makemyownluck

Rush and University of Chicago are two different hospitals, but I think they are right by each other. There's that whole medical district where there's like 8 hospitals in one area - Rush is on Harrison, off of 290 at the Ashland/Paulina exit... I think your hospital is over there too, but I'm not sure. I'm 32 - I did get the sleeve, just had surgery a week ago today, actually! I'm doing good... I'm still sore when I wake up in the morning, but as long as I get moving, it gets better. I stayed in the hospital for 2 days. Went in Thursday, went home Saturday. I did pack a bag, but I didn't use most of it. I slept a lot because of the anesthesia, and was too groggy when I was awake to do much - I brought my ipod, magazines, a book, crosswords - didn't use any of it! I did use my phone, tho, so bring a charger with you! For my bag, I didn't pack clothes (I just wore the clothes I came in when I went home), but I did bring some facial cleansing wipes (because bending is painful at first to wash your face), lip balm, deodorant, toothbrush/toothpaste, lotion, and a hair brush. I wished I had brought some petroleum jelly or carmex, because my usual lip balm didn't seem to last long because I was so dry... The first few days home, I slept A LOT. I think your body heals when you sleep (at least that's my theory!). So I would definitely see if someone can take your kids off your hands for a few days. I don't have kids and I couldn't imagine having to take care of children right after that surgery. I barely was able to take care of my dogs! But every day does get better... I can move around a lot easier and I only take my pain meds once a day now. I'm actually gonna try not taking them tomorrow and see how I do! The pain meds make me sleepy, so it's hard to take them and still function. I'm off work for another week. I wish I could afford to take more time off because I'm sure I'll be quite tired when I get back to working! I've gotten used to my afternoon naps! lol It's cool to meet someone in the area! I wish you luck with the approval process, I know that being on the medical card they can take a little longer to approve, but it IS possible to get it done!

Congrats!! I'm glad you got back on track for your sleeve, no matter how long it takes. There were many times in the beginning when I felt like giving up, so I know how devastating it can be when things don't go as you expect. That analogy is great! Definitely, the more you can do to practice post-op life, the better you will adjust to it! Many people have the mentality that you need to enjoy something "for the last time" or have a "food funeral" but the fact is, if you're having surgery - you want to change your life! And that starts TODAY. The more you lose pre-op, the less you have to lose post-op - why handicap yourself by doing destructive things one last time simply because you CAN? I'm glad you're choosing to start now! Besides, the day will come when you can eat what you'd like, just lots less of it, and in moderation, so there's no point in mourning what you can have again! Got a little off track there - What I really wanted to say was CONGRATS! July will be here before you know it. Good luck to you!!!

I can relate to part of this. I'm just a week post-op, so I'm not in 'head-turning' territory (yet), but I remember my youth when piggish men would try to holler at me while I was innocently pumping gas, or when I'd be at the grocery store. I must have that "wholesome" vibe because I always got the most attention doing everyday things, when I wasn't all dressed up or wearing a ton of makeup. But I've been in the 'invisible' category for many, many, many years. I have had very few relationships because of my weight and my low self-esteem preventing me from dating, so I don't really know how to navigate an adult relationship. I wonder how I'll deal with male attention. A friend of mine said to me, "You're gonna turn into a *****!" and it was meant as a joke (I think), but I wonder if it's not a little true, that I'll go on a bender of men just because I CAN. I also think to myself that I'm currently perceived as a tough girl. Yes, I can defend myself now, but that's because I have quite a bit of weight to throw around and because I'm large and tall for a woman, I don't look like anyone you'd want to mess with. But when I slim down, will I still have that presence? Probably not - and I'll have to work to build up my muscles because throwing blows won't have the same force behind it when I lose the weight. I'm honestly afraid of becoming more of a target for violence. I live in a semi-urban area, not the safest place in the world, and I live alone. I feel like becoming more attractive may open me up to the possibility of being attacked, mugged, robbed, raped, car jacked... I really think about these things. I wonder if I'm just being paranoid or if these are legitimate concerns. If I walked down my street right now, the worst I'd have to face is someone laughing at me or calling me fat (yes, it's happened). But I have a one particular friend who's skinny and attractive and any time she's at my house and we're in my front yard, piggish men are whistling at her, coming over to talk to her, honking their horn as they drive by and I really don't know how she takes it! Then again, she's always been that attractive, so it's normal for her. I really don't want that kind of attention! I don't want to be seen as a sex object - until I find a man I want to date... Maybe this isn't exactly the point you're trying to make, but I do have some worry regarding how I'll be treated in the world. Part of me worries that it will all go to my head (and I'll become a *****; or at least an attention *****) and part of me worries that I'll be very defensive and react negatively to it. Guess I won't know til I get there... and I have a ways to go, I think!

lmao @ Laura... as usual!

I'm in Aurora, had my surgery at Rush University Hospital last Thursday.

I couldn't sleep the night before surgery either!! I think I slept for 2 hours. I ended up sleeping for 6 hours in recovery!

So, I'm 6 days post op and feeling pretty great except for ONE thing. My abdominal binder caused 2 tiny blisters on my waistline, on each side of my belly button. I've tried everything in my medicine cabinet to soothe them, I resorted to lancing and draining them myself, but they are STILL SO PAINFUL. I mean, these suckers are 100x more painful than any of my incisions. It's to the point that I can't even pull my shirt down or my pants all the way up - NOTHING can touch these blisters, even when I have them covered in 3 layers of gauze. I don't know what to do!! I didn't want to cry once from the surgery incisions, but these two very tiny blisters are killing me!!! What will take them away??? They aren't infected. They are a little pink, but not oozing pus or anything. I mean, I've self-treated blisters on my feet and such without any problem, but this might be the most painful thing I've ever experienced in my life, and I'm not exaggerating!! They scream in pain every time I move. I'm at my wits end - it's impeding my recovery because they hurt SO much. And they are both tinier than a baby pea. I want to walk around, I want to do all the things I need to do to recover from surgery, and this is really putting a damper on all of that! What do I do? Please, please help!!

Dang! Lisa Lampinelli and Paul Wall are the only two I know and they've already been mentioned. TOO SLOW!

If it's no different than Mio or Crystal Light, then i don't see what's wrong with it! I drink one Crystal Light a day, and I put my liquid biotin in it. It's a nice little treat - and only 5 cals! Enjoy those 5 cals!

My work has a small gym but hardly anyone uses it. I use it on my lunch break. We get an hour and I only need about half that, so I get on the treadmill when I want to. But my office building is right next to a hotel with really nice grounds, so as the weather improves, I'll take my walks outside. I don't do anything but treadmill there and I have a gym membership for more intense workouts. I think for me it's just a privacy thing - everyone walks by the gym on the way out, and I just don't like being "on display" like that!

That does sound scary! Please let us know what your surgeon says. I hope all is well!!

I think that's the healthier way to go - lots of people become addicted to that scale and getting on it every single day is not an accurate measure of weight loss because your weight will fluctuate. It's normal to go up and down each day - but if you go once a week or every 2 weeks, that's a more accurate way to see the big picture on if you're gaining or losing. THAT SAID - I did buy a scale at costco a few weeks ago because it was on a really good sale! lol but I've stuck by the "weigh no more than once a week rule" and so far, so good!

You look incredible! Awesome job with the weight loss! Now it's time to update that profile pic - you're a skinny-mini now!

It can mean so many things, really. Depending on how high, it could be fatty liver, hepatitis, an abscess - has your doctor recommended any other testing to confirm why it's so high? Have you had any alcoholic beverages lately?

Weird... I haven't heard of that. Call her back and find out what's upppp!

Yes, the preservatives used in food are ridiculous! Buying fresh and organic can be a challenge, but thankfully the post-sleeve life means we don't need as much, so we can better afford to get ourselves the very best!

That's awesome, Space Dust!! Congrats! Can't wait to find out when you get your date! :)

I'm definitely not trying to be critical - obviously you're doing great with the weight loss! But it doesn't hurt to be reminded, right? Plus, c'mon, FUNYUNS ARE DELICIOUS! Tho, Doritos are my fav. I've always been a weirdo who liked to dip her Doritos in cottage cheese. Now I can pretend it's healthy for me! (in moderation, of course)

My advice for the pre-op diet is: DO. NOT. CHEAT. Seriously, it makes it SOOOO much harder. I was highly disciplined with myself for the first time IN MY LIFE on the pre-op diet, and my hunger pangs went away completely after about 3 days - and STILL have not returned and I'm 6 days post op. Those first 3 days were HARD. REALLY HARD. I wanted to cheat. I dreamed of cheating. But I'm so glad I didn't! When you cheat, it's most likely to be with something carb-y or sugary, and those things will put you right back in the cycle of fluctuating blood sugar that keeps you feeling hungry and keeps you craving more. So as hard as it is, DON'T CHEAT!!! Clear your cabinets now - say good-bye to that junk food life and take this part seriously. You will find so many people on here that are enablers and tell you it's okay to cheat, that some docs don't even require a pre-op diet, that it's nuts to do the liquid diet because we're obviously addicted to food -- that's just justifying bad behavior, IMO. BE STRONGER THAN THAT! You can do it! It is possible! And you'll see weight melting off and it will be WORTH IT! The more you lose now, the less you have to lose later.... Just my 2 cents. I wish you luck!

I'd definitely get a repeat sleep study. Yes, most likely you've resolved the apnea with weight loss and exercise, but there's really only one way to know for sure! Sleep apnea can cause a lot of health issues if left untreated. If you used it now, with the setting you had when you were having severe apnea, it probably wouldn't work as well anyway. So I definitely suggest doing another sleep study to confirm if you still have it and to adjust your setting if you still do need the CPAP.

watermelon is easy because of the high Water content. Funyuns and other carbs are considered slider foods because they pass through very easily without making you feel full or providing any nutritional content. So be careful, it's cool in moderation, but don't give in to every craving or you'll sabotage your weight loss. Weird combo - I wonder if it has to do with our hormones? Estrogen is stored in fat, so when you start losing weight, you're flooded with extra hormones, too.

Congrats!! I remember that feeling, it's such a relief to know you can STOP with the insurance game. Good luck on getting scheduled soon!

Don't hold onto it! You're DONE with that size, with that life! Let those clothes go on to help others who can't afford brand new stuff, and focus on who you are now. And I agree with keeping one outfit in the larger size. It will help you see how far you've come when you're having a bad day. Congrats on the weight loss! You've EARNED a new wardrobe!

LMAO! I knew Ms. AntiBand would have something to say about this!!! I do like that the MD they spoke to said they wouldn't have recommended the band. I'm really surprised that he chose the band, I mean, if I can easily get info on the different surgeries myself, then I'm sure he had the best doctors advising him of the same. My surgeon said the same thing: "I take out more bands than I put in". For someone who's supposed to be such a smart guy, this seems like a misstep. Good on him for recognizing he had to deal with his weight problem, but really - I think he made the wrong choice!

I called everyday. I called the day the MD said it was submitted to verify it was received. Then called everyday to check the status. It only takes a minute, and everyone I talked to was helpful and totally understood why I was calling back. I got an approval in 2 days.