sandybraman

My husband and I got to Dallas on Thurs evening and I had a yummy chocolate chip cookie and a diet Dr Pepper before bed. I was told to be at the surgery center at 6:30 for a 7:30 surgery. At 8:10am they finally called me back to preop where I changed into the lovely gown and socks. I met with Dr Benevides' PA and then met with the anesthesiologist. I told him that I was sensitive to anesthetic and asked if he could lighten up on it just a little bit. They put the leg massagers on, wheeled me to the or and that was it. The rest of the day is very blurry (the anesthesiologist didn't lighten up). They did the upper GI, made me walk and around 12:00, sent me home. We went back to the hotel and I slept mostly, only waking up to walk, take Gas-x and pain medicine and drink. The worst was the middle of the night - had a lot of gas pain under my rib cage and shoulder blades, my incisions were bleeding and I couldn't get comfortable in the bed. Fortunately, I'd brought a small pillow to hold against my stomach and it has been a lifesaver. We drove home yesterday (Saturday) morning and it was the longest 2 hours of my life. Since I've been home, I haven't done much: took a shower and slept a lot. Today I've had 2 Protein shakes, Vitamin Water, yogurt and sipped on water all day. Feel much better than yesterday, but still feel like I've been run over by a truck. I had an "OMG what have I done moment" this morning, but that passed and I'm excited to be starting this phase of my journey. Ready to take another nap - more tomorrow. sleep well peeps!

I'm having my surgery on 12/31 and I've started a shopping list. So far I have: Gax-X strips sugar-free throat drops Sugar-free Jello broth Sugar-free Popsicles What else do I need?????

I was finishing up my paperwork today for my Friday surgery and thinking about New Year's eve, and realized how my life revolves around food: when I'm going to eat, what I'm going to eat, etc. Its not that I have bad habits (usually) - I just love food and realizing that I have to change the way I THINK about food is scary. Any suggestions?

Thanks for all of the positive reinforcement and the well wishes! Tomorrow at this time, the surgery will be over! I'll keep you all close and let you know how it goes!

P.S. WJROSS, I've got you in my prayers, chica, and will think good thoughts for you tomorrow! Good luck - you're almost there!

I'll still cook - we've always eaten fairly healthy and mostly the things on the list of things you're SUPPOSED to eat. I just didn't realize how important food is to me and it was an AH HAH moment; I have to find other things to focus on. That being said, tomorrow night at this time I'll be at the hotel in Dallas (Richardson), having eaten my last regular meal. I'm excited, scared, nervous - too many emotions to express - but mostly I just want it to be over so that I can move on to 2012. Hugs to all of you - I'll let you know on Friday how it went!

What a great sister you have! With her support and the support of everyone here, you're going to do great!

I just posted my "before" picture and if THAT isn't motivation I don't know what is! Looking forward to 2012 and taking a picture in June and next year at this time!

You'll be fine - unless you have a fever, they'll do the surgery. If you have some saline solution, use that and it may open up your nose. Please let us know how you're doing - I'm having mine on Friday, so we'll be going through this at the same time. Got you in my prayers tonight and tomorrow!

You know, Dianne, I'm not worried about cooking for my husband - he knows what I can eat and what I can't - I just never realized how much I love food and how much I think about it. I've been dieting all my life, so I'm not worried about THAT part of it; its getting hit in the face about my relationship with food. Funny, after dieting for 44 years I finally get it. SOOOOO glad I've got you all to talk to!

Thanks Mish and Kath - just knowing that others feel like this helps so much. I think I'm more nervous about food than I am the surgery!

OK, everyone - its down to the official countdown: I'm having my surgery at 7:30am on Friday (12/30)! I'm excited and ready, but I realized today how much I'm going to have to change my thinking when I was trying to figure out what to cook on New Year's Day!! I honestly didn't know how important food is to me. Any suggestions??? I really could use some hand holding right now...

I was very surprised that some of the people I chose to tell weren't supportive. My best friend believes that I can do it with diet and exercise; I asked her how long she'd known me and when she answered, I asked her how long I'd been dieting and exercising. There was a long pause - and then she said that if was going to be a tool for me and was going to help some of my health problems, that was what was important. I guess what I'm saying is that you can't let other people influence your decisions. You have to do what is right for you, and if you've researched this, discussed it with your doctor, and feel that its right - then DO IT. You will have lots of support here -all you have to do is ask.

Congratulations to all of you and thank you for posting about your surgeries. I'm having mine on 12/30 and am so excited; its helped so much to read about your experiences and recommendations. Please keep giving us updates!

My surgery is scheduled for 12/30 at the True Results surgery center in Richardson. I don't know who my surgeon is yet, but all of the staff has been so helpful and so supportive. I'll let you know more after Friday, but I'm very comfortable with the decision to go to True Results. P.S. I'm driving to Richardson from Tyler (which is approxiately 100 miles from the True Results office) and will be going to them for my fills, if that gives you an indication of my confidence.

You'll be in more pain if you don't have the surgery. Gallstones are caused by yo-yo dieting and if you don't have your gallbladder out, the attacks will get more painful. Its very similar to lap-band surgery, except they deflate the gallstone and remove it, rather than inserting the lapband

Before you make that decision, you need to find out if your BC/BS covers bariatric surgery. Its very simple to find out - call the number on the back of your insurance card and they will be able to tell you. It wasn't covered under my policy at all - so I'm self pay and having my surgery on Friday 12/30.

WOO HOO! Congrats on how well you did - its all downhill from here!

When I had my gallbladder out laproscopically, I wore tights and a loose shirt. The tights were NOT a good idea, because the elastic hit right where one of the incisions was. So I'm going to wear regular clothes when I go, but put a cotton nightshirt in my surgery "goody bag'' to wear home - I mean, no one is going to see us, right?

Congrats and welcome! Isn't it amazing how, once you make the decision to have the surgery, you feel like the weight of the whole world is off your shoulders? (Excuse the pun!) This site is amazing - everyone is so helpful and you can find the answers to all of your questions by just asking! Its such a great feeling having the support of fellow travelers. Looking forward to your updates!

Got you in my thoughts and prayers! You'll do great!

Good for you Jen! Its so encouraging for all of us who are still waiting on our surgery to hear that!

Thank you, thank you, thank you Amanda! When I told my best friend yesterday, she said "but you aren't that heavy". When you're 5'1" and weigh 175, you're too heavy! Thank you for expressing it perfectly - that's exactly how I feel. My goal is to lose 45 lbs - I know that doesn't sound like much to a lot of people, but I've been gaining and losing the same 35 lbs for 20 yrs. So glad I found this forum and everyone on it! WE CAN DO THIS!