Shells_Almost_There

So my surgery is Monday at 10:00 a.m. I have read the posts here and listened to my doctor, PA and the nurses at the hospital and have compiled what I'm bringing. Do I have everything I need? Note: I will have a private room, so no need for earplugs. I will use two gowns, so I am not bringing a robe. I don't want to bring any extra electronics, so I'll rely on my phone if I need internet, etc. My current list: 1. Evil CPAP machine per doctor's orders 2. Gas X strips and liquid drops 3. Biotene for dry mouth 4. Medicine (that I already have) for possible Thrush 5. Toothbrush/paste 6. Vaseline/lip stuff 7. Cell phone and charger 8. Extra underwear (saw this on the suggestions list) 9. Small bottle of Purell 10 .Wet wipes (travel pack) 11. Squishy pillow for my tummy 12. Panty liners (just in case) 13. Mascara etc so I don't look completely grotesque when leaving the hospital. Don't want to scare the children. 14. A pair of contacts for when I leave the hospital (no contacts during surgery of course) 15. My friend -- very important! She will hang onto my stuff and text my mom, etc. 16. Cash for my friend to go fill my prescriptions while I'm in recovery Hmmm - anything else? I'll wear the same outfit going in and leaving - very loose and non-constricting on the tummy. No bra (sorry, world), so double tank tops to hold the girls a bit. What else should I bring??? I have one more day to stock up and pack my duffel bag! Thanks for any advice!

Agree with above people who suggest to check with your surgeon - mine is fine with advil, etc. Her PA even advised me to buy liquid Advil for post-op pain. I was pretty surprised, but I'll go by my surgeon's rules. It's amazing the differences between pre- and post-op rules amongst doctors and programs!

Ouch! Sorry to hear this. I've heard that particular incision is the worst because that's where they pull out the mass of detached stomach, but I didn't realize about the muscle soreness. I hope you feel better soon. Hang in there!

I too waffled back and forth about whether to have surgery - for about 2 years. I even went to a seminar in February 2012, because I thought I was ready. But then, after the reality of what the gastric bypass could mean physically, I decided to give myself "1 year to do it on my own." Well, not surprisingly, I didn't manage much on my own. In fact, by December 2013 I had regained all but 6 pounds of the 57 I had spent 2 1/2 years losing (still above 300 that whole time!) and was so angry with myself. Anger, disappointment, embarrassment - they all tend to cause me to eat MORE! That's when I knew, it was time. I started the year off by re-committing to WW and by February 2013 (the one year mark since that first seminar) I had decided to pursue surgery seriously. As if it was meant to be, I learned about the gastric sleeve at random from a friend who was considering it. I didn't realize there was another procedure and from the day I learned about it, it just felt right -- I am convinced the procedure is for me. So, after months of preparing, my surgery is Monday. I'm nervous about the procedure itself and the early days of recovery, but I know for sure I am making the right decision. I don't know if this is helpful, but as MIJourney above says, if you've been in a constant battle, maybe it's time for a great piece of help to get you through. That's what I need, and that's why I'm proceeding. It's not a magical tool, but I think it's the help I need to get on track. Good luck with everything!

I have a New Year's goal as well! Can't wait to see changes by that time

Congrats on a very successful surgery. This is exciting. My surgery is Monday (Bea, I'm the 16th also!), and I'm just really hoping for an "easy" time. My surgery isn't until 10:00, so I'll probably be a basket case by that time, but I'm hoping for some nice relaxation drugs while I wait. Keep up the great work!

also This is so true! I can't believe the number of times people have let go of doors practically in my face. Very hurtful. I'm going to remember to pay attention to this when it stops!

Don't give that guy the time of day - he's not worth your trouble!

I am still pre-op but I have a terrible time with thrush any time I take antibiotics. I have seen a number of people talking about getting thrush after surgery. I actually have a prescription for lozenges that resolves the issue ("Clotrimazole 10mg Troche," 1 tablet 4 times daily). It looks like a Tums chewable, and you just let it melt onto your tongue. Doesn't taste great but after 3 days things will be improved. Also, if you are able to drink acidophilus milk, that can help. I have surgery Monday, so I plan to ask for a new prescription for the lozenges because of my experiences with thrush. Good luck to you!

I can so relate to this! I actually preferred Avenue, but they closed all their local stores, so I'm stuck with LB once again. Someday...regular stores!

I'm on Monday as well! Waiting for the call today so I'll know what time to report to the hospital. I've entered the nesting phase - trying to anticipate my own every need when I get home so I don't have to lift too many things or make an emergency trip to the store, etc. This site has been such a help and a number of great people here are very inspiring. Monday is coming fast!

I have heard that most people (at least around this site) who get the sleep study are diagnosed with some amount of sleep apnea. Being overweight seems to go with the apnea, which makes sense to me - more fat in the neck/throat area, it can close off when sleeping (this is information I got from my respiratory therapist). I did the required sleep study and was diagnosed with "moderate" apnea. That means I got a CPAP machine and will use it until I don't require it anymore. I suspected I might have sleep apnea based on a few symptoms - specifically waking up with a dry throat, and sometimes waking up to a racing heart in the middle of the night. I don't snore much at all, but the other symptoms are just as telling as the snoring. Good luck to you!

I echo all of the above, and would add: * going to any doctor's office and the nurse takes one look and says, "hang on, I'll have to get the large cuff for you."

I'm on the 16th also. I've prepared to the point I might be obsessed. Good luck!

Good luck! Keep us posted

Good luck! My surgery is also on Monday. My friend arrives Sunday and she'll drive me to the hospital, etc, and is staying to help get me past the first 4 or so days. I hope our recoveries are textbook and speedy!

So inspiring! Love your photos!

Absolutely! Totally agree!

I worry about these same issues, as I am a emotional eater--in particular a stress eater. The advice I have been given is: Plan your work and work your plan. Use my fitness pal to plan all meals, etc. Don't deviate from the plan, but if you happen to slip up, get back on the plan tomorrow. As someone else mentioned above, the sleeve is just a tool, we have to make it work for us. I definitely intend to join a support group as well, I will need to meet like-minded people going through some of the same issues I am. Good luck!

I've had 3 pretty easy surgeries in the past, and I'm very needle-phobic! I've made it clear to the hospital nurse who called me and with my surgeon's PA that I'm scared of: Surgery, needles, blood, hospitals, anesthesia, barfing, and too much pain. Oh and I don't want to die. Having these fears is normal for me, since I've had them each time I've faced a surgery, but this will be the most invasive surgery I've ever had. I also hate vaccines, I almost passed out when I got my ears pierced as a kid, and I will sometimes freak out when I get blood drawn. All this is to say, I understand what you're thinking and feeling right now...but for me, the surgery is worth it. Even the pain afterwards and the recovery that could be tough...all worth it for the prize at the end. I'm one week away from surgery and I'm trying to stay calm. I believe in the surgeon, the staff and the hospital, and I've done everything I can to prepare myself. The rest will work itself out! Good luck to you, no matter what!

Former Diet Pepsi addict here! My plan (because I had time - I started weaning about 3 months ago) was to switch from my beloved Diet Pepsi to sodas without caffeine. So first was Diet Mug. It has a sweeter taste but still had the bubbles I liked. Then, I switched to clears only -- basically Diet Sprite or Diet 7up only and tried for just one can per day. Finally, I went cold turkey the day before my first appointment at my weight loss clinic's office (by then I was down to 1 to 2 per day). I'm still pre-op and every once in a while I will have a Diet Sprite, but next week will be the last time I can do that. Haven't had one this week, didn't have one last week. The craving has died, but my love for the bubbles isn't quite dead yet. I should also say that I compensated by switching to unsweetened iced tea (McDonalds $1.00!) and Gatorade G2. I also drink a lot of Water during the work day now to keep my tummy full. These things keep me going and I don't miss the soda any longer. I tried a sip of Diet Pepsi about 5 weeks ago and it tasted absolutely horrible. So sad. I don't know if any of this is helpful, but I had a 7-can a day habit and I loved my soda too. Good luck to you!

I have a 1-day liquid diet the day before surgery - not clears, either. So, I'm doing my own version of a pre-op diet in hopes to lose a bit more weight for my liver.

I had to pay $500 for my program fee, which covered the nutritionist, the sports therapy consultation, and all the appointments before the surgery. Then, they gave me an invoice "due 2 weeks before surgery" for $1400 which is my percentage of the surgeon fees that insurance won't be covering. Later on the day I was scheduled for my surgery, they called for their money! What I'm worried about are the extra costs --- the CPAP process/machine has an extra $250 deductible that I will need to come up with, the psych eval guy apparently was "out of network" (which his office didn't bother to mention or I would have gone elsewhere), so I am being charged an extra $250 deductible (!) and then the anesthesia and hospital costs are a mystery, but I'll owe either 10 or 15% of those costs. I'm estimating at least $2,000 out of pocket for those. Overall, this is an expensive process, even with insurance coverage, but I believe all the out of pocket medical expenses can be an itemized deduction on my taxes. I've never had to claim that type of deduction before, but I hope I can for 2013! Plus, all this being said, I think the surgery is worth it

Wow, congratulations and Happy Birthday!!!! What a journey. Good luck on your next steps. You are an inspiration!

Hang in there! This type of reality check can be very painful, and can be a reminder of the long road ahead. Good luck!