twobluecats

YOU CRACK ME UP!!!!! I keep seeing it and thinking I will forget it. I will definitely remember it now! THANKS! And, I think Anna is having her bloodwork done tomorrow too. Maybe you will see her at Forest Park.

Checking in before I get ready for tomorrow's surgery. I'm so nervous, but I'm trying not to dwell on it. I will be the happiest girl in the world when I wake up tomorrow, regardless of pain. I hate being put under! I'm ready for "buyer's remorse, pain, the icky drain, etc." I'm as prepared as I can be, I suppose. Prayers appreciated, and I will check in as soon as a return home on Tuesday. Theresa

Linda, prayers coming back your way too! Sarita, I'm excited and nervous. I try to focus on everything but the surgery and post op so I don't get bogged down in the "what ifs" that I'm so good at fretting about! I spent today trying to think about why I decided on this venture to begin with. I wish you the best of luck and will pray for your success as well!

Thanks, Linda! I definitely need all the luck and prayer I can get! You look tremendous, and I know you must feel it too! Way to go! I can't wait to be on that side of surgery!

Great news! There are several of us going in on Monday. The preop diet has been going really well. I've been out to eat several times and have not cheated at all. I have a really bad headache though. Could be from NO carbs. My body is freaking out! Good luck to all!

Good luck! My thoughts and prayers are with you for a succesful surgery and speedy recovery!

Absolutely awesome! Your story is amazing, and I can only imagine how wonderful you must feel! I don't even remember the last time I was under 200--high school I'm sure, and that was even with a battle. Good luck on the rest of your journey. You are an inspiration with your success and positive attitude! Theresa

Thanks so much for all the support. Longhorn, I know what you mean about the "no more Whataburger" (well, you didn't say that, but that is reality for me! ha!). It's just so hard to wrap my mind around the fact that I will be able to control the cravings and curb the volume eating that got me where I am today. If it weren't for the thoughtful people who share their story and their progress on this board and OH, I'm not sure I could have made this decision. I know that others have walked in my shoes and know what it's like to be overweight, and it's a blessing to hear from those same folks after they've done this. I just have to have faith that I can do it too!

Thanks so much for the prayers! My surgery is on Monday, December 14. Did all my decorating for Christmas this week so I can enjoy the season while recovering at home.

Well, it hasn't been quite as difficult as I thought it would be, urge and temptation wise. My surgeon requires a liquid diet with one meal of 5oz meat and 2 cups veggies daily. I've been drinking the Premier Protein drinks from costco. I even heated one last night and drank it like cocoa! Not bad at all, and I'm not a sweet tooth so I was worried about the Protein Drinks. My meals have been well-planned, and I'm doing good in that department so far. I'm getting nervous and excited all at the same time. Just a few more days, and my life will be changed forever. I pray about this every waking hour, and I appreciate any and all prayers from those of you "in the same boat" and those of you who have crossed the bridge and provide all of us newbies with such valuable and appreciated information each day! Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to all!

I tend to be like DeeDee, I'm sorta an open book. When I first started exploring this idea I talked to many folks, even here at work, who have been through banding or RNY as I've always found that I learn more and more each time I talk to someone. Once I made the decision to do this, I did start telling people. I just remember how odd and uncomfortable it was for me as a friend to "know" that someone had surgery but did not discuss it. It was like the giant gorilla in the closet. I guess I didn't want that same thing to happen with my friends and coworkers, so I'd rather be open about it. But, this is definitely a personal decision, and I don't think there is a right or wrong answer. Happy Holidays and Merry Christmas! Theresa

Day two preop diet. Not so bad. I was surprised that I wasn't that hungry! I'm ready to "get this party started." Sure, I say that, but I'm still so darn nervous. I'll just be glad when I wake up from the surgery and start my new way of life!

I am still totally onboard for our Texas lunch! It will be the proverbial icing on my new "cake"!

So, it's off to Walt Disney World tomorrow, preop diet on November 30, and surgery on December 14. I had my consult today, and I really like my surgeon, Dr. Nicholson. I'm so energized by this decision (for now...I'll be nervous again later..ha!). Thanks to everyone for the amazing support that enables us folks to make an educating decision based on firsthand experience. This message board is a true blessing!

Good luck and know that I'll be saying prayers for you! Just think, less than 24 hours to a new chapter in your life!

Yah! We can go through this together with Dr. Nick! I'm in next Thursday for my consult, and I should have a date then. I'll be thinking of you and praying for you next Tuesday! Keep us posted on your progress.

Will do! We are headed to Disney now for Thanksgiving instead of Christmas, and I suspect my surgery date will most likely be around December 14. That will give me 14 days upon my return to do the pre-op diet.

Just found out today that my insurance has approved my surgery, and I have a consult with Dr. Nicholson next Thursday. WOO HOO! I'm in the middle of trying to completely rework my Disney trip to Thanksgiving now so that December is completely free. I think I'm at peace about this because I don't find myself fretting too much. I think I'm ready for the changes to my life, but I'm worried that I haven't found myself "worrying" about that. Sounds funny, but I'm such a worrier, that I think I feel good about this since I'm NOT freaking out. Sounds weird, I know.

Thanks! I just got back from my first support group meeting. AWESOME! There were two sleeve folks there, and both said they could have went as well. One was three weeks out and the other 10. I suppose it just depends on the individual. I've already sampled several Protein drinks and found that the Jay Robb is one I really like. I'm gonna try to keep with that one after surgery. I'm ready for my journey!

Thanks for the info. I would prefer to rearrange and go over Thanksgiving on one hand as I could clear my mind and be ready for whatever comes. That said, Disney would be a great place to "recover" and enjoy the blessing of the holiday after such an amazing journey begins.

...okay, the year is closing in on me, and I've found out today that my surgery (Dr. Nick here in Dallas) has submitted approval paperwork to my insurance provider for a tenative date of December 7. Now, I know that much can change on that date depending on the insurance outcome-I haven't even had my one-on-one consult yet. (I just know based on the UHC that the caseworker has the claim and it's pending approval). But, here's the thing. I have a trip to Walt Disney World scheduled for Christmas--leaving on December 18. What are the chances I would even remotely feel like flying and/or visiting the "happiest place on Earth" so soon after surgery? We go to Disney often, so I know virtually everything there is to know about rides, food, etc. I just don't know if I will be in the right place post op to consider such a trip. We can't really reschedule Disney because of the air fare issue and the fact that the first quarter of the year is busy for my husband and may include a trip overseas. If I wait until January as I would prefer, I need my stupid insurance company to decide to post what our benefits are going to be (meaning I need to be assured without any doubt that my coverage stays the same). I would prefer mid-January as my husband is having shoulder surgery on December 28 (and I can't imagine trying to do the pre-op diet while at Walt Disney World anyway) and squeezing it in the last week of December seems unlikely. What to do.....should I just calm down and let things progress as they should? Or, should I consider the possibility of an early December surgery with the Disney trip only weeks later? Many thanks for any and all candid advise!!

Thanks for the reply! That's sort of my thought right now, but I'm such a natural girl, I can't imagine wigs. But, I can just feel the positive energy from all of you who have been literally liberated by your weight loss, and it seems as if there are few things that would have overshadowed the positive experience.

.....one thing that I keep coming back to as I explore (and wait....grr) this exciting chapter in my life is the thought of losing so much hair. It's totally not because I'm vain at all. However, I have VERY, VERY thin female pattern baldness (all on the top) anyway. If I lose, it's going to be a severe and very obvious change. I know this seems like such a small thing, but I'm wondering if anyone could share their experiences if they too had thin hair to begin with....

THANKS SO MUCH! I feel like this is exactly the way I would feel after the successes (and yes challenges) of losing the weight and having control over my intake. Volume has always been my weakness. I don't drink soft drinks, I don't crave sweets, but whatever I sit down with, I will eat too much. Way too much. I know there is no miracle for this thing, but being able to control how much goes in with one more tool besides my (apparently weak) head and willpower will help. I'm still waiting to hear back from the surgeon's office on my insurance. It's killing me to wait, but I do think I'm going to try to find a therapist that specializes in weight issues in the mean time.

Perfect! I'll be home then too! But, I'm all depressed and frustrated right now after talking to my main doctor last night. He's suggested surgery in the past, even when I've lost quite a bit on my own. He's a great doctor (one of Dallas' best), but he told me last night that I've done so well on my own, and surgery isn't the answer. He said I would fail with surgery for the same reasons (behavioral) that I haven't acheived success alone. I was so surprised by his comments as I fully expected him to support the decision. Sure, I know that 90 percent of this battle will be me and my habits, but I just feel like status quo isn't working, and I can honestly say that I've given it my all on many occasions. I just can't get to the goal line!! Incredibly frustrated right now!!