GeekyChicLa

LOL. Oh dear. Well I actually lucked out. My surgeon doesn't believe in starving us. Thank you, Jesus. He just put is on high Protein, no starches or sugars for 12 days then Clear Liquids for 48 hours before surgery. But look at it this way, you'll get a much bigger head start on your weight loss than I will. I've been on it for 5 days and only dropped 1 pound. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Yes, I was being more rhetorical than anything. Of course I realize it's just one small thing in the grand scheme of things. I've pushed through way worse circumstances than this.

Oh yea, she did mention something about a swab! I'd forgotten that. Doesn't sound like it would help much, but I guess anything at that point will be a relief! LOL

So learned a lot at my pre-op class this morning. One: I wish I would've thought to bring a snack! 5 1/2 hours of talking about food - my stomach was growling 3 hours in. I was prepared for a two-week liquid diet, instead, we're on a high Protein, no starch diet. Turns out I can still eat. (YAY) Until the day before surgery, then that will be clear liquid only. Love the bariatric team at my hospital: informative and very supportive. They all gave us their email addresses and encouraged us to contact with any questions we may have. There is a support group that meets a couple of times a month. And we get a 3-month membership to the hospital's gym. Sweet. They'll be using Steri Strips instead of staples and no drain tube nor catheter. They are also providing us with a free bariatric abdominal support belt. Hospital stay is expected to be overnight. Oh - and they do not allow ANYTHING to pass the lips until the day after surgery. No ice chips, no sips of anything. Nada. Nothing. At all. Until the next day. So that means if I go in at 6:30 - I won't be able to have anything to drink until the next day after the doctor makes his rounds. Good Lord, I don't know what I'm going to do. I drink Water or tea or SOMETHING constantly at work. I stay thirsty. This is certainly going to be a true test for me. Other than that - the pre-op isn't going to be near as difficult as I had anticipated, so I'm hoping and praying the rest will follow suit.

I can so identify with a lot of what you've written. With the exception that I haven't been big all my life - quite the contrary. Four months after my third child, I was in a size 2. I've gained the majority of my weight over the past 8 years. It just keeps climbing and doesn't stop. Your paragraph on how you've sat on the sideline for years and think, "I used to be fun, too" and how your weight has kept you from going to the water park and missing out on memories because you are uncomfortable, etc - that rang deep with me. I have hidden myself basically. I don't perform in community theater anymore. I can't fit into my martial arts uniform, so I've stopped going to classes. I LOVED canoeing but haven't been since getting really heavy. I live in an upscale apartment complex with a resort-style pool; have never been to it. When I exclaimed to my daughter recently, "I'm over 200 pounds!!", she said, "but you're still very pretty in the face." So yea, I get it, girlfriend. A few of the chosen few I've shared this with give me that, "Wow, are you THAT vain?" look or they quip up with "maybe you should just try changing your diet and working out." Takes everything I have not to scream. Is it scary to me - having 8/10ths of my stomach removed? Heck yes. But, I, like you, am tired of living life on the sidelines. Being overweight has caused me to become an introvert. Something I am not by nature. I want to date again. To dance again. To go out with the girls and not be 'the fat girl" in the group. I'm with you! Let's take the reigns and go confidently in the direction of our dreams and live the life we've always imagined! Is it scary to me - having 8/10ths of my stomach removed? Heck yes. But, I, like you, am tired of living life on the sid

@@jintycb LOL Funny stuff!

Have you tried this??

Hahahaaaa. Love the honesty here. I'm trying to learn all I can before my surgery, and this thread definitely answered a lot of questions I would've been too embarrassed to ask. LOL Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Wow. 5 inches in two weeks??? That's amazing! I'll take inches over pounds any day. I used to train martial arts and weight training-- and I don't go by the scale as much as I do how I look and how clothes fit. When training, I weighed 168 but LOOKED like I weighed 140. So don't put a lot of focus on the scales. How your clothes fit will tell all. Congrats !!! I can't wait to have the inches falling off. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

@@missdeeAus Me too!

I've gained over 30 lbs during my 6 month supervised program. My doctor never said anything about getting denied if I gain weight- they just told me not to LOSE any because it would drop my BMI too low to qualify. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

August 23rd. Had to go through six month medically surprised weight program first and all the other hoops. I can't wait! Not looking forward to the two weeks prior. Can't imagine being on liquids for two weeks. Blegh. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

@@cdsjjotn THANK YOU so much. That was very helpful. Yes, having the sleeve. I can't believe how relieved I am to know that I SHOULD be able to drink Water normally after healing. YAY! It's the small things, isn't it? LOL I was like, "man...do I have to sip water/liquids for the rest of my life??" Thanks for sharing.

@@cdsjjotn Surgery is scheduled for August 23rd. And it can't get here soon enough! You say you monitor everything - In removing the hunger hormone, is it difficult for you to make yourself eat? Are there any foods that you can't eat now? I've read some saying they can't tolerate spicy foods. That would suck for me, as I live in South Louisiana and spicy is all we know here. LOL One glass and you're loopy? That will definitely be something I will have to adjust to. I think what I'll miss most, is the ability to chug water! I start my mornings off by downing a bottle of room temp Water. Have you had any issues drinking enough fluids?

August 23rd!! Super stoked!

You look fantastic! I'm like you in that I've begun to shirk social activities. Before I gained all my weight, I was in several theater productions. I haven't auditioned for a play in over a year. I don't like to go out with my friends anymore because I'm tried of being the "fat girl" in the group. I can't wait to be able to wear WHITE PANTS. And to cross my legs once again with be a victorious moment for me.

@@jess9395 How does the hunger come back when they remove the hunger hormone? Do you still feel physically hungry?

I'm right there with you! I have three grown kids, so I'm no stranger there. However, the idea of all the drain tubes, catheters, etc etc - kinda freaks me out. It's been over 21 years since I've had any type of hospital stay. But after 10 years of struggling and doing everything in my power to lose weight, I think none of that will matter when the time comes. We have too much to look forward to. I miss being able to tie my shoes without struggling!! And the day I'll be able to cross my legs at the THIGHS again will be a glorious day for me! LOL

@@anniebanana I was thinking the same thing earlier! LOL If we look THIS good now, can you imagine how fabulous we're going to look AFTER?

Wow. That really sucks. I'm worried that they may deny me, too. I go for my last weigh in July 1st. My MD keeps asking me if I'm sure my BMI is high enough to need surgery. (I think I'm around 37) My insurance requires a 6 month medically supervised weight loss effort and 2 co-morbidities. I'm like you and on my last stages. Had to pay out of pocket for psych evaluation as well as other things that my insurance would not cover. I've read on here where some have submitted an appeal...have you thought of doing that?

@@sharonintx what a relief to read your post. I live in Cajun Country (South Louisiana) and as we say here, "If you lips are not numb, it isn't spicy enough."