GiGi3

I am now 16 days post op. I feel amazing. I haven't felt this great for at least eight years. I have so much energy. I don't snore anymore, so I am getting better sleep. No need for a pad in my panties anymore, I can cough and sneeze all I want. No more depression, no more constant coughing. Just amazing. I have made Cookies galore for Christmas, and I do not feel one ounce of temptation or "I wish I could eat one". I feel liberated that I can make them, enjoy giving them to people and know I am not going to gain any weight this year from Christmas. It feels great. I remember going in the hospital that morning and wondering if I was doing the correct thing. As the Nurse put the iv's in me, I kept thinking, maybe I shouldn't do this. No regrets. I feel amazing. Just amazing. You know that feeling when you slip your pants on, and it buttons with ease---I am there, what a great feeling!

Mine went away immediately. Having 80% of my stomach removed, puts less weight on your bladder.

I thought I was going to be three weeks post op on Tuesday, but it will be only two weeks. Time is going much slower than I thought! Doing okay, on the pureed diet. Difficult to remember to eat. I don't feel weak or anything. Just don't want to be losing my hair and such faster than I need to. Getting in at least two protein shakes a day. My stomach is certainly active. I used to gulp water like crazy. It is difficult to switch to small sips. Often I feel everything is stuck in my throat, if I take two gulps in a row without thinking. It is a new way to life and I am adjusting. No regrets. I am baking my Christmas cookies and making meals for my husband (empty nester), no problems there. He is my official tester, so I am depending on him a lot. I am okay with all of it. That I am grateful for. I just can't wait until six months from now, everything will be easier.

Oh Karen, that never leaves us after having babies! Mine our 23, 25, and 27! Glenda, it amazes me how different doctors are to what happens before and after surgery. I was allow to swallow pills right after surgery. Wait 5 minutes in between them. I read everyone loses some hair. I am keeping up on my Protein and other Vitamin supplements to prevent as much as possible. I think I would have shoot myself already if I had to stay only the Protein drinks. All that sweet stuff for my one week before surgery was beyond difficult for me. Good luck, I see we have the same surgery date.

As the other poster said, "Enjoy the Journey". Why put so much worry on something that may not happen? I am big on following everything thing your surgeon has outlined. Do not veer off. Some of your hurts you have cured, And the sharpest you still have survived, But what torments of grief you endured From evil that never arrived! ~Ralph Waldo Emerson I am Day Four post op and I am overly excited about my new journey!!

Finally here. Finally. I just have to get through today. It has been a horrific week! I am so sick of the sweetness of everything. I practically gag just thinking about having to drink my Protein drink. Did I cheat? I had a few bites of turkey on Thursday and Friday. Turkey is protein, so I didn't think it was horrible cheat. I guess what prevented me from cheating is that I like my liver. I don't want it to be in the way. I am keeping my eye on the prize--my new body in around six months. This is a pretty drastic weight loss solution, I am not going to screw it up. Tomorrow morning a doctor will put my stomach back to where it was when I was twelve~~ It is going to be a good day, a new beginning, a new start to the rest of my life. (I am 55 years old.)

I am sick of this, I cringe every time it is "meal time". Everything is sweet. We have all gotten to this point in our lives for reasons. My main reason, I eat too much at mealtime. I have always eaten healthy, just too much. I cook very well. Yes, maybe a dessert once in a while, or a candy bar--but nothing on a regular basis. Hence, sick of the horrible artificially flavored items. Sick of the gawd awful artificially sweetened everything. I try to keep my eye on the prize--how I will feel and look six months from now. Just venting....is thankful that today marks the "more than half way" through the seven days.

Wonderful post, thanks for sharing your experience.

I will start my 7 day pre-op diet on Tuesday. We will see how I do. I can't see myself cheating on it because it is all about shrinking the liver. I don't want my liver accidentally harmed. I will be watching my family at Thanksgiving dinner, oh and cooking it too. I am dreading it. Nobodynowhere, I can't even imagine 28 days. However....keep your eye on the future.

I start my pre-op on Tuesday. I am dreading it. How are you doing now?

I would spend time gently talking to your husband. In my 33 years of knowing my husband, my weight was never discussed. No, they don't know what we go through on a daily basis. I told my husband I still do not want to talk about my weight, but did tell him I am unhappy and disgusted by my body. He is supportive. As for your Mom, she does not have to be onboard. You are a grown-up woman now. You need to do what will make you happy. You are the only one that walks in your shoes. Good luck, keep us posted.

I had my consultation last week. The coordinator got back to me and told me my insurance asked for 6 months of weight management. Seriously? I am going to check it out for myself because when I called my insurance company I asked him about it and there was nothing in there that noted it. Maybe it shows up for pre-authorization. Anyway...I am depressed by it. I have been on weight management since I was 14 years old. I am now 54. My doctor thought it was ridiculous for insurance companies to require it. What prevents someone from making up documentation? Has anyone ever done that? Please feel free to send me a private message. What happens if I do lose weight and no longer fall into the bmi of 35-40 that my insurance requires? What happens if I do have "weight management" and I don't lose weight? I have to go see my Internist next week to request him to write me a Letter of Medical Necessity. I did see him four months ago, maybe we can consider that my weight management. I am so frustrated by this. I was feeling giddy before the email, now I am just &^%$.

My Insurance approved me for surgery. NO 6 month weight management was required!!!! Told ya!

Thanks Aaron. I just want the first six months to pass quickly.

The date is getting closer. I go in for the sleeve on November 27th. Start liquid diet this Tuesday. Dread that part. I just want it to work forever, I don't want to be a failure. I am a bit overwhelmed with the liquid diet before and after.

Thank you again for all the information and answering my questions and concerns. sr910- I just sent the coordinator an email. I know United Healthcare requires it for some plans and not for others. I mentioned to her that I called them twice in the last month and asked them, and both times it was not in the requirements. I asked her who she talked to. I told her someone at my work had it done last year and they did not require it. Maybe it will get her to take a closer look. Maybe, I hope she just assumed all plans were alike. Sounds like a money maker to me making one do the Weight Management, one would think they get a kick back. Anyways....I liked my Doctor and his Staff. I appreciate the "time flies" that makes me feel better.

Thank you for your support and kind words. Besides weight watchers, what other programs are there? Does online programs count? I assume it can't be my own thing. I have never done "group", organized weight programs. I have always done my own thing.

When can I expect it to be safe to return to work? On some days I lift 40-50 pounds continuously. I really cannot wait for this life change. I have my first consultation on the 13th.

Sounds like he may also feel threatened. You are going to look fabulous and feel great. He already knows he is a jerk. Let's face it, feeling good is going to give us all more confidence. He probably feels you may leave him afterwards.

Pam, I don't know how I will handle it afterwards. I have never been one to talk about my weight. So if I don't do it now, why should I do it after I do the surgery? I am doing it for me, for no one else. I also don't tell anyone now, because I don't want their opinions. Nor do I need them. I work in a company that feels like we are one family. We care about each other. One step at a time....

I remind myself constantly that I am not telling anyone at work. Not one. I know my co-workers well and NO ONE can keep a secret! Like you, I don't feel it necessary to divulge my personal medical decisions. It is not as if we ever discuss my fat, why discuss my future weight loss.

Hi =-) Just registered now for VST. I will get a call tomorrow to set up my appointment for my consultation. I saw my cousin at a wedding last month, she looked great and I told her so. She whispered in my ear, "I had the surgery, go for it". I respect her a lot. She has been a RN for a long time. She is older than me...she is 58, I am 54. She said do it, I feel great and it is the best thing. I want it. And I am scared. Oh, the what ifs... Will I miss food? Will I miss the social part of eating? I want the skinny person inside of me out. I am SICK of battling the battle of the fat. I have yet to know anyone that has lost weight on their own and kept it off. My first diet was when I was 14. Oh, I keep it off for a year or so, than it creeps back. I hate seeing photos of myself. And how in the world will I eat without drinking??! I must drink at least two glasses of Water with my meals! I have never talked about my overweight body. I never joke about it. It is never brought up in my home. My husband is supportive to whatever I want. I can already hear my middle son reprimanding me for even considering bariatric surgery. Fortunately all three of my sons seem to have received my husband's slim gene, they are in there early to mid twenties. I told my cousin this, she said, "they have no idea what it is like to have a weight issue". I don't think I will tell my sons about it beforehand. I don't want to tell anyone at work. I just don't feel the need to tell my co-workers. I almost hate the attention I will get afterwards. Help me! I have so many questions. Please welcome me into your world! I just need compassion and understanding!