EmyWemy

Hi Johnathan...wish I had some really helpful advice for your pre-op because I know how that urge to smoke feels like since I was a former smoker who loved the menthols and clove ones. I used to carry around sugar-free peppermint sticks and then have that when my urges happened. Gum didn't work for me because I really missed holding the cigarette in my hand so the peppermint sticks helped me better. My dad was a smoker since he was in his teens, had 2 heart attacks, and got to be smoke-free for about 5 years after that. Later on we found out he became a closet smoker and smoked on breaks at work and kept mints in his pocket thinking my mom wouldn't be able to tell. He died in 1996 after suffering his 3rd heart attack. I keep this in mind whenever I try to even think about having a smoke. I hope you hang in there and keep remembering your own reasons for having the surgery. Stay strong!

Congrats ChristneS! Welcome to your new post-op life, and it will be fantastic

Congrats lizzyshade! That's awesome news

People can give you all kinds of weight loss advice and think they know it all. As I continue with my post-op it is surprising to hear all the negative comments I receive, especially from family members. People who comment like this do not realize what we are going through. It takes a lot of guts in my opinion to make the decision to have the VSG. Perhaps your niece may think there might be a competition in it for her and she is already trying to sabotage your efforts. Think strong! You are IN THIS TO WIN IT - for yourself and no one else. I wish you much success in your weight loss!

That is GREAT news newgrandmother! Wishing you a lot of success during your pre-surgery days!

Hi 'NoExcuses' ... Congrats! Seems that you & I had the same surgery date . It wasn't until I read your post just now that I realized that it has been 3 months post-op. High-five to you!

Most definitely-YES-you can do this! Even with a few healthier changes in your food intake & increase in drinking water will give you weight loss results. Surgeons are serious when it comes to meeting the requirements for surgery. Mine told me that he had to cancel another patient's date because they had gained 10 lbs. That was one of my motivation points. Keep thinking positive...and keep your eyes on the prize.

I really have no idea how the pickle juice helps to stop my muscle cramps, but I started drinking it about 2 years ago after my husband read a few articles on the web. Here's a web link for one of those articles from the NY Times site: http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/06/09/phys-ed-can-pickle-juice-stop-muscle-cramps/

I am currently 12 weeks out, and my temptations are still there. After being advised pre-surgery that I shouldn't eat rice, noodles, or bread for at least a year or longer, or really -- ever. I almost flipped inside my head. I'm now okay if I never eat rice or noodles again, but the smell of bread (any kind) makes me go a little koo-koo. Just last week some co-workers were toasting bagels in the office kitchen that were left over from a meeting and it drove me nuts that I had to take a breather outside.

Not sure what else i could add since all those before me had really great advice, all of which I wish I had before I had my sleeve done. If you do need help getting up and going to the bathroom while in the hospital definitely press that nurse's button. I used to lay there and wait until one came by (when checking my vitals, etc.) and then I asked if they could help me get up, disconnect me, etc. I don't know why I did that, but i guess I almost felt like I was inconveniencing them, strange I know. Best of luck to you!

...love your post

Perhaps see if your husband can check with his human resources department if he could be on disability to take care of a family member (you) for maybe 2 weeks. My husband was able to take two weeks off when he filed the paperwork. It certainly does help if someone else is home to help, but there were times when I had to do things myself. I just made sure that I took my Lortab (liquid pain medication) every 6 hours so the pain wouldn't be as bad. As far as driving I was given the ok to drive after I had my two weeks post-op appointment. I believe my surgeon mentioned he didn't want me driving while taking the pain medication. Good luck to you and I wish you much success.

I'm not too crazy for the pickles -- but I drink the pickle juice when I have those dreadful muscle cramps. The acidity causes me to burp, but the pickle juice works wonders to make the cramps stop.

Hi *susan* - I just noticed that you're a VST Administrator . Thanks so much for fixing that for me.

Hi Miranda - I am about 12 weeks out and just started eating pork rinds just last week. I was sort of getting tired eating the same kind of crackers and saw the pork rinds in the store and thought 'why not'?.

Congratulations! My family 'sort of' knew, but I didn't tell my own mom until the week before my surgery date. I just didn't want her to worry since she was against the idea of it when I first mentioned it to her a few month before.

Hi *susan* -- Yay! Please tell me how you did that?! Very awesome

Cool blog and congrats on getting your surgery date. I wish that I had discovered this website a lot sooner before my surgery like you, but am happy that I finally did. I wish you much success on your journey.

My own experience with my surgeon was that he recommended the Roux n Y for me. It's considered the 'gold standard' for weight loss surgery at this time. I am a Type 2 diabetic and he felt that this surgery would be best for me. I had my own personal reasons for wanting to choose the vertical sleeve instead and shared that with my surgeon. He did eventually tell me that there was no right or wrong choice for me so I insisted on having the sleeve instead which is obviously what I got. Perhaps an additional appointment with your surgeon for you to express this might be your next step?