JenniJune

I'm in! Surgery next Wednesday. SO... SW 288 Goal (8/3): 240 40 lbs by labor day for a new sleeve isn't unheard of, right? :-)

Amazing!!! Way to go!

OMG!!! ROTFLMAO!!!

My goal was 288 and . . . I MADE IT! I can't believe I did, but I did! I was actually a little disappointed that I haven't been losing as quickly on my pre-op as I thought I would, but that's okay because I know big losses are coming!

When my husband looked at me and said, "I don't want to lose you because of your weight." (meaning health issues), I knew it was time. I can't tell you weather WLS is right for you or not, but let me tell you a little about my story and why I chose this route: I have been overweight since I was 8 years old. I went on my first diet when I was 10. I reached obesity by the time I was 16 and I have not seen under 250 lbs in my entire adult life (I am 36). I have been on every diet known to man, and some that were pretty far out. For well over 20 years I have been in a cycle of lose 10, gain 15. Lose 10, gain 20. Lose 10 gain 25 . . . see where I'm headed with this? WLS has been in my brain since 2004, when my mom had the lap-band procedure done. Then I felt the way many people do now about WLS: that it was a cop-out, the "easy" way out. I'd make fun of my mom behind her back for all the things that came along with the lap-band (she couldn't belch normally and would make a deep moaning sound instead). That being said, on lap-band, my mother has lost 80 lbs and stalled. She has been the same weight for 5 years, which would be okay except she still has another 50-60 to go. After reading the differences in the band and the sleeve, I decided to go with the sleeve because of the chance of less complications and maintenance later on in life (98 in a rest home, with a band??). Also, keep in mind that everyone's experiences are different with WLS. I've known people that couldn't tolerate anything for years after surgery, and some that could eat whatever they want. I've heard of people throwing up a lot, and some that can keep everything down fine. They're experiences may not be yours. Yes there are chances, but everything we do in life is a chance. There's a greater chance of you dying from being obese than there is of you dying on the operating table, though. My advice to you is research, research, research. Make sure that whatever choice you make, weather to have the surgery or not, that it is the best informed choice you can possibly make for yourself. Good luck!

I stopped drinking cokes on a regular basis about three months ago. I still have one occasionally, but that's going to end after surgery. Find something to switch to that you like, and don't worry about the caffeine for now (unless your doc told you to): I like Lipton Green Tea. Tea, coffee, green tea: there are a lot of drinks that are better for you than soda that also have caffeine so it will make the transition easier. I am now on one "cup of coffee" (on pre-op, so it's actually a coffee shake) and one green tea a day, and I have found that I actually enjoy Water now. I had a coke last night for the first time in a while and it bloated me so bad that this morning I'm actually up two pounds from yesterday! It was so hard for me to do: I too am a diet soda FANATIC. For many years that was all I drank all day, every day. I feel so much better now without all the carbonation in my veins, LOL. You can do it!!

I'm planning on getting a ton of samples to try after as well. I tried a few a couple of weeks back, but nothing really jumped out at me. My mom (lap-band) really loves the Atkins shakes, so I will probably try those to start. I love a good strawberry one, but am finding it hard to find one doesn't have that funky aftertaste to it. I'm looking for a good unflavored Protein that I can put into my savory foods: I want to try the unjury brand, but it's expensive, so I think I'm going to order a few samples or single serve packets to try before I commit to an entire tub. I really like the protein I'm on now for my pre-op: Optifast. But it's even more expensive so I will probably not use it after surgery.

One thing I've noticed with a lot of WLS patients is that they have a superior attitude about their surgery. There's a reason we all chose the sleeve: because we thought it was the best. Clearly, she feels the same about her surgery. I had a similar experience at a support group when a woman asked us all "why DIDN'T you chose the bypass?" as though it was the silliest thing she'd ever heard. All we can do is take it with a grain of salt. Ignorance is ignorance no matter what, and can only be solved when the ignorant chose to solve it for themselves. Just smile and say: "Well so does raw liver, but I won't be swallowing that any time soon either."

I quit smoking about 51/2 years ago and it was certainly one of the hardest things I have ever done. Phillip Morris has a web site that helped me tramendously. It's called Quit Assist and it is a wealth of information and support. My advice - throw any and all cigarettes and lighters away. Just get rid of them all. If they're not there, they can't tempt you. I know, it sounds harsh and hard, but quitting is even harder when they're in front of you. But you CAN do it. Do activities that don't require smoking around them: something that sounds so silly, but was an amazing therapy for me was coloring in a coloring book. Stay with me here, LOL. When I would get a craving, I would just start coloring. Sometimes I would end up scribbling all over the page, but eventually the craving went away. Something else I did a lot of was cleaning. They were piddly things, but it kept me doing something else with my hands. This is going to be one of the hardest things ever, even today over 5 years later, I still have a craving once in a while. But eventually, your life is going to change so much not just from quitting, but from undergoing this amazing transformation you are about to undergo. It's going to be amazing. You can do it!!

I have a four year old and an eight year old. They both know that I'm having "tummy surgery" but as to what they know, it's different levels for each. The four year old know that I will be gone overnight and he will be staying with my parents for a couple of days. That's really about it for him, because I'm not sure he's ready for the whole story. My eight year old knows a little more about it. She knows exactly what they're going to do to me and the changes that are going to happen afterward. She's been my little cheerleader. Tonight when I was making dinner, I said "Oh my Lord, this is killing me!!" (i'm on my two week pre-op diet) and she said "Be strong, Mama! You can do it!" :-)

I was for the first few days but am fine now. In fact, I feel better at day 6 then I've felt since my teens!

I have two young ones and two teenagers. My youngest is four and dowsn't really understand too much about what's going on. My eight year old knows, and is TERRIFIED. She has begged me to not have the surgery because she's afraid that I won't be the same mama. :-( My teenagers are all for the surgery, but constantly are complaining about the dietary changes DH and I are already putting into place (no more chips, cookies, and other junk food, more veggies and fruits). (Note, my teens are actually my bonus children from DH's 1st marriage). If you have children, how are you helping them deal with the changes that are coming?

Woohoo! That's awesome! Did they get the test results back then? So happy for you!!

I've been reading your struggles with him and I agree that him not being there may be for the best. You need to be surrounded by love and positivity right now, and a negative attitude is not going to be good for you at all.

I hope everything works out for you guys! Keep us posted on the results.

That's the hardest for me, too. Cooking for them is killing me too. I wonder licking a piece of ham is cheating? LOL

I've had some broth, sugar free Jello, and sugar free Popsicles, but those are allowed. I'm proud to say I haven't cheated! I've come SO CLOSE, but I haven't. We're all doing great!!

I am so sorry honey! Hoping that everything gets sorted out quickly. Keep us posted on your status!

I feel you, girl!! I'm on day four. Yesterday was HELLIFIC! I was so hungry last night! But just think of how AMAZING you're going to feel about yourself when you get through it!! You're doing a great job - no more cheats :-) PM me if you need encouragement.

Thanks everyone. That's why I love this forum! I got through the day! I'm sure tomorrow will be easier.

We share a date! I have been struggling today too. Everyone's been telling me that days three and four are always the roughest. A taste of watermelon probably won't hurt you, especially since you have no intention of Doing it again. Stay strong! You can do it!

Arrgh! Day three on my pre op and I want to EAT so bad!!!! I'm NOT hungry, mind you, but the cravings and desires are STRONG today. I'm trying to keep repeating "no cheating no cheating no cheating". Someone please kick me in the bum!