Gingin33

I'm having my sleeve done on Thursday. I wish it would hurry up and get here because stressing about it until then is not going so well. Tomorrow I have to take a laxative and then have nothing but Clear liquids for 3 days before my surgery. I fear I will be hungry the whole time. I've been on a pre-op diet for the last week and a half or so it is hasn't really been to bad but then again, Protein seems to fill you up. Clear liquids are not going to contain the protein to make me feel full so I'm a bit worried. Not to mention the fact that I have a plane ride to deal with after taking a laxative and then not having any solid food. That could make for a bad situation. So anyway, I'll probably post again before I leave just to check in but please keep me in your thoughts and prayers. Thank you all for your support thus far.

I was just about to start a thread about this very thing. Dr Almanza's instruction say "take a laxative the 3 days before your surgery. You may use any laxative of your choice. Please take only clear liquids after taking your laxative. This will help to reduce post operative gas and bloating." So this leaves me unsure. Does it mean take a laxative every day for 3 days before or just one 3 days before? Also does the clear liquids mean I can't have anything except clear liquids for 3 days before my surgery? I'll starve to death. At least the protien shakes i've been drinking make me feel pretty full but they are far from clear. I'm also worried about taking a laxative 3 days in a row and then being on a plane for 8 hrs. Any of Dr. Almanza's patients know the answer? I tried to email Sandy but she's out of the office until the 24th and my surgery is on the 19th.

My heighest weight was 320. That is hard to write down. I'm at 304 as of today and having my surgery in 5 days.

A few years ago when I was dieting I bought some rice cakes to snack on. I was so sick of eating them plain though so I decided I would put some Peanut Butter on them. They were really good like that. So next time I thought I'd put some peanut butter on them, some slices of banana and some reeses peices and drizzle some chocolate and caramel over the top. It was so good but man did I feel like such a fat a$$ after that. I never did it again. Oh and Burger king has a cupcake milk shake. The size of the straw you use is the size of a thumb, very big around. I decided to try one. It is literally like a liquid cupcake. It was very good. I can't even imagine how many calories. Once again, one was enough to make me feel not very good about myself. Now i'm wondering if I was a person of normal weight and I ate something like that if I would feel quite so bad. Hmm

I also am a big sweet eater. I'm not sure how this head hunger will be dealt with, but I think the goal is, if you can tolerate sweets, then have a bite of something, instead of a whole pan of something. I think it will be an adjustment but it will fall into place with a little work. As for being a fast eater, from what I understand you will learn to eat slow very quickly or else you will not be comfortable. Also, it will take practice. I'm more worried about learning to sip Water. I dont want to take big gulps and feel any pain. That will be my challenge.

I am having surgery 11/19 and i'm starting to freak out. I have to stop myself from thinking about the actual procedure or I really do panic. I have to keep focusing on what an adventure this will be. How it will change my life forever. It's the tool I need to finally be at a healthy weight. So yes, it's normal. I'd say it's more normal than someone going into this and feeling no fear. I have good days and I have bad days. Mostly I'm excited and grateful for being given this opportunity. My surgery is only 5 days away, needless to say, I haven't been sleeping to well. I'm sure it will be fine though and I'm ready for it!

Well that is coming up fast! Bet you are so excited. I'm having mine done on 11/19 and I'm just anxious for it to be here already. I'm really nervous too. Good luck to you and please keep us updated on how you are doing.

For 10/23? as in October, 23rd?

Good luck to you. Everything will be fine. Please keep us updated. I go in myself a week from tomorrow and I hope I will be as calm as you as the days keep approaching faster.

Today has been a great day! I mean, mentally. Where as yesterday I was in tears most of the day and I bit my husbands head off for eating fast food in front of me while i'm stuck on this pre-op diet. Today i've been happy. Mostly excited and ready for the day to get here. It's coming fast. The 19th is the big day! My dr gave me some xanax for the plane ride. Never had it before so she gave me an extra to sample before i'm actually on the plane and stuck with a feeling I might not enjoy. I feel a lot better knowing I'll have something to help relax me as I'm board the plane. I really appreciate all the comforting and encouranging words from everyone and wish you all the best on your journeys as well. :thumbup:

Thanks so much! I'm off to my regular family dr today for an ear infection. I'm thinking I will ask her for some anti-anxiety meds for the plane trip while I'm there. That is the scariest part for me!

I noticed when I became fat, I got acne in a very uncomfortable area. Right between my thighs. Maybe from the friction of my legs rubbing together. I haven't really noticed any hair growth but have you had your thyroid checked? I heard that could be a symptom of a thyroid problem. Along with skin issues.

I'm actually 10 days away! I'm going through every emotion/feeling possible. One day I question everything and wonder if I'm doing the right thing and the next day I can't wait for it to be here so I can start my new life. I assume my feelings are normal. I've been on the pre-op diet for a couple days now. First day was hell. I thought I would end up binging but I only messed up once. Second day, I was amazed how much easier it was. Today so far so good. I haven't flown on an airplane since I was a kid. I'm SO scared about that. In fact, I dont know which I'm more scared about, flying or the surgery. I weigh 309 lbs :huh0: as of today. My weight is evenly proportioned. So I don't really have any target area's. I'm just fat all over. I'm wondering about the airplane seats and if I will have any problems in that regard. Will I fit in the seat ok? Will I need a seat belt extension? How embarrassing is it to ask for one? I'm just trying to think of EVERYTHING! Probably overloading my brain. I dont want to start off on my trip and realize I should have done this or that. I wanna be prepared and make the whole process as easy as possible. Thanks for any input. Good luck to everyone!

Prayers for you! Keep us posted.

Good luck! I know what you mean about family not being supportive. They raise my anxiety level and make me question whether I'm doing the right thing. Coming here is so nice. To hear from people that have been down this road and have first hand experience.

I'm having my surgery with Dr. Almanza on Nov. 19th. Sandy is the one that set everything up for me. Very nice lady. I am nervous about the whole experience but trusting that everything will go well. I would be nervous about ANY Dr. doing this surgery on me, so that's not an issue for me. I know that Dr. Alberto Aceves seems to be a favorite around here but for some people, the difference between $9,000 and $6,000 might as well be the difference between $100 and a million. I am grateful that I am given this chance to do this. Just do your homework. Factor in cost and go with your gut (no pun intended) feeling. I will come back and let everyone know of my experience with Dr. Almanza and his team. I don't get money for referrals nor care where people choose to have their wls done. I'm just a normal mother and housewife that is sick of being fat. Good luck to you.

Because of being fat and having large breasts, almost since I can remember, I've always slept on my tummy. Kind of on my tummy with one leg kicked out and my arm under my pillow so i'm not flat on my face. I cannot sleep on my back at all or I feel like I can't breath and I wake myself up snoring. Sometimes I can sleep on my side but I really sleep so much better on my tummy. Will I not be able to sleep like that again after surgery? I'm worried that I will not be able to sleep. I'm hoping once I lose the weight, I will be able to sleep however I want. Anyone have this same issue?

Thanks for all your input everyone. I just want to say I agree. Of course it is a concern for me but my health is the biggest concern over some wrinkles. I'm 36. Have been fat for about 20 years. Maybe I'm young enough that my skin will do well. Right now I just want to get this fat off of me and worry about the skin issues later. Good luck to everyone on their journey.

This might sound unusual but it's a concern for me. Not a huge one mind you. So, I have looked through a lot of before and after pictures. Not here really but in general over the years. Amazing transformations. The one thing i've noticed a lot. The people that have lost a lot of weight sometimes look 10-20 years older. Now dont get me wrong, I realize losing the weight is mostly for health reasons but I worry that when I do lose the weight, will I look older? Has this happened to anyone here and how do you deal with it? Do you regret it?

I'm dealing with the same thing. I'm sick of other peoples fears. I wish my family could say they are proud of me and happy for me. I know they just care but it keeps filling my head with doubt and I want this to be my own choice. I'm also having surgery with Dr. Almanza and i'll be there on the 19th. It's going to be okay. I think everyone is scared and it is a scary thing but it will be fine and then we can finally lose this weight and start living again. :lol0:

It's been quite a whirlwind. I can't believe that I am 2 weeks away from surgery. I'm worried and I'm excited. I keep most of my fears to myself because my husband has enough he is adding to me as it is. I know he just cares about me but sometimes I wish he'd keep his fears to himself. Saying things like, "Ever seen the movie Hostile? What if it's like that?". :scared0: He's very freaked out about me going to Mexico to have this done. I'm going to Dr. Almanza. I feel fine with my decision. The scariest part to me is traveling alone. Flying! I dont know. I almost worry something is wrong with me because right now, I feel calm and more excited then scared. Maybe the real fear doesn't settle in until the closer I get to that date. I do have bouts of fear, almost panic at times. Wondering what I'm doing to myself, but then I'll just take a deep breath and think about all the good that will come from this and I'm fine. Is anyone else going to Dr. Almanza around the 19th?

Thats true but as I said, in the article, it was talking about eating food and waiting to brush, not vomiting. So any amount of food in your mouth causes an acid that can soften your enamel.

I haven't had the wls yet but I have lost weight in the past (many times!). I notice that when I lose enough weight that men start to "check me out", it makes me feel a bit uncomfortable. In fact, I dont like it at all. Being fat is my shield. It keeps me safe from leers and unwanted attention. I dont know, maybe its a lack of self esteem. I just worry about that in the future (when I do have wls) about how I will deal with the attention I might receive.

I read an article the other day, in mens health (Can't help it. Hubby leaves it on the bathroom counter) that might explain this. In the article it said you should not brush your teeth after every meal unless you wait at least 15 mins or you could actually do more harm then good for your teeth. When you eat, the acid in food softens the enamel of your teeth. So if you brush your teeth right away, you are brushing away the protective enamel of your teeth. So I'm guessing if you vomit, it would be highly acidic and soften the enamel of your teeth. Not waiting 15 mins before brushing could cause teeth problems down the road. Just my guess but makes sense to me.

Well I haven't had wls surgery yet but I have had 2 c-sections. It's a little tricky but not to painful. Of course I will admit, I was much small then so it was easier to reach. You might want to get a squirt bottle and fill it with warm water, if you have problems or pain. I know it sounds weird but thats what my dr told me after I had my babies and it helped.