Ginger Snaps

@@kissieJ -- We're on the same date! Looking forward to sharing experiences and supporting each other. I'm excited but I'm kinda getting bored with the waiting. I was working hard, trying proteins, exercising but now I'm losing momentum. But, according to the ticker, 5 weeks and 3 days left... I can make it!

Michelle -- had to laugh at your MIL... does she think having surgery makes you contagious or something so she doesn't want you in her home??? Aye-yi-yi... I'm sorry you're having to deal with such negativity in your life. And, I still plan to be an organ donor -- but I haven't heard of stomach transplants, so I think I'm OK as far as that goes. Decide who's opinion you value and who's to ignore and know you'll find a lot of support and knowledge here on the boards.

I'm bypass pre-op but I've had several surgeries, 3 c-sections and procedures requiring anesthesia. My advice -- when they try to get you up walking, DO IT! You will feel so much better as you get moving around even though it may be painful at that moment. I remember one time after my second baby, a nurse came in the room and I said something like "Oh, so you're going to make me walk now?" She laughed and said "Honey, try to move your feet..." I was still on the epidural and didn't have any feeling in my legs yet. Would have been funny trying to walk! And, don't let the pain get too bad before asking for or taking pain meds. It's better to keep it under control the first day or two than to let it get bad and then have to wait for it to take effect. Best wishes!

Just wondering -- what do you say if you go out to eat and you get a tiny portion or don't drink during the meal? Do you get questions about that? I'm pre-op and pre-dating but I'm trying to think ahead!

I remember seeing somewhere that it's actually related to the surgery and not just due to lower fat. I'll have to look around again for that info. Time to buy new cardigans!

Talk to your surgeon. It's common to have anxiety before a surgery, especially if you haven't had one before. He can talk you through things and may offer to give you something to help with the anxiety -- help you get some sleep.

Good opportunity to let those boys learn the set up and take down of tents! I would worry if you were backpacking out to a site but since you'll be near the car, I'd say go and have fun! And, BTW, my doctor said he has no concerns about me going to Belize about 9 weeks after surgery... vacation here I come!

I've had that same GERD problem -- sore throat to the point I couldn't speak out loud. Lots of coughing and choking -- I went to the ER one time thinking I was having an asthma attack (don't have asthma) and it turns out I was choking on stomach acid. And the weird thing is that I don't feel the burning sensation much at all (unless I eat late at night). My GERD is kind of "silent". That's why I'm going straight to the bypass.

PDXMan I have GERD... my surgeon said that most of the acid in your stomach is made in the lower part. So, with bypass, that part of the stomach is separated from the digestive track and so no acid comes back up. With sleeve, you still have that lower part of your stomach intact. I also have a hiatal hernia he's planning to fix.

I'm there with you Teachamy -- I'm right around the 210 mark at 36 BMI. I just don't want to hear that "but you're not that big" comment so I'm not telling a lot of people before surgery. It's my decision to stop this weight gain cycle and improve my health before it gets so bad it makes the surgery more risky. I do have to admit, when I told my 20 yo son I was having the surgery, he did say "You're not as big as you think you are..." and it made me smile. He loves me a lot and thinks I'm too hard on myself. Of course, it doesn't sway my decision because he's my kid and doesn't get a vote, but, it still felt nice that he could express he cares.

I love the show (My 600 Pound Life) -- it's one of the reasons I'm having surgery now -- I never want to let it get HALF that bad! The Penny episode really p*#sed me off. That woman was living in a magical land far, far away from reality. I'm sure the doctor does the complete psych evals, etc., before the surgery, but from what I understand, this doctor is one of the few who will operate on someone of that size because of the risks. A couple of things that really chapped my hide: 1) When the paramedics came to get her to take her for a follow-up visit (because she couldn't get in a car) she told one of them she thought she had lost about 230 pounds. How far out of this world are you if you think you lost over 200 when in reality you haven't lost a pound. How out of touch with reality are you??? 2) When she made the comment about being there more for her son than working mothers, I almost threw the remote through the TV. I've been a working mom to 3 kids for 23 years now and I've been there for my kids all that time. Attending school events and conferences, standing through hundreds of hours of sports events, attending band concerts and football games. How can she think she's being a great mom to her son when she can't get up and fix him a meal or attend his kindergarten graduation??? 3) Towards the end of the show, she made a comment that she is sure her son will be proud of how hard she's worked. Get real -- kids are basically self-centered and worry about how everything affects them personally. He'll get to the point that he will be completely embarrassed by his mother's size and how bedridden she is. Anyway -- it's OBVIOUS I put too much emotional energy into this particular episode and need to focus on some real, important things in life. But, at least ranting about it burned a few calories with my fingers typing so fast and furious!!!

Bypass isn't just for those with more than 200 pounds to lose. I need to lose about 80 and I'm going with bypass. One reason is that I have reflux and the sleeve is not the best choice for that. My doctor also said that some people with certain types of damage to the esophagus cannot do the sleeve -- they need bypass. There are a lot of factors to consider -- most based on your personal medical status. Talk to your surgeon and look at reputable sites like the Mayo Clinic site or WebMD to see the differences in the surgeries and decide what's best for you.

And I'm having bypass

Zelda my doc doesn't require a preop diet for me. He does if ur BMI is over 45. I'm in central Jersey and would love to stay in touch and support each other. Best wishes!

Do you have any other conditions? Sleep apnea, heart disease, diabetes, etc.? My insurance will cover with a lower BMI (mine's 36) as long as you have some other condition.

I fully expect the two friends at work I tell will let other people know but since those people will hear it indirectly, they probably won't come up and ask me questions. It would be like admitting they gossiped. However, I imagine after surgery I'll probably freely tell people. It'll be too late then to change my mind about the surgery and I just am a pretty open and honest person. Like someone said before, you can't hide that you are/were overweight and that you're losing weight. It's pretty obvious. And if somebody feels I cheated and did it the easy way, then I'll just smile and move on.

I think she's saying nurses are on their phones for personal business but the doctors can't be reached to talk about meds. Think I would have a small rant about that, too.

Carol P -- you should keep the list and just start checking them off as you achieve your goals! Looks like you're doing great so far -- just keep it up!

I'm June 9th Zelda -- I've got a cariologist appointment to go and then the pre-surgery with the surgeon and we'll be good to go! I'm really excited about it now but getting a little bored with the waiting!

Oops -- one more thing -- hypothyroidism is very common -- it's estimated 1 in 8 people are hypothyroid. Just some infor for you.

I was diagnosed hypothyroid in 1994. I do blood tests (about) yearly to check the levels and have had to have my dose changed around a lot. It will make you feel tired, gain weight, and lots of other obscure symptoms. However, once I got on the meds, I did NOT lose the 40 pounds or so I had gained. They don't super-rev your system or anything, just get you back to normal hormone-wise. I'll be on the meds for life, but at least they are very cheap and have few side effects.

Best wishes -- be sure to log back in and give us updates!

Congrats on getting approval. Ask your doctor about losing now. I'm in a similar spot with a BMI of 35.9 but my doctor said it's ok to lose now that it's been approved. And he doesn't require a pre-op diets for "lightweights" at all. Just 1 day of Clear liquids the day before. Best to check with your surgeon. And best wishes!

"Revisit that WW leader in five years. How much weight did she lose prior to becoming a WW leader?" She was bragging how she lost 30 pounds and kept it off for the past 10 years (I think) and she looks like she weighs about 110 now. So, I don't think she completely understands me and my situation at all or obesity in general. I chose not to say anything because I just don't want to waste the energy to argue with people who have already made their minds up. I'm not going to change her and I'd rather just move on with my life since I'll probably never see her again. Although, a little devil was sitting on my shoulder telling me to tell her I'm having surgery and watch her squirm as she tried to wriggle out of what she had just said!

I've had good experiences with the people I've told so far. My kids are like "whatever..." (23, 20 and 14). My ex-husband offered to drive me if needed (I only told him because I knew the kids would). I told my best friend and she's going to drive me (no -- I wouldn't let the ex do that). Even though she's told me she wishes I could try other more natural, holistic approaches to weight loss, she's 100% supportive of ME making MY decision. Gotta love that in a friend. Told one other friend and she just asked questions like "what does it entail", "how much weight would you expect to lose" and "what's the recovery like." I chose to tell these friends because I know that they are non-judgemental and that while they may offer an opposing opinion, they also know me well enough to know I make good decisions and they are supportive. I'm planning to tell 2 people at work -- specifically because they are my "candy bowl" people. They even leave candy on my desk some days if they know I'm having a very stressful day. They are also good friends and might not 'like' what I'm doing but I'm pretty sure they won't try to dissuade me. And, they won't let me have candy from their bowls anymore or leave any on my desk. I agree it's a personal decision and probably driven a lot by your personality. I'm not very good at "fudging" the truth and would rather just be honest and put it out there. But, I don't plan on telling a lot of people beforehand because I honestly don't want their opinions. I'm not letting my decision about surgery be based on popular opinion.