natalie_christin

Wow! That's way different than what I've been told to eat. My surgeons office wants us to be on two Protein Shakes a day and then one small mail a day – no snacks… If you are snacking, you can have sugarfree Popsicles Or sugar-free Jell-O. I also have to avoid carbs altogether and focus on eating protein and vegetables- With no butter or oil. I am supposed to eat either chicken or fish…

I can't say I've lost that much but then again I really don't know how much I've lost. When I started this process – I did it because I hit 330 pounds and it scared me to death. I was on several medications for my rheumatoid arthritis that I can off of. I gained a lot of weight with prednisone. But, I ended up somehow losing 20 pounds of it within a few days – which to me was Water weight. It took me a little bit of time to get an appointment with the Surgeons office and apparently I was at 310 the first time and then 311 the second appointment and then today I was back down to 310. They were telling me that I needed more of a weight-loss. I wish they had started or had seen my previous weights… LOL I was a little frustrated today though. I went to my appointment and then they call me back telling me that they forgot to do was scan on me and asked me to come all the way back because they said it was really important. So I came all the way back, I have the scan and was on My way out and they asked me $100 for the scan. Nobody ever mentioned it or mentioned the cost or anything like that. I didn't even know that there was a scan I was supposed to get. Nothing in any materials or information that they gave me mentioned this body scan. I had to tell them I didn't have the money for it. I don't. I did Goodvine the Protein powders. I'm not sure what to do – they said that they would talk to somebody but, I'm wondering if I should email the contact I have from the doctors office maybe even the doctor – he gives out his email address as well. What do you guys think?

I understand that your novels – but you will do great! I hope to hear from you when you have time and are up to it after the surgery. Mine is on Tuesday… Luckily, even though I'm going to be in the hospital for 3 to 4 days, They have Wi-Fi. I guess we'll see how it goes. Blessings to you with your surgery. If you need to talk beforehand, I'm here. Natalie

Well, I had to get blood taken today for preop and just my regular everyday blood. And was I tried listening to music – at least in one ear for a short time, but, it didn't seem to work/help- I got stuck 11 times. They even brought and other people that were specialists in drawing blood. Then my blood coagulated too quickly and they had to redraw tubes are they already had drawn. I was definitely well hydrated – I always am. I had to talk to the doctor today and tell him that I was going to central line. I hate having them but, if that's the only option & way to go then I've got to do it. Who knows about the study? Maybe I did something wrong… Or maybe I'm just that hard of a stick. I didn't used to be.

These are all great ideas – I think we could all apply them to our situations. I have a week until my surgery… I better get started! An hour sounds like a long time but in the midst of things it really isn't. I just have to carve out the time. Something is better than nothing right? But I should very much continue This after-the-fact and after the surgery. With the guided meditations that I have includes see a white light on the areas of my body that have difficulties – or are in need of healing. This is something else that can be used to help and healing/meditation. Just thought I would share in case anyone was interested. Blessings, Natalie

I just thought I'd share this piece of information. My surgeons office told me that there have been studies to help individuals that are a hard stick when it comes to giving blood or getting an IV. They said that the study showed that when people listen to music while they are giving blood or Getting an IV placed, that for whatever reason – the veins are better or react better I guess… I thought I would just share this because I know I've personally I have a horrendous time when it comes to getting blood taken and IVs placed. I've had several central lines and they can't even do pic lines on me anymore. So, I'm going to try this on Monday when I go in for preop and see how it goes… But like I said I thought I would share. If it helps someone, it's worth trying. Blessings to all Natalie

I do listen to Meditation music and guided meditations at night – they hope we get tired or rested so that I can actually fall asleep. I have a great deal of trouble sleeping they really do help me. I just really wish that I could get into the routine of meditating. I have all the stuff I have everything I could want to or need in order to do that but I just don't seem to follow through. I think also, I got so much going on in my head that I can't stop thinking....

Thanks for the suggestions – I finally was able to talk to the nutritionist and the doctor and they're telling me to have nothing but chicken and vegetables – no butter or anything of that nature of course… I'm working on it. I actually went through the day and I wasn't hungry at all and I remember them telling me that after the surgery, if you're not hungry, don't we… I know I should eat more than a one meal today that I really just didn't feel like eating and then when did, I measured everything out and I couldn't even finish it. I guess that's a good sign… :-)

I don't know if anyone is interested in any of this, but I thought I would throw it out there. One of the things that I am planning on working on or I am trying to work on I should say is meditating and trying to raise my energy level up. I don't know if it will help or make a difference, But, there is a lots of information showing that an individual state of mind and mindset really affects their ability to rebound from surgeries. I believe in the possibilities of alternative healing. So, my goal is to try to meditate every day if it all possible and to really try to work on my attitude and things that nature. I am unfortunately one of those individuals that always has the side effects from his surgery or I'm always in that 1% of individuals that experience something that is not the norm. I found out earlier this year that I have severe rheumatoid arthritis and it helps to explain why my immune system is not always that great… So, it may be not helpful or it may not do anything but, I figured taking this road as an option doesn't hurt. I have gone through so much medically and Honestly I am scared to death of having another surgery just because of everything I've gone through. I'm willing to do it because I see a light at the end of the tunnel but I'm just hoping that the light is extremely bright and not filled with a bunch of problems. So like I said, I don't know if anyone is interested or is of the mindset that changing our energy or where we are throughout this process, makes a difference, but I thought that I would least throw it out there and see if anyone is interested in discussing it.

Hi lolasmom, Thanks for your encouragement – I definitely needed some right about now… Your surgery dates right around the corner – how are you doing with that? If you don't mind me asking, what part of Texas do you live in? I have a similar story – I moved from California to Texas in 2001… Blessings, Natalie

I can use all the support I can get.. Lol My surgery has been approved by the insurance… The tentative date that I have right now is for the 17th. I'm looking forward to it… I admit though I'm a bit scared and anxious just dealing with the idea of having surgery again but the procedure doesn't take that Long… It's all in the healing in the aftermath. Does anybody want to be on a liquid/broth diet with me for the three weeks after surgery? The diet isn't worrisome to me. It is just having yet another surgery. I have had approximately 20 now... I have my father as support... My husband walked out on me a month ago... So, that is. Difficult, but I am working on it and through it. One step at a time and one day at a time. Blessings, Nat

Well, the surgeries been approved by the insurance… The tentative date that I have right now is for the 17th. I'm looking forward to it… I admit though I'm a bit scared and anxious just dealing with the idea of having surgery again but the procedure doesn't take that Long… It's all in the healing in the aftermath. Does anybody want to be on a liquid/broth diet with me for the three weeks after surgery? If you're interested in more info… You can find it here: http://www.bmioftexas.com/default/your-options/sleeve-gastrectomy Their websites pretty informational and there's a lot of stuff you can look at…

Honestly, I don't know if it's really the pain that I'm worried about… Although I have had several situations where the pain was so out-of-control my doctors have a very difficult time control. I don't know if it has more to do with my own mortality… I've had so many surgeries so many complications that I feel like it could be very difficult going through yet another. We're going on really sitting down thinking about my fear is, I can't pay my finger on one specific thing. I just been through so much healthwise it doesn't help that my husband recently walked out on me… I never really needed anyone or felt like I needed anyone – I always about it with the gung ho attitude and take the world on at every turn but when you very much, you given and really show yourself and show them your weaknesses… Maybe that has something to do with it I don't know. I really didn't psychoanalyzing myself can you tell? I'm all over the place. By the way – I'm in San Antonio. Originally from San Diego.

Hello I am new here – I just found the application and thought I would Participate. I thought it might be helpful to talk to others that are going through this process. I've been considering bariatric surgery for almost 10 years now but, I never wanted to have the gastric bypass or the lap band. I have multiple illnesses and disabilities. To me, the sleeve seems to work the best as far as my needs go. My immune system is shot so, I have to be careful with anything that I do. I'm honestly extremely scared of the surgery. It's not the surgery itself but just having another surgery altogether. I have had close to 20 surgeries and they've all been difficult. So going through another one is a big deal for me. I'm almost completely through the process – just waiting on insurance approval. I should have that early next week. Despite my fears, I just want to kind of get it over with. Otherwise, I'll just continue to worry about it… LOL I just thought I would see if this was something that would be a positive thing or support group. I'm going through a lot right now my life and I am hoping That it'll get better soon. Have a good day, Natalie