bobbyswife

I have Anthem BCBS

Sharon, are you comparing yourself to others? Because I've found in every walk of life, that's never healthy. What are your stats after 5 weeks?

Keep us posted!

I've been thinking that since I have 2 months to prepare both mentally and otherwise, I would go ahead and start collecting little things for my new life. I'm traveling Mon - Thurs this week to New Orleans for work, so when I get back I'm going to take a nice box and cut off the top, then find some wrapping paper that makes me squeal with delight and put a big bow on it. This will be my gift to myself to celebrate my new birthday. I'll add things to it as I find them over the next few months. I'll start a tradition of giving myself a special gift (non-food, of course) every year on the anniversary of my new tummy! I was in the grocery store on Sunday and found the greatest little things that I think will be super helpful for post op, once I'm on semi-solids and solids. They are these adorable little 1 C. containers that come complete with a little removable ice pack that sits inside the lid. I've read that most sleevers won't come close to 1 C. of food for a long time (if ever), but these were the smallest ones I could find. I can't wait to use these little boogers, and of course the pink one is my favorite! I've also got some adorable little cocktail forks and spoons that will make me take itsy-bitsy little bites of food. I'm hoping to find more of those in cute designs. If anyone has any suggestions for my gift box to myself, I'm all ears!

Unfortunately I'm not able to walk at all because of chronic arthritis. Hopefully when the weight comes off I'll be able to be active again

This is great. Does anyone have any suggestions where? I was thinking the library but that might be hard to stay quiet haha. I am also willing to offer my home unless that makes someone uncomfortable.

I'm in Bethlehem. My dr. is Robert Richard at his Duluth office

I live in Bethlehem (next door to Winder)! I work in Buford. Would anyone want to start a meetup group? My dr. is Robert Richard in Duluth.

Just out of curiosity, if we paid for the Kindle version (I ordered mine a few days ago), can we get a deal on the printed version if we want both? I know some publishers offer that, and I wanted to check - I'd love to have both.

@@angierue you couldn't have said it better! To everyone else - This is a HOT topic and it's sad that this one sensitive issue has gotten people so heated up that a few are almost verbally bashing some that choose to share. It's a personal choice for everyone. I'm new here but I've spent an enormous amount of time on other support forums and the OP asked for opinions and that's what she got. But I think we need to all remember to love and support each other no matter what anyone chooses to share or not share. Love and light people. Love and light!

I'm liking the renegade idea lol

So, I was at a support group meeting last night - my first one - and one of the things they were talking about was not being able to chew gum for the first 3-6 months because it causes you to get air bubbles in your saliva and it can cause gas pain and bloating. I am a huge gum lover and one of those people that's horrified of bad breath. In the past when I've done high protein diets and gone into ketosis, bad breath was a major factor, so it was gum-gum-gum- and more gum! What do you post sleevers do to control the dreaded halitosis? Would sugar free mints be acceptable?

Hey Crystal, I am in the same boat, although I did tell my boss and a close coworker. The reason being that if heaven forbid, anything did go wrong and I needed more time off, someone would at least know what was going on. That being said, I still think it's a very personal choice and it's ultimately up to you to decide who and what you tell people. I have told my family (because my surgery is 7 days before Christmas and I'll be drinking turkey broth instead of eating turkey and dressing) and a few very close friends. Surely there is someone in the office at the school that you can confide in? I wouldn't tell a fib about it though. It's too hard to cover your tracks and it starts a string of lies that you won't have the energy to keep up with, when you need to be focused on healing and your new life. xoxo

I went for my first support group meeting last night and Bobby wanted to go with me. We had a great time! It wasn't what I expected at all. I think I had in my mind that it would be a whole slew of people in a big room talking to each other for a while and then maybe a speaker or something. But it wasn't that at all, in fact it was just a large conference room table with about 10 people there. Only 4 of us were patients, everyone else was support. It was great to see everyone supporting their loved ones. The place I went wasn't my normal support group that I'll go to with the staff of my surgeon that meets once a month, but rather this one was lead by a friend of mine that is a nurse at another surgeons office. He was sleeved a year and a half ago and has lost 280 lbs. He's now 202 lbs and 5'10". His wife and I grew up together. She's only 4'11" and has lost 76 lbs. She's now 163. It was great to actually talk face to face with him (I haven't seen him in person since his surgery), and be able to get answers to a lot of questions. This support group meets every Friday night and is closer to my house than my surgeons group, so I'm looking forward to going to that one more often.

Thanks everyone! I'm super excited. I went to my first support group meeting last night, it was awesome!

Thanks!

How are you feeling today Crystal?

Uhhhhh.... Naked?!?!? Do you mean naked under your gown so they can catheterize you, right? Not bare skin before you were knocked out, right? Gosh I never really thought of that, but I suppose if that's how they do it... Regardless, I feel naked every day just walking around in full covering clothes.

LOL @@The Candidate. I'm sure you are BEAUTIFUL!

If I hear one more time "But you have such a pretty face!" I. Will. Throw. Up. Your post reminds me of the fact that being overweight is obvious, but these people that say such things, they have a different kind of ugliness. It's on the inside, and that's not something that surgery can correct. I remind myself of this and those are the people that even when I'm thin I will steer clear of. That hatefulness and negativity is something that I never want to be a part of.

I will not miss the pain from the weight affecting my arthritis. I will not miss the increased pain from fibromyalgia. I will not miss feeling fat when I make love to my husband. I will not miss feeling uncomfortable in my clothes. I will not miss fear of running into someone I know. I will not miss feeling like I'll always be fat.

That thrills me to pieces. Thank you so much. I am hoping and praying that my fibro goes away or drastically changes, too. I miss working out!

ohhhhhhhhh ok. Thanks!

Ok, well that was a little deceptive, but hey - you're reading right? Anybody who's had this surgery knows that the funds are gonna be a little low for a few months. So, I'm willing to pay you in good karma and good friendship! Alright, in all seriousness, I would like to find someone that would be willing to take me under their wing. A little about me: I'm 40. Mom of 2. Step mom of 2. Grandmother to 1. Step grandmother to 5. Married to the love of my life that's 14 years older than me. We've been married just shy of 4 years. I'm a working professional. I live in the south - Georgia. I love to travel, love to cook, love to read. I've been heavy most of my life, and my surgery date is Dec. 18th. My husband is fit and athletic, and 100% supportive. He loves me fat and will love me thin. My whole family and best friends are in total support of my decision. I'd like to find someone with at least some common interests that is realistic, encouraging and not afraid to tell me the truth, and not necessarily what I want to hear. If you think we'd be a good match, send me a message or a reply. Wow... I feel like I'm back on a dating site... Hope to hear from someone soon

Could someone please tell me what NUT is?