PainInTheGlass

My surgery is June 3 and I have been reading everything I can get my hands on about the surgery. I've found that a little bit of praying and a LOT of education have calmed me. I feel pretty well prepared for the coming days, but know that I'll go thru a period of "buyers remorse" during the first month after the surgery. When I see people eating things I once enjoyed and can't digest them yet because I'm not fully healed, I'm sure I'll miss food and wonder if I did the right thing. At 5'4" and 220lbs, my friends question why I'm doing this--but it's MY journey and I need the extra help from the sleeve to get me to where I want to be. I'm also hoping to get off of type II diabetes drugs, high blood pressure meds, and lower my cholesterol. I'm not excited about the pain I'm about to endure...instead, I look to the future of a smaller me! As for the trip to Mexico....I'm having mine in the States so I can't speak to that either. Just remember that you won't be allowed to lift much after surgery...so pack light!

Another way I use to try to stay motivated... I have an iPod that is dedicated specifically to "workout music". I make playlists that I only listen to when I workout....and I have several playlists to switch between. I start each playlist out with a slower song to warm up to...then move on to the ones with faster beats...ending with another slow song to cool down with. (I mainly use a treadmill, but also have a playlist for my spin bike. The newer iPod Nano (16G, 7th generation) also has a pedometer on it, so if walking is your thing...you'll know how far you've walked!

I've had 4 foot surgeries (2 on each foot/ankle) to correct plantar fasciitis and over pronation (rolling my feet inward when i walk). I have a spin bike and have found that you can burn a TON of calories in each workout on it. Try a spin class. They will teach you how to set the bike up for your height and if you can't keep up with the group yet, just keep the pedals moving! I recommend that you pick a bike in the back of the room until you feel comfortable. If a spin bike isn't your style of biking...get on a recumbent bike where the seat is bigger and set it up to do a workout. (You can have it simulate hills too!) And to keep from getting too bored, bring a book and leave your watch at home! Also, by working the ankle without putting weight on it, it may loosen it up to where you feel you are able to return to the cardio workout that you love.

I'm doing well on the 3 shakes a day and one meal pre-op diet. The shakes keep me full most of the time, but when i do get hungry and it's not quite time for another shake or the meal--I grab a glass of water! It could actually be your body is starving for water. The water will usually hold me over til it's time for another shake or the one meal a day I'm allowed.

The way I look at it, I can do anything for 30 days....and by the end of the 30 days, it's become a habit that has a lot of feel good endorphins associated with it. It will get to the point that you look forward to exercising just to get that high.

Awesome!!!

I chose my screen name because I knew giving up cokes would be the hardest part for me. I've been approved for surgery for June 3 and have been on the pre-op diet of 3 shakes a day w/ one meal since may 19. I have not had a coke since then and I have found that I actually like Mio water better

Even though my surgeon is local, I work evening shifts thru the week that conflict with the monthly support group meetings. I'm using the VST site as my support group as well. I am fortunate in that my best friend (and neighbor) is a nurse that had a gastric bypass 10 yrs ago. Although she has found ways to cheat the system --and ultimately cheat herself by gaining back 40 lbs-- she is willing to support me in my journey. She recently started Weight Watchers and has vowed that she would exercise with me as often as possible; however, we work different shifts and I hear from her only on the weekends. Anyway, I have been able to meet a few people on VST in the past few weeks...and I have started to connect. The site is full of good info and people willing to help with any issue that you may have (likely someone else has had the same issue). Best way to connect is to haunt the chat room until you feel comfortable jumping in and making a few friends there. Also check out the posts by others and try to connect with a group that you feel fits your needs. (In my case, I was invited to the June Sleevers group--my surgery is June 3) Funny side note.....I chatted with VSGKirk briefly one night in the past week. He is a wealth of information. If you don't know how to add a friend, go to their profile and click on the box that says "add as a friend". I didn't add Kirk the other night, but plan to today! I'll add you as well.

Hello from Louisville, KY! I'm a 43 year old single, aircraft dispatcher that is "mom" to 3 "fur babies". After seeing several unflattering pics of myself last summer, I decided I HAD to do something. I no longer like the way I look in clothes (let alone naked--YIKES!!). With a BMI of 37.76 and metabolic syndrome (type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure and elevated cholesterol) plus Hasimoto's Thyroiditis, I realize that I am one of the smaller patients that insurance will cover. I'm looking forward to being sleeved on June 3 and start my 2 week, pre-op diet (of 3 protein shakes and one meal a day) tomorrow. I'm looking forward to getting off of some of my medication and also shopping for and wearing normal sized clothing. In previous years, I hated being called a loser....and now, I'm hoping that in the weeks after surgery, I'll be a LOSER for life!

I go in tomorrow to meet w/ the surgeon for consultation. Hoping to schedule the surgery for June 10th. I'm not really scared or nervous about the surgery right now, but I too have my days. Two things I suggest to get your nerves settled down: 1.) Educate yourself on the procedure (as much as possible) 2.) If you believe in a higher power, pray about it. (My nerves calmed down considerably after praying for strength to get me through the next few months)

I'm hoping to have mine June 10 but I won't know for certain until after my consultation with the surgeon on May 16. I'll keep you posted!