Mariann812

deodorant and fresh underwear --- good thinking. I forgot about that. When I went to nutrition class, the nutritionist told everyone to bring their favorite clear protein drink with whatever else they packed in their hospital bag. That's all I got. And don't forget your phone charger.

Clear protein drink Toothbrush Toothpaste That’s all I can think of at this moment. 🤔

So excited for you. You will be in my thoughts. I’m up at 4:50am on school days so I’ll be praying for you. You are going to do great! ❤️

Thank you! Yes, it is a huge thing out of the way. NOW, I find I’m both excited AND nervous about the surgery. I had only been excited previously. I guess that was to be expected.

Surgery Coordinator messaged me today to let me know Cigna approved my insurance packet. I see my surgeon on Monday, 5/16, and we should be able to set up a surgery date. I’m hoping for June 8 or later…but not too much later as I want to get this done. I will also be having a large hiatal hernia repaired during the gastric bypass.

Your idea sounds like it’s worth a try. To be honest, sticking the patches on takes as much time as swallowing pills…I may go back to pills. And the gummies sound like they are worth looking into. 😊 thank you

I don’t see any sleep for you. Find something to binge watch and don’t even try to sleep. You must be SO excited! ❤️

UPDATE: Cigna approved my insurance packet today. I meet with the surgeon on Monday. Hoping for surgery date of June 9.

CONGRATS!!!! I love a happy ending!!! I had a disastrous first marriage that my parents forced me into when i was 19. I stayed for 16 years and divorced him. I had two teen daughters -- 14 and 15 -- when I met my husband. 27 years later, he is the love of my life. He and I have 3 children together. It's never too late...this is your life, not dress rehearsal. I am so encouraged by the people who write that this surgery is the best thing they ever did.

I tried to multi-quote and I did the same quote 3X. my bad. I'm 67 ...hoping for surgery in mid june and today CIGNA approved me. YAY! I meet with my surgeon on Monday, 5/16 and hopefully get a surgery of 6/8-ish. I started a modified liver shrinking diet one week ago ---all per the surgery cooridnator --- it was 2 protein shakes, one under 300 calorie meal and 2 snacks (usually less than 100 calories). I lost 5 lbs. Today I started the all liquid protein shake eating plan, and the surgeon will tell me where to go with that protocol when I see him Monday. Good luck to everyone here on the way to surgery or recovering.

I have a friend who had the sleeve in October 2021. To date, she has lost 90 lbs and has achieved her goal. She did tell me that in the beginning prior to losing big numbers on the scale, she knew she was losing because her clothes were starting to hang on her, and she could see she was losing inches.

Thank you for saying that. It is very encouraging and the thought of it makes me happy. It’s getting hot in NC and I still have school for one more month. I actually received 4 pairs of pants and 1 shirt and they all need to go back. Your idea to buy the next 3 sizes down is a good one as we wear summer weight here until Thanksgiving. Thank you again. Your comment made me smile!

Honestly, there is nothing I have hated more than Plus Size clothing. It is ALL going to local thrift shops. Today I am exchanging 3 pair of linen summer pants for 3 pair that are one size smaller. I wear clothes but do not beat them to death so everything I give away will be excellent used condition.

Hi, all: I’ve been in the April 2022 Surgery Board, but I have a question for here. My surgery will likely be in the coming 4-6 weeks. I had planned on the sleeve, but testing shows a very large hiatal hernia…more than half my stomach is in my chest. 😳 I do know that is not that uncommon. Anyway, has anyone here had the sleeve procedure at the same time as having a large hernia repaired? I’d prefer the sleeve because of the shorter surgery duration. But, I want to do what is the best medical decision. I have to articulate a preference to my surgeon before we meet in a week or so. Thanks in advance for any information.

🎈Best wishes to everyone who is having a procedure done tomorrow🎈 And continued healing thoughts going to all of you who are in recovery! ❤️.

Thank you! I’m trying to focus on the positive of doing the liver shrinking for such a long time, and so far I’m okay with it. It does give me a sense of being in control….which is the exact opposite of how I would feel after indulging in junk food. I can take a huge amount of satisfaction now from a few cooked shrimp. LOL I hadn’t even thought about the fact that with this much advance time, it does provide the opportunity to eat something if I must. In fact, this weekend I ordered these cinnamon rolls from someone doing a fundraiser for Ukraine. I did not intend to even try to eat one. However, I did let myself have one small taste, and I was good with that. THAT was an interesting thing to do. My nutritionist had talked about it in class, and I’m glad I tried it. As far as onederland, I can’t wait to get back there. 🤗 Already I see that my 3X clothes are hanging off me. With school coming to an end, at least I can wait till September to buy new clothes. And, if I lost 12 lbs on this pre-op diet, I’d turn cartwheels! LOL Enjoy the rest of your weekend! Thanks for writing! 🤗

Welcome. One of my daughters (who is a doctor) freaked out months ago when I told her I was ‘merely’ thinking of this. I’m not in the mood for confrontational conversations about this. I then was diagnosed with a very large hiatal hernia. I brought up that I would be having that repaired, and I’m not mentioning the GP. She is pleased with the fact that the hernia was diagnosed and will be repaired. That’s good enough for me. I could eat nothing and walk 5 miles or more a day, and I’d probably gain weight. My son was not happy about it, researched on his own, and was very impressed with the number of years this could add to my life expectancy. His findings mirrored what my cardiologist had told me. Good luck on your journey. Keep us posted.

I asked the surgery coordinator the same thing when we set up the 5/16 appointment? “You want me to start now? I could be 6-7 weeks out from surgery.” She replied: “Let’s see. Your BMI really isn’t that high, you could start it after you see him on 5/16 if you want. BUT, some of our patients like to start it as far in advance as they can.” 🤷🏻‍♀️I decided to start it. 🤷🏻‍♀️ It gave me a chance to find a protein drink I really like. And, truthfully, I think my surgeon things I’ll opt for a surgery date like 5/20 if it’s available. But, I’m committed to staying in school till the students are finished which is 6/8. I’m not scheduling a date prior to that. I’m fine with it. It’s been good for me to see that the numbers on the scale are going in the correct direction, and I haven’t eaten my arms off yet. 🤣😂 It’s giving me time to develop coping strategies…I’m not an emotional eater, but I will pop something into my mouth simply because it’s there for the taking. I wasn’t always like that, but when the lbs started coming in, I figured what the heck…might as well enjoy it. This week was Teacher Appreciation Week and every.single.day thete was food EVERYWHERE: candy apples 😳, burgers and fries, bagels and cream cheese, donuts, you name it. I stayed away from the myriad of places where food was spread out and kept busy and focused. My assistant is a *itch who never eats anything and this week she kept bringing plates of food into our room. I ignored her. 🤷🏻‍♀️ I guess I started early more for me than anything else. I’m thrilled to see I’m losing on this plan, because in the past, I could cut back, walk incessantly and actually gain a pound after a month. 🤦🏻‍♀️ This has been good for me. 🤗

Hi all: I’m hanging out in June SB because I am hoping against hope that my surgery date is mid June. My Results visit is 5/16 and I hope to get the date at that visit. Cigna has had my insurance packet for 1 week. Doctor’s office says they take 2 weeks to study it. I began the liver shrinking diet on Tuesday, 5/3 (per doctors office) and I’m down 6 lbs which is nothing short of a miracle for me. A typical eating plan in a day is 2 Atkins Plus shakes, 1 or 2 Oikos yogurts, an Aldi Shrimp meal (140 calories), 64oz water and sugar free ice pops. I WAS hungry on Day 4-yesterday- but I dropped 2 lbs overnight which explains that. I’m using vitamin patches because they are easy and convenient. My nutritionist said they are not effective but drinking all that water makes the thought of swallowing pills impossible. I get blood drawn in one month and any positive change in my levels means the patches are okay. We’ll see. Good luck to all…I am having RNY LAP with hiatal hernia repair. Oh, yeah, endoscopy scheduled tentatively for 5/20. Keep your surgery and recovery stories coming. I learn so much from them.

Hi, merill! I’ll be thinking of you on the 16th! And you are right! It’s never too late for anything! I married the love of my life when I was 40. We have 3 kids (23, 21 and 21). I only started thinking about this surgery in January of this year, but that’s fine. I’m very excited about this, I may be 67 chronologically but in my head, I’m much younger. Keep me posted and good luck! ❤️

hi, and welcome. I'm 67 and hoping for bypass and hernia repair in mid-june. I meet with my surgeon for what they call the Results (from pre-procedure testing) Visit on may 16. I am hoping that I can be given a date for surgery at that visit. What someone told you here is what I have been told regarding post surgery eating plan, BUT I do know that it all depends on one's healing. I wish I had done this about 10 years when the lbs started coming on, the weight fluctuation began, and no matter what I did, I did not lose. Good luck!

Congratulations on the surgery date! 🎈🎈🎈🎈🎈 I’m hoping for a date around the same time!

Best best wishes for a successful surgery and pain free, uneventful recovery. You’ve got this! Don’t forget to update! ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

You are welcome. I don't dread the thought of drinking the Atkins Plus. I bought it on Amazon, but i know it was at Walmart and at Target. Good luck!

Atkins Plus is 30 grams of protein. 1 gram of sugar. It appears to meet the requirements I was given: at least 15 grams of protein, 20 grams or less total carbs (it has 9), 10 grams or less sugar (it has 1), 10 grams or less total fat (it has 5). If I'm missing something, please let me know -- seriously. I don't want to mess this up. Thanks in advance.