sheila2050

Won't be long now! Just a month and 10 days!

You sound great. Enjoy your new freedom!

The first day, I was so hungry. Now, I am not hungry at all. I like AMP cookies and cream.

hip, hip, hurray!! Thank you so much for sharing your pics, success, and enthusiasm. It's a wonderful inspiration.

good luck!

This morning I cut a ** in half and gave it to the dogs. I'd been obsessing on it since the night before. Once the temptation was gone physically, it went away mentally as well. I went to Luby's today thinking I could get some good food there -- especially greens and sf jello -- and was disappointed. I was also surprised that I was feeling full after 1/2 chix breast; and though it was hard to pass up, I ate it without the skin. I slept a lot today. I've been drinking decaffeinated or no-caffeine tea before bed to relax. I think I'll make some sf jello now to have tomorrow!

I had a very nice supper last night with family. Everyone prayed for me when the meal was blessed. It was a grand finale of the old days and my dad outdid himself. Today I had my first protein shake. I'm so relieved it quenched my hunger. I am going to make it through this day, and beyond that, I'm not going to wonder. Caffeine hasn't been the huge withdrawal I expected. I don't know yet if that's God's grace or just a delayed onset. I am eager for the surgery to be done and over with. Still 10 days away.

Hang in there!

wow! congrats!

Happy Birthday!

Tonight my father is preparing a special meal for me, my last. I am really looking forward to it. Yesterday was the last day for diet coke and another favorite food. I am gearing up mentally and feel able to go forward. It is not the food itself I fear but the panic I may feel when there's no way to modulate my feelings with excess. Then I read here about people's experiences and am reassured that what I am setting out to do is not impossible and my reasons for pursuing this are valid, despite the financial cost. Yesterday I asked my son about how he felt about our spending this money on my surgery instead of his (tonsils.) He asked if I meant did he think I was putting myself ahead of him. I guess I had been afraid to ask directly. He said, no. Because of my BMI (35) I have been given a list of guidelines for pre-op (this far out; I still have to do liquids 3 days before surgery) rather than a strict regimen of protein shakes & 1 high protein meal per day, which is what my sister did. My sister has been so kind to me, buying ready-made shakes, vitamins, and other things that will make my journey easier. Budget-wise, as soon as I am able to eat solids, I'll be having some egg white omelettes probably rather than egg white mix. I really haven''t thought that far ahead, how I am going to be able to afford protein shakes for 3 mos. or longer. I am vaguely counting on saving money by not spending it on junk and restaurants. I am very fortunate to have my sister do this before me. Plus she is extremely knowledgeable about the requirements to stay healthy and she can guide me. I am feeling more confident about being able to wean off caffeine for the time necessary. I can't get out of bed and motivated to do anything without caffeine & for that reason, I was planning to disregard advice and try to circumvent the requirement by using caffeine strips, which dissolve in the mouth, instead of ingesting it through the stomach. My dad got so put out with me for planning to use caffeine when I've been told not to; he felt I would jeopardize the surgery and possibly my life. So I am coming to terms with the issue. I bought several boxes of caffeine strips at the dollar store pre-conversation with Dad, so I plan to use those pre-op only to the extent of weaning myself. I am hoping that if I use only what I need to "get up" then day-by-day I will use less. I have a very famine-what-if-I-don't-have-enough outlook, so that is why I went overboard on my purchase. I thought it might not be available for me later as I had a hard time finding the store which sold it. I also take a fistful of psychiatric drugs daily and I have no idea how I am going to be able to tolerate those after surgery. I didn't tell my psychiatrist about the surgery because I didn't want them to discontinue the near-free care I've been receiving since '94. Well, time to get ready to go to my dad's.

We're so similar; that's amazing. Your post is inspiring.

wonderful!

It's empowering to realize you have choices about who you allow into your "inner circle." That's how I think of it: concentric circles for levels of access and trust and influence. There are only a few in my inmost circle. It's good to sort it out. Good for you!!

Best of luck, keep us posted. Is your surgeon qualified to handle the extra risks you describe?

Looking good, lady!! WTG

My sister had sleeve surgery in July. I went with her. Now I plan on having it after seeing how well she did and how well she was treated. The point is, people can change their minds about things. I'd say take the high road and let yourself be okay with your family's skepticism. After all, it may change. You and only you can be true to yourself. My surgery is 9/26 with Dr. Jaime Kelly in Tijuana.

You sound so much better. I'm glad for you. And I agree that sometimes what God "tells" us to do can be incredibly painful; but it's always worth it on the other side. My surgery is 2 weeks off. I appreciate your honesty and look forward to more reports about your progress. Congratulations on making it this far!!

I'm scheduled to have surgery with Dr. Kelly 9/26. It's costing $5500 all-inclusive. They will even take you out to eat (broth) after surgery and souvenir shopping, if you like. Dr. Kelly is also qualified in trauma care and transplant surgery.

whoops -- my surgery is on the 26,

Faith, I'm having my surgery on Sept. 25th also! Best of luck to you; I will be thinking of you. Cancun is so lovely. I envy you being able to see the lovely blue water; that will be so relaxing. It does make a lot more sense than flying 6 hours to CA! I am in TX so the flight to CA will only be 3 1/2 hours to me. Sheila

Well, I went with my sister with my birth certificate and marriage certificate (name change) and driver's license. You can get back in with these documents. Still, when we came back the border crossing guard asked me why I didn't have a passport and told me to get one! They also have something called a passport card now which can be used for land/sea travel only. If you search for passport requirements, you can find the US information.

My sister had sleeve surgery early July with Dr. Kelly in Tijuana. It cost 5,500 and they are so incredibly nice and accommodating, it's unbelievable. They did not require deposit for me -- I was so impressed with my sister's treatment (I went with her), I scheduled the procedure for myself. Good Luck.