KarenLR75

Thank you, sweet GreenTealael! You are right, I'm still very excited and this journey is for me. I will/have totally forgiven them. I love my little family. Thanks for the vibes!!

@Deedee12 your words were completely uplifting as was @cristobal. Thank you for taking time to write such and encouraging and sweet message. Your take on the situation seems...so right. Seriously - I don't have words to tell you how grateful I am for your reply. Time to get ready to go to hospital - I'm so very grateful for everyone here!

Well, tomorrow at 7 am is the "big day". I'm a bit disappointed that none of my family has come home before now (it's 9:33 PM) as I have to be at the hospital by 5 AM. My eldest daughter flies back to PA tomorrow (mid-day) and originally she was coming with my husband & I to the hospital and then hopefully I would get to recovery before he had to drive her to the airport. Youngest daughter was going to join us @ the hospital closer to my surgery time. My husband called and announced that they have made things "much easier" (not his specific wording but the gist)..and that youngest daughter is going to pick up eldest and drive her to the airport so "they don't have to get up so early" and then..after youngest has dropped her off..she will stop by on her way to work. I am realizing now I'm actually VERY hurt by this. When my parents were alive, we made sure for any major surgery to be there with them no matter WHAT time the surgery was. To make sure we could see them before they went back. I am...stunningly hurt by this and I'm just now realizing it. My husband and eldest are out drinking beer..they said they'd be home early..but it's almost 10 PM and I need to be up by at least 4:15 AM. I have been patient and understanding and ALONE most nights as everyone goes and does the usual 'food socialization'. My eldest doesn't get good Tex-Mex where she lives so this was a long standing tradition. I HONESTLY don't begrudge them that..but what is a SCARY and very important day for me...it's like my husband is only showing up as he HAS to be there. I don't understand my kids..I really don't. You could not have paid me any amount of money to not be by my parent's side...both of them. And I always was. I don't even have my parents left to be there with me..I know many do not. But I am very disappointed and I feel very very alone. Sorry, am not handling this well. To everyone else still upcoming in Week 4, I wish all of you the very best!

I have appt this coming week, they are working me in so am not sure what date it will be on - for final meet with dr. I've been working on researching bypass vs. sleeve to make sure that I feel like I concur with what the dr. has suggested. I'm torn on some of the pros/cons of both surgeries based on following about co-morbidities/health situation: I do NOT have high blood pressure I do NOT have high cholesterol I do NOT have diabetes I do NOT currently have ongoing heartburn/acid reflux (get heartburn 3 or 4 times a yr, and acid reflux..maybe once a year if that) My BMI started out at 60 and is now 54? I am 50 yrs old (not young) I have long clotting history but NO clotting disorder EVERY episode of clotting (DVT's/PE's) had known causation. Have permanent IVC filter since 2011. Knees have severe arthritis and need replacing - have to get to 40 BMI to have kneed surgery Here are some generalities I've gathered on sleeve vs bypass from searching here, google searches, and many youtube videos watched. If anything is wrong, please let me know. It's amazing that despite how much you read/watch, you can come away with questions still - maybe my retention is shot with long pre-op diet?: Bypass – possible chance of bowel obstruction later after surgery Bypass – possible chance of twisting bowels after surgery (don't know %) Bypass - less chance of reflux/resolves reflux for many Sleeve – chance of developing reflux (do not have more than 4 episodes a yr of heartburn, maybe 1 of reflux) Sleeve – chances of clots forming in previous ‘stomach/fundus’ area - not able to get specific % (this was also something dr. mentioned) Bypass – chances of clots/DVT's? (haven't found specifics yet) Bypass vs. Sleeve - hair loss - tied. Rapid weight loss causes this and can occur with either surgery Bypass vs. Sleeve - more long term data on bypass than sleeve Bypass vs. Sleeve - overall amt of weight loss tends to even out for both at around 5 to 6 yr mark, but bypass has 10 to 20% greater chance of 'initial faster weight loss" Bypass vs. Sleeve - chance for hernias, ulcers, etc. %? for both (need to find out) Bypass vs. Sleeve – likely to cause more time in bathroom? Bypass due to dumping/vomiting (some see dumping as a 'pro'?)? Sleeve due to vomiting /diarrhea? Bypass vs. Sleeve - % of Vomiting / Amount of Nausea (same?) Bypass vs. Sleeve - easier to stretch out sleeve pouch?? Bypass vs. Sleeve - lesser % of chances or regain with bypass in long term? Statistically significant? True or False? Bypass vs. Sleeve - sleeve has more reduction of hunger hormones ghrelin & leptin as fundus removed? Anyone know if bypass has statistically significant reduction in 'unger hormones'? Bypass vs. Sleeve - more chance of malnutrition with bypass - what happens with my long term meds & how they will absorb/not absorb (take 2 anti-depressants and 1 is 'slow release' - take 2 diff meds for sleep due to shift work disorder)?? Bypass vs. Sleeve - bypass surgery longer Dang..i feel like I'm missing some obvious stuff on this list!!!! Going to go look at snippets saved in Word doc.

Whether you are having a bypass or a gastric sleeve, anyone else out there on July 1st?? Pre-op is pretty much what I expected....blah I know I've seen some other July 1st peeps out there....would be nice to be able to keep track and talk, especially when some of the 'night before' and 'day of' jitters kick in. Heck, I'd be happy to hear from anyone around the July 1st date (clarification: AM happy to hear from ANYONE - I like people...most people..like..90% of ppl..LOL) Have some lovely ppl who have already been through this that have been SO SUPPORTIVE like frustr8, AZHiker (did I get that right) and then peeps on the July 2019 surgery topics... Man, July 1st snuck up on me!! How about y'all?? Unsure if we need to cancel our traditional July 4th swim party. I don't do the food, and we have very little family left but my folks, before they passed, had asked that we keep some of the traditional gatherings going. I don't care if I happen to be in hospital and hubby always cooks. I want my brother and nephews, etc. to have somewhere to go..wow, that was a rabbit trail I wasn't expecting..sorry!

My CIGNA policy required now back to back nutritionist visits even though my dr's office insisted they did. I was so glad mine didn't require it as I had already spent 15 months preparing myself and working with CIGNA before I ever walked into my surgeon's office.

Sigh...I'm going to take my body out to the pool and work on my arms and legs..(1 leg actually, the other knee is torn out so I'm limited as to what it can do). I'm in funky mood. There are leftovers from eating out that my family has piled in the fridge and I'm on pre-op..but it has never bothered me until today. Long story, but basically I've been thru 2 rounds of pre-op dieting.. This 2nd time is so much harder! I actually had a strong impulse to open one of the to go containers so I shut the fridge door and I'm walking away. I'm going out to the pool as I don't know what is going on with my head. Surgery is this Thursday and I refuse to mess this up. I have to stay strong. I have a pic of 1 thing orange-ish..but will look for something better outside. PS: I think I'm grumpy because eldest daughter is in town and I haven't gone with them out to restaurants as that is just too hard when I'm on the pre-op diet. So much of the socializing truly does revolve around restaurants..and I feel left out and lonely I think

If I can ever rock a jumpsuit 1/2 as well as you do....I will be a very happy woman! Awesome job..awesome outfit

Allergies have hit hard. Have been coughing all day. It needs to go away as this surgery needs to happen!!

Best wishes to the remaining July Week 4 group (I added a few people who have commented recently that are in this same week). 22- @ARMoma45 (RNY) @NancyLF @Jackie Escalara – DONE! Wishing speedy recoveries!!! Week 4 Still to Come: 23- @New_Me2019 (VSG) @kbee88 @MeowAMR (VSG) 24- @LessFee (VSG) @mrsbrown12115 @sshrader1208 @fer211 @Stephanieanne7 (VSG) 25- @KarenLR75 (RNY) 26- @Tbaby503 (VSG) @becoming con_fit_dent (VSG)

Welcome to week 4! VSG or RNY?

Did arm exercises in the pool. Was SO HOT today. Even in the pool after a couple of hours, maybe it is a combination with the very LONG pre-op diet, but I felt a bit wilted. My perfect climate/weather? LOL...60 degrees or colder..and here I am in TX (was born WAY up North and lived there during my childhood. Dad retired to TX and a kazillion years later I'm still in shock at the heat. Ooohh...all dolled up...um..not any pics that I'd care to share.

@ARMoma45 - I hear you..but you got this! Just think by this time tomorrow it will be done and you will be recovering..and visiting with our post-op July surgery siblings. Thinking of you, @NancyLF and @Jackie Escalera tonight! Best wishes for smooth sailing, ladies!

Hey! Oh..LOL...I have a 3 week pre-op. It is focused on shrinking my liver as much as possible before surgery. This is common for most ppl on these forums, I think. I probably weigh a whole lot MORE than you. My BMI is over 50 so I can understand my dr's need to get that fatty liver shrunken up some. Crossing my fingers that it is working!

I don't care for ice cream type things in general and not a big fan of popsicles...UNTIL..I started PRE-OP. I have been converted to a Popsicle fan!! My fave are the Outshine bars but as we've discussed, there are calories involved and they have a couple of grams of sugar. I alternate between them and the Popsicle brand.

I hear you! I'm on Thursday...

WOW, that is LOW! I guess since I'm not post-op..well, when I think about how much you are likely able to 'get down'....that calorie amount is probably spot on!

Glad to see the update. Was thinking about y'all. Sorry about hubby's experience but glad he got through it. TOTALLY hear you on liquids and I'm not even POST-OP yet..lOL Congrats to you both on the weight loss!! That is AWESOME!!

Best wishes to upcoming July Week 4 group - I'm also in this group! Excited and SCARED..and EXCITED 22- @ARMoma45 (RNY) @NancyLF @Jackie Escalara 23- @New_Me2019 (VSG) @kbee88 @MeowAMR (VSG) 24- @LessFee (VSG) @mrsbrown12115 25- Me! @KarenLR75 - anyone else??? 26- @Tbaby503 (VSG) @becoming con_fit_dent (VSG)

This is me TODAY. This is my 2nd round of pre-op as I made a last minute change that impacted surgery date - went from 7/1 to 7/25. I've found pre-op ODDLY much harder this 2nd time around. The 1st time i did it a month back, I got to Day 13 and it wasn't as hard as I anticipated. I seemed to be able to get by with even less calories than 'allotted' (while staying within the limits of what I was allowed). This time...I'm HUNGRY/HANGRY..I find myself tearing up out of the blue ...feeling sad and missing my parents and having difficulty interacting with my family (we are all 'Type A' but I've learned in recent years as I got older to be much more laid back). I'm so confused. The 1st round of pre-op I average about a lb a day weight loss. This time I'm on Day...um..18 and I've lost about 3 or 4 lbs. That's why I'm scared that my liver isn't shrinking enough. I made myself start logging things the other day when I was worried I was maybe still getting in above 800 calories - maybe an xtra protein shake I wasn't recalling.

I have always assumed, ok..in the last few weeks when I changed dr's and the new one said that I could indeed have a gastric bypass and that based on the weight I need to lose, etc. it would be the best best - especially as my insurance is a "one and done" (i.e. you only get 1 bariatric surgery..EVER)....I assumed the RNY would be done via laparoscopy? Hopefully the days of "open" RNY's, etc. are a thing of the past. However, I just got my "official copy" of my insurance approval and it says "Gastric Bypass by Endoscopy" What the heck? Is this a normal part of RNY - do they go down your..um...esophagus and also do little incisions on your abdomen? I've been so heavily sleeve focused for past 3 yrs, I feel like I've missed something crucial..or I just don't understand. Why am I drawing a blank on this?? It's just made me....pause (not changing mind - still having surgery on 7/25)...and try to 'catch up' on just what is going to happen "now". I mean, I've watched videos, TV shows, etc. but so far I've seen the use of robotics/laparoscopy or just laparoscopy. Maybe I wasn't paying attention enough or missed that part of the show?

Sorry, missed Lovely Life - will work on finding pic for it. For OOTD: I haven't lost my weight yet and am not comfortable with any pics...instead I will post a pic of what the "new me" would most likely seek out to wear although how the heck I'm ever going to wear this fabulous trench in Texas...is beyond me! I can always save it for when I go to PA or if I decide to switch to the side of my company that travels. I still have a few good yrs left that I could handle that again. Kids out of the house so no more...lol...ok, less "how will they get to all of their activities" type worries...calls I'd get when I was in another state on business...that was hard! I'm not really having a great summer. Being 300+ lbs in TX or any other 'hot place' & being at the age where these so called "hot flashes" are picking up...is honestly downright miserable. I can tell that you ladies, even if you are too young to have 'hot flashes', know what I mean about feeling hot, damp, messy, but even more just feeling so bad about how you look and how you feel. I'm looking forward to 7/25 to get RNY surgery. To show I'm not completely gloomy, I'm ready to rock the look below in hopefully the next 2 years..and then I won't be saying I'm having "hot flashes"...I will be having POWER SURGES!! Oh yeah, the challenge - I didn't do arms today but I did swim in the pool and did some arm exercises in there for about 45 mins.

So happy things went so well! Was thinking about you and greentealael yesterday..

THIS is SO TRUE!

Absolutely! I was actually looking at some posts from some of my 'initial faves' (they still are faves!) and found 'you' @GreenTealael in just the past week or so. I 'followed' you as you have such humor, wisdom, kindness and experience that I want to soak up as much as I can before my surgery on 7/25 (RNY). I've been posting a LOT and replying a LOT...and maybe that is typical prior to surgery. Sometimes I feel like I post too much..and I don't know why I feel that way. Honestly, last night when I had joined the July Challenge...an emotional issue that always hovers at the edges of my daily life came through as I was posting my flower pics..and that is...I miss my Mom. I miss my Dad too...but I so wish my Mom was here...she was an incredible Mother...and best friend. Her face is so very dear to me...I wish I could see it again before surgery. I feel like I'm a child again..but I really want my Mom... Dear Lord..where did all of that come from? I started this reply with the intent of assuring you....of how much help you have been..and don't even know about as I read posts from months ago. I understood where @justmetj heart/reason for posting was coming from. We do need our veterans, our pros, or even people who have recently stumbled (or not) to try to help ppl who post about things like 'pizza' and other choices or behaviors that could seriously endanger their physical well being or emotional well being. Not trying to help would form a 'conspiracy of silence' which would not help the OP. Confrontation is seen as 'negative' but it can be helpful, constructive and kind, even. I pray when I am making bad choices (as I don't think WLS nor my preparation is going to spare me from the fact that I am human)..that ppl CARE enough to call me on it...hopefully politely...but if someone cares to reply, 90%+ of the times, I'm going to take it as they care.