Miss Hope

My surgery is scheduled for tomorrow. I get confused after this. The patient advocate called this morning to tell me that I'm approved for surgery, BUT they only cover band and bypass. Which makes me go HUH? I am on military retired insurance and I know the sleeve is offered on base (where I DO NOT want to have this done) so we are all confused as to why it won't be covered out in town?!? She is a total sweetheart and feels that if all the red tape isn't straightened out by end of today, my surgery can happen this Thursday. Okay...I can live with snags and such...it's how life rolls at times. Thing is, I have to do a 24 liquid diet before the surgery. I know that's like a dream compared to what others have had to do in preparation for their own. I couldn't have coffee. COFFEE. O.M.Geeeeeee. I am dying here, people!!! Headache, drowsy, irritable= me right now. Now, she tells me...get this.....STAY on the liquid diet because magic does happen and surgery could still happen tomorrow. GAH. Please send some prayers and good thoughts my way that things will work out! Thanks and know that I am keeping you all in my thoughts and prayers, too!

I'm soooo tired of drinking! No lie. I've managed to get in my daily liquid requirements, but the past couple of days, it's been a struggle. When I have a shake, it's almost a relief to wait 20-30 minutes before starting back on the Water. LOL Yesterday, I let myself sip a little bit of the broth off of Cambell's chicken Noodle Soup. I think I had a religious moment. Best taste of the week hands down. We've all ready the do's and don'ts of WLS. We know what each procedure requires. We've read from those who have gone before us tricks and whatnot in order to be more successful. I truly didn't "get" the whole waiting to drink until the other day. I had taken my daily meds with my shake. After I finished the shake, I wanted to drink water. Then I realized if I did that? I would push all that stuff on to the intestines without even a chance to digest. I know most of you are probably going "Duh, how did you not know that??" I did know it but didn't fully grasp it until that point. How about incision sites? Mine are itching me to near death. I wake up at night scratching at my stomach so I gauze and tape them up before sleep to make sure I don't scratch open one that isn't quite healed (per my regular family doctor). Is anyone else having this? I'm also having issues bladder issues from having had the catheter. My bladder gets traumatized easily (thank you sweet three kids of mine! LOL) and takes weeks to recover. I don't have "the urge" to go so that's been a pain in the rear to deal with, too.

Hi! Thanks for asking, I did have RNY. I'm a week post-op and have lost around 9 lbs thus far. It was a whirlwind couple of days and all I can say is I am so glad that's over with. Still recovering physically, but feel pretty much okay. My energy level is low, so I would love a boost of energy at this point. I'm having my grieving moments over food that I was totally unprepared for. Can't believe I want to SOB because I can't eat what I want to eat. That tells me I got alot of head work ahead of me, too, huh? I haven't left the board yet because I want to see how the rest of August sleevers are doing. I feel kind of bad lurking, but know you all are in my prayers! Here's to us and here's to being in control of our health again!

After much juggling and such by my doctor's office (who must employee miracle workers!), I am officially having my surgery tomorrow morning! I am petrified and excited and nervous and anxious all rolled up in to one. There's a different route that I had to take, though. I have to have the gastric bypass because my insurance has decided they won't pay for a sleeve. I admit I was bummed and off kilter for a little bit. I'm going to go ahead with the bypass because that was my first decision before I discovered the sleeve option. I have an amazing doctor that I adore and I just feel okay with it all. I suppose I'll have to leave this board now (after I check and make sure the August sleevers are good!) since I don't qualify. You all are in my thoughts and prayers and I am so proud of all of us who have taken control of our lives. We are rock stars!!!!

When I read your post, my first thought was it sounds like hormones. My understanding is this surgery makes your whole body "re-boot"..I guess even the mind? If it were me? I'd definitely check about getting hormones levels tested. ps. CONGRATS on getting the lead singer position!!!

Really enjoyed reading your post. About to embark on my own journey next week and I found your post very helpful and informative. Best of luck to you and I think the slow losing is perfect! You have a great attitude and I hope I have the same!

My husband and I went to the vitamin store on post/base (he's retired military) and got what I needed for after surgery. Got some protein powder, chewable adult multi-vitamins, liquid B complex, and dissolve-in-your-mouth B-12 strips. Went ahead and got chewable fish oil (they taste like orange starburst!). Already have my chewable calcium ready to go. Tomorrow will be personal stuff for the hospital. My children are embarrassed I plan on taking my Crocs to wear to do my walking in the hallways. I told them I fully intend to be comfortable since I'll be in some pain. They're not coming to visit me as they are in school and my youngest might have issues seeing me in that type of situation. Getting a tad nervous and kind of put out. My doctor's office is going through a transition phase at the moment with a doctor leaving and a new one coming in to take his place. The leaving doctor is supposed to perform my surgery, but I haven't heard from them about going in for pre-op and registration. I'll be calling Monday morning to see if all is still on schedule for Tuesday morning. Please, say a prayer that it is and I'm just being a nervous girl about it all!

So very glad to hear you're doing well!! How long are you going to have to keep your drain? My surgeon said he removes drains pretty much 4-6 days after surgery. That's probably the one thing I'm leery of. Is it easy to take care of at home? Again, so glad to hear you're doing well! Take care of yourself and keep checking in...love to hear updates!

So glad to hear you're doing well!! Such a pick-me up to hear so much positive! Can't wait to join you all next week!!

Very sorry for your loss, Phatgirl! Keeping all of you starting your new journey in my prayers and thoughts this week!!! Can't wait to hear updates and to make sure you're all okay and doing well!

So glad to hear you're doing well! My surgery is in 11 days and I've got that anxious, nervous, excited, scared thing going on inside. Makes me feel so much better to hear such a positive report!

Would those of us who have had surgery please tell what you are eating in the week to weeks following surgery? I'm really curious about this especially when it comes to the protein. Thank you for sharing!

So glad to hear from you! Keeping you in thoughts and prayers as you heal!

I'm a prayin' gal so I'll be praying for you all and can't wait to hear how everything is going!

So glad to have you here! Please thank your son for their bravery and sacrifice on behalf of our country. My husband is a retired Navy Chief and I do miss the "family" of the military at times. I know you're bustin' buttons with pride and I don't blame you one bit! Congrats on your surgery and the new steps in your new life!

I've seen many posts discussing the pre-op liquid diet that many of you have gone through or are going through. I admit to being in shock Friday when I was given my surgery date at my doctor's office and many things were probably mentioned to me, but I didn't grasp them? I do know that his nurse told me that I wasn't going to be required to do the pre-op liquid diet and I was all WOO HOOO because big girl would have DIED over strict liquids! Many of you suggest doing this to make sure the liver is healthy. Gah, so confused. I am on a vitamin regime that I have been religious with for over a year that has multi-vitamin, calcium, fish oil, vitamin E, B-12, and L-lysine. (I look like a very sick person when I pull all these out to take! LOL) So, I feel good about having been on vitamins for over a year. What do you all think? Should I just take precautions and do the liquid diet for at least a week, if not longer? I just want to insure my success as much as I possily can! (Have I mentioned I have a high school senior who is getting her wisdom teeth out on the 1st compared to my surgery on the 16th AND all three of my kids start back to school on the 8th!! I do believe I'll be all looney before everything is said and done!)

I really like the Augusta area. I am from South Carolina originally, so The South is in my blood, so to speak. My husband retired from the Navy and "real life" led us here. Have been here for a year and a half and am really starting to feel "homey". It's hot as all get out right now with no ocean breeze relief (what I'm used to!). You should vacation this way and see all Georgia/South Carolina has to offer! One visit to Savannah and you'll be hooked! LOL

Gah, I sure hope I can have coffee. I'm giving up everything else but my family...keeping coffee would be awesome!!!

Best of luck to you! You don't have much longer to wait until your new path starts. How exciting! Can't wait to hear how it all goes and enjoy that beach. Soak up the peace that only the ocean can give you and be ready to tackle the world!

How awesome! I can imagine your excitement and nervousness all combined! Will be looking forward to updates and seeing well things went for you. I am glad to hear the c-section remark. I had a horrible time recovering from mine and know that if I can survive that? I'm golden! LOL

Went in early this morning and had my scope thingy done. EGB? It was quite possibly the easiest thing I've ever done. This gal here hasn't had any type of operating room action since an emergency c-section in 1994 (last two kids were VBACS). I was probably on the high end of anxiety going in there. The nurses were amazing and I was knocked clean out for a grand total of 30 minutes. The procedure itself took around 4 minutes. Doctor came in and told me I have myself one lovely hiatel hernia. Ahhhhh....that totally explains the heartburn I have that is so bad, I have to breathe out of my butt to keep from setting the house on fire!!! (There are times when Nexium doesn't even touch it!) He assured me he could repair it when I have surgery in a couple of weeks. Nice! Pretty good experience all around!

Hi everyone! My name is Hope and I'm from Georgia. I am having the sleeve done on August 16th so my count down has begun! I was expecting my surgery to be in a few months, but circumstances dictate that it be moved to August. I am now scrambling to do all the research I possibly can and prepare my family and myself to the best of my ability. I am looking at my post-op food and now my goal is to find the right and proper way to make sure I am as successful and I can be. I weigh 328 lbs (Lord, help me, I just had a small heart attack writing that number down in a public forum!!) and my goal isn't so much a number but a degree of being as healthy as I can so I can finish raising my three kids and enjoy a long life with my amazing husband. I had to quit smoking in order for my surgeon to perform the procedure. ACK! I feel like I'm losing everything but my family! My food, cigs, soda, and desserts! I have found a peace deep within today and I am smoke free one day and looking forward to the rest of my life!

Your story has me excited for my own surgery in 23 days! Thank you so much for sharing and I can't wait to hear more stories as you travel this journey!

Thank you all so much for your kind words of welcome! To be honest? I think my husband is having more issues that I am at this point! He is worried beyond belief and I just adore him for it. This week I am going to work on finding the best protein shake magic. If you all have any suggestions? I wide open to receiving them! I don't have to do the pre-op liquid diet, but would like to do something of the sort, just to prepare my mind and my system. Thank you again for the awesome welcome! I look forward to sharing my journey with you all!

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