Izuri

I'm glad to hear that you're doing well! The staples are our buddies for life. Your body will grow a thick layer of scar tissue around them. It shouldn't ever be any issue for getting through security at the airport. My doctor's office did tell me though to make sure to tell any MRI technician/doctor before they do any kind of MRI scan on you. I don't imagine that it would immediately disqualify you from having an MRI but that's something they'd definitely wanna know. I have the white tongue from being in ketosis too =( Brush brush and tongue scraper!

Surgery is a scary thing. It's scary for all of us here. Do not feel bad about being afraid, anyone not afraid is either insanely brave or stupid =p I'm not sure which. Have you tried making a list of reasons you want the surgery? Posting a picture of you before you gained weight on the fridge? Writing positive statements and posting them? All these things could help when you're feeling like you're going to lose control. Or when you're feeling panic, go for a walk and try and work through each feeling. I had another forumgoer suggest to me pre-surgery to write out all the possible outcomes and how I would handle them. That way no matter what happened, I had a plan. It did help cut down my anxiety some. I hope that you feel better. You are worth this, and I know you can get through it.

That's an awesome NSV. I am looking forward to when people can squeeze by me at work =) Keep it up, 222 is getting pretty dang close to onderland!

I take 2 celebrate chewable multivitamins and 5000mcg sublingual B-12 (Gonna check with my NUT on the dose next visit - but for the time being I know that too much isn't going to hurt me because it's water soluble)

It takes just about forever, doesn't it? Try and keep busy, it will make the time go faster. I hope they call you soon!

Less a month and diabetes free! That is truly incredible! Congratulations =) That is some of the best news you can get, for sure.

You look gorgeous in that dress! What a great color on you =) It sounds like you are doing amazing, you are really an inspiration. Keep it up!

Yay, what awesome news!! I hope you guys have good luck, it's supposed to be easier when you're thinner =)

At some point I think it has to be a bit of mind over matter. Your body needs the protein. Yeah, it doesn't taste amazing, but it's worth it to be able to get the surgery...Unless it's making you puke, I think it's something you should just keep trying different brands/flavors and try and tough it out until surgery and stay on plan. I know it seems like forever, but when you look back, it will be worth it.

I'm glad to hear that they are still clearing you for surgery. It would be a bummer to have it pushed back.

All of the people I have talked to I have told. I waited for most of them until after the surgery was done though. I didn't want anything to happen and me not to get it and to have already told them. Everyone so far has been supportive. I'm sure not everyone will be, but I will cross that bridge when I get to it =p

Welcome to VST! Congratulations on your sleeve - I'm happy to hear you're doing well. Those gain pains are a pain in the butt =p Have you tried Gas-X strips? They've helped me a lot.

You've got 16 days still, you can do it!! Think how good you'll feel getting those 10 pounds off =) It will be a victory when you step on the scale and you won't even have gotten sleeved yet!

It sounds like you've started to be very proactive. Good for you! Making sure things get done the right way is difficult sometimes! I'm crossing my fingers for you that cigna gets back to you quickly!

Good luck to all you August 1st sleevers! Hope it's going great!

You're probably already done with surgery by now and I just wanted to say that I hope it went well!! =) Let us know!

Someone on another thread suggested raising your hands above your head and I've found that helps. I also use Gas-X strips, which have helped a ton. Before surgery one time I was having really bad gas pains and I read online that putting your hands out kinda like a ballerina in front of you ( like that circle thing with your arms ) and twisting the top half of your abdomen left and right helps move gas up and out. Be careful with that though with the surgery and incisions.

I didn't really get a last hurrah before my surgery, so enjoy it for me! I am looking forward to how much money the surgery saves me =) Congratulations on getting your date, it's coming up soon!

Historically I have not been the best at following through with diets, weight loss, etc. either. This surgery has been very different for me. I had the surgery last Thursday, so I can only give you my perspective of the past week. Last Wednesday I was freakin out with anxiety. I was excited at the same time, but I'd never had surgery and all these things were going through my head. Luckily, I'd worn myself out at work and on the liquid diet so I pretty much passed out that ***ht at like 8pm. My surgery was Thursday morning, the first cut was going to be at 7am. I arrived at 6am. They did blood work to do a pregnancy test (They do on all females of child bearing age) and then sent me up to pre-op. Pre-op I was getting a little more nervous. They gave me a shot of Lovenox in my side and then I met my doctor and anesthesiologist. They gave me a sedative and wheeled me into the surgical room. The last thing I really remember is getting on the operating table. When I woke up I was in recovery. I had a ton of gas in my abdomen from the Co2 they had pumped in. It felt like I couldn't breathe well so I kept trying to sit myself up. I told the two nurses I didn't think I could breathe and they reassured me it was just the gas and that my oxygen saturation was at 100%. Thankfully that didn't last long and they moved me into my hospital room. Once I was in the hospital room I was in quite a bit of pain. They had me on a PCA (Patient controlled analgesia) pump so I could push a button every 8 minutes and get some morphine. You had better believe I used it that first day. I felt a little nauseous and the nurses were more than happy to give me medication that took care of the nausea really quickly. I used the pain pump as I needed and ended up being fine. About 4 hours after surgery they woke me up and had me walk around. The first walk was the hardest. Getting out of bed it really hurt, felt like I was stretching hurt muscles (which I was in my abdomen) but once I got walking it felt better. The walking helped break up with gas a lot. I also used Gas-X strips every so often. The worst thing about this was that they put me on a catheter while in surgery and every time I walked I felt like I had to pee but couldn't. I can for sure tell you that the catheter was probably the only part of the process that made me pissed off, lol. It was also kind of sore. Thankfully, they took it out the second morning. I had a hernia repair also, though it was small, only a couple stitches per my surgeon. The worst part that I attribute to the hernia repair is I kept getting hiccups. They were painful. Thankfully, every time I got hiccups I would get my incentive spirometer, do a couple deep breaths, and they would go away. Day 2 was pretty uneventful. More walking, more pain pump. It was not as painful as the first day. I got a ton of sleep, which helped a lot. At the end of day 2 I was able to pass urine after the removal of the catheter and had passed my leak test so they allowed me to go home. They discharged me on liquid Lortab, which is not as good as morphine =p The first ***ht and day after at home I spent a lot of time resting. I wasn't able to lay flat in my bed so I slept in the chair. I was all around pretty uncomfortable. My hiccups had stopped. I was able to get down some liquids. Every day since then has been up hill. Today is day 6 or so post-op and I can really say that I feel good and have been feeling good for about 2 or 3 days now. I can get up easily. Most of my gas has dissipated. I am able to eat and drink without much pressure or pain. I can sleep in my own bed, and can even sleep on my side now for short periods of time. I get up and down stairs with little effort. I have been getting in walks at least twice a day. I feel great. I have a little bit of pain here and there, but I take my pain medications only as needed and at ***ht before bed. It was so much better than I thought it would be. I was really worried, and my fears were unfounded. I know not everyone has the best experience, but it has been a great experience for me. I would do it again in a heartbeat. I don't have any hunger and so far the only thing I have been frustrated about is when a friend ate Chinese food in front of me (It's my favorite). Other than that it's been smooth sailing. The only things I have to watch out for are dehydration (It's VERY easy to not drink enough water) and getting in Protein can be difficult. I hope this puts your mind at ease a little. Let us know how your surgery goes =)

Woohoo!! You are doing awesome =) That is a really quick loss - I bet you're feeling a ton of difference already

Good luck! I hope you have a speedy recovery and a great surgery =)

I always hate when they tell you they will only call you back if it's negative. I wish that they'd call you back either way. Maybe I'm just goofy, but I get all anxious about it. Anyway, I'm happy to hear that you're done with this step! My fingers are crossed that it will come back negative. Let us know when you hear (or don't)!

Yes I did second guess myself before the surgery. It's difficult making a life changing decision like this. It's scary. A few ***hts before surgery I almost had a panic attack like WHAT IF I CAN NEVER EAT THIS OR THAT AGAIN? And it sounds really silly now, but I was really freaking. Not to mention that any time you go into surgery, it's a risk. Now that I have had the surgery I can 100% say I do not regret it. I am doing great and I only wish I had done it sooner. I have finally taken control of my life in a way that I never was able to before. I had tried diet after diet and always gained it all back, ending up frustrated and angry at myself. Surgery isn't for everyone, that's true. It's something to think long and hard about, but when you're ready, you're ready =)

What a difference! Lookin good ; ) Keep up the great work!

Oh man! I have to give this a try. I'm a big spaghetti fan too, and tofu noodle sound great! Thanks for the tip