LainieG

Thanks Sherrie and Grammy - So far those that I have told are being very supportive. I think that they have watched e deteriorate physically and realize this is my only chance to make improvements. I am very proud of them for that.

To tell or not to tell ? What is everyone doing as far as telling friends and family about the weight loss surgery ? I have told my family and about 4 or 5 close friends. I can see it as a benefit in that it is support provided, but on the other hand something you might want kept private? How do you explain such a large loss in a short period of time.

Lynda, you are an inspiration especially since you have been at goal weight for so long, congrats !! I too have been trying to work on changes before required. Have cut back on soda and now working in with it Water and a sugar free drink mix, like crystal light. I use Walmart's great value and it taste better than crystal light. Also like the Fuze drinks. Water, though, is the hardest, choke on it LOL. Just hate drinking it have to be very thirsty. I have a brita pitcher and that makes it taste better, but I need to get bottles of water to take with me somewhere instead of buying soda. At least I drink diet, well ok, every once in awhile I need a loaded pepsi as I call them.

It is elective surgery and I guess I can understand that, even though I don't agree with it. I see no reason why you can do a payment plan. Did they tell you what your pre-op diet will be, i.e. how many days, etc.

Grammy, they have not really, I just know that it is automatically covered. I am assuming that they cover 80%, with a supplemental picking up the rest or at least most of it. I have medicaid and they cover the supplemental also so they will pick up most of the 20% remaining. I attended a seminar to cover the surgery and what to expect. But, I had to leave before they got to that part. I need to call them and verify this, no surprises please !! I would say you should call them and find out. If you do, let me know and I will do the same. Lainie

Grammy, that is so great, congratulations. My medicare kicks in October 1st and I will finish up what I need. I am hoping for a Nov or Dec date Lainie

Welcome Ann !! Grammy, so happy for you. Lots of people don't understand the excitement we feel when have made even a small accomplishment as losing a lb or two of weight. It puts us that much closer to our goal. I hope that you can get a November date. That is what I am hoping for even though I don't finish all my tests until next month. Glad everyone is back and doing well !!

Queen is in Barcelona. Where is everyone ? All doing okay ?

Queen, in conversation tonight she brought up that she uses the fitbit, not for weight loss (she probably weighs 100 lbs soaking wet. But the has a knee replacement and arthritis so he has to keep moving.. She said that she does about 7000 steps daily. She is a Dr of PT so she gets around to lots of patients a day. Have a great time in Barcelona !!

Hi everyone, any one have anything new to report ? Let us know if anyone else has gotten a surgery date

Hi Fedup, welcome and hope to see you lots here !!

Granny - I get so tired of doctors telling you that. They believe we can do it because they are skinny. Unless they have been there they have no idea what we go through. I can't exercise due to my back, so that is a detriment right there. You know I don't have to tell you what we go through. Luckily I have an understanding doctor. I have been going to him for years and he never scolds me or tells me what your doctor did. He tells me to cut back on carbs and that is about it. He tells me that losing the weight is difficult but do my best, Don't let the big dogs get you down !!

So I decide to call my surgeon's office to find out how long their pre-op diet is. She said a few weeks, so I don't know if that is 2 or however many more. They have a full day class after all tests are done and insurance approved and she said they would go over all that then. Well, not going to fret over it, will do as they say for however many weeks it is. Hope everyone is having a nice day !!

Hi Traveler - I've not been sleeved yet but hope to before the end of the year. I know what you mean by the knees and back. I am 59 and have to use a walker. My knees are good as I had to have them replaced in 2007. But my back is a mess. I suffer from spondylolistheses and scoliosis. The doctor want me to lose 70 lbs before surgery. The weight loss I hope will help me, but no guarantees. I use the walker for my back. I am never without pain and I cannot stand for more than a minute or walk more than about 100 ft. I have to use a rolling chair in the kitchen to do anything. Really sucks !! Glad you are here, hang around with us !!

OK, I am lost. I set up a blog and now can't find it. When I set it up I could not find where to make an entry. HELP ??

I know that the support is for before and when we get our sleeves. My doc told me that I had gained 17 lbs since April. I have yet to figure that out. Told me to cut carbs. I told him that i had. Right now I am not keeping bread (except ham buns so I can have a burger a couple times a week. No Pasta, bread, crackers or Cereal on my house (I am divorced and live alone) so I don't have to worry about family members. My oncologist says it i a med that I am taking that i started around May. My weight has been the same for several years give or take 5 lbs. Only other time I lost more was when I was sick and lost 40. So I am working on getting it off, eating lots of Protein and veggies and smoothies but scale has not moved !!

On the length of the pre-op diet I could handle 2 days. I have read where some on here have gone from a few days to up to two weeks. Maybe the two weeks wasn't to intense. I think I will call the office and find out, but if lot of days not fret over it.

Welcome #9 Grammy ! Thanks for all the good input everyone. I started looking at your blog also Queen. I wish I had done that when I was sick, but some you don't want to remember. I will probably end up getting an unflavored Protein and make smoothies with frozen fruit. That is something I make all the time anyway. I did run across some syrups that you can mix, I believe with almond milk, can't recall for sure. I also read about someone who uses them, If you want to see them, check out NOW. Grammy, I hope to be sleeved in November also. Have to finish stress test, venous doppler, ultrasound on my legs as I have a blood clot, the psych eval and I will have all of those in October. Oh and some dental work. Have had to get dentures because the chemo destroyed my teeth. I don't look like a hillbilly from the Ozarks of MO, lol. Got my uppers last Nov and this time my lowers. I hope to be able to walk more, but not sure that the weight loss with totally help my back. I would at least love to get rid of the walker. I have knee replacements an can't utilize them like I want, but at least they feel great.

Thanks Kathy and Queen. I like this little group, I get lost on the main forum. Never can find where I posted, lol. And have the two perfect people here to follow. You Kathy, being sleeved in October and Queen, a veteran. I was looking for a small support group, hope this is it. Kathy, I have been in remission for 3 years. I was lucky, I had the type of leukemia that is curable. I spent a month in the hospital, lost 40 lbs and my hair. Needless to say, I have lots of hats. I feel very blessed !! I am 59 and retired on disability due to leukemia and my back. My back is horrible. I have to use a walker as the pain is so intense I can't walk without it. I need two surgeries and have to lose 70 lbs. This is the only way I feel I can succeed. But outside of the 70, there is 100 more Kathy are you going to be on a pre-op diet. Tell us about it, it seems that everyone does something different. Queen, I never hear anyone talking much about exercise afterward. I'm a little worried if I don't that it will slow down my loss. I can walk with my walker but not too far. I hope that this surgery will help me get off the walker, hate that thing. Would also like to know what Protein you used. I've been trying some out. Ok, enough questions for one night. Hope to see you both back here. Queen, will check out your blog !

That is great J, hang in there and let us know how you are doing. Not sleeved yet but hope to soon

I posted this information on another comment, maybe this will help. The stomach sits under the liver. The liver has to be moved to have the surgery, hence the pre-op diet. The pre-op shrinks the liver and makes the surgery easier to do. My niece had the lap band and her liver was nicked, not bad and she is fine.

The pre-op is done as the liver will shrink and make it easier to get to the stomach. They have to move the liver and they need as much room as possible. My niece had the band done and the nicked her liver a little, but she is fine. Maybe knowing this will help and keep you on track as to why the pre-op. It is for your safety as well as making it easier for your doc.

Can you make a fruit shake with unflavored Protein powder and a little milk ? That is what I do now just to get started when the diet will begin. Once in a while i have Premier Protein drinks.

I'm not too worried about hair loss. Already been there once with leukemia. Did not wear a wig but have a good supply of hats. My hair is a little wavy, short. It came back in curly like I had a perm, but first cutting it was back to normal. It also came in a little darker and a little thicker. Good luck !!