Hello everyone,

I finally got my date on Wednesday! I'm being Sleeved on February 8th. Anyone else being Sleeved that week? How are you doing in getting ready?

Last week I was filled with anxiety as I had to go for my final weigh in to get scheduled for surgery. I had a terrible time sleeping as I just worried that I wouldn't make it. After finishing my pre-op class on Thursday and having my physical, the anxiety just melted away. I know I've made the right choice and I'm excited to get it on!

Last night I started cleaning out my closet and making piles. Dump, Donate, Consignment Shop. I found so many things that have been in the back of the closet that I haven't been able to wear since 2006 when I gained weight. Lot's of other things that haven't fit in way longer than that. What was I thinking in keeping them?

At my pre-op class, the case manager this week said that we'll be replacing everything, down to our shoes and not to buy anything until the current clothes are falling off.

This morning I woke up at had the urge (crazy, I know!) to clean the fridge of all the salad dressings etc that I won't be using anymore.

I feel like everything in me just wants to get ready. I'm staring down my desk for cleaning this afternoon. It all just feels like a fresh start to me and I want to get rid of anything that makes me feel cluttered in. I've been tossing things so fast all week.

I don't have a pre-op diet except to eat 1200 calories a day and stay at my pre-surgery goal weight of 230 on Kaiser's scale the morning of surgery. That means I need to be at 227 or 228 on my home scale. This morning I was up to 229.4 so I need to really be careful or they'll cancel my surgery. It's actually great because it gets rid of all thoughts of "last supper syndrome".

How are the rest of you doing?

Hey Bella,

I'm so jealous... You'll b about a week before me. My taxes don't come in until feb 12 so my surgery won't b until about 17th. It sounds like we'll b around the same starting weigh

except I'm going to do the shake fast for about a week. I'm at 229 right now and I'm 5'6. My goal is 145...I'm excited/anxious right now so I can only imagine how you are feeling

so close to the day. I'm having trouble with the "what if's" going thru my head too. I pray I'm doing the right thing. My son is 11 and so far I've told him I'm having surgery on my stomach

like my gallbladder surgery. I'm self pay and going to Tj, my sis might be going with otherwise I'll b going alone. I'm exhausted all the time and lok forward to having energy again... Not to

mention bye bye back pain... There are so many pros and for alot of people it's been great...I just hope it's the same for me. I cleaned ou my closet too and it's the same for me..clothes

too small even from a yr ago...I pulled out old pics as well just to remind myself of what I used to look like.. I've been overwieght now for 11 yrs and I'm done with it... Been on every diet,

even had a tummy tuck only to gain 30 lbs after...lol. Even w/ my doubts I know I have to do this! Good luck to you!!!

Hi! My surgery is also scheduled for February 8th. I am calm at the moment and feel ready, but I have had moments of being anxious and fearful. For now I am just trying to remind myself that this is what I have been working towards. I start low cal diet tomorrow for 5 days and then 3 days prior to surgery clear liquids. I think that will be hard but it needs to be done. I wish you all the best with your upcoming surgery and pray we all are safe and successful

Diane

Bkind, I love your name! I've been fat since I was seven. Well just chubby then, but you know how that goes. I just turned 59! I had a short period of being thin after my son was born in 1974 but then it was the 10 pounds a year syndrome. So good that you're nipping this in the bud after just 11 years. You'll have so much more fun with your 11 year old son. Any correlation there with the 11's? By the time you get ready to head for surgery I'll be cheering you on.

I hope you keep posting to this thread so that we can encourage each other!

Hi Diane,

We'll be Sleeved together! Where are you having your surgery done? Good luck on your week of low cal and liquids, you can do it! Geez, how many diets have you been on in your life. If you're like me, you've tried them all. Kaiser had me on a 1200 cal diet to reach pre-surgery weight. I just stay on that until the day before surgery. She did tell me to eat as light as possible for a few days before so I'm sure I will. After those liquids, you'll start out much lower than me but we can track each other to goal!

Please keep checking back in here.

Hi Diane,

We'll be Sleeved together! Where are you having your surgery done? Good luck on your week of low cal and liquids, you can do it! Geez, how many diets have you been on in your life. If you're like me, you've tried them all. Kaiser had me on a 1200 cal diet to reach pre-surgery weight. I just stay on that until the day before surgery. She did tell me to eat as light as possible for a few days before so I'm sure I will. After those liquids, you'll start out much lower than me but we can track each other to goal!

Please keep checking back in here.

Hey Bella,

I'll definately keep in touch...I'm 39...and lots like you...I've steadily gained 87lbs over the past 11yrs...my highest was 237... I was 202 when I had a tummy tuck/lipo and convinced it was what I needed to begin a weight loss journey... I lost to 196...looked ok ... Then it started coming on...I had a complete hysterectomy 3 yrs before and my weight had been stable so I thought I would b alot better. About a yr later plus about 15 lbs... My gallbladder had to be removed. It was downhill from there... They were All painful surgeries so I know what it's like to be in tons of pain so that's not my concern here. I'm an emotional eater... And I'm hoping this is my answer. I once had a class with a girl who had her teeth wired shut and I can honestly say Ive never even considered that...lol even though she lost 60lbs in 3 mos... I've researched this alot and sooo glad I found this forum. I'm feel I've finally found the answer to my prayers. I'll be rooting for y'all and soon after will be following your lead!!! Keep in touch!

Hi All,

I am scheduled for the 10th. The anxiety is really starting to increase and last night I went a few hundred calories over my pre-op plan. I told myself that this is it and I have to decide if I am for this surgery and new way of eating 100%. It so hard to not to be able to stress eat but I know that I will make it because I decided that I really do want this.

I can't wait til I can go shopping in my own closet. I have cascading sizes in there--really tons of clothes that I have collected over the years in the hope that I would lose weight.

So I am 38 and haven't worn a dress or a skirt in over 10 years because I feel so dumpy in them. I have to go to a wedding on Saturday and I wearing black pants and a shiny top, It's ok but I would love to wear a cute dress. Thinking about the fun of losing this weight helps me get through the pre-op nerves. I am going to have excess skin in my tummy but I will settle for that any day!

Positive vibes for great surgeries and speedy recoveries for all of us!!

Pennie

Hi BKind, well I can say I've never had my mouth wired shut, or taken hormone shots, or had horse urine shot into me. I've never gone on the diet a friend was on where she couldn't lick a postage stamp (years ago obviously). But I've tried a million of them. The only one that I could maintain was low carb and did ok on raw vegan for a few years. I ate vegan/no sugar for nine years without a slip and was still fat! Generally vegans are the thinnest folks around. So I've been up and down every block, did Overeater's Anonymous for close to two decades, and I'm still fat.

Get the theme? Still fat! I'm 59 and don't want to yo-yo diet anymore. I hope I'm ready to meet my emotional eating issues where the fork stops. If not now, when? If I need/want to, I'll enlist the aid of a therapist. I'm ready to do whatever it takes to be successful.

I understand about not being afraid of the pain of surgery. I had my gallbladder out in November and July 2008 had major ankle surgery that had me off that foot for three months with an 18 month recovery time. I know that this surgery is going to have my ankle singing with praise at every step of this journey.

We can do it. And it will be easier if we all do it together! I think I'm going to have Pre-Op pictures taken this week. Are you taking some pics?

Hey there Bkind....

I will admit that as my day approaches closer I am just a total mess. I am full of "what if's" and worries. I am certain this is what I want and need for that matter, to live a better life. I am so scared.

I had a total meltdown this morning and my husband looked at me like I had lost my mind. I hope everything works out for all of us!!!

Hi FreetoBe,

It's so normal for us to have anxiety!! I don't think you're any different than the rest of us. Good for you for recognizing why you're doing this and how it will change you in a positive way. I haven't worn a dress or skirt in a long time either. I'm looking forward to it!

Keep coming and writing about how/what you're feeling. That's exactly why I started this thread so that we could support each other.

Sarah,

Everything is definitely going to work out for us. Let's make a pact that we check in often with each other to cheer on our NSV as well as our physical changes.

Good Morning everyone,

I was thinking about the anxiety aspect of all this while on the treadmill this morning. I think I'd be more worried if we didn't have any at all. This is a big step for each of us in our own personal journey.

That said, I've been completely anxiety free since Thursday night when I had the last of my appointments. I hadn't slept more than three hours any nite last week because of my severe anxiety. Thursday night I slept like a baby and last two nights as well. I put whatever anxious energy might be lurking in me to good use in starting to clean out my closet, the kitchen cabinets, fridge etc. It feels really good to me!

This morning I Skyped in to my son in NY to chat for an hour. I keep watching for signs of him being nervous about my surgery, but he's not which makes me happy.

I'm going to a movie this afternoon. I really wanted to have my last popcorn pre-op as popcorn is forever off my Kaiser plan. As long as I stay within my 1200 calories today I'll be ok.

I'm feeling great and positive and ready. I almost wish it was tomorrow instead of next Monday! Let's all make this a really good day as we count down to that slim life we all want so much!

Hey there Bkind....

I will admit that as my day approaches closer I am just a total mess. I am full of "what if's" and worries. I am certain this is what I want and need for that matter, to live a better life. I am so scared.

I had a total meltdown this morning and my husband looked at me like I had lost my mind. I hope everything works out for all of us!!!

Hey all,

Sarah bless ur heart...I know & understand just how u feel... I think we're all going thru it. I told my husband if it were happening tomarrow I'd b good... Alot less anxiety...some advice... Chamomile tea... Works for me and my nerves...lol...plus I take melatonin 3 mg to sleep well... I've been a bundle of nerves!!! I'm getting a lil' better tho. Bella, ur on ur way lady and I'm so proud for u... For all of us..my husband has told me everday how beautiful I am and u know for once I would love to feel that way for myself! He doesn't understand... He's 6'4 built well without having to exercise himself to death and can eat whatever he wants....it drives me insane! Lol...but now I have hope and I'm lovin it! I'm the type of person that I will do the work... Just show me some results... I swear I can diet for weeks and lose 9 lbs then gain 10 if I eat over a weekend. Im not sure if I want people to know yet... My mom and sis know but that's it. I just don't want all the questions and judgements. I really am grateful for the inspirational stories on here... At least y'all know what I'm going thru. That is sooo comforting. Bella... I'm not sure about pics yet... I'll have to give that some thought... That's nothing new for me though, when I was going thru pics .. It was almost impossible to find some of me because the bigger I get the less I take... It's so sad for my son too... I can barely find any of him and I together, because of my issues w weight. I'm just soo done!! Sarah, if I couldve done this in my twenties girl I wouldve... I'm jealous.. Lol... Ur so young and have sooo many great yrs ahead of u and just think of how great you'll feel...& look!!! I can't wait.. My life is finally starting!!! Yaaaa!!!

:frown1:

hi x my op feb 9th good luck!!!!

zoe xx

YAY Zoe, you'll be sitting pretty on that Loser's Bench with the rest of us. Thanks for joining us!

Everything is going to work out WONDERFULLY for all of you! I am 6 days out and it was the best thing that I ever did! (I already know it!)

For those of you that are scared-what exactly are you scared of? A life change? The surgery? The loss of food as a comfort? Something else?

I had all the above fears, I promise! My surgery went beautifully. Very little pain at all. If you do a diet before, it will really help with the diet after. Find a protein shake that you like BEFORE. It makes things easier. It is just such a good way to get protein in. I like Muscle Milk light in the chocolate milk flavor. Finding a protein syrup is probably a good idea also. I like Proti Diet Grape and Orange. You can add the syrup to tons of different things (greek yogurt, water, etc) and it also helps get the protein in. Find soups that you like. (strained)

Otherwise, relax. Take a hot bath. (I wish I could right now, but I have to wait until fully healed) If you are having really bad anxiety, tell your doctor. I was having severe anxiety before and he offered me Xanax. I didn't take it because I honestly already had some :thumbup:. Everyone needs a little help to get through sometime and there is nothing wrong with asking for something for a short period of time.

My anxiety was unneeded. I feel great, I have lost 25 lbs in two weeks (pre op diet and post op) and I am so excited about what the future holds for me. I have two beautiful children (1 and 5) and they deserve the best ME. I am SO happy that I am sleeved! Congrats for making the first steps forward-you will do wonderful!