JurneeOfOne

25 days to go!!! Looking forward to new beginnings. Glad I found this board. You are all so helpful. Helps ease the anxiety.

Hi,
Hoping to connect with other Hampton Roads sleevers.
Victoria

***************March Sleevers********
niassy151, March 5
lgmann78, March 5
vdub_tx, March 5
KajunGumbo, March 10
kkrose, March 11
adelair6, March 13
MyYear2014, March 14
snookiebaybehx3, March 19
darneka1, March 20
Lynne1029, March 20
Anyone Else?

Congrats on the approval....I feel nervous but more excited as well... You will do fine.... Just have faith and know you are doing something to improve your life..... my sleeve is scheduled for March 13th.... couldn't come at better time... my birthday is March 20th.... kinda like an early birthday gift to myself

I am March 13 also...when do you start your liquid diet

I am scheduled for March 11th!! I'm going to start my pre-op diet on Monday. So far I've only tried Premier Protein from costco. I'll be trying to get some samples and see what's out there! Exciting!

Mine is scheduled March 13....I am excited for all the March sleevers.. We don't have long to go

I have told no one of my surgery. Not even my husband. Everyone thinks I am having surgery because of ulcers. I have no idea what I'm going to do when my husband come to the hospital. I don't know if the doctor is going to tell him. I hope not. I hope my husband doesn't start asking questions. Do I feel bad..... Yes, of course. I'm doing this for me. I didn't want negative feedback on my decision. I didn't want opinions, questions, or concerns. I know my family will support me but they talk to much. My mom has always told me the best person to tell you secret to is yourself. So that is what I did.... Kept it to myself. Now, the ulcer wasn't a complete lie because while on this gastric sleeve journey I found out that I had ulcers but they healed with medication and diet. Don't get me wrong I feel guilty........ BUT; I have worked so hard for my family and friends. Put so much before myself and woke up one day realizing I didn't know who "I was" anymore. I was 5'4 200 lbs with bad knees and back. I spent 10 years in the military proudly before getting medically discharged. I was so consumed in my family and everyday life that I couldn't tell you what made me happy anymore. I had faked my smile for so long I couldn't even tell you what was real and what smile was fake. So I needed to do things for me. Mentally..... Spiritually ....... And physically! That is what I have done. For 3 years I have slowly got back to me and I am happy. So I made this choice for me and me alone. This was my gift to myself. Yes it was selfish not telling my husband and family and I maybe wrong, but I am proud of myself and I love me!!! My husband loves me and my family. Right now I am going through my pre op liquid diet my surgery is 1 March 2014. And nobody knows that I'm having gastric sleeve surgery but me.

I have told no one of my surgery. Not even my husband. Everyone thinks I am having surgery because of ulcers. I have no idea what I'm going to do when my husband come to the hospital. I don't know if the doctor is going to tell him. I hope not. I hope my husband doesn't start asking questions. Do I feel bad..... Yes, of course. I'm doing this for me. I didn't want negative feedback on my decision. I didn't want opinions, questions, or concerns. I know my family will support me but they talk to much. My mom has always told me the best person to tell you secret to is yourself. So that is what I did.... Kept it to myself. Now, the ulcer wasn't a complete lie because while on this gastric sleeve journey I found out that I had ulcers but they healed with medication and diet. Don't get me wrong I feel guilty........ BUT; I have worked so hard for my family and friends. Put so much before myself and woke up one day realizing I didn't know who "I was" anymore. I was 5'4 200 lbs with bad knees and back. I spent 10 years in the military proudly before getting medically discharged. I was so consumed in my family and everyday life that I couldn't tell you what made me happy anymore. I had faked my smile for so long I couldn't even tell you what was real and what smile was fake. So I needed to do things for me. Mentally..... Spiritually ....... And physically! That is what I have done. For 3 years I have slowly got back to me and I am happy. So I made this choice for me and me alone. This was my gift to myself. Yes it was selfish not telling my husband and family and I maybe wrong, but I am proud of myself and I love me!!! My husband loves me and my family. Right now I am going through my pre op liquid diet my surgery is 1 March 2014. And nobody knows that I'm having gastric sleeve surgery but me.

While your in recovery the surgeon will let your husband know everything went well. If your husband ask questions about the surgery your surgeon will more than likely answer the questions in detail revealing your secret-this happened to me with my aunt who was in the waiting room

Wow! I'm in awe of you. I wished I had your courage. Because some of the people I told were unsupportive and till this day the relationships has changed or maybe i just got thinner. Lol
However, I told my husband and yes he was concerned in the beginning and did not give full support. But when I took him my psychologist appointment , he, from then on begin to give full support.
I am Telling you in the hospital he did everything for me including holding me up the whole entire time. My husband has been a great support person. In this situation you really need someone. But I commend you for being able to be as strong as you are. And I wish again I wish I had your courage for the other people i told. Because some people did turn their backs on me. I tell you I couldn't have done this without my husband so you have to consider what's best for you.
We are here to support you regardless of what decision I respect you.
congratulations for start this journey

I said absolutely nothing. When people started noticing a difference (40 pounds lighter) and I felt comfortable I let them know what I did without having to feel embarrassed or trying to keep up with any untruths that I might of said early on. Just don't say anything and when you are comfortable with it you can let them know more. You don't owe anyone an explanation about your choices. Once you have lost some weight your confidence grows and you will be able to talk about it. It is done and your are proving what you did was the best thing for yourself.

This is a great article and I would use Hiatal Hernia too! Dont feed the gosip monster!

Wow! Amazing. .I'm not telling many people also. First my mom and sister was all for it , but once I got serious and started my 6 mnths pre op testing and diet. They flipped the script on me..oh well! Just glad I stuck to it. Hope to be sleeve sometime in March. They have no idea how my weight had affected my self image..that's the only issue I haven't in my life..healthy kids, great hubby and decent career. My hubby is behind me 100%, but of course he's scared for me. Praying I have no complications. Sister and mom don't know the physical pain I have with my body aches, severe knee pain and heel pain. And working in health care you are constantly on your feet.

Hiatal hernia surgery generally requires a special diet very similar to ours. Probably your best cover - and maybe your surgeon will be doing this anyway, many do this at the same time as VSG, so not a lie.
See:
http://www.upmc.com/patients-visitors/education/nutrition/pages/diet-after-nissen-fundoplication-surgery.aspx

Just tell them you are fine, you are going to be having some surgery that is very personal and that you appreciate their concern. Keep it simple.

Wow. If you had asked my advice, which you didn't, I'd tell you that it's going to be close to impossible to hide your change in eating and drinking habits from the people in your home. I'd also tell you that I imagine your husband would feel betrayed/angry/lied to when he finds out what you've done. I am not one that told the world - just my husband, kids and besties - but I can't imagine hiding something of this magnitude from my husband. I pray that you have no complications, but what if you do have a leak or a stricture? What if you develop a lactose intolerance or start dumping? How scary that would be for him if he had no idea what you did!
If you asked, which you didn't, I would advise you to trust your husband or ask yourself why you don't. This is a HUGE move towards your good health and one he should know about.
Yeah. That's what I'd say if you asked, but you didn't, so I won't.

I told no one...took vacation time for my surgery....
When I was loosing weight everyone was complimenting me, asking how I was doing it...
I simply said I was eating a lot less, have high Protein smoothies everyday for Breakfast, go to the gym everyday, no longer eat red meat, and what foods I do eat, I make the best choices I can....all of which is 100% true
That was over 2 years ago....today, I am at my "optimal" weight with very low body fat, no more left to loose....people have come to accept me the way I am now, loosing weight is old news and not a topic of discussion....and new people I meet don't know me when I was a fat unhealthy slob....

My father always say, "a secret is good between two people if one of them is dead".

Its everyones choice.. But not telling your husband? I don't think that's entirely fair to him. He's your life partner.
What will he be left to think if he loses you on the operating table? That the last thing between you was a huge whopper of a lie?
Sorry, not for me...

I agree with Madame R. If you love him enough to be married to him, I would re-think this. After surgery there is no way to keep this secret because so much will change fr you with food, Vitamins and meds. God Bless.

I respect your decision, only you know what's best for you, but are you sure you want to continue to keep this from your spouse? All I can say is, my wife would be hurt if I didn't include her in my journey, it would question my trust in her and she would know it. You're going to need support, the surgery is only one step in the process, you can get support on this forum at anytime, but in your day to day life you can't beat having your spouse there for you unless they are part of the problem.

Wow! I can tell you're a strong person - I admire that. Going thru this alone is amazing to me. I hope you reconsider telling your husband - if something happens or if there are complications, your husband will have to cope with the fact you kept this from him while potentially making decisions for you. That's a lot to ask - I know complications are rare, but they do happen and we all need to prep for them.
Best of luck to you!

Jurnee-
My surgeon required a family visit to discuss the surgery. Risks, benefits and home care immediately after. You may want to determine if your surgeon requires such a visit as well. Mine occurred the week before surgery...
Good luck to you