Hi again....I posted an intro in the "Tell your story" section and noone replied...boo hoo! But onward and upward!!!!! Due to get 5 tests in one day on Mon the 22nd. What was the psch eval like? And how about the stress test? And does the NUT answer questions about pre op and post op food in that appt???? Thanks so much and I'm happy to be here! Tracy

Tracy -

Welcome!! I didn't have to have a psych eval but the reasons behind them are very valid. Many people who are overweight have a long relationship with food as a coping mechanism. Once you have the sleeve done, it is physically impossible to be the emotional eater you were before. What they are looking for is whether you have a means for coping once food is no longer an option. I can't really speak for others, but I know for myself I did have a little bit of mourning for being able to stuff myself with pizza or something to that sleepy, comfortable I just want to lay on the couch and veg feeling. I was also somewhat surprised at what a behavior my eating patterns were, something that I would have completely denied before surgery. Now....don't let all of this scare you, new behaviors and eating patterns are learned and your relationship with food will become much healthier. It is often said on this site that you will be eating to live and no longer living to eat and that is so true!

Hopefully your nutritionist will be able to answer your questions about pre and post op eating, but if she doesn't then come back here. Everyone is more than willing to share their experiences, what works and what doesn't.

I am happy for you that you are making steps towards a healthier you. I was sleeved in July and it is the best gift I could have ever given myself (and my family!)

Kathy

Thanks Kathy for responding! And thanks for the encouragement!!!! I have a little more weight than you do to loose....has it been hard to do for you? I'm looking forward to a new way of life...I have two daughters from China and I want to give them a healthier mama....thanks again! Tracy

Hello,

About the psych eval, I had one too at my first appointment. She was harmless but she did suggest I talk to someone about my binge eating and relationship with food, which makes sense. Unless we know why we do the things we do, it is hard to change them. The psychologist is not there to judge you (I'm sure they have heard it all.) Go in with an open mind and answer the questions truthfully. Good luck.

Thanks Cheryl! I had to go through an evaluation with a social worker for my international adoptions so I'm hoping it's not too scary!!!!! PS. I saw you added me as a friend...I'm not sure how that feature works but thanks so much....love the support!!!! Tracy

Tracy -

Again, I can't speak for everyone, but for ME the surgery was a breeze - don't get me wrong, I was terrified but with the exception of a few hours immediately after the surgery I didn't think it was painful at all. I had surgery about 6pm and didn't take anything else for pain after about 11am the next morning. I did have some nausea during the first night as well, but it subsided pretty quickly. I was lucky and didn't have problems with gas like some do. The day after my surgery when I was drifting off and napping alot, I forced myself to get up and walk the halls 3 times every time I woke up then went back and napped some more and I think that might have kept me from having problems with the gas in my abdomen. I had surgery on a Thursday, flew home from Mexico on Sunday and then drove an hour home from the airport when I got back. I was tired when I got home, but I was not in pain. It was the first time I ever asked for apple juice on the plane and not soda lol.

As far as the weight loss, it has been unbelievable. There are lots of thoughts out there as to how often you should or shouldn't weigh yourself, but I could NOT stay off the scale!! Every time I stepped on it, it was lower and I was blown away! I have lost over 70lbs all together and I still have those "ah-ha" moments when I realize that I will never see those 70 pounds again and it feels incredible! I used to come home from work and flop down in my chair, graze on junk all evening then go to bed. My sleep was horrible, I tossed and turned all night. Woke up about 4-5 times and used the bathroom. Now I feel GOOD! I have so much more energy, my flop down chair was just removed from my den last week and an elliptical trainer is in its place - sure I can only do about 5-10 min on it at a time, but the point is - I AM DOING IT. When I go to bed at night I sleep good and rarely wake before my alarm goes off. I now don't care where I park in the lot, because I don't have to worry about how far I am going to have to walk, and I don't care if I have to walk all the way to the back corner of walmart to get milk lol. There are a million things that I can tell you about how much better my life is, but I don't want you to nod off. If you have any questions, please feel free to ask or private message me.

Do you have a date for your surgery yet? Where are you from and where are you planning to have your surgery?

Kathy

My psych eval was weird and I posted about it, I remember the psychologist's eyes turning red and her voice changing and asking me: "You are hard on yourself aren't you?!!!" To which I replied with a scared face: "Welllllll if I am not then who will?" LOL I don't know these people go to school to learn how to get people to talk about their most intimate, shameful, sad, and whatever behaviors and sometimes it's just strange, I am not opposed to therapy but I would love a therapist that wouldn't change eye colors on me.

Butterfly...you are too funny...I'll be looking at those eyes!!!

Tracy -

Again, I can't speak for everyone, but for ME the surgery was a breeze - don't get me wrong, I was terrified but with the exception of a few hours immediately after the surgery I didn't think it was painful at all. I had surgery about 6pm and didn't take anything else for pain after about 11am the next morning. I did have some nausea during the first night as well, but it subsided pretty quickly. I was lucky and didn't have problems with gas like some do. The day after my surgery when I was drifting off and napping alot, I forced myself to get up and walk the halls 3 times every time I woke up then went back and napped some more and I think that might have kept me from having problems with the gas in my abdomen. I had surgery on a Thursday, flew home from Mexico on Sunday and then drove an hour home from the airport when I got back. I was tired when I got home, but I was not in pain. It was the first time I ever asked for apple juice on the plane and not soda lol.

As far as the weight loss, it has been unbelievable. There are lots of thoughts out there as to how often you should or shouldn't weigh yourself, but I could NOT stay off the scale!! Every time I stepped on it, it was lower and I was blown away! I have lost over 70lbs all together and I still have those "ah-ha" moments when I realize that I will never see those 70 pounds again and it feels incredible! I used to come home from work and flop down in my chair, graze on junk all evening then go to bed. My sleep was horrible, I tossed and turned all night. Woke up about 4-5 times and used the bathroom. Now I feel GOOD! I have so much more energy, my flop down chair was just removed from my den last week and an elliptical trainer is in its place - sure I can only do about 5-10 min on it at a time, but the point is - I AM DOING IT. When I go to bed at night I sleep good and rarely wake before my alarm goes off. I now don't care where I park in the lot, because I don't have to worry about how far I am going to have to walk, and I don't care if I have to walk all the way to the back corner of walmart to get milk lol. There are a million things that I can tell you about how much better my life is, but I don't want you to nod off. If you have any questions, please feel free to ask or private message me.

Do you have a date for your surgery yet? Where are you from and where are you planning to have your surgery?

Kathy

Kathy.....my date will be sometime in mid-late Jan. I need to go through the pre-op testing on Mon 22nd and wait for an approval from Cigna...my surgeon doesn't think that will be a problem. I live outside of St. Louis and am planning to have my suregery in Des Peres Hospital in St. Louis. Thanks for all the great info and I'm praying for your kind of success!!!!! Tracy