Where Are My April 2012 Sleevers?

[Vsglass 17]

Hi all April Sleevers.

Just thought I'd post a little something on here that I've just noticed.

I'm currently on a holiday that we booked last year pre-decision to have VSG. We are in a gorgeous hotel on a Spanish island (bear with me I'm getting to the point:) ). This hotel is full of slim European people (slightly regretting my food funeral antics!) and all meals are buffet style. I was resigned to the fact that I was forever going to have to eat in a different way from everyone else and would forever have to make excuses. However, I've been watching how these people eat (not stalking them you undertand:) ). I've had a lightbulb moment. These European guest have always lived and eaten this way. They eat small amounts, the same sized portions that we will soon be eating, lots of Protein and they take a long time over their meals! For those who do not want to disclose your surgery there really is no need (other than the initial rapid (hopefully!) weigthloss). These guests are slim, healthy and look relaxed around food. Roll on the 26th!

[JanetF 4]

Hello fellow sleevers. I am new to this forum. Am scheduled to be sleeved in the UK on April 17th.

Hi, Sharonimo! I'm set for the 17th, too! I'm from the greater London area (Middlesex), but working in Lebanon, so am having the operation done in Beirut.

I have pretty much got my mind and body ready for the operation - second time lucky, I hope, as I had it scheduled for Feb, 14th, but it had to be cancelled when I got bronchitis and then pneumonia and ended up in hospital. Although I'm dreading the first few weeks post-op, I am really looking forward to the new life which awaits. I had a major last minute panic last week, though. I had a 24-hour pH-metry test done, which showed that I have severe acid reflux. The weird thing is that I have no symtpoms of it at all, but the test showed that I had 546 (yes, 546!) refluxes in just under 24 hours - incredible! I thought that would mean that my surgeon would say that he wouldn't do the sleeve, but after talking through the alternatives, we are still going to go for it on the 17th. What a relief! I feel a very long way away from home at times like this...

How are you feeling at the prospect of the 17th?

[JanetF 4]

I am so glad that i can share my experience with you all and you can be prepared for when its your turn!!!

-Kat

I just wanted to thank you and everyone else here who has been sharing their experiences in so much detail and in such personal terms. For those of us who are ready and waiting to be 'sleeved', it's the only way we can get a real feeling for what lies ahead and is so very, very helpful. Thanks and best wishes to you all.

Janet

[Joni 94]

I totally agree with Janet - thank you Kat and everyone else. Jimmy - I loved your motivator questions. I needed that this morning. I am going to use those over and over I think in the next 2 weeks. I love all of you and this forum!! Hugs - Joni

[Sharonimo 1]

How are you feeling at the prospect of the 17th?

Hi Janet,

Nervous and excited, you know. Also wondering how I will get thru next weekend on the pre-op diet. This weekend has been easy as I didn't go out and about or socialise at all (all of my family live 100's of miles away) .... but from Friday 13th April to Monday 16th April i have 4 days off work and I have got to do a shed load of things prior to my surgery (buying a whole month's worth of groceries and cleaning goods, buying a small simple vaccum cleaner and 1 osteopath appointment and just various stuff to fit it) .....

I am fine on the pre-op diet whilst at work (very easy to stick to) but it's when I have to go "out and about" to areas that have shops in (inc food shops and eatery places) that I really think I will struggle next weekend.

Sorry to hear you had one provisional previous date for surgery on 14 Feb which did not go ahead -- I am living in fear of picking up some last minute infection (eeeeek!).

I have Type 2 diabetes (fairly low immunity to infections) and I also have osteo-arthritis (very badly worn knees and hips) and a few other co-morbidities, all of which have crept up on me in the last two years.

I am 43 but will be 44 in May one month after my surgery (and probably 45 by the time I reach goal).

I wish so much I had gotten the surgery at 35 years old before the Diabetes and osteo-arthritis had developed ..... but you know, c'est la vie, we can't turn back the clock.

I am just immensely grateful that I have finally been given the chance to get my health back.

[THYCK747 36]

Welcome Thyck747!! I am a day ahead of you.. April 11. Getting so close I can smell it now

Kathy

Thank you Kathy. Make sure to keep us posted on your recovery!

[arj1016 57]

Spending my Easter Sunday on Clear Liquids. Then up bright and early on Monday to check in at the hospital! Excited and nervous. My surgery was moved up to 7:30 AM' date=' so I have to be there by 5:30. Oh I am not a morning person! Who else is going Monday? I'll be thinking of you all![/quote']

I am having a liquid Easter as well! Heading in on Tuesday. Having a hard time today!

[Lauranbob Mc 94]

I am having a liquid Easter as well! Heading in on Tuesday. Having a hard time today!

popsicles help. somthing to chew

[JanetF 4]

Hi again, Sharonimo! I know all too well what you mean. The bronchitis, pneumonia, hospitalisation in two countries and everything else which followed from it lasted almost two months and while friends and colleagues were getting my food shopping for me, I ate far more healthily, as I was too embarrassed to ask them to buy me any 'naughties', but the last couple of weeks since I have been able to do my own shopping again I am back to my usual lack of control. All my social life here revolves around going out for meals with friends and it's difficult to imagine how it will be once I am eating so little post-op.

My surgeon hasn't required a pre-op diet - in fact, all he has said is to eat a light lunch on Monday, followed by a liquid dinner - but I have lost 10 kilos over the last few months, mostly from being ill (not the best way to do it, but still...) From your signature it looks as if you have done really well with your pre-op weight loss, too - congrats!

I have Type II diabetes too, as well as myxoedema, PCOS, sleep apnoea, diabetic neuropathy, post-pneumonia asthma and various other co-morbidities, so my immune system is pretty compromised, too. I am 51 and in many ways wish that I had got to this stage say 15 years ago as well (the stage of being ready to take the huge step of having the VSG done, not the stage of having accumulated so many health problems!) but I think you reach this point when you are ready for it (perhaps desperate enough for it) and no earlier. I have fought against the idea for many, many years, but have finally reached the point where I know it is the right thing to do - indeed the only thing to do.

So roll on the 17th and here's hoping that everything will go smoothly!

[iwantobthin 8]

Day3: my drain is causing me the most pain right now. I wish they would just take it out, but I think they are wanting me to do one more leak test? my stomach is sore, but not too bad. Gas is pretty much gone. I should be getting released and get to go to the hotel soon. The nurse on call right now speaks very little english, so it makes it hard to communicate with her. slowly but surely getting back to feeling normal... Hoping by the time I fly home on tuesday, im much better.

[Vsglass 17]

Day3: my drain is causing me the most pain right now. I wish they would just take it out' date=' but I think they are wanting me to do one more leak test? my stomach is sore, but not too bad. Gas is pretty much gone. I should be getting released and get to go to the hotel soon. The nurse on call right now speaks very little english, so it makes it hard to communicate with her. slowly but surely getting back to feeling normal... Hoping by the time I fly home on tuesday, im much better.[/quote']

You sound like you are in good form mentally, the rest will follow. Your journey begins...

[Vsglass 17]

I am having a liquid Easter as well! Heading in on Tuesday. Having a hard time today!

Hang in there it won't be long and it means you'll reach your goal more quickly than if you'd had the chocolate! Best wishes:)

[Disneytikifan 21]

I am on liquids awaiting tuesday at 6 am. I picked up subway for my family for lunch yesterday and pizza last night. That was tough since I am on liquids! I wanted to eat the pizza and the box it was in but I didn't. Thankfully I have been working all weekend and monday till 6pm, so I have been too busy to dwell on food.< /p>

[cml 4]

Whoa, Slow down and take a deep breath...

We are all in this together, trust I know the anxiety you're feeling and the doubt and fear that comes with a major life changing decision like this one.

From what I read, I see that you're more focused on the negative and not so much on the positive points of view. Well, that's why we are all here for.

Yes, this is a major surgery, but there IS a way to tell whether it's necessary for YOU or not.

1. Is it really easy for YOU to lose all that weight AND keep it off with the sheer power of your own without assistance? NO - I gained and lost the same 40 -60 lbs so many times, I've lost count. Have never been able to get to goal on a 'diet'

2. Can you live with the decision of not going through with the surgery later down the line if you fail to lose the weight? Probably, but I am not getting any younger and only have high BP for now. I know that will change down the road - biggest worry is Type II Diabetes

3. Can you suppress your appetite on you own accord? This the hardest thing of all for me to do.

4. Will you be happier without going through with the surgery? I honestly don't know at this point

5. Are you willing to risk a healthier lifestyle for one that is associated with obesity? I am so done with being fat, but I feel bad I have to take such a drastic step as surgery.

I only ask because these are the questions I pose to myself every hr of everyday and if your answer is NO to all of these questions, then you can say that is a neccessity...

I have a lot more questions but these are my motivators.

Jimmy - I thought through your questions and answered them above. It was an excellent mental excercise to go through. It was very thoughtful of you to take the time to write them down and reply. Thank you. My heart says 'go for it - you need to get your life back', my head says 'what are thinking, taking such a risk as surgery'. I have my pre-op tomorrow and will have a heart-to-heart with my Doc. Thank you again for your support and voice of reason.

[TrumpetTinklers 196]

5 days post op & feeling pretty good!!!

I have some incision pain & some gas bubbles in my back after eating (mostly drinking food still).

Haven't had any pain meds since Thursday night, so it's doing pretty well!