momof3_angels

Disclaimer: I am still pre-op (until Wednesday). I also know that weighing/measuring/and recording foods are going to be my biggest challenge. That said: I do believe from everything I have learned that this will be vital to my success. At least, it will be in the first several months while I retrain my body to eat the right foods in the right portions. In the simplest of explanations: By weighing and measuring your food, you can be sure accurately eat proper portions and nutrient amounts. When we "eyeball" amounts, we tend to serve ourselves more than we are supposed to eat at one time. When we do that, we are overeating. We also are more unsure of what amounts of nutrients we are eating (too many carbs, too little protein). My "small" bowl may only hold 4 ounces of food, your "small" bowl" may hold 6-8 oz of food. That is a huge difference, and can mean the difference in being successful or not with your weight loss. The goal is to get the right portion sizes with the right nutrient amounts. And in keeping portion sizes small, you are reducing the risk of stretching your stomach back. When you do that, you are more hungry and you want to eat more. I hate measuring, so right now I buy individual sized servings of anything I can. 1 serving of tuna or chicken. 1 serving of greek yogurt or v-8 juice. Or whatever foods I have been told to eat. Post-op... I know I will be eating less at each meal for a while. So, I purchased 2oz and 4oz disposable containers. I will use them to put things like my jello and yogurt into until I am up to a full serving. For tracking food, I am learning to use the Bariastic app... but there are other apps you can use. I like this one as it is pretty simple to use, and I can take a picture of UPC codes for my foods. I also bought scales for food not long ago. Another tool I bought was a bariatric portions plate/bowl. Waste of money? Maybe. But I am hoping it's plate bowl sizes and visuals will retrain me to automatically serve myself smaller portions. I have 2 bowls, 2 plates, and some smaller spoons/forks. Eventually I hope to not have to measure everything, but for the first 6 months to a year I will do my best to measure and track EVERYTHING.

I did all the usual pre-op stuff, but the doctor also gave last minute instruction and info (like how many incisions I will have) and I signed the surgical consent. Then I went to an Anesthesia appointment, where they did their -pre-op interview and i also signed an anesthesia consent.

Since my last post, I noticed some October peeps have posted their dates in one of the Sept threads if you want to look for them.

In my family, I have only told my husband and my daughter who still lives at home. They are somewhat supportive, though both don't understand WHY I am doing this, and do give me occasional flack. For my husband it is more about the need for what he calls "unnecessary surgery" and his fear of complications (all his surgeries are complicated, but mine historically have been just fine). For my daughter, I am sure she is more "embarrassed" by the though of it than anything else. Hubby and I are both nurses, so we have the post op care covered. He has 2 days off work plus his weekend, so I will have care for 4 days (sort of... he will probably sleep more than anything lol). My daughter will begrudgingly help too lol. I say that because she is a teenager still and in a very "moody" phase lol. I haven't told my oldest because he lives far away and he will worry and probably tell the family members that I don't want to know ANYTHING about what I am doing. I haven't told my middle son because school just started (away at college) plus I don't want him worrying. Both boys would probably feel obligated to come home, which would be silly since I will only be in the hospital one night. I will tell them eventually, just not until after the surgery. I don't want anyone else in my family to know. Unless my daughter (or later sons) blab. I live 13 hours or more from everyone else in my family, so this would be easy for me to keep a secret. As for other support? I have a co-worker who did this a couple years ago. She has been an amazing help. She is even stepping up and helping cover my absence. I also have let in a handful of other co-workers in on what I am doing. They have been great. My bosses don't know exactly what I am having surgery for (unless someone blabbed to them), but they are totally supportive of me doing anything I need to get healthier. I am sure the rumor mill is going to start up if it hasn't already. I am mentally preparing for that. I think my biggest challenge will be potlucks, which happen at least once a month. And when others just decide to bring in food on their own. Thankfully my cubicle has been moved. Last year I could smell the delicious food all day long from my desk. this year I will be further away. I have also asked that I be left off of the potluck groups list. I told the person who schedules it that I am happy to donate money so that I am participating, but I can't bring in food or hardly any of it. She was fine with that. I doubt others will notice I am not on the list, but if they do... oh well! Putting my health first above co-worker relations lol

People may not have gotten their surgery dates for October yet... be patient, there will be a few getting scheduled over the next few weeks! I got around a 2 week notice. Add to that, it was scheduled before surgery was approved by insurance, so didn't know for sure until after it was scheduled.

Will do! I am so anxious to get this done! Three more work days, then I am off for the 3 day weekend and took Tuesday off since they might move me to Tuesday. I would rather know I have it off just in case and not stress about calling off last minute. Good luck to you~

Sounds like her comment was really due to her anxiety about her own health and fears regarding surgery. I personally would just ignore and let her process what is going on in her own mind. It does remind me of a different situation where my mom was 200% against me putting my son on some very much needed medication for his attention deficit disorder. I did it because he was struggling significantly in school (couldn't function in educationally) and it worked wonders on him. Then a few years later, he would actually get hyper when he didn't have it as more of a side effect of being on the medication. When he was acting up in any way she would suddenly say "Did you give him his medicine today?" Um, I thought you were against medication? BTW, that isn't why I give it to him anyway! Hang in there! She needs to process her own feelings/fears.

My current pre-op BMI is 36.4. I am approved for surgery on Wed 9/4. I have been trying hard to lose weight for the past 7 years. I can lose temporarily, but I can't keep it off. I am miserable. I have tried just about everything. I have tachycardia. I get tachycardic anytime I try to work out which leads to shortness of breath. My heart is starting to enlarge from working so hard. Not bad yet... but the trend has begun. I need to exercise more, but I can't due to the tachycardia/SOB. Vicious circle there. I have severe sleep apnea and have been on my cpap machine for about 5 months now. I have high cholesterol that is controlled by medication. I have high triglycerides which I can't seem to get under control. I have just enough GERD and sleep apnea that I bought an adjustable bed. Reading this, you would think I was at least in my 70's... but I am 47. I am not ready to get prematurely "old". I have done all my research and I know there are other non-evasive options, but I feel those other options are not working for me. I can't wait to have surgery next week and start down the path of healing and healthier body, healthier diet, and am looking forward to being able to do more to exercise again!

Definitely. I am done with ALL of my pre-op, including the last appointment with the surgeon and then the anesthesiologist today. It is getting real. Nine days to go.

Still pre-op, but when I do lose weight, my boobs are the first to go! Back to a pathetic A cup. I guess I should be happy, I have never been huge there, so they don't sag so much as disappear.

Where do you guys buy PB2? I am sure I can get it online, but is it in any local grocery store chains?

I feel the same way! I want it over and done. The waiting is torture lol

That is good, more reason for insurance to approve you!

I am hoping I don't need them! Of course, I am not allowed to take them anyway (other medical conditions)... but I am hoping surgery, diet control, and exercise are all I need.

Glad you and your sister had a chance to talk again and is being more supportive! I can totally relate in wanting to take back my life!

Gotcha. Thanks for sharing! Is your primary care doc supportive of bariatric surgery? If yes... you have a higher chance of being approved. Hoping you get what you need to be healthier!

Just adding to my above post... I did get an approval letter right after posting here.

Hi Marie! Hang in there. If you have done your research and ready to make this change and have surgery, then just focus on that. It is nice that your sister is showing concern for you, but it is counterproductive. Do what you think is best for yourself. I am fortunate to have a co-worker who went through this who is super supportive. She did hers about 2-3 years ago. Her husband is having surgery the same day as me. My husband is TRYING to be supportive, but he doesn't want me to do it. I say "too bad". My body, my life. I want to take back my health before I have anymore weight related complications. Hang in there!

Thanking of you today! Hope your surgery is over and that everything went as well as can be!

First appointment? Just do what you normally do diet wise. Having your weight/bmi wherever it is now is best. After your appointment, if they think you are a viable candidate for surgery, you will be scheduled with a nutritionist. They will give you a diet they recommend and goals you must meet with regards to weight loss. Most people have to show they are trending downward from their first appointment to your last. Some docs don't care if you accidentally gain, others will disqualify you for it. As for your weight... at first glance you might not qualify, but what is your BMI? You don't have to tell me or anywone that, just asking so you are thinking about it. Normally you have to have a BMI of 40 to qualify. A BMI of 35 may qualify you if you have co-morbidities. I don't know how tall you are, so maybe you do fall into one of those categories. Calculate your BMI and that will tell you if it is even worth scheduling an appointment. My BMI 36.4. I only qualify because I have severe sleep apnea plus high cholesterol (but controlled with medications). I also have GERD.

Getting excited and nervous! Surgery approved and scheduled for September 4th with the possibility they may move it to the 3rd due to a cancellation. All my pre-op lab work and testing is done and without any concerns. Same for my psych eval, barium swallow, chest x-ray, EKG, and EGD. Did all my pre-op nutrition appointments (I was fast tracked, so there weren't as many as most of you had). Did the pre-op group class where they explained my pre-op diet and what to expect at the hospital and post op. Started my bariatric vitamins last week. Purchased any food/supplies that I think I might need for the first couple weeks post op (my husband even told me to get him a new bigger TV so I can have a TV in my room the first couple days lol... and he got a 65" screen out of it lol). Today I did my final pre-op weigh in and doctor visit. Saw another doc first (teaching hospital), then my real doc. Signed my surgery consent. Too my surprise, the doc also told me that it doesn't matter how much weight I lose now, I am totally approved for surgery (before I had to be careful I didn't put myself under a certain weight and disqualify myself). YAY! I also asked him about how much time I can take off work (I have 14 weeks of sick time saved up and a supportive employer- not that I actually want 14 weeks off, just didn't take all my sick time over the many years I worked there). He said a minimum of 2 weeks but up to 8 since I do have a fairly physical job. YAY! I could probably get away with going back early, but why push myself when I have the time and support? I would rather heal, adjust to my new diet(s) over the next month or so, and slowly build a new fitness routine before going back to the craziness that is work. Not sure how many weeks I will actually take off, but good to know I have options. And then finally, I went to a pre-op anesthesia appointment. Answered all of their questions and signed their consent. So... all that is left is to call and confirm the time of my surgery the afternoon before! And how did I celebrate? I got my last meal of my favorite Indian food. Yum! And my husband is TRYING to be supportive of all of this, but he really doesn't want me to have what he considers to be elective surgery. I understand where he is coming from, especially since every one of his surgeries has had some sort of complications. But my surgeries have all been routine and without complication. And I really need to improve my health and this seems to be the only way to get me there.

I am Sept 3 or 4 (they might put me where someone cancelled on the 3rd). They want me to maintain my weight before surgery so only 3 days pre OP diet... but I am already doing a similar diet that is just a little less restrictive.

We do get mostly used to it... but we prefer to only go out early AM and late PM in the summer's, then when the rest of the northern hemisphere is too cold to go out, we love being out doors. Good luck to you too!

As a nurse, it is funny to me when the bariatric docs refer to a "clear" liquids diet, and allow you protein shakes. That translates to me as a modified clear liquids diet at best. But I digress. My pre-op diet is 3 meal replacement shakes, 3 Greek yogurt or cottage cheese meals, and in between I am allowed decaf coffee/tea, sugar free jello/popsicles, and a low sodium V-8 juice. Then the evening before surgery I have to have 32 oz of apple juice/cranberry juice or gatorade (the kind with sugar) and repeat with 16 oz 2-4 hours before surgery. And getting excited, we are getting closer every day!

I like premier protein pre-made shakes, but I only like them when they are cold. I also like muscle milk just fine (powdered).