Jo Brown

I totally agree about the nicotine in e cigs. My surgeon does not allow nictoine in your system. I use e-cigs that are completely nictoine free. For those who have surgeons that allow nicotine, the varying strengths may be a good option.

I quit smoking 3 weeks ago and stopped diet soda earlier this year. It has been really hard at times but with my surgery coming up close(9/10) I just keep telling myself that it is worth it. I love vaping! Found a bunch of places online that will custom mix flavors and nicotine strengths.

I have been very nervous about all this, my surgery is scheduled for 9/9.

So scary but the end result will be better than what we have all muddled through so far.

The dietitian told me the first 3-4 day are the worst of the 2 week diet that I'll be starting soon.

I'm planning on keeping my self busy with small things around the house to distract my frustration of a low calorie diet. I also have lots of YouTube videos book marked for helpful hints on how others made it through this. Along with probably tons of hours of reading things on this website.

You can do this, we all stumble pick yourself up & brush yourself off tomorrow is a new day! Good luck.

Nothing comes up for me when I click on the link. Do you have to be invited?

Same for me! I have been away from my computer all day long (working with about 30 kids on a circus:) ) and I am just now catching up!

I am September 6th... One month from today and I am from South Dakota. :-) September was the month in which I married, so I am excited that it is also the month of my surgery. We will have a lot to celebrate!!

Congratulations! An anniversary and a surgiversary all at once!!

I'm on my phone too. I think the simple name is good. The other I'm in is private so it doesn't show up on your friends newsfeed which I like.

I just tried to create the group, but....I don't have any people to add to it so I can't create it:/ I am soooo computer inept!

I have been away from a computer all day and I can't seem to start a group from my phone:/ If someone gets to it before me I am alllll over it!! If not, I will be on my computer in about an hour and I will come up with something:) Something simple-September Sleevers? I can't believe 9/10 is exactly 5 weeks away!!!

Yay! Another 9/10 here too:)

Yay! Another 9/10 here too:)

H-pylori is a bacterial infection which usually is the cause of stomach ulcers. Easily treatable, antibiotic for 7-10 days.

Do you think you have to be retested after the antibiotics?

On my way to my psych appt so nervous I don't want anyone to throw off my surgery date.

You are going to be fine:) Just remember to relax! They are used to people being nervous. I chatted about 100mph in mine and my psychiatrist just laughed a little!

Today, got the phone call, my date will be 9/11 ... hopping to have something good to hope for instead of so much sadness. To be honest, I feel anxious and nervous about what is to come... second guessing sometimes. Will start the 30 days pre op diet and try to do my best with exercising as well. It is really happening! Thanks guys for being here, for the support

• June 21st 2013 – first appointment, pre op evaluation, and testing; Nutritionist, physical evaluation, EKG and blood drawing, took sleep study equipment home.
  
• June 26th – Psychologist, first part of testing
  
• July 1st – Sleep Study results – have sleep apnea, start using CPAP
  
• July 8th – Psychologist, 2nd part evaluation with the doctor
  
• July 16th – Pre op consultation with my doctor
  
• July 22nd – Endocrinologist – discussing nutritional and activity recommendations
  
• July 26th – Cardiologist – New EKG and testing to start physical activity
  
• August 7th – Physical testing treadmill at the hospital
  
• August 9th – start 30 days pre op diet
  
• August 12th – Pre op class at Dr.’s Office
  
• September 9th – surgery day
  

Congratulations! I can't believe it is so close now. What is your 30 day diet like?

Hmm, maybe set as private and then just invite ppl to join on here? Post the info in the signature portion so if someone sees it they are able to join? I believe that is how other month sleevers did it, bc people were asking to join - but not 100% sure.

I'm going to go head over and start something:) I'll post as soon as I have it going!

Hi All!

I'm new to the group and pre-op. I'm tattooed and pierce. I'm to meet with my doctor to get my surgery date next week. However I've been wondering if any of you all had to remove any piercings prior to surgery? My nipples are pierced and I've never taken them out for fear that I couldn't get them back in. Other than germ issues, I don't see how they could pose any threat procedure-wise if they are sterilized. However I thought I'd pose this question to the group.

Jennifer

It depends on your surgeon of course but I would imagine that nipple rings would definitely need to come out. If there was a problem during surgery and they needed to use a defibrillator, the nipples rings might get in the way. I know some piercings can be covered with medical tape though!

First post to the boards -- just wanted to say that I will likely be going in September too. Can't wait!

Welcome and congratulations!

I'm on the surgery schedule for Sept 9th too, I'm not as nervous as I was, I have a dear friend that's been talking me through the process because she was sleeved in February. She's down 70lbs since Feb, that's with no exercise strictly diet change. She's been telling me exactly what to expect, and what I need to intake to stay hydrated and energized. Also informed me of any worse case scenarios like hers, she tested positive for the H-pyloren and was kept in the hospital another night because she couldn't get her liquids down. She gave me her favorite Protein drinks to try and premeasured cups for liquids and soft foods. I'm very glad to be out of work for 3 weeks to really invest in healing and closely following doctors orders post op.

I hadn't thought of the physical tools like measuring cups, etc. I have an electronic food scale, but I forgot about getting some of the other stuff in advance. Good reminders!

Has anyone set up a private Facebook account for September sleevers to join?

I don't think so. I want to do it but I'm not quite sure if I should set it up as Open, Closed, Private, etc. I want folks to be able to find it, but I want it to be private so not everyone can see our posts!

September 10 sleeves where are you!!

I'm getting sleeves at Lenox hill hospital scared and anxious and happy a bunch of emotions going on. What to eat how I'm gonna feel. The amount of Pain I'm going to feel.

I'm at St Mark's Hospital in Salt Lake City, Utah:) Woo hoo!

Hi guys I'm sept 10 as well. I am a bag of mixed emotions. Excited. Anxious. Nervous. Etc. i kinda wish it was already done and my new life was here cause im pretty good at freaking myself out. is anyone Nervous that the rest of your stomach is gone permanently? Is there anything that can happen in the future that might need the rest of your stomach to be there?

I am September 10th too:) I think there is another on the 10th with us, but I can't find her post! I am definitely nervous about the permanent change, but my fear of not being able to live because I'm overweight overrides my nervousness and fear about the surgery. I am super nervous about starting my liquid diet in just a few weeks. I just keep telling myself what everyone reminds me - keep looking at the big picture!!

Nicotine is also a factor in healing prooerly. No nicotine you would probably have to order online. I use Good Vapes in Dallas. They are awesome and very reasonable.

I finally read enough and placed an order. They folks were super helpful and I'm going to have some awesome flavor here by the end of the week:)

I quit the day after my appointment with my surgeon. I had gotten up to nearly a pack a day and was really feeling the bad effects. I was pretty much ready to quit, but the surgery sealed the deal for me.

I'm now 1 month 17 days smoke and nicotine free. I used the gum for a day and then cold turkey after that. I did get an iphone app (of course there's an app for that!), and as silly as it sounds, I love the app and thinks it's really helped. It tracks how long you've been smoke free, it counts how many cigarettes you haven't smoked (I have NOT smoked 941 cigarettes since I quit!), it tracks how much money you've saved by quitting and it even gives you little updates about all the good things that are happening in your body now that you aren't smoking. Sounds silly, I know, but especially the first few weeks, I checked the app obsessively and it really helped me stay strong. It's called "Quit It." I am so glad I quit, regardless of the surgery. I love waking up now without that awful heaviness and congestion in my chest.

And for what it's worth, both the smoke AND the nicotine are a problem with any surgery not just because of increased surgical risks (which are numerous and scary), but because they significantly hinder your body's ability to heal. Good luck everyone trying to quit--keep your eyes on the prize!

I love this too! I don't think any tool we give ourselves is silly. I am so happy for you being smoke free. I am making some physical goals for myself that do not include smoking. Its hard, but I know its worth it.

Smoke free 5 days

So happy for you! I know its a few more days since you posted that. As of tonight, I am 6 days smoke free:) It still hurts driving because I desperately want to smoke, but its getting better!

I just stood in front if my calendar with my husband trying to convince myself that it's been longer than it actually has. 74 hours as of 9:30! My sleeve and health is worth fighting for.

Will private groups show up in a search? I've tried "wls" and "vsg" but don't get a lot of useful results. Thanks

One FB group I found - The Sassy Sleevers. It's a closed group, but not private. There are a couple thousand members so there are always new posts. Pretty good! A September Sleevers group on FB might not be a bad idea either!

I'm sept 16th!! I have a 2wk pre op liver reduction diet of Protein Shakes for meals and Clear Liquids in between!!

That's what my pre-op diet is! My surgery is 9/10 and my liquid diet starts 8/27. I've been doing as much research as possible into the different Protein options. I'm also stocking my freezer with sugar free popsicles:)