nmck

I guess I was just completely lucky because I have told everybody...family, friends, my volunteer group, my (mostly young & skinny) classmates, put it on FB, etc. I have not heard one single negative comment from anybody, and I have received a TON of support & loving encouragement. Maybe there have been some negative comments behind my back, but I neither know nor care about that. If there HAD been anything negative directed to my face, I was prepared to do exactly as NtvTxn suggests...including following it up with a "Bless your heart". I'm so sorry you're having to deal with mean sucky people.

That's how I feel. I may wear a party hat when I go I'm so happy!

Got my insurance approval and surgery date today. July 23rd, here we come!

Thank you for all the thoughts and prayers--it really meant a lot to me to know that I had the support of so many people!
I'm home and trying to recover; apart from some incision soreness--which has taught me to SLOW DOWN and not make any sudden moves--and a low-grade fever, I'm doing very well! My main complaint is that I wish I could swallow a sip of liquid or a teeny cube of Jell-O without my sleeve doing somersaults. It hurts so much at times, that I need to do my Lamaze breathing from 13 years ago.
As soon as that resolves itself, I'll be ready to conquer the world!

I felt better 2 days after my sleeve than I did with my 2 c-sections. I felt that the csections were harder for me recover from. I always figured it was because of the extra weight when i had them. The sleeve surgery was not comfortable- but it is manageable with meds and it is worth it. Just like having a c section for a healthy baby- the sleeve surgery is worth it for the future healthy body!

My only other surgery was gall bladder removal and it was pretty comparable. Pretty uncomfortable for the first couple of days, but that's when you use your drugs for relief. Then each day it gets easier as you move around and heal.

All done- I am officially sleeved! The recovery room was a little bit tougher than I thought- I woke up moaning with pain around 5 out of 10. I had hoped they'd already have my pain managed, but they got pain and nausea meds on board very quickly and I started feeling better. I was wheeled into my room and my husband and mom were there to greet me. I was pretty loopy for a while but after a few hours started responding to my family's jokes, and conversation. I was able to get up and go to the bathroom- yay, no catheter! I also started walking the halls in my hobbit feet slippers to get the gas out. I did 4 laps of the hospital floor the first time, then 8 later in the evening, followed by another 8 laps. I was told 17 laps makes a mile, so I've already walked a mile in total! I've been drinking Protein Shakes and tolerating them just fine, burping as I go. Dr.McMahon my surgeon came by and said my surgery went textbook, that my anatomy was perfect for the sleeve and my staple line looked great! Things are looking good for me being released at around 2pm today. Yay! I came up with a sleeve name with the help of my mom and sister last night- my sleeve is now dubbed Scarlett O'Sleevie! I hope everyone has a smooth recovery!

My date is July 18th and I am so excited! I believe the devil is in planning, so I am putting together an after surgery survival box! Contain, everything I MAY need, so I don't have to send hubby to store...including a calendar of when I can eat what types of foods. In addition, I am putting in some of my "fat" pictures and some pictures of when I was skinny? Also including a list of why I chose the surgery and a list of what I look forward to most after surgery....I may need some emotional reminders!!
Many of the items I will include are ideas I got from this forum (gas x, colace, etc). I think this is helping my hubby too...as he is gaining confidence of how to help me post-op!
Good luck to all!

Heres an update. I called Blue Cross yesterday they told me that my surgery was approved and was in the system. I should be recieving the letter in a few days. I called my doctors office and they have me scheduled for the 22nd of July. I will start my 10 day preop diet next week. I am so excited and ready for this. I want to lose weight so bad and get back in shape so I can enjoy my retirement. Wish me luck

I've told only very close friends and immediate family b/c I know what kind of gruesome stories and opinions people shared during pregnancy!! I didn't want to hear stories of some distant person they had heard of who dies from some ancient WLS. So when we were out of town a few weeks ago and I was making small talk with a salesperson helping me, I felt OK to mention the surgery as a related topic came up. I don't know this person, so why do I care what they think?She immediately asked if I had ever tried Weight Watchers and then told me I looked just fine the way I was...blah, blah. I smoothly ended the convo and later told my husband that interaction confirmed my decision to keep it to myself!!!

I hope I get to join the July sleevers.. Insurance approval confirmed, just waiting for the surgeon to call with my surgery date. I still need to buy all my stuff...vitamins, Protein Drinks and powder. I didn't want to buy anything before I got the insurance company's approval. I was afraid I would jinx myself. I'm sure my surgery won't be until at least the end of the month since I will be on a 2 week pre-surgery diet. I'm excited, but nervous. I just want to get going on this new stage of my life.

I have been tentatively scheduled for 22 July pending approval of my appeal. I am getting really freaked out about how long it is going to take to get the approval back. Accoring to my doc. he was told to get just a few things fixed on my paperwork and it would fly through I really hope that they will get me in. Cross your fingers for me ok?

I'm terrified to tell anyone other than family. I am a teacher at a very small school. News travels FAST in small towns. I believe my surgery will be the first of August right before school starts. I do not want to be judged. I've been judged my whole life about my size.

I'm sorry you had to go through that. I didn't tell many people but once I was already at goal I confided in someone that I'd had surgery. She is overweight and gave me that whole "I'm going to start a new diet and I know that will work, I'd never do what you did, it's too drastic, blah blah blah" thing.
Well, two years later she's back over 250 pounds again (she only ever lost 80 pounds and promptly regained them) and she lives in a constant cycle of crazy strict dieting followed by massive binges. She's miserable and unhappy and won't even talk to me anymore.
Oh well. You don't need those people in your life, I promise. Even though it stinks to be treated that way just let it roll off your back. In a year, they'll all be congratulating you on your success.
~Cheri

When I told my sorority group, I made it very clear that I was NOT asking for opinions unless they were supportive. I made it very clear that I did not want to hear any horror stories and if they had anything negative to say, they were welcome to do it behind my back. I let them know that I was NOT looking for their permission, but I their support if they chose to give it.
This group of ladies have been by besties for 20+ years but some of them are naturally skinny and have been vocal about WLS in the past, so I was nervous about telling them at all. I waited until about a week before surgery and I asked that my news be kept within our group.
I was amazed and tickled at how positive everyone was (at least to me directly). I've not heard a single negative word, thankfully. That said, I did not nor will I announce it in general because I don't want the response you got and I am so sorry it happened to you.
Keep your chin up and keep on moving towards your surgery with your head held high. This is NOT the easy way, the chance of you living life in misery forever and ever is slim to none and what you are doing is for the best, health wise. You are making a long term commitment to yourself and really, that's all that matters in the long run, right?

I was shocked that one of my friends who I thought would be the most supportive just went off on me about this was the complete wrong decision and I must be crazy, so don't feel bad not just your friends. I now take it all in stride. I made this decision for me no one else, and if they really get bitchy (like my friend) I point out that the risks of the surgery are alot smaller than me remaining the size I am. I also point out that I'm not stupid, I didn't just wake up one more drive to the hospital and tell them to cut me open..lol...I researched and spent alot of time soul searching and then of course the 3 months of insurance requirements. I think people assume they know about these surgeries when in fact they don't. Just follow your path! Don't let them get you down, and if all else fails, just tell me to shut the h*ll up!