okayestmom

Frustr8, I can't even begin to imagine losing a child, especially the way it all went down when you lost your angel. You have your Tomkitten and you have a great group of supporters here! I felt like you were in my corner from the start and I'm sticking with you through your journey.

Amanda403, I hope you continue the video's, I will be looking for a post when I get my phone back after surgery on Monday. Even if it isn't a video yet, I agree with Frust8, let us know how you and your wife are doing.

I am having a hernia repair at the same time too. I have had various surgery's before so I am not that worried about the actual procedure. I live in Belton, It is located along I 35 in between Austin and Waco. My surgery is in San Antonio, which is about a 2 1/2 hour drive depending on traffic. I know from these boards that every surgeon has a different pre-op diet, but I think I must have chosen one of the more strict ones. I haven't cheated though, so I am pretty sure my liver is all shriveled up. Also, my dog's are enjoying the rest of my rotisserie chicken (pulled off the bone so I could measure my 4 ounces each day). I don't know how I am going to do on my clear liquids, but I got almost everything done today in case I am too tired or in the bathroom all day tomorrow.

Annie93, We have the same surgery date, tomorrow is my last shake day and Sunday is clear liquids and bowel prep. I am looking forward to surgery just so this pre-op diet can end. I have been starving myself since the 28th. My resting heart rate is now 44. I was finally able to move some more, getting 15,000-20,000 steps in, but then stopped losing weight. My shin splints are almost all the way better, I just have to walk slowly and pay attention to my mechanics, going 2.0 on the treadmill. I know surgery is scary, but I think you are in good hands and will be okay. We can do this together. I report at 8:45am, but my surgery is scheduled for 11:00am. I am assuming they will probably be running late. It is the middle of the night and I just finished a cup of broth hoping it will put me to sleep again...

I do understand shrinking the liver, but I am sleeping 12 hours a day on this pre-op diet. 1000 cal a day isn't cutting it for me. I am also supposed to be exercising more, but i just don't have the energy. I went from 10,000 steps to only 8,000 some days. I've lost 8 pounds since I started. Nine more days until surgery and only 3 more work days until I am off contract. Maybe I can just sleep until my surgery date. I feel like I have to follow the diet since all my other health tests didn't come out so great, but I also feel like this can't be healthy.

I think my body is trying to sleep through the pre-op diet. I did wake up at 1:00am because I was hungry, I drank some 5 calorie chicken broth and went back to sleep. I just got home from work and I think I am going to take a nap and try to stay up later than 8:30pm.

Deb100, I am so glad you asked this question! Now I have one more positive thing to put in my mind as I struggle through this pre-op diet.

My two adult children are only 14 months apart. I accidentally overheard a conversation they were having when they were in the 11th and 12th grade. My daughter didn't like my son's "easy" girlfriend and told him that if he got an STD from her that she was not giving him a kidney if he needed it. I'm still not sure how STD=need for kidney, but I do know that siblings will tell it like it is! You know what you need to do for your health, she just reminded you in that not so nice sibling way that she wants you to live too...

Amanda, I enjoyed your blog and we have the same surgery date! I will definitely be following how you and your wife are doing. Also, I am happy you have parents willing to jump in and help you guys.

Thanks for the well wishes, my Chest X-Ray came back stating I have hyperinflated lungs indicative of COPD and my EKG came back borderline due to incomplete right bundle branch block. (Over 100ms is bad mine was 92ms). I go to my last appointment before surgery next Tuesday and I guess the Surgeon will go over these issues with me then. Of course I googled all these things and the EKG isn't that big a deal since it is the right side, I might have even been born that way or being anxious during the test can cause it to do that. I quit smoking in 2013 and gained a bunch of weight. When I smoked I would get bronchitis at least once a year, so I have had plenty of chest x-rays. I don't understand how I can develop COPD after stopping. I thought when they found the hiatal hernia that that explained why I get out of breath so easy when I exercise. Responsible me is glad I am doing this because maybe catching all these issues early will help address them. Irresponsible me is thinking I never should have quit smoking, because at least I wouldn't have all the health issues that go along with obesity. Angry me is furious that I have been going to annual physicals and told all I need to do is lose weight to be healthy. Maybe I need to get a new primary Doctor or just stop going to VA. They don't cover WLS because unlike health plans they are not interested in making money (more longevity with less meds=money). Maybe the VA is still on the Doctor gets a bonus if they don't refer you to a specialist plan (That is how the health plan monopoly in my area used to work when my children were little).

Frustr8- Just one more hoop, but not a denial! I hope we have close surgery dates, so we can track together. Also, can your son send me 6 numbers for the Texas lotto, it would make paying off my surgery so much easier. ?

I wish the medical profession would stop caring for people by the bell curve. We are not all in the middle. I am glad you kept insisting on help and hope for a speedy recovery for you.

Since pursing this weight loss surgery as a self Pay patient I have learned that I have the following: 1) sleep apnea (got a CPAP); 2) hiatal hernia (they will repair during surgery); 3) borderline high blood pressure (placed on low dose med prior to surgery); 4) hyperinflated lungs indicative of COPD; 5) borderline EKG due to incomplete right bundle branch block. (Over 100ms is bad mine was 92ms). When I complained about shortness of breath during exercise, pain under my rib and other things, my Dr. just told me I need to lose weight. My cholesterol is awesome though. My labs all look good, co2 has been at the high end of normal. I quit smoking in 2013. But how did I pass my physicals? I think my Dr. should have ordered some of these tests. Was I just dismissed because I am fat, or are all these problems just borderline issues that will resolve with weight loss. I see the surgeon next Tuesday. I have not talked to them about the chest X-ray and EKG yet. Until then I will probably excessively google. ?

I guess I will be walking and the dogs will get extra hugs.

Does this happen to older women? I had a partial hysterectomy and my hormone levels tested positive for menopause. Just curious what to expect. I don't want to cry:(

Maybe try writing down your “bariatric schedule”. This could include water, vitamins, food, the amount of time you are supposed to take for each thing i.e. 30 minutes for shake etc. then write down the consequences of not following the program, such as dehydration, infections, slower healing, and exhaustion. When he confronts you with demands during your recovery time, you can just show him the list. Maybe post it on the fridge. Sometimes writing something down helps others understand what you need just in case you have not expressed verbally what you need.

Baritastic does have a scanner and you can talk instead of type if you want.

The food diary will not work to predict weight unless you put in at least 1200 cal. I just switched to the baritastic app. I think the data base of food is larger and more accurate in myfitnesspal, but once you add your stuff to favorites in baritastic it is actually easier to use. No problems getting my apple watch to sinc up. I like the water tracker better and it does not show you the calories burned (which makes me tempted to eat them). It also has some after surgery recipes that are super simple to make. My husband is the cook and I was seriously considering just getting baby food and adding some spices until I saw these recipes. Baritastic also has several video tutorials. I am 47 and my daughter showed me how to use the myfitnesspal app.

There are 0 Nicotine vapes available, or is that cheating?

Frustr8, Spending time reading your posts and poetry keeps me focused on someone else and helps speed the time along. If I am anxiously awaiting your surgery date, then I stop thinking about mine for a while. Even if I get done and you are still waiting, I am going to keep checking in. You have expressed how much you want this, and now I along with many others want it for you too!

Yep, time is going slower. My family supports my decision, but they also have no interest in what all it entails. My kids asked some questions, mostly concerning how dangerous the surgery will be. They are 25, 24, and 17. Husband is most concerned about getting the hotel info so our route from the surgical center to the hotel can be planned in advance. I am not complaining, he was my gps before I had gps! I just type my random thoughts into my iPad and let strangers help me out. Pre-Op diet on the 28th, one more appointment on the 29th and then surgery 6/11/18. Are we there yet?

Well, I was a bit anxious about my EKG. Then the overweight tech decided to give me a lecture on why she tells all of my surgeons patients how weight loss surgery isn’t the answer because it is going to cause a lifestyle changes. I just smiled and said you are mighty right. I didn’t really notice her weight until she decided to give me her medical advice. She wasn’t wrong about the lifestyle change... I guess my heart is okay because they didn’t keep me there.

Surgery date 6/11/18. I am in the tell everyone category as well, but respect other peoples choices to keep it private. I have today off for, lab, EKG, Chest X-Ray, and the much anticipated but dreaded nutrition appointment. So of course I woke up before the alarm went off. Husband is making an appointment today as well, he has COPD among other things and has finally admitted to feeling fatigued. It may be time for oxygen (at least at night). If my 3 kids and 47 years on this Earth have taught me anything, it is that if you don't take care of yourself, you cannot take care of everyone else. I am a little anxious about the EKG. I have never had one and everyone on my Mom's side is obese and died of heart attacks in the age 50-65 range. Dad's side is obese too, but the women and him seem to have a magical longevity gene. He says we don't know about the men (except him) because they all died doing stupid stuff like getting shot. He will be 79 in June.

Many of us follow, but don’t always post. Thank you so much for keeping us updated! I hope the inflammation goes down soon and I am glad you are okay. Please keep posting I worry about some of the posts that say “going to the Doctor on Monday”, and then nothing...

I am 5’5 and my goal weight is 140. I am sure my body has changed since the last time I weighed that amount. It isn’t so much the number as it is my mobility and ability to exercises without hurting myself. Getting in and out of my car is embarrassing now. Also I found out my heavy breathing from not much effort is from the hiatal hernia and they are fixing that when I have my surgery. Looking good in jeans would be nice too though...