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So sorry to hear about your leak Holly. I cannot even imagine. I am down 50 lbs from my start of 272. I am not exercising like I should and have had some recent upset stomaches that I think were food related. Otherwise I'm fine.

Wow! Congratulations! Very impressive! I was sleeved on Nov. 14th and have been doing fairly well overall. Had severe nausea the first day or so but stopped pain killers 3 days post-op and no real pain except for the constant diarrhea and more tired than usual. Does it every get better? I am on full liquids for at least another week. So wish I could eat pureed foods now!

I'm in the same boat. I am 7 days post-op and so want to cheat! I liked the spoon of the cheese gnocchi sauce tonight while I was cleaning up dinner and it was heaven. I am full liquids til at least Nov 30th. It's very hard but I'm trying to not cheat either. Thanks to all for the great advice and support. It's a small price to pay for the end result. Rachel

Thank you. I did call my doc and was told all is okay. Phew

Hi All, I was sleeved this past Wed, Nov.14th and was release from the hospital on Friday, Nov. 16th. I woke up just now to two issues - one, my on-q pump is leaking. My shirt was wet on that side and there's not other explanation as to why my shirt would be wet. I'd scheduled to remove the on-q pump tomorrow. Second issue is that my eyelids are really, really swollen. When I had c-sections in the past and have come home, I have had a lot of swelling all over, but not my eyes. I weight 15 lbs more than I did when I checked in at the hospital. Are these normal? I don't want to go to the ER if I can help it, but I want to be smart, too. Thoughts? Suggestions? Rachel

Hi All, Today I start the Optifast program in preparation of my surgery on November 14th. I am more anxious about this pre-op time period than post-op! I've never done a mostly liquid diet in my life. I get four 8 oz Protein drinks, one 8 oz soup and one bar. Trying to space it all out and will drink a lot. I have read a lot of great advice on here already that has helped me. Thank you to all for posting and sharing tips. Any additional ones are most welcome! It's going to be along two weeks... Rachel

Well day 10 here and I am still hungry! I so wish the hungry would go away. I also haven't lost as much weight as I hoped so far. Hopefully, it'll catch up. We can do it! It's so hard to believe that the day is almost here. Wow!

Hi All. I'm also set for Nov 14th. Hard to believe the date is almost here! I am having a hard time on my 2-wl pre-op Optifast diet, but taking it one step at a time. I have done very well, but haven't lost as much weight as I had hoped. Still have four more days, right? I am so excited overall, too! Rachel

Thanks @bakawaka. I keep hoping the hungry will go away, but on day 6, it is still here. I'm excited about how good I've done, but I really miss food.

Hi Ladies, You can do it! One hour at a time. How did you do today? I have just about finish day 5. So far, so good. I am quite hungry but was thrilled this morning when I zipped up jeans I haven't worn in months. Whoohoo.

End of Day Three is here. I have been so tired today and am hoping i have more energy tomorrow.

Funny. I'm in the same boat. Doing a weight loss contest in my building. I told the gal coordinating the contest that I was doing weight loss surgery and she said I was still able to participate so I'm in. I paid my $40 like everyone else. There are no restrictions on weight loss techniques/ what cannot be taken in account for this contest. It ends Dec 12th and my surgery is Nov. 14th, so I'd say I definitely will be in the running to win! I might lose my job at the end of the year, so any extra funds will help.

I am also most interested in this topic. I was able to get a 500k term life even when I was overweight. However, when I lose weight, I plan to get another evaluation to see if I can get a rate lower than what I currently pay which is $81 monthly. Rachel

Who would've known? Thanks for the great tip!

Hi, I'm Rachel and I have my surgery planned for Nov. 14th in VA (Inova Fair Oaks). I'm quite excited but a little anxious. How are you doing J.Fabulous? Are you on track?

Okay, day two begins. I am quite proud of myself for making it through day one of the pre-op/Optifast diet. If I take this an hour at a time, I can do it!

Thanks VST Addict! I am quite proud of myself that I made it through my first day with no issues. One day at a time! Do you think you'll have surgery this month?

Thank you for the encouragement. I'm taking this hour by hour. So far, so good I am going to have the bar and the soup mix for dinner tonight. I have two more shakes to have this afternoon. I think I might stop at the grocery store on the way home and stock up on sugar free jello and sugar free popsicles, too. I can have up to three of each every day.

November 14th is my surgery date!

Hi All. I just got my surgery date today and it's Nov. 14th. My doc's office requires a two-week pre-op diet of Optifast. I'm so excited, but also am very nervous. The only time I've spent a day on only liquids is when I've been sick! Rachel

Wow! Congratulations on your fantastic loss!

Hi there, I had my pre-op pysch evaluation that was required by my insurance. I was approved and am grateful. However, when I walked out of the appointment yesterday ,I felt badly about myself. I had previously filled out pages and pages of questionnaires. The therapist gave me her take on the responses and told me a lot of info about my personality. Nothing which was positive. She had also quizzed me about the surgery and was forthcoming with stats about how marriages are often in jeopardy when one spouse loses weight. Lots of doom and gloom. I'm a realist and generally happy with my life besides my weight. I want the facts and understand I need to work hard to change my behavior and coping mechanisms, but really left there feeling down. I didn't think she did me or anyone else a favor by her approach. Is this the norm? Did others experience this with their evaluations? Rachel

Hi All, Thank you for your posts. I'm a patient at Bluepoint and am hoping to have surgery in Nov or Dec of this year. It's great to hear the nice comments about the surgeons. I will have my surgery at Fair Oaks and would be happy with either Moazzez or Halmi. I originally met with Dr. Anez who is on his own, but he doesn't do the sleeve and after much reading, I realized the sleeve is best for me. Halmi agreed. Anywho, thanks for the Optifast tips, too. I am curious about the 3-month nutrition requirements with Bluepoint. I will meet with their nutritionist but I have also met with one already twice. My next appt with the first nutritionist is Oct 18th. I should have everything else ready at this point, so I'm hopeful that I can then get approved soon after the 18th. I would really like to have surgery sooner rather than later. What was your experience with Bluepoint? Rachel

HI Natalie! I'm also new here and planning to have the gastric sleeve. I've already met with several surgeons and have decided to go with the Bluepoint surgical group who are out of Inova Fair Oaks. I have BCBS Fed and this is one of the only groups that BCBS Fed (Basic option) okays in the DC metro area. I love both Moazzez and Halmi and will be fine with either doc doing my surgery. I did confirm with BCBS that they cover the sleeve and they do. I'm at 275 on a 5'4" frame and have been fairly lucky so far in that I don't have any co-morbidity issues. Yet, that is. I have been having aching feet a lot this past year and I'm sure the achiness is caused my the extra weight. At any rate, I wish you much success and look forward to chatting with you as we begin this journey! Rachel