Flagstaffian

I am glad to hear "You're Alive" and anxious to hear updates. Gd bless you and keep us updated.

Have you tried switching up your gym routine? I know that can sometimes kick start things for me. But you're doing SO GREAT!! You've lost the equivalent of a 2 year old!! That's right, you've lost anough weight to make a toddler !! Say good bye to little Tommy! (I know that's weird, but I like to equate my weight losses to tangible things. For example, last week I lost 2 boxes of pasta

Also, are you going to be able to serve? When are planning on going back to work?

OK, my #1 fear about having getting sleeved is pain. I have never had surgery, never had kids, never even gotten stitches!! I've never broken a bone! I find menstrual cramps debilitating!! I have a really tough job where I sometimes have to work with terminally ill people, and I lost my mom when I was a teenager, and I am a TIGER when it comes to dealing with emotional pain, but I am so scared about the hurting. And I know myself, I am going to be ALL OVER those pain meds- luckily, I can take two-four weeks off from work so my main priorities will be getting Water, Protein, and walks in. ANd I can do all of those things doped up on Vicodin! But my question for you is, have you had any other procedures? What was the pain like, specifially? Was it gas or incision? Can you feel your stomach inside your body hurting? TMI?

Y'all are freaking me OUT! I mean, I know we are grown-ups and have to consider the risk of pain and complications, I mean, it's MAJOR FREAKING SURGERY, but I am a sad little baby kitten when it somes to pain. As in, I am terrified of pain and blood. I brought this up to my surgeon, and I wondered out loud if that should disqualify me from surgery, but he assured me that it does not disqualify me. But I'm scared! I'm so scared. Of pain, not of being thinner and healthy :ack2:

OK, so I guess you totally already answered that...Sorry ...and I guess lots of us have very similar questions. thank Gd for all of yuo and this forum!

Oh my, I am freaked out by that! Does everybody have to have a tube? Was it for breathing? Are you glad you picked VSG over lap band?

I am SO RIGHT THERE WITH YOU! Me -n- food have had a hell of a messed up relationship over the last 20 or so years, and those mental ties are so hard to cut. Have you ever considered some counseling to deal with the emotions that cause us to eat? I've been to what is called "cognitive therapy" in a group situation at Kaiser. It's where you take a look at the emotions that are making you "want" a specific kind of food- where you are, who you are with, and what exactly triggered this craving or need to eat. You kind of "map it out", so that the next time that same sitch arises, you can wiggle out of it. :smile1: Does it work? Yes, I think if you commit to it. Obviously, I am overweight and in the process of scheduling a VSG, so it didn't work 100% for me, but it might help you get through the next few weeks! Gd bless you and may you get strength from this community and your loved ones! ((HUGS)) SF

OMG, you are just 6 weeks away from the first day of the rest of your life!! I'm sure it will feel like a long wait, but before you know it, you'll be checking in to the hospital! I'm glad you have a supportive hubby too- that's so important. You are gonna be one hot, tan, florida mama!

You are on your WAY, girlfriend!! You are super motivated and it will feel SOOOO good to tell Doc, "See, I told ya!" Plus, seeing your fam is a huge motivation, too. Keep at it!

Hey there boys & girls... I have my psychological evaluation with Kaiser Richmond Bariatric Surgery Center tomorrow, and I'm kinda freakin out! I don't have any idea of what they are going to ask... and I was supposed to lose 10 lbs in 4 weeks (since my last appt), but I've only lost 4#!! I did call them to let them know, and they said to come anyway but....I'm afraid they're going to be mean about it. Maybe this is just the same old self-loathing fatty guilt I've been dealing with my entire life... Am I crazy? I have not been following the meal plan. It is very rigorous and...I'm not going to make excuses here. I just haven't been following it, but I HAVE increased my exercise and decreased my caloric intake, and therefore have lost 7 lbs so far in my journey. So, I'm feeling guilty and I am worried that since I have not lost 10 lbs in 4 weeks, they are going to assume I am not 'ready" for this...and deny me. Or that maybe I'm "incapable" of making changes or too psychologically "weak" to do this. I'm not weak though! I'm STRONG...but I just have no idea what they are going to ask or what I'm supposed to say? What do they want to hear? I know this surgery isn't going to magically fix me or all the problems in our lives but- it should make a huge difference in how we feel, how we act, and maybe even how we are treated by society at large...and that might make all the difference in the world! PLEASE... your thoughts?

Hi guys, just a quick update. I had my psych eval last week and it went great. The psychologist for KP Richmond is a very nice lady in her late 60's. She looked at my 8 page questionnaire and basically asked me the same questions that I had already answered, maybe to see if my answers were consistent? We talked about triggers, family background, and most importantly, she wanted to gauge how realistic my expectations are in regards to what the sleeve can and cannot do. She also recommended some support groups. She told me that they don't usually deny people based on the psych eval, and she also slipped in a few horror stories of "VSG's gone wrong"...like the family that went to Mexico to get their 11 yr old sleeved...ouch, it did NOT go well for that poor child. All in all, it was about 90 minutes, cost $15 on my KP plan, and left me feeling better about my decision to have the surgery. Pretty painless! ((HUGS)), SF

Girl, I hear you loud and clear! It is simply not fun to shop with your friends when nothing fits!

Keep rocking that sleeve girl! You are an inspiration!

Lyra, I would like to tell you about Re/Dress- a super hip, affordable vintage & modern clothing site for the full figured woman (redressnyc.com)...also, I am guessing you know about Torrid? Even if they don't have a store in Cary, their website is great and returns are really easy if it doesn't fit (torrid.com). Big girls need to get sexxxy, too! ((HUGS)) SF

MsBoo, You have the prettiest ticker I've seen yet!!

Hi T1D, When you say "lettuce", do you mean iceberg (regular) lettuce? Or maybe Romaine? I am wondering, what do you use for salads?

First of all, thank you ALL for your responses...you're such a huge help! My appt is at 3pm today, and I will definitely report back. So, I have already been approved for the surgery by Kaiser Permanente and had (2) classes, blood tests, and the preliminary consultation with my surgeon. I am actually within 6 lbs of goal weight for surgery (!!) which, Dr. Baggs set at 255#. They wanted me to be at goal weight today, so they could schedule the next "hoop", which is a meeting with the Case Manager...they won't do that til I'm at my pre-op goal weight. The VSG surgery is being covered almost completely by Kaiser (HALLELUJAH!). I just pay co-pays for each of the pre-op appointments.

I LOVE YOU LADIES & YOUR HONESTY! This community is a blessing...a hilarious blessing :Angel_anim: Hmmm....mine is horrendous already...so maybe I will experience the opposite effect after surgery....

Hells YES!! I hope DR. Baggs get ME on the pickle train! I would be all over that! Medically prescribed pickles- I freakin love it! SF

Oh my gosh, thank you for that uplifting and inspiring message! I get so freaked out sometimes about all of this, and it is great to hear such positivity. Congrats on your success! That is HUGE for you!!

You're post is just so darn inspiring. I hope to maintain such a happy, positive outlook like you. Mazel Tov! I wish you well!

So glad to hear it went well for you...Mazel Tov!

Hi Luisa, I am totally looking forward to all of the things you've mentioned. I'm looking forward to having MORE ENERGY Less carpal tunnel pain/numbness Wearing a bathing suit in public without shame (something I've never experienced) I can't wait for my hot hunky boyfriend to be able to throw me around a lil bit! :blush2: and give me piggy back rides.... (((HUGS))) Sarah Flag

Thank you so much for responding. I tried to search for other topics in the Forum that covered this, but my search yielded no results! One thing I worry about is like, Do I have an "eating disorder"? I'm 130 lbs overweight! I am an overeater, you know? It's like, I KNOW that "overeating" is not in the DSM-IV, but it might be in the future. So...anyway, thank you so much for responding. It's always nice to know you're not alone Sarah Flag