IrishEyes

I too live in FL and have been picking up things on clearance in smaller sizes. And living in FL yourself you know how the stores follow with seasonal clothes but you and I know that the stuff they sell for summer (even some spring) we can wear 10-11 months out of the year. So when they go on clearance, like now, we are set. I have a spare bedroom closet that I am using for my new sizes. And I have been trying to come up with a cute name for that closet but am stumped so if anyone has any suggestions I'd love to hear them! But there are some great deals out there right now. Since most of the time I usually have to try things on before purchasing I have just picked up a few safe pieces I know will fit. You should do it! At the very least you could find cute workout wear! What part of FL are you in??

Good luck and many prayers a pain free recovery!! And Congratulations!!!

Omg, that is great!!! Sooo glad you are through everything! Whew! Well, geezz, its right around the corner for you too!! Awesome! You may be sooner than Oct, unless Oct is what you want. My date is Sept 21st!! Not only do we have the same surgeon but we will have a close surgery date too! Fingers crossed you hear back very soon!!

Yay! So glad to see another Dr Kim patient! I feel I need to share with you, as I wish someone would have told me. Once insurance approved the surgery I met with Dr Kim. I had been under the impression that since I was approved, I could schedule. So I was looking forward to the appt and have a date. Well, the Dr has clearances he needs too. They required me to go back to my PCP for EKG and chest xray and bloodwork. In my case I also needed pulmonary clearance bcuz I have mild asthma and sleep apnea. All is done except pulmonary, and that is on Mon. I passed all the tests so I am pretty sure she will clear me. Dr Kims office was able to hold a date for me, bcuz of my work schedule, but won't be officially scheduled until final clearance. Hopefully in your case you will just need chest xray, ekg and Bloodwork. Those I had done in 2 days. Once your insurance is approved and you make the appt to see go to Dr Kims office, I would advise calling your PCP and making an appt right after Dr Kim appt. When they ask you what the appt is for just say clearance for surgery. That way you can get it all done quickly. Once you do THEIR clearances then you can schedule. I am sorry to tell you all this but I wish I had known all this and had been prepared. I was very sad I didn't leave with a date. Also, so you can start to get an idea of dates, Dr Kim only does sleeve surgeries on Fri. Hopefully this info is helpful!! And you will have a date in no time! It all happens so quickly!!

They do insert a tube for breathing during surgery, for all patients, because anesthesia suppresses breathing. Having your CPAP, if you end up needing it, will help after surgery. Be prepared, just in case, to awake in the recovery room with the mask on. If they dont use it there, its ok. If they do, you wont panic waking up with something on your face. Since the anesthesia stays in your system for a while and since you need the CPAP anyway, you'll have it there to keep you safe and rested. You are going to do great!

Adorable cut on you!!! You rock it!

Thats good to know! Thanks for sharing!!

Hi Phoenixgen! I have been thinking about this quite a bit since I read it. I was glad to hear that you were able to speak with a few doctors and are now taking an anti-anxiety med. I am pre-op so I cannot speak of experience of being in your shoes however I have suffered with anxiety attacks for almost 30 years. One thing I learned about xanax is your body will tell you if your taking the right dose. If you get sleepy, you took more than you needed. And as you manage your anxiety correctly and effectively, you will very likely be able to eventually decrease or discontinue meds. For years I needed it daily and gradually I was able to go off of it. I still see a psychiatrist for depression and I always get a Rx for xanax but most times I dont fill it. Once a year I fill it to keep a few pills in my purse and really never need them. Just knowing they are there helps manage the anxiety. About whats causing the hyperventilation, there are so many things it could be. It is an emotional response. And food has been an emotional issue for all of us having this procedure from one degree to another. Have you ever thought that the weight you have/had on was a barrier/protection from the outside world? As I thought about your situation, this is something that crossed my mind that might be an issue for me after surgery. And I probably wouldnt have thought of it if I didnt read your blog. I thank you for that. I had a few bad relationships and just literally created my own bubble around me. I am finally ready to step into the world BUT I think knowing that my bubble, that has been a safe place for years, will be gone, would/will cause some level of anxiety. Whatever your issue is, doctors can help. Psychiatrists and Psychologists with Rx and talk therapy can help you get to the bottom of this. An anti depressant may be helpful for a little bit. I am glad you are seeking treatment. Medication does not have to be forever. Let it be another tool to get you back on your feet! You have made it throught the hardest part. The decision to change your life by having surgery AND actually having the surgery! You are on the other side now! You are very brave and you will get through this! Embrace the new you! Thank you for helping me to reflect within myself and best wishes to you! You have just a little bit more to get through and then your going to do great!!

When I mentioned what my nutritionist said, I did not mean to upset anyone. I, personally, found it interesting and helpful. Alcohol addiction is very strong in my family and though I have done well so far in life with not having any issues, I appreciated any possible red flag, just in case. IF, by any chance (or any %), my risk increases after this surgery I appreciated the information. And that was my only intent in posting, to be helpful. Thank-you to those who posted the links. I found them to be good reads. I am on here to give/receive support and I am truly sorry if I upset anyone. I had only the best of intentions.

Sept 21 here! Dr Kim, Celebration, FL

Congrats on your letter!! For anyone else reading this and concerned with a time frame with appts, many dr offices will try to squeeze you in if you tell them you need the appt for a surgery clearance. That happened with me twice. Both times the first opening was 6-8wks out, for new patient. But when I asked if they could get me in sooner because I need clearance for surgery I had an appt in a few days.

To add, they didn't say completely to avoid it but to be mindful....

My nut advised me that approx 30% of WLS patients become alcoholics after surgery due to the fact that they end up trading one addiction for another. And if there is a family history there is more of a risk.

I have had two surgeries both with caths. And I had a REAL concern too. And its amazing that it truly was NOTHING to worry about, really. Both times they put it in when I was knocked out. I only remember one removal and it was quick, painless and discreet.

Congrats Mezz! I am a pre-opper but I drink protein drinks bcuz I like them and use them as a meal replacement if I don't have time. My favorite is EAS AdvantEdge Carb Control, chocolate. It's thin in consistency, which I personally like. I like it best cold. I don't know if temperature makes a difference for your new sleevie. It hat 17g of protein, 4 carve (3g net carve bcuz of 1g of fiber), 110 calories and 3g of fat and is 11 oz. I get a box of 24 at BJ's Wholesale Club, sorry the price is escaping me at the moment. Best of luck to you and look forward to updates and NSV sharing!

It stands for "non scale victory"... Love reading all of the inspiring victories!! Thanks to all for sharing!

So great to hear from you! You are the only person on here I have seen with the same surgeon! Glad you have not had any structural complications. I am very interested in hearing you story, if you don't mind. Like, starting weight, current weight, how you felt after surgery and how you feel now, etc... Also any pre op/post op advice, any info on hospital stay, what the food (or liquid plan) is with Dr Kim? I guess I get all the details during my pre op visit? I am waiting on one LAST clearance, pulmonary dr. Then I get to schedule a date. Looking at mid to late Sept. Now that your on the other side of surgery and a few months out, is life as good as you thought/hoped it would be?

Soo sorry this is an issue for you. Hopefully sometime soon after surgery that with weight loss will come the bonus off less meds needed but still doesn't help immediately post op. Ask your surgeon and anesthesiologist about the anti nausea patch. I think that would help you greatly so you won't have another pill you would need to take. I was just told about the patch as nausea is an issue of concern for me too. And the patch lasts a few days, much like the one's you would get for a cruise for sea sickness.

Just finished my 2nd night of the sleep study last night. The first night was to see if you have it and how bad it us if you do. The 2nd night they fit you with the mask and machine. If you don't have it, they prob won't do a 2nd night. I have had sleep studies before and they were only one night. I really liked having a second night. Helped because I was able to try different masks until we found the one that's best for me AND they control the pressure settings so you get a more accurate pressure. Really helped work out the kinks. CPAP didn't do well for me, yrs ago, but last night tried BI-PAP and it was MUCH MUCH better. So if anyone else gave up on CPAP, you may want to try BI-PAP.

Very, very exciting!! Today is the day you take the control back in your life! Congratulations! And since you found others with the exact surgery date, you can share in each others journey down to the exact post-op day. Just fantastic! Many prayers for no complications and speedy recovery for you all today!

Oops** apprehensive...

Great quote! Love the song too! Thank you for posting this perspective. It's great to read reminders and affirmations of why we chose this in the first place when we are scared or apprehencive.... Thankyou

I too agree with the sleeping pill, if needed. Had part 1 of mine last Sat and will go in for part 2 tomorrow night to be fitted for bi-pap and mask. Had a lot of difficulty Sat night and a sleeping pill saved me. My lower back was killing me as well. One thing that helped me was moving to center of the bed. (I have trouble sleeping on worn down droopy mattresses...) Results from night 1 showed that during the 236 min I was asleep I stopped breathing 127 times. Don't lose hope. Even with a small amt of time they can get good results. And its so dangerous, sleep apnea, make sure you give the testing a chance. I know I am glad I did. Good luck to all!!

Thanks so much for the tips! You answered many things I have been wondering about. I am about 1 month pre-op and after reading your list I took notes!