I am starting this so all of us who are beginning 2013 in a big way can share stories, advice and experiences.

My surgery date is 1/21/13 and this has been a year long journey for me. I began last December with a physical and my Dr. and I decided it was time. I had to go through 6 months of weigh-ins and visits with the nutritionist before I was even allowed to see the surgeon. I finally met him in July and then was given a whole new list of tests and appointments that needed to be done. My insurance finally approved me earlier this month, but only for surgery after January 1, so January 21st it is.

I am so excited to start this journey and thank you all in advance for sharing your experiences here!

Thank you lovealways-I know you will do great' date=' just listen to your body.

I'm sure we all heard some of this before, but just as a reminder-the hospital staff is there to help you, they are positive and understand what a life changing choice you've made and will be very helpful and supportive. Don't be affraid to share any fears or ask them for advice/questions. Immediately after the surgery, don't make sudden turns and twists, let people help you and don't put expectations on yourself that aren't fair. I was almost affraid to be released because I was being so well taken care of and wasn't faced with making any "real" choices, but I knew it was safer for me to leave the hospital and heal at home. I guess having this surgery felt almost like a detachment from my old self-a separation from me and food the way I knew it. You start changing your way of eating during pre-op, beginning with the liquid diet, then you go to the hospital and leave behind your old life to start a new one. Once you get the new tool you needed (or gift as I call it) you have people there to see that you're physically taken care of to ensure it's working, you know how to use it, and you're recovering sufficiently. Once released you're excited for your future and to go home with your loved ones-then you get there and see things like the fridge, the pantry, something you can't have any longer lying on the counter top, and you want to turn tail and hide from these stupid objects that really should hold no power over you.

Luckily, that feeling doesn't last long-you'll realize, "I GOT THIS"! Yes, I still wish I could eat what others are having, possibly just because everything sounds so good (the smells are actually irritating), but I'm happy that I can't and that I have to be so careful right now. I'm still on wobbly post-op legs but each day gets easier and better (I even walked through Costco today)! [/quote']

Wow. This was amazing I want to save this and remind myself of this often! Thank you so much.

Glad c ur so well and ThankYou for being so open and honest

Thank you Fiusha, getting better bit by bit. I'm sure you will do great as well, just prepare yourself for the future as best you can.

Wow. This was amazing I want to save this and remind myself of this often! Thank you so much.

mommywife-you're welcome, and you will do wonderfully.

Hi all-thought I would just create a quick hospital list for those in our group who have not yet had surgery.

I didn't want to overpack so I didn't bring it if I knew the hospital had it. I wore a pair of loose waisted yoga pants with a tank top and hoodie, socks and slip off moccasins. I wore the same items home, just changed my chonies and socks, lol.

Things I brought and used:

drivers license and insurance/hospital medical card-for admissions

chapstick-this is a must, and be cautious about the flavor

cell phone and charger, earphones to listen to music

robe and slippers-needed for walking the halls

socks-I only used 1pair

chonies-couldn't imagine going camando while there so I put them on as soon as the catheter came out

brush and hair ties

2 magazines I hadn't already read

my soft pillow

eye mask and earplugs-these were helpful if my roomate had company and I needed rest, or if I was trying to sleep in the daytime.

Things I used that the hospital provided:

hospital gown

slipper socks (until I could change into my own fuzzy ones)

tooth brush and toothpaste

comb

soap/lotion/washcloth (no shampoo and conditioner because I was home before it was allowed)

tissues

extra pillows and blanket- for propping myself up in bed and extra warmth

TV

Before I was released:

I had to show I could get up and walk around

tinkle withouth the catheter

be off the pain pump

have a regular heartbeat (for me)

take in 15 1oz cups full of water (I also drank broth and had a few bites of jello)

Hope this helps!

7th day on liquid diet after the first couple of day you are just numb and it doesn't even matter. No bowel prep today just clear liquids. ALL WE ALL HAVING FUN YET! LOL

Be encourged

Up bright and early for my bowel prep today. It's also my 1st day to be on liquids. Today's gonna be a rough one. Tomorrow is my BIG day, 10:30am. Yikes! Wish me luck and please send me up a little prayer.

Oh, I'm in Galveston, Texas and it will be done at the University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB).

I'm doin clr liquids today too, I I'm grateful for NO bowel prep!!! Packing my bags & ready for 630 : / I will be half asleep that early anyway : )

Good luck all! Today is my last day of shakes tomorrow is nothing but clear liquids and a bowel prep at 12:00pm. Already started packing. It's getting real now!!! Good luck everyone for tomorrow! I know we have a good amount of people getting surgery! Thoughts and prayers with you each <3

Oh boy, it has been a long trip and I am now less than 24 hours away from surgery. I started this 5 years ago before getting laid off and losing my insurance mid process. Started again about a year ago. I am 46, mother of 3, grandmother of one and been on a diet since I was 12! I am 5'11" and started at 313. I am at 275 now.

I am worried about my downtime, my husband travels and my kids are BUSY!!! He will be home my first week, but then he has to go back to work. How long before you can drive?

Thanks for all the information I have read in the last few months!

Oh boy' date=' it has been a long trip and I am now less than 24 hours away from surgery. I started this 5 years ago before getting laid off and losing my insurance mid process. Started again about a year ago. I am 46, mother of 3, grandmother of one and been on a diet since I was 12! I am 5'11" and started at 313. I am at 275 now.

I am worried about my downtime, my husband travels and my kids are BUSY!!! He will be home my first week, but then he has to go back to work. How long before you can drive?

Thanks for all the information I have read in the last few months!

[/quote']

If your taking heavy pain med, you can't drive. My Dr said a week, however I came home and didn't have to take pain meds. I drove 2nd day after I got home.

Gen :-) 12/15/12

Highly disappointed I found a protein drink I really really like Muscle milk light has in 8 oz 100 calories 15 g protein 2.5g fat and 4g carbs and theyre doing away with it to bring in Evolve with more calories more fat more carbs and less protein. .... everyone should email cytosport.. I have already ugh (ps buying as much as I can find locally)

Try the Lean Drink from GNC. You may like better than Muscle Milk Light. I drank the already made shakes, but comes in powder form. If you don't like it GNC takes back and will refund 100%.

Up bright and early for my bowel prep today. It's also my 1st day to be on liquids. Today's gonna be a rough one. Tomorrow is my BIG day' date=' 10:30am. Yikes! Wish me luck and please send me up a little prayer. <img src='http://www.bariatricpal.com/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.png' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='' />

Oh, I'm in Galveston, Texas and it will be done at the University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB).[/quote']

I'm in Dickinson! But I used the Davis clinic in Houston. Good luck today!!

Vitamin question: where do u buy ur vitamins from? And what exactly do you take.

I bought a 3 month supply from celebrate.

A multivitamin (chewable)

Calcium plus (has the D vitamins)

Biotin

Calcium citrate chews

And I think B50

If your taking heavy pain med' date=' you can't drive. My Dr said a week, however I came home and didn't have to take pain meds. I drove 2nd day after I got home.

Gen :-) 12/15/12[/quote']

im hoping thats me... no pain med your lucky....