Hopeful Spirit

Hi October Roster Sleevers! Just checking in. Came home today after being sleeved on Monday, 10/17. Everything went very smoothly with expected pain, but nothing intolerable (with morphine, that is! ha, ha) Hope everyone who is getting ready has as easy a time as I had. Very straightforward with no complications. Now I am challenged with a new way of eating. It is amazing how long we can go without eating, isn't it? All go things and thoughts to you all! Phyllis

Hi Everyone! I am returned home today after a successful surgery on Monday, Oct 17. Everything went well with no complications and I really only had one bad day, pain-wise on Monday and Monday evening. By Tuesday, the pain was noticably better and by this morning when I was getting ready to come home, things were also much imporved. Right now I am working on getting all my liquids in and tomorrow I start my full regimen of Clear Liquids and full liquids and Vitamins. I was feeling a little nauseous this afternoon after drinking some V8 juice. Maybe I did it too quickly. Drinking really slow is important. It is really pouring rain today, so am hoping to get more walking in tomorrow. Good luck to everyone still on the Roster to get your surgery -- MinniMommie, you are tomorrow!!! Best of luck to you especially since you have done such a good job in keeping us all together! And best to all my Oct 17 and 18 buddies as well -- and everyone else!! This is a great forum. Love, Phyllis, aka Hopeful Spirit.

Hi MsKendraHL! Wow, I thought I was the first surgery of the day tomorrow at 8:00 am and you beat me!! LOL I think it is good to get it over with early, don't you think? Since I have to get up at 4 am to get to the hospital at 5:45 am, I am thinking that I will be so tired (no caffine, you know) that I won't know what is going on until it is all over! Today I am on a clear liquid diet all day. So far it has been Water, Fruit 2O and Propel, and I am doing okay as long as I am no further than 15 min from the toilet!! I will try to connect with you and everyone when I get home from the hospital. I don't think they will allow me to have my computer at the hospital. All good things (and thoughts), Phyllis, aka Hopeful Spirit

Hi Ren>3: Glad you are holding up okay. Don't worry now about people changing now. Just think about getting through the surgery tomorrow beautifully and coming out on the other side when the worst part will be over! That is what I am thinking. My surgery is scheduled at 8am and I have to be at the hospital at 5:45 am tomorrow morning!!! This means I have to wake up at 4 am!!! I am happy to have it in the morning so my this time tomorrow I will be (hopefully) be in recovery waiting to go to my room and see my friends! As far as people changing, I am afraid that will happen little bit for some people, but not everyone, and you will be able to handle it if you are prepared. I am 66 years old and have a lot of life experience with being very overweight my whole life. There was only one time that I lost all my excess weight on weight watchers when I was 28 years old, but it only stayed off for 6 months before starting to come back to even more than before. During that one thin period in my life, at least one of my girlfriends thought of me differently which was difficult, but the most surprising thing for me was all the attention I began to get from the male population. We all want that, right? But it can be very difficult to deal with if you never had it before, which I didn't. So I got me a good psychotherapist and with a lot of support, and I got though it. Therapy or Counseling are good at a time like this. I am happy I am in therapy now, because now I expect the changes and know I will need help with the adjustment. I have a great book for you to read. You can find it on Amazon, and it may be good to read during your recovery. It is OBESITY SURGERY, STORIES of ALTERED LIVES, by Marta Meana and Lindsey Ricciardi. There are a lot of personal stories from people who had bariatric surgery and I think you will find it helpful. Good luck tomorrow. I will be thinking of you and we can meet up on line after we are out of the hospital! Phyllis, aka Hopeful Spirit

Thanks! Most of this stuff is new to me, but I am getting used to it quickly! How are you doing? You will be sleeved on Monday just like me!! I was nervous for a week or so earlier, but for some reason I am more calm now. I am a believer of the "self-fulfilling prophecy" and am thinking that my surgery will go easily with minimal pain like some people have experienced. I am hoping positive thoughts will carry me through. How are you this last weekend before our "change of life" experience? Let's keep in touch, Phyllis

Hi Chris: Just wondering what your blinking "Bump" picture means in your last post. Are you okay? Phyllis

Hi Beechlover. Great to hear from you. So sorry to hear that you had such a difficult time with pain and are even now struggling with the liquids. But just the fact that you are able to communicate this shows me that you have strength. I haven't had my surgery yet, but this helps me to know what to expect. Some people recover more quickly than others, but I have heard that things get a lot better 5 days out. Please keep in touch with your progress, which I know will happen. Soon you will be on the beach again looking a lot better!! Keep your eye on the prize. The worst is now over for you. Phyllis

This is for JenniLee0628 Just a special note to a fellow October Sleever hoping that you are doing okay today, and wishing you all the best tomorrow. Know that I will be thinking of you, waiting to hear how you are doing after your surgery, and will support you however I am able. Phyllis, aka Hopeful Spirit and October Sleever (10/17)

All good things for all the October 3rd Sleevers! This is the big day for the beginning of your new life, and since the day is already in full swing, you will probably not see this message until a couple of days out. But know that we are here for you when you do check in. My surgery is scheudled for 10/17, but you are now the first of my Official October heros!!! Please let us know how you are doing, Peace and love, Phyllis, aka Hopeful Spirit

All good things for you today, my dear, on the beginning of your new journey. We are all here for you. I added you as a friend, and although you probably won't read this for a couple of days, know that I am thinking of you! I will be here for you for any support you need. Phyllis, aka Hopeful Spirit

This is such a good idea! Thanks for putting me on he Roster. Good luck to everyone. Thanks for doing this, Love from Phyllis, aka Hopeful Spirit

Hi Kygal1982! Welcome, Welcome to the October Sleevers, and great to have Kentucky represented!! Thanks for the Protein shake editorials. I haven't purchased any yet, but I plan to start trying some soon because my pre-op diet starts on October 3rd. I don't have a total Liquid Protein diet, but I do need two protein shakes a day -- one for Breakfast and one for a snack. The rest are very small carefully weighed-out protein with non-starchy veggie meals -- no sugar and no fat. Good luck and let us know how you are doing. I am adding you as one of my October Friends. Welcome to the Group! Phyllis, Hopeful Spirit

WOWEE! Finally someone from a neighboring state! We are really close. Maybe we can get together sometime. And you are one of the Early October Sleevers. I also am beginning to feel a little nervous. I am making a lot of changes in my life seemingly at the same time. I work as an Administrator at Harvard University and, for the past few weeks have been training someone to do my job while I am off on Medical Leave. When I return from Medical Leave, I would like to retire (I will be 66 yo) at that time. But the surgery AND the retirement are BOTH major life changes, so I want to take one at a time -- Surgery first. Then I see how I feel and when I return to work and then I decide on retirement. I do, however, feel like I am TOTALLY reinventing myself for the rest of my life -- which is pretty cool! Stay in touch. I will be adding you as a friend along with other October Sleevers, and keep cool! Phyllis, Hopeful Spirit

Hi JenniLee! Welcome to the October Sleevers. Looks like so far your are "First out of the Gate", You sound so upbeat it is very refreshing. Your pre-surgery diet sounds tough, but you sound like you are up to it. Just keep your "eye on the prize". That is what I keep telling myself. Let us all know how you are doing, Keep on trucking!! Phyllis, Hopeful Spirit

Hi Holiday! Welcome to the October Sleevers. Wowee!! We have people from all over the country. Glad to see that Kansas City, Miossouri is represented . We are East and West and in between. Yes, you are one of our early October Sleevers and your date is getting close, but still 3 weeks out. My guess is that you made the right choice with Stanley Hoehn. Experience counts. I have to admit that even though I have been warned by everyone in the Mass General Hospital Weight Loss Clinic not to fall into the "Last Meal Syndrome", I also have been thinking about things to eat. I start my 2 week pre surgery diet on Monday, October 3rd, which is interesting because Saturday, October 1st is my Birthday (I will be 66 years old!!!!!!!!), and my friends are taking me out to one of the famous Boston Sea food Restaurants here on the Boston Harbor and I plan to not only have a good dinner, but also a Birthday cocktail!! Then on October 3rd, I will faithfully start my pre-surgery diet because I am serious about this surgery and I want to do everything by the book! Best of luck, and we will be standing by! Phyllis, Hopeful Spirit

Hi Holiday! Welcome to the October Sleevers. Wowee!! We have people from all over the country. Glad to see that Kansas City, Miossouri is represented . We are East and West and in between. Yes, you are one of our early October Sleevers and your date is getting close, but still 3 weeks out. My guess is that you made the right choice with Stanley Hoehn. Experience counts. I have to admit that even though I have been warned by everyone in the Mass General Hospital Weight Loss Clinic not to fall into the "Last Meal Syndrome", I also have been thinking about things to eat. I start my 2 week pre surgery diet on Monday, October 3rd, which is interesting because Saturday, October 1st is my Birthday (I will be 66 years old!!!!!!!!), and my friends are taking me out to one of the famous Boston Sea food Restaurants here on the Boston Harbor and I plan to not only have a good dinner, but also a Birthday cocktail!! Then on October 3rd, I will faithfully start my pre-surgery diet because I am serious about this surgery and I want to do everything by the book! Best of luck, and we will be standing by! Phyllis, Hopeful Spirit

Welcome Lisajxoxo! The October Sleevers are on the move and it looks like we all will be supporting you early on. My surgery is scheduled for October 17, and we have a couple of 10/18 and 10/20. so we are all getting on board. I am addong all October Sleevers as friends on my Profile page so I can find everyone. So happy you got you completed all the requirements. I bet you feel like a load has been lifted off your shoulders! I remember when I got a date, I felt so relieved! And Insurance coverage is getting easier and easier. The people at the Mass General Weight Loss Clinic where I am involved were quite surprised to hear that my Insurance Co was covering the Sleeve Surgery. Little by little, I think the Insurance Co's are coming around. Let us know what happens with you and good luck!! By for now. All good things, Phyllis, Hopeful Spirit

Hi KC Sunshine!! Your email sounds like you are really living up to your name -- very upbeat and terrific!! Welcome to the October Sleevers!! I will be adding you as a friend along with the other October Sleevers who answered my request for groupies. You are scheduled one day after me and others are scheduled during that week and the previous week. I think we will all be quite busy during the "festivities". I have to admit, I am getting a little nervous. I have just received my "Marching Orders" for the two-week diet, but they aren't too bad. I must admit, I was a little afraid of the dreaded liquid diet, so I lucked out in just a very restrictive diet with Protein shakes and Water (the liquid part) and small minimum protein and veggies meals. Best of luck and keep in touch. We all need Sunshine!! Phyllis, Hopeful Spirit

Hi Chris, AKA Soon to be MiniMommy! Welcome to the October Sleevers. I've been pretty busy lately getting things in order at work for my Medical Leave, so I haven't had a lot of "on line time" available. But I am so happy that we are getting a group together. It sounds like you have a good surgeon who communicates well and is very practical. I am having some problems communicating with my surgeon. I don't know what size bougie he at least is planning to use on me. When I questioned this, he said that he will discuss it when I meet with him next which is October 12, the Wednesday before my Monday Surgery. I am hoping we come to an agreement, because this is no time to find another surgeon!! I am hoping for a size that will allow me to lose as much possible weight. I have 150 lbs to loose, and I really want to do it (with a fall-back plan of 100 lbs). So your surgery is just 3 days after mine! Cool!! We WILL have a lot going on. Again, great to hear from you. I am adding you (and all the October Sleevers as my friends. Oh, I should say that I am TOTALLY new at this forum business and am little by little leaning how to do things. So who knows what mistakes I will make. Phyllis, Hopeful Spirit

I just need to put a good word (thought) in to you for you (!) Good luck tomorrow! So great to see you so positive. It is contagioius (I hope). Positive in and Positive out! Let us know how you are doing. All the best!!

Hi! I also am "on the way to be" Sleeved, and was just looking for some good shakes and found WONDERFUL information on this very Forum under "Protein Shakes" There are many suggests and a WHOLE LOT of recipes. I copies them all, but would never in a 100 years get to them all. Take a look, It is under recipes. Let me know what you think! Phyllis aka, Hopeful Spirit