Gijane2012

Loving your progress....and your attitude.

Thanks everyone....I am encouraged. @scorpion509, I think I have lost inches. @Angela, I will focus my mind on a hobby besides scale. @marsha73, I won't give up. It seems like science, less intake, weight loss but I guess eventually things will go. Thanks again.

AWESOME!!!!!

Your doctor said you can eat grits already? I am soooo jealous of you. I am on the post op diet of clear liquids for 2 weeks then some other stuff for 2 weeks but ultimately, I won't be able to eat food, food for 2 months. I know every doctor has their own protocol but although I am not struggling, grits sounds pretty good.

Keep up the good work!

O, I had my surgery 8.23 so I am recent too.

Are you drinking your fluids, including your protein drink? As far as incisions, my largest one is still sore. The others I have no sensitivity to it. You can put some antibacterial ointment on it. If you have great concern, you should see a doctor. Don't fret over this....be proactive. Make some calls so you feel comfortable and confident. I was not overly tired post surgery....and my energy level increases as days go. I did feel light headed in the beginning and I was told to increase fluids, especially broth and protein drink. Good luck and keep us posted.

Hang in there. I totally relate to your "aha" moment; I think I was in a JCP Store too, lol. Well, you are on the road to victory. Be encouraged. I had my surgery on 8.23 and let me tell you, your outlook on food will change. Seeing how I feel now and how I was then, I realize I was obsessed to food more than I would ever admitted to myself. Now, it does not bother me. I can walk away and not struggle.

I am excited and I hope you become excited too. I am on my way to the gym now to aide in this weight loss process.

Your first few days will be an adjustment but you are on the road to victory and one day both of us will shop in a different section of JCP.

Good luck and keep us posted.

I want to say first & foremost, there are so many people the Lapband has failed. You, like me, blamed myself. If it was such a success rate, there would not be so many complaints about it. It has been successful for some but STOP blaming yourself. I had mine removed last week and got Sleeved same surgery. I was excited about my Band at the time and being a transparent person, I shared what I was going to do.....then later felt like a public failure. This time, I did not do that. I told 5 friends and my family. I told my friends to NOT share it with anyone and eventually I will in my own time. My point, I set my parameters. So if you tell no one but your husband & your bff, it is your right. People are used to me being transparent and I'm used to being transparent but I told myself, I will share when I am ready. I need to see success and plus not feel the self inflicted great expectations of others. Good luck.

Your story is my story.....pretty much the same. I just got my lapband removed and sleeved last Thursday. The Lapband failed me, you and so many others. It has worked for some but common in many of us that it did not work.....WE HAVE BLAMED OURSELVES. The weight, the embarrasment and so many other things like, hiding. I relate to you. What I want to do is ENCOURAGE you to pilot your life regarding your Drs visits. "You demanded...." Good. You have to let them see you because their work is routine and unless you holler, they may not hear or see you. It took me years to do that because I blamed me for the Lapband failing. I took the captain's chair in June 2012 and had the defective band removed (got sleeved too) on 8/23. I felt like a failure because not everyone knew of my band but enough people did and it felt like a PUBLIC failure. Depression.......my middle name. I was a happy go lucky person......had to take meds. I did, I still do.

I want you to be encouraged. I want you to be empowered. Writing and getting it out is good. Being emotional about it is good.

I don't know how many pounds I have lost since pre-op diet and since I've been on my post op diet.......I haven't checked. You know why? I feel good because I believe and know it will work. Since surgery, my outlook for life is changing. I have VISION. I was so blinded by my own darkness and now I am coming out. I know I will be fully out more and more as I make progress. So, go through your mental process and use US. Use me. We are here for you because many of us are or have gone through the mental beat us, depression and so forth. The light is there. You are peeling off layers.......continue because the Sleeve is right there for you. Navigate your ship. Keep me posted.

You cannot go wrong to walk. Like you, I'm itching to work out. I am going to gym today for the first time since surgery on 8/23. Now, in my head, I want to hit it hard.......................but I won't. One, I am not even one week post surgery. Two, I don't want to overdo it. Three, it takes baby steps. I know my enthusiasm is because I am excited and I know working out will aid in my weight loss efforts. This is a life long journey and I respect it. I am going to the gym but I am keeping it light for a while until I get full clearance from my doctor.

How AWESOME is it that I (probably you too) actually want to go to the gym?

On the road to success. Life is good!

Hopefully your friend comes around and you two reconnect. We need our friends and have to love them through their faults. It is disappointing she has responded as such but a lot of times people don't know what to say and what comes out is stupid. I hope it works out as I know the VS will work. Take care of yourself because the road may get a little bumpy before you reach your destination. Got to focus on you now. Good luck and remember, you deserve this!

Thanks everyone, the support is needed and greatly appreciated. I cocooned myself in my house today as I continue on this pre-op diet. I am struggling with all the wants of the world, i.e., Cheetos, or any junk food. I have sucked on ice instead. I really appreciate the support.......

Yeah, I feel both of you. I am leaving for 9 days, 8 of which will be on a cruise. The last 2 days of the cruise I start my pre-op diet. I am like, ugh, and like Jrzydva I have been a little bad. I've been wigging out for no reason......I'm not even hungry. I know I will do better on the cruise but I still dislike I start my pre-op while on vacation. The one thing that is AWESOME for me is my pre-op is 5 days. I've seen many on it for 2 weeks. I think your juice fast Peace36love is awesome. I used to juice fast a lot.....it will help you transition well into the pre-op diet. Well, I will talk with you when I return from my holiday.

Luv to hear it all, you LOSERS inspire me so much. I cannot "weight" until my turn. 8.23......15 more days.

I love it.....your pics provides me so much inspiration. I can't wait until I'm at that point. We look like different people but we are the same....WOW!

Good info maxskillz. I haven't started my pre-op yet, mine is 5 days. I used to fast a long time ago for a week, 2 weeks and the longest is a month. The first 2 to 3 days are the most challenging but after that (or at some point) you start to feel a high like you can do it all your life. I am hopeful I will experience this when I start my pre-op on 8/18. My biggest challenge is I will be on an 8 day cruise..at least it starts toward the end of the cruise. Good luck but make it fun like Maxskillz. Keep us posted.

Thanks Mae......just having a little fun.

Thanks Melissa,

Keep in touch regarding your journey.

New beginnings........

Saramoni, we will be experiencing our weight loss journey together. My surgery is 8.23. I look forward to change and Dooter thanks for letting us know how drastic things may be during the healing process but eventually a new normal will kick in. Good stuff!

Hey,

I think it is awesome. What I got in between your words is you put your job first as you were obsessive with your work and that obsession likely led to your promotion (great, dedicated employee). Now, you have done something for you and you are happy. I say embrace it. I do believe it will settle down. You sound like you are a great worker and even if this "slacking" thingee you are doing as you think of yourself is probably minimal in they eyes of "normal" workers. The one thing about "us" is that we barely gives ourselves a break. I say embrace your excitement and you are undergoing your change. I think your work compass will guide you and redirect you if you are falling off the horse too many times. You deserve to be excited about this so don't minimize it or take away from it. I totally relate to what you are feeling......I truly think you will be okay. Hang in there.

Hey,

Hang in there ladies. I was obsessed with the approval process. I called the coordinator on a regular basis and the insurance company (BCBSIL). Now, first of all, that obsessive calling (little exaggeration there) is not my typical MO (Method of Operations) however I felt I needed to make it happen. I need to stop waiting on people to do what they are "supposed" to do anyway. I respect professionals as I am one too but even in my work, as good as I may think I am, people will "obsessively" call me for follow up. You know what, they get quicker responses.

Remember the insurance company is easier to call because they are an "entity." The same person is highly unlikely to answer the phone, plus, it is the insurance company to want to speak to now.

When I did find out I was approved, I asked the insurance company to fax me approval letter and then I faxed it to the coordinator. I save about a week of waiting.

I am tired of being passive in this thing called life. I decided to be more involved. The insurance company told me when and what they rec'd from the patient coordinator. They told me when it was under review. Yes, they say a week or so but it really takes them a couple of days. I got stalled a bit because they did ask for additional informaiton. Around that time the patient coordinator was out for a few days (holiday). When I talked to her she resubmitted referral.

The point I'm making is make it happen for yourselves. I could not imagine being denied. I said if I was, then I am going down knowing I did what I could to get approved....involved in the process. I also sent my own letter to the insurance company. I don't know if it made a difference or not. I wrote out an Affidavit of My Weight Loss Experience.....had it notarized. I told myself I needed...NEEDED to feel I did all I could to make it happen. I felt obsessive...and I use that word because I have never focused so much energy on something for MYSELF (maybe others but never me).

Be encouraged and if you feel something in your heart will make a difference...do it.

BCBSIL told me when they rec'd info from doctor's office and that helped me. My patient coordinator had told me she submitted something weeks earlier....and she either didn't (which I believe she did not) or insurance company did not receive it. If I did not not take steps on my own....I could still be waiting.

Sounds like you are doing great. No, I don't know anyone or read about anyone who is vegan and has had this surgery. It does not mean no one has and it definitely does not mean you cannot do it. You can. As far as the calorie reduction, you have to take in consideration the stomach size is reduced thus, easier to get full (less calorie intake). Do not overthink this. You've been successful as a vegan which is a challenge in this meat/diary filled world and you will be successful once you have this surgery. Believe in yourself and if there is no one who is a vegan and has had the surgery (which I doubt...they probably haven't posted), then you become the pioneer. Don't fallback now. Yes, you've shown you can lose weight on your own but most of us have done that too....our problems have been maintaining long term weight loss....this surgery will aid in you getting there.

Believe in yourself and you shall overcome your fear and anxiety.

Thanks all, I appreciate the support so much. This site is a great sounding board and it is definitely a blessing to me....us. Life is good and will be better.

Hang in there..gonna write more later (computer acting up). Be encouraged.

Hey,

Are you having surgery at Westlake Hospital? I've never been there....always West Sub in OP. What is your pre-op diet, rather, what are your instructions? You have to start it two weeks before surgery? I am wondering if I should call them. I haven't done any testing. I go in 8.6 for pre-op consult but I leave for vacation later that week. I need to find out more information from them because I will be on an 8 day cruise and I get back the weekend before my surgery.

I am so tired but being on this site calms me. I've worked all day and all I want to do is read....................but I need to go to bed.

Thanks,

M