MrsGloMartin

Hi, I too have an addiction to sugary, fatty foods. When I made the decision to hav emy surgery I decided not to tell anyone but my hubby and my neighbor who had the surgery in October 2013. My reason for this is based on the reaction i see among freinds and family members who have had the surgery and the opinion that the surgery is the easy way out. We both know that's not true so to avoid this negativity so I can concentrate on me I'm not telling anyone else. My way of getting the additional support that my neighbor and hubby may not be able to provide is this site and I joined over eaters anynomous. I'm getting support with my decision to have the surgery from my best friend, my hubby and my neighbor, plus I'm getting the emotional and psychological support I need to help me understand my addiction to foods that are bad for me and how to overcome come it. I hope this helps you somewhat for me it has made my network of support much wider.

I am not telling anyone about my upcoming RNY next week. Only my husband and children know I am doing this and one close friend. I have realized I have an addition to sugar. My husband says I need to be open about it to help me overcome.

I tend to develop Keloids. Whenever I get cut I start a regime of Vitamin e oil and do cross friction massages. It's basically rubbing hard across the width of the scar. It keeps it from forming.

Thank you so much. I'll share this information with her she's probably never heard of this as she has several that are really large and ugly looking. She was going to try to have them removed surgically but decided not to after learning that there's a 90% chance that they'll get even larger after surgery.

I'm a week out of surgery. I'm in minimal pain and I had turkey for lunch. I'm in Tampa getting ready for my cruise to Belize. I planned everything perfectly. We are all winners!! We can do whatever we put our minds to. I took my nursing exam 3 days after my surgery and passed my boards. While on pain meds. We are stronger than what we think!

Congrats to you!!! You are correct, "We are much stronger than we originally believed we were" enjoy your vacation, and way to go on passing your boards!!!

Mrs. GloMartin I had bariatric surgery called Roux-En-Y which is referred to as gastric bypass surgery. I am 11 months post-op. I lost 20 pounds pre-op and 80 pounds post-op for a total of 100 pounds. I am now at 160 pounds and I don't regret my decision to undergo surgery. I reached my happy state at around 6 months after surgery and have been in a happy state ever since. So remember, in spite of all the hassle ahead, there is light at the end of the tunnel.

All I can say James is I want to be like you!!! I admire your success and your ability to focus on the importance of changing your lifestyle around in an effort to adapt to a lifestyle of wellness. I will be following your steps as I move from pre to post op. I appreciate your willingness to share all of your journey with us, God bless.

I have surgery scheduled for Friday 4/25. Been on liquids since 4/10 and I am so ready for this to happen!!

Congrats and good luck as you near your date. The liquid diet sucks but it's so worth it. God bless!!

Hello, I've been on this site since march and today is the first time seeing this thread. I'm having my surgery on Monday the 21st and I'm glad that someone started this page because I'm really worried about the possibility of developing keloids at the surgery sites. I don't have any myself but I have a friend who's had the surgery and upon healing she now has several large keloids on her stomach where the cuts were made to insert the scope. Has anyone heard of this occurring in African American patients after surgery before?

"YES LADIES, IT'S OUR TIME TO RISE, IT'S OUR TIME TO SHINE!!! IT'S OUR TIME!!!"

"NERVOUS, EXCITED, & VERY ANXIOUS"

OMG, 2 MORE DAYS AND I BEGIN MY TRANSFORMATION FROM UNHEALTHY AND DISGUSTED WITH MYSELF TO HEALTH AND HAPPINESS!!! WITH ALL OF THESE FEELINGS AND EMOTIONS SWIRLING AROUND WITHIN ME I CAN'T WAIT FOR MONDAY MORNING TO FINALLY GET HERE. I WILL BE THE FIRST SURGERY OF THE DAY SO I HAVE TO BE AT THE HOSPITAL BY 6:00 AM. I RECEIVED MY ORDERS AT PRE-ADMISSION TESTING TO AND I'M NOT SUPPOSED TO HAVE ANYTHING TO EAT OR DRINK AFTER 12 PM SUNDAY NIGHT AND TO SHOWER THE MORNING OF THE SURGERY. NO JEWELRY, LOTION (UGH, I HAVE EXTREMELY DRY SKIN AFTER A SHOWER, NOT GONNA BE A PRETTY SIGHT), OR DEODERANT. AM I READY? YES!!! WITH ALL THE RESEARCH I HAVE DONE, THE SUPPORT FROM EVERYONE ON THIS SITE, THE INSTRUCTIONS FROM MY DOCTOR, NUTRITIONIST, AND MY OR NURSE I FEEL THAT I AM READY. I REALIZE THAT THERE WILL BE SOME ROUGH DAYS AHEAD BUT I'M FOCUSED ON THE BIG PICTURE, REGAINING MY HEALTH AND MAINTAINING IT FOR THE REST OF MY LIFE, FOR ME WITH MY ADDICTION TO SWEETS AND FATTY FOODS THAT'S GOING TO BE THE REAL CHALLENGE. I WILL KEEP EVERYONE POSTED ON MY JOURNEY AFTER SURGERY AND FOR EVERYONE PRE AND POST OP I PRAY THAT YOUR HEALING WILL BE AS EASY AS CAN BE EXPECTED AND THAT THE ROUGH TIMES THAT WE ALL KNOW ARE TO COME WILL NOT BE TOO ROUGH THAT YOU CANNOT FOCUS ON OUR PURPOSE TO LOSE THE WEIGHT AND ADJUST OUR LIVES TO EATING AND EXERCISE THE ESSENTIALS FOR MAINTIANING WEIGTH LOSS AND BEING HAPPY.

For the pass few years my weight has been up and down. I've tried every diet, spent $1000's on gym memberships, diet pills and anything else that I thought would help me lose the weight. I have sizes 10 to 20 clothes to select from and it seems I may be moving up a size. My job requires me to dress business casual, but being a big girl, I spend more just to feel comfortable and look nice. I've have had people come and say, you getting a little thick but you still cute. It's funny that some people think overweight people are suppose to be unattractive. I just say thanks and keep it moving. Glad I don't have a self esteem issue or else I would have given up. Nov. 26, 2011, tragedy struck, I lost my father and almost 90 days later Feb 4, 2012 my mother passed away. After the passing of the two people I loved the most, I started picking up weight because food was my friend. I tried to stop but it was hard. I found myself at my highest weight Jan 2014. I made an appointment with my doctor and she suggested I look into surgey. And here I am today, one visit from meeting with the surgeon to set the date to becoming a healthier me and be here for my two kids.

Hi Debra, congrats on making the decision to change your life and most important of all, improve your health for you and your children. My condolences to you as you mourn the loss of your parents. I pray that the support and encouragement you find on this site will provide you with the strength to move on to your journey to health and happiness and provide you with encouragement that helps you to be successful as you grow stronger in accepting the loss of your parents. God bless you on your journey and welcome!!!

Hi James, I realize that this is the calm before the storm but I am prepared for this journey. My relationship with food did not just begin it has been a lifelong affair. It took me five years to get up the courage to have surgery because I kept telling myself that I could do it on my own. Everyone thinks that wls is an easy out but it is not. It is actually not for the weak minded because it takes everything you have within you to be successful after surgery. This is why I am a member of OA because I realize that my addiction to sweets and fatty foods is at the root of my obesity. I've done my homework and I have the support from family, church, community, and friends because at the end of the day we cannot make it in life on our own we need a good support system to keep us focused and encouraged when times get rough. Have you already had your surgery? If you have which surgery did you have?

I lost 20 pounds pre-surgery. It went a long way towards achieving my bottom weight. So your loss of 32 pounds is a good step in the right direction. I too broke the rules prior to surgery on diet. But your post-op diet will be very, very hard. It is not due to the need of willpower but rather the sheer complexity (meal size, Protein, Water, Vitamins, medicine). After surgery, I found that I had lost all hunger. It is easy to lose weight when you have no hunger. It takes no willpower. It is no diet. But eating is a balancing act. Good luck on your surgery. You have the will to succeed.

Lol, I'm cthu because I ate that fried chicken leg before I knew what I was doing and boy did it taste good!!! When I realized what I'd just done I had a second of guilt trying to come in but I quickly realized how long it had been since I ate anything but broth, Jello, and other clear liquid and I patted myself on the back and forgot about feeling guilty. I'm grateful that it will all be over on Monday.

Hi James, I realize that this is the calm before the storm but I am prepared for this journey. My relationship with food did not just begin it has been a lifelong affair. It took me five years to get up the courage to have surgery because I kept telling myself that I could do it on my own. Everyone thinks that wls is an easy out but it is not. It is actually not for the weak minded because it takes everything you have within you to be successful after surgery. This is why I am a member of OA because I realize that my addiction to sweets and fatty foods is at the root of my obesity. I've done my homework and I have the support from family, church, community, and friends because at the end of the day we cannot make it in life on our own we need a good support system to keep us focused and encouraged when times get rough. Have you already had your surgery? If you have which surgery did you have?

I lost 20 pounds pre-surgery. It went a long way towards achieving my bottom weight. So your loss of 32 pounds is a good step in the right direction. I too broke the rules prior to surgery on diet. But your post-op diet will be very, very hard. It is not due to the need of willpower but rather the sheer complexity (meal size, Protein, Water, Vitamins, medicine). After surgery, I found that I had lost all hunger. It is easy to lose weight when you have no hunger. It takes no willpower. It is no diet. But eating is a balancing act. Good luck on your surgery. You have the will to succeed.

Thank you so much!! all the best to you too!!! I just want and need this change in my life so desperately that I am highly motivated to do well. I have so many dreams, plans, and educational goals that I desire to achieve and I realize that being obese was hindering me from truly seeing them all come into fruition. God bless you and others for the support here. Have a great day!!!

Nope, can't beat yourself up for "cheating." It happens, you recognized it, and now you're back on the wagon again. You're right, we are human. We make mistakes & as long as we learn from, we're moving in the right direction.

Best of luck. I have no doubts you will be successful in this WLS journey!

Hi James, yes I have lost 32 lbs thus far and I'm pleased about this fact. But the important message I'm hoping to send out is that we can't beat ourselves up for being human. This pre op diet is very hard and stressful and if I didn't have the support of my hubby and you guys I know I would be very frutrated and probably would not have done as well as I have. I'm relearning how to eat and live an active lifestyle and it's not easy but I'm determined to do it. Thank you so mch for your support and encouragement I really appreciate it!!!

It looks like you lost 32 pounds pre-surgery. That will help you a lot in reaching your post-surgery goal.

Good day everyone, I'm on day 11 of my pre-op diet and so far I have been following it to a tee making sure to eat only Clear Liquids and my three Protein Shakes per day. So yesterday I was busier than ever with my finals and other appointments I had that needed my immediate attention this week as my surgery is set for Monday the 21st. Tuesday night I took out some chicken legs to let them defrost so I could bake them for my family to have for dinner and use the broth from the chicken to make some fat-free chicken broth for myself. after running around all day and finally finishing my two papers for my finals that are due today I realized that is was 5:30 and my hubby gets home from work between 6 and 7:30 so I needed to put together his dinner quickly. i decided that if I baked his chicken it wouldn't be ready when he got home so I decided to fy it. This is not the first time i have fried chicken since I started my pre op diet last weekend I hosted my nieces prom and had all sorts of goodies that I didn't touch even though I was tempted. Last night however was different. I actually ate one piece of fried chicken and boy wa sit delicious!!!! I know this is not what i was supposed to do and by no means am I saying it was ok. But I refuse to beat myself up or feel guilty about it. instead I Celebrate the fact that i only ate one piece of chicken and it has been 11 days since i've had anything other than what is recommended on my pre op diet. I'm grateful that my surgery is scheduled for Monday morning and I'm the first surgery scheduled on that day and i am also grateful to have this forum where I can get support and inspiration from all of you guys. Have a blessed day everyone.

Anyone having their surgery April 21st?

Hi I'm having my gastric bypass surgery on the 21st and I'm so ready for this next step on my journey to regain my health and happiness. I pray that our surgeries will go smoothly and that the healing will process will be as easy as can be expected for major surgery. God bless!!!

so glad you got that straightened out! i plan to save some chicken bones and make my own broth by boiling it with a couple pieces of meat, tons of veg, salt, garlic, etc. and draining it, like you did with your veg broth! i am generally not to picky but two weeks is a long time for me (that's my pre-op diet time). I am also able to have RAW veggies, plain yogurt, applesauce, shakes. i plan to make a heap of dip with the plain greek yogurt and spices and live off those raw veggies along with it! best of luck

Best of luck to you too!! Fat free Greek plain yogurt makes an awesome dip for veggies and it's good on a baked potato too!!'

Hi, yes I'm five days away from my surgery date and I am very excited. I went today for my pre-admission testing and I learned that I'm the first surgery that day so I have to be there at 5:30 in the morning. My hubby is so excited he went out and brought slippers, a new bath robe, toiletries, comb, brush, etc. lol. I told him to calm down I am not taking all of those things with me. I'll probably not take anything but a comb and brush, my Dove soap, some lotion for my very dry skin because I won't be able to wear any to the hospital, my deordorant, toothbrush and toothpaste, a washcloth and towel. From my personal experience with hospitals and major surgery I will not need a bath robe or night gown because I will be wearing the gorgeous hospital gowns which are much easier to get around in with all of the iv's and catheter. I told the nurse to make a special notation on my chart that I want to be up out of the bed at least three hours after surgery. I know that the sooner I begin to move around the easier it will be for me in the long run. You have to move around as much as you can after surgery in an effort to lessen or completely remove an incidence of gas. I'm prepared mentally, physically, an demotionally for this change because I have so many plans for the rest of my life that being obeses will not allow me to see into fruition. Now that I've said a mouth full how are you doing? Our countdown begins!!!! :D :D [/QUOTTeMrsGloMartinI love your spirit!!! You always post the most positive and uplifting post. You have know idea how much of a blessing you are! I thank God for you and pray that he blesses you as you have blessed me!I'm excited to and nervous. Next week will be here sooner than we think! I'm praying for no complications... We hear so much from people who have had problems and I know we should be prepared for the worst... It is nice to hear from those that have had smooth sailing.

You know what, I know a man who sits high and looks low and I am walking in his sons Jesus Christ's footsteps allowing him to lead me and guide me throughout my life. I try to be respectful on here becaus eI do not wish to offend anyone but he is my best friend and as long as I put all of my trust and faith in him I know that everything will work out in my favor. When you have trust and faith in your higher power you don't have any fears, regrets or shame. I have learned over the past ten years that there is something greater for me to achieve in my lifetime and I need to get my body and mind in order if I am to be successful. I realize that everyone's stories are going to be different because we all are at different levels in our lives. I appreciate all of the feedback we get here but I agree with you that if you are not strong you will become fearful and worry if you are doing the right thing by having this surgery. I know that this is the beginning of my new life of health and happiness and it is so close that nothing no one goes through will deter me from my mission. We did not learn these bad habits overnight and we will not chnage them overnight. But with faith in yourself and determination to change our lives for the better we can do this!!! I hurt like everyone else and i have a low tolerance for pain but that will not stand in the way of my healing. I'm ready for the pain that goes along with anything we endeavor to do in life that is worthwhile. I say bring the pain and I will grit my teeth and endure it knowing the promise of a longer life filled with good health and happiness!!!

so glad you got that straightened out! i plan to save some chicken bones and make my own broth by boiling it with a couple pieces of meat, tons of veg, salt, garlic, etc. and draining it, like you did with your veg broth! i am generally not to picky but two weeks is a long time for me (that's my pre-op diet time). I am also able to have RAW veggies, plain yogurt, applesauce, shakes. i plan to make a heap of dip with the plain greek yogurt and spices and live off those raw veggies along with it! best of luck

Best of luck to you too!! Fat free Greek plain yogurt makes an awesome dip for veggies and it's good on a baked potato too!!'

Hi, yes I'm five days away from my surgery date and I am very excited. I went today for my pre-admission testing and I learned that I'm the first surgery that day so I have to be there at 5:30 in the morning. My hubby is so excited he went out and brought slippers, a new bath robe, toiletries, comb, brush, etc. lol. I told him to calm down I am not taking all of those things with me. I'll probably not take anything but a comb and brush, my Dove soap, some lotion for my very dry skin because I won't be able to wear any to the hospital, my deordorant, toothbrush and toothpaste, a washcloth and towel. From my personal experience with hospitals and major surgery I will not need a bath robe or night gown because I will be wearing the gorgeous hospital gowns which are much easier to get around in with all of the iv's and catheter. I told the nurse to make a special notation on my chart that I want to be up out of the bed at least three hours after surgery. I know that the sooner I begin to move around the easier it will be for me in the long run. You have to move around as much as you can after surgery in an effort to lessen or completely remove an incidence of gas. I'm prepared mentally, physically, an demotionally for this change because I have so many plans for the rest of my life that being obeses will not allow me to see into fruition. Now that I've said a mouth full how are you doing? Our countdown begins!!!! :D :D

I appreciate that and I'm here to get as much helpful info as possible so thank you. Is the video titled "beyond diet official?"

That's the site name but if you enter that on YouTube you'll see the link to all of the wonderful resources they have on there including several recipes.

so glad you got that straightened out! i plan to save some chicken bones and make my own broth by boiling it with a couple pieces of meat, tons of veg, salt, garlic, etc. and draining it, like you did with your veg broth! i am generally not to picky but two weeks is a long time for me (that's my pre-op diet time). I am also able to have RAW veggies, plain yogurt, applesauce, shakes. i plan to make a heap of dip with the plain greek yogurt and spices and live off those raw veggies along with it! best of luck

Best of luck to you too!! Fat free Greek plain yogurt makes an awesome dip for veggies and it's good on a baked potato too!!'

You're welcome, we all need each other's input if we wish to be successful on our journeys. I know there is much I can learn from you too!!!

Beyond Diet Official

Hey everyone, I just found this awesome video on youtube.com that tells you how to kick the sugar addiction. It's very informative and it has links to other valuable info that will help us on our journey to living a healthy lifestyle. I also attended a overeaters anynomous and got extra support from my peers in attendance. I hope some of you will find this helpful because if you are determined as I am to change your life completely you realize that WLS is just a tool/stepping stone to change that's going to last a lifetime. In order to be successful in keeping the wieght of we must change the way we think about food and exercise and our genetics are no longer a viable excuse to stay stuck and miserable. I'm not preaching, so please if it sounds that way charge it to the mindset at the moment. In my heart I am you and you are me and we all need each others support and understanding to battle this addiction to a unhealthy lifestyle. You guys are my fmaily now and I desire to see all of us do well. So check it out and if it's something you can use add it to your journey, if not don't give up!!! Keep on motivating yourself with family and friends support until you find something that works for you. God Bless and Have a great day!!!

Congrats I'm excited for yoiu too and I wish you all the best tomorrow and thereafter111 My doctors did not give me a specific amout of weight to lose on the pre-op diet but so far I have lost 15 lbs but I believe that's Water weight. However, my clothes are fitting better and I seem to have all of this extra energy. I'm entering week two of my pre-op diet and my surgery date is the 21st. Can't wait until that day arrives so i can really begin my jorney to a healthier, ahppier me!!!

My surgery is on April 24th. I am so excited and nervous!! What percentage of our weight do we have to loose in the liquid diet phase. 5 or 10%?

I think it depends on your surgeon. Mine didn't have a preop weight loss requirement. I am on day 10 and have loss 5 percent.

I am doing well. I'm on day six of my pre-fast diet and I'm experiencing hi's and low's as is to be expected when you change the way you eat so suddenly. I'm having periods of energy burst where I feel like i can move mountains and then I'm feeling so hungry that I can eat a horse hoofs and all (lol). When I feel this way I'll either find something to do to occupy my mind or I'll go out for a walk. After all it is a lifestyle change that I have to adjust to if I wish to be successful in overcoming my addiction to food and obesity. One thing I did was to start eating less one week prior to the strt of my pre-op diet. It made it a little easier as my stomach had gotten used to not being full all of the time. Find something that works for you and try to stick to it because we are all on this journey together but what works for one person may not work for the other. All the best to you, God bless.

Thank you for the welcome I'm excited to be here and learn lots. I wish you well and hope your progress is going good!

Checking in. Surgery was 4/8, today is my first day home. So glad to be home. Surgery went very well. Now I am working on getting the 30 ml of Fluid in every 15 minutes. I always wondered " how do you know if you drink to much ?" I can now answer that for those that also wondered - you get a wave of pain - just like a gas pain. It's goes quickly - but it's a warning sign that something was too fast. That is my biggest challenge going forward - slow down. I certainly am not hungry Just trying to do everything exactly right!

One more thing I would like to share - I did not touch any of the items that had been listed to bring to the hospital. The day you have surgery - you sleep and you are getting IV fluids. Day 2 I felt better but between the swallow study (they check for leaks) and trying to get 30ml down every hour / walking the hallways every few hours- I slept. Day 3 - fluids every 15 minutes, walking, IV still in - I slept. My surgeon did not allow the gasX strips, or listerine strips. Even picking up a magazine - I would fall asleep. I used the hospital slippers, due to the IV they kept me in johnnies. Just used a hair brush, LIP BALM (saved my life when no fluids are allowed and you are so dry) and face moisturizer.

When I did the swallow study - it was scarey because they give you 15 ml or so of a liquid and they have you swallow it all - I actually argued with the technichian because I said I can't swallow all of that - I was told to sip only - he was like - no just swallow it, we have to check for leaks, I said - I am going to get sick and have pain or something bad and he said "I do several of these every day - just swallow it all. I did and it was fine! Just wanted to let you all know.

Hi Haley, thank you so much for taking the time to post this very valuable information. I planned to pack light and only take the clothing I planned to wear home because I figured between the IV's and being sleepy and in pain I would not use all of the other stuff. I will take my lip and face moisturizer and a toothbrush and toothpaste but that's it. I can use the hospital phone if needed. I really appreciate you today. Praying for a speedy recovery for you, God bless!!!

Yes, you must at least try it to see what happens. This is a blessing because the supplements can become very costly over time and if your insurance will pay for them why not allow them to do so? All the best to you!!!

Got Approved For My Supplements!!! Woo-Hoo!!! Just got a call from Insure informing me that my insurance is going to pay for all of my Protein supplements. Things are just getting sweeter and sweeter as the days go by. I thank God for all of these blessings that will allow me to have my surgery and regain control of my health and happiness. I'm feeling so blessed today :D

That's great! I had never thought of that. I'm checking into that tonorrow.