FibroDiva

it was hard but this is what I ate: the tur part of turducken, honey baked ham, sweet potatoes, homemade mac n cheese, green beans, gumbo and some of nephew Darren's peach crack [i mean cobbler]. Actually, I think I manged to get one bite of each item for Thanksgiving dinner and the other bite for Black Friday lunch. I spent the weekend with my daughter and her family and my son. There was no pressure to eat. Everyone was so grateful and thankful to have been spared the destruction of the tornado. I did all the cooking and was so tired afterwards that I didn't even want to think about eating.

Heeeelllllp!!!! This is my first holiday post op. My family is from New Orleans so we start cooking the Sunday before Thanksgiving. My daughter lives in Peoria, IL in the area hit by last week's tornado. The family is traveling to her to support her, her fiance and their 1 year old daughter. They were not hurt physically and did not suffer any damage to their home but the work at the local news station and have been under a lot of emotional stress. I am nervous because all my life the only way my family has celebrated the good times, and shown strength thru the bad times is by eating. My family actually is insulted when one does not partake with large bowls of gumbo and plates of turducken, etc. etc. I have stopped testing the food as i cook it but what do I do when it is time to sit down and pass the plate?

I wear dreads. My journey to dreads has been a long and tedious one. I developed allergies to relaxers and dye about 7 years ago so I went to full head sew-ins. I let my hair grow natural under the sew-in. Then about 3 years ago I developed an allergy to the weave so I knew then it was time to be completely natural. Since I did not like my 70's Afro I went with twists and braids. Well, if you're allergic to weaves [synthetic or natural] then you're allergic to braid extensions. Nice thing, the 2 years I fussed around trying to find a style I liked, gave me enough growth to start with medium length dreads. If you decide to go this route, make sure you find a loctician who will not cut your hair. Many don't want to start with medium to long hair because it takes longer for them to lock. Also, if you are not ready to commit to locks, you can get them twisted [two strands or palm rolled one strand] and you have to untwist them once a week - maybe twice if your hair grows faster. It's been one year now and my dreads are now shoulder length. I bought myself a stand hair bonnet dryer and I wash my dreads once a week, twist them and then roll them on small rollers and sit under the dryer for about an hour or hour and a half. Just like when I was wearing a weave. I love my dreads, they are so versitale and easy to manage.

You must stay focused on why you are having the surgery, to get healthy. I had my pre op fears also. When that little voice started talking to me telling me why I should back out, I thought about passing out on a crowded street leaving my 5 year old granddaughter screaming and fearful. I thought about having 2 mini strokes within 2 months. I am happy now and I must admit it feels really good when my daughter says, "ah, mom you're looking better than me now-a-days".

congratulations moddd. You will do this. Good luck.

This will be my first holiday post op, and I'm battling the desire for emotional eating due to stress of worrying about my daughter who lives in an area hit by last weeks tornado. I'm going to visit her for the holiday and she wants me to cook all the Louisiana comfort foods of her childhood.

Linda305, don't be down on yourself. Don't dwell on the mishap. We all make mistakes and many of us cheat [pre and post op]. Just keep telling yourself why you are doing this. Forgive yourself and move on. If you don't like the taste of water, I don't, try infusing the water with fruit. Just pick out the fruit you like, cut it up and put the slices in the water container. This way the water tastes a little, "a little", like the fruit. Are you exercising? When I was about to join the police academy [many moons ago] I was told I had to lose 20 pounds in 2 weeks. I hated exercising but I went running every day. The surgeon and nursing staff will tell you to get out and walk at least 30 minutes every day. If you are not exercising, go to the mall and walk. I agree with Hotmess, if you are sick you should not have the surgery. Your immune system is comprised. Good Luck, keep us posted.

I wish I would have known how disgusting and frustrating the "frothing" syndrome can be. I wish I would have known that some people develop an intestinal problem that causes them to throw up when they have bowel movements [sorry I know this is an icky topic] I wish I would have known that I would be one of those people I wish I would have known that despite the slow weight loss, I would have to buy a new pant size every month. I wish I would have realized that the first things I would lose would be my baby face and my, umh, "girls". But I'm not complaining. I did this for my health and I'm am extremely happy.

Ooops, I didn't catch that. Thanks for pointing that out.

Thanks dylanmiles23. As I was reading your response a picture of my 21 month old granddaughter popped into my head. When she is finished eating she begins playing with her food :-) Thanks for the sentiment about my family. As I move forward through the holiday season I will concentrate on the fact that they are safe and not on the temptation of food.

congratulations on your success. Keep up the hard work.

something sounds fishy with the nutritionist. If your surgeon and the insurance company agree that you only need 3 months, I would ask the doc to get a date set and approved with the insurance once the 3 months have been reached. If they set and approve a date before the 6 months are up, then you don't have to do the extra 3 months with the nutrionist.

I found my pillow at one of those "As seen on TV" stores. It was $65 but you might be able to find it at a linen store like Anna's Linens. I also have stenosis and find the pillow very helpful.

It took me a while to get use to my CPAP. I sleep on my side and the mask and hose always seemed to get in the way. I broke down and bought a CPAP pillow which has cut outs or indendations for the mask and hose for side sleeping [left and right] and a cervical support for back sleeping.

Last month I found tall jeans at Old Navy. They are labeled as "Long". I bought size 16. Now, one month later those size 16s are too big. :-) Just found out that Water Tower Place in Chicago has a Tall Girl shop. Going to check them out after Thanksgiving.

My surgeon pushed thru my paperwork and I ended up having my surgery 1 month before schedule. He was so impressed with my expeditious compliance to all of his requirements. It would not hurt to ask why the nutritionist wants to see you 3 times more than what your insurance requires.

Congratulations Brenda, and good luck. I have a heart condition called Long QT. something to do with the length of time between heart beats. My cardiologist was in the O R during my surgery. It sounds like your doctor is very thorough and that you are in good hands.

sleevinit, everyone has given such great advice. Please allow me to tell you my story. Many, Many, Many years ago I was married and extremely obese. I have an exstensive family history of obesity and obesity related death. Doctors kept telling me to have surgery or I would die. My husband did not want the surgery. He did not want me to lose weight on my own. He kept telling me I was being selfish by trying to regain my health and lose weight. After a mild mini stroke brought on by all the extra weight, he began having an affair and eventually left me. You have to make this decision based upon what is right for you and your health. If you or your boyfriend are worried about how your body will change, ask him to join a gym with you and start excerising before surgery . This will help with muscle tone and to fight the flab post-op. Whatever your decision it has to be based on what you want and on your health. Good luck

Ask your doctor if you can blend fruit into your shakes. I found blending a frozen banana into mine helped with the feeling of fullness and I don't even like bananas.