chilepeppr4

Dunno if this helps, but ... a family member just had surgery for another condition this summer, and was scared of the anesthetic. The anesthesiologist and the nurse anesthetist provided a great stat: You're more likely to have a car accident on the way to the hospital than have complications due to the anesthesia. I drove this family member to the hospital for a bunch of preop, op, and postop visits/procedures and we didn't have a single accident

Wow guys....
Thanks for all the replies! It's nice to know that I'm not alone in these feelings. After a long holiday weekend, I am feeling a lot better about getting the surgery. It seems that I might be actually boring myself with these thoughts, as I am feeling more relaxed the closer I get to it.
Fact of the matter is that I am in dire need of getting rid of this weight. I have to take this opportunity to better my life, and the life of those that love me and want my presence on this earth.
After doing a bit more research, I realized that a lot of these complications that happen and result in death, is the patient themselves not following Doctor's orders post-op. This will not be a problem for me.
Thanks again.

LOL. It's not a disorder - unless you react badly to it. It's information. I have weighed daily for 3 years, and I go so far as to graph it! It's a bit of a game to me, and it keeps me focused. I've read that one habit of successful maintenance includes weighing daily.
We all need to do whatever it takes to keep us successful. I've changed my thinking about lots of things as I've learned more. Maybe you are changing yours? Carry on.

Yea they are pretty strict about it at any table service character meals probably buffets also..
Lord I love Disney lol.. Hope to go back soon!!!!!

You. Are. Beautiful. ????

Dec is month 4 for me pm me if you want to keep in touch

I just got back from my WDW vacation on Saturday (11/28) and I am exhausted! My feet hurt and every muscle in my body aches (lol). I too,kept a water bottle in my hand at all times and loved that you could buy fruit at the little carts around the parks.
Regarding kid meals, I was able to purchase (no dining plan for me) kid meals for myself, the only exception was at the character meal we had they would not budge on that one.

Your stats are almost identical to mine. I started the process in October, hoping for March surgery.

I just mixed sugar free dark chocolate pudding with powdered Peanut Butter and it tastes like a peanut butter cup.....so yummy!!!!

Thank you just so tired

Fluids are so important. Keep sipping. Set a timer or reminder if you need it. Suck on crushed ice. Eat sugar-free Popsicles. Use crystal light or Mio drops. Whatever works for you just keep at it.

Talk to your surgeon about what he or she recommends.
Pre-op, I had a difficult time walking, too, so I got an exercise peddler and peddled it with my hands while watching TV. I worked up to an hour a day. I think it really helped me to be ready for surgery.
Are you able to do any Water exercise? If so, you may want to try some pre-op. Post-op you will have to wait about a month to get into the Water so you will need to walk. Just keep in mind you won't need to walk miles. I just had to get up and move around periodically. I didn't have to go on a hike!

Nope that won't be an issue at all. As long as your doctor puts in his note that you discussed weight loss.

You are in a twilight type sedation. No pain at all and you won't remember any of it. I don't know if you have ever had a colonoscopy but the sedation is similar to that. During my endoscopy my doctor needed to biopsy a piece of my esophagus and I didn't even have pain after that. Relax and enjoy the sedation

I was not put to sleep for mine, but was merely sedated, however I am in Canada and perhaps the protocols for this procedure are different here. Needless to say it wasn't at all painful and I just felt groggy and tired the rest of the day and my husband had to drive me home. I think it only took about 20 mins from beginning to end.
Try not to worry too much and hope it goes well!

If a blood clot goes to your lung and blocks oxygen that is a pulmonary embolism and highly fatal. Do you know your risks for DVT/PE? I mean besides having a major abdominal surgery which is high risk factor number one and being obese which is high risk factor number two? Also are you walking your butt off? That is the best prevention for a DVT (deep vein thrombosis which is the technical term for a blood clot). There are lots and lots of other risk factors that you should discuss with your doctor, who likely gave you the shots for a reason.

I had pain in my knee at first....I thought I had just tweaked it running around with my nieces in my parents' hilly back yard on the Sunday prior...the pain travelled down into my calf by Tuesday and then was unbearable by midday Wednesday...I had gone to work that day, called the Dr. in the morning, and they could see me at 12:30pm...I was sobbing by the time 12:15 came and I was trying to drive across town to get to the appointment. I was sent immediately to the hospital for a sonogram of my leg and was diagnosed on the spot and started on Lovenox and Coumadin...been on Coumadin ever since (a year and a half...)...will be back on Lovenox for 30 days post surgery in the next few weeks...it sucks, but it's a lifesaver!!!

@@chilepeppr4 - Some do. You can email them and ask. Some sell single serving packs. Most places accept returns of unused portions if you keep the receipt.

Yeah I have issues with it. Protein shakes though, really are a short time in the process. Once I could have solid foods, with proper planning I could eat all real and clean food and get to my Protein goal.
Still when I think about how I used to eat before, just the quantity of even good food, I think a few chemicals is balanced or lesser of 2 evils trade off.
Still a person can completely avoid Protein Shakes if they want to once they are on soft foods, it just requires tracking, weighing and planning. It all depends on the tolerance levels and dedication.

I expressed my concern to my NUT at my first follow up after surgery. Having been in the hospital and only getting sugar free popsicles, I noticed that when they melted they were just clear liquid and a colored sludge. I know that prolonged use of sugar free anything is probably not healthy. She told me that she has been using sugar substitutes for over 10 years and has no problems with them. I am a little more reserved and I have decided that during this first 10-12 months I will "play ball" and make choices that put me in the best position to lose the most weight. But once I hit maintenance and adjust to eating to maintain, I will most likely opt for foods and beverages that has little to no artificial sweeteners. I would even be ok with some small amounts of regular sugar, though not in any beverages. I will do what is needed to lose, but adjust accordingly later, as I cannot believe that prolonged use of this crap is even close to healthy. Thats just my opinion.

Okay, stick with me here, there's going to be some math.
According to the nutrition guide from my surgeon:
1. at my height my Protein goal is 64-70 grams per day.
2. you can only eat three meals per day.
3. most Protein sources that they list as "good" contain 7 to 10 grams of protein per serving (except tofu, which is 20).
4. most of the serving sizes are 1/2 cup.
5. at six months, they expect you will be eating 1/2 cup of food at each meal.
6. protein supplements are discouraged.
7. they don't expect you to hit your protein goal until you are out of the liquid stage.
So, with all that, 7 to 10 grams of protein per serving times three meals per day is 21 to 30 grams of protein, not 70.
What am I missing? My pre-op is on Tuesday, so I will be bringing this up then. I figured I would ask here first in case there was something glaringly obvious.

Had EGD this morning. It was a breeze and a fantastic nap! No sore throat.

I think it is natural to be scared. I have just finished my 3-month pre op and my file should get submitted to the insurance today. I'm excited and terrified. I seem to be dwelling on what it will be like to come out of anesthesia and have my whole life be different. It's a bit overwhelming. But I've done the research. I will follow my doctors orders to the letter.
The bottom line for me is that my odds of dying early due to morbid obesity and diabetes far outweigh the odds of complications from the surgery.
Good luck!

Awesome!! I'm a Disney freak so in glad you had a great time!!

I've never been dizzy and I'm 14mths out.