Butterflyhigh

Oh, blah blah blah. Your friend is a wordy b**ch. Fataphobia...whatever. She has created this whole little 'proud fat girl' identity for herself, which is fine, but it's her way of staying in denial about her own weight issues. She doesn't want to feel ashamed, or unattractive, or embarrassed about her weight so instead of trying to loose the weight she embraces being fat as this whole spiritual and emotional side of herself. Your friend sounds like she is very smart but in some serious denial. She's also wicked manipulative to label those around her who want to loose weight as negative fatophobics. That's insane. And the fact that she continues to blog about you just shows how SHALLOW of a friend she is. There are some people who won't stand next to a pretty girl...skinny girl...successful girl...because they feel like standing next to one shines a spotlight on their shortcomings. She is insecure and I would place money on the fact that she is also secretly unhappy with her weight.

Thank you misslisa! It's good to hear about others with my same doctor. Oh sunrise..I'm so sorry. I read on another post that you've had to go back into hospital for hydration. That is what I am struggling with now...getting in enough fluids. Yesterday I made 24 oz and today will be about the same. I have tenderness at my incision site, not very painful, just something to be aware of. The worst for me is the air that is trapped under my breasts. I take a sip sip sip and immediately have to hop up and walk because the liquid feels like it displaces my giant air bubble which is very uncomfortable until I am able to burp the air out. I just drank 3oz of chicken broth and it took me about 30 minutes. 2oz of Water or broth I can get down in about 10 minutes. I couldn't finish an entire popsicle but Jello actually seems to go down pretty good. I remember seeing you briefly! You are so pretty!! I wasn't in any pain or nausea, but man oh man was I doppy. I literally could not keep my eyes open for the four hours of recovery time. When I did force them open I saw double everything. That lasted until the next morning. My pain pills make me very sleepy. My daughter said I was only awake for a total of about 4 hours yesterday. No wonder I couldn't get good Fluid amounts in! Today I haven't had any meds and so have been awake much longer...although I did have two naps I was still awake more than asleep today. But the BIGGEST thing is this......I cannot believe I just had 85% of my stomach removed! Egads. That's a big deal. I feel good about it. I feel like this is so important to do for myself. I feel like VSG is a life vest thrown out to me in this endless sea of diets, failures, shame, binge eating, and future medical problems. I 100% know that I made the right decision. How are you doing after receiving iv fluids at the hospital??? Sending you hugs and support.

Wonderful! I am three days post-op. HOW did you manage to get in 80 ounces of Water this soon? I am struggling with getting in 24oz.

I don't envy you waking up that early to drive. I need to leave my home at 8:00am to be there by 9:00am. Yes, let's keep in touch tomorrow after getting settled. I am so thankful we connected on this site. It's crazy that we sat in the same area in the nutrition class!! lol I will be with my ex-husband. I have short black hair. Maybe we'll see each other in passing!? Good Luck! Good Luck! How wonderful for us that we've got the courage and strength to be making this VSG decision.

36 pounds gone already?! Whoop Whoop! It sounds like you have a good support system in place. That's good. Even though i don't have a big supportive group I feel pretty confident that I've prepared myself enough to know what to expect and how to handle issues in the first few weeks post-op. We're just hours away from doing this! My stomach has butterfly's and my hands are a bit shaky, but I am much more excited than scared. I still can't believe I am voluntarily removing 85% of my stomach! It seems so drastic, but in my heart I know it is needed. Now, get this. I LOST the paper I wrote my last minute instructions on. Journey Lite called me while I was on vacation last week and rescheduled my time and I hastily scribbled everything on the back of an envelope. Surgery is now 11am...but I can't remember if I need to be there one hour or two hours before surgery??? What were your instructions regarding? This is what I remember...loose clothing, no food/drink after midnight tonight, no med's, and arrive <blank> hours before surgery. I hope to see you tomorrow!! I wonder if we were in the same nutrition class on May 29th? If so, I was sitting in the front left table (looking toward the front of the room).

He doesn't do the Barium Swallow Test. Said it can cause more problems than it catches and when the stomach is so swollen tiny leaks won't be detected anyway. He doesn't require stopping liquids before eating...only five minutes. He does require a 30 minute wait after. He said in his experience, drinking up to five minutes before can help patients swallow food easier. He does not send us home with pain killers. If the pain is unmanageable after taking extra strength 'something' (I'll have to look at my paper to see which med) then call him and will will prescribe something. He does not do drains. I think everything else seems to align with what I read other's post-op rules are. I believe he is a great surgeon, has had tons of experience, and reports very low complication rates. I'm scheduled for this Monday, two days away, and a bit worried about the pain. I had two 9 lb babies naturally and I keep telling myself that there is no way this can compare to that! I hope hope hope that's true!

Two days until surgery. It is so surreal. I first started looking into WLS 12 years ago after my first daughter was born. Two years ago I began to seriously research, ask questions, talk to doctors, and get real with myself about the reasons why I have this constant weight battle. One year ago I made the committed decision to do the gastric sleeve. I chose a doctor, put my big deposit down, budgeted the money (I'm a self-pay).....and then canceled two surgery dates due to lingering fears and concerns! I have finally..FINALLY worked through each and every concern. I was dead set on not telling anyone except my eldest daughter and ex husband (because somebody has to drive me there and back!). Just a few days ago I broke down and told my mother and best friend. Both seem to be very supportive, albeit shocked at first. It feels so much better this way and even though I am nervous (oh dear God I'm so nervous) this time I feel like running into the surgery room! I only have a three day pre-op diet because of my low bmi. I started that yesterday. I need to hit the grocery store to get things the kids can easily make themselves and first week food supplies for me. And baby spoons. I think that's really my last couple of steps. I am only concerned now about getting enough fluids in and the psychological effects of not being able to eat a plateful of something I love. After all my research and reading other's experiences I am putting my faith in what I hear over and over again.....that post-surgery the small amounts of wonderful tasting food will be more satisfying and every bite more meaningful than it is now in it's large quantity. Any words of advise or encouragement would be happily received! I can almost feel the second hand tick-tocking down the time.

Hi Sunrise! I am scheduled for surgery with Dr. Curry on the same day as you...Monday, June 9th!! The closer you get to Monday, how are you feeling? I am really trying to not think on it much because I am nervous. I am single so most of my WLS journey has been and will be done all alone. I'm worried about recovery and how that will be. My ex-husband lives very near so at least the kids can hang with him for a week. My biggest concerns at this point are dehydration and missing the ability to eat a whole plateful of something delicious....even though that is also what I'm most excited about too. What are your stats? I am 5'6", 210 lbs, 33 bmi I am a low bmi'er and that was a lot of my concern in the beginning. Dr. Curry, as you know, has the lap-band and he was a low bmi'er as well. I think he was also a 33. He said recovery would be easier, complication rates are lower, and long-term success is better. I have been as high as a 42 bmi and am just so tired of the CONSTANT battle with my weight. I feel Dr. Curry is very understanding of my situation. It's so great to know someone else in the 'neighborhood' who has my doc AND on the same day!? What are the chances. Tell me about your experiences....

Very good points here! I've decided that this is just not a good time in my life to become romantically involved with anyone. My surgery is quickly approaching and the seriousness of the journey I am about to embark on has settled in. I want to focus on Me. I feel like I need to go into hibernation mode for the next couple of months, heal and recover, and adjust to my new life with the sleeve. And I need to do this alone. I am just 11 days away from surgery. Keeping this a secret from my family and friends is already hard enough. I can't add another person into the mix. Ah well. It's been a fun couple of weeks! But now it's time to buckle down and get ready for this Huge event in my life.

Hello all! I am scheduled for June 9th at 10:30am. Been researching this for over two years and made a commitment one year ago to move forward with it. I am scared and excited. I've already canceled two surgery dates over the past year. Lots of personal issues to deal with, lots of second guessing myself, lot of fear about how happy I will be after loosing the ability to eat a huge plateful of food. I think i have finally worked through most of my fears, one at a time, and am confident that this IS the right decision for me. I am ready!

I will only be on a three day pre-op diet but that is because I am starting at a low bmi. The other people in my nut class had pre-op diets that ranged from the short 3 day to 3 weeks. My doc said it is simply to shrink the liver which will make it easier to access the stomach during surgery. Like you though, I have been on my own pre-op diet. I am scared of the sudden change in eating routines already...I can't imagine having virtually zero practice beforehand!

Sorry about all that. My mom sucks in the same way. I am not telling her about my surgery until several months afterwards...if ever. I may decide to never tell her. I came to the realization years ago that something had to change in my relationship with my mother...and she was never going to change, so I did. I have been very 'low contact' with her for nearly two years. Things in my life got much better. Don't waste your time hoping for her to react to you in a normal mothering-type manner. Keep your head up about the surgery!! If you have decided that it's the best decision for you, then go for it!

Research stomach cancer. The partial or complete removal of the stomach has been a treatment for a long time in stomach cancer. People who have had a gastrectomy, and in those cases where the cancer was completely removed with no other cancer was present, had normal life expectancy ages after surgery.

I have surgery scheduled for early June. My Nut said she doesn't like the idea of putting a half banana in my Protein Shakes. She thinks it adds too many carbs. I am going to follow the rules for everything my WLS team lays out for me....except for this. I just can't. Every morning I make a strawberry-banana smoothie w/chocolate Protein Powder. It is the best way to start the day! I can drink two per day which is one whole banana. I already don't eat too many carbs and I am pretty sure I'll eliminate them altogether after surgery. I think it's a bit crazy to not allow myself one banana per day especially seeing as it makes getting Protein and liquid in so much easier. I am not the patient who will tell myself that eating bad food is okay simply because I have a tiny stomach now. I am not looking for ways to skirt the rules of the post-op diet or make excuses for eating the wrong things. But it's ONE BANANA. Could it really be that bad? What are your thoughts? Did your post-op diet excluded bananas?

Hey all! There is some great advice and information in this thread. Thank you all for your opinions. And I agree with a previous poster that I need to watch my language and not say things like "I CAN"T give up <fill in the blank>". That type of internal dialogue cannot continue if I want to be successful in this. I had my nutrition class today and asked specifically about the banana issue. There are two dietitians on staff and this was the second one I've met. She told me that it is a manner of opinion. It is her belief that banana's contribute more good than bad. She said to watch my carb intake, no more than 35 grams, and add a half banana to any smoothie I'd like. She also said the other dietician didn't personally like or eat banana's and so simply advised everyone against them. So, Yay!! My banana's can stay.

You've shrunk! A lot! Looking good, lady. Thank you for posting this. Just today I did my nutrition class as I am now two weeks away from surgery. All day I have been really questioning my decision. I know it's the right thing to do, but I am so scared of not adjusting very well to the new eating rules and restrictions. Seeing that you were questioning your choice two weeks before surgery and here you are now, nearly one year later, looking and sounding so happy....it has set my mind at ease. Congrats on the weight loss success!

What a tough situation. My heart breaks for you both. I don't think I would send her back into that school. Not one more day. That is a hostile environment and it can be emotionally damaging to endure daily humiliation, scorn, intimidation, and the gossip about her sexual abuse. I am a grown woman and I don't think I could walk into that every day. She needs some good 'down time'. She needs to feel safe and loved so that healing can take place. Otherwise all of this hurt, anger, fear, and self-blame will become overwhelming in her teenage and adult years. If you don't already have a counselor, you should run and find one. These events go deep. You both are going to need some help and guidance to get through this so she can move forward and have a great life.

What beautiful after pics! You look great!

I am one year out from a divorce, a few weeks away from having my surgery, and had made the decision to not date until I am on the other side of WLS, physical healing, and the ensuing emotional roller coster. Then I met a great guy. But I can tell that I'm not really ready for a relationship. I feel like right now my relationship focus should only be on myself, my new eating habits, and my new tummy. I feel horrible because I think I am going to have to stop dating this guy. I am just not ready to throw another ball up in the air to juggle. KWIM? BTW, I also have done online dating in the past. I met my ex-husband that way. I like the idea of vetting people before going on a date. Right from the start you can eliminate men based on their incomes, child status, occupation, spelling & grammar, long-term goals, etc etc... Of course there are still the liars and cheats but I've got a pretty good system of questions to ferret those out. Men will always be around...before, during, and after WLS. My advise to myself is to take it slow, focus on me for a good long time, get to a place where I can really commit myself to a relationship without the distraction of a new sleeved lifestyle, and then just wait for Love to happen. Good Luck!!

I am not surrounded by people who would flip out and then ultimately be understanding and supportive. My family is highly dysfunctional and emotionally abusive. They wait for thing anything possible to happen which can be used against another person and then use it in the meanest manner possible. This will not be hard to hide from them as I avoid them at all cost anyway. Believe me...I have debated the to tell vs not to tell argument for months. It is the safest and least stressful decision to keep this a secret. It is not because I am ashamed of the surgery. It is because I want to safeguard myself from the hurtful and aggressive tactics of my family. This guy. Having VSG is not like being a cross-dresser, a child molester, or an adulterer. I do not feel like I have any obligation to tell him about this....not at this very early stage of the relationship. And I don't think he should be upset at finding out about this at a later time, assuming the relationship even exists at a later time. Why would I share a very close-kept secret with a man who is only a *potential* future boyfriend? It's not like I am keeping STD information secret, or am not being honest about an illness or disease that could create challenges or negative affects to him. This is an elective and pro-active procedure to combat obesity. And, if things do get serious...if we do enter into a committed and serious relationship, of course I would tell him about this surgery. I have no plans to keep secrets from my spouse, but at the moment he is just some great guy that I have interest in. That's it. But what about scars?? How long did it take for them to loose their angry red appearance and fade into a less noticeable one??

I've been thinking about what life will be like for the first couple of months after the surgery. 1. How long until you can dine out with other people and appear to be eating "normally" (at least in a way that will not invite questions)? 2. Do you have any tricks for making it less obvious that you may only be eating a few bites for an entire meal? 3. What was the healing like for your abdominal incisions? 4. How long until the scars did not appear fresh and new? Thanks all!

You look Fabulous! Love the dress. You are gonna be one hot mamma this Summer.

I've heard it discussed but I cannot remember which ap"s are good for reminding you to drink Water post-op. I need something with an alarm that can be set for every 15 minutes (or so) and that tracks amounts.

I agree that if you want to loose a bit more, you should continue forward with that. What size clothing are you in now? I have a number in my head of what I would like to weigh but it is easier for me to judge where I want to be by what jeans size I can wear. I want to fit into a size 8...the number is secondary to the size.

Dr. Trace Curry in Cincinnati is $14,700 for the sleeve. I am going to have surgery with him in early May.