FierceOne

I've not told many, just the people I'm closest too. I've started the conversations like this: "I've been doing a lot of research, talked with my PCP and put a lot of thought into something and I've come to a decision about my health." I then tell them about the procedure, what my hoped for outcome is (no meds) and tell them that their support is what I'm looking for because it would make it so much easier. So far everyone I've told has been great. There have been some who have hesitated with their response and those are the ones I assume aren't comfortable with my decision, but with my preamble I think I was able to stop any negative replies. Best of luck and know that this is about you, not anyone else. If your good with it that's ultimately all that matters.

Hi! CONGRATS on your upcoming surgery, @FierceOne! So exciting. The kittens photo is absolutely precious. I have 2 Ragdolls named Romeo & Juliet and love, love, love kittens. <3
I found out about my surgery date about a month before surgery and I immediately got busy and prepared a back up plan for me. I then approached my boss and let him know I was having surgery, and would need 2 weeks off, and discussed the list of those covering my workload and asked that we keep this private and confidential. I told him I would have difficulty telling folks what I was doing while on PTO if they asked, because we have such an open, fun office and are super friendly with one another, but this was something I wanted to keep to myself for the most part. It's ok to be private about this. My boss was super supportive and said, I don't have to tell anyone anything and if asked, just say I'm spending time with my family and having a staycation. He asked if anyone else knew about this, and I told him that I'd tell my closest colleague that I was having surgery but asking her to keep it private as well. He asked if everything was ok, and I told him everything would be fine. No detail was provided on what kind of surgery I was having. He asked if I was going to tell our Founder and said I didn't need to, but I decided I would go ahead as I provide administrative support to her a lot too. I kept it basic as I did with my boss and colleague and just told her I was having surgery. No one asked any additional questions. I did tell my work BFF what was really going on but she is in HR and her lips are always sealed. I plan on not telling anyone else at work.
This is your journey and we can support you!

@wanda247
I was told by my doc that i will not be allowed to drink anything with carbonation
reading above posts i see some docs allow. As always, we/doc/nut are all given directions At the
end of the day - listen/follow ONLY your doc/nut.
good luck
kathy

My surgeon led me to believe that the carbonation could possibly stretch my stomach back out causing me to eat more and lose less weight.

I told them it was a hernia!

Well you ARE doing your own professional development. You are trimming down and sleekifying yourself for the coming school year. If that isn't important, pffft on them!🐯

Thank you all so very much for the suggestions! And I really appreciate the support!
It is so wonderful to be in a place where there is so much understanding and great advice!
Much love to you all and best wishes on your journeys!

Hello!
My surgery was just scheduled and it will be August 28. I am curious how you handled notifying your work.
When & how did you let your boss/work know you will be out for surgery? What did you say? How soon did you tell them?
I know some folks are open to sharing about the surgery; I applaud you!!!
Unfortunately, I am a pretty private/introverted person and am not comfortable with sharing too much.
Thank you! <3
and added kitten picture just because it makes me happy!

Hello everyone!

I pretty new here and am super excited to join this thread! I was just scheduled for my surgery - it will be August 28!

You look absolutely wonderful! Congrats on your weight loss!

Hello!
My surgery was just scheduled and it will be August 28. I am curious how you handled notifying your work.
When & how did you let your boss/work know you will be out for surgery? What did you say? How soon did you tell them?
I know some folks are open to sharing about the surgery; I applaud you!!!
Unfortunately, I am a pretty private/introverted person and am not comfortable with sharing too much.
Thank you! <3
and added kitten picture just because it makes me happy!

Thank you so very much!!!

Hello!
My surgery was just scheduled and it will be August 28. I am curious how you handled notifying your work.
When & how did you let your boss/work know you will be out for surgery? What did you say? How soon did you tell them?
I know some folks are open to sharing about the surgery; I applaud you!!!
Unfortunately, I am a pretty private/introverted person and am not comfortable with sharing too much.
Thank you! <3
and added kitten picture just because it makes me happy!

Hello everyone!

I pretty new here and am super excited to join this thread! I was just scheduled for my surgery - it will be August 28!

Woot woot!
It is exciting!!

Ok here we go...The inaugural Golden Key Awards for surgeries completed in May 2018.
Congrats to @debbie89, @Tierra T Tij, @numinousvessel, @kat6620, @Mrs. Rob, @PCOSSUCKS for reaching this next stage of their lives. Wishing you all much success!!

Ok - I'm going to steal the idea from @sdcheesehead's group and tweak it a bit for our group. Her program awards silver forks in recognition of getting a surgery date. So I would like to award those that have completed their surgery with golden flatware. I found this image of flatware made to look like vintage keys. I felt that was very fitting for our journey.
So I will award these at the beginning of each month for those that had surgery in the prior month. I'll come back to do a new post awarding those that had surgery back in May. Hope you all like this idea!

Tomorrow this time I’ll be in prep and holding! Looking forward to my journey!😊👍🏽✊🏽👏🏽💪🏽😊

I am August 20th!

I saw that episode...and that dude's mouth had serious issues before he ever had surgery. The surgery might have put them over the edge due to Calcium malabsorption, but they were not healthy before hand.
Happy to report I've had no dental issues since my sleeve. Just went in (my husband says to have my fangs sharpened..lol...normal people call it a teeth cleaning) and got a clean bill of dental health.
I do think it's important to do two things though:
1. Keep up on your cleanings and check ups and floss well. Pay attention to your teeth.
2. Take your calcium and other Vitamins as directed and follow up with having your labs checked on schedule. At 3 months, 6 months, a year, etc.. Make sure you're not Vitamin D deficient, particularly if you live in the North where it's darker. If you are, make sure to correct your Vitamin D to a normal level so you can absorb your calcium. Go to your rechecks!
About the cancer thing....
First off, when reading your studies....make sure they are comparing incidence of esophogeal cancer in WLS patients to other obese patients.
Second....the bariatric community....WITHOUT weight loss surgery has higher esophogeal cancer due to weight related reflux.
Third....being fat is coorelated with dozens of other cancers and ups your odds of getting one.....so even if there was a little uptick of esophogeal cancer, you'd probably still be ahead with that risk than the risk you take being significantly overweight.
Fourth....experienced surgeons are doing a better job of tightening hernias and preventing reflux in sleeve patients.
Fifth...endoscopic screenings for esophogeal cancer could become a standard part of preventative care for WLS patients...and they're pretty easy to do....if more research determines more risk.