meghuffman

I'm glad you discussed your faith because as someone who has always been a worrier, surgery is never something I have feared (this will be my 4th surgery, not counting other procedures for which I've been put to sleep) . My faith is that when it is my time to go, it is my time to go- whether I'm on the operating table or in my recliner. My surgery is Friday and if that is the day the Lord is going to call me Home, then even if I cancel the surgery, I will go another way. Having said that, I will tell you that I don't think any of us have gone through this and not worried about something. I've had several hiccups with pre-surgery things. I have never once thought that was a reason to cancel my surgery. Instead, I have realized that it have given me more patience and more strength, both of which will be blessings to have after surgery. Continue to pray and God will lead you to what He wants you to do. AND STOP READING ONLINE SURGERY HORROR STORIES! haha Much luck. I'll send up a prayer for you.

Don't expect the E-cig the be like smoking the real thing because it's not! LOL It's bigger than a regular cigarette and because it's porcelein- or whatever it's made of, it doesn't "rest" between your fingers like a cigarette. It slips unless you hold it between your fingers below your knuckles, close to your hand. And you can tell they tried to make it taste like smoke, but it tastes like sweet smoke. It took me a couple of days before I could stand it, but I don't use it alot- the gum works better for me- and when I do use it, I play with it by twirling it around instead of holding it like a real cigarette. I do catch myself "flicking" it after I take a drag off of it and even "flicked" it out of my vehicle window when I first used it. LOL! My windows were down because it's hot down here and I was trying to get some of the heat out of my vehicle. Window cracked, "cig" in my hand, Habits are hard to break! Good luck!

Congratulations! I've never tried to quit before this and I'm hoping and praying that the cravings won't return after surgery. I've done pretty good especially since I had never tried to quit before and really didn't know what to expect. Keep up the good work!

Well, I've stopped, but am still using E-cigarette and Nicorette gum when I get a craving. If Nicotine is the problem, then I don't know what I'm gonna do. My surgery is this Friday, so I'm gonna try hard not to chew anymore gum or use E-cig between now and then. I was talking with my cousin who's a Nurse. She said that surgeons know when they have a smoker in the ER. When they remove the Intibation tube, the smoker will cough up gunk. My thing is this- I've smoked for 21 years. I'm still coughing up stuff so I'll bet that I'll do that after surgery even though I've quit smoking. I worry so much about what other people think. It's bothering me that my surgeon may think that I'm still smoking even though I'm not. I've been told not to worry about that, but I do. Even though the surgery will be over by the time I start coughing, it still bothers me that he may think that I'm still a smoker. Am I worrying to much about things that shouldn't matter? I've never been scared to have surgery and I'm really not worried about any complications. I have faith that my Surgeon knows what he's doing and whatever God has in His plan is what is going to happen. But I don't like to be fussed at or to be made to feel that I've done something wrong.

Thanks, y'all. I was very hungry this morning, but I ate yogurt and have been drinking Water. I was even able come in the den while my family was finishing their lunch. I'm determined to do this. I keep thinking, "Only 4 more days of this". Tomorrow will be crazy at work, which I like because the day goes by so much faster. I'll have things to keep me busy the other 2 1/2 days I'll be at work this week, so I'm trying to think of how fast this week will go by. I can't believe it's here. Once today, I thought, "Do I want to do this and stop eating the things that I have loved all these years?" The answer is YES. To know that I'll eventually be able to eat some of the things I love takes away some of the panic that comes from thinking I'll never be able to eat "normal" again. It's all about portion control and that will be the most important thing when the time comes that I will be able to eat "normal" again. I'm also excited to think that when that time comes, I may not even want those things because my taste and needs will have changed. I'm going to concentrate on doing what I'm supposed to do for my sleeve to heal and move through each stage how I'm supposed to. I'm also excited to know that my hunger will be gone after surgery so that while I'm still eating (or drinking) full liquid, soft foods, etc., will be easier. Thanks for y'alls support and for the insight to what I will facing this time next week. I'll keep y'all posted.

I haven't forgotten y'all. I've just had so much going on that I rarely get on the computer anymore. Less than one week to surgery. It will be Friday, 9/2/11. I started the pre-op diet yesterday and although I've done ok, I'm hungry. I was also really weepy earlier in the day and couldn't figure out why. I know that emotions will be all over the place, but didn't imagine this soon. Bryn, I too, took the past couple of months to enjoy things that I know I won't be able to eat for a long time, if ever. The only thing I didn't get that I said I would was Krispy Kreme donuts- with the light on! We don't have one here, so I was just never anywhere that sells them when I thought about it. I talked with my mother today and we talked about how this week is preparing my body for surgery and my mind for eating after the surgery. I'm not worried about after the surgery because I'm assuming I won't be hungry! That'll make not eating alot easier. My stepdaughters are here this weekend. And everytime they and my husband have eaten, I've gone to the bedroom. No sense in making it harder on me or tempting myself, right? I can't believe it's almost here. I'm trying not to expect anything so that I won't be disappointed if it doesn't happen. If it does, then that's more reason to be ecstatic. Such as, people keep asking me when I'll start losing and how much I should lose within the first month, etc. Although I've read that the average loss in a month is about 25 pounds, I'm not getting my hopes up that will happen. I know we are all different and I can't, and won't, base my weight loss on others' successes. I also have severe back problems. Most people are saying that I should be able to get off pain meds and have no more pain after I lose the weight. Because the back problems began when I was 140 pounds, again, I'm not getting my hopes up that losing weight will "cure" my problem or even allow me to decrease my meds. I'm sure this stomach I'm toting around isn't helping with back pain and losing 100 pounds will, I'm sure, help. But I don't expect a cure. If I lose 25 pounds the first month, great. If my back gets better, terrific. But I don't like to be disappointed. Does that make sense? Love to all!

Yeah, I know where Calera is. I come through there sometimes on my way to Birmingham. If you don't mind my asking, how much have you lost, how did you feel immediately after surgery, how long did it take you to feel "normal" again, what is your diet like now? I know this is alot of questions, but with my surgery in less than a week, these are the things I'm wanting to know now. Oh, and how often do you see him for post-op? Thanks, Meg

I started this forum and never replied back to it! SO SORRY! I wish I'd have kept checking it, but got busy with everything and forgot I posted this. BTW, I'm in Selma, Alabama. Ashley, I would like to know why you were thinking of changing surgeons and what you finally decided. I'm having surgery on Friday, the 2nd of September. I have faith in him as a surgeon and think he knows what he's doing with regards to this surgery, but I've picked up on a couple of things that have bothered me and would like to know what made you want to find someone else. Meg

My surgery is next Friday-9/2/11. I, too, am going through things I didn't expect to happen this soon. I've stopped smoking, which has not been easy. And I started my liquid pre-diet yesterday. I have been really weepy the past two days and didn't expect to be. My sister-in-law had the bypass several years ago and she was supposed to be coming over today to help me clean my house from top to bottom because I want to return from surgery to a clean, fresh house. She's in bed with a terrible sinus infection, so she can't come over, which I understand. But I was hoping that I could spend some time with her today because she is the only person that I"m close to that lives close enough to spend time with that can understand what I'm going through. I was hungry last night and I also really wanted a cigarette, but I didn't give in to either craving. I have been chewing Nicorette gum and using an E-cigarette. I also drank a glass of spicy V8, which curbed the craving of being hungry. I completely understand what you're going through. These forums have really helped when I have gotten down or had questions. Just keep your head up. The time for your surgery will be before you know it. I'm trying really hard to look toward the future and trying to remember that these things will go away. This time next month, I'm hoping that most everything will be routine for me. Good luck. You're in my prayers! Meg

After my initial consultation, I was scheduling everything I needed to do on the way home from the surgeon's office. I got 3 appointments scheduled for the same day and have had a couple of other appointments scheduled pretty quickly. All of that has come and gone. I'm waiting for my sleep study, which isn't scheduled until July 25. I'll have to wear CPAP for 2 weeks after that and then attend a Nutritional class and Pre-op appointment with surgeon (hopefully I can do both the same day since they're out of town) then go on Pre-op diet for another 2 weeks. When I first decided to have this done and went to my initial consultation, I was thinking that I'd have this done at the end of July (I'm private pay, so I didn't have to go for months trying to meet insurance criteria). Since I found out about the sleep study, I've been assuming my surgery would be the end of August, but now the excitement is going away, giving me too much time to think. I got my loan from the bank and picked up that check last Saturday. Now, I'm waiting on July 25. I'm trying to take this time to eat anything that I know I'll miss- not eating more than usual, but eating at different places that won't be possible for a LONG time after the surgery and won't be healthy EVER after the surgery. I'm going to Memphis this weekend (yes, I'm an Elvis fan). When I get back, I'm going to start changing my eating habits. Having this long of time to do that may be easier to do a little at a time rather than giving up everything at one time. I'm also trying to take this time to think about things I'm going to change after my surgery. This is certainly more of an emotional thing than anything else for me. I know this is not going to solve all my problems. But I know that this is a tool and I need to learn how to use it. Right? I guess I'm just rambling here. Just trying to come up with a way to not lose the excitement I have had about the surgery. Is anybody else out there going through anything similar?

I like your #2. Both me and my ex-wife in-law have put on weight, but I'm bigger than she is . She's so mean and I know she has made comments about my weight (because she's perfect, no matter what

I don't know HOW I forgot the one about sweating. I can be shopping in a store and break out in a horrendous sweat, where the back of my head looks and feels like someone has sprayed me with a Water hose. I have been asked in a Wal-mart bathroom (as I was sopping the sweat from my head with a paper towel) "Is it raining again?" I said, "No. I'm just sweating". It's SO embarrassing. My family wakes up in the mornings, thinking it's winter because my house is so cold!

Great idea! And the pedi thing is def a thing that I can relate to. If I was to start a list right now, these would be the things I wouldn't miss or would be glad to be able to do: 1) I want to be able to shop in the "regular" sizes and find clothes that are cute and trendy instead of "maw maw" clothes that I find in the Plus size section (which, by the way, in most stores has about 1/10 of the clothes to choose from). 2) I want to be able to walk past a store window or full length mirror and not see my "all gut and no butt" figure. 3) I want to shop for and wear bathing suits again. 4) I want to go in public (or to my hometown) and not be embarrassed at the way I look. Also, not have to be uncomfortable when people no longer recognize me. 5) I want to have my picture made again- especially at Christmas. This past year was the first year since my husband and I have been married (10 years next month) that we didn't have a picture made as a couple and with his children, as a family. 6) I want to have more energy and feel better. 7) I want to wear a pair of jeans that fit, tuck in a shirt, and wear a belt. 8) I want to wear my hair in any style- without trying to find one that "compliments" my double chin. 9) I want to wear sexy lingerie for my husband again. 10) I want my boobs to stick out further than my belly. 11) I'll be happy to save money on food. 12) I want to feel sexy. I'm sure I'll think of plenty more. These were just the first 12 to come to mind.

i haven't had my sleeve surgery yet, but I've had 3 surgeries throughout my life. For me, day 3 is ALWAYS THE WORST! Being tired, drugged up on pain meds (which cause me to get into a funk), and hurting from the surgery hits me EVERY TIME ON DAY 3. After that day, I start perking up. With some surgeries, that perking has been slow. And I know that with the sleeve surgery, I will be going through a major mourning period because I love food. Day 4 may be your "bad day". Just remember that you've been put to sleep (which make some people feel yucky for days), your body is going through major changes, and so is your mind. Like someone else said, think about the weight you're gonna lose. For me, I'll be thinking about Christmas pictures, which we take every year and this past year, I wouldn't have any taken of me with my family. Think of something that you have not been doing because of your weight and how you'll be able to do it soon! Good luck. You're in my prayers!

Hey. I know that each surgeon has their own Pre-op Diet, but can anyone give me an idea of what that diet includes? I'm hoping to go to my Nutritional class (the last thing I'll have to do prior to surgery) on July 6th or 20th and know that I'll get Dr. Schmitt's specific diet at that time. But, I was just wondering what is generally in that diet.