CrazyJaney

Vanderbilt's support groups are open to all. Meetings held at 100 Oaks.

Vanderbilt's program at 100 Oaks is open to anyone.

I love your outlook Fluff! Labels freak me out, leading to negative feelings. Eating Clean with a percentage attached is reality and I can live with that. Cheating makes me feel awful. I know with true addictions, there are substances you just can't have. I do understand the all or nothing mentality. But I also think you need to make some peace with what's normal and what's excessive. Eating one bite of cheesecake and being accountable is normal. Eating a whole cheesecake is not. Eating a whole piece is not good for any of us. Moderation has always been hard for me (probably for most of us). But I like how you put it. I can like myself and feel this is achievable thinking that way.

I am preop with Dr. Williams at vandy. No date yet as you don't get a date until approved. Should submit to ins mid Feb. I've been to nor support group at Vandy and it was really good. Their groups are open to anyone. Meetings are at 100 Oaks. Look at their website for times. I'm happy to be supportive to you too. I'm excited and nervous!!! Ready to get this show on the road. I live in Columbia, work in Franklin.

Me!!!! I'm preop. Who is your surgeon?????

Me!!!! I'm preop. Who is your surgeon???

I know this an old thread but I'm curious how you are all doing. I'm preop and have similar dimensions. Would love an update!

I loved it! You shine brightly!!!

Me too!

I'm just preop but I only do well if I enter every, single morsel that passes my lips into My Fitness Pal. It's the best tool I've ever used. I even ate a cupcake today (not gonna happen after surgery) but I counted it. I took responsibility for it. If I hadn't, I might have added a brownie or some chips that were sitting there too (at a baby shower). I also pre-measure everything I eat at home and enter it into MFP. I bought a scale from amazon and I've been weighing everything. It's time consuming but it's helped so much. I've lost 14 pounds doing this. I need the sleeve though, to help me do this consistently. I'm averaging 1200-1500 calories. I know I need less. Hunger is hard. I'm hoping the sleeve helps with calorie restriction. All of these tools come together and hopefully equal success. I can see if you remove one tool, you can fall apart. I'm just a newbie but I'm just so thankful for everything I've learned from the vets! So much support and knowledge here.

Hey there. I'm a nurse manager. What happens when a nurse has surgery (at least at my hospital) when they don't qualify for FMLA is, they get an approved medical leave (usually no more than 30 days, or 6 weeks). If you have PTO, you have to use it, but even if you run out, your position is protected. You'd be in a bind if you had complications, possibly, although HR has extended leaves when the person is expected to come back relatively quickly. But it seems like most people are out only a few weeks. I won't let a nurse work on lifting restrictions unless they are 30 pounds or more because the natural inclination is to overdo. Might want to find out ahead what your surgeon would expect.

Clap-clap-clap!!!!! I'm using this later. Awesome!

I love it!!!!!!

Oh, honey - you are so not alone. I'm right there with you. I heard my surgeon (I'm still preop) speak at a Cardiology Conference to a huge room full of Physicians. I had no idea that there would be a presentation on WLS. At that time (2 years ago) I had a negative view of the RNY and hadn't heard about the sleeve. He presented HARD data about the success rate of WLS, CURE to comorbidities, and extremely low complication rate. It was overwhelming data. He said "obesity is much more complex than what science can understand, it's not just about diet and exercise and will power. If it was simple, we would not have an epidemic. This is a disease and has a treatment that is successful". I was sold. Still, there are many in the medical community that aren't 100% sold. Change takes time. I've finally gotten to a place where I'm able to see this really happen. I've chosen not to tell many for the simple reasons you stated. I don't need their negativity. This is a life changing opportunity. It's a life SAVING opportunity. I refuse to let others opinions hold me back. I've done every diet out there. The most I've ever lost is about 40 pounds. Usually gaining extra once the diet was done. My high weight was 325. My current is 313. Not a day goes by that I'm not in pain. No Pain, No Gain is a fallacy -unless you want to end up having surgery sooner, rather than later. I am right there with you. But no one is going to hold me back because of their fear or issues. Not this time. Very few people can have true empathy. That's the great thing about this site. I feel like it's really the only place people could understand me. Best of luck to both of us - we can do this!!!!!

I agree. Very courageous. You are not alone.

Not untrue but definitely condescending. Condescending = Not Helpful. Shame and judgement not appropriate here.

What's wrong with Truvia? I'm not well educated on this but it's so helpful to put just a drop in Greek yogurt. I thought it was better than some of the others. Does it cause dumping?

I'm Pre-op too and have a history of severe nausea post-op, from narcotics and also get sea-sick, car-sick, air-sick. My last two surgeries (Gyn stuff and then my Gall-bladder) they gave me Decadron which is a steroid. IT IS A MIRACLE drug for nausea. I am not sure if they will let me have it this time though because I know they don't like you to have steroids (for healing purposes). I usually stop narcotics ASAP and go to Extra Strength Tylenol - but do they make that in liquid for post op??? I have also needed Zofran for a few days after. Im worried but it's good to know that several had little problem with it. I can't imagine vomiting after surgery on your stomach. I've had the patch, reglan, pepcid pre-op too but the only thing that really works in Decadron (and it doesn't make you sleepy which means you can recover quicker). Fingers crossed I will get a CRNA who agrees to it!

Best wishes to you and hubby! Keep us posted!

I love all the good stuff RJ posts! Happy New Year! 2014 is looking good, I'm ready!

I can't wait to get this show on the road! Hate the waiting period. I'm ready now! Glad you had good experiences with your Dr.Williams!

If it makes you feel any less alone, I haven't told either of my parents yet. And I'm 45, married, have 2 children and a successful career. My mom is ultra anxious about anything medical and cannot be swayed, even with data presented to her. My dad, while more supportive of medical procedures, will have comments and thoughts about ME that will make me less confident in myself (he's certainly one of the main characters in my becoming obese). I will tell both of them eventually. I'll tell my mom just before (maybe a few weeks before) so she has less time to be worried. I'll tell my dad when I feel like nothing he can say will hurt me (not sure when that'll be). I will say this.... The last time I weighed 130 was probably 6th grade. The last time I was in the 160's was junior year in high school. I was 200 through college. After college, 2 kids, marriage, etc I've reached a high weight of 325 at 45 years old and a BMI of 50 (not to mention all the co morbids that will eventually catch up to anyone weighing 325 pounds). If I could go back to 22 (when loneliness and depression were getting a good grip on me) and I was ballooning up (actually I went from 235 to 190 from age 23-25 but gained it all back and then some -because that's what happens without long term changes) ..... Basically, I HATE that I waited this long to get help. You have sooooo much life waiting for you. It breaks my heart to read how you're feeling because I know exactly where you are. That was me. My parents would have tripped if I'd said I was going to Mexico to remove 80% of my stomach when I was 22. But, please, don't stop investigating, researching and planning. If I could go back.... The things I would do different. Actually, the technology didn't exist when I was 22 but you get my drift. Don't give up. Start gathering info. Save money. One day at a time. Please know that there are thousands of us who know what you're going through. Hang in there. Be strong. Take care of you!

How's it going? How are you feeling?

Tattoos! Except they should say "Not just a pretty face!"

I am preop but so far I love him! I'm a nurse and a hard sell too. His heart is def in right place.