kathy060464

I just got the approval!!! Thanks for the prayers and good vibes:) I'll follow up with the surgery date. Hoping for October!

My surgery date is October 10th! I’m really excited but can’t help but be a little nervous. So glad to see other October Sleevers!

I've just been scheduled for October 11th.

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My surgery date is October 16

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October 8th for me....

October 3rd! I'm nervous! And also excited!
Btw, thanks for labeling this thread "2018." There are two other October threads that don't have the year marked, and I really hope some of us stay in touch through 2019 and 2020, at least. No sense in confusing next year's sleevers!

Hello! I am scheduled for Oct. 1.
I am trying not to freak out. reminding myself of all that @CrankyMagpie just wrote...but reason doesn't always outweigh my fear.

October 18 for me. Time to start the excruciating process of breaking up with coffee. Heaven help those who need to be around me! LOL.

October is the month! Date not set until end of September. Can't wait. Started walking more, cut caffeine waaay back, no soda. Still have to tell people.......besides my husband and boss, that is.

Hello everyone! My gastric sleeve surgery is scheduled for 10/15 and I can’t wait. It’s been a wild ride! 12 years ago I had the lapband. I was 257 and got down to 167. I had two pregnancies and lost all of the weight right after. About 8 months ago I started having a lot of issues with the band. Long story short I have to have it removed due to erosion and have gotten back up to 225 and feeling like crap! I have lost the greatest tool I had to help me and I can’t wait until this surgery to get me back on track. I start my pre op diet on 10/1 and that is stressing me out a bit but I’ll push through. I am only hoping for no complications and a quick recovery as I have three wild and crazy kids!!! Hoping to connect with some or all of you for support and experiences!

@kdiddle31 Sorry to hear about the negative reaction. My friends and family have been very supportive, though I have only told those closest to me so far. I'm not too worried about negativity, I'm doing this for me, no one else, and I am confident in my decision...so, I would just smile and carry on!

I wish I could take 4 weeks off, but with this being an elective surgery I am having to use my personal time off and have no medical leave. My plan is to take 1 week off, then work from home the 2nd week if I am able. @shazz73 I am sad about losing coffee also. I usually only have 1-2 cups a day, but I am going to miss them. I have never been a soda drinker, so that part doesnt bother me as much.

I am sooo ready for surgery day! I have my scope next week, then my preop appt the week after, then it's time for the 2 week liquid diet... so hopefully time will move quickly.

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October 23rd for me and I too am scared stupid about the surgery.
I have 6 weeks to go so at the 1 month mark I'm going to switch to something like Medifast or Diet Direct liquid foods. Their stuff isn't too bad and it will get me in the "groove" for post op. I'm not a fan of pain meds and from what I've heard it's not horrible. I just broke my wrist a few months ago and was fine. I broke my right had 6 years ago and had to have surgery on it and only took Motrin so I think I got this....
The nickname my dad gave me when I was a kid was "big chief chicken heart". So true.

I've just been scheduled for October 11th.

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Is this in addition to the required nutritional visits with the dietitian?

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I don't have a date yet but the surgeon has said late October or November. I'm trying to continue eating healthy and walking every day. I have one more nutritional visit and my final appt with pulmonologist after using the cpap for two months. I'm also researching where to purchase my supplements. I plan on taking two weeks off after surgery.

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I don't have a date yet but the surgeon has said late October or November. I'm trying to continue eating healthy and walking every day. I have one more nutritional visit and my final appt with pulmonologist after using the cpap for two months. I'm also researching where to purchase my supplements. I plan on taking two weeks off after surgery.

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So, I got a call from the surgeon yesterday and he said the CT scan of my liver did not show any abnormalities! That is awesome news! I just need to make sure the pre-op diet is adhered to so I shrink my liver before surgery.

I'm so happy there is nothing wrong with my liver!!!

The great thing about message boards is 100 other people will benefit from your words even if the OP doesn’t

@CashmereAndBones According to your profile page, you've returned to read these comments. I hope you've had a chance to take all of our well-intentioned words to heart. I don't know why you haven't reposted since. Did you not receive the answers you wanted? Are you feeling disheartened now and reconsidering surgery? Come out of the shadows, friend. What's on your mind?

I agree with everything @AshAsh1 said, especially "it doesn't sound like you are in the right mind frame to have this surgery. These are questions I wouldn't be concerned with if I was ready to change my life. ......You are concerned about not having to change your lifestyle. These questions don't sound like they are from someone who has hit their rock bottom and wants to have life changing surgery to lose weight. Just saying...."
I agree that WLS surgery is a lifestyle change. Your sleeve isn't going to change anything in your mind. You can totally defeat this surgery by eating the wrong foods, eating too much and eating too frequently.
Here are my experiences/opinions, 5 months post op
1. Will I be able to eat a cheeseburger and small fry with like a milkshake? Clearly I won't be opting for this on the daily but we all still need to indulge in our favorites once in a while and I'm not sure how much of it I'll be able to eat I'm assuming maybe like 1/3 or maybe 1/2 of the entire meal. But does anyone have experience with eating cheeseburgers, fries and a milkshake on like a vacation or for just a little "cheat meal"?
I live in LA, so I have had In-n-Out post surgery. I can eat about 1/3 of a hamburger, Protein style, no room for anything else. I actually prefer In-n-Out burgers protein style, since the Buns are nothing special. I get it protein & animal style, hold the Thousand Island (mustard grilled patty & grilled onions, wrapped in lettuce). Their fries seriously suck, don't waste any stomach room on them. Have a sip or two of a milkshake if you must. But milkshakes are pure sabotage, so be careful.
I don't think there is anything inherently wrong about eating local specialties on vacation, and being flexible for a week. But you have to be absolutely certain you can get back on plan once you get home.
2. I absolutely LOVE sparkling Water like La Croix and San Pellegrino, does anyone drink sparkling Water on occasion?
I have no issues w carbonation, as long as I don't drink out of a can. Over ice takes away some of the fizz, and doesn't bother me.
3. Cocktails and Wine, I'm not sure about you but being 24 I like to have myself an occasional couple of social beverages, how was your experience with alcohol both mixed drinks (hard liquor) and wine? (Don't worry about beer I don't like it).
I have no issues with how alcohol effects me. But I have almost completely given up alcohol, because they are liquid calories with no nutritional value. I have worked way too hard and had too much success to undue it with a few drinks. A mixed cocktail has as many or more calories than I consume in a day. If you are serious about WLS you will come to the same conclusion that drinks, except on rare occasion aren't worth it. I may not be 24, but this was a BIG adjustment for me, as my job centers around entertaining and wining and dining.
4. Not to generalize but I think a lot of people have a sweet tooth, I love the occasional scone, croissant, cookie, French macaron, etc. how has your experience with these types of baked pastries been?
This is the biggest worry about your post. Can you occasionally have these, yes, of course. But the fact you are worried about this pre op makes me think you are too attached, and occasional will be far too often.
5. coffee. I'm ADDICTED to coffee and espresso beverages; lattes, macchiatos, cappuccinos, matcha lattes. How have these affected you and do you sweeten them at all or keep it plain? Can you sweeten them with like flavored syrups like a pump of lavender simple Syrup or matcha powder?
Ugh, lavender simple Syrup, pure liquid calories again, as are most coffee drinks. Try out coffee at home with Premier Protein Caramel or Fairlifemilk and sf syrup.
7. Also will there be a time when eventually I can have a beverage while eating a snack or meal? Or will I forever not be able to consume liquids and solids at the same time?
Nope, at 5 months I usually have to wait more than 1/2 hr to drink after a meal. I feel full, I feel my restriction working. I don't want to defeat it, push the food out of my stomach, and make myself hungry again. It's not a big deal for me at all.
I do wish you luck, but think hard if you are ready for the lifestyle changes that successful WLS requires

1. So yes, we all get the point of the surgery is to lose weight and lead a healthy lifestyle BUT that doesn't mean we can't enjoy ourselves sometimes. My favorite food chain is in LA, In-N-Out Burger. Will I be able to eat a cheeseburger and small fry with like a milkshake? Clearly I won't be opting for this on the daily but we all still need to indulge in our favorites once in a while and I'm not sure how much of it I'll be able to eat I'm assuming maybe like 1/3 or maybe 1/2 of the entire meal. But does anyone have experience with eating cheeseburgers, fries and a milkshake on like a vacation or for just a little "cheat meal"? (Again, I get the point is to NOT eat these types of food but sometimes you have urges especially on vacations).
Maybe I over read what surgery you are having, but its a little different for a sleever or someone who's had RNY. I cannot eat regular ice cream. It has way too much sugar and I would dump. Occasionally I will eat sugar free ice cream from the grocery store. But you are hard pressed to find sugar free options at restaurants. Also, I would NEVER be able to eat a burger (never with a bun), fries, and a milk shake. I wouldn't have enough room. Let me give you an example, I was at Chili's this past weekend and I ordered shrimp tacos and fries as my side. I had 3-4 fries and one single taco (I was stuffed!). I did partake in a couple chips with salsa prior to the meal, and I can do that as long as its long enough before our meal comes out. Eating out is not fun for me anymore, and its almost frustrating because I waste so much food. By the time I start to enjoy something, I'm already full. Don't get me started on the cost factor.
2. I absolutely LOVE sparkling Water like La Croix and San Pellegrino, does anyone drink sparkling water on occasion?
I drink carbonated beverages on occasion. This is not against my program. However, this is a mixed review in the WLS community. I would consult your surgeon to see if they allow carbonation after surgery. I also weighted until 3 months post op to make sure my staple line was completely healed. The important part is that you are drinking CALORIE FREE liquids.
3. Cocktails and Wine, I'm not sure about you but being 24 I like to have myself an occasional couple of social beverages, how was your experience with alcohol both mixed drinks (hard liquor) and wine? (Don't worry about beer I don't like it).
I have drank hard alchohol on two occasions since surgery and I did just fine. I did half of a shot of vodka to one small can of sugar free Red Bull. I was cleared for alcohol 3 mons post op.
4. Not to generalize but I think a lot of people have a sweet tooth, I love the occasional scone, croissant, cookie, French macaron, etc. how has your experience with these types of baked pastries been?
I don't eat baked goods at all. There is too much added sugar, and white processed flour. The only thing I indulge in is the SF ice cream on special occasions or really hot days. I stay away from most processed foods and things with added sugar. There are plenty of recipes you can make on your own at home that can satisfy your sweet tooth. This one below is for a Protein brownie. But you will be hard pressed to find things at the store (already made) that are bariatric friendly. The common trend is make it yourself. Cooking, meal prepping, healthy shopping...ect.
https://www.bariatriccookery.com/simply-gorgeous-protein-brownies
7. This is hopefully not going to be a struggle but when I eat I like to sip on water or unsweetened iced tea, coffee, etc. I know in the beginning you're supposed to drink like 30 minutes BEFORE consuming food. How soon after can you drink something? Also will there be a time when eventually I can have a beverage while eating a snack or meal? Or will I forever not be able to consume liquids and solids at the same time?
The answer is you will forever have to withhold from drinking for the 30 mins before/after rule. The only time this does not apply is when you are in liquid stages of post op. This important for 2 reasons. The first being is that liquids will allow food to pass through your pouch quicker, making you able to eat more. The second, is it could cause your pouch to stretch. My program specifies the 30 minute after rule, but not before. Check with your surgeon to see what your program suggests.

So I gave you very honest answers to most of your questions.... but let me say this, it doesn't sound like you are in the right mind frame to have this surgery. These are questions I wouldn't be concerned with if I was ready to change my life. There is a difference between concerned about post op recovery, types of Vitamins, or protein sources. You are concerned about not having to change your lifestyle. These questions don't sound like they are from someone who has hit their rock bottom and wants to have life changing surgery to lose weight. Just saying....
Remember this, this surgery is 80% mind, and 20% body. You will have to overcome the mental aspects. Are you ready? Can you do it?

I have a question for all posters and participants, when someone posts and you participate or respond to it do you "like" the original post or not? Does anyone know if it affects community ratings or if the topic trends?