CrazyJaney

I have a love/hate relationship with my mask. I've been waking up with headaches for several years - severe ones the past two years. I was so sleepy in the afternoons. But it wasn't until I sought out WLS that it all clicked. My BP had gone sky high and I was also waking up in the night feeling like I wasn't breathing. I felt put out when my WLS doc, in the preop meeting said "I'm certain you have it". I'm a nurse. I've harped on my husband for years about his refusal to wear his cpap. I had no choice but to have tge sleep study. The results show mild to moderate apnea but I had "severe" drops in oxygen when I had apnea (more than expected). So, I've tried to make peace with it. The pressure of air doesn't bother me in the least. I expected that to be the hard part but it wasn't for me. And I actually feel so much better. Headaches are GONE. BP tons better (started med at same time as cpap). But I loathe that damn mask. It makes me sweat, it itches, it loses it's seal, it leaves a red ring around my nose. Ugh!!!! I'm going to call to see if I can try another mask. I'm roughing it out though. The research is CLEAR. One study quoted at a Cardiology conference I went to in 2012 stated that there is a 35% increased risk of cardiac arrest in people with untreated sleep apnea. The effects to your brain and heart are significant. I absolutely feel better using the cpap. But I sure wish the mask didn't wake me up 10 times a night. Good luck to you. It's really not that bad and it's so worth it. Just frustrated with the details.

I take the pledge too. This is a hysterical post! But where do you go to whine if you can't whine here??????

I had to stop. I recognized the addiction and was spending money. I cursed the thought of it now. I got to level 240 and just gave up. Obviously someone in Vegas developed that game. They knew what they were doing. Good luck!!! This forum is actually a better way to kill time. Good for you.

Use the desktop version to sign up and get started and then use the app. It will make more sense that way. It's similar to WW or Livestrong if you've used those. I like it better than those apps.

Mine too. I trust him though. I had a lap chole without any issues. I've been consistently loosing preop. In some ways I wish he did so I could better prepare mentally. I'm going to do 50/50 for a few days before anyway.

Such a good thread and so very timely as I've been thinking about this a lot this week. (It's like you read my mind SupperFatty)! I have my last apt 2/14 and then will submit to ins and get a date. So, being a ways out still, I'm delaying the beginning of The End. I've lost 18 so far. I haven't had a real coke in months. I've cheated (eaten carbs) a few times but you REALLY do feel bad after (funny how detoxing from sugars and starches makes you realize how bad those foods make you feel). But still, a piece of Jett's pizza, lasagna, garlic bread, Japanese Steakhouse, pasta - I'd like to give those a proper goodbye - even if temporary. Pizza is SUCH a trigger food for me. Very hard to imagine eating that in slow moderation. I don't miss the coke or chips or sweets or even fast food which is a miracle! But pizza? I pray I'm one of those who never looks back at it. When do you start funerals? My doc doesn't do preop liquids except for 2days before. I'd really like to lose 6 pounds before surgery. Feels bad to blow it just to have "excessive" food funerals. The food addict in me wants to go get a pizza and sit in my car, alone, and eat it one last time. But my brain is already stronger. Maybe a pice or two.....

I'm glad to hear you can take Miralax early on. It's very effective.

I have heard the Hoo-ha does droop which is awfully sad. I know there is surgery for that but who knows if I could afford it later. I think a lot depends on age, skin type, etc. there are some forum dedicated solely to plastics and I've seen a few topics related specifically to lady parts. There are tons of threads on constipation. I'm preop so no expert but I'm hearing Milk of Mag is your friend. I've actually been dealing with it preop because I'm taking vitamins with iron. I'm a fan of Miralax (we use in the hospital and it works well) but I can't image putting that into a fresh post op belly.

I'll add "try 120 nurses" who are burned out and grumpy! Some days they can't say a kind word to their best friend at work! Being a teacher would be hard too - I'd be protective of my privacy too. Again, it might be different down the road....

I completely agree. This has been one of my bigger issues to consider too. I couldn't have said it better than 1day so I won't try but I'll add that I don't want to be everyone's topic of conversation at work. I am a boss. I already have enough naysayers on any given day and I don't particularly want my success or failure to be their everyday lunch conversation - even if I have a great rapport with most of them. I've told a handful of very close friends who I knew would be supportive. People freely share their thoughts - too freely, I think. I think there is a tendency for normal weight people to be completely unaware of the struggle that obesity is. Not all, but some. I have spent months educating myself and planning for this. I don't need a "know-it-all" explaining how if I just exercise and eat right I'd be fine. While there is truth in that, we all know there is so much more to the story. I will say that I think good things can come out of others knowing - maybe it encourages or inspires someone else. But for today, this is all me. I don't need the judgements of others because God knows I'm hard enough on myself already. This community is a safe haven and I feel like I can find what I need here. Someday i might shout from a mountain top but not right now. I hope you don't let the decision weigh too heavy on you. You are well within your right to your privacy. Best of luck to all of us!

I love this comparison and hope someday I look back and think about my EX hunger! Love it!

I hear you!!!! Exactly what happens to me. The compliments and attention from others causes this feeling of PRESSURE. I self sabotage. Why? I have no idea. I'm hoping and praying that THIS time, I'm more mature and have much more confidence, or conversely I have care a great deal less of what people think of me. Something about turning 40+ is liberating in that way. But I know exactly what you mean. Somehow we have to match what or body, brain, eyes and heart see.

I'm so glad yours went through. It would be hard to take a denial after coming all this way! Fingers crossed. It will probably be another month before I hear anything. I'd be so thrilled if I could get it done in Feb. best wishes to you!

I'm not sure which forum this thread lives in but you will probably need to go into both Sleevers and Bypass forums to get both sides of the story. People tend to have intense feelings about why they chose what they chose. Sometimes, one procedure is recommended over another based on goals and co-morbids. Make your appointment and talk, talk, talk to you surgeon and team. There is sooooo much information here on these boards but you need to come to a decision WITH your surgeon. I chose the sleeve for several reasons. Some studies suggest lower weight loss with the sleeve but many are extremely successful losing 100+!pounds. I am a nurse and the sleeve just made sense to me. I also have a strong family history of digestive cancers so I didn't want a "blind pouch" sitting there that can't be scoped later if needed. I also felt the re-routing of the intestines had a higher risk of complications. But, the bypass is the older "gold standard". My surgeon didn't push me either way. But if I had been a bad diabetic, I don't think he would have agreed to the sleeve. Best of luck. I'm very excited to get this show on the road!

I have Aetna but I haven't submitted yet. My BMI is 50 and I have several co morbids. I keep thinking that I'll be approved without problems but you're the second one I've seen that was denied first. I will be devastated if I'm declined. Did you have co morbids? What state are you in?

You could say "it's a female thing" and he will probably drop it. I'm hoping to be back in 10 days or less. I want some vacation days left for summer.

Bravo!!! I'm inspired!!!

I. HEAR. YOU. Like, I can completely and utterly understand. I'm pre sleeve. HW 325 (maybe more but not documented). I'm down 18. My head is my worst enemy. I have no advice except to say I HEAR you and you're not alone! Congratulations on being where you are, which is a long way from where you've been and somewhere different than where you are going. Positive energy sent your way.

I'm amazed.... I've always thought I was the only human being on the planet who did this. Who knew we weren't alone? Lol

I think it's normal. I am preop and have felt similarly at times. It waxes and wanes for me. I have moments where I'm so "into" prepping for this and then I'll start thinking how much I'd love some bread.. I'm finding out just how much of a trigger pizza is by trying to have just one piece. I truly have an addiction to pizza. It triggers all sorts of things in my brain. I do plan some funerals here in the next few weeks. Seems like the right thing to do but overall I'm ready. I've lost 18 doing low carb high protein but I'm stuck. I'm also on day 12 of a heavy period after not having one in 3 months. Sigh.... I'm really wondering what will happen with my periods. So screwed up already.

I had a catheter for 5 days after a surgery on my lady parts. I'm pretty sure I had the same sensation for a while.

This is exactly why I stay away from personal trainers. 2 years ago I lost about 30 pounds eating no sugar and exercising. I had this burst of confidence because I was feeling great and starting to exercise at a "real gym" so I took advantage of the "1st time free fitness trainer". Sweet, nice kid (prob 23) who did his best to make me feel comfortable in my 300 lb body at a nearly all male gym. I told him I had knee issues. I told him I was old (43) and that I was a nurse who spent 12-14 hours on my feet at a time and again, "bad knees". He had me doing box jumps even when I protested. Of course, I tore my MCL climbing up onto that box. Was on crutches for a week, escaped surgery but that was the end of aerobic exercise in 2011. Got depressed, fell off the wagon. No one listens to fat, middle aged women who are out of shape at a gym. I really think they feel like they are Jillian Michaels on The Biggest Loser and your capable of anything! I'd like to believe I could do anything but reality is, My obesity has damaged my joints. I pray, pray, pray I'll lose enough weight for the pain to go away and have some abilities to become "fit". But box jumping is out of the question. He really wasn't trying to get me hurt but he had no business "training" someone with severe Knee OA by box jumping. I took up swimming with the old ladies at the local rec and lost the majority of the 30 pounds later that year. I learned my lesson. I love the feeling of hard exercise. But I need to stay as injury free as possible. Injury = depression and frustration. Maybe ask for a PT consult to get a plan?

Jensnewjourney. I'd love more friends on MFP to get ideas of what people are eating.

Hello everyone! Dr. Williams at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, TN. Required 3 month supervised diet of high protein, low carb. No 2 week liquid required, just the 2 days before surgery. I've lost 18 pounds since starting in November. Last apt is Feb 14th and all should be done by then to submit for approval and get a date. I'm hoping for end of Feb but I'm thinking it'll be early March. So very ready to get this show on the road! Looking forward to getting to know y'all!

Atkins are the best so far. EAS is good. Advocare was horrendous. Just bought Unjury. Going to try tomorrow. Anyone have a good Strawberry flavor they'd recommend? Hands down, the Atkins Mocha is the best (so far).