Becca R.

Gosh, I'll be dying to just have it over with. No more hurry up and wait!

(Can I just say that I hadn't even really thought about getting an IV when I'm dehydrated. Oh lawsie. And my veins are a nightmare anyway! )

@@amgarza54 We've got a thread for Mexico November sleevers--come on over!!

Waiting here in your virtual "recovery room." Good luck, dear!!!!

Just wanted to say that this is a worry for me, too. I have 5 kiddos, and my youngest are 2 and 7 months old. The 7 month old is a lightweight, so I can tote her around alright, but the 2 year old?? She loves to be picked up and snuggled and danced with. I'm sure she's going to have a tough time. I love the suggestion above to lay down and snuggle with them. You'll have to let me know if you come up with any brilliant solutions; my surgery is right before yours on the 14th.

@@kekmom, they are not allowed to ask for any paperwork or notes because of privacy laws. They used to call it the Guest Assistance Card, but then that got abused *badly* and so they've made it a little bit tougher. (With the old card, you just went straight to the Fast Pass lines when you got there. People were actually hiring disabled people to go with them to get to the front of the lines. Makes me sick.) When you enter Magic Kingdom, the Town Hall is directly to your left. Go there and just tell them "I just had surgery and am unable to stand in lines, can I please get a Disability Access Card?" They will take your picture (so you can't sell it or anything) and it is good, I believe, for up to 6 members of your party but you will need to be with them. They will explain how it works to you, but it really is a lifesaver. They are so good about making sure that everyone, of all abilities, has a fantastic time. If you go the other parks, just ask the people at the entrance for Guest Relations and they will direct you to the place where you can get your card. Easy!

@@kekmom You are going to have the most wonderful time!! I absolutely love Disney World. Here is my advice, for whatever it's worth: Take a Camelbak with you so that you can sip, sip, sip your Water. Keep in mind that you can get water refills all around the parks and they cost you nothing. There is also a wonderful First Aid station and they have beds in cool rooms; you are welcome to go there and lay down if you ever need it or feel dehydrated. There are beautiful places to sit and watch people all around the parks. My favorites around the Magic Kingdom are near the Crystal Palace looking toward Cinderella's Castle and taking a ride on the Liberty Bell to Tom Sawyer's Island. In Epcot, you can choose the soft lawns in "France", the manicured gardens in "England", or the trickling fountain in Morocco. Magical. We have tiny kids, so we get reservations for Breakfast in the parks for an hour before opening. That means we are in the parks before they even open, and deal with far fewer crowds. (I hate crowds.) Being post-op, you may still have trouble standing in line. If you go to the Town Hall they will give you a Disability Access Card. It kind of works like a fast pass. There are kiosks around the park where you tell them what ride you'd like to ride, and they give you a time for that ride. It, again, saves exhaustion and will help you get through lines much faster. With our kids, we go in the morning and then leave after the parade in the afternoon for a nap break, and then come back in the evening for parades and fireworks. If you want to avoid the crowds, park at the Polynesian Hotel and take the monorail over to the park. *Right* after the parade, jump on a ferry back to the Polynesian and watch the fireworks from the beach. It's free, it's gorgeous, they pipe the music over. Perfection. Epcot is the most scooter friendly park. Animal Kingdom is the least so. Magic Kingdom is built on a hill (Fantasyland is at the top of the hill and it slopes down from there). Just go and enjoy yourself. Your energy level is going to pick up so much in the next couple weeks, and you are going to have the time of your life!! --Becca

@ Oh my goodness! I have been thinking of you and thinking of you. I just know everything is going to go well but I am sending happy, healthy, quick recovery thoughts your way. Please keep us posted when you can!!

@ You ready, friend??? Thinking about you!

@@Revgirl Have you ever had a laparoscopy before? I had one several years ago, although it was only three incisions to remove a very large ovarian cyst, and I remember that I didn't want ANYTHING around my waist for several days. Dresses were my best friend; even loose jammie pants were too much. I am guessing it will be like that, but worse, with 5 incisions that are higher up. :/ You won't be able to swim for 4 weeks after surgery, but I'm hoping maybe just to sit on the edge of the pool and let my legs soak while my husband swims. I also really hope to spend half a day at the beach in San Diego on the day we fly home... just laying there, listening to the waves. *happy sigh* My friends that have had the surgery were up and walking within 2-3 hours afterward. I know that the anesthesia will make me crazy nauseous, but I'm hoping to get moving moving moving as soon as possible. I'm going to take your recommendation on the fan; remind me which hospital you're going to again?

@@Revgirl I'm starting to get so excited for you!!! Are you feeling ready to go??

@@Tootie Smiles - Welcome!! I'm on Day 2 of my pre-op diet, and YES. I'm nervous. But excited? But nervous. Glad you're here!

Pre-op diet Day 1: Halloween??!??! ARE YOU KIDDING ME?! I had no idea how many times I took a single bite of stuff. Until today. Now I know. Cheering for our girls that are getting SO CLOSE!!!!!!

Okay, guys. Today is the first day that I've felt really nervous. Starting to wonder if I can REALLY do this. I begin my two week pre-op diet ON Halloween, which isn't a big deal, but my son is being baptized on Saturday and knowing that I will be facing my first real challenge that day. Knowing that I will need to say the first of MANY "No, thank you"s at his celebration. I guess it's just hitting me. Has it hit you guys yet? How are you dealing with the emotional side of this??

@ You had surgery 7 months ago and you're down 75 pounds? That's amazing!! Have you met with your nutritionist or a personal trainer to look at what you're eating or how your exercise is going??

I just wanted to say to the original poster--I don't get it either. Insurance won't cover it, so I am going to save my own life, and YES--for me, that means going to Mexico. I am *extremely* fortunate to have a doctor here who has done a lot of travel medicine and she 100% supports my decision. Is it hard to put together your own "team" of a doctor and a nutritionist and a psychologist? Yes. Is it do-able? Yes. Because none of us would be here if there were ANY other options, right?? As for me, viva Mexico.

@@jjinWA hahahahahaaa. I never noticed it! That HAS to be photoshopped!! Heck, at this point, a knee gap would be appreciated!

Ugh! I hate that! My body has set points at which it will plateau for up to two months. So frustrating. I have been reading that there are doctors who believe plateaus are caused mostly by poor nutrition--are you getting all your vitamins in??

@Revgirl--woohoo for your preop diet! How's it going so far? I don't have to start until this Friday, but I'm doing two Protein shakes a day and just not being as careful about dinner as I will need to be later this week. My doctor is only recommending an all liquid diet for two days pre-surgery, but I'm thinking I will make it a week to be safe. What is your regimen? Less than 3 weeks for me. Holy nervous, Batman! Anyone else feeling jittery?

I love North Florida! We live in Utah, but we just moved here from North Carolina and that will always be home to me.

@@blessedin08 - as far as I understand it, the insurance covers you for 12 months post-surgery, but it does only cover you *there*. Meaning, it would pay for you to fly down to your doctor and receive care there, but I don't believe it covers postoperative complications that you have to deal with stateside. The thought of being rushed into surgery for a leak, with no insurance coverage here at home, is a terrifying one. I actually called and talked to an adjuster and they had never had a claim for my surgeon (Dr. Ramos Kelly). I am hoping I'm not the first one!

My surgeon absolutely requires that you purchase insurance in Mexico. I will be using his recommended company: http://www.novamarinsurance.com.mx/includes/provider/medic-prov.php?provider=AM This insurance is in case anything goes wrong or I have a complication with the surgery that requires additional tests and longer hospital stays. I feel better, knowing that I have it. Hope that helps!

Thanks for these recommendations! I wanted to second the Emotional First Aid Kit as well as add Ultimate Gastric Sleeve Success, especially for those of us going to Mexico or going to surgeons who don't provide support groups.

Hi Stephanie! I have this question, too! Almost afraid to ask. Anyone know??? -Becca

Does this forum let us post pictures?? I'm going to try... This picture is one of my favorite inspiration images: