ElaineB

Thanks Lipstick and Misty. Your words are encouraging. I am going to remember this. I have started an anti-buyers remorse book for myself. I have put in "before" pictures and am journaling. The pictures alone should scare me into eternal gratitude:). I'm listing things like today that make me want to look ahead and never go back.

Ashlee, it seems like your feelings are normal. You're taking control of your life and making huge changes and sacrifices. You are giving up an emotional crutch and are suffering through a liquid diet. Then, instead of getting the support you need right now, you are having to deal with your boyfriends issues. I say, take a deep breath and focus in on what you are doing and why. Ask for support from others. If you cant get it from those around you, you do have us. And maybe pamper yourself a little. You can't go out to eat, but you could get a pedicure. In a year this will be a memory and you will be looking hot. If your boyfriends not nice, you may have to trade him in:). For a pool boy named Felipe;)

Thanks gman. I know that's right. I just want to turn this around and be able to move. I want to be able to exercise without it killing me. Being so short of breath with such little exertion is awful. But, I got myself here and I know I am the one who has to change it. I can't help but think losing weight will help so much. My mom runs, but if I strapped 100 pounds to her back she wouldn't even be able to stand:) thanks for the encouraging words.

I agree with Rox's husband. When I was looking into doctors, I had one coordinator tell me they had never had any complications at all. That's just a lie. There's no way you could do thousands of surgeries on any group of people and have no complications. Do your research and don't believe everything you hear.

Taking, I'm not June anymore. After submitting all that was required, per insurance list, they called the office and added 2 things. I now have to get pulmonary and cardiac clearances before I can be approved. Did i mention i have zero pulmonary history? Then my doctor is scheduling a month out. Oh well. By a miracle, I got a pulmonary appointment in 2 days. Today I have my last hurdle, the stress echo for the cardiac clearance. I'm hoping now for July, but I will be keeping up with you June sleepers:). I'm excited for you. Elaine

I just read that the complication/mortality rate is Better that with gallbladder surgery. It's less that 1 percent.

AmyRN, It's exciting that we may have the same date. I'm nervous, but getting excited. I hope this works out.

I had appointment 5 of 6 today. My last appointment is May 13th. The only thing missing (that I know of) is the letter of medical necessity from my primary care doctor. He is working on it. I am planning to have everything ready so the paperwork can be submitted on the 13th or 14th. I spoke with a nurse at Meritain, my insurance company, and she stated that once all the paperwork is received, they should have an answer in 2 days. I'm cautiously optimistic. I do know that my surgeon is scheduling about a month out. That would put me around June 18th, I'm hoping. I have this all worked out. Now if everyone will just do everything on my time frame, it will be perfect:) Keep your fingers crossed. I'm praying. My gallbladder has started acting up and I just need it to hang in there until surgery. I do NOT want 2 surgeries when I can get both done at the same time.

If you stat at a BMI of 38 long enough you will develop co-morbidities.

My understanding is that an addiction is a behavior that persists, even in the face of negative impact on your life. Being so overweight you have to have WLS qualifies in my book. For most of us, it's affecting our health, our self image, social life, etc. I don't really buy it when people say they aren't addicted to food. If they weren't, they would just quit taking in more calories than they needed and lose the weight. I am also skeptical of the ones who say they don't eat much. There are undoubtedly a handful of people who have metabolic disorders, but people I've known personally were just in denial. One of my good friends used to always say she hardly ate anything, but she matched me fork for fork at the Chinese buffet:) Just saying.

Have you tried Splenda, Stevia and the one in the orange packets? The orange packets were featured on Dr. Oz and are actually good. They have them at Walmart next to the yellow, blue and pink:). The thing with artificial sweeteners is that you do have to get used to them. My family is Southern, so I know what you mean about sweet tea. I do know that if you stick with the artificial sweeteners long enough you will eventually like them as much or more. At least I do. I'm still Pre-Op though and I've read that Post things may taste funny or bad to you. Good luck. Have you considered just going cold turkey and drinking the tea unsweet?

Hi All, Thanks for starting this group Mama. I clicked Follow. Does that mean I have joined or do I need to do something else. I'm not very tech savvy. I am hoping for a June date. Appointment 5/6 will be April 15th. My last appointment will be May and God willing, I will be approved and scheduled for June. I have done all of my other requirements. The psyche eval was no big deal Jules. It didn't last but 40 minutes and was actually pleasant. I had a friend who was given questionaires and asked things like, True or False, "I like hurting animals and people." I wasn't asked anything weird at all. The therapist was very nice and just seemed to want to know if I had thought this through and had realistic expectations about what it would be like. I am excited for us. We are on our way. Elaine

I haven't written any research papers, BUT, I have done some nerdy things too. I have made lots of lists. For example, I made myself come up with 20 pureed foods that I like. That's super weird, but hey. Whatever works. I also plan on making a little book for myself. In it, I am going to put a whole bunch of pictures of myself fat, along with some of my lists, (eg. why I hate being fat, and things I look forward to doing when I lose weight). Then, if I have buyers remorse, get discouraged or just start to feel sorry for myself, I am going to take out that book and look at it. I want something to remind me of how I feel now, so I remember why all of this will be worth it.

Thanks for the encouragement. I know it's going to be worth it. On the plus side, we will have 6 months to lose weight before New Year's! It's fun to think about what I might be able to wear by then. Are you nervous about how things will be after the surgery? In a way I am, but I'm more feeling like, "Bring it on." I'm totally over being like this and am so ready for a new way of living. I just really need this kick start. What are you most anxious about?

I totally understand. I'm in the same position. I started in December and my insurance required 3 months of doctor visits and meetings with the dietician. I thought I'd be having surgery around now. Then, in January, my company changed insurances. Yippee. The new insurance requires the 6 months thing. I've done 4 of the 6, but I'm discouraged. I wonder if I will get approved. I wonder if this will work for me. It feels like it will never happen, but I am trying to think positive. I am anxious and an emotional eater. I've actually gained weight since December. It's depressing.

You look amazing!!! I have similar stats to yours, at 5'4" and 227. I just did my 4th appointment out of 6. I pray that this gets approved and that I will have success with this. Congratulations.

Forgive me for butting in on the man conversation and perhaps for being inappropriate, but.... if you tell them and they give you a hard time, tell not to be jealous. It removes inches from your waist and adds inches elsewhere. I read that in your secret women haters man club forum:)

I am a single mother of three, so I can relate. It's very hard when you have to do certain things on your own. Try to focus on the positives. If you are like me, you get very little alone time. Just think, you will get to shower alone, sleep alone and even use the bathroom alone . That's practically a vacation in my book! Be proud of yourself too. You are being very courageous and doing something for yourself. This is something that you need and will change your life in a positive way. In the ideal world you would have someone with you, but like a lot of single parents, we just have to do the best we can with what we have. And even though you may not have anyone there physically, you do have your family's support, and you have the people here for moral support. Get excited about the changes that you are making. I'm excited for you!!!

What kind of anesthesia form did you get Tfazio?

That's right. My brain is only half functional at this point. I will be the Ocober official Mascott/Cheerleader. When you are bemoaning that liquid/pureed phase and getting all thin and hot, you can look at my weight loss (zero) compared to yours and remember why this is worth it:)

Thanks so much NDN and Tfazio. Yes, I believe God played a part in it. Sorry if that offends anyone. In fact, my aunt, who was like a mother to me was a nurse who died in 2010. When I pray I always think of her. When I went in for this surgery, the nurse came in and said, "Hi, I'm Terry Ann." which was her name. I love you guys. I'm going to do this, I just need more time and I needed this information to have a good outcome. I will tell you that Alma with ready for a change has been so kind and supportive of me. She went above and beyond what she had to do with the cancellation. I can't remember, but Tfazio, aren't you going to Dr. Garcia too?

Hey October Sleevers! I am sad to say I have to take myself off the list. I had an unexpected surgery come up here in the States. It was an outpatient surgery (my first ever). I was told I'd be intubated, but would never know it because it would happen in the OR after I was asleep, and I'd be extubated in the OR before I ever came back to recover. Well, I woke up in recovery about 2 hours later than they expected and was on a ventilator. The last half hour of this I was fully awake, aware and unable to move a muscle. I could feel that I was unable to breath on my own and was thankful for the vent, but at the same time, panicking, feeling like I was going to choke or stop breathing. I later found out that I received 1/3 of a dose of a non depolaryzing paralytic (Rocuronium?) and apparently don't metabolize them well. The anesthesiologist sent me a letter and told me that I am never again to receive any form of paralytic. However, it is apparently possible to do surgery without them. I then developed sepsis of unknown origin (in otherwords not from the surgical site, but sick none the less). My primary care, who has been on board with the whole thing has told me to hold off for at least six months. However, I am so gun shy now, I don't know if I can do it at all. I'm crushed, but also feel l dodged a big bullet. I cannot imagine what would have happened to me had I been in Mexico and received the full dose. I feel like I would have probably died. So this is a blessing I know, and I'm thankful to be alive. I'm still so disappoionted. Anyway, my thoughts and prayers are with all of you. I will always feel an attachment to you October people and will be watching your progress enviously.

I was scheduled to be sleeved Oct 8 in Mexico and have cancelled at least temporarily because of a bad reaction to a paralytic. I unexpectedly had to have surgery here in the states. I was told I would be intubated but would never know it bc I would be intubated in the OR after I was out and extubated in the OR before I woke up. Well, I woke up in recovery 2 hours later than than they expected. The last half hour of that I was completely lucid, aware and could hear everything that was going on, but I could not move a muscle. I was intubated, felt like I was choking, felt that I couldnt breathe on my own and was praying that. Ent kept working. I found out later that I got 1/3 of a dose of a non depolaryzing paralytic rocuronium(sp?). I can only imagine if I had gone to Mexico and gotten a fl dose! Divine intervention. I have received a letter from the anesthesiologist stating I am never to have a paralytic of any kind again. He did state that it's possible to do surgeries of all kinds without them. I have to get my courage up to try surgery again so I feel for you. I've been obsessing about the feeling of not being able to breathe on my own or. communicate that I was in there. It's scary. Anyone who says this surgery is the easy way out should be slapped. We are willing to put our lives on the line to try to change our lives for the better. Anyway. Good luck. Hopefully we will both be sleeved, alive and healthier than ever some day.

I would mention it to Alma. I was scheduled to go October 8, and had some major health issues come up. She has gone out of her way to help and accommodate me. I cannot imagine that if there are issues she could not/ would not address them. I'm so impressed with her. Voice concerns now so you can go with confidence. Good luck.

I am scheduled to be sleeved Oct. 8 in Mexico with Dr. Garcia. I have been very excited until now. About 2 months ago I got pneumonia that lingered. After 2 rounds of antibiotics it went away. (dont know if it's related, but thought it worth mentioning). Then, the 9th of this month had a horrific flare-up of hemorrhoids. PCP sent me straight to a specialist. Had a colonoscopy on aug 13th with no ill efects. Had colorectal surgery, incidentally my first surgery ever, on the 17th. After surgery the surgeon came out, said all went well and my family could go back in a few minutes. Over 2 hours later I was still on the vent bc they could not get me 2 breathe on my own. The worst part was the last 20 or 30 minutes when I was fully conscious, but could not move a muscle. Nonetheless, I was finally able to breathe on my own and a few hours later they sent me home. On day 4 after the surgery I became so I'll I could barely hold my head up. I went to the ER. My BP (normally 100/60) was 160/120, my heart rate was 156 and my temp was 101.7 this was with me taking 2 Percocet every 4 hours wh has 750 mg of Tylenol. I was there for 2 nights and on the 3 rd day felt much better, begged to go home. I was given the big gun IV antibiotics like vancomycin, flagyl and others I can't recall. I was sent home on 2 oral antibiotics and have felt like I was dying until yesterday. Even today if I'm up for more than a few minutes I'm so weak I have to lie down. Do you think this was just bad luck or a huge sign saying do NOT have this surgery ever? I desperately want it, but fat and unhealthy seems better than dead. Sorry its so long with so much info. FYI my blood work all was normal and my surgical site was always beautiful. Nice healing.