lsereno

Hi all, Six months waiting and preparing: Tomorrow is the day! I am first on my surgeon's schedule, second in the operating room. I am nervous and hungry. I've got two hours till I drink the stuff that flushes you out for the surgery. No Water after midnight. I'm afraid: I won't wake up They will find something else wrong with me while they are in there I won't be able to eat or drink after the surgery I'll be able to eat too much after the surgery I will get fainting spells My skin will sag My hair will fall out so much I'll need a wig and it won't grow back I will wake up in pain I will vomit all the time I hope: I will recuperate fast I will be able to eat the normal amount (1/4 cup at first then normal-small portions eventually I will only need pain meds three or four days I will not have adverse side effects My hair will only thin a little and will grow back quickly My skin won't look much worse than other 54-year olds I am grateful for: This list; especially all those who have posted their feeling soon after surgery so I feel like I know the possible ways I might feel My husband and Mom who are both here to support me and will be there when I wake up Having the patience to go through my insurance for the operation; if anything goes wrong, I'm covered The opportunity to finally win the battle against my weight The fact that I told everyone so I don't have to worry about what people who don't know will say See all you post-ops on the losers bench soon!! Lynda

Trainbuff26 I will be thinking of you! My surgery is tomorrow too. You are so young! I'm proud of you for taking control of your life now. Let's catch up afterwards in the post op thread! Lynda

Thank you Wannabethin! I am so glad you are doing well. And I love your nickname! Lynda

Thanks Valentina! I will watch for your 11th hour message in three weeks :-) Overall, I am happy with my decision and confident in my surgeon and hospital. It felt really good to get those nagging thoughts out of the dark corners and onto the screen. Plus, to count up my blessings-I am lucky to have so many!

Hi Ovalecutie, I'm at Kaiser too! But at Fremont. See you on the losers' bench soon! Lynda

Thanks! If all goes great I will post from the hospital. Otherwise I will post when I get home.

Thanks for the kind words Chimera! That six months really dragged for me, right up till last week. Now it seems so fast! I am so glad I went through my insurance though. It takes a load off knowing if something goes wrong, it will just be my co-pay. Lynda

Hi Ovalecutie, Thanks for the kind words and thoughts! I will think about you on Wednesday! We will have to compare notes after we get home.

Hi Lady Velvet and all other May 13 sleevers! I will be sending healing thoughts your way tomorrow. I am following you next Tuesday, May 17. I can't wait for June when we are all on the road to recovery and health and our new, slimmer selves! Lynda

I've told people close to me: family, friends, and fellow volunteers (I'm retired). I have got a few comments, but I deal with them as I go. IMHO, it's easier to learn to deal with comments now, pre-surgery because after the weight starts to fall off people are sure to ask questions and make comments, whether or not you tell them. Here are some answers: Why don't you just diet, eat less, exercise more, join Weight Watchers..... I really wish I could have lost the weight without surgery, but I have been trying for years and I haven't been successful. Surgery has the highest success rate for weight loss. I want a chance to be old and I want to be healthy now. Don't have surgery, it's too risky, scary, dangerous..... Every surgery has risks. This is done laprosopically so it's less invasive than older methods. Being overweight is much riskier to my health than this surgery. Why are you having surgery? You're not that fat.... Thank you! Many people are more overweight when they decide to have the surgery, but I qualified according to the standards my insurance company set. I can't wait to see how much better I feel without the extra weight I am carrying now. Lucky you! You get the easy way out... Haha. I wish it were an easy way out. It is anything but easy, but it has the highest weight loss success rate. Oh! You will be skinnier than me, men will be all over you.... I'm not doing this because of my looks. I'm doing it for my health. I want a chance to be old and I want to be healthy now. Lynda

Best wishes for a speedy and uneventful recovery! I will be thinking of you tomorrow. Lynda

Michelle, I'm glad you are doing well! Meggie, I am thinking of you! You are right - tomorrow will be better. You are on the road to recovery. Lynda

I will be thinking about you tomorrow and sending healing thoughts your way. My surgery is next week. Unless a person has been limited by weight and had their health affected, I think it is very hard for the person to understand how surgery is an option. I'm with you! I want a healthy life enjoying my grandchildren now and great grandchildren one day. Lynda

I will be sending healing thoughts your way tomorrow! And wishes for a restful, peaceful night tonight. I am one week behind you. It seemed so long and now it seems so fast! Lynda

My Dr. uses a 40 french and oversews the staple line. He said he felt that size was the best balance between restriction and preventing strictures. Lynda

I am also worried about falling back into old habits once the honeymoon period is over. One way I deal with my problem foods pre-surgery is to not let them in the house. You will probably have a few months "grace period" post-surgery to come up with ways to deal with it. I would seriously consider Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to learn new ways to deal with stress. My insurer (Kaiser Nor Cal) offers CBT classes at a discounted rate for members. I attended to learn some new ways to deal with depression. One of the first things I learned was to really listen to myself and how often I told myself negative things, things I would never say to another person. That simple lesson was worth the class, but we got a lot more besides that. I think CBT can be really helpful with eating disorders, although not helpful enough to prevent me needed surgery to get to a normal weight But for specific things like a serious Hershey jonesing, I think you might learn some techniques for dealing with it other than pulling into the nearest CVS. You can learn more about CBT at the National Alliance on Mental Illness: http://www.nami.org/Template.cfm?Section=About_Treatments_and_Supports&template=/ContentManagement/ContentDisplay.cfm&ContentID=7952 And Meggie, I can't believe your date is already here! I will be sending healing thoughts your way tomorrow! Lynda

Yes, I like the one at costco. I've got my broth in the ice cube tray now! 2 ice cubes is approximately 1/4 cup. Lynda

My sleeve date is May 17, unless a cancellation appt opens sooner. .......... SW-254...............CW-223...............July 4th goal-189.................Lbs to goal-35........... This is about 5 lbs per week immediately post-surgery. It's my first challenge, so I'm not sure if my goal is to aggressive or not. Lynda

Congrats Kristy! Meggie I will be thinking about you on Monday! I got a feeling all the May Sleevers are going to do great! Lynda (May 17th sleeve date)

Hi Katie, Your surgery is two days after mine. Do you have a pre-op appt? My pre-op is this afternoon. Lynda

Haha. Planning helps me feel less fearful about the operation and recovery process. For the broth, 1 roasted deli chicken, about 5 lbs., cut into large pieces 2 medium white onions, peeled and cut into eigths 1 1/2 cups celery, chopped into 2 inch lenths 1 cup baby carrots 5 cloves garlic, peeled and smashed with the side of a knife 2 tablespoons olive oil 2 teaspoons ground sage 1 teaspoon ground rosemary or 1 tablespoon whole rosemary 1 teaspoon dried parsley 2 gallons Water Put the oil in the bottom of a big stock pot and heat over med-high heat. Add the garlic and stir just till you can smell the garlic cooking. Add the chopped veggies and cook for about 5 minutes to brown the veggies a bit. Add the deli chicken, spices and water. Turn to high and bring to a boil. Skim off foamy stuff. Turn heat to low (it should just bubble not boil like crazy) and cook 3-4 hours. Add water if it's boiling down to fast and turn down the heat. After it's reached a yummy brothy stage, let it cool and dip out all the large chunks. Then strain it to remove the smaller stuff. A colander works great. Finally, strain it through the wire strainer you will use for cream soups to be sure there are no food bits. Put in fridge and let cool completely. The fat will be at the top. Remove it. Your broth is ready for use or freezing now. It's not complicated, but it does require several hours. The messiest part is the straining at the end. I work in the kitchen sink so it's easy to clean up. I'm making the broth today and have my pre-op appt. late this afternoon. Lynda

I'd bring food even if I can't eat it, or wine. Other ideas I've used: gourmet coffee, tea towels, candles, potted plant, box of candy, mixed nuts, decor related to the holiday or event. Pretty or funny paper cocktail napkins. I try to pick something the host can simply put up without fussing with it (therefore no flowers unless they are already arranged in a vase) and something that could be used then or saved for later, in case they don't want to add what I've brought to the party food/decor. Lynda

I'm still on the 1200 calorie a day diet Kaiser Fremont recommends. I don't think Kaiser has people do a liquid diet before surgery, but I'll know more after the pre-op appt Friday afternoon. Have you started getting your hospital stuff and food for after surgery yet? I bought a new pair of slippers :-) and all the non-perishable items. I'm going to get a costco roasted chicken and make chicken broth. I'm planning to freeze the broth in ice cube trays. Two cubes should be about 4 ounces. Thanks for adding me as a friend. I haven't figured out how to manage friends yet, but I will add you too as soon as I can. Lynda

Hi Holly, We are scheduled for the same day: May 17. I have my pre-op this Friday. I'll be getting sleeved at Kaiser Fremont in Northern California. Two weeks to our new tummies! Lynda