Infernored

Wow! That is the most replies I've ever gotten on a topic! I know alot of people think my surgeon is a jerk, and even my hubby thinks so because I felt so bad about the situation yesterday, but I don't think so. He told me that he's been doing these surgeries for years and he travels to few different programs every year to see how they do things and some make you do a preop diet and some don't. He says in the ones who don't, the liver is so much bigger and harder to work around that it makes the procedure alot harder and increases the risks of complications. He said if he didn't care about me then he would do it, and maybe I'd need a bypass due to difficulties during surgery, or a leak that I'd be a greater risk for. He said he might take too much stomach off, or too little. He even stressed that even though I am big girl, I am tiny on the inside because my fat is "peripheral". He said I have a small frame even though I may have never seen it before. So, I agreed with him. And I'm a firm believer that everthing happens for a reason. I also am getting over a cold, and while I wasn't coughing yesterday in the hospital, when I came home I was coughing like crazy all day. I am going shopping today to stock up on no carb stuff, and I am going to keep busy until april 4 when I weigh in again. I'm planning on painting my bedroom and I start a new job next week. I know that when I learn, I learn the hard way. And so I have. I am glad some of the people hear have heard my story so they know not to follow in my mistakes. Thank you for all of your replies!

when I went for my last appt before surgery, they told me to go back to south beach phase 1 immediately to shrink my liver. I was kinda freaked because mentally I had been preparing for a food funeral at least a couple things. I did both. and when my doctor asked me on day of surgery how I did, I said ok. when he heard that I had even had just a tiny bit of carbs he kinda freaked and cancelled my surgery (to be rescheduled in a couple weeks). Now I am sorry, and I feel so bad that I wasted my time, his time and everyone elses who was involved.

My hubby talked me out of it a couple years ago. And he was hesitant now too, but he said he'd support me. His main concern is the risks for complications. Having lost both of his parents already (he's 32) he needs me to be there for him and not get hurt. We saw a counselor to talk about it and we've agreed to disagree basically. He respects that I want it, and he wants me to be happy and healthy too.

You sound like everything will be all good. Make sure you do all your surgeon says to. It is just nerve wracking waiting for the approval. I called my doctor's office many times to check and make sure they didn't forget about me cause I was paranoid!

I haven't seen it in drug stores, but I know there is unflavored protein powder than can be added to food. I haven't checked GNC or anything so they might have some too.

Ok, I just talked to the coordinator. I'm going to go back and weigh in on monday april 4th, and then see her. From there they will reschedule if I lost the weight. I was really upset earlier but I tried not to cry. Now I am still bummed, but I see an opportunity for myself to get where I need to be mentally and physically and lose some weight without the surgery. I know I can do this and I'm feeling better. Thanks for all your input everybody, you are all so experienced here and I just needed to vent to my support peeps. I will let you know how things are going.

More than anything, I just want people to learn from my mistakes. I didn't set out to dupe the doctor and get sleeved and then live the way I feel like. Mostly, I didn't recognize until now how important it was that the liver shrink a nd how just a little bit really affects it. I'm one of those people who rationalizes all of my bad behaviour to keep it making sense (didn't work out because I have to work, didn't eat properly because I have a headache or I did lots of exercise just before). I always knew I was my own worst enemy. I am working up the nerve to call the surgery coordinator's office now. I gotta fix my mess.

Yeah, I hear that some people do a 2 week liquid diet to shrink the liver. And he says some doctors don't ask it of their patients. But he said it makes the surgery alot easier for him and cuts the risks down by alot. So now I'm learning the hard way. :/

You get to the surgery suite in the hospital, they will ask you a bunch of questions that you've already gone through a million times, you get a hospital gown and they start an IV line to give you medicine and keep you hydrated. You wait in a room with your family and chill a bit until they are ready to take you. Sometimes they give you medicine before you are transferred to OR and sometimes they give it to you when you get there. The medicine will make you feel pretty goofy and you'll fall asleep. Last time I had surgery, it felt like I blinked my eyes and was waking up. You'll feel groggy and maybe a little confused. You might wonder if you even had the surgery yet. There are nurses all around checking your vital signs and heart rate and rhythm on the monitor. They can give you pain and nausea medicine if you need it. When you are stable and when you are assigned a room you will be transferred. The worst feeling from anesthesia I ever felt was a sore throat or hoarse voice. It wasn't bad at all. Everyone's experience is different. I have my surgery tomorrow too, so good luck!

I am sooo happy for you! What great news to hear!

I am all set for my surgery on Tuesday and I am very excited, but for the past few days I've had a head cold with runny nose and coughing. I'm determined that I will get better before tuesday since I've had this since monday. I'm just taking dayquil. Has this happened to anybody else?

I just took Dayquil and Theraflu. Hot brothy Soups and tea seemed to help too.

Weird! Check with your primary. If nothing else, go see a chiropracter that does massage too. I went to one for a while and I swear I was in love with him for how good he got my back feeling. {memories!} lol

Yeah, I'm keeping up on my dayquil until tonight. I feel alot better than I did over the weekend so I feel better. Stressing out over it probably didn't help.

I have my surgery tomorrow too! I have to stay 2 nights since my surgeon is a self-professed paranoid doctor. So I am bringing loose stretch pants so my butt doesn't hang out of the hospital gown. I am bringing my kindle and my phone. I will have my chapstick and toothbrush and face lotion since I hate the feeling of not having lotion on my face. deoderant. lotion. underwear. I'm only wearing the clothes on the way to the hospital for a little while, so I will keep them to wear home. I am gonna wear my croc ballet shoes in lieu of sneakers or slippers..

There are risks for everything in life, including staying the way we are(were). My hubby was worried about it safety-wise, so I had him grill the surgeon on complications/mortality etc. I was pleased to find out that he hasn't ever had a pt die from it, and almost no major complications from the sleeve. He said it is higher with bypass, and even the band since 15% of banders need additional surgery just from complications, not including those who don't lose enough weight and want to lose more. I had spoken with a few of the PAs there and they are astounded as to how well this surgery is working out for people and they called it amazing. As for the people who gained their weight back.... I think of it as if I knew all I knew now when I was growing up, I wouldn't need surgery in the first place because I could recognize all my bad behaviours regarding food and exercise.

I really like the sound of Operation Fine by Summertime! Last summer I felt like I was dying any time it was over 80 degrees. I was so self-concious I wouldn't wear shorts or capris or tank tops. This year will be so much better! I'm looking forward to losing enough weight that I can wear my cute strappy sandals again!

Can't let everyone make your own decisions. If you feel that this is what you need, and the surgeon considers you a candidate then go for it.

I did this to myself too. I was getting prepared for the band in 2006 and my hubby was afraid of surgery and I let myself get talked out of it. I believed that I could do it the traditional way and thought myself weak if I did surgery. Which is not true at all. The preparation for this surgery has been the hardest thing I've ever done. I will not let myself back out again.

Your story gives me hope that I might fare the same! I am determined to go back to work the next week after surgery. I really don't want to take time off and I am sick of my weight dragging my life down! I'm gonna get that surgery and be off running! lol

Your job sounds awesome.

I tried the diva cup for a day, and it is better than tampons, but not better than the disposable ones in my opinion. Will definitely keep it for the future. The disposable ones are more flexible and easier to remove.

I am keeping it a secret from my hubby's family (very nosy and opinionated) and my friends. I am keeping it from my friends because one of them had the band done a year or more ago and was totally noncompliant and hasn't lost a pound. We could go out to dinner and she would eat an appetizer, entree with salad and dessert and drinks. She's been kinda bitter about it and blames the band for not working. I just don't even want to go there with them yet. I plan on mentioning it after surgery.

I hate shaving down there! I feel itchy the whole time it's growing back. Not a fan of the idea of waxing either. I wonder if I might change my mind when my weight is lower.