anewme1004

I told people I got my gall bladder out. You have to change eating habits so the weight loss can be attributed to that simple!

My surgery is tomorrow as well!!! Excited

Tomorrow is the big day! Surgery is at 6:30am, have to be there at 5! I live 2 hrs away so I will be getting up at 2am! Eek!
The nerves are just starting to set in, but I just keep thinking about 6 months down the road!!
Can't wait to start posting result pictures! You are all so inspiring! Wish me luck!

And you can do it:) all along I have bought one smaller size in a jean, just to keep tying to fit. My eights are tight but don't hurt to sit...I'm getting there and you will too!

Dear Jesus, Please be with Matt during his surgery. Give the Doctor the wisdom that
he needs when he is operating on Matt. Lord, help Matt to have a successful operation
and a good recovery.
Amen

I went shopping for clothes to small clothes that is. yes I did, I wear a size 2x tops and 16 to 18 pants ..... Ok what size I bought a large that's my motivation I looking forward to a med top and a size 7 to 8 pants that's my goal and I'm determine I just bought tops and dresses.

Your friend is a hater!!! Don't let her sway your decision! She's extremely jealous. I was so jealous of my friend when she got the sleeve and I never thought it would be an option for me. I was never ugly to her though. I'll bet your friend is thinking the same thing though. I'll even bet she's looked into it as well.

I started today

Yes, OMG! I'm 5'10, 250 lbs, BMI around 36. I'm lucky that I don't have BP or cholesterol problems, but my sleep study did show sleep apnea (which will help with insurance coverage!) I stopped talking about the surgery because whenever I mentioned it my co-workers would tell me "Stop that crazy talk" "You're not big enough" blah, blah, blah. Even my PCP, who I have known for over 25 years, said "You only have about 70 pounds to lose...just don't eat bread" Really? Just don't eat bread? Is that all? LOL, but he also said he would support me in whatever I chose to do so he gave me my medical clearance. I have only told my husband and children because I need to surround myself with people that support me. Let my co-workers think what they want.. it's no their business, it's mine!

I felt the same way pre-surgery. I was gonna let them cut out 85% of my stomach????????!!!!!!!!! I even chickened out on my 1st attempt to see the bariatric doctor, but I couldn't see a better future without the surgery, so I pushed on through with the appointment the next month.
After they do the leak test post-surgery, you should not bee concerned about leaks, unless you don't follow the post-op guidelines your doc will give you. I was told the at 6 weeks the stomach is fully healed.
You will be instructed to take Multivitamins, Iron, Calcium and B12, but with the sleeve, you do not have the same chance of Vitamin deficiency from food malabsorpiton as with RNY - gastric bypass surgery.
By 6 weeks, I was back to eating almost anything I wanted, just less of it. So, I am able to get most of my Vitamins from food - as long as I eat healthy. I strive for my meals to be 1/2 Protein, 1/4 vegetables, 1/4 starches.
I take 1 multivitain and sublingual B12 in the mornings and 500 mg of calcium citrate in the evening. Nothing to it, if I miss a day, it's no big deal.
Pre-op, I've gone as long as 5 days, eating nothing and drinking only coffee and Crystal Light, and experienced no side effects. It takes a while for a deficiency to happen.

I just told one of my best friends this morning I was waiting to tell her cause I didn't think she would be supportive. Boy was i wrong she was so happy and excited for me. She knows i my research and she knows the struggles i have.I was so happy she was that supportive.

Usually about an hour for a straight sleeve. Not sure for band to sleeve revision. Recovery is standard at usually an hour or an hour and a half, unless there were complications.

I went in on a Friday. Surgery was 50minutes long. Was in recovery for about 1 1/2 hours. Was sent to my room afterwards and left Sunday afternoon. No complications. My dr wants all his patients to be in for 2 nights.
Best of luck to you.

Hi all,
New member happy to join. I just received insurance approval today. I'm so nervous. What is going to happen now? I have been thinking about it nonstop since the call... Omg. Am I ready to be a different person physically. It's odd. I spent 36 years hiding behind this extra weight. Now it's like everyone's going to see me. I know I'm ranting... Is it odd that the first thing to pop into my head after the call was "hey I finally got some big girl thigh high boots, what am I going to do with them?"
I guess I should be asking real questions. How long from approval to surgery?
Thanks for letting me rant.
Jojo

I had to do one, for two weeks. As others have said, varies by physician. My doc's process is based on BMI; the higher it is, the longer the liquid diet. In my case, 2 weeks, lol. Their rationale is that it shrinks the liver by 15%, decreasing chances of liver laceration during the procedure, and gives more room to work. I did the diet, and when they got in there, he said I had a great looking liver....so I doubt 2 weeks of liquid diet did that. Your doc knows what her feels comfortable with.

It varies by surgeon. There are benefits to having one and benefits to not having one.
I didn't have one, either, and it was one less thing to worry about.
Good luck,
~Cheri

I heard that a pre-operation diet helps to shrink the liver before the operation because your
stomach is right next to the liver when the doctor does the gastric sleeve. I think it depends on what
your surgeon wants.

I'm the same, my NUT, said that it was because my fat levels in my blood were ok. Apparantly, my live wasnt really fatty either. However, I had a radiologist say my live was getting fatty. I decided to do a 2 week one atleast. :0)

I've told a few of the girls in my department. There's only 5 of us. I haven't told my family because their opinions are the only ones that matter to me and I don't want to face any critisism from them.

I don't mind sharing with others that I had weight loss surgery. It's not a secret and I'm not embarrassed about my choice. People are going to gossip whether you are fat, thin or normal, I just give them one less thing to gossip about. Lol I have yet to have any negative responses. It's my opportunity to educate the ill informed. From those I have told the responses have been inquisitive and some have requested the surgeons contact information. If I can help someone else just by sharing my story, then I'm happy.

I considered the opinions of the important people in my life before I made my decision. Once my decision was made, they all supported me, even if they personally had reservations. I did not lie to folks at work etc, I said I had to have a hernia repaired (true) if people notice my changed habits I tell them I am eating high Protein, low calorie to get healthier, (also true). I am not hiding my surgery- it just really is not anyones business....I told those I want to tell, anyone else who has the nerve to ask, does not deserve an answer.

I,too, only told a few people. And even then, the long silence afterwards made me a little sorry that I said anything. It's private and personal and very few people understand. But remember this.... Nothing changes if nothing changes. So we need to have tunnel vision and keep on going! They can all pick their jaws up off the floor when we are done!

Just to give all you future sleevers some reference. I was sleeved 2/25 by Dr Thomas Borland in New Iberia, LA. I'm now 5 days post op and I went shopping today. Not for long mind you. And only to two stores and I did sit and rest while in each store but I feel pretty good. I've had quiet a few other surgeries (lithotripsy, tonsillectomy, gall bladder removed, uteral ablasion, tubes tied, hysterectomy) and I can say this was the less painful of any. However my problems came day one and two trying to drink Water or anything else. I would dry heave and gag with each try. Not a horrible thing but uncomfortable and exhausting when you are drugged and weak. I was discharged from hospital same day as surgery. That same night I walked around my hotel complex. I did find getting comfortable to be a challenge and so I would sleep in bed a few hours and then in the chair for awhile (not unusual for me on a normal night). But this is getting better after a few days. I haven't had pain meds since day 1 but I am loving Gas X strips. I don't feel hunger at all and it hasn't bothered me to watch others eat. However I would love to just chew on a big greasy cheeseburger. Not swallow. Just move it around in my mouth and spit it out. (Shut up you Pervert). Anyway. That's my experience. If you want to know anything message me.