kw2walker

If you find if you follow the suggestions to block a person and it does not work. You can contact the administrator of the site to report them.

Hello All, It's amazing that next week will be the first week of July. For some it will be a matter of days and others weeks before we join the ranks of sleevers on this site and in the world. This year has been interesting and informational. I would change one or two thing but never my decision to take this journey. I look in the mirror sometimes and wiggle my belly and say, " You are out of here"! I'm plan to attend a college alumni event in October. My goal is to look fierce and fabulous (FF)! Always ready for my close up. All jokes aside. I am looking forward to the event. I will enjoy it more being lighter with all of the walking to the events that take place on campus. July 22, 2013 will be a new re-birth date in my book. Continued success everyone! Karen, FF

Wonderful! I plan to go to Atlantic City, NJ and may hit the beach. It's been years since I've been to the waterpark; I am inspired to take my 3 yr old nephew once surgery is complete. I'll still have a month of summer left after surgery. Continued success on your journey. Karen

I purchased cookbooks by those that have had the surgery. I can't wait to get past the initial healing process to continue with better food selections. I have 5 books total that I purchased on food and the WLS process they were my best source of information outside of the doctors office. I'm glad I'm not obsessed with food. More so with cooking foods and planning meals. I have been really strong in this process in preparation for surgery, I am doing slimfast and a salad while at work. And once home its a high protein meal. I've dropped 11 lbs so if I keep it up fo the next four weeks I hope to drop 11 more.

I'm from Philadelphia, but my mother was from Tenn. We grow up eating grits as a sweet Cereal in the winter. I LOVE grits as a fast hot Breakfast. Getting ready for surgery 7/22/13 and will have them if possible post-op soft food stage. Continued success everyone!

I can't wait to try the recipes. Getting sleeved 7/22/13 and have been wandering what to eat. I did purchase some first stage baby food but I know that won't cut it! I am looking forward to giving my food processor a work out Continues success!

I was so nervous about taking my psych eval, but it went well. The look to see if you are reading your materials given to you and to ensure you have the right mind set, that VSG is not being taken as a quick fix but a lifestyle change. My psychologst had my original paperwork I completed and reviewed each item. I was open and frank about why I wanted and needed the surgery. That being open allowed for a great exchange of information. When I feel I am off track I pull out my paperwork and from there I keep moving forward. I am happy with my decision to have the VGS and can't want to my healthier lifestyle change. Keep you your good work!

Glad you are ok. Thank you for sharing, looking forward to your update.

I have thin hair due to thyroid issues, I am so afraid I will loose more. I have started taking biotin now before my surgery(7/22/13) to build up my hair. I'm hoping this is a good move for my advanced planning

I take a stool softener three times a day and it has been working. I usually take it after my meal.

I have looked at tons of pictures that folks have shared and I can see the amazing results and I am greatly encouraged. The other day I saw another woman that I know had a WLS and noticed how old she looks now. I am currently concerned that I too will experience the look of aging once I drop in weight. I don't want to cake on make-up to look younger. i have one big mirror in my place and I always joke that my mirror does not lie. But I want to ensure I look like "me" not a rapidly aging me. I'm not vain or hung up on looks but I want to looking like I do in my mind I guess, fun and carefree. And I know once my body begins to transform I will see a body that is smaller and will allow me to be physically able to be free and have fun. I'm far from being a spring chicken but my heart is young, just want the outside to reflect the same. Has anyone else experiencing concerns of looking aged post surgery?

Wonderful news! I would like to get to 230 by my surgery date but it's the work that's worth it for me not the number. Keep up the great work!!!!!!! Karen

Find a doctor that will work with you. As you go down in weight document and take pictures of your body. Especially if there is rubbing and chaffing that cause skin problems. The information allows you to present it to your doctor and insurance. Especially the insurance company, they always want a history of the problem. All the best to you.

In the past, when completing my FMLA/HR paper work I would indicate surgery. I only have to tell my insurance company because they have a representative contact me to ensure I have completed all paperwork, and arranged follow-up appointments. I know the HIPAA law allows for me to keep my surgery my business. Thank you Private Sleever for your comments.

I'm do to have surgery on 7/22/13 and I have to be honest my biggest fear is being constipated. But overall from what I've read I have nothing to worry about, it has been a positive decision to have the surgery. Thank you for the information.

I have been thinking about this process since 2004 finally in 2012 I have the guts to attend an information session on the process and requirements. Best move ever! I thought I would get stuck with the psychologist and have to under go counseling but was told that from all of the research I have done I was more than ready. All to best to everyone that is undergo this process. Continued success!

Just remember, we did not gain the weight over night it was a day by day, week by week, year by year process. All the more so now that we loose the weight slow and steady. Don't give up, live it up!

At the time of my surgery I will be 48, I figure then ill have a year to see all the results and plan so for my 50th birthday I can Celebrate the rebirth of myself. Hoping to treat myself to a cruise lol All the best to everyone

I have planned to take with me the following for the 7/22/13 surgery: Loose sweats or shorts or maxi dress Button up shirt Flip flops, avoiding the bending to put on shoes Toiletries Gas-X strips 2oz measuring cup, when told how much I have to drink it can be measured Extra undies, I plan to wear the same clothes home that I arrive in CPAP Tums Phone charger Book Leaving all jewelry at home Ear plugs, hospitals are too loud Being supplements/vitamins that are required the day after surgery PJs The week before surgery the plan is to: Get a hair cut, and dye hair Pedicure, get a great color since it will be a few weeks before the toes are touched Clean the bathroom Clean the kitchen, setting up food material for my return Make sugar free ice cubes of my drinks, cherry cubes to drop into lemonade. Make it fun while healing. Make a copy of my living will to have in my bag for the hospital Buy thank you cards Full my car with gas, so those helping can get around. Purchase liquid pain reliever All the best to those having their surgery and continued success to those that are now sleeved. Karen

July 22,2013 can't come fast enough lol.

Hope all went well. Looking forward to you telling us about your experience.

Thank you all for your thoughts and encouragement. I contacted HR to get the paperwork needed in preparation the July 22, 2013 surgery, so when I attend my pre-op testing on July 3, 2013 I can get my FMLA paperwork completed. I do believe if I am asked point blank if I had surgery I could be honest and say yes, but i don't plan to volunteer any information. Continued success on your journey! Karen

I attended my first information session in June 1, 2012, and made my appointment. I am flying through all of the tests needed until I hit pulmonary. I go, do the initial test, then I inform the doctor that I have to have my thyroid removed. Was told to come back after its done and I'm cleared. I have the surgery, two weeks off work, do all of my follow-up and then make my follow-up with the pulmonary doctor. He then said you did good on your tests, we would like to do a sleep study. I then get word that on Nov. 7, 2012 I would have the sleep study. I get a call the day before the study that the insurance would not allow the study. I call in Nov, Dec, Jan, and then I wrote a letter to the doctor, he did not contact me to offer other options. copiedin the letter was the program director of the program. I kept going to the appointments so they could encourage me. Then one day I just snapped. I said I would withdrawal for the program. I said that they need to now take the time to find out how many other patients worked with this doctor when they hit the pulmonary stage and are forgotten or dropped. The staff said I made a good point but they were not able to do much, they did guide me as to who to contact that was above the yo-yo not doing his job. Just as I was about to give up. I get a call, hey we can do a home sleep study and from there we can proceed. Home study completed, and then it was inclusive, so I then get the opportunity to have a sleep study (insurance approved). It's amazing when you have to rant and rave what can be done. Just like that the appointment books opened up and everything starting falling in place again. When I had my last visit with pulmonary, I really told him about himself. I said if you don't have time to care, you should not be part of the program. He must have apologized a thousand times. I told him I do not except them and he was a sorry excuse for a doctor. I left say its a good thing I did not need a lung, your actions would have left me dead. He was totally embarrased. So the program director called me, I took my last class, then met with the psychologist and nutrientionist and have been chugging along. Like you when I knew this is what I wanted to do, I set up my account on this site. Then I hit the road block and lost all motivation to do anything. Then as I moved along and i am getting closer to my July 22, 2013 surgery date i am so happy I have returned. The experiences good and bad have beenof should great help. Thank you for sharing your experience, keep up the fight. Karen

Glad you are doing well. I look forward to reading your entries.

I can relate in that I have had two fibroid surgeries over the years which resulted in the need to have a UFE which has put me into menopause. I have to wear my CPAP and on top of the sweating my evenings are not fun. It feels like the mask is sliding every. I'm hoping the weight loss will help me sweat less. Time will tell after the surgery 7/22/13.