Mom26

@@Radar, like you, I too feel we'll be around people who don't have to watch their food intake. I'd rather be comfortable around them than expect differently. But during this liquid diet, it SUCKS to be sitting next to my husband with his Porterhouse. At least until I cannot physically eat it, it sure would be better to not have to smell it. Good point about not using the time to convalesce. Get up and get going, right? My husband works midnights, so he'll be home with me every day and only gone when I sleep. And I'm pretty sure he's off duty for 4 days after my expected surgery date. You have less than a week to go!!

So glad you're feeling better so quickly. Makes me think I'm not out of my mind.

wow -- definitely different from my days! It must be so rewarding for you. You DEFINITELY need rest!!

Yes - I'm hoping to go back to work quickly. I have 2 jobs - I run the back-end Operations departments for a corporation and I also run a cake business with my husband.) My husband will take over any cake orders for a few weeks, so I won't have to do any of that strenuous work. But for my "day job", I can literally sit at my desk all day because I have staff to do the physical work. I figured if I am sore/tired, I can either work from home, or take a nap at work (we have an office with a couch for when people need it.) I had heard from some that it's comparable to a gall bladder removal and I was back at work quickly after that - and took a week when I had my corneal transplant. I'm not committing to anything - and if I need more time, I'll absolutely take it. Definitely NOT trying to be a hero -- it's just easier to deal with issues that may arise at work when they happen. I'm just trying to be optimistic (and maybe unrealistic?) A friend at work had bypass 2 months ago and was back in a few days.

1. I want to take a picture with my husband in his police uniform and be proud to hang it up in the house. 2. We're going to Cabo in January and I want to go horseback riding on the beach and swimming with the dolphins. 3. I want to be able to open my closet door and have my pick of anything hanging up - without worrying what will still fit. 4. Run a Disney half-marathon or full marathon with friends. 5. Be able to wear a bathing suit and not feel like everyone is laughing at me.

Make sure you rest when your body is telling you to! That said, I was hoping to be back to work on Monday the 28th (tentative surgery Thursday the 24th). No?

I'm on day 5 of my pre-op - and still don't know if my insurance is going to approve. Surgery is tentative for 9/24. @@Radar, how are you handling the issue with your wife and her support of your dietary restrictions? I know that has to be frustrating. Yesterday, we stopped by the butcher to buy our bulldogs some bones and I told my husband to get something for himself for dinner. He got a nice, thick, juicy steak. I wanted that steak like nobody's business. He saw how much it pained me to not share it with him and said he'll only grill when I'm at work (he's on duty on midnights so he can have all the steak he wants for lunch). I think after last night, he'll stick to eating only foods I don't like when we're home together. I had a dream last night that I was at my mom's house for a dinner. She was in her room, so I loaded my plate with french fries and mashed potatoes. When she came out, I snuck into her living room to finish so she wouldn't see me. Funny though - because when I get approved and tell my mom about the surgery, she'll be 100% supportive. Obesity runs in our family. My mom has worked hard to get down to her size 8. She gets it.

I, too, just had my husband take pre-op pics and measurements. Dear Lord. But he's seen me naked, so the numbers don't much matter to him, right? A diary is such a great idea. I'll add that to my list this week!! I'm sad I have NO pictures together with my husband in his uniform. That's the FIRST picture I'm taking once I lose 50 lbs. He is my rock.

That's so fantastic. Having that type of support is so incredibly helpful!! My husband is very similar. Never has he told me I'm fat or to lose weight. But health is important - and he wants me healthy so we have 50 more years together. We own a baking business on the side and he's already been prepped on what cakes he needs to carve/decorate while I'm recovering. All this while still protecting & serving as a Police Sergeant at night. I know that once my surgery is over, he'll be the biggest cheerleader in my corner. I couldn't imagine going through this alone.

Your internal chemistry is probably off. However, a Google search did reveal that it's a popular side-effect. Here's the article I found: http://womenshealthency.com/articles/the-sleeve-gastrectomy-and-how-it-works/ I would give your GYN a call. She'll have a more "professional" explanation and may have some suggestions. And always make sure you wear underwear lined with cotton.

I had my last of the 6-month appointments on Tuesday (the 8th). I was shocked that they gave me a surgery date of 9/24 (pending insurance approval) - and had to start my liquid diet yesterday (the 10th). I was expecting to feel absolutely horrible - like I did when I cut soda out of my life for a year. Surprisingly, I felt ok. My surgeon says 2 weeks liquid. No meals. I'm a bit envious of those who can add "something of substance" to their day. I would have been thrilled to shredd up a few ounces of chicken breast into my unjury Chicken Soup. I have a Premier Protein shake for Breakfast. To me it tastes like Yoohoo. I wish it tasted like Nestle Quik, but Yoohoo is tolerable. Tomorrow I'll add in 2 scoops of PB2 for more protein and flavor. lunch is Unjury Chicken Soup - heated to 130 degrees so the whey doesn't cook/coagulate. That, to me, tastes like Oodles of Noodles/Ramen. Again, tolerable. dinner is another shake, with maybe a Jello or Ice Pop for dessert. We have 6 kids - and doing this while they were home would have been so much more difficult. They're all in college or older (one commutes to a local school so she's home still). My husband is a God-send. He had my soup ready to go when I got home last night. I've asked him to not alter his meals because I need to be used to being around people that are going to eat "normally". He's decided to make his meals something I wouldn't eat or don't like. It's only been 2 days. I do feel a bit weak. I know I'm not getting in all of the liquid I need. I have to force myself to drink water/lemonade. I'm also guessing my intestines are in shock and not thrilled with what they're getting. And they're making it known! I'm hoping to get insurance approval. But fear that because I haven't done the endoscopy yet and cannot get an appointment until the beginning of October, I may be postponed. If that's the case, I'm going to continue with a light diet - of shakes and maybe add a small meal until I need to go liquids again. I'm certainly not going to sabotage what I'm doing now!

I'm willing to bet that every single one of us has been in that same situation. I've gone to the store many times the day of a big event because I had nothing to wear. I,too, cannot wait until the day I can open my closet and have a variety of things that not only fit, but look fabulous!

What a crazy rollercoaster ride you've had. You deserve an uneventful surgery and speedy recovery!! Good luck!

Glad to hear you're doing well so far!

I can relate. I always dread being crammed into the seat and that seat belt! Thankfully my hubby doesn't mind lifting the arm rest so I can take up a little bit of his room. We're flying to Cabo (Mexico) in January -- I'm so excited that, as long as my insurance approves my sleeve, I'll be able to comfortably buckle and fly! Have a fantastic trip! Safe travels.

Rest up and check in later!

Good luck to those having surgery today! You're probably already in recovery. On to the next step of the journey!

I love her. I'm so glad she's my doctor! Good luck to you too!!

I haven't bought anything new. I have a dress from 15 years ago - before I met my husband - that I love. LOVE. It's a cute little plaid dress and fitting into that would be my dream. I think it's a size 8. I also have a closet full of every damn size. Most with tags on them. But.... that said.... as soon as I am home from the hospital and decide to do my daily waliking at the mall, I'll be buying something cute.

I just looked at your photos and I cannot believe you're 51!!! You look in your 30's! And you look amazing.

At NYU in Manhattan. I live on Long Island, but my surgeon is in NYC.

You look fantastic!!

New_Start... is Dr Kurian doing your surgery too?

Just had my last appointment of the 6-month requirement yesterday with my surgeon. They actually set the surgery date for me then.... Sept 24th. Pending approval from BCBS. I didn't expect it to be scheduled so quickly. I'm in sort of a whirlwind. liquid diet starts tomorrow. Pre-surgical testing early next week. Still waiting for my endoscopy (damn, why didn't I get that done sooner???). Fingers crossed.

I'm tentatively scheduled for Sept 24th with Dr Kurian!