IrishEyes

The title says it all. I hit 50 pounds lost in 3 months since starting the pre-op diet on 6/12/12. I had surgery on 6/26 and haven't looked back! I thank all of you for your stories and support during this process. I may not post much, but I so enjoy reading everyone's questions and comments and after my husband's support, it's been the next best thing I can imagine.
I still struggle with feeling fat and not seeing the loss when I look in the mirror. Then I see these pictures and freak out! I've lost a ton!
Congrats to everyone!
April 2012:
September 2012:

Morning of pre-op diet June 2012/September 2012:

Hi everyone,
So I was sleeved on Wednesday, September 5th. Everything went well with the actual surgery and I woke up in recovery just fine. Started on Water and ice chips with no problems. While in the hospital, I was given anti-nausea medication, heparin injections, acid reflux medication, and pain medication. I had a doppler done the day after surgery and it was found that I had developed a blood clot so they decided to keep me an extra night. I came home on Friday afternoon and have been feeling pretty good. I take extra strength tylenol the majority of the time when I'm experiencing pain or discomfort, and only take the liquid painkiller (Roxycet) when I feel like I truly need it, which isn't often since I came home. I only had to take the anti-nausea medicine once so far. And then I'm on twice daily injections of Lovenox (which suck) for the next 4 weeks or so to treat my blood clot, acid reflux medication once a day, and a daily multi-Vitamin.
Overall, I'm surprised with how good I'm feeling. I've been able to keep Water, tea, sugar-free popsicles, and sugar-free Jello down with no problems, though I do have to ingest it very slowly otherwise i cramp up a bit. I walk several times a day and did the stairs up and down 3 times today with no problems. I have some right side pain and discomfort and find it hard to find a comfortable position to sleep in, and have minor pain from the gas pockets, but overall I'm surprised I feel as well as I do. I'm looking forward to continuing on my road to recovery and rediscovering an appreciation for food as vital to living and no other reason.
Here's hoping I continue to feel as good as I do moving forward!

Congrat to you all. Welcome to the losers side!!!!!
The GI leak test is fine. You stuff you have to drink isn't too bad and it's just a couple of sips. It'll be fine.

I struggled with the pre-op liquid diet and I fell off the wagon a few times but overall I stuck it out and my surgeon said it really helped with shrinking my liver. That is the main reason they want you to do it and reminding myself of how it helps the surgeon made it more motivating. We all want a smooth surgery!!

Aren't you all nice to post to my thread! Thanks as far as insurance goes, my Nurse Pract. told me they would handle the insurance stuff. She had me send my last 5 years of recorded weight history from my pcp. So of course, I called right away and had them fax it to her. Hope she got it!! I did call BCBS and they said the surgery VSG is covered under my plan, but that I needed a written letter from my PCP stating my attempts at losing weight and his opinion for medical necessity. So he typed it up and gave it to me and I brought it to my consult appt. I hope that is all they need, but I suppose I'll have to wait and see.
So on to this battle to lose 10 lbs before surgery date. I am trying to change my eating habits (low carb, low sugar, low calorie) - I've increased my Water intake (really increased it!) and I'm trying to not drink with meals and chew slowly. This is a hard concept to put into practice, I must say. There are times in work when I am soo hungry. I truly think this is the worst of it - the pre op phase. I wish I could jump to the liquid 2 week before surgery time right now.
So I'll let you know what happens by the end of this week, as I plan to call Lahey by Thursday to see if the surgery date has been set up and if they have moved on with the insurance stuff. Thanks everyone!

@Sass... Thanks for the response... I think it is on a delay. A few hours later it did show my change so I guess it just won't be an instant update. At least it works.
Btw, LOVE your profile pic! Really cool!

The thing I used most at the hospital was an extension cord for my phone charger. The wall was so far away this was a life saver!

Honestly, my drink was gross! It was the worst tasting lemonade ever. And it was hard for me because my surgeon also fixed my hiatal hernia and the liquid could get through... But it turns out all is well and I just got the clear for phase 2 liquid diet, woo hoo! Can't wait for m skinny days to come!! good luck everyone!!! I've been up walking, doing stairs, and everything. They kept me one more night, but I'm totally cool with it. Take care!

The upper GI was a piece of cake! It does not taste great but you hardly have to drink any and it goes quickly. I got to watch it on the screen too so that was interesting
I hated all of the unknown! It is nice to have this forum so you can ask questions and figure a bit of it out ahead of time!

My ticker did that too when I first made it! It bothered me so much. I tried everything to fix it. It eventually started working on its own...I think after I was post op. Sorry I couldn't be of more help.

I am pre-op and hadn't realized what an issue this would be, so thanks for posting! What a great idea! I will use this for sure!
I know this is off subject but I have lost a few lbs and tried to update my ticker but it won't take the new weight. Actually, during the edit part it does take the new # but it doesn't reflect on the finished ticker. Even tried making a new ticker for weight but display is still old info. Any tips or ideas?
Again, thanks for this great tip!

So I am almost 4 months out and I am feeling good! Just wanted to share a quick before and after with my 70 lb loss. Still have a long ways to go, but you have to Celebrate the small victories. For all of those considering the surgery, good luck. I am super happy thus far!

Not in your hands....
;-P

I promise you after the surgery you feel quite different about food.< /p>
It's there but you just don't want it. The most freeing feeling in the world!!
Before you know it.....

You will have an IV while you are there, so plan to enjoy rocking a hospital gown. Take two or three pairs of pannies, maybe a robe, and a comfy outfit to wear home. I took basic toiletries like toothbrush, toothpaste, deo., lotion, Chapstick, Shampoo and conditioner and a brush. If your hair is long, then a ponytail holder. Take books or a tablet, most hospitals have wifi, cell phone and don't forget chargers. Also, some slip on shoes are great and some socks. Good luck! I was sleeved on August 28th and have lost a total of 22 pounds, 10 from five day preop. I am so happy I did the sleeve! ZERO regrets other than should have done it sooner! I only spent two nights in the hospital and was up walking the afternoon of surgery.

I'm copying this and plan on using your template! Can you give me an idea of what your meals, Snacks and liquids consist of?

I had my surgery yesterday and am doing great! I did have trouble getting my bladder to work but now it is fine. I can tell when my 4 hours are up for pain meds! They are very good about keeping on top of it. I go home tomorrow.
Good luck to all of you.

I only like vanilla yogurt do idk about other flavors . But it's good. Container is 4oz. 3 carbs and 5 g Protein w only 45 calories. Light and fit diabetic advantage yogurt.

I love the energy of your post!
I recently discovered I have a bony butt. I was sitting in one of my dining room chairs and squirmed around worse than my 3yr old trying to find a spot that didn't hurt. What the heck?!
Each time I've gotten back into clothing, that then becomes large, it feels pretty great. I have size 16 pants I bought at the beginning of summer (and not 16W) that are all hanging on me now.
I have an interview Friday and I have no idea what I'll wear!

My first OMG moment was being able to fit...comfortably...in a theatre seat!! Fitting in booths, in restaurants, is also a HUGE one!! (Never again will I have to say "could we please have a table?"!!)
I have an OMG moment every time I get dressed now....because I can't believe I'm wearing (loose) size 20 jeans, and (as of this past weekend) a 1X blouse!! I hold up my clothes and think "I can't possibly fit in something this small!"...and then I put it on, and it fits!!
And, this morning, the biggest yet....weighing myself, and finding that I've lost a whopping 100 pounds, since the end of March! (48 pounds since June 26th!) Unbelievable!
A big WOOT!! to you, for each of your OMG moments!!
Laura

I am another one for September 7 don't know the time yet.

I am on Thursday! SO excited
Good luck to you.

I'm so anxious! Excited! Happy! Scared! I can't sleep, I just want my sleeve! So we can live happily ever after! Anyone who's followed me knows what I've been through to get this far, and i Still am so grateful for all the love and support! Is anyone else getting it done this Friday? I'd love some friends!!

HAHAHAHAHA!!!!! I have purchased Unjury unflavored Protein as well as the chicken broth. I have it ready to go! I even purchased my post-op Vitamins there!

Hi Joisey! I feel the EXACT same way. Just really started yesterday. I will be sleeved on 9/21. I actually have my pre-op appointment this Wed 9/5, because my surgeon will be out of town closer to my surgery.
I am a phase I diet which is fine and don't begin full liquids until 9/14. So have not had to deal with the emotions that come along with being hungry, yet, which is good. But find that I have been so busy with appointments and getting clearances and not that it's all completed, the anxiety is setting in. With pre-op in two days, I know this is the trigger for my anxiety.
I also feel the same about why I am going through all of this. I want to feel good in my body again, in my skin. I have so many constant pains it would bea waste of typing to mention. Primarily its my back and joints. It's about health for me too. And practical things, like seats on a plane, etc. I am too young to feel like I am 90 yrs old. I am only 42.
I am surprised at my level of anxiety in a way because it's not like this process is happening over night. I began the process in April 2010 with my first seminar. It was 2 wks after I turned 40 and had decided that it was time to take control of my health. Made all sorts of appointments to check everything out. Physical, pap, bloodwork, etc. That's when I got the nerve to ck out the seminar. I was thinking of LapBand at the time and was excited to get the ball rolling. I received a call from the gyno and they needed to do ultrasound of my ovaries, which happened fairly often for me due to cysts. After the ultrasound the nurse said to get dressed and then I would be speaking with the dr. Seemed odd but not a real red flag. Walking to his office, did feel like a red flag. As I sat down and saw the way he was looking at me, was a red flag. He tells me I have a tumor the size of a large grapefruit on an ovary. Tells me he is sending me for bloodwork right away and referring me to an oncologist. Driving to do the bloodwork I was thinking, oncologist means cancer, right?? Of course I knew this but my head was trying to process it all. May 18th I meet with the oncologist and May 21st had open abdominal surgery. During those 4 days in between I read up on ovarian cancer and prepared for the end of my life. The size of the tumor means it had most likely spread, all over, and the 5 yr survival rate was not good. At the time it was 80% don't make it to 5 yrs. I woke up from the surgery and first thing I asked is "where did it spread to?" I kept getting same answer from nurses then family. Nowhere. It did not spread. I still to this day feel like a walking miracle. Apparently the cancerous part was surrounded by a non cancerous tumor, it it was encased. My surgeon hadnt ever seen that, and he is (I later found out) a world renound surgeon. I never found the right time, right man to have children with. And the dr said I needed a complete hysterectomy. He gave me 5 yrs to get pregnant. I tried to preserve my eggs but no fertility clinic would freeze eggs when a patient had ovarian cancer. Potential of freezing cancer with it. Well, dr said in Nov I had to have the surgery as soon as possible because my risks of cancer coming back were too high. He based it on bloodwork and, my weight. March 2011 had my hysterectomy. Very hard emotional time. Actually hardest in my life.
That surgery was robotic, Da Vinci. SUCH a piece of cake recovery!! I recommend to anyone who has the choice to choose robotic surgery, take it and run with it!! Recovery was amazing. I was apprehensive going in because of the unknown and the surgeon not operating in the operating room but working from a seated position, in another room via robot. I just can't say enough about that experience.
July 2011 went to another seminar for WLS and here I am 22 days from surgery. And I am anxious. I have to remind myself that I have been given another chance at life and want to make the most of it because tomorrow isn't guaranteed, for anyone. All of us going through this are doing so much more than just losing weight. It is literally transforming our futures. Our quality of this God given, precious life. And when our quality of life is better, our loved ones have a better quality of life too. We need to think of the memories yet to be made. Memories we will not be able to create in the current state of our bodies.
Joisey, let's think about the exciting future ahead of us when we get anxious. We know that it's a tough road ahead but haven't we been living a tough road, everyday, anyway?? Yes, we are facing surgery soon and we feel like this is the beginning of something difficult but actually it's the end of a difficult time. It's the end of the hard parts of physical life and the beginning of a wonderful transformation that will make our lives physically easier.
Godspeed my new friend. You and all going through this process will be in my prayers.