Nurse_B

Love this, I am in!

You look awesome!!!

Although I didn't have a wait time, due to being self pay, I did have to wait 6 months before surgery. I decided at the end of June I wanted to have the surgery. By the time I had all of my classes, pre op appointments, it was the beginning of November. I was scheduled the first Monday of December. The time FLIES by. I was actually happy for the time, I was able to really think about this (even though I had thought about it for a few years), and really start making the changes I would need after surgery. When your surgery gets here, you won't believe how fast the time has gone!

Hello! Congratulations on your approval!!!!!!!!! I too was very nervous for complications...and conveniently found the complications forum the night before surgery. The day of, I cried like a baby, nervous I wasn't going to wake up from the anesthesia. As far as blood clots go, there are a number of things they do for prevention. First and most importantly, you are up and walking. Second, many patients wear tight compression socks to help prevent blood clots. Your doctor may have you get an injection called lovenox. It's a blood thinner that aids in prevention of blood clots. All of these things are pretty standard in most hospitals. The most important thing you can do to prevent complications, is to follow the directions of your surgeon, and the hospital staff. How I got through the fear and anxiety was to talk about it on here, and talk about it with my support team. I also talked to my surgeon before the surgery and he answered all my questions. If you have them, ASK. Call the office, the OR at the hospital, ask the nursing staff. It's completely normal to feel this way, so don't feel bad. You can do this, you are worth it!!!!!!!!!!

Welcome, MadB!! I am kind of a newbie as well, just had VSG in early December. I love this site and all it has to offer. Happy losing

Happy to hear you are feeling better!!

It's funny you asked that, it was one of the first things I noticed that was smaller!! I wear gloves at work a lot (I'm a nurse), and I noticed the mediums were getting tight before surgery. About two weeks after surgery, I noticed the mediums were actually easy to get on, and now almost a month out they are too big. I also notice, when I clasp my hands together, they actually can clasp comfortably (weird thing to notice, I know!). They are not swollen anymore, they look smaller as well.

Happy Holidays December sleevers!! I can't wait for 2014. For the first time in many years, I feel hopeful and excited to start a new year. We all have so much to look forward to, I can't wait to hear what amazing milestones and dreams we achieve!! Many blessings to all of you and your families!

Completely understand what you mean. I have had many moments of frustration over not being able to eat something I know I can't, or something I shouldn't. This has been my most difficult hurdle to overcome, dealing with my food addiction. I have found for myself, acknowledging my feelings and talking them out has helped ease the frustration I feel. I usually find if I can talk about it, understand why I feel that way and decide to make the better choice I am satisfied. The cravings don't go away, but how I deal with them now that I'm sleeved, has made me feel positive and good about myself. I wish there was an easy solution to this or a better answer for you. I hope this gets easier for you!

I love your positive outlook and attitude. That will get you to your goals and beyond!! Merry Christmas!

Prayers to you!! You'll do great!!

Our big holiday dinner is thanksgiving, right in the middle of my pre op diet. It was tough but the though of canceling surgery from cheating, gaining weight, or not being able to stick to the diet scared me enough to keep going. It sucks, but next year you will be able to enjoy your favorites. I looked at it this way, it's one day out of the rest of your new life...you can do it!

I had a very similar experience with a friend. When I first told her, she made me feel very bad about myself and actually told me I had not tried hard enough to lose weight on my own. Even now after surgery, she refuses to acknowledge my weight loss, or changes the subject if people ask me about it. I have distanced myself from her, but still run I to her as we have the same group of friends. What I have learned the hard way is, surgery is about you, no one else. This is the time you take to worry about your health and what YOU want to do. Others will fall in line, or have to get out of the way. If this is what you desire, then do it, and don't look back!

I started by just telling my parents and sister. They were very supportive. I then decided to tell my close friends (3 ladies), two were super supportive, one not so much. As surgery date got closer, I told my co workers, very supportive and always asking how I'm doing. There is a ton of variety in who people tell on here, just go with what you are comfortable with!

Thank you for posting the websites. I am very early on, but I know I will need some heavy duty control in my stomach area. How often do you wear yours? I see a variety of different answers on this.

I feel your pain...it seems I have never worn the right size. I got fitted by a professional and now my bras actually fit correctly. I am really hoping as I lose weight my boobs go down as well, they are in the way!

I was sleeved on December 2nd, and I still have just a slight discomfort in my abdomen. Usually I feel it if I'm bending a weird way. I was also very sleepy for about the first week. It's all the medication they use during surgery working it's way out of your system. Also, most narcotic pain meds make you drowsy as well. The pain you are feeling is probably because you are more mobile, keep walking and every day you should feel a bit better!

I am also dealing with head hunger, it's a tough little bugger! I am on a soft diet right now, and am learning the hard way to slow down to eat. Lots of discomfort! It's funny how surgeons differ so much with their pre op and post op plans. I had to do a week of clear liquids prior to surgery, I hated every minute of it!

I have longed to wear a dress to Christmas parties. Something short and festive!

So I think I'm experiencing the three week stall. First time since surgery I have been the same exact weight for 5 days. Part of the process, I just had a personal goal I wanted to hit by Christmas. Here is to hoping the scale moves this weekend!! I hope everyone is feeling better each day post op, and pre ops are getting excited!

Congratulations!! Two years in a row you will have a wonderful Christmas!

Sounds like a wonderful vacation!! I would love a little Florida sunshine, it was about 10 degrees here today! Congratulations on your NSV's, how exciting!

I'm sorry to hear about your nausea, that is rough. One thing I found helpful, more so than meds was using lavender. If you dip a cotton ball in it and pin it to your shirt it can help! I hope tomorrow is better!

Happy to hear you are on the other side. I'm sorry about your pain. What do they have you on for pain ( if you don't mind me asking). Hang in there you will feel better! Praying for a smooth recovery.

Hello! I'm in Madison, I love visiting Milwaukee! You will get fluids in easier as the swelling goes down and you aren't so sore. My incisions were also pretty sore. Use a pillow to help you move about and take it easy. I found I felt better each day pain wise. My insidious are still a tiny bit tender but are feeling a ton better than 2 weeks ago! My first week after surgery seems like a lifetime ago! Hoping you are able to get more fluids in as you heal but be patient it will happen!