Valentina

My mother's starving children were in East Germany!! I agree that hearing "finish your meal" for year after year remains with us for lifetime. I have rationalized the whole deal with giving my leftovers to my standard poodle--as long as the leftover is meat. The rest of the leftovers feed "Mr. Disposal". Like the Flintstones, I imagine I'm feeding the animal under the sink. Insane? :crazy: probably, but it keeps me from eating after I'm full lately. Valentina ( a Jewel of June) :grouphug: usually the next days lunch I'm totally eating like a SKINNY girl now! I'm so not used to this yayyyyy!

OOOHHHHH, Lordy, say it isn't so!!!!!! :cry_smile: I know it will all be worth it, but what about a sour Protein shake????????:lightbulb: :grouphug: Valentina (a Jewel of June)

Just being in the Portsmouth Naval Hospital is enough to make a body depressed! My daughter was born there. However, I do hear that it has changed for the better over the years. I would hope that weight loss would reduce depression. One would not have all of the body aches and pains, one would have more energy and as we all know one would be more "accepted" to the general populous!! (ignorant a**es!) I, personally am looking forward to the day when I can just look "average". That will make ME happy. How about you? What will make you happy?? Valentina

Party Pooper!!!! I know...

well, finally! Something I like to eat that is good for me. GO, PARSNIPS!!! Valentina

I'm excited and freaked at the same time. At this point the 6th can't get here fast enough so I don't have to drink these sweet drinks for awhile. I love something sour. Valentina :grouphug:

I think rather than "quick" it was "last minute". I started down this path in Feb. I didn't know I could hold my breath this long!!!! Thank you for the good wishes. Valentina :grouphug:

Holding my breath is a vast understatement!!! I guess it gave me a reason not to be quite so nervous. Now I don't have that excuse any longer-----YIKES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Thanx for saving me a spot on the losers' bench. I'll be there before You know it. I'll know who you are---you'll be the skinny one!!! Valentina

I know desperation! I got sooo sick of "sweet" that I put a scoop of unflavored Protein into a cup of expresso strenth coffee, added at dallob of half and half and had AMBROSIA (any other time I would not even think of spoiling my coffee in such a manner). For lunch oooohhh hummmm, it's back to a protein shake.:bored: BY THE WAY!!!!! I JUST RECEIVED FINAL APPROVAL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :cheer2: I was going forward with the pre-op diet on my surgeon's say so. He said that he would find a way to get my surgery done one June 6th, and he didn't even have to resort to "calling Cousin Guido"!!! I sure do fee a whole bunch better!!! I guess we "Jewels of June" are "diamond hard" when it comes to determination!!! :grouphug: Look out world, The Jewels of June are heading your way!!!!:car: Valentina

I've asked myself that same questions dozens of times. What about the follow up care?? That's really too frightening for me. If I were self pay and for whatever reason went to Mexico I would have to save enough more money to allow me to stay for two weeks so I would be close the the surgeon in case of complications AND for routine 2 wk follow up check--or AT LEAST one week!!! To have no plan for a routine follow up after MAJOR abdominal surgery is questionable reasoning. What a spin of the roulette wheel!!!!! Think it throughly through and then think it through again. To Thy Own Self Be True! My personal opinion on this day, Valentina

Of course you can and you are!! Welcome to the treasure chest of "The Jewels of June"!!! :grouphug: Make sure you keep in touch with your fellow Jewels so are "strand" doesn't break.:gossip: Valentina

Wooooooo Hooooo! Day 3 of pre-op and I'm sick of sweet, sweet, sweet. I think I will patent a Protein drink that tastes like a dirty martini!! I'd make a fortune!!! Is there anywhere out there in the real world a Protein Drink that is NOT SWEET? I really should stop complaining. I am soooo excited about our surgery date--less than two weeks and counting down! This Jewel of June is polishing and ready to sparkle!!!!!!

Thanx for the info. I printed off a copy and will take it and the address to my next support group. Everyone should have this info. Valentina

Absolutely, Daaaling!! I think you should by two earrings though---looks more balance that way. Welcome "Jewel" to the "Jewels of June". Be sure to keep in touch so we can keep track as you become little ol' you!!!! Valentina

I found a treasure at Price Chopper. It is "TopCare" whey protein. I like the vanilla because I can do a lot with it. I have added: vanilla and one equal, any flavor xtract one one equal, instant coffee and one equal, SF chocolate syrup and one equal, vanilla and cinnamon and one equal, or one banana, some vanilla and one equal. I even added rootbeer xtract, a dab of vanilla, and one equal and had a rootbeer float. It is reasonably priced ( less than $10./lb.), has 110cal, 4 carbs, 3 sugar, and 20g protein. I have a soy allergy and can handle the wee bit that is in this product--wayyyy at the end of ingredients. "Try it. You may just like it!!!" Valentina

I'm still looking for a Protein shake that tastes like a dirty martini!! :martini_shaken: valentina

You will be asleep and so will Mom. Your family regardless of where they are will only be a phone call away. You will be up and around quicker when you realize that the soon your walking about, you will be able to visit Mom. Does Mom have a pneumonia?? Or an absyss? Aspiration is a relatively simple procedure. You need not fret overly about it. I realize that she is your mom, but she will be in good hand as well as you will be. Have your surgery with peace of mind. Valentian

Hi! I am from the Middletown area of upstate New York. I am scheduled for surgery on June 6th. There is NO One in my support group that has been or is going to be sleeved. They are all bands or bypasses. I would really like to have supportive chit chat with some one close by. Anyone out there?

Hi! What a lucky duck you are. You are a "Jewel of June". That's a group of us who are all scheduled to be sleeved in June '11. Welcome to the necklace. Keep in touch so we fellow "Jewels" can root you on!!!:grouphug: Look out! The Jewels of June are coming!!!! :car: Valentina

Good morning! I see that you don't live that far from me. I live in Warwick and go into Manhattan about weekly straight down Rt 17. Anyway, I just want to add whatever support I can give to you in any way that you decide you need it. I have read and re-read your posting. I would have to say thatf I were as you are now, I would say,"what the hell! I will have my new sleeve. What choice do I have and why not go for it?" Give yourself and the sleeve a chance. You will probably be pleasantly surprised with yourself. And with the hernias you will probably be able to get the after weight loss to have the cosmetic surgery to tighten up all those tummy muscles. Stay positive. I know, as I start my pre-op diet today, that sometimes that it extremely hard to do. But make being positive you new "career". Work at it!! If you want to PM me I would love to hear from you. Anyway I can help you, if I can, let me know. Valentina

HI, Shatina, Last count that makes 3 of us Jewels getting our new sleeves on June 6th. Have you started your pre-op diet yet? ;

let's make a date and "bit##ch slap" her!!! She deserves that and much more. Let me know!!!!!

Hello!, I have osteoarthritis, and fibromyaglia. Each is painful and unforgiving. That being said this past March I had a total knee replacement. Other than my knee buzzing and sending little shocks through my body long after the surgical pain went away, my recovery was no different from those people who had the same surgery on the same day. Of course I still go into my Fibro Fog from time to to time, but no more so than before. I am going to get my sleeve on June 6th. I am planning on the recovery being "different" from others, but not more painful--just different. I expect to be "touch sensitive" more than usual and maybe my "fogs" will be more frequent until I have recovered completely. In a way, I consider myself more prepared than most because I am used to having chronic daily pain. I have learned how to get ahead of pain and not let it get out of control. I control it. I am looking forward to my surgery and so should you!! Keep positive thoughts, and beat down the negative ones. Keep in touch and good luck!! Valentina

Great news on your new surgery date!!! It must be your good Fate because now you're a "Jewel of June"! Keep in touch so we can all support each other. Valentina

What now? Now you put one foot in front of the other and move FORWARD. --and REMEMBER TO BREATH. That's right. Sometimes we all just need to stop and concentrate on taking THE NEXT BREATH and nothing else. I have been exactly where you are and it sucks!! My daughter also went through a heart break last year. What I said to her first was, "I love you". Then I asked her,"what will you do when "the" call comes"? "You know--when "he" calls". You know it will. It did. She is now very, very happy with---someone else. This is a fork in the road for you. You are made of stern stuff or you would never have thought of being sleeved. If you need a bit of time, take it, but not too much. You have a wonderful life in front of you. Open your mind and embrace it! Keep busy--very busy. Keep this in mind as I have tried to do: TO THY OWN SELF BE TRUE. If you can do that, everything will be as it should. I promise. Valentina