Ginger Snaps

Thanks for sharing Sparkle... I'm pre-op too and I waver now and then with that same feeling "I'm not so fat...". But then I think about how long I've tried to overcome this and I know it's not going to get better the older I get (peri-menopausal) and even though I don't have a lot of those health problems now, it's pretty much inevitable that I'll end up with the whole laundry list if I continue on the path I'm on. Keep reading the good and bad stories, talk to trusted friends and your doctor, nutritionist... attend some support group meetings. You and only you can make the decision if this is right for you and that decision will be the best when you are fully informed and prepared! Best wishes

Kudos for deciding early on to take control of your weight and health. Some of us have struggled for longer than you've been alive! lol Best wishes. Ginger

I certainly wouldn't try to show up and fake everyone out that you're just sick or whatever. I plan to tell my parents the night before my surgery (that whole "if I die on the table I don't want them finding out that way" thing). That way they will know but they won't be able to or try to talk me out of it. And, you mentioned driving -- don't go against what your doctor recommends. Three days out after surgery you can still be somewhat under the influence of the anesthesia and pain meds. Don't take a risk with your life and try to drive. If you can't find someone to drive you, I'd say you need to stay home. Best wishes! Ginger

I'm a FIRM believer in using those health care resources as much as you need to! Call your doctor or get to an ER! Passing out can be lots of very bad things including heart issues. My dad is wearing an implanted recording device right now because he keeps fainting. He's got the monitor so that if he does it again, they can tell immediately what caused it. Don't mess around -- get help! Ginger

Sorry you missed your goal but WOW! You've been so successful so far! No beatings allowed! Ginger

Just two words: "WOW" and "CONGRATULATIONS!"

At my study they let me sleep on my side but also needed readings with me on my back. So if I stayed on my side too long they would ask me to roll onto my back. Annoying! About the machine... It's my best friend! Lol. I didn't like it at first but I got used to it quickly and it just helps me feel so much better. I never miss a night.

It's interesting you talked about goals. I've been wondering what my goal weight will be (surgery in early June). According to BMI, my weight should be around 127. But I can't IMAGINE being that weight. So, if I set a higher goal am I shortchanging myself? Or if I set my goal at that, am I being unrealistic? I like your idea of just losing until your body tells you you're there and then maintaining that. Of course, I'm too early in the journey to have to make that decision yet! Ginger

I'm a little worried about this myself. I've been treated by a psych for about 8 years for depression. I called him hoping he would just say "ok - I'll send over the OK" but instead he insisted I get a prescription from my surgeon and he wants to do a complete evaluation. I've been stable on meds for all these years and I've been through a lot stresses (divorce, moving, lawsuit) and managed to keep it all together, so I can't imagine he'll say I'm not mentally sound enough for surgery. But I have spoken with him several times about losing weight and he's always said it's just a matter of willpower and that I just need to eat less and exercise more. So, I'm worried he might deny me just because he doesn't think surgery is a good answer, not that I'm not a good candidate. Anyway -- I'm going to do that eval soon so that if he does deny me, I have time to see another psychiatrist who might approve. I'm just hoping it doesn't come to that. Surgery planned for early June. Ginger

I'm kind of struggling with that too -- I've only told one very close friend, my 3 children (14, 20 and 23) and my ex-husband (because the kids told him). Like several of you, I have avoided telling people because I just don't want to make this decision by popular vote, you know? I've read and researched and attended support groups and feel like I'm making the best decision for me. I really don't want somebody to tell me "you're not that heavy" or "why don't you just diet and exercise" or "that's the easy way out". I will tell my parents just before the surgery and I'm probably going to tell the 2 people at work who keep candy jars on their desks. They are both good friends and I am their biggest customer, so I want to tell them to slap my hand if I reach for candy! Ginger

Oh -- and one more thing... you said you have very vivid dreams. You don't dream if you don't get into deep sleep, so if you are dreaming, you are reaching deep sleep and may not have apnea. I know I never dreamed before I got the machine and now I dream every night. Ginger

My sleep study wasn't too unpleasant. The electrodes glued all over are a little annoying. I felt like I never really got to sleep at all but when the tech came in to put the mask on in the middle of the night, she said I had a 3 hour stretch of sleep and that I was having apneas. Probably the most unpleasant thing was her speaking through a microphone a couple of times during the night telling me I had to roll onto my back. Since I've had the machine I feel SO much better! I didn't realize how little sleep I was actually getting. It took me 3 masks to end up with one that fits and that I can rest in. I ended up with the nasal pillows. I take medications for depression and after being on this machine now for close to a year, I can say i feel so much happier and I think a big part of that is getting good sleep. I'm hoping for surgery in the first week of June and looking forward to dropping some pounds so I can sleep without the machine again. Ginger

What great advice! Thanks for sharing your experience. Ginger

I'm hoping for an early June date. I'm in the process now of doing the pre-surgery appointments. My insurance doesn't require you lose or anything but I'm in a weird spot that I can't lose more than 4 pounds or I won't qualify for surgery any more. First time in my adult life that I'm not trying to lose weight! Look forward to "hanging out" while we wait for our surgeries. Ginger

Hi -- I'm new to BariatricPal and I'm also new to the idea of having surgery. I'm in the approval process now and hope to have an early June date. But, I'd love to hang out here and hear about your early experiences!