JG407

Thanks everyone. I'm feeling much better now, post op day 4. Got to shower and sleep in my house finally last night and actually got a full 7 hours of sleep without any drugs (o don't like to take meds unless I have to bc my stomach has always been very sensitive. One thing that was really bad last night was that I took my happy pill (celexa) and then probably retired for the night a little too quickly so it felt stuck in my chest and ultimately I had to force myself to vomit a little and couldn't really get to sleep until midnight. The gas pains are much better today and I'm drinking my Protein shake one ounce at a time, typically 3 oz per hour. I'm really staying on point with ankle exercises, walking, incentive spirometer etc bc I want the best possible results! As for the size of the bougie, I haven't a clue. It wasnt something that ever came up in any of my research so I didn't even think to ask. Thanks for all the well wishes folks, I can't wait to see how I look and feel a couple of weeks from now.

Congrats Hollie!! This is the first day (post op day 4) that I'm feeling a little morelos myself. I was having issues taking any liquid in at the hospital so they kept me an extra night so I didn't come home until yesterday afternoon. The gas is absolutely the worst but they said just walk as much as possible and it will help. One good thing is that I've lost almost 6 lbs since surgery day but its probably bc I wasn't taking anything in except liquids in am IV. GLAD YOU ARE FEELING BETTER! 6 weeks (heck probably 6 days) from now, we will have forgotten the bad and be focusing on the amazing progress we are making towards being the best version of ourselves we can be.

glad to hear my felow 5/27s are doing well...i do have to say that the last 24 hours have been absolute hell for me. sleeping has been sporaic, comfort nearly non-existant, nausea, pain etc. I keep having these horrible fits with hiccups which is torture! I started on ice chips yesterday but even that made me have chest pressure! this morning they brought me brorth, crystal lite, and hot tea but even the smallest sip of anything was massively uncomfortable. Dr. came in to check on me and order me NPO (nothing by mouth, even ice chips. I've thrown up once and held back when i wanted to several other times. They are keeping me an extra night in the hospital and as of now are pushing back my diet stages by at least a day or two. Hope you are all having a better experience than me, but i'm gonna stay positive and keep on truckin. Thanks,

Woops!! Thanks cat! And to think I'm not even on drugs yet!!

Yep, you nailed it! Gotta be at the hospital at 630am tomorrow morning! Thanks so much! I'll try to update before and after the surgery assuming my coherence and technology are working!

That a girl!!! Have faith and desire and build a plan and it will happen for you! I promise!!

27th here too!!! I think we already met on another post Hollie but i'm getting excited (and a bit nervous). I had the two week pre-op diet and about an hour from now I will be on Clear liquids until midnight and then of course, black out! Need to be at the hospital by 6:30am for surgery prep and not sure what exact time my surgery is yet. Good luck tomorrow, i'll be thinking about you and now 1twomany! We can do it! JG

I would second using care credit...i'm not using it for the surgery but used it for other things like dental work (its open for pretty much any medical need) and when I did it, they even had a 12 mo no interest offer to pay it off as cash! Stay positive and know that there is ALWAYS a way to work things out...I also second what Ruby said, if its going to make you live longer and be healthier for yourself and your kids, thats one of the greatest gifts ever! Good luck and keep us posted! JG

Hey all, Well i'm on day 8 of 14 for my pre-op diet (about 700 calories a day) before my surgery next Friday May 27th with Dr. Keith Kim in Celebration. It really hasnt been that hard (I had already cut myself to 1300 calories and working out almost daily about 1.5 months ago), a few bouts with low energy and of course just being sick of Protein shakes and smelling and seeing everyone else's food has been a challenge! I had to go to a luncheon on Wednesday and BOY did everything look and smell good. I wont name the foods b/c its bad enough I had to endure it, no need to drag you all along with me Everyone kinda looked at me weird but noone asked and if they had, I was planning on saying I had a late lunch appt right after so as not to have to divulge personal info. Not sure who all is on a pre-op diet but here is mine: 7:30am - Protein shake with 8 oz of fat free-milk (Protein powder is the Vitamin Shoppe Brand, 100 Cal, 24g Protein, 0g fat, <1g Carb) 10:30am - 8oz Water with benefiber mixed in 12:30pm - Protein Shake with 8 oz of water, no sugar added vanilla yogurt (separate, not mixed with the shake), 8 oz water with benefiber mixed in 2:30pm - 1cup raw carrots (can be 1 cup of any raw veggie, but carrots are crunchy so it takes longer to chew and helps with the texture-withdrawal i'm having from the rest of the diet) 5:30pm - Protein Shake with 8 oz of water, 8 oz water with benefiber mixed in 7:30pm - Protein Shake with 8 oz of fat free-milk So that means that now, on day 8, as of 12:36pm, i have consumed a whopping 30 shakes!!! Only 24 to go!! Overall, like i said, its not that bad but is kind of annoying...its working though, have lost about 10lbs since starting it and am getting really psyched about the surgery! Anyone else doing a similar diet? Thanks!

@Hollie, awesome, you me and skinnieminnie are triplets!!! Lets lose 100's of pounds together!!! 4 days ladies!!! JG

wow root, i dont think i could have handled being in the hotel room in that situation!! You are strong!!! Thanks for the kind words and I don't think i've ever been happier to see the words "post-op constipation" and "unlikely" in a sentence in my life!! Thanks! Congrats on your fantastic results!! JG

NICE!! We are going to be sleeve siblings and we are pretty close in age (i just turned 31 in February) !!! I'm checking out your blog and videos and will definitely keep you in my thoughts and prayers on OUR big day!! Good luck!! JG

Thanks Joan! Glad i'm not alone!! Best of luck to you too and continued success!!! JG

Suz, i'm one week away from surgery and this couldnt have come at a better time! Thanks so much for posting this! Ive been so scared, not about the surgery, but about the after (perception, depression, eating, regaining, etc). I think i'm finally done with the wishy-washy and going to just be secure in my final decision! Thanks again! JG

Best of luck to you today!!! I'm a week behind you and am sending you all the positive thoughts, prayers and vibes in the world for an easy and successful surgery, quick recovery and a new life!! See you on the other (thin) side! JG

VOTED!! Good luck!

Not sure if you have a vitamin shoppe in your area, but their house brand chocolate blends very easily with water (hand shaken) and kinda tastes like a healthy yoohoo. I'm on day 3 of my pre-op diet and thus i have had 12 shakes and i'm still ok with this one.

I can totally feel your fear. I have been "trying" to come to grips with it too. Its drastic, its a major decision and its one thats elective and irreversible. I was so gung-ho and now that i have my date (may 27th) and am in my pre-op diet, its getting SUPER real! I have confided in my wife at least once daily about my emotional concern with the procedure. I'm not scared AT ALL about the surgery itself, but I think its more of "what will i think of myself" afterwards. I have heard about the depression, (maybe like a seperation anxiety?). At the end of the day, you are making this decision with MUCH MORE insight that you probably understand. You have no doubt tried and tried and tried, and then tried, and tried some more to lose weight and keep it off traditionally (god knows i have) and you need some help. You want to make sure that you have a long and healthy life to spend with family and friends, want to feel better about who you are (how you look that is) and want to be able to do normal things that you envy that your "skinny" friends can do. People have said, drastic times call for drastic measures but lets not confuse "drastic" with foolhearty or reckless b/c the procedure is neither of those. I know i'm probably rambling and while i have 11 days to finish coming to terms, you are going through this tomorrow. I want you to know that me and probably lots of other people on this forum understand, sympathize and empathize with what you are going through and they all seem to say the same thing...their only regret, not getting it done sooner! Thanks for sharing your feelings and know that we are all here pulling for you and we are in good company here to both Celebrate the good, understand the not-so-good and keep other motivated. Best of luck! JG

I did a food funeral only at dinner for about 3 days before i started my pre-op diet (last friday). I did wings and fries one night, chipotle and then pizza...I didnt go crazy, moderate amounts of each but now i'm really focused on my pre-op diet though it seems to get rougher at night, probably b/c i'm settling in and realizing i have had about 690 calories, all of which were liquid! 3 days down, 11 to go!!!

Thanks deb!

Hey ant! Wow, 50 pre-op, how amazing is that??? Congrats!!! I bet that last month is going to fly by!! Good luck!!

Thanks tdov and WOW congrats on your amazing and continued success!!! That's awesome! Im Actually going for my full day pre-op today!!

Hi Everyone!! I'm in Orlando (well Oviedo) and i'm going to Dr. Kim at Celebration for my surgery on 5/27/11 and i'm SO excited (and a little scared)!! GO SKINNY FLORIDIANS!!!

If you have a "Vitamin Shoppe" nearby, their store brand powder mix is pretty good..mixes really easy by just shaking it with Water, 24g of Protein and only 100 calories...I just started with the chocolate yesterday (prepping for liquid diet starting this friday for pre-op phase II) and went to buy the vanilla today so I can have some variation. I remember the isopure back in the day and that aftertaste was just too much for me! I appreciate the convenience but can't bear the thought of drinking something that makes my mouth dry! Good luck everyone!