orange_lily

I am scheduled for 4/15. As of right now, my program is not cancelling surgeries that far in advance, but I can't imagine that they won't. It took so much balancing to get things in place for this, and I am pretty defeated (in addition to insurance requirements, I had to switch jobs to make sure I could get time off). There is no one to blame really -- who could have predicted a global pandemic? But it still sucks.

The Queen of Poses! I aspire! ❤️❤️❤️

I tested positive on the breath test for h. pylori. I was prescribed PANTOPRAZOLE 40 MG, AMOXICILLIN 500 MG, and CLARITHROMYCIN 500 MG for 14 days. My program staff were very laid back about it. I did have to retest by stool sample following my medication, and that test was negative. I did not have any problems or symptoms connected to h. pylori or the medications.

My employer decided to spring on me 6 weeks pre-surgery that they are most likely not approving my time off for surgery (still pending one more possible leave option, but it's looking unlikely). I decided that I want my surgery way more than I want this job, so went into overdrive and got a different job with a previous employer. It looks like it is going to mostly work out -- I will likely have to start orientation at the new job quicker than the original 2 weeks I wanted to take off, but it will be classroom training, which should be do-able. I don't have to start my pre-op diet until a couple days before surgery, but I am contemplating getting into ketosis now so I don't have to go through that at the same time I am having surgery. I am excited and nervous as the time gets closer!

My program encouraged me to continue using, especially given NSAIDS are no longer an option. They did recommend using only edibles and tinctures due to the increased ulcer risk with smoking.

@ SillyKitty - Pin-up goals! ❤️❤️❤️

I also decided pretty quickly. The insurance approval and scheduling process took about 3 months, but I would have done the surgery immediately if I could have. I had never really considered surgery, but there was like a flip that switched in my head when my PCP encouraged it. I am still pre-op, so I may come to regret the decision. We will see. I am glad the appt with the doctor went well! Check out some of the guys around here that have sleeves. There are some pretty inspiring stories and might help calm your worries!

@Xx1jpt5xx alluded to this, but I want to emphasize it. I think it might help you understand your husband if you think about his weight and eating as an addiction, not a failing of willpower. There are studies that show that foods, especially highly palatable ones, trigger the same brain chemicals as illicit drugs. Food scientists know this and engineer food to be more palatable because it keeps you coming back for more. Unlike other addictions (alcohol, drugs, gambling...), you have to have food to survive so abstinence isn't an option. I think compassion and empathy will get you a lot farther with him than trying to convince and coerce. Most of us fighting against obesity already have a ton of shame and feel like failures that we can't just fix it. It sounds like he is aware there is an issue and wants to do something different. That is a positive in this. I am also glad he has a partner like you that clearly loves him and wants the best for him. Maybe look into tips for supporting people with addictions and try to translate those to this situation. It might also help if you and your husband attended an information seminar at a local bariatric center so you have more information on the process and procedures.

April 15th is my day! I think I have everything completed except my pre-op class (2/26) and pre-op appt with my surgeon (3/25). I have already cut caffeine out of my diet, as I figured that would be my biggest struggle. Man, I love soda. I need to continue working on mindful and structured eating, as well as building a strong exercise habit. Hoping I can lose about 15 lbs before surgery.

Time to break out one of my fav quotes: “And the day came when the risk to remain tight in a bud was more painful than the risk it took to blossom.” - Anais Nin I think all of your fears are common and expected. We got this.

I love the way Dr. Now explains this on My 600 Lb. Life - He says that surgery changes how much you can eat in one sitting, but it does not change the things you eat or the frequency of your eating. So if you graze on "bad" foods all day, you can still gain weight even following surgery. Your program likely wants you to start working on establishing those healthy habits early. Also, most programs want you to lose 10% of your excess body weight pre-surgery. I don't imagine any program expects perfection in this, so I wouldn't stress about it too much. On the other hand, the healthier you are going in for surgery, the better.

@GreenTealael That black & white look is total goals! LOVE it!

I don't have personal experience with him, but I have heard good things about Dr. Alex Galvez in Tijuana, MX.

@Sheribear68 - I worry about this even more than loose stomach skin. At least I can hide that. I carry so much weight in my face/neck that I am pretty sure I will be joining the turkey neck club soon enough.

I had my dumb h. pylori test this week, and it was positive. At least a month is added on to my timeline since I have to do 2 weeks of antibiotics, then wait 2 weeks to be retested, and hope it is gone then! A month isn't long in the span of a life, but I don't have to do supervised weight loss so I was hoping for a quick process. Pity party for 1.