KarenF1972

I am just wondering what everyone used for the broth pre and post op? Just regular chicken or beef broth or something else? Did you put any Protein powder in it or just take it without?? Thanks in advance! Karen

He sounds like a douche! We were told in our information session that there are a large number of people that end up getting divorced after WLS. You are not being at all selfish, HE is! You are doing this to be healthier for yourself, your kids (and him, if he didn't suck...) I know that it has to be a difficult decision either way, but I think this proves you need to do what's right for you and your kids. Good luck!!

Hi October sleevers! Was bummed for a bit my surgery was postponed to the 14th but over it. I'm actually getting beyond my hopefully irrational fear that something will happen during surgery and getting excited for it. I'm only required to do liquids for 1 week before, but I think I'm going to start a partial one this week. Maybe mostly liquids but maybe some yogurt and something light for dinner. Kinda break into it before that's all I can actually eat. I ordered a couple different sample packs of Protein so hopefully that will get here soon so I can try it. How's everyone holding up?? Karen

Hi RJ, What about telling your story on something like gofundme.com? People are able to donate money to you to help with what you need. I know people that were able to raise money to cover things that are not nearly as important as your needs. Good luck!

I didn't read through all the replies that people gave, just a few of the first ones. In reading your post, I'm getting that you learned things about diet/nutrition and exercise that you didn't know before and started being more educated about how/what you eat. IMO, in that case, you aren't really in the same situation of yo-yo dieting, because you weren't really aware of how/what to eat for weight loss. I would say if you feel you are able to continue and do this without surgery, by all means, that's what I would do, for the reasons you listed.... Good luck either way with whatever you decide to do!

I haven't had my surgery yet, but I think 60 pounds in 6 months is great. I would say - if you are losing a lot of hair, make sure you are getting enough Protein in. How much do you have a day??

Grrrr. Got a call today. The surgery coordinator was off for a couple weeks. Apparently the person taking over for her messed up. My surgery was bumped from 10/6 to 10/14. Then my husband called and bitched. She called me back a few hours later and said they had a cancellation 9/22 if I wanted it. That's just a little toooo soon since I haven't planned for it, have patients scheduled, would have to start post op diet TOMORROW. She said she was going to offer someone else on 10/6 the earlier appointment and try to get me back on 10/6. Still haven't heard back from her! Soooooo frustrating.

So today was the day?? How are you doing?

I'm scheduled for October 6! Still terrified something will go wrong! lol

My surgeon actually says no drinking ever after having the sleeve. Never is an awful long time.......

My surgeon doesn't do a leak test afterward either. But he does go through and check all the staple lines during the course of surgery, so it's not necessarily unheard of to not have a swallow test after surgery....

Did my final surgeon visit yesterday. He said I'm doing great and I've lost almost 20 pounds since I started with their program in May. I was scheduled for surgery on Monday 10/6, which is what I was hoping for. Having said that - I am now terrified! I am second guessing myself and wondering if this is what I should do. I know deep down it is and if I don't do it now, I will be kicking myself for not doing it. It just seems more real now and it's a little scary! Any words of wisdom, ways to psych myself back up for this, or anyone else getting sleeved around the same time - I'd love to hear from you!! Thanks! Karen

I am scheduled 10/6. I am excited, nervous, terrified.......

@@VSGAnn2014 - I complete disagree with you. She'll soon need to pull on her "little girl" panties!

My surgeon has people take actigall if they still have their gallbladders after surgery. When you have such rapid weight loss you can develop gallstones, so that's why they prescribe it. If your doctor said to take it, I would!

I have sleep apnea and didn't have to get cleared by a pulmonary doctor. They are having you do one because after being under general anesthesia, you have higher risks of having complications or issues immediately after surgery. My hospital requires that we bring our CPAP to the hospital and we have to use it after surgery while we are in the hospital. Like others have said - you should have electrodes hooked up, a pulse ox placed on your finger to monitor your oxygen and electrodes on your chest to monitor your heart rate and rhythm. You spend the night in the facility and they monitor all of your vital signs, your REM sleep, etc and determine if you have sleep apnea. As said above, some facilities will hook you up to the CPAP during the nigh, others will have you come back in and will set you up with a CPAP machine with either the nasal pillows or full face mask. You spend the night again and they adjust the settings and determine what setting you should be on to control your symptoms.

I had my pre-op clearance Monday, which I passed without any problem. I go back to see my surgeon for a second follow up on 8/29 and will have my surgery date set at that time, probably for the first week in October. Now that this is actually getting close, I'm scared out of my mind!! I'm a "what if", worst case scenario person. I am terrified of something happening and having a bad complication from the surgery. The surgeon felt that I'm an excellent candidate and I know by primary care doc wouldn't be on board if she was worried about it. Does anyone have any words of wisdom? Thank you in advance! Karen

@@Cupcake - I did my clearance Monday. I go back to see Dr. Carlin for my 2nd visit next week. Wanda said surgery will probably be the end of September or first week of October. I think I am going to request the first week of October because I already have some time scheduled off work that month, so may as well put it to good use. Dr. Carlin was so funny. He asked how tall I was and I'm like "I think I shrunk because I used to be taller than this." He's like "well being tall isn't all it's cracked up to be." It was only then I realized that I was taller than him. lol He was great though! How was your stay in the hospital and how long were you in? Do you go to any of the group meetings?

@@Cupcake - I have Dr. Carlin also. I LOVED him when I met him. Half of me is ready to get on with this, the other half is freaking out! lol

Hang in there! I am waiting for my 2nd surgeon visit and will probably be scheduled for surgery the first week in October. If you have a family member with you, hang onto them on one side and push the IV pole with the other. Get up and move. The more you move, the better you will feel. Like Mary said - take a lot of small, frequent sips. If you are dehydrated, that can cause you to feel dizzy also. Good luck!

I asked my surgeon and he said it's not necessary unless I feel more comfortable with it

I had my first surgeon visit yesterday. (My program does it a little different - exercise class, dietician, psych clearance, then the first surgeon visit) He said my "belly is perfect" for surgery and thinks I will do "fabulous". My goal loss for surgery is 10 pounds, which I have already exceeded. I met with the insurance specialist, who said that I needed to try to get one more visit in so I had 3 months of a supervised program. I pulled out 4 or 5 doctor notes and she said "Never mind, this counts. I'll get everything together and put in for approval." I have my surgical clearance appt scheduled for 8/18 and my 2nd surgeon visit for 9/28 which is when my surgery date will be scheduled. I'm so glad to finally see things moving forward!!! Karen

I'm not meaning this to sound rude - but your surgeon has probably seen and heard it all. You put your life in his (or her) hands to do your surgery. My surgeon has a number listed where the "team" can be contacted at any time. I'm sure it's nothing they haven't heard before - and then you will be given information based on what your surgeon thinks is best....

Hi! I have to do the psych eval this coming week. I was just wondering what types of things everyone had to do for their eval? Thanks! Karen

Things are starting to move!!! Attended the initial group information class for the sleeve. I am scheduled for the exercise class and dietician on the same day and have my psych eval scheduled. I don't get to see the surgeon until July 30 though! So anxious to get this done, now that I've made my mind up!!