della street

Also home sweet home! Loser,s bench here we come!

@@della street you are running circles around me! Glad you feel so great! I just spoke with my doc's team and it looks like they're letting me leave today! I can't spend anymore time in this joint - the beds, the smells, the sound effects! I'm feeling ok, with some gas pain - but I'm doing some walking to help. My incisions (5) hurt but it's more annoying sore. I still have to up my liquids. How is everyone else doing?

I made it!!!! Bypass yesterday. Doing well. Walked a lot today.a!most 4000 steps on my fitbit. Watching Godzilla to pass time lol.

I'm done! Resting now. I was the first of many for the day so I haven't spoken to my surgeon yet, but Ite did learn something new: apparently my body doesn't react to dilaudid (sp?) at ALL. I was in excruciating pain in recovery for what felt like hours. Turns out, morphine, a less strong drug, worked waaaay better for me. Bizarre. Nap time. I'll catch up soon.

@@BloomingLotus Oh Blooming Lotus, my heart is so heavy for you ( -- please have a good cry, then take a deep breath or two or three, and try to release the tension and frustration. Then call the pre-op place about Monday. Then I'd demand to speak to the head honcho administrator person at your surgeon's office over WHY/HOW it got to this point -- not that it will make it any better, but venting might help -- lots and lots of good vibes your way -

@@BloomingLotus Hang in there - my surgery is next week and as nerve-wracking as that is (and exciting!), the waiting and plowing thru all the insurance and paperwork hassles has been the most stressful (by far!) so far -- sounds like you're getting close, though -- after I had the EKG, chest X-ray and final bloodwork, those were the last things/hoops I had to do before submission to insurance and then I was approved in less than a week, w/surgery scheduled about three weeks after that - hopefully, you will have smooth sailing after these tests --
ps - now my big fear is getting sick or in a car wreck or something before surgery next week and having to postpone it - I'm ready to wear one of the paper masks grocery shopping tomorrow to keep the germs at bay, and I DEFINITELY wipe down the grocery cart handles, ATM buttons, etc., -- and then liberally douse my hands with sanitizer -- haha or not so haha

@@joleno I'm tomorrow at 9:30 - excited but super-nervous too! Are you having sleeve or bypass?

Sounds good!!
Will update tomorrow or Friday:)

I'm tomorrow at 1:30!! Hooray!!

I'm tomorrow at 10 am. Excited n nervous. Good luck to us and safe recovery.

I'm so nervous and excited about this journey tomorrow morning:)
Haven't been on forum long but looking to gain support network:)
Wish me luck!

Congratulations in advance to you all! And an early welcome to the LOSERS' BENCH! *clap, clap, clap!*

Trust me, you are definitely not alone! It took me 9 months to get through a six month process. And I did not miss a single appointment along the way. Other people do not care as much as you do about how long a person has to wait. You have to be your own advocate, that is for sure.
Good luck with the next steps!

OK all!!! Today is the day!!! On my way to hospital, surgery starts at 10:30am so far so good with the nerves. Will post more later

Ten months ago I weighed 302. Yes, 302. I was so blue.
My life was small and getting worse. Obesity was my lifelong curse.
I had a dream. A dream to live. It asked for all my strength to give.
I mustered strength and all my will. Every requirement I would fill.
I got my LapBand and then began
My new life of not "can't", but "can".
I can, I said, and walked a mile. You've never seen a bigger smile.
I can, I said, and rode a horse. "The hour trail?" I said, "Of course!"
A trip to Italy, climbing hills. My new endurance gave me chills.
A bubble bath is a luxury that once was for everyone else but me.
An airplane ride with a regular belt. I can't describe how good that felt.
The movie seats used to squish my hips. Now the room I have brings a grin to my lips.
My larger clothes become someone's prize as I donate them for a smaller size.
My dozen meds have gone away. One pill and a Vitamin today.
Arthritis pain controlled me so. I am so glad to see that go.
A hundred pounds have waved goodbye. There really is no better high.
Fifty more to get to goal. Not stopping now. I'm on a roll!
So if you're starting out, don't fear. This all can be in your new year!
Have faith, believe, work hard, and give
Yourself the best of gifts -- to LIVE!

Surgery this week with Dr. Swain at Scottsdale Healthcare

I totally follow my food plan and then some. I have never tried to eat anything off plan. I chew and chew and struggle sometimes with pacing like everyone else This was not a food issue and sometimes I think we are too quick to think it is something we did off our "diet!" Nope. I have gallstones.
And I didn't think asking about keeping my great weightloss going is wrong- who doesn't want to keep their weightloss going? I was hoping people had ideas about keeping the momentum up and not hitting stalls. And yes, in WANT to lose weight fast, don't you?
Of course I confer with my doctor and nut. But they are three hours away so I can't just pop over to see them. I follow my restrictions ( which are few at this point ) to the letter and I don't even eat the carbs I am allowed. That's why my weightloss had been awesome so far. And I am eager to keep going.
I called my doctor first and they said go to the hospital. But I am a single mom with no family near and no one to watch my children. I assumed I drank Water too fast, even though it actually wasn't that fast. I waited through the weekend to see if things improved. It became excruciating so I went the three hours to the hospital.
Like is said before your post I have gallstones and need my gallbladder removed. Sigh. Did you read my post?
Sorry I'm just grumpy. I appreciate your thoughts. I didn't sleep all night and now I'm going to have another surgery just six weeks from my last one. But yes, I follow the rules. It isn't my fault this is happening. On the bright side? Guess I'm going to lose more weight this week
Except for the extra large pizza and chili dog I ate yesterday followed by a pint of whisky

I don't remember this but was told later, after they wheeled me into the operating room and the entire team was there, they sang happy birthday to me. No it wasn't my birthday, but they consider it your new birthday, a new beginning.

17 pounds down

I'm disgusted with how I look and feel...so I finally thought I'd look into Weight loss surgery. Just to see what is available and if If it would work for me. Looked up some local Surgeons and Hospitals on the net and some of the surgeons had free information seminars. So, I'm going to my first seminar tonight.....err.....
.I mean support group. (not really for support..I just like showing off the new bod and encouraging others) Confused....don't be
The point I'm trying to make is...... it surely seems like I just started the process....... When I thought about getting surgery, I figured I probably wouldn't qualify and the cost was probably more than I could afford....but what the heck, I'm fat and not losing my way, so what could it hurt. Probably won't do it and nutin's gonna change anyway.
So I went.... I kinda thought my interests was in the Lap Band. Ya know, the one I've already heard about. I get there and find out there is now three or even four different types of procedures and a whole lot of statistics. Great.....choices.....I didn't expect choices. I wanted sure fire easy. I had my notepad with a bunch of questions and after the surgeon spoke about each procedure, I fired away with several questions about the Band. He was very informative and heightened my interests. There was a few of his patients there that spoke about their processes and experiences and that, I felt was the most convincing. I gave the coordinator my insurance info and thought.....now we'll see what happens.
Guess what.....my insurance actually covered WLS. So I made an appointment with the surgeon for a consult. Just a consult...,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
.(I thought....I'm not sold yet) So I go to the consult and brief him on my history and goals and my interest in the Band....blah blah blah....and almost straight away he says......the band is not a good fit for you.....you'd be better off gettin the sleeve. Hmmmmm, that took the air outa my sails.....I really wanted the band. ---- OK, I'll think about it.
I did think about it....ALOT.....researched everything including the Surgeon, the Hospital, everything I could find about the Sleeve and you'll never guess.......he was right. It made better sense. It sounded radical....but after reading about so many successful outcomes, not really so bad. -( I found Bariatric Pal during this time as well which really helped me get informed the most)
I called and started the application for approval. ----- What.!!! six months, are you kidding me....talk about deflated....Oh well, I'll go along....( I probably will change my mind anyway and not get it) Zooooom.....fast forward six,,,seven...eight,,...nine months.
Even with a few insurance and tests gliches along the way....I can't believe it went that fast and I'm approved......

Ok,.....here's the big one.........I just got off the phone with the Doc's office and the surgery is scheduled..... in two weeks. Wait, wait, wait......I need MORE time. I'm gonna really do this.
Surgery day and I'm in my room recovering.....Damn....I'm still fat and now uncomfortable and haven't lost an ounce. This is gonna take forever.....Bariatric Pal is no help....all they keep sayin is "hang in there" or give it time....blah blah blah......Cmon, I had the surgery..... I should be losing tons already......I wanna see results........This is gonna take forever..... I don't want to think about a year from now.....I got on the scale today four times and it didn't change an ounce. Oh well....might as well sit back and just go with the flow.....and see what happens...... Zoooooooom (yeah, believe it.....I said zooooom. A whole year, just that quick)
A HUNDRED &TWENTY POUNDS gone forever and I look and feel fantastic. And I'm headed to the Seminar.....I mean the support group....see, I still get those confused cause I can't believe it went by that fast. Yes, I said FAST. I actually have a hard time remembering the phases along the way.....they kinda blur together. Who cares, I'm here, I'm skinny and you will be too. And you'll think the whole thing happened in a flash.
Long story.....short point.......Don't fret the wait.....Like most things in life, time flys.

Yes, at first it freaked me out thinking it might stop me from being approved for surgery, but I was overreacting - as usual, lol -- Apparently it is pretty common. My doctor had me start taking 5000mg/units/whatever of Vit D a day and they'll check it on down the road. I think my score was 27, so my Vit D isn't prescrip, just OTC --

@@mykdzmom thanks! I plan to post when I can after surgery - not till next Thurs--

@@mykdzmom You're more than welcome - my doc has me on multi vit, B-complex, Vit D, Vit C and Calcium - I'm very "vitamized" these days, lol -- but good practice for after surgery I guess -- which is next week - YIKES! ;O)

Yes, at first it freaked me out thinking it might stop me from being approved for surgery, but I was overreacting - as usual, lol -- Apparently it is pretty common. My doctor had me start taking 5000mg/units/whatever of Vit D a day and they'll check it on down the road. I think my score was 27, so my Vit D isn't prescrip, just OTC --

Call your local Alzheimer's Association -- they have TONS of help, and it is generally (if not always...) FREE. Here is the main website: http://www.alz.org/ -- here's their 24-hour helpline -- 24/7 Helpline: 1.800.272.3900.