ShannonK

Me!

Thanks for your blog - I am planning on walking as soon as I am able - and am terrified about the coughing! I have a small cough still left over from pneumonia last month... and I had a hysterectomy a few years ago, and I know the pain you feel for those little incisions..... and I also remember getting up and walking soon - the first time is the hardest!! Thanks again - surgery in 25 hours!!!

I have to be at the hospital tomorrow at 8:30 and surgery is at noon. I am on liquids only today...and plan on drinking lots of Water to hopefully get a head start on hydration.... I am still nervous.....but when those negative thoughts start in, I remind myself of all the positives..... I am also a little pissed that food is such a negative thing for me. I mean, I love it - we eat to Celebrate, when we are sad, bored, happy, etc.... And unlike booze or smokes, you can't just walk completely away from it. So this sleeve will help me moderate what I have not been able to do by myself....and it kind of makes me mad. Have any of you watched a thin person eat more than you do and shake your head? Well, I know life's not fair -and this is the hand I was dealt. So off I go tomorrow to have most of my normal stomach removed so I can begin the journey to a normal life not limited by my size.... Sorry for the rant.....I love this site and the friends I have made. I appreciate the support and the fact I can vent my emotions....and know that many of you have felt the same way..... I think I will go and have some broth now...... Shannon

Yeah - everyone down here that I know that has had it only stayed one night - but it is a good idea to have a contingency plan!! He also does not use a drain tube or staples on the skin..... SO hopefully it will go well - Thanks!!

Yay for you - you look great!! I bet you feel great!!

Thanks everyone! I really appreciate the feedback! My doctor uses 4 incisions and no drain tube. I will stay one night and do the leak test the next day before I go home. I have good support - and am a little bummed I didn't get my original surgery date! I am a teacher and start back to work August 20th - wanted to be at 100% by then!!! Looking forward to continued support here and sharing my story..... Thanks again!!

Hello - I am having surgery July 2nd. I was supposed to have surgery June 5th, but ended up with my first (and hopefully LAST) pneumonia! I am a mom of three girls (ages 11, 9, and 5) and a husband that works offshore. He will be home for my surgery, I have help with the kiddos, I stay one night then go home - then he heads back to work a week and a half later..... I need input from mom's about pain level and energy level.....what are realistic expectations? Was it bad when you first woke up and got better every day? Am I going to be too exhausted to cook and take care of my kiddos a week and a half out? Just trying to plan for help as needed - Thanks so much! Shannon

Hello to My July Sleevers! I am still coughing, but follow up x-ray shows my pneumonia is gone. I am having bronchio spasms - so fun!!!! Hope it's gone by surgery time.......NOw I have to go BACK on my protein diet - again.....great......

So I need to be moved to the July Sleevers group! Started feeling bad last Tuesday when I went to the hospital for my gall bladder ultrasound....by Thursday, I had a low grade fever and went to my surgeon for a pre-op appointment. I told him I wasn't feeling well and had a cough. He listened to my lungs and said they sounded fine, and I was good to go for surgery on the 5th. Friday - I head to the coast with my family for fun in the sun and camping at the beach. I figured the salt air would help with my cough.....By Sunday morning, I couldn't take it anymore and drove myself to the after hours clinic. 99.8 fever and almost my whole right lung is full of crap - PNEUMONIA! SO now I have Albuterol breathing treatments, a shot in my butt, 750mg of antibiotics and codeine cough syrup..... And a new surgery date of July 2nd. I keep telling myself things happen for a reason - I will still have plenty of time to recover before I go back into the classroom, and I think part of the sadness is I feel so bad right now! NO energy, headache, cough and tired.....bleh! SUrgery after this is going to be easy! Good luck my June Sleevers!! Hello July friends!!

You look great - I bet you feel even better!! I am wondering if you could message me some help.....I can't get pics to load! I use jpeg, I have a MAC - it just isn't working.....any help would be appreciated!

I am on Day 9 of 14 and the Magic Bullet blender helps a lot! I use ice, water and 2 scoops of bariatrics Best or Unjury for 30g - 42g of protein in 1 eight oz shake. I drink 2 a day and eat a high protein low carb dinner and I have lost 10 pounds..... The crushed up ice make the difference for me....no ice= no good!!

WOw - send me your name so I can pray for you!! May God's peace be in your mind as you make the decisions in front of you..... Love and peace, SHannon

I feel your pain...and have posted on here with similar concerns...but I have decided to look at it like childbirth! It's going to suck - but have great results!!! I also read other's stories and think - if they did it, I can do it..... I know it is the best choice for me....and yes, I am scared. But this forum is a great place to voice your concerns and have support - Good luck!

I am right there with you! I woke up last night asking myself "Are you NUTS??!!" WHy would I cut out a perfectly good organ. I just need more self control, I can do it on my own, this is crazy! Bit for me, the truth is - I can't do it on my own. I know it will still be hard, but I am starting to think of this surgery as a back gate....that even if I try to mess up, it won't let me. I know, I know....any surgery can be "bypassed" - but I am talking about how easy it is right now to just walk into my kitchen and make a bowl of pasta....Not so easy later. Good luck - I understand your fears - let logic help you.....

I have mine on Tuesday, preop Thursday, then Surgery Tuesday June 5th!!!!!!

I am on Day 4 f 14, and I have lost 4 pounds so far. I bought the magic bullet - LOVE IT!! I am using the powder my surgeon sells in his office - a Bariatrics Best brand. It has 30g of protein in each shake. I should be eating a low carb high protein dinner....not doing as good on that! I am a work in progress!!! I feel like I am doing so good for breakfast and lunch - a little carbs for dinner isn't going to kill me....hence why I weigh 300 pounds!! SO I will try harder this evening - hopefully get through the weekend okay. I can do this!!!

I am on day 2 of pre-op diet. I hate it...I am thinking of all the food I WANT to eat. I feel like a 2 year old having a temper tantrum over not getting what I want....I know it is for my health, I know it makes the operation "easier", I know it is only for 2 weeks...but I am so jealous of people (even heavier than me) that aren't doing this....just depends on the doctor. Maybe I should have doctor shopped for this!! Just kidding.... Just my frustration speaking.... 12 more days, then surgery... Hurry up June 5th!!!!

Started my pre-op regimen today. Using chocolate Creme Bariatrics Best supplement for the two Meal Replacement shakes. Bought the magic bullet to blend it up good....first 2 sips were weird - not bad for the rest. 1 - 8 ounce shake has 30g Protein and 1g sugar...... so 2 of those a day and a protein and veggie dinner.....Hope to get me protein way high! I still feel like it's a dream (or nightmare!) I ate an Arby's sandshich yesterday and was thinking....I will never have this again.... I am guzzling Water, I feel like I can't get enough water...and I know I will have to SIP forever.....freaking out!! I will be okay - I know.... Weight this morning 306.4 I need to figure out how to put one of those cute little tickers on the bottom of this....it won't let me load before pics in the albums either!!! Technical advice would be great!!!

I have 3 daughters...ages 11,9 and 5. My oldest 2 are against it - they have seen an aunt lose 120 pounds (and is very thin now) from a bypass.....and she looks like a stranger to them. They both wrap their arms around me and say they like me soft and cuddly. I get that. I tell them it's not a "skinny" thing - it's a health thing, and that I want to go horseback riding with them and ride roller coasters...they give in some...but not much. The heart break for me is my 5 year old. She is overweight. SHe has been picked on. SHe has asked if I would love her more if she was skinny.....sheeesh - shoot me now. Through this whole thing I am emphasizing health....it's hard with kids - especially daughters I think.

I have a mac....and other than my profile pic, I can't get my other photos to upload. They are jpeg, not too big, and I either get an error message or the first one starts uploading, then stops....FRUSTRATED!!!!! Is there a glitch on here...or with my computer? The error message is Upload Skipped (error I0)....tried to attach a pic to this post!! AAARRRRGGGG!!!!

Mine required 6 consecutive months of a "medically supervised diet". I saw my family doctor, she told me to eat 1800 calories a day and exercise...I said okay. I lost....and gained back 8 pounds.... Paperwork sent to my surgeon, insurance approved. Psych eval for me was a breeze....I think the main things that are no go's for my Dr. are smoking, eating disorders, and bi-polar due to non-compliance issues. They also want to make sure you have a good support network (partner, family, etc.....) Major recent changes might flag you (death, divorce....) Not sure...just things mine asked me about.... Good luck!

I am also a teacher - 4th grade! I am scheduled for June 5th!! I bet LOTS of teachers are done in the summer!!!!!