MlkPas

I'm 51 years old and MY mom is making worried noises about my surgery, too. Fortunately after all these years I've learned to just say "Don't worry, Mom, I've done all my research and I'm confident it's perfectly safe." She knows I won't engage in a long debate or discussion with her, so she just makes her little noises and lets it go. LOL

It's strange, but I'm having my surgery in 6 days and I haven't been very scared at all. Really I only have two concerns, one realistic and one not: (1) that I'll be the one person the sleeve doesn't work for, which is pretty common and silly, and (2) that I'll be too tired and worn out to keep up with all my work and school and family obligations post-surgery, which is realistic but which there's really not much I can do about unless and until it happens. Mostly, though, I'm just tremendously excited. I have battled my weight since I was NINE YEARS OLD -- that's more than forty years now! So the thought of finally being free of the battle is just overwhelming. So I'm concentrating on the upside and keeping a smile on my face! :thumbup1:

I still have a week to go -- the big day is next Wednesday, March 17! Can't wait!!

Anything you'd do different if you had your surgery to do over again? I am two weeks away from my VSG surgery, and I THINK I am pretty well prepared. I am prepared for it to hurt, I am prepared for the possibility of complications, I am prepared to get up and walk as soon and as much as possible, I'm prepared for the weight loss to be slow/on-and-off/start-and-stop at first, I'm prepared to be depressed/moody for a few weeks or even a few months. I'm prepared to be tired for some weeks. I'm prepared for my hair to fall out (although I'm in total denial that it's going to happen to me), I'm prepared for some saggy skin, I'm prepared for awkward questions (I figure I'll make up the answers on the fly), I'm prepared to be hungry, to be not hungry, to be nauseated, to feel great, you name it. Basically I realize I won't know what it's like until I get there, and I think I'm okay with that. BUT... I like to be prepared. So I'm asking you VSG veterans for you best advice. Was there anything you found totally unexpected? Any bad (or good) surprises? Anything that seems laughably predictable now, that you just didn't think of in advance? Any and all input would be greatly appreciated!

I was on a vegan diet for a few months last year and really liked it. I know most of you sleevers are low-carbing it, but I wonder whether anybody has tried vegetarian/vegan eating with the sleeve? Have any of you discussed it with your doctor? I plan to talk to my surgeon about it but would love to hear from you about it, too. Thanks!

Thanks a lot, Mr. Nick! I'll have to check those out!

I was offered an my sleeve on an outpatient basis, but I finally decided I was too squeamish about it, so I'm staying overnight.

Can you with hubby problems have your partners talk to your surgeons? My hubby was big on "all you need to do is control yourself," until I told him what my surgeon said about obesity being largely outside our control. Once he got educated he's really turned around and is now very supportive. If your partner won't listen to you, perhaps he'd listen to your doctor. Just a thought.

Oh, boy! This is so exciting!!!

Oh, I'm sure you know this, but you'll need to go together to get the marriage license. Here's some info: To be married in California you must obtain a marriage license prior to the marriage ceremony. If either party is under the age of eighteen, a license cannot be issued without the consent of a parent and a court order. To obtain a regular license the bride and groom (both over 18 years of age) must appear in person and provide information including parent’s full names and places of birth. Napa County Clerk/Recorder’s Office (707) 253-4246 900 Coombs Street Hours 8-4 Monday through Friday Bride and Groom both need to appear. The following information is required: Name of parents – mother’s maiden name Place of Birth If there was a prior marriage, the way in which and date the last marriage ended is required. If the last marriage ended less than 90 days prior to the new license being requested, a copy of the document ending the marriage must be provided. FEE: $70.00. If you wish to have a certified copy of the license there is an additional cost of $13.00. A regular license can be obtained from any of California’s 58 county clerks and, once issued is good for 90 days. The ceremony can be performed anywhere in the State of California. The County Clerk/Recorder issues marriage licenses between 8 AM and 4:00 PM Monday through Friday except for holidays.

I'm still pre-op, but I'm 51 years old and my feeling is that I've been eating for more than 50 years and I've eaten everything I need to eat. I've been struggling with my weight since I was NINE, and although I've never been huge (never even reached 200 lbs, but then I'm only 5'2"), I have worried and fretted about every bite that went into my mouth, and every ounce on the scale, for more than FORTY YEARS. So when I found out this surgery was available to me, I jumped on it like a drowning man jumps on a lifeboat. Honestly, I can't imagine anything about the restrictions of this surgery being any worse than what I've been through up to now. Even if I were restricted to Protein shakes and chicken soup for the rest of my life (which I know I won't be), for me that would be a fair trade-off for being slim and healthy. As for complications, I know they happen but if they do I will get through them and it will still be worth it. I guess everybody has to do the cost-benefit analysis for him- or herself. For me, it's a no-brainer. I just envy those of you who have the opportunity to do it while you're still very young!

Coopersmama, that's a wonderful idea!! I work in a courthouse and sometimes get to perform weddings, and the couples always seem so happy and un-stressed-out! If I had it to do over again, I'd definitely elope! One little piece of advice: Find a local florist and get yourself a little bridal bouquet -- it'll make you feel like a bride and it'll be nice for the photos, too! Congratulations and best wishes!!

I've battled my weight all my life, and I keep thinking about how much happier I'll be when I lose the weight once and for all. Then I think about the research out there that says people's happiness levels are pretty much fixed -- even people who have, say, a limb amputated generally are able to regain their pre-amputation level of happiness in most cases. Hence my question: If you've had your surgery and lost your weight, are you happier? Has being thin(ner) met your expectations?

Mini-Me, I know you're joking, but when you are eating a more "normal" diet, try cutting the Brussels sprouts in half, tossing them with a tiny bit of olive oil, salt and pepper, and roasting them in a 400 degree oven. Yum!!

Wow, Robin, that's really tough. I'm sorry your hubby is being so difficult! You must be a very strong woman to be going forward despite his negativity, and my hat is really off to you! Do you suppose he's afraid you won't want to be with him after you lose your weight? Is he overweight, too, and feeling threatened by the changes you're making? It sounds like he's really threatened and insecure. Maybe if you sat him down and said "Dear, you are on your path and I am on my path. This is my life and my body, and I know this is the right thing for me to be doing. It is about me, and my physical and mental health. It is not about you at all. You are my partner and I love you, and I will continue to love you throughout all these changes. And yes, there will be changes. I am going to do this, and your choices are (a) continue to put me down and guilt-trip me and make things difficult for both of us, or (:sad0: step up and be the good, supportive man I know you can be. Your choice." Honestly, if it's at all possible I'd invest in a few sessions with a marriage counselor to try and get some communication going. And if he won't go, maybe you could see a therapist yourself to figure out some ways to deal with his poor attitude. Best of luck to you!!

I think you're perfectly normal. I haven't had my surgery yet, but my doc told me to expect fatigue for several weeks after surgery. He says it's not only the effects of the operation itself, but it's also your body getting used to operating on a drastically reduced amount of fuel! Hang in there and be kind to yourself and let your hunny support you for a while!

Thanks for all the info, everyone. I have ordered a ton of samples of pretty much every kind, and I figure I'll find out what I like after I have my surgery.

Oh, Carol, I'm so sorry. I can just imagine how frustrated you must feel!

Wow, you look super-handsome! Congratulations and keep up the great work!!

Good luck! I'm just a few days behind you -- two weeks to go for me! I'm like you -- SO SO SO ready to get on with it!! Know that I'm here rooting for you!

Just got a call from my PCP's office -- my labs are back and they're all fine except a slight Vitamin D deficiency, for which she's written me a scrip. The results are being forwarded to my surgeon, and I guess I am good to go! Can. not. wait!!! Sixteen days and counting...

Mine is $11,000 for outpatient, $12,000 for inpatient (1 night in hospital), not including preop labs and psych (paid for by insurance) but including followup visits at 1 week, 1 month, 3, 6, 9, 12 months, nutritionist and group support. Doc is only 15 minutes from home, otherwise I would have been happy to go to Mexico.

Holy guacamole! That's fantastic!! Congratulations!!!

Tina, my doc isn't requiring me to do any pre-op diet, and I have been in "last supper" mode for WEEKS! I am planning to do a few days of protein shakes only prior to surgery, though. My date is March 17 and I can't wait!!

I know how frustrating it can be. But honestly, you are less than a month away from a HUGE life change, with your surgery and recovery and weight loss. Me personally, I would absolutely put any big life changes like engagement or marriage on "hold" until I had a really good handle on my new life with the sleeve. One thing at a time, you know? No need to do everything at once.