donald0717

I was sleeved on April 23rd and have lost 45 pounds since surgery. Overall I've lost 70 pounds since I started my pre-op classes and dieting. I never thought it would be possible to lose this much weight, this fast.
But it comes at a cost. I had thought I was totally prepared for this journey. That my mindset was in place. But I am still having to relearn my thinking and my actions. There have been few days when I haven't eaten too much. The first week being on the liquid diet was easy to not get a sore stomach. But starting the second week of full liquids it became harder. It's become downright impossible since I started soft foods last Thursday.
I have excellent support at home, (Maybe too good, as I find myself resenting being told what I should be doing) so that isn't a problem. I find myself regretting that I ever did this at times. So I'm going to start seeing my therapist again, maybe with his help I can get a handle on my emotions and stop being such an ass to those who love me and only want to help me. Time to start loving myself, and caring for myself again! I thought I was prepared to do that before surgery, but I guess I still need some help.
Oh yeah, everything went great with the surgery!!! And I've got an appointment to see the therapist tomorrow!
Thanks!!!

I agree with LaLa Lady. But in addition I would remind your mother that doing this is a decision that you are making to positively affect the outcome of all of your lives. After following through on this decision you will be around longer, and will you not place your parents in the position of having to care for your daughter because of the future heath problems you WILL experience if you don't change your behaviors.
BTW... I get sleeved on the 23rd well. Good luck and God Bless

Weighed myself this morning for the first time in about 3 weeks. My goal was to lose 20 pounds pre-op. I've lost 25!!! I'm not looking forward to tomorrow, going without food or taste for 24 hours will be very hard. But I expect that if I can get through this part of the journey I will most likely come to view any other part of the journey as going downhill.
To all of my "April 23rd" siblings out there... God Bless and Good Luck!

I agree with LaLa Lady. But in addition I would remind your mother that doing this is a decision that you are making to positively affect the outcome of all of your lives. After following through on this decision you will be around longer, and will you not place your parents in the position of having to care for your daughter because of the future heath problems you WILL experience if you don't change your behaviors.
BTW... I get sleeved on the 23rd well. Good luck and God Bless

Tomorrow is the start of my liver shrinking diet. Somewhere I keep hearing this voice in the back of my head saying, "Go for it today, it's your last chance!" Has anyone else experienced this and what did you do about it? In my mind I've already planned out the menus and everything. Any last suggestions?

I'll start off by sharing that my surgery is scheduled for 4/23, and I started my LSD yesterday. I'm excited, confident, and anxious all at the same time. Does that make sense?
Anyway... While I've always known that I eat more at certain times, today it's so evident how much I eat in order to stuff one particular emotion. Yesterday I had a fairly good day considering it was the first day of my LSD. But today, I got into a fight with my roommate and all I want to do is stuff my face. The urge to eat is so friggin strong!
So I'm sitting here thinking... "I have lots of Percocet's and I can take those and fall asleep until diner." Now tell me, how screwed up is that? (more self disclosure... I'm a recovering addict.) Right now I'm just climbing up a wall. What really pisses me off is the person I'm angry at has decided to run and hide for the day and I can't confront them.
I'm a mess right now and could use some words of encouragement.

I'll start off by sharing that my surgery is scheduled for 4/23, and I started my LSD yesterday. I'm excited, confident, and anxious all at the same time. Does that make sense?
Anyway... While I've always known that I eat more at certain times, today it's so evident how much I eat in order to stuff one particular emotion. Yesterday I had a fairly good day considering it was the first day of my LSD. But today, I got into a fight with my roommate and all I want to do is stuff my face. The urge to eat is so friggin strong!
So I'm sitting here thinking... "I have lots of Percocet's and I can take those and fall asleep until diner." Now tell me, how screwed up is that? (more self disclosure... I'm a recovering addict.) Right now I'm just climbing up a wall. What really pisses me off is the person I'm angry at has decided to run and hide for the day and I can't confront them.
I'm a mess right now and could use some words of encouragement.

LipstickLady: I totally get where you're coming from. I've been "dieting" for at least the past 8 weeks and have lost 15 pounds. I haven't done the whole liver shrinking diet, but I've practicing how I will have to eat in the future. Eating with a smaller plate and a baby spoon, chewing everything fully, taking more than 30 seconds between bites, things life that. (An added benefit is that my shirts are cleaner.
It's just that I'm hitting the wall now and I wanted to taste some of those things that I won't be able to have for the next 3-4 months or more. So far I've avoided doing so today but I really want a Philly cheese Steak before I go out in flames.
Last night I went to two separate Walgreen's to buy them out of their Boost Glucose Control, (I could have made it in one trip but I really don't like chocolate and they didn't have enough very vanilla or strawberry to last me through the next 2 weeks. So now I'm all set!!! I have all of my dinners, lunches and breakfasts to last me through the pre-op diet phase.
What I need to do next is order my high Protein bullions so that I'm ready for my post-op liquid diet phase. I'll be getting this through Bariatric Choice.
But to be honest, just being able to read these posts and write a little, help take the time away rom eating. So I guess I'll be doing more of that over the upcoming months. Thanks for being here.

LipstickLady: I totally get where you're coming from. I've been "dieting" for at least the past 8 weeks and have lost 15 pounds. I haven't done the whole liver shrinking diet, but I've practicing how I will have to eat in the future. Eating with a smaller plate and a baby spoon, chewing everything fully, taking more than 30 seconds between bites, things life that. (An added benefit is that my shirts are cleaner.
It's just that I'm hitting the wall now and I wanted to taste some of those things that I won't be able to have for the next 3-4 months or more. So far I've avoided doing so today but I really want a Philly cheese Steak before I go out in flames.
Last night I went to two separate Walgreen's to buy them out of their Boost Glucose Control, (I could have made it in one trip but I really don't like chocolate and they didn't have enough very vanilla or strawberry to last me through the next 2 weeks. So now I'm all set!!! I have all of my dinners, lunches and breakfasts to last me through the pre-op diet phase.
What I need to do next is order my high Protein bullions so that I'm ready for my post-op liquid diet phase. I'll be getting this through Bariatric Choice.
But to be honest, just being able to read these posts and write a little, help take the time away rom eating. So I guess I'll be doing more of that over the upcoming months. Thanks for being here.

Hi there, you're my twin!!! I'm having surgery on the 23rd and start my liver shrinking diet on the 9th. Like you I started dieting about 8-9 weeks ago and have lost 15 pounds already. My goal is to have lost 20 pounds by the time I have surgery.
Also like you I have a VERY good support system but there are still those who doubt my efforts, the process, the success rates, you name it, they have their reasons. Some have even suggested that I talk with people who were not successful with their surgeries. I look at this and think... "isn't that like talking to a drunk who has failed to get sober and using HIS reasoning to justify keeping on with drinking?" So I have chosen to continue seeking the support of those who do love and care for me and to find additional support in reading of the success of others on this site.
Keep on thinking positively and all will work out. I would love to keep in touch with you and see how you make it through this diet. Private message me anytime you want.

Hi there, you're my twin!!! I'm having surgery on the 23rd and start my liver shrinking diet on the 9th. Like you I started dieting about 8-9 weeks ago and have lost 15 pounds already. My goal is to have lost 20 pounds by the time I have surgery.
Also like you I have a VERY good support system but there are still those who doubt my efforts, the process, the success rates, you name it, they have their reasons. Some have even suggested that I talk with people who were not successful with their surgeries. I look at this and think... "isn't that like talking to a drunk who has failed to get sober and using HIS reasoning to justify keeping on with drinking?" So I have chosen to continue seeking the support of those who do love and care for me and to find additional support in reading of the success of others on this site.
Keep on thinking positively and all will work out. I would love to keep in touch with you and see how you make it through this diet. Private message me anytime you want.

Hello All,
I am new here, and have been going through the process for 5 months, and finally got my surgery scheduled last week. (April 23) I go to Pre-op on Thursday 4/9, and start my pre-op diet, although I have already kinda started to get me prepared. I have several friends and a family member who recently had the same surgery, and have had great results, so I am very excited!!! So anxious!!!
I have struggled with how to tell my co-workers what kind of surgery I am having, and some friends and family members haven't been very supportive. I am just leaning on the ones who are VERY supportive and know the struggle I have had with all my meds, illnesses, and being obese. I'm 100% ready!!!!!
Thanks,
~Natalie

My husband and me are April 23ers! I'm excited and nervous at the same time. First surgery!

Cool.
I won't even be insulted that you called those of us who went through with this process "ridiculous". I also won't point out that the reason I pay for insurance is so that I can utilize it to benefit my health. I certainly didn't have my stomach cut out "just to get money from my insurance company".
If you "just stopped", more power to you! If you don't think it's a must, I agree with you! If you feel like a "lab rat", you made a great decision for yourself. You are right! Millions of people have lost weight without surgery and millions have lost weight with it. I wish you the best.
BYE!

@@donald0717
no one should go into any surgery with their head in the sand
you should be aware of the possibilities of problems
no surgeries come with 100% guarentees
only guarantees in life
death and taxes
i think when people read 2 different stories about anything (ie the sleeve)
they hear a great story
then a bad story
the bad story seems to stick out in your their mind/memory
you've probably seen many other posts from pre-oppers that are also extremely scared
the smaller % of people having bad problems are far and few between
one person in particular has been going through a very rough time here
being scared is normal/comman
I give you "permission" to be nervous/scared
that being said - most stories, experiences are good
you've hopefully read/seen many, many, many posts from people that are very happy with their results
their journey is wonderful
i think some times people don't speak of their great experience, success, happiness etc PO
maybe they think their situation is boring
do we really want to hear more good things that are
you betcha
IMO there is soooo much more good than bad that will happen post op
you were very excited/ "confident" about saving your life with weight loss surgery
health and happiness are all what they are cracked up to be
don't second guess yourself now, plllease
good luck
kathy

I also had my surgery through Kaiser. It was something like a $250 copay on the day of the procedure, which for practical purposes is free. It sounds like this was a passing freakout, but let me give you some ammunition against potential future doubts.
I went through the same dread about fatal complications. It took me nine months after I completed my Kaiser class to finally get the surgery. My thinking in the end, was that this surgery had no more risk than the risk my wife took each time she gave birth to our two girls. VSG would greatly increase my odds of seeing my girls grow up.
And while there are no shortage of horror stories, my story is much more common. I woke up after the surgery with a mild pain in my stomach. My initial thoughts were, "really, is that it?" I didn't even need pain meds after the first 2 days. I had to resist the urge to do heavy exercise the first few weeks because I felt all better. After almost 3 months, I'm down a total of 80 lbs (30 before / 50 after). I have 60 more to go, and already feel like a new man.

This was just a moment of temporary panic in middle of the night that I needed to get out. After talking things through it with my wife in this morning everything became more clear. This IS the direction that I have chosen and will follow.
I got good news today. The financial people at Kaiser informed that %100 of my surgery will be covered! Thank God for Kaiser and Medicare.
Thank you all for the wonderful responses of hope and encouragement. I'll keep reading and writing as needed. Good luck to all.

This was just a moment of temporary panic in middle of the night that I needed to get out. After talking things through it with my wife in this morning everything became more clear. This IS the direction that I have chosen and will follow.
I got good news today. The financial people at Kaiser informed that %100 of my surgery will be covered! Thank God for Kaiser and Medicare.
Thank you all for the wonderful responses of hope and encouragement. I'll keep reading and writing as needed. Good luck to all.

This was just a moment of temporary panic in middle of the night that I needed to get out. After talking things through it with my wife in this morning everything became more clear. This IS the direction that I have chosen and will follow.
I got good news today. The financial people at Kaiser informed that %100 of my surgery will be covered! Thank God for Kaiser and Medicare.
Thank you all for the wonderful responses of hope and encouragement. I'll keep reading and writing as needed. Good luck to all.

I go in to the doc Monday to do preop and get my preop liquid diet food. Surgery is March 30th. I am scared, ashamed, excited and worried all at the same time. For 6 months I have known without doubt this is what I want and need. Now I am questioning myself for the first time. I am going to read through the board for support but this is the single most monumental change ever in my life and I have had some big changes in my life.

I was in a pre surgery class run by Kaiser and I surprised by the number of women that felt they had little or no support from their families. The reverse was true of the men. All of us had major health issues and had the full support of our families. While I have some pretty major health issues I sure do look forward to looking good again! BTW, I have excellent support from my wife and children. My daughter has even encouraged me to miss her college graduation if a surgery date comes up first.

I get all your feelings but the ashamed part. While you have a few days, research the disease obesity. How can we be ashamed of having a disease? I certainly wasn't ashamed when I was diagnosed with cancer...

So, small rant here... Why do we care what others think of our decision to take control of our health by having WLS? I see post after post here with folks who are afraid to let anyone know, (OMG, what if my <fill in relationship here> with NO medical training doesn't approve)? Someone told me I "cheated" and now my feelings are hurt. You KNOW better than that or you wouldn't have chosen WLS in the first place! For cheating to have occurred, there has to be a winner and a loser and you are in competition with NO ONE in this battle for your health!
I get that our health decisions are no one's business, but that's not what I'm talking about here. Tell who you want, or not, but pull up your big girl panties\big boy britches and owning your decision!. If you HAVE been open and your "friend" de-friends you because you didn't cave to their wishes, they weren't your friend to begin with! If they hate you for getting healthy because you're now "skinnier" than they are... same thing! You deserve better friends! If it's a family member, (that's rough, and shame on them), but see a counselor if the relationship is worth preserving. If their objection is about fear over the risks associated with surgery, drag them to your bariatric surgeon's office and have a medical professional educate them and answer their questions\concerns. You may not change a mind, but it will probably help them be less fearful about the process and show you care enough to have an open dialogue.
End rant

I applaud you for wanting to be careful with food consumption pre-op. I personally went to restaurants pre-op until starting the liquid diet and within 4 weeks post-op. What worked for me was sticking with restaurants that post their menus and nutrition. I go online, review the nutritional information and decide whatI want before I get to the restaurant. this has made going out a pleasure. My husband and I were both concerned because going out is an activity we both really enjoy. I don't know about you but sitting at home eating cottage cheese does not excite me!
Good Luck on your journey!