Katcloudshepherd

Good luck to y'all. I'll keep you in my prayers, alyce. I hope all of you having surgery tomorrow do well and have an easy recovery. Blessings, Kathleen

Hi everyone! I have a doctors appointment tomorrow to let me doctor know that I do want to move forward with the weight loss surgery. How long did the process take for you once you said yes let's move forward? Thanks in advance! I would write down questions you want to ask the doctor. This worked well for me. In the excitement you can forget things you meant to ask--at least I could. Everyone's requirements for approval and surgery are different. I was fortunate in that I had Humana Federal Employee PPO, not an Health Maintenance Option, (***) and it only had minimal requirements. I had a two month supervised diet with my surgeon's office. I started the process in September 2013, (9/30/13 was 1st appointment) had surgery 12/11/13. good luck, Kathleen PS. this is the 3rd edit--it kept putting asterisks in for H-M-O--I don't know why?

I've struggled with depression before and after surgery. I'm glad you are seeing your therapist Thursday Wisdom2KnowTheDifference because that is best. You are so correct JamieLogical you will have to deal with difficult and uncomfortable feelings after surgery without turning to food. Like I have said before, the mental part of this is much more difficult than the physical part--for most people. Like Teresah18 said, once you have the surgery--you will have a physical tool to manage the bodies hunger mechanism and that made a tremendous difference for me. Hopefully you will be one of the lucky ones who does not experience hunger after surgery. For me that was the best thing that could have happened. It gave me a chance to work on the other parts like my "fat brain" way of thinking. Good luck to you. I hope you both have uneventful surgeries and easy recoveries. Blessings, Kathleen

Dragonsmate, I had the surgery at 48 and was already starting menopause when I had the surgery. I am officially now menopausal, since I haven't had a period in over a year, going on two years. I have occasional "personal summers" but THANK GOD they haven't been too severe. I remember my mother's and I hope I don't get to experience the same kind of "power surges" she had. She would turn bright red and just start sweating. Too bad that "power surge" can't be harnessed in some way . You had your surgery in February and you've already lost 86 pounds. WOW! That's very impressive. I agree about the Texas heat. It's been triple digit and I am so ready for the fall cool-down. We're supposed to get a "cold" front through and the temperature is going to drop down to 97--man I better get my sweaters ready--NOT . At least now I don't sweat as much as I used to! All this talk about sweating is making me thirsty , Kathleen

You're welcome. Like RJ said everyone is different in how they have conversations. I've lost 100 pounds and my excess skin doesn't bother me but I'm not one to wear a bikini in public . I do wear a swimsuit about 3 to 5 times a week--a one piece for me. I will confess, I have had non-surgical work on my face and neck. I was getting Botox before surgery and after surgery I had the procedure where they use radio waves to tighten the skin on the neck. It has worked but not as well as surgery would. I'm saving money and if I can save enough, I'll have plastic surgery probably only on my "bat wings". I can live with my stomach and legs for now. To me, they don't look that bad. If I can save enough money in a few years I'll have more plastic surgery. I don't have any medical conditions that would cause my insurance to cover it--so I'll be financing it myself. The reason I get in the pool is because no way in Hades could I do on land what I can do in the Water. I have so many orthopedic problems I can't exercise any other way. Walking is GREAT exercise if you can do it. Before I had to start using the pool, I was walking several miles at a time. If your body can tolerate it--keep walking and as you lose weight--up the distance. Walking is one of the least expensive ways to exercise since you usually only need a good supportive pair of shoes. I wish you the best, Kathleen

Hang in there honey. It will get better and everyone has their own time table as to when. I felt much better when I was still restricted to Clear liquids and was able to drink some Isopure clear Protein. Until then, I felt so incredibly weak. I don't think the beef and chicken broth was giving me enough protein. Once I purchased the Isopure and drank it I felt better. Hope you feel better soon. Like others have said, get that Water in and the protein the doctors allow you to have. Your body has just been traumatized by the surgery and it needs lots of TLC to recover. Kathleen

Wow! no pre-op diet. That's great. So happy for you I hope you have an easy time through surgery and recovery! Blessings, Kathleen

Sandstress51, I just read the string of posts you are referring to. I think many people are coming to this site in a heightened emotional state. People are in different stages of the process--going through the required supervised weight loss, getting all the pre-op work done, waiting for approval, getting approval and setting a date, going through surgery, recovery and subsequent absolute utter complete life changes. During all those stages we are all under a tremendous amount of stress. I think during all the stages peoples emotions are so raw and near the surface that things which would otherwise not bother us--set some people off. People who have not undergone a COMPLETE lifestyle change have no clue just how stressful it is. I don't have any answers but that is my theory as to why some posts turn more negative. I hope your surgery goes well and you have an easy recovery. Blessings, Kathleen

Hey all, I was just sleeved on Friday and I feel like garbage. Im tired constantly, cant get my fluids in (have gotten about 24 oz of Water a day) and only maybe 20 g of Protein. Anything more and I want to puke. I also had a Haital Hernia repair and I think thats whats causing this bad pain in my chest. That is the most annoying thing. That hurts everytime I swallow. I want so badly to be the good patient and do what Im told but I feel so awful right now and dont care if I get protein in. Ok I do care but I just feel so emotional about it. Speaking of emotional, I feel like Im on the verge of tears constantly. Is all of this normal? Im so unhappy right now and wish get in my fluids and protein and be happy with this but Im not I need some cheering up, any stories of similar tantrums and how you came out golden on the other side?? Sorry for the pity party, I just dont have anyone to vent to right now! Having your surgery on Friday means your body still is reacting to the anesthesia and trauma of surgery. The anesthesia alone will make you more emotional. I was in the hospital and the nurse was taking blood and I was bawling like a baby. Try and sip as much water as you can and walk, walk, walk as much as you can. Like someone else said--you have to get through this. Hope you start to feel better soon. Kathleen

Congratulations! Before you know it you'll be traveling down the "loser's" highway with us!!!

I used to require a size 13 M or even 13 W. Now I can wear a 12WW. My feet are long and they have gotten "skinnier". I notice there is actually a noticeable space between my toes! It helps me tremendously because there aren't many woman's shoe companies that make a size 13 but many make size 12WW. Still depends on the style for comfort in wearing. I don't wear ANY heels--don't' need to and my knees and back could never take wearing heels. I always wear flats. Kathleen

Congratulations! You look absolutely fabulous! :) I'm so incredibly happy for you. Kathleen

Good luck for your surgery. Take it easy and slow after surgery--give your body time to heal but walk as much as you can. When you are cleared to be able to drink--sip, sip, sip. Getting that hydration in is key. Your body needs that Fluid to heal. When you go home, continue to walk as much as possible and sip, sip, sip. Blessings, Kathleen

RJ'S/beginning, So happy for you!!! After everything you have been through, I'm so glad you are finally getting to being healthy. Wishing you continued success. Blessings, Kathleen

Sending positive thoughts to you all. Like it was said BREATHE. Take it slow after surgery. I walked, walked, walked in between trips to the bathroom. My surgeon gives two IVs to fill you with fluids. When you're cleared to drink: sip, sip, sip. A big problem after surgery is dehydration because you can't drink very much at one time. Your body needs the fluids to heal as well. I had someone at home to remind me to sip, sip, sip. I also did a lot of walking after I was discharged from the hospital. The walking helps prevent blood clots. You DON'T want a blood clot. My husband almost died from one when he had a surgery, not a weight loss surgery. I hope you all have successful, uneventful surgeries and easy recoveries. Kathleen

vbm510, I was taking the narcotic pain medications a little longer due to not being able to take any Non Steroidal Anti Inflammatory Drugs, (NSAIDS). Think prescription strength Advil. I was SO INCREDIBLY BLESSED to have a cousin, who I'm very emotionally close to, drive for me until I could get off of the narcotic pain killers. It was over a week after surgery for me. If I didn't have to substitute for the NSAIDs, I would have been able to drive a couple days after surgery. You can ask as many questions as you need to. We can offer advice from our experiences, but your doctors are the ones who can give you a medical answer. Good luck with your surgery. Kathleen

fezik23, I remember when I was cleared to eat scrambled eggs after forcing myself to drink broth for a week. Man those eggs tasted good! Congratulations on your weight loss and progress. Blessings, Kathleen

48 years old 338 pounds 6 feet tall arthritis in knees, herniated disc in low back, 60 degree kyphosis in upper spine and arthritis in spine both upper and lower.

I don't believe I was standing. I thought I was lying on a gurney. I was wheeled to the OR on a gurney AFTER they had given me a shot and I was out cold. I was under anesthesia so I truly don't know for sure. If you were standing, you'd have to be strapped to the bed somehow? I don't know about having the weight loss surgery if you are having another one. It took the use of my legs to get me out of the hospital bed to walk. My torso was sore and I needed all the strength my legs had to walk. However, I remember the hospital had walkers to assist with walking after surgery--if I needed one. I hope what ever way you decide to do it--it works out well. Kathleen

Shayne, WOW! Absolutely WOW! I am so happy for you! That "Happy" song plays in my head. You are truly smart with your comment: "There are no ladies in my life now, but I know one day I will attract the lady of my dreams. Matters of the heart cant be rushed." Take your time finding the "right" one. The best person to marry is someone who is also your best friend. Best friend marriages last longer and withstand tough times. That is coming from 49 years of living--not any kind of scientific research. Again, I you look fabulous and I'm so happy for you. Kathleen

I thought ulcers were caused by the bacteria Helicobacter Pylori., (H. Pylori). I wrote a paper in a college class that the person who proved it was caused by the bacteria had to infect himself with the H. Pylori to prove it. I can understand the concept that coffee is very acidic, but my understanding of uclers is that they are caused by the bacteria. I've been drinking regular coffee, (about 4 to 6 cups a day), ever since I was 3 months out. Kathleen

FANTASTIC!!! Never heard of compression capris? Are they comfortable? I tend to wear very loose fitting clothes because it's so hot in the summer. Blessings, Kathleen

polygirl, Congratulations on your successful surgery and YES a 35 pound weight loss is still significant! Every body has different DNA and it's not fair to your body to try and compare it with others. We are all different and it stands to reason we all lose weight differently. As others have said--this is a marathon and not a sprint. I was just moving a box of kitty litter the other day, (26 pounds) and I thought DARN this thing is HEAVY! No wonder I was so tired all the time carrying around several times that in excess weight. Blessings, Kathleen

poginut, congratulations! I almost had lap band several years ago, I went through the whole process and got to the point of actually setting a date for the surgery. I changed my mind and I'm SO GLAD I got the sleeve. I'd do it again in a heart beat. Good luck with your surgery, Hope you have an easy recovery, Kathleen

wolfmom71, Hello from a fellow Michigander who grew up in Michigan and is now a transplant to Texas. PLEASE do not wait to get help from your primary care doctor or counselor for depression. I went through a bout of severe depression when I was several months out from surgery. I had to have prescription help and counseling to get me through it along with exercise. Slow weight loss is most importantly a loss. This isn't a sprint it's a marathon. Good luck to you, Blessings, Kathleen