mezanne1401

I also mourned food, but a video on YouTube was my inspiration. I had surgery yesterday and I don't know if this is the case for everyone, but my cravings are GONE. It is bizarre really. I don't want to sound cheesy or throw out a cliche, but I feel like a different person today. For the first time since I can remember, food isn't controlling me or consuming my every thought. They say this isn't a miracle cure, but for me, it has miraculously cured my brain. I'm not mourning food any more and that is a relief!!! Keep your head up and stay strong!

Well, thank God that is over!!!! This morning is so much better! I feel like I've been kicked in the stomach by a horse, but I sleep on my stomach usually and I slept on my stomach last night. I didn't sleep well because of the noise and the vitals every 4 hours, so there was a lot of turning and twisting. Such a fool! No drains, no catheters, no regrets!!!! First time in my life I actually feel happy and like I did the right thing or me! I can't stop smiling!!!

Had surgery this morning. Please excuse any typos as this is being typed under the influence of morphine. So, the incision pain? Barely anything. Only a little sore when changing positions. But the gas???? Oh holy crap!!!! MISERABLE!!!!! I considered myself prepared for it by reading so many threads about it. I grossly underestimated the pain (for me anyway). Advice to future sleevers.... walk, walk, walk. It really does help. Now I'm off for a nap!!!

So surgery is Monday morning and I am so ready to get this thing started!! It is almost a little scary that I have no reservations, anxiety or fear! Hoping it will hit me Monday morning so I can start to feel human!!! Count down us on, baby!!!!!!!

Dang! 22 pounds is awesome! I'm down 15 and thinking the same thing over and over...COME ON MONDAY MORNING!!! Good luck!!!

It is good to know that at least some CHOSE to go to Mexico and didn't HAVE to go to Mexico. The very first surgeon I met with is just a butcher! Had a friend's husband use this doc and ended up in ICU for over a week, very,very sick. I wouldn't let that man operate on my SIL and Lord knows how I can't stand that woman!! This doc ended up moving to Houston and only takes cash patients because he has no contract with any insurance carrier. Scary, scary!!! I guess it just kind of bums me out that the procedure is SO much more expensive in the states. My surgery was $12.5K, which was 3 grand cheaper than in Houston. Turns out, 8,100 is just for the hospital!!! No possible way 23 hours equates 8 grand! That to me is absurd!!!

I'm not on one side or the other here, but how many people who have had surgery in Mexico used it as a last resort because insurance is so rediculous to work with or because the cost is SO much higher in the US? I was also considering Mexico, but as a last resort. If my mother had not come to my rescue, this post would be coming from south of the border!!! So, I just wonder if Mexico is chosen because of the quality or merely the cost?!? I personally like that the surgeons in the US are held accountable for their mistakes and it is public knowledge of such issues. That's my #1 reason for staying in the states.

You can go to the DMV proudly, walk in, take your picture and be honest about your weight. When you are at goal, get your license redone and use the first one with all of your past as a "souvenir" so to speak and a reminder that life can only get better!

Congrats on your acheivements and continued success!! I'm also on schedule for Monday!!!!!

I'm from Texas! Guess we're neighbors!!

I've been complaining since Halloween when I started mine and yesterday I told my mom that I would be so happy when surgery is over and that I bet she would be happy too. She said, "you're still going to want those foods" and I told her that the wanting would eventually go away, but at least I would be full. I miss that miserable full feeling more than the actual food. Quite the realization coming from a self-proclaimed "foodie"!!!

My surgery is Monday and it is actually a strange feeling. I am super excited and can tell so since the days (more importantly, my days off) are DRAGGING by! However, the weird thing is I am not anxious or scared or on edge. This is very surprising to me! I'm usually a big worry wart and I am so incredibly calm, my husband asked me if I was really going through with it next week! I like the sense of calm though. Makes me feel like I'm right in my decision to do this!

I sure wish I would have done this earlier. I am ONLY 30 and my knees sound like a 70 yr old! My back kills me 24/7. I have high blood pressure and now here I am 9 years after researching WLS wishing I had done it then. I am scheduled for surgery Monday, so I've only read about the postop diet. You have to get out of your mind how much you eat now. I can eat a foot long sub no problem. Now, figure out how big 2-4 oz of that sammie would be. Not very big at all. You have to eat your protein first and foremost. So, you're eating bread, veggies, meat and some dressing and that isn't the healthy choice. Start with your lean protein and you will probably be stuffed to the gills afterwards. It is like people say, the sleeve is merely a tool. We still have to fix our thinking by ourselves. After over a week on my preop diet, my stomach is already so much smaller from their torture that 1 cup of protein shake has me really full. But I have to constantly fight my demons that I AM NOT hungry and I am not going to die if I don't get that candy bar. Keep researching and talking to others with experience and you will happen upon your answer. But it is true what people say...the older you get, the harder it is to lose.

I have to do mine in water.

I've got cream of chicken and beef bouillon though I am not sure what brand and they are pretty good. I like sweets a lot so the chocolate is helping in that regard. Just needing a little variety so my adult onset ADD doesn't derail my progress!!!

Thanks!!! Ugh, the vanilla was terrible IMO. Won't be doing that one ever again. In fact, I took the jug back to my coordinator and told her she could pawn that off on someone else! Thanks again!!! I'll have to look that up tonight.

I know everyone is different in the way they lose weight, but my coordinator told me protein and lots of water. I'm taking in 80-90 grams of protein (based on my weight) and drinking almost a gallon of water daily. I cheated the first few days and didn't lose much, but since I am having my surgery Monday, I'm finally being very strict on myself and since last Tuesday, I've lost 16 pounds. I have walked a little, but my back has been really bad this week and I can't take any anti-inflammatory meds (Motrin, Aleve) and Tylenol doesn't help my pain so I have remained pretty sedentary. So far, protein + water seems to be the trick for me.

Where did you get the Unjury??? My doc only has chocolate and vanilla. I hated the vanilla and want a little more variety than just chocolate!

Thank you! It hasn't been easy, that's for sure. I have been taking in plenty of protein and drinking tons on Water. My coordinator said that people usually lose 20-30 pounds on the preop diet, so I am right on track! After today, I LOVE my vitamins!!!

I have been SO tired on my liquid diet! I went in to weigh this morning and I told her I "felt" like I had gained 20 pounds. In 1 week, I've lost 11.7 pounds. I feel heavier than ever and yawn all the time. Tonight is the first night in 4 that I have stayed up past 8! Oh, I did, however, start a multivitamin today and that has helped quite a bit. Wonder if there was a little malnourishment starting there since the vitamin is helping.

I guess it varies doc to doc. I've read some people are staying in the hospital until day 3 and I'm supposed to only stay one night.

I have been on it since 10/31 and surgery is Monday. I slipped up a few times last week and had a few slices of turkey and a pickle spear, but since I have less than a week until surgery, I'm being really strict on myself to stick to it because I don't want to have any problems or complications!

My mother is my saving grace in all of this. She is paying for my surgery since the insurance was a flop. Having mine done Monday!

I'm on my preop diet consisting of nothing but protein shakes and I am to the point of being ready to beat my husband with a bar of soap in a sock for some carrots!!! Poor man. I think he will be happier than I am when this is over!