thesuse2000

I've only told one person at work about it - someone I completely trust to keep it secret. But people will know that I'm out for 2 weeks for surgery and then (hopefully) I will start dropping weight fairly quickly, so it seems like people will likely figure it out... I guess I will play it by ear. I really don't feel like being a topic of conversation, but if I lose a lot that will be inevitable...

Sorry to hear you'r having a rough time. I was actually just going to post something very similar, so I'll comment here instead... I'm also on day 2 pre-op. I started 3 days early for 2 reasons - I wanted to get through the worst on non-work days (my job is pretty demanding) and also I've got a couple events the week before surgery at which I may not be able to follow my pre-op guidelines, so starting early helps compensate for that (my surgeon has approved this plan).

I'm actually eating real food, just keeping within certain calorie/protein goals (surgeon also approved this). So I don't have the same issue as you with yucky shakes that you don't like, but I'm still feeling pretty crappy! Yesterday was not bad, didn't feel hungry till end of day, but that was manageable. But today I have had a headache most of the day and just feel tired/weak/out of it.

I've heard a few people say that the first 4 days are the worst - I am REALLY hoping that's true!

I am using shakes to meet my Protein goals - I got a bunch of samples of Syntrax matrix and Syntrax nectar as well as a few other brands. I hope you can find some that you like better. We will get through this - it is all SO worth it.

That sounds rough! Are you getting enough fluids at least? It's dangerous if not. Would it be easier to drink clear Protein Drinks like Isopure maybe? The response from your doctor's office didn't seem to address your specific situation. Might be worth trying again and talking to someone else. I hope this gets better soon.

It's actually a little hard for me to separate them out (health vs vanity). especially because mental health is part of our health! I'm having this surgery because I want to:

• be in control of my eating
• be healthy in terms of longevity, avoiding diseases, etc.
• feel healthier - less aches and pains, more physically comfortable in my own skin, able to walk around for hours without my feet killing me
• have more energy to engage in life - go out after work etc.
• take flights and see people I love and new locations, without fear of not fitting into a seat
• look prettier, more fashionable, attractive
• be able to maintain one size for a long period - invest in nice pieces for work, shop in regular stores and boutiques
• look like someone who is in control of themselves and their life
• project an image of a confident successful woman to others - socially and at work - I actually think I do this pretty well, perhaps more so than other people of my size, but I think many people make a whole lot of assumptions about who I am based on the excess weight I carry:
  • that i lack self-esteem and don't respect myself enough to eat well
  • that i lack self-control/willpower
  • that I'm self-indulgent, needy, greedy
  • that I'm not not smart enough to know how to eat properly
  • that I'm too lazy to exercise and take time to eat well
  • that I'm a failure - someone who isn't able to work towards a goal and achieve it

So - even when I think beyond the health benefits there are so many important things that I hope to gain beyond feeling more attractive. But I have NO shame whatsoever about looking forward to that!

My advice is to keep asking questions - and if people make comments that aren't nice or helpful, just try your best to ignore them and focus on the helpful ones. Keep in mind that it's also easy to have misunderstandings when you communicate in writing, instead of face-to-face.

That's so great that he's being a real partner in this with you!

Sounds like you are setting yourself up for great success and an improved life together - very awesome.

You lose Water overnight - people usually pee out a fair amount of water in the morning, but we also lose water through our breath. If you've ever breathed on a pair of sunglasses to steam them up and clean them you have experienced this - think about a whole night of those steamy breaths!

What were the key things that made you and your husband feel sure about it?

Just curious, because while my husband accepts and supports that this is what I've decided to do, he still is so worried that I will eventually have permanent complications and regret it.

Hi Dreamer - my date is the same as yours and I am an emotional basketcase this week!

I suppose it's normal. It's a big deal - a big surgery and a big change. But I'm confident it will be worth it.

Congrats on your approval!

Hi there - I can't answer any of your questions, but I just wanted to say hi - I have a similar history - band in 2008, slip in 2009. gained back all 70 pounds I lost since then. My sleeve revision date is the 16th - major eeek! I'm excited but starting to freak out a little too. I can't wait to get to the 17th and have the surgery in my rear view mirror...

Good luck Stacie! I look forward to hearing good news after we're both sleeved!

Thanks A Stoot! And nice to have you as a friend!

I wish you the best with the process. I hope to be able to share good news with you in the future on my progress.

Hi all,

I was banded in 2008. Did well - lost 70 pounds before it slipped. Had a revision, but was never the same again. If tightened at all I had night choking, so it's been mostly unfilled since 2009 and I've regained all the weight. I'm scheduled for revision to sleeve on the 16th - so close! I'm getting really nervous, but also excited. Trying to get my head to a place of confidence and dedication to make this work - finally, for good.

I had an upper GI before approval, and 3 months of supervised diet. That was it. May have been quicker because of the issues I still have with the band.

Hi Mary - how are you doing? I have band to sleeve surgery scheduled for the 16th of June - feeling nervous. Hope you are doing well.

My surgery is scheduled for April 1st. When I got my date I was so excited and hopeful. Looking to my NRA journey. Mi was so disappointed with the band. Wasted so much time trying to work with it. So here I am so close to The Date. Right now I am wearing a surgical mask hiding away from my husband and daughter who are infested with germs (coughing, sneezing, fever. Hacking up all kinds of mucus). Wondering if the date of my surgery points out that I am having a cruel trick played on me. Will I get to the operating table or will I succumb to this dreaded illness. So here I am on this forum feeling sorry for myself reading looking for encouragement. I'm reading about people who have had the revision feel they art not loosing or loosing very slowly eating almost nothing. So right now I'm thinking what the hell am I doing. Will I loose the weight after everything? Help people. Throw me a lifeline here.

Awesome - congrats!

Hi there - I don't how these results are evaluated in terms of surgery risk, but I can tell you that H pylori is really common - my understanding is that the majority of adults have it. I don't know much about the ptt test, but it may be something that can be dealt with - just info that informs the meds they give you. I hope all goes well for you and you are cleared for a safe surgery!

I just got all my preop testing done and the way my health care is set up I'm able to view my lab test results online. I'm concerned the surgeon will deny me because a few of them. The two I'm most concerned about is the hpylori and ptt (blood clotting) test. My hpylori is positive and my ptt came back low (just barely). Has anyone had experience with either of these results and were u still able to get the sleeve?

Sending best wishes for a speedy recovery! I hope this fixes the problem for good!

Thanks for the good wishes! And congrats on your amazing success!

I ate so much before I started my pre-op diet that I literally made myself sick. You will get through this and it's not unusual. And hopefully, your relationship with food will change as it has for me. To paraphrase what a friend said, 'nothing tastes as good as normal' feels. I use normal rather than thin but you can use whatever you like.

The point is that once you get healthier and to a more normal weight, and with the help of your tool, you will not miss food as much as you think you will. Good luck!

Oh...and thesuse....Dr. Ren was my surgeon as well though it was a band and not the sleeve. She's terrific as is all the staff at NYU. She banded Alex too.... So good luck to you also!

Hi flowerpower,

My surgery date is the same day as yours!

I can relate to a lot that you talked about... I haven't been eating THAT badly, but I keep trying to get a head start on eating less/better and that hasn't been going so well - definitely in part because I'm stressed about the deprivation ahead with the pro-op diet.

I can't speak to what's normal, but that's what I'm dealing with, and I'm guessing we're not alone in this. I think some do get motivated beforehand and start eating better, and I wish I was one of those, but that hasn't been the case. But I will follow the rules starting with the pre-op and beyond.

Hang in there - we will get through this!

I'm so sorry that you're going through this! She clearly comes from a perspective that meets her own needs only. She's twisted various info to align with her own twisted thinking.

I understand that some people do see this as cosmetic surgery but that is SO false! My medical insurance is covering my surgery because they know that this is a (major) health need for me - and that it will probably save them money in the long run because I'm less likely to get diabetes, heart disease or other health issues anytime soon.

This surgery enables us to eat less and rewires our neurochemistry so we don't feel that we are depriving ourselves as we eat less and achieve a more healthy weight. I see people disputing the fact that excess weight is a health issue, but the facts are not on their side. All the data shows that excess weight increases the risk for a range of health issues and a an earlier death.

Some of the things she says - about accepting and loving yourself - are not at all in conflict with this surgery.

Ugh! You REALLY are better off without this person in your life! You are choosing to take care of yourself - good for you! You will find people to support you in your journey.

I've tasted a few and the ones I like are Optimum Nutrition Gold standard chocolate, Syntrax matrix Peanut Butter cookie, Cookies and cream and chocolate truffle. My favorite of the ready to drink ones is Glucerna hunger control.

powders?utm_source=BariatricPal&utm_medium=Affiliate&utm_campaign=CommentLink" target="_ad" data-id="1" >unjury chocolate is pretty good. I just tried one sample and it got a little frothy for my taste, but maybe that was just how I mixed it. I've tried muscle milk and hated it - strong chemical taste to me, but other people seem to love it. I've heard people rave about Chike but I've never tried it.

Nashua Nutrition sells individual samples - this is how I tried a few. I still have lots that I haven't tried yet.

http://www.nashuanutrition.com/store/protein-powders/protein-powder-samples-1-serving.html

I just had a moment with those thoughts tonight. Was drinking down some milky tea - my evening routine - and had a thought that I won't be able to take big gulps like that soon and thought "what am I doing to myself"?! But I quickly remembered all the reasons why I need this and why it will be better for me overall. But easy is one thing I know it won't be!

You're now a bariatric legend!

I think they use some kind of algorithm including how many people like your comments and how many comments you've made.

Thanks for fixing! I feel so much more expert now!

Thanks for pointing out this bug. We're going to fix it at some point over the next week or two.

Hi Abigail - I was just reading through my nutrition info and something I read made me think of you. in my instructions it says that if you feel hungry in the first two weeks to make sure you're getting enough Protein - it helps you feel more full/satisfied. Just wanted to pass that on!