IsaacsGram

You are definitely not alone on here! I had my last pre-op appointment and I start my liquid pre-op diet Tuesday, when I got out to my car after my appt I just cried and cried. I think it was just a feeling of disappointment in myself for getting to this point-where I needed surgery to "fix it". I have always excelled at things in life-except in my weight, I just feel like a failure. BUT I plan on focusing on the positive, and look forward to getting the old "me" back! Keep your eye on the prize!

I work out at the Wellness Center that is affiliated with my local hospital-there are cardiac rehab patients and people from young to very old and I feel much more comfortable there than at a traditional gym. Most hospitals-especially larger ones have workout centers available to the general public for much cheaper rates than most gyms.

With the help of my daughter, Rachael, put together the treadmill that I had ordered from JCPenney. It's a lot bigger than I figured - and heavier! It won't even fit through my doorways. So it is parked in the livingroom-Dan has not seen it yet-can't wait!! We also went shopping for a few more "post-op" things. 3 water jugs-with measurements on the side, one 64 oz, and 2 32 oz. Also a nice robe and nightgown for the hospital, as well as underwear, socks, and soft athletic bras. Earlier I went grocery shopping and went to Kroger (I usually go to walmart) and found some neat high protein things for post surgery. Now I am working on getting ahead on my homework!

Had my final appointment with the surgeon (Dr.Joyce in New Lenox) today. I signed the consents and initialed all the "patient responsibilities". I must say the list of possible complications was intimidating, especially the last one, "death". I asked about the possibility of him going into my abdomen and NOT doing the surgery due to my liver and he said that has happened "a couple times" but he reassured me it was usually with people much larger than myself. I also asked about blood thinners post op and he gave me the pre-printed script for subq lovenox and told me I would be given it before surgery and while inpatient and then I was to take it for 3 more days after discharge. He also stated that I should have no problem taking pills right after surgery and said I would have a PCA pain pump while in the hospital and would be sent home on oral Vicodin. I thought I would have to crush pills, or take the liquid form-but he said he has never had anyone with a problem. When I asked about the frequency of stomach strictures or need for a stent he said he could only remember 2 strictures and 1 stent, and all were doing well. I asked about the "support group" to the nurse at checkout and she said I just missed it, and the next one is not until October 24 (after my surgery date!), I asked her why I was not notified as they have my phone #'s and email address and she said that people don't usually go to group until after the 4 hour nutrition class. But my nutrition class is less than 2 weeks from my surgery date! I was really hoping to meet other sleeve patients, both before and after surgery and ask questions, but I guess that WON'T BE HAPPENING! ;-( Weirdly, when I got out to my car I just started crying. Not sure why except that it is all getting so REAL. I am feeling guilty for not telling my sons, as I'm afraid of how they will react and how disappointed they will be in me. Hell, I'm disappointed in me!! So, anyway, here I go.....for better or worse.....kinda like getting married.....you never know what it will really be like until you're there! (Hope this goes better than my 1st 2 marriages, LOL!!!).

That's incredible! Good for you! We will sleeve date buddies-I'm October 1st too! Keep us updated!

Right there with you, I'm Oct 1 and start my pre-op diet 9/18. Where are you?

I am right there with you! I have 20 days till surgery and I feel like every meal will be my "last". My "last" spaghetti, my "last" cheesecake, my "last" Big cheeseburger! Good grief! I know how to diet, and just feel out of control, like you! I will be on a 2 week pre op diet soon-so I hope I will get it under control then! Good luck!

I have my last appointment with my surgeon on Friday, and i'm still not eating right and I haven't lost a pound! I hope that he doesn't make me reschedule my surgery! I have, however, started back to exercising regularly, went to the gym 3 times this week and walking on the other days. I really want to build up my stamina before surgery!

saying a prayer for you!

Hi fellow L&D nurse! I'm so glad you are writing about your experience. My surgery is scheduled for October 1st. I'm going to a hospital where I don't work-so I am going kinda blind as far as knowing anybody! I think it looks like you are only taking 3 weeks off? I hope that works out for you, I am planning on taking 4 weeks, and I'm afraid that won't be enough! I hope you don't mind if I follow your blog, good luck in your continued recovery! Brigitte

My husband just up and asked, "so how many days till surgery?". It made me kinda freak out, 21 days, 3 weeks, less than 1 month! My head is swimming with all the details to take care of before the day arrives, I'm trying to plan for the worst and hoping for the best. If I end up really, really sick post-op I have to have a plan in place. I pay all the bills-my husband doesn't have a clue... I do all the shopping... I babysit for my grandkids... I only have 11 weeks of paid time off at work...did I save enough money for the surgery bills?...what if I can't focus enough to do my homework?....what if I'm too fatigued to get to class?....GOOD GRIEF! So I grabbed my hubby's hand and said we are going for a walk!! So we went to the State Park and walked and talked, and walked some more. I feel better now, more at peace. Praying for the grace to make it through, and the strength to recover quickly!

Hi, I don't have the answer you are looking for, as I am still pre-surgery, but we have such a similar story it is scary! I'm 48 and have also lost weight in the past with low carb, but now I can't lose a pound to save my soul! I also did jenny craig and lost 60lbs, then started gaining it back and it never worked again-no matter how much money I threw at it! My surgeon says he "guarantees" I will get down to 160#'s, but I told him I will just be happy to be under 200 (I'm 5'9"). When I advised him that I have been on every diet on the planet and that nothing works anymore as my metabolism is shot-he just smiled and said, "this will work, don't worry". So, I am going on faith, and, like you, I don't have any grand illusions-but if it even gets me to 200#'s I will consider it a success. good luck on your journey! Brigitte

Wow, I'm at the top of the list! Getting nervous, reading too much about complications-someone made a list of everyone who's had a problem-added up to around 50 people-yikes! But trying to stay positive - there are LOTS of people with NO complications. Good luck to all of us! I'll keep in touch from the losers bench! (got pre-op blood work done today). :-)

As I met my "personal trainer" Monday I could tell I really needed to build myself back up. I have been fighting with my left foot since April-plantar fascitis and achilles tendon sprain-and I can really tell I have not been exercising for 5 months. So I went today and did my routine that I was given. I'm glad I work out at a Wellness Center instead of a real gym-I am really embarassed by my large abdomen! So humiliating to try and get off and on some of the machines! But I know this will help me recover faster and make my transition easier when I can get back to exercising afterward. Counting down the days till starting pre-op diet- 12 days left! 24 days till surgery! I found another complication that I had not seen before - splenic infarction- that doesn't sound good- I'm a nurse, and anything that infarcts is NOT GOOD. I have added it to my list of questions for the surgeon on my last appointment next week.

Prayers and good wishes for you! Will be thinking of you when my alarm goes off.

Your "large incision"? How large? Where is it located-high, low? I am planning 4 weeks off, but warned my director I may come back with lifting restrictions. Hope you continue to recover well.

Kept my appointment at the Wellness Center (Gym run by my Hospital) with Ryan (about 25years old) the personal trainer guy. He greeted me with "Look who's back", and I said, "Yes, the return of the prodigal daughter". He weighed me, measured me, took my body fat percentage and BMI. Then I told him about my upcoming surgery and reminded him "that is confidential information, young man!". He smiled and said "Good for you, you're taking control of your health and your life, nothing to be ashamed of". I was very pleased at his reaction. He then modified the workout program I had been on earlier in the year due to my achilles tendon sprain and plantar fascitis. I also made another appointment with him for after surgery to modify things again. It felt good to work out again. BTW the photo is one of those online things you can do to a photo-this is how I see myself in the future!

October 1st, 2012, that is the date. The date I will have VSG and start back towards being myself. In this picture I'm at 215#'s. I felt really good, and my daughter called me "freakishly thin". I hope is that this surgery not only helps me get back there-but to stay there (or a little thinner even would be nice!). Notice October 1st, 2009 I also embarked on what I thought was my LAST diet. Yeah, right. So, all the hoops have been jumped through, all the tests done, the date has been decided, and now I countdown..........

Hawaii was my first REAL inspiration. October 1, 2009 joined Jenny Craig, joined gym. Followed diet, worked out 4-5 days/week. By April 2010 I had lost 62 pounds! Fantastic! (Except my dirty little secret-Jenny Craig and the gym didn't do it all-a bunch of little pills called laxatives helped). So, YAY me, I went to Hawaii for the first time 62 pounds lighter, although still 50pounds overweight. Got on the helicopter without being made to step on a scale (yes they can do that!), so everything was good. Speed ahead to July 2010, only 3 months later, have gained back 20pounds, due to stopping using those little pills. But still on JC & going to the gym. First grandson born-very excited! Long story short, got blind-sided by daughter-in-law and went into a tailspin depression. By December 2010 have now gained back 40pounds of the 62. Still on JC & still going to gym-although less frequently. Still having some depression issues but getting much better-get to babysit grandson now and working on relationships with son & DIL March 2011 son and daughter-in-law tell us they are pregnant again. Whoo Hoo! I freeze in my tracks-"Oh God, not again!". Start going back to college- why not? it's only been 18 years since I stepped into a classroom! But I want to avoid the drama that happened with the last baby! So I'm "getting a life" for myself! November 2011 2nd grandson born, situation MUCH better. Still not fully healed relationship with son, but workable. Weight hovering at 12pounds less than highest. December 2011, family photos-not again...GOD am I HUGE! March 2012 quit JC & mostly quit gym-babysitting both babies now...they are a handful. But I don't dare complain or I'll never get to see them. Oh and did I mention I'm in college? Yeaaaaa. Late nights studying, trying to get everything done, working full time, babysitting 2-3 days/week. Surprise! All the weight is back!! One night in April 2012 I was crying on my husband's shoulder about my weight and my worries for my health and that I want to be here for my kids and my grandkids, etc. etc. He says, "you are very good at planning and research, make this a research project and find what works for you". He's a pretty smart man.

Thanks, Gonnabeslim1day (cool name BTW), my hubby & I have had several "heart to heart" talks too. But I still worry about work-I've been there 15years, we're a very tight knit group-I have only told a few really close friends, I actually hope I'm a slow loser so that no one will get suspicious or think I've got cancer or something. Oh well, I know I can't dwell on the "what ifs". I'll just pray for the energy and strength that I'm hoping for and put it to good use - I look forward to bicycling, trail-walking, gardening, and just not sweating at the slightest excursion.

The countdown is making it really real! I'm starting to worry about this whole "new life" thing. I kinda like my life-I just want to be able to enjoy it more! I had 3 friends who had RNY and they all had to drastically change their lives in order to stay on track-all 3 changed jobs, 2 moved out of state, and one even got divorced. I hope I won't have those kind of "side effects" with VSG. Anybody else worried?

Congratulations! My surgery isn't until Oct 1. But I was wondering about the amount of pain/nausea? What meds did you get? did they get u up to walk right away? Best wishes on your journey !

Oops! i see the exercise comment! I think you're right about waiting a little, I think I will be lucky to just get back to work after 4 weeks off!

Wow! You ARE an inspiration! We are the same height and same starting weight- I PRAY I have the great results you've had! Do you exercise alot? Best wishes for your continued success.