DanaInNewOrleans

I second that Cheri!

www.VST.com
Oh my Gawd! I'm obsessed with this place! When I wake up, I'M HERE. When I should be emptying the dishwasher, I'M HERE. When I should be trying to read my Weight Loss Surgery For Dummies book, I'M HERE. When I should be doing paperwork, I'M HERE. When I should be sleeping, I'M HERE. When I'm out with friends, I'm thinking about being HERE. When I'm out having dinner with my husband, I'm thinking, soon I will not be able to eat this, uh oh-lets get home so I can be HERE.....and on and on.....
I'm thinking VST will play a large part in my journey.... LOL

www.VST.com
Oh my Gawd! I'm obsessed with this place! When I wake up, I'M HERE. When I should be emptying the dishwasher, I'M HERE. When I should be trying to read my Weight Loss Surgery For Dummies book, I'M HERE. When I should be doing paperwork, I'M HERE. When I should be sleeping, I'M HERE. When I'm out with friends, I'm thinking about being HERE. When I'm out having dinner with my husband, I'm thinking, soon I will not be able to eat this, uh oh-lets get home so I can be HERE.....and on and on.....
I'm thinking VST will play a large part in my journey.... LOL

I second that Cheri!

I would run not walk to another psychiatrist for another opinion.
Also, in my AETNA bariatric policy criteria it states that depression in and of itself is not a reason to deny the WLS. Maybe your policy states something similar. I would also send in an appeal based on the fact that your long term psychiatrist should be considered the expert on HIS PATIENT when it comes to mental status issues.
And as far as the psyche labels go (" passive dependent") -- most of us walking around could be labeled something. It becomes a psyche issue when it becomes a debilitating factor in your life. Is this a current issue in your life? If so, maybe the surgery is not right AT THIS TIME.
Also, being fat has been what has weighed on my life. I have always persevered but every single moment was a struggle due to self doubt and self loathing because of fat. I think it's tough not be labeled depressed when being fat filters every part of your thought process. I personally believe that depression should be considered one of the co-morbidities. How many morbidly obese people do you know who are not depressed at some level. I'm sure there are some who have healthy a self esteem and psyche but I think the majority are depressed and many who say they aren't are kidding themselves.

Thank you, Cheri
Always love reading your post

I just found this old photo from 2005 of myself. Wow, I can't believe I was ever that big! Goodness, I love my sleeve!
Sent from my iPad using VST

www.VST.com
Oh my Gawd! I'm obsessed with this place! When I wake up, I'M HERE. When I should be emptying the dishwasher, I'M HERE. When I should be trying to read my Weight Loss Surgery For Dummies book, I'M HERE. When I should be doing paperwork, I'M HERE. When I should be sleeping, I'M HERE. When I'm out with friends, I'm thinking about being HERE. When I'm out having dinner with my husband, I'm thinking, soon I will not be able to eat this, uh oh-lets get home so I can be HERE.....and on and on.....
I'm thinking VST will play a large part in my journey.... LOL

www.VST.com
Oh my Gawd! I'm obsessed with this place! When I wake up, I'M HERE. When I should be emptying the dishwasher, I'M HERE. When I should be trying to read my Weight Loss Surgery For Dummies book, I'M HERE. When I should be doing paperwork, I'M HERE. When I should be sleeping, I'M HERE. When I'm out with friends, I'm thinking about being HERE. When I'm out having dinner with my husband, I'm thinking, soon I will not be able to eat this, uh oh-lets get home so I can be HERE.....and on and on.....
I'm thinking VST will play a large part in my journey.... LOL

Paid $4500 plus air fare to get this done at jh in Mexico! And it is the best money I've spent ever! There has been ups an downs, stalls and illness! But in 3 months I've lost 32 kg!! Over 60 pounds! I feel better and able to keep up to my kids! I would recommend this to anyone!!!

One of my worst anxiety ridden fears is that someone will say something to me or the gate agent or flight attendant is going to take me out of line and tell me I need an extra seat. I've even had dreams about it.... it is one (of hundreds!) of the reasons I am doing this. I just don't want to live like this anymore.
My husband and I were having a heart to heart talk a few weeks ago. I had kept the gastric sleeve thing to myself until I made a decision. When I finally told him he was very apprehensive. He said it breaks his heart that I loathe myself. I've never been and never will be the fat girl/woman who accepts herself and moves on. It is not possible for me. Fat has stolen my life. So my husband said most everyone has something they carry with them that has broken them a little ( his father was an abusive alcoholic). I started crying and said, yes, but you don't have to go through life with a giant sign wrapped around your body telling the world what your weakness is.
Ok, not sure how I got off the actual subject here..... back to the subject - I dread flying - I am filled with utter terror that I will be humiliated in some way....

www.VST.com
Oh my Gawd! I'm obsessed with this place! When I wake up, I'M HERE. When I should be emptying the dishwasher, I'M HERE. When I should be trying to read my Weight Loss Surgery For Dummies book, I'M HERE. When I should be doing paperwork, I'M HERE. When I should be sleeping, I'M HERE. When I'm out with friends, I'm thinking about being HERE. When I'm out having dinner with my husband, I'm thinking, soon I will not be able to eat this, uh oh-lets get home so I can be HERE.....and on and on.....
I'm thinking VST will play a large part in my journey.... LOL

It dehydrates your body.

Caffeine is not kind to inflammation either. So if your sleeve is healing, caffeine can cause irritation and inflammation and thus prolong the healing process...

it is actually a hunger stimulant. I have it a little bit now, but I am a year out.

Dana,
I think moderation and along with dehydration as caffeine is a diauretic, there is also a bit of acid, so best left for a while after you heal. I am almost 10 months out and drink cup or two of coffee daily. I started with Decaf and mix it up one and one...I also always get a minimum of 70 oz Water (with crystal light mostly) and 64 oz Protein. My loss has slowed but I am living and loving life with my sleeve!
Best to you in your success!

I completely understand. I was traveling for work, on my way back home. I had been furiously checking the seat assignments and someone was placed in the middle seat at the last minute. When I sat down, the woman next to me acted as if I had the plague. She huffed and puffed and made me feel completely uncomfortable. On the verge of tears, I went up to the flight attendant, explained what happened, and pleaded for her to change my seat. Thankfully, she was sympathetic and changed my seat. As I got off the plane, I couldn't help but hug her and say thank you for being compassionate.

I had a similar experience once on a plane and I wanted to toss her out the plane .. at 33k feet. Ok, I digrest. But, she ask me if I need an extention (which at the time I didn't know it was to extend the belt. I was mad, hurt to say the least. I did not want to take it but I would have cut off my own circulation so I did - reluctantly.
Yet one more inspiration for me to have been sleeved. Can't wait for my next plane ride!

Ok, just read this great thread! It's an older thread which means there is a whole new group of Sleeve Veterans who can share the "ugly truth". Those veterans probably read this thread 8 months ago when they either pre-op or newly sleeved.
So come on new veterans, inspire the Pre-Op and Newly Sleeved! Lets hear the "Ugly Truth" about your new lives.... and hopefully we can be the veterans in 8 months!

One of my worst anxiety ridden fears is that someone will say something to me or the gate agent or flight attendant is going to take me out of line and tell me I need an extra seat. I've even had dreams about it.... it is one (of hundreds!) of the reasons I am doing this. I just don't want to live like this anymore.
My husband and I were having a heart to heart talk a few weeks ago. I had kept the gastric sleeve thing to myself until I made a decision. When I finally told him he was very apprehensive. He said it breaks his heart that I loathe myself. I've never been and never will be the fat girl/woman who accepts herself and moves on. It is not possible for me. Fat has stolen my life. So my husband said most everyone has something they carry with them that has broken them a little ( his father was an abusive alcoholic). I started crying and said, yes, but you don't have to go through life with a giant sign wrapped around your body telling the world what your weakness is.
Ok, not sure how I got off the actual subject here..... back to the subject - I dread flying - I am filled with utter terror that I will be humiliated in some way....

Hi,
I read a post on here the other day that summed up my life and feelings about doing this. I'm pre-op but would have never considered this just a few years ago. Fear of surgery I guess. I wish I could remember the posters name because it made an impact on me. Being fat has stolen my life. And I mean that literally. EVERY single choice I've made for 30 years has been influenced by fat. High School, college, career, hobbies, sports, dates, clothes, vacations, love/hate food, relationships...EVERYTHING. Every single thought I have is filtered through fat and self loathing. I go to sleep with thoughts of being fat. I worry if I die they will find my fat ass and the medics, coroner would have to lift my fat ass. I think about how humiliating that would be --- I can even be humiliated DEAD. I AM DONE WITH THAT. I am 49 years old -- I want to LIVE my life, not just exist and watch everybody else LIVING. Screw it! If I die during surgery, well, it was meant to be for some reason. I have a serenity about it, which is really amazing to me. If I could do this today I would. And if I'm successful (please God, let this work) I plan to use my 401k for plastic surgery. I want the last half of my life to make up for the first half of being a shell of who I really am.
I want to thank everyone on this board who takes the time to respond and help everyone else, even when they are past their crisis or struggles. This board is an amazing resource of hope and help!
Thanks everyone!
Dana

WOW!! I commented on this thread and it was probably a month and half before my surgery, and now, even though I'm less than halfway down, I've experienced MANY of these things!! It's SOOOOO awesome!!! I mean....uh.....TERRIBLE!!!
It's terrible how my husband calls me pretty all the time and gets all handsy. OH, and the other night at the restaurant, the girl asked "booth or table" ....and I couldn't decide, because either was FINE. It was awful.
I really hated trying on shirts at Kohl's because I used to wear anywhere from a 3x to 5x, and now I had to make do with these stupid little "XL" sizes. PUHHH!!! XL!! You don't get any fabric for your money!
OH well..
Guess I'll have to get used to these things. :/

This one is unbelievable!!! So, I just came back from a business trip this week. Now... I've always been a big guy, but could always fit into airplane seats and wear the seat belts. It's always tight, but I can fit. Well, as i was bording a plane in Milwaukee to come back to California, this "crazy" lady scanning the boading passes had the nerve to ask me "Am I going to need another seat? Now...initially.... It did not register what she meant... I said no.. assuming she meant if I wanted to switch seats... but then she has to the audacity to ask "can you place the arm rest down". At this point I look at her with a death stare... and then she gets the hint and just shuts up. But wait there's more..... this lady was morbidly obese herself!!!!!!!!!!!!! She had to be no taller than 5 feet and and easily 400 lbs. Unbelievable!!!
I guess life is funny. I've flew countless times, and never had anything happen to me like this. However, I am a month out from getting sleeved, and this ridiculous lady makes some stupid comments. I guess life wanted to throw another final jab before I get my sleeve on Sept. 18th.
Ok.. I am done with my rant.
Peace and Blessings everyone

I am 10 days post op now and I am now taking the small pills whole and the bigger ones I cut in half....and I doin fine with it.....got sick of crushing...
when I did crush I mixed with jello...but they still tasted awful...............cheers............

Looks like my entire days will be spent trying to find some way to get those pills down my throat....