that say "it's not as bad as I thought." I'm 33 days away, so I'm watching everyone to get an idea of what to expect. I'll be on Clear liquids for the first week, so i won't have to worry about choking down Protein right away. I'm hoping to sound as well as you do!

Hey, there you are. I was wondering how you were doing. I think you went in the same day as Pookeyism. How's the pain?

Wow, you actually LOOK smaller than a 20! I pray things pick up for you.

It is absolutely unacceptable for a man to speak to his wife in such a way. About ANYthing. You are his queen and you should be treated as such. He is to live with you in an understanding way. I would cry for a week if my husband even HINTED at the fact that I have an adverse effect on gravity! (of course we're not stupid, we know I'm huge, he's just respectful about my feelings.) Your husband shouldn't be dishing out anything but kindness and love to you! I'll say it....He needs Jesus! I do pray things get better for you and he has a change of heart. Other than that...I'm with Shoelover!!!

Oh, to be sure, there are compliant patients with leaks! Sorry, I meant to qualify that...

There you are! Good show. I was just thinking about you this morning, wondering how you're doing. I figured you were just overwhelmed with the new life. Glad it went well.

Thanks for the encouragement! I'm still pretty nervous! I've still got 34 days to go.

First of all, I did not let price drive my decision. I am in a self pay situation, but this is a BIG BIG decision, and a few thousand bucks is not going to drive it. (no offense to those who chose Mexico). I started with google and looked for a 500 mile radius or one state over in any direction. Then i started emailing their offices for statistics for VSG like leaks, and deaths, and that kind of thing. I asked dozens of questions to see how they handled it, how concerned they are for my comfort with them. I wanted a doctor that is in the U.S., because we have no legal recourse across the border. If something goes wrong and you try to hold them accountable, they can just deny it and hang up the phone. End of story. (I've read situations like that on this forum.) Most people do fine in Mexico, but I'm not willing to take that chance. And I live right here in NEW Mexico. It would be easy. I am instead, going to Texas to Dr. David Kim. I studied his credentials and experience and tried to dig up bad stuff on the internet, but there's nothing. His stats for leaks are .01% and those are due to patient non-compliance. He also uses an endoscope for a sizer so he can visualize the inside of the incision. I think that's awesome! Ask about their procedures. Things to consider. Hope it helps.

WOW! I've not had surgery yet, so I can't say for sure, but I'd be calling the surgeon at the VERY least! Do they have a weekend emg number?

My surgeon is in Dallas, TX, and his actual stats on VSG leakage is .01% Note the decimal place. This is not a national average, they are Dr. Kim's statistics. This is one reason I went with him. He uses an endoscope for sizing the sleeve so he can visualize the inside of the incision. The very few leaks he's encountered have been from patient non-compliance. These are things to think about when choosing a surgeon, and how you are going to comply when it's done. Hope that helps.

We support you!! We're excited for you!! WOO HOO!!! I've got a couple of downers around me too. It's hard to make them understand. Just come here when you need some happy!!! I just shared my surgery date with 2 close friends. One of them, bless his heart, he's concerned- told me how if you burn more calories than you take in that you will lose weight. And that heart issues need to be dealt with. Anyone reading this right now is either laughing hysterically, or shaking the head with eyes rolling. He did, then say he is supportive of the decision, but still....it really rains on the parade. I'm going on February 13, 2012- Dr. Kim in Dallas So, again- WE know basically what you're going through and are happy and excited for you!

I hope you didn't take that the wrong way- It wasn't like a challenge or anything. I was seriously perplexed! I'd never heard of a size "0" until several years ago. It dawned on me, you're probably also taller. SouthernSleever, you are ROCKIN' those horizontal stripes! Looking good!!

Being cold will be a nice feature during New Mexico summers!! I look forward to that.