laurak814

Holy wowza!!! 319# is impressive!! Congratulations! You're a Rock Star!!!
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I will only be telling My husband, my dad, & a very close friend, (she was so excited for me she told 2 good friends of hers before she knew I was keeping it a secret). I don't know if I will tell my mom, she can be judgmental. None of my in-laws will ever know. No one else will probably ever know, including my very good friend. She is totally against WLS & has never known a fat day in her life.
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For me, the pre-op diet was 100 times harder than anything post op. And I didn't have to do a full liquid diet. I had to do 3-4 Protein shakes a day with one "healthy meal". It was *SO* hard, I didn't think I'd get through the 2 weeks, seriously. Some people say if you can't get through the pre-op without cheating you shouldn't do the surgery. I'm not sure about that. Before the surgery, you have all that stomach tissue flooding your body with hunger hormones and all the things that have driven you to eat for all the years that have gotten you to the place you're at. After the surgery, that tissue is cut out, and those hormones are GONE. I know it doesn't happen this way for everyone, but for me and a lot of people, the hunger drive is just GONE after surgery. For 2 months after surgery I literally had to set a reminder on my phone to eat and drink. Now 4 months out I have days where I get hungry, but most days I still have to remember to eat. So I personally don't think struggling pre-op is an indicator that you can't do it post-op.
Now, that's not to say I advocate cheating. The evidence is unclear about the benefits of the pre-op diet. The surgeons that require one say that it reduces the size of the liver. The liver has to be lifted out of the way for the surgeon to be able to do the laparoscopic surgery. If your liver is too large, they either have to convert to an open surgery (HUGE incision in your belly, MUCH longer recovery, MUCH higher chance of complications) or they have to cancel it and try again after some radical diet changes to reduce the liver. So if those surgeons are right, cheating on the pre-op diet can increase the chances of complications and such with the surgery.
For me, my doc didn't see any evidence of enlarged liver, and said in her experience without evidence of an abnormal liver the pre-op diet just didn't make that much difference, so she didn't have as strict of one. But my medical case is not your medical case, and my doc isn't your doc. It's important to follow your doc's instructions. If you're struggling so hard you just can't, then call your doc's team and see what they advise. I've seen people's stories here that when they called and talked to their team about their struggles, the team said they could add salads or other specific foods that wouldn't compromise the pre-op diet but would help them get through. I think too often people struggle so hard with things the doc says and fail and are too afraid to call the team. That's what they're there for. You won't be the first person to struggle seriously with the pre-op diet. They should have some advice or options or tools to help you.
Good luck, and if nothing else, remember that this is a short period of time, just get through it as best you can, because it DOES GET BETTER.

You go @@LittleBill! It is not the job of Office Coordinators to give out medical advice, unless they are former CNPs who made job changes, which rarely happens. I would call the medical facility back & make a complaint to the HR department about this person, explaining in detail exactly what she said/did before it slipped my mind (I would forget the details) & explain how they would not let you speak to your CNP.
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@@GBLady41 I'm very lucky that I'm not in pain, my knees just make a lot of "noise", they creak, crackle, & pop a lot, especially when I do any kind of squatting motion. My Dr isn't too concerned about replacement yet, there is still a fair amount of space between the femur & tibia on X-rays. I'm not on any pain meds & I've had steroid injections in both knees, but it's been almost 2 years since the last ones. I think having WLS will help the longevity of my knees, but my bad genes will not help in the end.
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There's a lot of misinformation out there about the surgery. From the "it's the easy way out" (see link in my signature for my response to that) to "it doesn't work, everyone regains" to "it's so dangerous". Most people are just misinformed.
I know the only real concerns any of my friends and family had were because they'd personally known someone who had died and it was attributed to the surgery (bypass for most cases) but it was always years after the fact, which means there were other things going on than just the surgery. And it was years ago, and a different surgery. None of those people were unsupportive, just concerned. Once I explained the current science and risk factors, they realized I'd done my homework and were very supportive.
My response is always based on how invested I am in the relationship with that person. If it's someone I work or interact with a lot and care about the relationship, I educate them about the surgery and the scientific evidence and the true risk factors. If it's not a close friend or family member, I don't go into personal health details, but if it is I explain why my particular case points to this surgery. If they still don't support me, I just stop discussing it with them. If they bring it up, I change the subject.
If it's not someone I am close to or care about, I just tell them that they might want to look into the current research because it doesn't sound like their information is up to date. And then walk away. LOL.

Yeah, people just don't understand that the surgery is the only thing that will work for folks like us who have lost and regained so many times. I plan on not telling many people just because I know I will get sick of explaining and I don't want to hear the negativity. When people notice the weight loss, I will just say, "yeah I've been working on it."
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Holy wowza!!! 319# is impressive!! Congratulations! You're a Rock Star!!!
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Hey @@jazzyjay! I'm doing well. How are you doing? I had my consult on Friday & finally told my husband that I was doing this surgery whether he supported it or not. We talked about it on Fri & Sat a bit. He is a master manipulator, I tell you! He has me feeling so guilty for everything already. It makes me so mad & I realize that this is how he has treated me for 21 years, since I was 19yrs old. Like I'm not capable of making a decision for myself.
What's going on with you?
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I'm your age too. I chose Rny because I had acid reflux and because Rny is the gold standard. I wanted the dumping aspect as well. I needed to lose about the same amount of weight as you. I've lost 72 lbs since my surgery 4 months ago. I'm about half way to my goal. I have had no complications so far. The best decision I ever made.
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I chose my sleeve and I still don't regret it even tho I'm converting to bypass Dec 27th because I am not in physical pain everyday and my sleeve is disfigured lol. not at goal yet but still proud of my progress Sent from my Z981 using the BariatricPal App

Hi my name is Kathy...only my husband and children know I am going for the gastric sleeve. I see my surgeon again on Dec 26...hoping I get a date then. All of my classes & tests will be done by the 9th of January. I will play it by ear who I tell and when.

@@laurak814 How is everything going?
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Yup I had a torn meniscus in my right knee. I had surgery on my knee Oct 2016, and Sleeve 12/12/16.
It's not totally healed but it's getting their. Weight loss will definitely help with the healing. I tried meds and had an option of shots prior to the surgery. But I didn't want to continue with the meds and opted for surgery.

I had a my medial meniscus repaired in September '14 followed by 4 cortisone injections and an arthrogram before having my second surgery in September '15 repairing both medial and lateral meniscus-my medial re-tore. I'm crossing my fingers haha.

I believe with the weight off it will definitely help! I hate u have to go through all that. I definitely know your discomfort.
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I am having the same problem with my knee. A torn meniscus before I get my surgery next month. I hope the weight loss helps or I will end up with surgery
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Hopefully your knee feels better without surgery. I didn't really have a choice since I hurt my knee at work-well I did have a choice. My knees snap, crackle, and pop from all the wear and tear from sports and work

Not miniscus, but I tore my PCL. just six months ago I couldn't straighten my leg or bend it all the way. I couldn't walk down stairs without a handrail. I was always in pain. Now, 85 pounds down, I only have pain after intense exercise. This surgery saved my mobility.
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I'm secret squirrel too. Only my husband and sister know. I'm telling friends and family that I'm having hernia repair surgery and that's why I can only eat liquids during Christmas. I'm off work till Jan. 3 so when I go back I'll tell co-workers I'm doing my annual New Years diet. I'm not even telling my kids (ages 5 & 9) because I don't want them to worry and don't want to make my weight a focus or topic of conversation. They'll just see their mom getting healthy in the New Year.
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Nope, no one but the hubby. It's a private decision and I don't need to hear everyone else's opinions. I would recommend not telling. So much more relaxing!

No, he is super supportive. I am just EXTREMELY private. He knows that. But sometimes in the moment, he likes to over share with people, especially his family. His family has never liked me, they have never given me a chance. They have always done shitty things to me, so I cut off all communication with them. Which has helped a lot, but they still look for any reason to talk about me and make up lies. So I just worry that he could let it slip one day. Or if something was to happen between us. I told him that I wish I could go to legal and draw up some form that says he could never say anything. Haha. I just hate people knowing my business. I joked and used the example that it's like two people committing murder together or a crime, you know you aren't going to say anything but are hopeful that the other person won't. Then the next thing you know, you are in prison.Haha. (I watch a lot of crime shows.) he swears that he won't say anything. I sure hope not.
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Having surgery on Wednesday, you've given me so much hope for a excellent recovery...

Hey caddygirl! The surgery itself was fine. I didn't feel a thing. The small incisions are just a little sore but very tolerable. I'm feeling pretty good.
I had the surgery Wednesday, I came home Thursday, and today I've been resting but I've also got up and went for a couple of walks.
The only tough part has been trying to get all the required Protein in. However, I haven't been hungry at all.
Also, I can't say enough about how thankful I am that I'm not in any pain. I was given some liquid hydrocodone for pain but I haven't really needed it, thankfully!
In the past, I had been so afraid of this surgery, now like so many others I wish I had the procedure sooner, but I'm happy I finally got it done.
I'm feeling very blessed to have so much support as well. Thanks to everyone for your positive thoughts and well wishes!
We can definitely all do this!
Don't look back, turn the page, and let your next chapter begin!

I had my consult on Friday, I could have my surgery as early as late March/early April, but due to my family schedule & saving for the out of pocket cost, I'm probably going to put it off until June. I'm a Sub Teacher, hubby is a Teacher & he coaches all year around, plus the kids are in sports-we are very busy. I just have to lose weight from where I am now & stay above 35 BMI to be approved for the surgery & go to all the appointments.
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