Ginger Snaps

I think some of this comes down to what you call a lie or being dishonest. I was raised in a very conservative Christian background and was taught lying is not only not telling the truth but you can also lie by omission. So, for me, if somebody asks me point blank how are you losing the weight, if I leave out the part about surgery, I feel dishonest or that I'm lying. That's a standard I hold myself to -- and I make a decision then whether I will "lie" or not by omitting part of the story. I don't hold other people around me to the same standard -- it's a personal thing and if you feel like you can omit part of the story and still feel you are being honest, that's you and your life and I'm not going to judge you for that. Or, if you feel it's dishonest and lying not to tell people but you are ok with that, I'm ok with that for you, too. I'm not your judge and I'm ok with the fact that not everyone is just like me (thank God for diversity). I'm not saying I will tell everyone who mentions I've lost weight -- I probably won't get a t-shirt with my surgery date and surgeon printed on it or anything but who knows, I might just do that, too, if the situation is right! lol However, with people I see on a regular basis, work with, hang out with, those people I will most likely tell. I've just chosen not to do that yet because I don't want to create doubt in my own mind if I get negative feedback. After surgery, they can't stop me! It is a very personal decision and I can respect the fact you will make your own decisions, too, that might not be the same as mine.I just feel like being open about the surgery in the right situation helps to take away some of the stigma or shame people might feel about having it.

It's an interesting idea but you'd obviously have to do research into your target population in the area where you are. I've kind of pieced together my own team like you're talking about. My gym is affiliated with the hospital where I'm having surgery done. They have lots of nutrition and healthy eating classes and seminars on other health related topics. My WLS support group also meets there. They have nutritionists there you can meet with who are trained in bariatric nutrition, too. There are fitness classes for all levels with special classes for arthritis, MS patients, etc. I bought sessions with a personal trainer and have been meeting with her once a week. She isn't specially trained in exercising after bariatric surgery but she told me she would research some to help make sure I'm staying safe. My doctor gave me the ok to work with her after 4 weeks. So, my gym offers a lot of the services you are describing -- not always specifically for bariatric patients but in a well-controlled medically supervised program. Of course, it's all pay as you go -- training and nutrition appointments are extra -- some of the seminars and classes are free and some are a small fee ($5-10).

Itchiness without any redness or swelling is very normal... I've always heard that it's a sign that the skin is healing.

Being dehydrated can also cause dizziness. Make sure you are getting enough liquids / water.

I don't have any advice but I will keep you in mind and send positive thoughts your way. And be sure to come back and tell us what your NUT and doc say.

I hate IVs and needles, too. It's the worst part of the surgery for me! Sitting here with a bandage on the arm right now from the preop blood tests today.

OK -- just saw it's a blend of whey protein isolate, collagen isolate and casein isolate. It doesn't say how much of each. Regardless, these were recommended by the name brand by my doc and NUT so I will be using them .

These Isopure Protein shots were recommended by my doctor and nutritionist -- especially in the first week for Clear liquids. I can't find on the website if it's whey protein isolate or concentrate -- I know the isolate is supposed to be a better form of protein. I'm planning to have some during post-op but I've tasted one and BOY are they nasty! I think I'll have to mix it in with a ton of Water and just choke it down.

I'm going with the bypass. My decision was based on a couple of factors. I have pretty severe reflux and the sleeve is prone to cause reflux or cause it to worsen. I can't deal with that risk. I also only want to do this surgery once and therefore, want to go with what has the best success record and the numbers show the bypass has the better weight loss record. From what I see doing research on sites like WebMD and the Mayo Clinic websites, the complications from both are pretty similar. With either the bypass or the sleeve, you have to take Vitamins and supplements. It really is a personal decision that is best made considering your medical history and your surgeon's advice.

I had my 8 week nursing assessment at the gym today. I have avoiding losing weight because I'm preop and borderline BMI for insurance to approve. I have been working out with pretty heavy weights 3-4 times a week and meeting with a trainer once a week. I have intentionally not done a lot of cardio. Today -- weight was the same as last time (intentional) but my body fat % was down 4% and my lean muscle mass was up 10 pounds!!! Woot! Imagine how great my numbers are going to be when I get the food under control!!!! Next Monday can't come fast enough.

The IV is to do the meds to knock you out. It wasn't any worse than any IV, I just hate ALL IV's.

I go for my preop testing this afternoon -- surgery Monday morning. That is if insurance cooperates -- I got a call from the surgeon's office yesterday that insurance needed a copy of my sleep study report from last year. They already had a clearance letter from the pulmonologist and I've been on cpap for a year but they were asking for one more piece of info. I'm praying this doesn't mean my surgery is going to get denied after pre-approval. Send happy thoughts my way.

I'm supposed to be June 9th too... got a call today from insurance asking for another piece of paper so I'm hoping that doesn't turn into a denial.

So, I'm scheduled for next Monday, June 9th and go in tomorrow for all the pre-testing. My surgeon's office called this afternoon and insurance has asked for a copy of my sleep study (done last year) even though I've been on the C-pap for over a year now. I have the clearance letter from that pulmonologist but they want a copy of the sleep study report since my BMI is under 40. Aye -yi-yi... everything's gone so smoothly up until now. I was told I was approved and have made plans at work for surgery next week and NOW they're starting to ask questions? Please send good thoughts my way that they are just dotting some i's and crossing some t's and that this won't delay or deny my surgery. I can't delay too much or I'll have to push out to September as I have a big vacation with the family planned (and paid for) mid-August.

I had the same experience. Lay down, anesthesiologist says "hey", wake up, all done. I didn't have any kind of soreness in my throat or anything either. Worst thing about it all -- getting the IV.

I'd say you're like the Incredible Shrinking Woman! And I love your comment about your eyes -- I've noticed the rounder I get the smaller my eyes are in pictures. Looking forward to opening those up a little! Congrats on the hard work paying off.

How cool is that!!!!

Maybe you forgot to take the gun off when you weighed??? You really ARE a cowgirl!

What does your doc/NUT recommend? I hear some people have 4 stages like my doc (clear liquid, full liquid, pureed then soft)... Is that the same as your plan? So step 3 would be pureed?

I'm pre-op and started Biotin since it's supposed to help with hair loss (at least according to some people)... one nice side effect -- my fingernails are growing faster than ever and very strong. Who knew???

Guess having spicy chicken through the nose is off your plan now! Glad you made it through ok...

Here's hoping for that trip to the bathroom! Hang in there...

Woo hoo!!!! Nice job! You must be thrilled to see how your hard work has paid off! Ginger

@@upurg --- Best wishes! It's not as scary as you think it will be (well, probably not)... just be honest and it's OK to say you're nervous about the eval and the surgery. That's what NORMAL people would feel!

I'm preop (7 days til' surgery WOOT) but when I get to this point, I think I'm just going to spill the Beans. I don't want to tell too many people now because I really don't want their opinions on the surgery. But, once it's done, I'll probably just say I had the surgery and that I'm on a medically supervised plan so that I don't have to constantly face the question. It will be obvious I'm doing something dramatically different than before and I'd rather just put it out there. I found kind of the same thing out about depression -- I used to not tell anyone I was on meds for depression / bipolar. After I got more confident with myself, I would tell people if the conversation steered that way and I found so many people who were also treated or looking into seeing a psych. It helped me feel not so alone in my struggle and it helped them too. I think that the more open we are about the surgery and educate people, the more it takes away the stigma that surrounds the surgery (that it's the easy way out or dangerous or that it needs to be hidden). Kind of a little ambassador program! But, I know that's not for everyone -- it's something we have to figure out for ourselves. Best wishes.