devichan

This is a weird one, but I can link it directly to the surgery. I used to bite my nails. I had gotten it a bit under control, but still had issues. Now I'm not biting my nails, because I don't want to accidentally swallow a sharp bit and maybe hurt my sleeve!

This is an update as of 13-JUN, ten days out:

Today is my first full day back to work. In fairness, taking public transit probably wasn't the smartest thing, but my ergo chair is soooo comfy at work and is supporting my back nicely. I'm halfway done with my water for today too. Also, I'm wearing a skirt I haven't worn since 2007... a size 24. I was wearing 28s in April. I'm going to take measurements this weekend as I prep for the inevitable and normal week 3 stall, which won't be a huge deal because I know it ends.

Please check in and let us know how you're doing! Had my one-week today... Down 11 lbs! To Celebrate, went to the Mall of America and walked 1.5 times around it. That's 3/4 of a mile!

Is the group private/hidden? I don't want my fb friends to see my posts.

It's OK. I have such a profound sense of peace now. I don't care about being thin, but it's like my body just released the need to crave, at least for a moment. I know I made the right choice for me. Next to that, bruises and soreness are nothing.

I'm on day 4. This is what my belly currently looks like. The two circular bruises at the bottom are the heparin shot sites. I am much less sore today! I'm clearly healing on the inside. It looks worse than it is, I think.

I was sleeved Monday as well. Sooooooorrrre. But from what I know this is the worst day, maybe tomorrow, and I'm getting in my Water and walking. I was told 42 oz of Fluid and I've had more than 45. No nausea, and I've checked for fever and my temp is good. I did cough up some blood, but it was right after a nosebleed. I think there may have been blood in my throat from that. If it's still bleeding tomorrow, I'll be calling for sure! Prayers going out for all of my sleeve-siblings who want them!

Please add me, another 3-JUN!

As June 3 gets closer, I'm trying to get everything done. sleep study was Friday. Spent the weekend housecleaning, will do the same next weekend. PCP appointment on Thursday, and at some point I'll be picking up the CPAP... dunno when, but they want me to have it. I did well in the titration study, though, so we'll see. Now I can be Mommy Vader! I guess I'll need to start my sewing classes in August...

I met with the surgeon today and got my date... 3-JUN, 10:30am. I have a sleep study for CPAP titration tonight and my PCP pre-surgery physical Thursday. I don't have to do a liquid dlet for the next ten days, thank goodness... just Clear liquids the day before. I am still uncertain of what lies on the other side. I am certain I'm on the right path. The final ten days before Change begins...

It's been a while since I updated. Today, I got my approval from insurance. I meet with the surgeon on Friday at 10:45. As it happens, I have a stomach bug today and where I thought I'd be really excited, what I am is tired. I'm down to 269 on my home scale, so I'm sure I've met their pre-surgery requirements. (And I'm down 40 since December.) We've told my 7-year-old. She is understanding and promised not to tacklehug me while I'm recovering. Her big question was would I be asleep, like her friend Jacob who got tubes in his ears because "he got earaches, like, ALL the TIME Mom, it was so sad!" She also says she'll be happy to help make me Soup in the microwave and eat the noodles out of my soup for me. We've made our morning chewable Vitamins into a mommy-daughter time, which is kinda nice. She says she's looking forward to me being skinny like her and eating little meals like she does. <3 The rest of my chosen family remains supportive. I've started taking Biotin, collagen, and Calcium with D already on top of my daily multi and B complex and the D I was prescribed. (In Minnesota just about everyone has Vitamin D issues, I'm told.)I am noticing an improvement in my skin and hair since I've been doing that, and I hope it will be enough to keep the hair loss to a minimum. I remember what it was like to lose hair after my kids were born, so I have some perspective on what I'm looking at. I finally told a few of my friends what was going on. The basic response was "do what you have to do to stop hurting. You really have tried everything else, and we love you regardless." It's good to have friends... I guess I'm moving more toward the certain end of things?

That's awesome! Thanks so much for sharing.

Reenalee, I am so sorry you have been through all of this. I support you speaking your mind here on any topic you need. And I think this does have to do with weight loss... the emotional weight off your shoulders as you escaped this horrible abuse! Not all weight is physical...

I've been told I can take whole pills no problems after the first week.

Hate skin infections. Hate Hate Hate. Did I mention I despise them?

........ your co-workers sound like people who need reality checks. Really, that behavior is uncalled-for. Even my 7-year-old would call them bullies. My response to anyone who attacked me that way would be "Well, that's certainly one way to look at it," and then contact HR. But that's me.

Need to get this off my, er, chest? Dear Navel: My dear, sweet Innie friend. You have literally always been a part of my life. We have the most primal connection, and when I was a toddler I loved to play with you. As a kid I showed you off. As a teen I painted you. As an expectant mother I was secretly relieved when you never "popped" in either pregnancy. Things came full circle as my babies played with you too, and loved hearing me laugh. But, honey, we have to talk. This skin infection thing has got to GO. You don't do it often, but when you do it's so uncomfortable. I always feel itchy and unhappy, and getting rid of it is no fun at all. When my skin's not so full and roundy, you'd better not do this more. I will be RIGHT PUT OUT. Love, Me.

In my attempt to get ducks in a row before my surgery, I was wondering what peoples' experiences were with biking in that first post-op few weeks. My knees like biking more than walking, and I just got a bike, so if I can I'd like to use it. Please share experiences and recommendations (including "That's not a smart idea" if it's not).

I walked two miles to the Mall with my daughter this weekend.

Can you have NSVs before surgery?

I wept and gnashed my teeth every time I logged on and there were no posts from you! In all seriousness, yes, I noticed you weren't around and I'm glad it was for something like school, and that you're doing well!

That's a good idea... I think I'll get my hair dyed again!

I go for my third NUT appointment and my teaching session with the bariatric nurse on Friday. They want me at 271 the day of surgery (which has not yet been set, but is at least two or three weeks out at best), and this morning I came in at roughly 274. (This is down 36 lbs since December, 20 since February when I started this. The December-Feb weight was after I got my new job and my stress level dropped by several orders of magnitude, so my body relaxed too.) So I'm not worried about dropping the weight required for surgery. But then what? I have never weighed less than 220 since my sophomore year of college in 1990. I literally can't imagine what I'll look like. I can't imagine what clothes I'll be able to wear. I've set a goal of 180 because that is the smallest I can imagine myself ever becoming. That still has me at a BMI of 34... there are people on here getting the surgery at smaller than that! Am I having a failure of imagination? What's reasonable to expect in the next year and a half? I really don't know! Can I actually expect to wear a size 18 ever again?

Awesome! May I ask how tall you are?