Alright December Sleevers, I'm hoping that this title brings more people in so we can follow and encourage each other through our journeys.

I am 40. I'm 5'4" and about 308 right now. I'd like to get to a healthy BMI which would be around 145. I'm hoping for a December 4th or 5th date with Dr. William Johnson.

Everyone introduce yourselves!


So far as of 11/02/13

• Dec 02 Krysta03
• Dec 02 gaslimgal
• Dec 02 jess9395
• Dec 02 Annadette
• Dec 02 sookie
• Dec 02 Nurse_Bonnie
• Dec 02 doopa
• Dec 02 Jerzygurl
• Dec 03 Tasha420
• Dec 03 SouthernCharm
• Dec 03 redilla42
• Dec 03 skinnynewbecky2014
• Dec 03 Sinderelly
• Dec 03 missmee
• Dec 03 Browneyedgurl
• Dec 04 L-in-NJ
• Dec 04 Healthbound
• Dec 04 Katdrox
• Dec 05 Blondiee
• Dec 05 Lioness813
• Dec 06 kyholder
• Dec 06 harleychic
• Dec 09 De-jo
• Dec 09 AshleyMidwife
• Dec 09 Sweettart702
• Dec 09 MShell
• Dec 09 Carlotta
• Dec 10 hopecomeswithtime
• Dec 11 liciamarie
• Dec 11 KaminaBlue
• Dec 11 Only1likeme
• Dec 11 soul2bleed
• Dec 11 Volfan
• Dec 11 dencob1
• Dec 11 MnWin
• Dec 11 onedaycloser
• Dec 11 Scraglycat
• Dec 12 amills
• Dec 12 kellymoon
• Dec 12 honeylove
• Dec 13 Mommie4
• Dec 13 amduc (and husband!)
• Dec 13 Under1star
• Dec 14 Sleevin It
• Dec 16 slvrsax
• Dec 16 elhudge
• Dec 16 Mfs
• Dec 16 MGR1852
• Dec 17 Shelly70
• Dec 17 Serenah
• Dec 17 ginnie290
• Dec 18 Sns513
• Dec 18 Nona337am
• Dec 18 gemgirl
• Dec 18 mija1980
• Dec 18 Teachamy
• Dec 26 ReEstDec2013
• Dec 27 Carmen1963
• Dec 30 elsnanny

No date yet:

• AtlantaRed
• beansmomma
• HoustonTexanFan
• AngiD
• fpmr96a
• SueRN
• Simpley_ke
• Vixey
• macman
• MonisNatural
• fmpr96a
• Tarheel79
• SeniorMoment
• Coachk
• kan7525
• caligirl3
• Besleeve It

So I just told someone about my surgery coming up on Monday and I got the rudest response which is making me really upset. They said, oh no that's terrible. You couldn't do it on your own? Meanwhile, SHE was huge herself! I'm feeling a little discouraged

Don't let her get you down. You are doing the right thing and her response is probably due more to her own insecurity than anything to do with you. You know there are always people who try to keep you down and out with them, it makes them feel better. One of my best friends who is very heavy said she didn't know if she could hang out with me anymore after I became "skinny" I know it was just her fear talking but it does hurt.

You're with us and we are making positive steps to a healthier life!

Making my hospital list of items to bring on Monday 12/16….

I have had recommendations for the following:

1) Your own pillow - also heard this helps cushion the seat belt against your tummy on the way home

2) Tooth paste/brush

3) Hair brush/comb

4) Night gown - some say yes, some say no?

5) Robe - is it a good idea to bring a robe (I assume your butt hangs out otherwise when you are up walking)?

6) Slippers - are you in hospital socks and if so, are slippers needed? I have sock monkey slippers!

7) Someone mentioned a throw for comfort- don't they give you more blankets if you need them?

8) GasX strips - do they let you use these in the hospital?

10) Chap stick

11) Your own drinks - don't they give you sugar free drinks? How much are you drinking anyway?

12) Do they let you - or are you able to take a shower?

Would appreciate anyone else's perspective on what they brought or wish they had.

Getting excited to get this underway. Not sleeping that well, I keep waking up wondering how it will be. May be waking up from hunger though, LOL!

Making my hospital list of items to bring on Monday 12/16….

I have had recommendations for the following:

1) Your own pillow - also heard this helps cushion the seat belt against your tummy on the way home

2) Tooth paste/brush

3) Hair brush/comb

4) Night gown - some say yes, some say no?

5) Robe - is it a good idea to bring a robe (I assume your butt hangs out otherwise when you are up walking)?

6) Slippers - are you in hospital socks and if so, are slippers needed? I have sock monkey slippers!

7) Someone mentioned a throw for comfort- don't they give you more blankets if you need them?

8) GasX strips - do they let you use these in the hospital?

10) Chap stick

11) Your own drinks - don't they give you sugar free drinks? How much are you drinking anyway?

12) Do they let you - or are you able to take a shower?

Would appreciate anyone else's perspective on what they brought or wish they had.

Getting excited to get this underway. Not sleeping that well, I keep waking up wondering how it will be. May be waking up from hunger though, LOL!

Hey, look up the title: "packing for the hosp?". There is a link to click which has pretty much everything u may need. Look it up, I did and was able to add a few things that id forgotten. Lmk if u can't find it so that I will make a list here. Gl:)

Just wanted to update you guys. I am 2 days post op and feeling pretty good. A little sore. . Feels like I did 100 sit ups. Not to bad. . I'm getting down as many liquids as I can. . All and all.. everything is good. Thanks for your prayers and encouragement!

Glad to hear your doing well. Keep us posted

Dec. 19^th sleever Wondering if I can really do this.

Spent Thanksgiving with family constantly pushing food. Birthday dinner 2 days ago, so I finally started the "pre-op" diet.

I guess one week is better than nothing but I'm starting to see how much food controls my days!

Am I putting all my "eggs in one basket"? Umm - I love eggs...

So I just told someone about my surgery coming up on Monday and I got the rudest response which is making me really upset. They said, oh no that's terrible. You couldn't do it on your own? Meanwhile, SHE was huge herself! I'm feeling a little discouraged

Why are you letting someone who's in the same situation as you make you feel bad about your brave decision to do something about your health? I wouldn't give a second thought to whoever it was. You're not doing this for people. You're doing this for YOU!!!

I'm 1 night out. I know I'm getting stronger each minute but I had to have a hiatal hernia removed during my VSG so that is the most painful part. Trying hard to keep liquids down but it's hard

I should be home tomorrow morning God willing

Will fill you in on how I feel then but had no clue about the hernia - My surgeon was surprised too

I'm 1 night out. I know I'm getting stronger each minute but I had to have a hiatal hernia removed during my VSG so that is the most painful part. Trying hard to keep liquids down but it's hard

I should be home tomorrow morning God willing

Will fill you in on how I feel then but had no clue about the hernia - My surgeon was surprised too

Welcome to the losers bench and congrats. So sry to hear of the additional cutting that u had to have done. It's amazn how a lot of people have to have one repaired during this surgery, hmmm. My surgeon mentioned it to me today as a possibility. In any case, take it easy, don't rush home if u don't have too and God bless ur recovery. Thx for checking in

I keep reading about an abdominal binder being used after surgery. Any feedback on this from those who are post-op? Or have any of your surgeons/nurses said to expect this? It's a bit of a new idea to me so I'm trying to wrap my head around what to expect. Thanks!

So I just told someone about my surgery coming up on Monday and I got the rudest response which is making me really upset. They said, oh no that's terrible. You couldn't do it on your own? Meanwhile, SHE was huge herself! I'm feeling a little discouraged

I think I would've asked her "so how's THAT working for you?"!

Thank you to all of you for your support.... I guess I need to develop a thicker skin about this... Just wish people weren't so ignorant and thoughtless. Thanks again everyone!! 3 days to go!!

I keep reading about an abdominal binder being used after surgery. Any feedback on this from those who are post-op? Or have any of your surgeons/nurses said to expect this? It's a bit of a new idea to me so I'm trying to wrap my head around what to expect. Thanks!

Im due for surgery on the 16th. I asked my doctor about it because I saw a few comments about it. He said its not going to hold you in like people think because your insides are still going tomove around. Most doctors don't automatically give you one but they are available upon request. Have you asked your doctor about it. I had a friend who liked the binder and also one who said it was uncomfortable and not worth it.

December 19th in Fort Worth, Texas!

I'm 1 night out. I know I'm getting stronger each minute but I had to have a hiatal hernia removed during my VSG so that is the most painful part. Trying hard to keep liquids down but it's hard <br> I should be home tomorrow morning God willing <br><br> Will fill you in on how I feel then but had no clue about the hernia - My surgeon was surprised too

I also had a hiatal hernia removed as well as some scar tissue on my liver. My surgeon explained that the hiatal hernia is rather common with these surgeries. My surgery was 12/2 and I'm still pretty sore. I've tried to go without any pain medication but it's pretty unbearable. Good luck with your recovery. I highly recommend walking as much as possible (I did laps around the kitchen/living room.) I was finally able to sleep in a bed three days after surgery for a few hours at a time. You're in my thoughts and prayers for a speedy recovery!!!

I keep reading about an abdominal binder being used after surgery. Any feedback on this from those who are post-op? Or have any of your surgeons/nurses said to expect this? It's a bit of a new idea to me so I'm trying to wrap my head around what to expect. Thanks!

Im due for surgery on the 16th. I asked my doctor about it because I saw a few comments about it. He said its not going to hold you in like people think because your insides are still going tomove around. Most doctors don't automatically give you one but they are available upon request. Have you asked your doctor about it. I had a friend who liked the binder and also one who said it was uncomfortable and not worth it.

That sounds like a great idea! While riding in the car I feel like my insides are just bouncing around! Pretty gross!