Smye

It's 7:14am. Surgery at 12:45. Leaving for my son's OT appt in 20 minutes, then a few errands with my wife, and then check in. So long for now, here I go!

You're not alone in this. Feels WAY too much like some magazine add for 'skinny celebrity pills' at the supermarket.

I'm slated for 12:45 tomorrow and my biggest anxiety right now is worry that I'm too calm about this whole thing. It feels like if I'm taking this big of a step and not really feeling anything at all, there must be something very very wrong. It doesn't even really feel real at this point - as though this time next week I'll still be eating/drinking as usual and just waiting for surgery. I can't help but wonder if this is some sort of maladaptive coping mechanism as I'm preparing to have 60-70% of my stomach removed. And if so, what legitimate concerns might be masked by this numbness? Anyone else experience this? And when did it 'sink in?'

@@Mikadivalia, I hear you. I'm slated for 12:45 tomorrow and my biggest anxiety right now is worry that I'm too calm about this whole thing. It feels like if I'm taking this big of a step and not really feeling anything at all, there must be something very very wrong. It doesn't even really feel real at this point - as though this time next week I'll still be eating/drinking as usual and just waiting for surgery. Anyone else experience this? And when did it 'sink in?'

HA! @@Bobby46, now THAT was an excellent story. I'll admit, it's also the stuff of my nightmares. I'm having surgery on the 12th and starting the job hunt to become a high school principal at the same time. I can just imagine getting up to leave the interview or introduce myself to students only to inadvertently demonstrate the improper use of a belt right then and there. Here's hoping I manage to avoid that one.

Also think about the amount of fluids you're pumping into your body (as you should be). All that water has a LOT of weight. When we don't eat solids, our bodies hold on to more of that water. So while you may not be losing weight, you sure as hell are losing fat.

A quick caveat - my experience was un-realistically fast for most folks. I got lucky on a cancellation, changed my work schedule to fit in everything ASAP for screening, and I'm self-pay, which can make the process go considerably faster. That said, I've known I wanted to do this for a while, but only got up the gumption to go see the Dr. on Jan 8th of this year. From there, I managed to squeak in a sleep study, blood work, NUT, psych, and fitness tests all in the next week and a half by using up a fair portion of PTO from work. I take a while to arrive at a firm decision, bu once I do, I want to MOVE! All that done, I was technically cleared for surgery, so I scheduled my tentative April date and asked if they wouldn't mind if I called periodically to see about cancellations. On getting the okay, I took them at their word and defined 'periodically' as twice/week. About 2 weeks into that process, I had a date of Feb 12, having called only an hour after the cancellation. All told, 1 month 4 days from going to the Dr. to my Sx date. Not bad at all. I don't recommend that speed to most folks. This is an ENORMOUS decision and, as I said, I took a long time coming to it before ever seeing the Dr.

Congratulations! I'm so excited for you and can't wait to join you on 'the other side' next Thursday. Keep us posted!

You could always be as neurotic as I was - though I don't recommend it - and call the office to ask the same question once/week until you get there. Now I've got an Sx date 3 months earlier than anticipated with all clearances met.

@@jenbaby75, You can do it! I gave up caffeine (1 qt/day) on the first of November. The first week was hell, but I feel amazing by comparison now. Good luck! The actual experience is different for everyone, but you can do it. @@The_Maite, Same to you. Keep it up. I suggest getting a mix of savory and sweet liquids to keep some variety in the mix.

Last night the single most embarrassing thing to happen to me so far on this WLS roller coaster occurred, but I can't stop laughing about it. I hope you enjoy, commiserate, and can share your own stories of mixed embarrassment/hilarity for catharsis' sake. I asked my wife to take weekly photos of me in only boxers on the day I started my pre-op diet, Jan 22 so I could have a consistent photo, with even time intervals, in the same spot with the same pose/clothes for the duration of weight loss. I'd like to be able to accurately point to where I was on each step of the journey 5 years from now, not to mention compile a stop-motion-style video clip that accurately shows how my body changed, at what rate, etc. You know, is it smooth, are there fits & starts and the like. Last night was photo number 3. I'm still pre-op (Sx Feb 12, WAHOO), and it hasn't been that long, but I've lost 30 pounds so far (WOW! If only it was linear until my ideal weight, I could be there by July). Having lost so much weight (the equivalent of 1.5 of my son), I was eager to compare photos and see if I could tell a difference. In order to have photos side-by-side on her phone, she had to text them to herself. No big deal. So I'm holding her phone last night, trying to look at the differences (if any) that I can spot when all of a sudden her phone buzzes and up pops the message: "Please stop sending me photos. I don't know who you are or what you want, but I'm not interested in sexting with you." I was mortified. Somehow we had entered our own number wrong and sent 3 potentially scandalous photos of a very large, near-naked man to a stranger, or at least we hope it's a stranger. Certainly someone local with our area code. Thankfully the person was incredibly gracious when we explained what had happened and apologized. So much so that they finished off with "Again, don't worry about it. These things happen. Not that I want you to have to have WLS, but I'm glad it wasn't anything worse for me. Congratulations by the way, you're making a fantastic decision and good luck! If you're willing, keep me posted. I don't know who you are, but I'd love to hear how you're doing in a few months." I couldn't stop periodically bursting into laughter for several hours thereafter. What about you? What hilarious stories do you have? Or do you hope/pray will grow funnier as time goes on. Please don't share anything you're not 100% comfortable posting online - I don't want anyone to regret a post, but wow, writing this all down has helped it be funnier for me and eliminated nearly all of the shame-piece. Take care, Smye07

@@time4change15, congratulations! Although not exactly the same day, I'm having my surgery on the 12th.

@@BLERDgirl, and @@B-52, Thank you both so much! I'm 10 days pre-op and having a game plan here is very comforting as I'm going through this emotionally roller coaster.

Absolutely, me too! I'll PM you.

Thanks to you all, this is very helpful!

@@beautiful12no, congratulations! You interested in partnering through this? And if so, how has your experience been so far?

Hi all, I've got my Sx date for Feb 12 and I couldn't be more excited. I'm already down 27.4 lb since starting the approval process in late December. As I get closer to my date and my last pre-op next week, I do have a question for you all: How hard should I press my surgeon to consider removing my gall bladder? I have a dear friend who had VSG two years ago and several aquaintances - more than half have had to have their gall bladders removed since. The rest describe themselves as 'ticking time bombs' and all have emphasized how important it is I have mine taken out now. Has anyone here had a similar experience? Or perhaps a strong counter-narrative? Obviously I'll as my Dr. and follow his advice, but I also have the most amazing surgeon who is very patient centered and willing to at least consider anything I ask. I don't want to waste his time or mine, but I won't be able to afford having my gall bladder out after the fact for several years while I'm paying off this surgery. Thanks! Smye07

CONGRATULATIONS!

I'll be sleeved on Feb 12 and couldn't be more excited!

Anyone close and interested in buddy-ing through this?

Feb 12, so getting close. I'll post my own as well but would be thrilled to join you in this venture.

Aaand, I just got my Sx date, Feb 12. I'm so stinking excited!

Finally got a date, Feb 12 on a cancellation, WAHOO!!

@@makemyownluck, I first read this post 6 months ago, sitting well above 400 lb. I've spent much of the time since dreaming of joining you in Tres Town. I finally decided to have surgery two months ago and am far enough along in the process to be on my pre-op liver-shrinking diet (<40g carb/day, 3 weeks). This morning I hit 397, first time in the 300's in a long time. Thank you for your inspiration and co-celebration, if separated by a few months.

@@Kellsbells, I hear you - I'm in the same boat right now. I've done all my preop tests (the last one was Saturday) and am now just waiting for the surgical team to get the reports. I called today and my NUT (who works in the same office) "hasn't gotten around" to submitting her notes, nor has my bloodwork arrived yet (taken 3 weeks ago). But I trust that, with a little prompting here and there, the process will go forward