katesuccess

Well guys, here we go! It's hard to believe I'll sleep with surgery tomorrow, but then that will be the easy part. I'm not scheduled until 2pm, and was told not even a drink of Water from 6am on. I'd rather an early morning one so I could sleep through it, but I guess someone has to go late in the day, eh? I hope all of you do well and have blissfully routine an dun eventful surgeries! See you all tomorrow -- sleeved! Kate

Current Weight is 276.5

While i'm not wanting to tell people in general (I don't like being the object of concern) I also won't outright lie about it. I've said i was having some gastric surgery to correct a longstanding problem, which iis true, but i figure eventually it'll come out. For those who work in medicine or other industry where you KNOW it'll come out - maybe preempt some of the negativity by saying that yes, you're having/have had weight loss surgery, but that you struggled long and hard with the facts and information and decision and didn't talk about it because you really didn't want to invite negative conversation about it so close to surgery. I know it'll eventually be obvious for me, and people will outright ask (one already has) so that's my approach. Today I told the first public group of people I work with that i'll be out two weeks and who will be taking my place - nice that they all wished me well and a speedy recovery, and no one pried! Next group gets told shortly. Hope it goes the same!

Gamergirl, you look AMAZING! Thank you for posting those pictures nad especially for what you wrote about emotions, how far things had gone, and how far you've come. I'm so impressed, and so happy for you. I love your practical truth telling attitude about slow loss and staying in the game too. Thank you VERY much - this post made me day. Kate

Rhonda - you look amazing! Congratulations!! On your success and healthier body. I hope to be there some time soon too. Well done!

Hey, good for you Easnj Ed! The preop was/is tough, and we have the same surgery day. So far so good--and as for worries, I figure worrying about potential pain just sort of starts it early. I know there'll be SOME pain, now just hoping for not too bad. Thinking positive and taking care to stay on track for this. Hope all goes well for you Tuesday! Kate

I'd go for the nurse option in a heartbeat, and charge it to a card if you have to. It's hard enough to get this surgery arranged and qualify, etc, without letting this swamp you out of it. If you're a church-kinda-gal maybe call the local one per your denomination. I work in one, and I have two different women here who (as a side business) help do small jobs and errands for elderly people who would do this in a minute for someone in need. God luck - and don't give up!

Hey I'm April 29th as well! I too can't wait to get this done! I'm really excited, and oddly, not worried about it. Our booklet says we needed to lose 5-10% of our excess weight, which is a pretty small amount, and do the prep diet for two weeks - and so far I"ve lost 13 pounds. Saw the doc last week and he poked around and said he couldn't find my liver, which is what he wants - lol. Said the prep diet is working and means it's not enlarged, but has diminished in size. Also this guy does the leak test while he's still got us on the table, so while apparently i'll be stuck with drain(s) and they use a catheter (ick!) I at least won't have to worry about waiting for the post up leak test. Take chapstick folks - that's what they say helps the most. Also someone said to take a small insulated cup for ice chips to keep them cold longer. Yippee! Almost there!!

I"m not sure if this is at all true,, but it helps me to think about weight loss this way some - so heard goes. My sister who lost 200+ lbs about eight years ago told me this per her TCM/MD doctor. She said that it's as if our fat cells hold body memories and emotions, just like we know the hormonal influence fat or gain loss has, it's like this for hard memories, and losing these old pounds of fat it's like we're processing the emotions from those memories as we lose them. I realize it's totally unverifiable by traditional medical standards, but when I think of it that way, it helps me let go of some of my bizarro feelings and sadness that I go through losing these days. Good luck to you, and I hope you're feeling much better soon and back to a more even keel. If not, please talk to someone who's a pro, okay?!

Congratulations to you new sleevers; dsmith, keewee, sslade! --and WOW at those 12 pounds! Glad you're all doing okay, even if some struggle with intake. I'm on for surgery Tuesday and can't wait. I'm not nervous or worried (I guess I'm a head-person about these kinds of things, and once I did my research, found the doc and made the decision, it feels like a non-issue). So glad you're all doing well - gives me hope and excitement for you and for my upcoming one. Great to know not to worry as much about the first few days of proteins too. I was wondering how that was going to go. Had my pre-op on Thursday, and learned my doc uses drains though. They sound somewhat unpleasant, but maybe they won't be as bad as all that. Keep posting guys - all the info is so helpful and we're cheering you on from this side too!

I love love my fitbit one! So much that after a few months I bought my husband one, and he loves it too.

I did that too, with my husband. He also was hesitant and had many reservations because of the "what if" thinking. The seminar was great, because he not only could ask all of his questions, but hear everyone else ask things he was hesitant to ask or had not realized were concerning him. He did a real turnaround, and is very much more supportive now. I hope the same happens for you!

Sorry to hear about that lousy experience with an uninformed doc, Odahospud! You might look up and call a bariatric surgical Center for Excellence in your area and ask if they have a suggestion for primary care doctors who work well with them in their experience. They will know who refers to them too. A least you'd screen out those who don't agree with WLS on principal, like I'm guessing your last doc was. Good luck with it, and don't stop trying to find one!

MaryMary - I"m so sorry you don't feel the support you need just now, but you're absolutely doing the right thing to take her to the information session with you. That's the smartest thing! Also get a list of what your surgeon expects you to need help with for two weeks - I"m surprised they require that long really. A lot of people go home and live solo with no help past the first 24 hours. I get that your housemates and others living there don't want to be responsible for your physical care, but i hope they're encouraging and supportive about you doing this. After that two weeks it'll be nice to go into a positive environment I'd think. And for the record, this IS pulling yourself up by the bootstraps! You're taking charge of dealing with a problem and no one but you can do it. She might be helping some, but it's your choice and your hard work that's going into it. She should be impressed you're taking this positive proactive approach - good for you!

Check the labels also - that one says it's not even yogurt, but a "dairy snack" which makes me uncomfortable. You often find you're basically eating jello made with milk and flavorings. As your doc or NUT for brand suggestions if you can't find ones as low as they say.

Thanks for the encouragement Blondiee. I just got back from my pre-op and all is well! He's pleased that he couldn't 'find' my liver and said that means my pre-op diet is doing what it ought to. Also said I'd lost 13 pounds - I said, 'No - ten' but then he told me their scale is heavy by a good three pounds! LOL. So even better. It's only been about 12 days on the diet too. No loss the past three days, but it'll come off when it does. I"m under 900 calories a day, so it pretty much has to. I'm so excited - Tuesday is my day for surgery! Yes!!

I'm glad you posted this, it seems so much like me as far as why I'm obese, my liquid diet starts 4/25 and surgery 5/9, I'm just going to dive right in and handle it like my life depends on it!! Much success to you going forward. Good for you! And well said - because basically our lives DO depend on it. Good luck starting your liquids tomorrow. It's not so bad when you know it's in pursuit of something you're ready for and believe in.

Just a head's up too - there's a couple of low carb ones that advertise themselves that way (Carb Smart is one) and I have to say I liked the idea until I really read the package. It doesn't even claim it's yogurt! It's nearly all chemicals and junk, but hey, low carb is hot so it sells. Just read the labels to make sure you're getting what you really want.

I think I used food to reward myself and to deal with emotional overloads. It was a great comforter and numbing device, and kind of a bizarro hobby and thing to look forward to doing for me. Also certainly anything worth celebrating was worth celebrating with lots of bad-for-me food, right?! Being the one who thought they had to make everything work in my family also meant feeling entitled to a reward for doing it all, being perpetually nice, competent, self-less, able, etc. That's exhausting at some level, and so food was also a way to gen myself back up, give myself a little break from life, and give myself some pleasure. Sadly my body now is so big it's not much pleasure! But i'm dealing well now and continuing to work through stuff like the above. I'm also excited about my own life now; surgery next week, walking daily, losing weight and feeling so much better.

I'm in - and I live in the Eastside (of Seattle) area. My surgery is next week - and I've gone to that Overlake group too. It's quite good, I agree. Randy does a terrific job of moderating it. They are also open to allowing others to come, not just people using Overlake's WLS clinic, and they meet again on Saturday.

I love having the right terms for things lil ethos! Thank you Woo woo! It's one of those little things that drives me to distraction when folks use the wrong one over and over. Nice descriptions too. I hope to need that panniculectomy in the next year or so myself!

Wow Blondiee, you have done GREAT! Amazing weight loss, and terrific about your size changes - but yes, the expense bites. I stopped at our local Value Village today though, and found a cute Jones New York cardigan and a wonderful summer T with sleeves long enough to cover my upper arms - FIND! Try the thrift stores if you can, and Costco has great prices on things like basic nice jeans. Just be sure to wear something like leggings to slip them on over - there's no changing rooms. My surgery is next Tuesday, and I'm SO jealous of how great you've done - I want to be you!

My fave especially as weather warms up is Skinny (or "Light") coffee flavored Frappucino =110 calories, no fat. -- decaf these days! A short NF latte with SF hazelnut is great too for my hot drink - again decaf. With great coffee you can't much tell the difference I find.

My op is 29th April too where in uk r u? XI wish I were in the UK! I spent three weeks in London last year, and never wanted to leave. I'm in the Pacific Northwest, in a city near Seattle. You? Oh my word I'd love to visit Seattle my friend came out there 2 years ago and said it was amazing! I'm in North England about 30mon car journey from Newcastle! I'm so nervous for next Tuesday now, I'm not telling anyone apart from my folks, my husband and 1 friend! You? Nervous some, but excited far more! The only ones who know are my husband, two adult daughters and my sister. I told my mum, but she's in the early stages of Alzheimer's and doesn't remember from day to day. I'm just not wanting to do anything to invite too much conversation about it or unsolicited opinions really. Yes, Seattle is beautiful and not unlike England in weather and climate. It was dry all day today, but the sun never made it through the trees where I took my hike today, so I got quite muddy in spite of the sunshine. I'm not sure where Newcastle is, but my trip took me to South Witham/Grantham for a few days - so lovely! I'm 8-10 days into the pre-op diet now, and more than last week I'm having head-hunger. Anyone else? It's making me nuts!! I bought some SF Jello but that's just not helping. Aurgh. Congrats to you Webhopper! And best of luck to you KeedyGettingWaisted! (WAY cute sign-in name by the way!!)

I'm leaning that way too. Only my husband, two daughters and sister know. I just don't want to invite protracted conversations about it. Or uninvited judgement of course--my own is bad enough! Lol.