SleeveGirl-TX

About a month before I had surgery (I am just 5 days out), I decided that the physical changes were going to need some emotional help. I sought out a counselor that deals strictly with weight loss issues and started seeing her. Like I told her, I may not need her. I may be fine, but chances are that I'm going to struggle. My weight is not just a physical issue and I'm prepared to deal with the mental changes that need to take place as well. I was happily surprised that while my insurance doesn't cover the surgery, they do cover visits with the physiologist. It's hard for me. I don't do feelings all that well, so I struggle, but she's making it easy on me and we're just doing small stuff here and there.

I've never heard of it, but I would make an appointment with a urologist just to have it checked out. I'm betting you're fine, but yeah... it's a little weird. Maybe you're just rusty

Everyone really is different. I can get down my 64 oz of water without too much trouble. It gurgles down and I sometimes drink too fast, but it's working, But I can almost totally drink Isopure if its very very cold without any problem. Annoying, but I figure $5 per bottle and I'm getting 1 per day down, it's probably worth it. I'm still tired and weak though... not too bad for 3 days post open.

You don't say how old your kids are. I've not had surgery yet (that's tomorrow, yikes) and my kids are 8 and 10. I would probably do the surgery before, myself. Hubby can handle all of the preparations. It probably won't be like you would do it, but who cares. Also, we don't do parties for mine anymore. They are allowed to choose 1-3 friends depending on what they want to do and we take them to an amusement park or a fancy dinner (Melting Pot is what my daughter chose last time) or something. So, maybe bribe them with a trip to the local fun place with a few friends and your husband? If they are younger, it's still doable. Just get hubby to take it over. Just my opinion, but having said that, I have the most involved and "let get it done" husband on the planet so... LOL

Hi there, Just introducing myself. I've been overweight since at least Kindergarten. I'm now in my mid-30s. Have two kids, a husband and a whole lot of weight to lose. I started first looking into WLS seven years or so ago but due to insurance and financial constraints, it never happened. This year, I decided to do it. Still not covered by insurance so I'm self pay, and ran through hoops to pay for it, but darn it. It's going to happen! My surgery is June 21st. I'm nervous, excited, etc. I work at home and hubby works in education. Both kids are in Elementary. Last month, I decided that physical changes won't be enough and reached out to a psychologist that specializes in weight loss. We've only met a few times, but she knows me, she knows my story and I know she's there when things gets hard. Not sure what else to say. I've been doing the pre-op diet for over a week. Mine is two shakes per day plus 6 oz of chicken or fish plus steamed veggies, less than 800 calories, 30 carbs and 10 fat grams. It's been tough because I have weird food allergies (like soy!) so finding a Protein shake that I could drink that didn't make me gag was hard. I ended up with a bottled one (Pure Protein of all things from the grocery store) that I've managed to keep down. I won't say I LIKE it, but well... I can do anything for a few months, right? Why I'm having the surgery is for my health (duh). I have light sleep apnea and high blood pressure. My dream is to run around with my kids, ride a roller coaster to see if I really am scared of them or just scared of not fitting, fit in ONE airplane seat comfortably and more importantly break the hold that food has over me. I've done the work, I know I can do it. Anyway, that's me... I always hate these intro things. LOL.

I've seen these a lot as hordeurves, they use a very small spear of pickle, cut up and put on toothpicks. Yummy too!

Ya know, I spent ONE week with a friend of mine in Canada 12 or more years ago and I still say "eh" and type it even more often. Damned Canadians. I am going for worse case here. I had a very simple, but painful outpatient procedure that my recovery was a bit of a rollercoaster. Poor guy, he's probably expecting more of the same insanity. LOL

Oh, I think I'm probably so unprepared that it's crazy. LOL. I think of at least 20 different things I need to do or think about or say or ask every day. I'm sure it's nerves. I figure that I'm just going to roll with it after. It took me 30-some years to get this fat and I can't expect all of my habits, thoughts and the weight itself to change overnight. I'm lucky that have the most incredible and helpful husband on the planet (and he cooks, he's totally into figuring out the post op stuff with me) so I've definitely got the support in my corner. The rest... I'm just going to go with it. I think I'll keep the scale though but no, I'm not going to obsess. Good idea though, I'll tell hubby he has my permission to hide it if I start freaking or obsessing I say that now but talk to me in a week when I'm completely hormonal, regretful and crazed, eh? LOL. And Wow! You went from right around where I am now to where I want to at least get to in 18 months. You are AWESOME. Congrats! (I'm in Austin)

You look so happy and healthy and fabulous. Congrats!

I own a service business, so I have 50 or so bosses, plus the people that work for me. I told a few of my staff, but I told all the customers that I was having a personal surgery, it wasn't a huge deal, that I was fine and I would be out for two weeks. One said "I hope whatever it is, you're doing okay", but that seemed to drive the point that I didn't want to talk about it. LOL. I'm sure most of them thing it's a hysterectomy or something. Whatever, it's not that I don't want to tell people, I just don't want to hear the crap. Legally, yes, you aren't required to tell your employer. Depending on how big your office is, it's hard to hide it after, I would think, but do whatever you feel comfortable. I wouldn't get all bitchy about it and say "you can't ask me because of HIPPA violations" or anything. I would just state it was of a personal nature and you'd really rather not talk about it, that you were going to be fine, just need to take care of something. And leave it like that. If they push it, that's one thing. If you work in a big firm or something, the boss already knows they cannot ask, more than likely

I'm still pre op. I'm in my mid-30s. I WISH I had done this when I was only 275 and 23... and I haven't even done it yet (Tuesday is my day). I get what you are saying. I think it's almost like a mourning period. I went through it last month. I ate at all my favorite restaurants, making sure to actually TASTE and enjoy the things that I love. The truth is, from what I can read, you CAN eat normal things again, it will just be 6-12 months until you can. BUT you have to do it in moderation. No chips and salsa EVERY night, but a planned night out is fine. We have to relearn about food and what it's used for (and it ain't to be my friend 24/7, a lesson I'm still working on over here). We also have to learn what a real portion is to our new bodies. That's going to be hard, no doubt! All those silly nights out didn't do me any good. LOL Hugs, sweetie. I was exactly where you were at the age of 23, only without this option. At the end of the day YOU have to be ready for it. If you are doing it to be thin or to fit in, it won't work, in my opinion. I think this whole thing is as much of a mental "game" of sorts. I assume you have eating issues like most of us around here, right? Have you visited with a counselor? I had NEVER visited one before in my life before last month when I realized I needed to and found one in my area that deals specifically with health and weight issues. Love her.

Looks like you guys meet at my surgeon's office. I meant to come to a meeting (Emily in the office told me about them), but it conflicted with another appointment. I hope to get there next month (my surgery is 6/21)

I'm self-pay in Austin, TX with Dr. Ganta. I'm paying $14,500 for the doctor, the initial nutritionist fitness and psyche, the hospital, anesthesiologist, etc. I have to pay for the pre op testing. It also includes 1 year of follow up.