Vicki Loichinger

before surgery, i was on 3 Metformin a day, 84 units of Lantus at night and Novolog insulin for coverage during the day. Since surgery (3 weeks ago), i am only on Lantus 20 units at bedtime. I hope i will eventually be off of it too!

Ok at the hospital. Just got my gown on. Now the waiting game. Thanks for the prayers. And praying for everyone else. Happy new year you

yes the joy of simple things. so happy to be able to wipe my butt and do it well I might add.

I think how much is plays with your hormones. For a while wacko periods, some acne and my hair was really oily for a while.
But I think the hardest I the mental state. I've lost about 28 pounds in six weeks and I feel like a failure. Really? I've never lost weight like that before. You can't compare yourself to others. If you do you'll go nuts.
Main thing is this is life changing. That part you really can't prepare for. Just take it day by day.
Good luck

yes the joy of simple things. so happy to be able to wipe my butt and do it well I might add.

LOL....I actually had a BM post op day 2.. I had to tell my mom not to be afraid to wipe my ass..I said you used to do it all the time when I was a kid.. She was like, well your ass didn't look like this 30yrs ago...we both laughed and laughed!

The sleep study was my last step also and I failed. I was able to try on a few masks before my second sleep study where they calibrated my machine. I actually started with a full face mask and tried it for two weeks but it kept losing the suction and just was shooting Water and air in my eyes . I then switched to a nasal mask and it only has one, very comfortable strap, which prevents "strap hair". It is made by Fisher & Paykel and is called the Pilairo. No matter what mask, adjusting to a Cpap is tough, if you do get a machine, give yourself time to get used to it. I was very motivated to use it and make it work since my doc checks the card and won't do the surgery unless I am using it at least 4 hours a night.

Wow! Thank you all so much for your support and information. I just love this site.
I just had the study done last week, and will get the results next Wednesday. So, I don't yet know which type of apnea I have. I have absolutely NO problem with wearing a CPAP mask. I would just like to get one that's comfortable and won't make me feel like Hannibal Lecter. LOL It's not even a vanity thing, either. I live alone and don't have a "honey" (though I'm always hoping that will change!), so I could care less what I look like when I'm sleeping.
Strangely, as poorly as I slept during the study, I did feel different when I left. My congestion had cleared up, and my head felt a little clearer. I can only imagine how much better I will feel with a full night's sleep. :-)

I only weigh a couple times a week. It would be to discouraging to see that scale go up and down and up and down. So far everytime it has been down even if just by a little bitty bit. And that keeps me a bit saner.

Praying for you and all the others who have had surgery this month and a couple yet to go in this week. You have been through a lot and it sounds like you are handling it like a trooper, Praying that your wounds heal and you are on the road to recovery.
Lisa I hope you are ok
Hippie Gal you are in my thoughts and prayers as I know this last day or so is so filled with anxiety.
I wonder if anyone has heard from southern girl?
I just hold all of us up in prayer and ask that God help us on this journey, Amen

Hippie gal
If you can and it is probably going to cost the same I would get to the hotel much earlier and check in and drink the mag stuff there and then you won't have to worry about traveling after taking it., Maybe you could check in around three or so and that would give you plenty of time to drink it and be done by bedtime. I think getting there close to the hospital with the weather threatening will make you feel so much more relaxed. Thinking of you today and praying for you tomorrow, It is going to be a brand new year and a brand new you. Big Hugs

I don't know what to say except I feel for you being in this situation and I know it is so hard. You are so strong and I think you will make it through and make the right decisions at the right time. You have a plan and you aren't going to be derailed. He is showing his insecurities and jealousy at you getting healthier and feeling more attractive. These are his problems. And he either will get over it or he won't. Just take care of yourself and your kids and do what you feel is best,

Welcome Melynie
I had my lap band removed after seven years and the gastric bypass performed on Dec, 5th, I never had any horror experiences with the band but very little successs either, I wish I had done the gastric bypass to begin with but I thought I knew better, But really I just wasted seven years that I could have been getting healthier, You have just about got the hard parts out of the way jumping through all the hoops the insurance requires and it seems everyone asks something different of us. Wishing you the best. There is a wealth of information and support here so if you have questions or concerns just ask somebody will have an answer. Again Welcome and hoping the next couple of months go quickly for you so you can get on with your journey.

I agree with Snow congrats to all the ones whose surgery is behind them and best wishes on the few to come.

try to stay in front of the pain with your meds for next couple of days. walk as much as you can and then sip and rest, It gets better every day. it really really does, And everyone is different in how much pain they have due to how much "poking" around your surgeon did and the muscles disturbed and maybe scar tissue removed. But it will get better. A lot of the pain is probable gas and walking is about the only thing that will help that move.

Ashley welcome and wishing you the very best these two weeks and beyond. Seven years ago when A Doc told me I needed barbaric surgery I thought he had grown a third eye or something. But I did check into it after a bit and ended up being very stubborn and thinking I knew everything and I got the lap band. Well that is not what kind of surgery that Doc was talking about he meant the gastric bypass, but I thought no way that is way to aggressive and I don't have that much weight to lose. But that very wise Doc knew that the Gastric Bypass would help my diabetes not just weight loss. But I wouldn't listen. Seven years later with losing and gaining the same 30 pounds over and over and no improvement in my diabetes, only worsening, I sought out having a revision. And I am three weeks out from having my lap band removed and gastric bypass performed. And my diabetes is improving little by little everyday. I wasted seven years of being close to a shut in all because I thought I knew it all. You have made a wise decision, all be it a hard one, but one you should be very proud of yourself for making. This forum is a very special place with people who have so much compassion and knowledge. You will find so much support, Again Welcome and wishing you the very very best,

That is what we are here for. You can talk to any of us. Ask any questions. Tell us the good and the bad. Somebody here has went through what you are going through and will help you. We WILL praise you for your accomplishments and help you when you are down. Lonely is an awful feeling. And there is no worse lonely when there is someone there but yet they aren't. And that is true regardless of having this surgery or not.
So jump in here, read and post and ask questions and give answers. You have four months of experience to share with some of us that are brand new at this.,
Again Welcome and Great Big Hugs to you.

Lady love you too, you are tell em, if you need too. You are doing fantastic.

I have had a catheter at least 10 times for past surgeries. It has never hurt to have it taken out.
If you're having this much anxiety about a catheter, perhaps you should speak directly to your surgeon prior to the day of surgery.
It has been my experience in the past (for the countless tests, procedures and surgeries I have had, that the fear of the unknown can be worse than the actual procedure. An example I can give you that I experienced was the extreme anxiety I felt over having my mamogram for the first time. I heard so many horror stories about how painful it is and that they squish the breast down to a flat pancake. I equated it to having your private parts being run over by a mack truck. I put off having this important test for 2 years out of fear. The day of my mamogram, I had an anxiety attack and ended up sobbing and crying out of fear. Let me tell you--do I feel stupid! It was NOTHING! No pain, the technician was gentle and respectful and when it was over, I laughed about it with her telling her about the intense fear I had. Thankfully, everything is completely normal and I have no problem getting one yearly.
M'Lane

So far I have been blessed with only one gf saying "You will feel better knowing you have accomplished it on your own, without surgery". It caused a rift for a bit, but the strength of our friendship shined thru and though she still doesn't feel I should have resorted to surgery, she is supportive and has shared in my ongoing success. That being said, I have told her, my 2 bff's, of course my husband knows, and then my MIL who in turn told the extended family. Unless the extended family is talking about me behind my back, to which I do not give a rats behind, they have not said anything negative. Now, about 10 days ago, I found out that my husband told 2 of his guy friends, that I am good friends with too (as well as their gf's) that I had surgery. I was actually devastated at first, until the conversation progressed and these guys told me how proud they were of me taking responsibility of my health and life. WHAT!? really?! :-) Then in typical them style, told me that they want to be the ones to take me bikini shopping and come in the fitting room with me. Dorks! LOL I don't know if they told their gf's, I hope not, at least not yet. I am a sarcastic blunt person buy nature, I don't avoid the elephant in the room, I also have always poked fun at my own fat, so if drama comes my way, I will not guarantee I have "the perfect response" because I don't sit here and dwell over it, but I assure you, that person will have an earful if they choose to come at me! Although some responses do come to mind, such as "I stayed fat for so long because to be smart, beautiful and thin would cause world worship, thus it was more of a public service really. However now, I think the world needs some leadership and I'm ready to take my place" Feel free to gratuitously steal that whenever you need it. Love you all!

I just had my surgery on the 28th. everything went great. no complications and I don't have any pain. hospital beds def suck though. but other then that I'm feeling fantabulous.. lol. using my spirometer to keep lungs expanding having my sips of Water and just relaxing. hoping to go home this afternoon

One surgery tomorrow and a small # on the 31st and everyone with a December date is done and ready to begin a new year w new us :-) awesome!!!
Gen :-)

Mine is still here, but I am on a lot less insulin and getting better numbers. I actually went low night before last so I am going to have to adjust the insulin some more. So I didn't leave the hospital off all insulin like I had dreamed and hoped and prayed. But in three weeks it is better than it has been in 10+ years. So I am still hopeful.