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August 1st - surgery day



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Tomorrow morning at 5 AM I report to the hospital for my lap band surgery. I am really excited yet a bit scared at the same time. I've got everything that the doctor's office said to buy before hand and I think I am ready to go. I think I've been reading the posts too long now and I am scaring myself. For months before scheduling my surgery I read everything and I really think the negatives are far less than the positives which will last me a lifetime. I am hoping that everyone can give me some advice in regards to what to do and what not to do after surgery. Everyone says WALK and I will. What else do I need to know and do?

To introduce myself, I am 36 years old a mother, wife and dog owner. I am a high school librarian. I taught high school social studies for 9 years and have been a librarian for 4 years now. I LOVE my job. It is the best job in the school. I was always fairly thin until I had our daughter 11 years ago and since then I have just gained and gained weight until I am now 243 pounds. I am disgusted with myself and pray that this will be the answer that I've been looking for.

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Oh, wow! I'm 4 days post-op. I remember that I could not sleep the night before. I'm not sure if anybody told you this but you will get a shot of heprin in the belly to prevent blood clots. I didn't know that! But it doesn't hurt. Anyway, they also might find a hiata (spell?) hernia which is not unusual. Also, your mouth will not just be dry, it will be like the Sahara Desert!!! My throat was also pretty raw from the tube and still is. I've developed an anoying and somewhat agonizing cough because of it. Also running a very low-grade fever is common. But EVERYDAY is a new day and you will be amazed at how fast you recover from this. Good luck! I'll be thinking of you, a fellow Texan!

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Congratulations! All the best to you!! It's really nice to feel that I want something that another person has but no jealousy involved. I am truly happy for everyone who gets banded and I can't wait for MyTurn. I hope everyone who wants to improve themselves (espically their health) can be approved and successful with this tool.

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Hi.... I have to be there by 9am and I have done the same things that you had... On the site reading every story... I also scared myself. Today has been half way between hell and heaven. I'm sure you know how I feel. My husband is blind and this will be the first time he is alone at the house. We have gone over everything but the added stress is not cool. We have a 8 month old puppy and what ever happens it happens. We live so far from our family and will be on our own... Another like challenge.. I just want it to be over. The doctor said I have to stay over night and that will be hard. Good luck...We can take this journey togeather...:biggrin:

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Congratulations and well wishes!!!

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Congrats to you both on your new journey. I am having my 1 year post-op anniversary tomorrow. This is definately the best gift you could give yourself. Best of luck. Let me know how you do, PM me if you want to talk privately.

Edited by wilem

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WOW! Your progress is awesome. Can you share what you did in the weeks after surgery to lose and maintain your focus? I haven't had the surgery, but I am HIGHLY considering it. I have about 130 lbs to lose.

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lsullivan - I am a Elementary/Middle school librarian. And yes, the best advice is to walk. Good luck!!! Post in a few days and let us know how you are doing.

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Thanks everyone. I am going to try & go to bed (hahahahahahahahaha). I know that everything will be OK. I'm just nervous and ready for it to get done. Please share your post-op suggestions with me. I will read them most likely on Sunday. Thanks again!

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Well I'm home now. It feels so good to be in your own bed, especially when you are 5'11" and your legs hang off every hospital bed on earth. I was Dr. Spiegel's first surgery of the day at University General Hospital and I truly can't say enough positive things about the entire experience. I LOVE that so many of the staff at UGH have had the surgery too. They were all so supportive and had kinds words. I got home about 1:00 this afternoon and immediately took at nap, but I've walked the downstairs of my house for about 30 minutes now and even cleaned the kitchen. I'm so surprised at how well I feel. Of course I'm sore, but overall I feel great. Thanks to everyone who gave me encouraging words Thursday night. I think I was psyching myself out.

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I'm glad everything went well. It is just the beginning of your wonderful journey. Take it easy and Enjoy!!!!

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I'm glad everything went well for you! It's good to hear about positive experiences. My surgery is sheduled for August 6th, so I am right behind you.

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Wonderful! How did it go?

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    • Doughgurl

      2 days until I fly out to San Diego to have my Bypass Surg. in Tiajuana Mexico. Not gonna lie, the nerves are starting to surface. I don't fear the surgery itself, or the fact that I'm traveling alone, but its the aftermath that I'm stressing about the most, after this 8 week wait. I'm excited to finally be here, but I am really dreading the post surgical chapter. I know its going to be tough, real tough and I think I'm just in my head to much now that the day i here. Wish me luck, Hopefully I'm one of the lucky ones, and everything goes smoothly. Cant wait to give an exciting update,. If there is anyone else have a June bypass or even a recent one, Id love to have someone to compare war stories with. Also, anyone near San Antonio Tx? See ya soon with the future me. 💜
      · 1 reply
      1. Phil Penn

        Good Luck this procedure is well worth it I am down to 249.6 lb please continue with the process..

    • LeighaTR

      I am new here today... and only two weeks out from my sleeve surgery on the 23rd. I am amazed I have kept my calories down to 467 today so far... that leaves me almost 750 left for dinner and maybe a snack. This is going to be tough for two weeks... but I have to believe I can do it!
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    • Doughgurl

      Hey everyone. I'm new here so I thought I should introduce myself. I am 53y/o and am scheduled for Gastric Bypass on June 25th, 2025. I'm located in San Antonio, Texas. I will be having my surgery in Tiajuana Mexico. I've wanted this for years, but I always had insurance where bariatric procedures were excluded. Finally I am able to afford to pay out of pocket.  I can't wait to get started, and I hope I'm prepared for the initial period of "hell". I know what I have signed up for, but I'm sure the good to come will out way the temporary period of discomfort and feelings of regret. I'd love to find people to talk to who have been through the same procedure or experience before. So I look forward to meeting you all. Hope you have a great week!
      · 2 replies
      1. Selina333

        I'm so happy for you! You are about to change your life. I was so glad to get the sleeve done in Dec. I didn't have feelings of regret overall. And I'm down almost 60 lbs. I do feel a little sad at restaurants. I can barely eat half a kid's meal. I get adults meals often because kid ones don't have the same offerings at times. Then I feel obligated to eat on that until it's gone and that can be days. So the restaurant thing isn't great for me. All the rest is fine by me! I love feeling full with very little. I do wish I could drink when eating. And will sip at the end. Just a strong habit to stop. But I'm working on it! You will do fine! Just keep focused on your desire to be different. Not better or worse. But different. I am happy both ways but my low back doesn't like me that heavy. So I listened (also my feet!). LOL! Update us on your journey! I'm not far from you. I'm in Houston. Good luck and I hope it all goes smoothly! Would love to see pics of the town you go to for this. I've never been there. Neat you will be traveling for this! Enjoy the journey. Take it one day at a time. Sometimes a few hours at a time. Follow all recommendations as best you can. 💗

      2. Doughgurl

        Thank you so much for your well wishes. I am hoping that everything goes easy for me as well. We don't eat out much as it is, so it wont be too bad in that department. Thankfully. Also, I hear you regarding your back and feet!! I'd like to add knees to the list. Killing me as we speak! I'm only 5' so the weight has to go. Too short to carry all this weight. Menopause really did a doosey on me. (😶lol) My daughter also lives in Houston. with her Husband and my 5 grand-littles. I grew up in Beaumont, so I know Houston well, I will be sure to keep in touch and update you on my journey. I may need some advice in the future, or just motivation. Thank You so much for reaching out, I was hoping to connect with someone in the community. I really appreciate it. 💜

    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. LeighaTR

        I hope your surgery on Wednesday goes well. You will be able to do all sorts of new things as you find your new normal after surgery. I don't know this from experience yet, but I am seeing a lot of positive things from people who have had it done. Best of luck!

    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. summerseeker

        Life as a big person had limited my life to what I knew I could manage to do each day. That was eat. I hadn't anything else to look forward to. So my eating choices were the best I could dream up. I planned the cooking in managable lots in my head and filled my day with and around it.

        Now I have a whole new big, bigger, biggest, best days ever. I am out there with those skinny people doing stuff i could never have dreamt of. Food is now an after thought. It doesn't consume my day. I still enjoy the good home cooked food but I eat smaller portions. I leave food on my plate when I am full. I can no longer hear my mother's voice saying eat it all up, ther are starving children in Africa who would want that!

        I still cook for family feasts, I love cooking. I still do holidays but I have changed from the All inclusive drinking and eating everything everyday kind to Self catering accommodation. This gives me the choice of cooking or eating out as I choose. I rarely drink anymore as I usually travel alone now and I feel I need to keep aware of my surroundings.

        I don't know at what point my life expanded, was it when I lost 100 pounds? Was it when I left my walking stick at home ? Was it when I said yes to an outing instead of finding an excuse to stay home ? i look back at my last five years and wonder how loosing weight has made such a difference. Be ready to amaze yourself.

        BTW, the liquid diet sucks, one more day and you are over the worst. You can do it.

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