Recycled

Hmmmmm, I had to read this twice......that's what I get for just glancing mid thread.....

I think for the spouse or anyone that is in a supportive position.......it can be challenging for both parties. My wife has the greatest intentions, but the reality is she cannot actually feel or experience the physical, emotional or the psychological effects and difficulties of the pre-op stages or the post-op recovery. She is merely repeating (quite often) what she's read or what I already told her about the diets and surgery. As if somehow the process has caused total amnesia in me. It can get quite annoying being constantly reminded of every aspect of the diet plans or when and how much to drink, "put that back - it has sugar in it", "maybe I should take more time off from work to stay home with you after the surgery".........blah blah blah. Don't get me wrong. I encourage her to be informed about the procedure, but to be able to understand what I'm going thru, NOT direct it. But hey, that's just me, and she'll continue to be the way she is......and I'm glad to have her in my corner supporting me, so while I may grumble some, I'll just deal with it.

Collects mushrooms....interesting......I'l bet you had no pain at all during your post op recovery.......tell the truth now.....

Speaking of compression shirts or wraps. Will they adjust (if so, how much) to stay with you as you lose weight or do you have to keep getting smaller and smaller ones as you lose. And which is better, the wraps or the shirts/ suits??

Happy is too generic......I want "No more being fat year"

We as people love the company of other people and friends. Not just for companionship, but typically to help with making up our minds about things. Think about the times when you've been on the fence about something and you actually seek out a friend or loved one's opinion....ie - buying a new car......picking out a nice outfit......spending that huge amount of money or saving it. If the friend agrees, we feel supported in the decision to go forward. If they don't support us, we find another friend that will. We really need that assurance that it's the right move. That way later when it goes south.....we can point a finger at someone else for the blame. But......we don't do it with everything. With some things, we know ourselves so well, we just leap and get it... or do it, without a second thought. After all....nobody knows us better than we know ourselves, right. No wonder we need therapy. Well, this is kinda one of those times where the decision needs.....no....MUST be ours alone. You can and should research ALL options first, but you must finally decide on your own. No one else is going to live with the outcome but you. I personally am using the Pre-op diet to align any last minute doubts I have on whether I can really give up all the comfort foods and desserts I see all around me as I drink Protein drinks and eat Soup. I find myself questioning if the longer healthier life I'm seeking is really worth giving all this up forever. I do this over and over, a hundred times an hour. I also keep reading all the success stories and happiness from others to keep me centered on the positives. But in the end, I don't ask for anyone else's opinions on my actual decision. I even tune out any unsolicited ones from others. I need this one to be only mine. I'm the only one that is going to know if it is worth it. So.....what should you do....... All I can say is......I wish you the best with whatever decision you make.

Mick, I completely agree with Gman......the time we have left is even more precious. I'm 62 and getting sleeved in a week. I had a MI a few years back and even after that, I could not get my weight in check. But if I don't,,,I'm dead. It can't happen soon enough for me.

Well, starting the pre-op liquid diet today. The Doc gave me a couple of days reprieve for the Holidays, but no getting around it now. Going cold turkey begins now.....ugh.

Sounds a bit thin. I'm 5'11" and my goal is 180 and that will probably be a little on the thin side. I think two and a quarter would be closer to a good size. Add some muscle to trim it out.

One of benefits of being a guy. Our clothes don't go outa style much. I've had a bunch of my clothes vacuum stored for decades which should fit when I reach my goal weight. I will be so excited that they fit, I can care less if they are not the latest fashion. I just never could bring myself to get rid of them as I grew bigger. (Always hoping) As far as the clothes I have now........ I never liked buying clothes to fit my obese bod, so I would buy very little and wear it out before buying any more. So I'm gonna just throw it all out as I shrink. Good riddance.

All very good questions.........which should be answered by your Surgeon. Call his office.

Can you actually tell there is a void in that section where the removed stomach was. And is there any pain sensation emanating from the cutting and stapling of the stomach. (or is it just the holes that hurt)

I would like to see any responses to this as well. Is a regular blender all you need or is the Nutri-bullet worth getting. Does it make a difference?

I hear ya. I have extensively searched for an alternate for the meds I take now, to no avail. My Doc said I can crush them, but I figured there was a reason they aren't available as powder or liquid and your experience confirms that. Please don't give up trying or posting on this subject. If you find a way please post it. I have some real horse pills and I'm not looking forward to their horrible taste crushed.

Hope, Hang in there. Many will appreciate that you post how your experience is (or isn't) going well at the beginning..... as they might find themselves (me included) going thru the same results. But.....there's always a but. The body will simply not sustain itself at such a high weight on such low intake. You will start to lose more. Your metabolism is just reacting to less calories in it's own way. It took a long time to put all the weight on......give your body time to adjust and it will start coming off.

Couldn't agree with you more......Everybody stay away.

Is it even possible to take in 80 grams of Protein all at once? I have no idea? I'm asking too......

Well shoot I coulda had a v8.. If it were as simple as that why did we have the surgery? Why are you having it?? I'm having it just to come on this forum and bug you. What are your great words of wisdom?

Your surgery is not the reason you're losing weight.........What you're eating and how much you're eating is the reason. Explain this to your Mom and try to get her to follow your diet right along with you.....together. Motivate each other. Eat the same foods and fluids and exercise together. It's worth a try.

Don't worry about not getting sleep. You'll be plenty sleepy post -op. Plus being tired and sleepy before might help curb some of the jitters.

Take advantage of the EGD like a dry run for the Sleeve. If will serve to show you all those butterflies are unfounded. You'll be much better prepared with less pre-op jitters for later with the sleeve surgery.

I came right out and cleared the air with my shrink before the interview even started. I told him if he had any objections to my having bariatric surgery then we could skip the session and I'd just leave and get a different shrink that will provide what I needed for clearance. After all.....I"M the one paying for his services and I am under no obligation to use only him. Plus, I'm doing this regardless of his opinion. He agreed and said he had no problems with anyone seeking WLS and the interview went very smoothly. My advice is if you're sure and confident of your decision to have WLS.....and you have any problems with your shrink's evaluation........dump it!! Get another one from someone else. You and your coordinator will be choosing what paperwork to submit to your insurance for approval. Don't waste your time with negative professionals.

My approval process became so long, I was resigned to assuming I would be denied and started thinking about how I would have to yet again try to lose the weight on my own. Very depressing. Then I got denied. The coordinator was more positive than me at that point and resubmitted the paperwork. 4 days later I was in fact approved. I am now scheduled for Jan 9, 2014. Still absorbing that this is actually going to happen. Trying to lose weight has consumed such a huge part of my adult life and always with the same outcome which constantly left me totally defeated. I'm still trying to grasp that it will work this time. I have jeans in my closet vacuum sealed that are brand new and yet over 30 years old. I have kept them all these years with the forever hope I would fit in them again some day. It's just amazing how fast the time has gone by. (why did I wait sooo long?) This is it people. This is the last chance. No matter how much or how little help the surgery provides, this is the final draw. I will not let this opportunity go unrealized. See you all in onederland.

01/09/14. Miami, Florida.

One of the side effects of this very very long process of getting approved is I found myself doing this ritual of " I'm gonna eat this now cause I won't be able to anymore after the surgery" You all know the reasoning......A farewell to my lifelong friends. The things I love so much. The result is I have ignored any real diet methodology and just ate whatever I wanted. So of course I gained some more weight. Now that I actually have a date and realize it's gonna start for real.......real soon......it just amounts to more weight I have to lose after the surgery. I know......I know....stupid, but it's that kinda twisted justification that got me here. I am very determined to succeed, but this lack of common sense and self control before........has me more than just a little concerned about the total food and lifestyle changes that will be required after surgery. I hope I'm not counting too much on the surgery to control my eating desires. I really hope I don't blow it. I'm not the least bit scared of the surgery. I'm just worried about failing.