ribearty

What a fun topic. Now how to explain my profile name ribearty. My husband shortened everyone's name in our family to the first syllable of their name and added bear behind it. My first name is Rita so I was ribear. At the time we were buying ty beanie babies which explains the ty.

Goldilox, congratulations on your decision for the sleeve, upcoming surgery, and welcome to VST. I had my sleeve surgery last Friday, 10/25, and have had no problems at all. Good luck. I'm sure you will do great and it sounds like you have a wonder support system with your family.

Hopeliveshere, My doctor's office has you do this on the day you attend your pre-op and post-op nutrition class. They normally perform an EKG, chest x-ray and labs. I had mine done 8 days before surgery on 10/17. They asked us to have it completed at least a week in advance so they had everything on file. A few tests they order take a couple days to get the results. You can call your doctor's office and ask them to send you the paper work and get it done when the time works better for you. I am lucky, I work within 2 miles of the hospital and drive by it every day to and from work so I left early and got it completed. Good luck with your upcoming surgery.

My bike came in!! I got it put together and got in a mile before having to run my grandson and son around. Came home had leftovers for dinner and put in 2 more miles while watching the end of the biggest loser. So for now my total is 59.44 OMG I might make 60 miles!!! My bike is quiet and the seat is nicely padded. ps I'm gonna make 60 miles before I go to bed tonight! I can't tell you how many saddles I tried since riding. I like the one I currently have on my bike and it matches also. I found in the past that I had to keep making adjustments to it as I lost weight. A small sacrifice in my mind to reach the ultimate goal. Keep moving if you are able to do so.

My name is Rita. My goal for November is 30 miles of walking on the treadmill. I was just sleeved on 10/25 , having another surgery on 11/4, and returning to work full time on 11/11. I am limited to no more than 10 pounds lifting until 12/16. Good luck to everyone.

Hi John, I certainly am not a vet to the sleeve but had a band for over 6 years which is probably longer than most here with the sleeve. I am 3 days post-op. Surgery was Friday 10/25. So far I have had some pain but nothing that pain meds didn't take care of. One bout of nausea but got a shot and it was over as quickly as it began. I have not had gas pains, I had a lap band and port removed and the sleeve performed in one procedure. My surgery took two hours. I am very fortunate and hope to have a smooth recovery. I had a catheter for the 1st day and also had a jp drain which was taken out before I left the hospital. These were only because I was a revision patient, but different doctors do different things. Do what your doctor says follow the diet and you should be good. Good luck. I'm sure you'll do fine.

Gamegirl, I am feeling great. No gas pains, no pain meds today. I had two leak tests on Saturday and passed both. Water never tasted so good in all my life. Came home Sunday afternoon from the hospital. I am out walking with my husband or grand children. Right now they walk faster than I do, so I have to remind them to walk slow and they slow down. I will have to search for the November challenge. If I can't find it, I will let you know. I am happy to be healing and home.

I'll make my 50 by the end of the month. I have been walking every day being very good patient. Has anyone volunteered to start the November thread. I can do it if no one else has volunteered. I seem to have plenty of time on my hands right now. Totally not used to that at all.

I was a BMI of 35 and post-op 3 days now. My doctor told me he expects me to better than average due to the lower BMI.

Sleeved now. tired and drugged up .

Hi everyone, I didn't hit 50 miles but got close. Too many things going on between work, watching World Series games, and seeing the Eagles in concert on surgery eve. I know there are a lot of folks from California on VST, and not trying to rub it in that my favorite team beat the Dodgers, but it would be nice to have the Cards win it while I am recovering from surgery. My husband and I are season ticket holders so I timed my surgery very well. I am taking my jersey with me to put around me during Saturday's game. Keep moving for me, because I will probably be going slow for the rest of October. Now get back to exercising.

Another thing you might want to consider, as a self-pay if you have complications then your insurance can deny payment for any costs related to them. I am not trying to be a downer, but complications do sometimes happen. If you would have any, are you prepared to pay for those potential expenses? The wait may seem to be long, but you can learn a lot during the process. You can also start stocking up on Protein, recipes, making small changes in your diet and lifestyle to make the adjustment easier post surgery. Make the most out of this time and learn things about your self in the process. Good luck.

mswisdom, I know how you feel. I remember when I heard the words from my ins. co. that I had been approved. There was excitement, anxiousness, butterflies in my stomach. The feelings came again when I got my official surgery date, and again when I attended my pre- and post-op diet class. I am having my surgery this Friday at 7 a.m. and not really nervous at this time. I am a revision patient. The plan is to remove my lap band and perform the sleeve in the same procedure. My biggest fear is that my doctor won't be able to do both procedures at the same time, and I will have to wait 12 additional weeks for the sleeve. There isn't anything I can do to lessen the chance, and my doctor won't know until I am on the table and they look inside. If I have to wait, that's the way it will be, I would like to have it all done in 2013 since I have met my deductibles. Hopefully, by Friday afternoon, this will be a nonisssue. I have made up my mind, done my research and know this is the right decision for me. I'm sure you will experience a lot of emotions before yoursurgery. Good luck. I'm sure you will do fine.

Hi everyone, I have logged another 14.8 miles which puts me at 47.2 miles. I will get my 50 miles in by Thursday. Surgery is on Friday so don't expect to get much more in for the remainder of the month.