dadici

That is terrible! Does your company offer different plans at all? Is there any chance you can change plans?

I had my surgery on Halloween, I was discharged last night. So far it's totally surreal. I don't hurt really, but I get nauseous if I'm not careful and everything feels swollen and distended. I'm doing alright with my Protein drinks, I've been sticking with the unjury chicken soup-I like it much better than the shakes since I can't mix anything in. The thing that surprised me most is how surprised I was to wake up. I hadn't realize how wound up I was until I woke in surgery and was honestly surprised and relieved to be alive. In retrospect that's the most terrifying thing I've ever experienced. I just wanted to let you all know how well I'm feeling, I wasn't expecting that I would be in so little pain. I am crazy gassy but I haven't really hurt yet at all. I was expecting to be in actual pain (like after my c-section) but I would most accurately describe this as discomfort. I am a little loopy from the narcotics, and I get cranky about 30 minutes before its time to take them again, but if I take them in time I feel better within about 20 minutes.

I'm 31, I topped out at 302 and I'm 5'4". I lost down to 284 on the optifast, but I seem to have gained that back in gas weight while I was in surgery! I didn't realize it could be that much, hopefully it will be gone soon!

I hope you have a good outcome too! I can't tell you how relieved I feel. I'll try to update next week or if anything changes. It is hard to remember to drink, so make sure you have a good Water bottle that's easy to carry!

Thanks proudgranny. I think it's valuable to hear the range of experiences. Obviously I only know how I feel at this phase but I hope I stay feeling good and can post more as I learn more. I've really enjoyed reading the posts on these boards, I've found them all very very helpful to my understanding and support through the decision and I know I'll need the support as I work through the next steps!

I am all set for today at 10:30. I'm down 17lb from my all time high of 302. Holding on to the knowledge that I will never worry about crossing 300 again is one of the big things that comforts me. I got an unexpected gift with the hurricane , 2 full days at home with my family. We had such a lovely time, and I'll come home to a much cleaner house than I would have otherwise. I'm pretty nervous, but I hope to have great things to post very soon!

Thanks! I spoke to the doc- we're on for the morning...happy Halloween!

My day is Wednesday- the day the hurricane is supposed to hit Virginia...I'm am so worried their going to bump me- or that they won't bump me but that the storm will make something go wrong(cant get supplies, staffing issues)

That said- I wasn't going to tell anyone, but I suck at secrets so I told all of my close coworkers (I started by telling my boss and 1 coworker, but them I felt compelled to tell the woman covering for me while I was out, and then I told the 3 other ladies in my department) I was blown away by how uniformly supportive everyone was. The only one who even got close to negative was the real maternal older lady in my office- and she just asked questions about the danger. Then she brought me a Protein shaker the next day to show her support. My point is not to brag- it's that I really would not have guessed at the level of support I would receive. Make sure you're not letting embarrassment (or whatever it is for you) keep you from an extra place of support.

Actually a lot of small businesses are not covered by FMLA. To be affected by FMLA your company must employee 50 or more people ~30hr/week year-round. You must have worked there for a year. Also, if you work for a huge company they don't have to give you YOUR job back, just an equivalent job that pays the same. -

I fear that being thin won't actually fix anything. I've been very large since high school- I don't have any concept of what it's like to be a "normal" size- that's scary.

Hey Fyre, we're date twins, I'm on Halloween as well!

I had a diagnosis of depression already. My test was about 90 minutes long, 3 sections 2 "rate on a scale" and one hand written. Eval agreed with my original diagnosis and mandated meds as a condition of surgery. Other than that it was no big deal.

Ew! That would be super annoying. I can see why you're frustrated if that's the kind of compliments you're getting. Boo on them!

I have a friend who is a pretty normal sized 30 ish lady, she had some health things that made her eat really healthy/clean for several months, she dropped 20lb and frankly she does look amazing now. She was cute before, but she is notably HAWT now. Both of these things can be true. You could definitely have been cute before, and still be even cuter, to a wider audience now. That's ok... Own it :-)

Couldn't sleep tonight after I scared myself silly with websites about bad outcomes. I wasn't worried until I got my date last week (Oct 31) now I can't stop worrying that I could end up never feeling ok again. Any advice how to get past this fear?

October 31 for me. Excited (mostly) and pretty stressed with the waiting and wondering...

Thanks everyone, I had a long talk with my surgeon and asked some specific questions I had neglected to ask earlier. It turns out that in over 500 vsg procedures my doc has never had a leak or a death, so that went a fair ways to easing my fears. My new mantra is that deciding to stay this size is still a decision, so I'm not decoding whether or not to make a choice I'm making a choice either way. I'm still scheduled for the 31.

I'm scheduled for Oct 31! Feels like there's so much to do before then!

It seems so much more dangerous to makes decision then just let things ride, doesn't it? Try phrasing it this way instead, "I've done the research and looked into the side effects of obesity and remaining the size I currently am or continuing to get larger and decided that its the safest option long term" Everything is a decision, choosing to stay on the course your on is not "not making a decision" it is also a choice. I understand why you're scared, I'm scared, and last week I read some of the really bad horror stories and couldn't sleep, literally, so the next day I went to my dr, and asked him about all the horror stories. It helped. Do that before you make the decision to stay obese.

Husband is quite thin, we've been married 9 years, I've been very large our whole relationship. About 8 months ago I asked what he would think of me looking into surgery, and he was very supportive. I feel like we're a team, if he had had major concerns I'm not sure I would have done it- this is both of our lives. I am happy that he is supportive and understands that this is something I'm doing so that both of our lives will be better and fuller.

Does anyone have a list of specific protein bars that are ok/recommended after sleeve? I'd like to get some to keep at work incase I get stuck but I know they can vary wildly in quality. Whole brands are helpful, but if someone has specific flavors they would recommend that's also great.

Hi KBT, that's great to hear! I'm glad you're having a good outcome. I guess the two obvious questions are how has follow up care been? And are you going to their support groups/did you find them helpful? How long did they end up keeping you in the hospital for? Is there anything you wish you'd known to ask about before the surgery? I'm excited, but nervous now that it's "real" I appreciate hearing from someone who's actually been through it with my dr!

I'm so glad you posted this! I've been planning my farewell to food tour and I thought I was the only one. I think it will be a good start for the coming year (and beyond of course!)