asmaclare

I'm a doctor and my date is April 18! I have faith in the surgery because I see it works. We all have to come to terms with the possibility of a complication but its a relatively small risk over the benefit of losing the weight. I think if I had seen more people with complication I may give it a third or fourth thought. I'm scared out of my mind to do this surgery.. But it's not because I'm scared of the procedure, aftercare or post op diet. I'm scared of ME. I'm worried about my own psychology after this surgery and that I won't be happy with the lifestyle changes to make the sleeve work for me. I think if you can get over that, which it sounds like you have and YOU an your brain are ready, then you should go for it.. And proudly! Keep your chin up and stand tall knowing you are doing the right thing for yourself!

Omg I choked laughing on a couple of these!!!! Reminds me, actually.. I was thinking today of what I am going to say to people when they ask me how I've lost so much weight ????? Decided I'm going to tell them with a very serious face..... "I have a tapeworm."

<3

One of the things I am curious is how your relationships changed after your sleeve - especially those who are at goal now. Both my husband and I are fat. We have both put on weight since we met each other over 10 years ago.. I am now - 50 lbs from my heaviest but probably not quite as low as when I first him but pretty darn close. (Still yet to be sleeved!) What's weird is that over the years I feel like he's become more attracted to me. I am wondering if weight loss will change this. I am also concerned with the possibility of a new attention I may get / or make even LIKE... This is something I've never really experienced before! So this is a long list of probing questions that I hope will provoke some thought and maybe see what others' experiences are: How has your weight loss has affected your relationship, if at all? Do you have a heavy partner? Do you think your partner's weight has anything to do with how attracted they are to you? Do you feel like your partner is more attracted to you / responsive to you after your weight loss? Maybe your partner prefers you heavier? Do you think your partner may be jealous of your weight loss? Do you get more attention / asked out / hit on / looked at more now that you've lost weight? If this is a NEW experience for you, do you like it? How do you deal with that if you're in a relationship? Does your partner notice it? Does it bother them / or make them feel more proud of you? Do you find that you are more flirtatious or entertain flirting from other people now that you may feel more confident about yourself? Have you had any relationship struggles because of that? Just curious about anything you have to say or add! Thanks!

Yah my weight management doctor told me to expect to take 3-4 weeks. I thought it was very excessive and figured I could be back to work the following Monday (surgery on a thurs) I had back surgery and did that.. Actually that surgery was also on a thurs and I tried to go back on Monday but there was a snow storm and I was afraid of going out in that, falling in ice busting my sutures open but I did make it in for Tuesday. Anyway I think why the docs recommend taking so much time off is to adjust to new your diet and you never know what kind of complications could arise so it's better to ask for more time than you need and then just go back early! I was lucky that I am in a training program and my program director told me to take a full month and they would count it as a "reading month" and I wouldn't have to take FMLA so I am super happy about that! Anyway I would budget for 2 just in case but go in earlier if you are able!

Yeah I am worried about that. I take ibuprofen almost every day for back pain / headaches. I keep saying every day that I need to cut it out now so that I don't have rebound pain when I have to stop. I should start trying tylenol and seeing if it helps. I hope though that the weight loss will help my back and the tension in my shoulders/neck which also causes the headaches. Ugggggh.

Oh egg drop soup is my favorite. I love making my own. Is the egg considered puréed?? Or did you have to put it through the blender??

Looking for ideas of what to get for the first week. What was your favorite drink? What was your favorite protein water? What was your favorite protein shake? What was your favorite broth or soup?

I don't know much about that. I have medical mutual but it's through the hospital I work at. They pay 90% of any surgery procedure and I pay the rest, up to $500. That's what the insurance company is telling me anyhow... I am still very skeptical.

Good luck The time will fly by for you. I can tell you that I have been in a weight management program for the last year. I did it with the intention of going for the lap band. The surgeon who does it at my hospital ended up leaving and the band is no longer available. It took me several months of debating the sleeve and then one day it just hit me - I have to do this. The main thing that motivated me was that I want to have children soon, and I want to be healthy for them. It sounds like we are similar in that respect. And like I said.. the 3 months will fly by, all of the visits with psychiatry, nutrition, support groups etc takes a lot of time and so you will be glad you have it! Good luck! I wish you the best.

What can we do to prevent it or make it better?? Any vitamins or special treatments anyone has used??

I freaked out for about 24 hours because I thought my date was out! They were able to rearrange the schedule and I'm on for the April 18! The last month has been very stressful Reyig to get everything done and my insurance approved. Now the reality is hitting me and I'm more nervous! Aaaaaaargh!! I'm scared!!! But ready!

Thanks fir all the vibes!! Fingers crossed. I'm trying not to let it consume me! I've been really wound up for the last month worrying about all this. Hopefully all will be sorted in a couple of days!

My surgeons scheduling secretary tells me he may not be able to sleeve me on the date we planned. Says he has one sleeve scheduled and a meeting that he must attend... But not until 230pm! I'm a doctor at the same hospital I'm getting sleeved at and I am trying to be understanding! Since I practice internal medicine I'm not very informed about how OR schedules are organized but I do have some insight and I am just hoping that something can be worked out. I went through great lengths to get time off for recovery which involved changing not only my schedules and clinics but as well as my colleagues! Aaaaagh. Send me good luck vibes please. I'm freaking.

Well done! Keep it up!

Sorry, I was not singling out any one poster here. I completely understand about making lifestyle changes. It is a must to be successful in any way share or form. My point is, I think it's okay to have a treat even as part of this change... With the understanding that it can't become a regular thing and you should be well out from your surgery date so that you can try things safely. I don't think the change is sustainable to MOST people if these things like an occasional treat weren't allowed. Maybe I am generalizing without having the experience, and will not be too proud to eat my words!

Wow, I am pretty surprised by some of the reactions here. I really don't see how having a diet soda is falling off the wagon or being bad for your body. I think anyone who is post-sleeve needs to make good decisions for themselves, otherwise we wouldn't even be in this situation, would we? But I am not sure how anyone can survive in life without the little enjoyable things once in a while. In my opinion, just because you're having a surgery to help you lose weight doesn't mean that you aren't allowed to want for or have cravings for things. My understanding (although I may be misinformed because I am pre-op and don't have the same experiences yet) is that the reason diet pop is a no no is because it's painful to drink due to the carbonation. If someone is able to enjoy a diet pop that is flattened (or even carbonated soda / drinks (ie: I know of a guy who is able to drink BEER post sleeve) - for goodness sake let them have it. And don't knock em for it.

Good for you! I think this is the thing I am looking forward to the most. Being able to walk into any department store and be able to find something.

Long thread (be warned!) but I wanted to tell you a bit about myself since I am new to this forum, and I think it might help some be able to relate to me and answer my question better if they know where I am coming from! I'm 34, a physician, a wife, and I have been fat my whole love. I cannot remember a time, even in childhood, where I was a normal weight. I wish I had been brave enough to go for this surgery years ago, but now is better than never. My husband and I want to start a family very soon. I just do not see how I would be able to have a healthy pregnancy at my age and have all this weight. I also work very long hours and want to be the best mother I can, and I want to be as ready for that as I can be! In March 2012, I started (again) on weight watchers. I initially did well and lost around 15 pounds in the first few months but the weight started to dwindle. I admit that there were many days where I would not track and then try to catch up again. I started exercising in Oct 2012 (Zumba!!!) and things really started to change for me. My weight was not necessarily decreasing but my body was changing. I am currently at 263 lbs with a total weight loss of 42 lbs in one year. This is the second or third time in my lifetime that I have lost this much weight, but it has always come back! So.... For these reasons, I want the VSG. The problem is, I love food. It's an addiction for me. I love the different taste and the variety and the spice! And I overeat, a lot, during a meal. I am not a huge snacker (although night time Snacks get me sometimes like sweets or salty cravings) - the biggest issue I have is eating a lot in one setting. I keep eating more because I love the taste and once I have gotten the taste I want that full satiated feeling. I love food and while I want my HABITS to change, it's hard to imagine how I can deal with the changes of my attitude and my affinity toward food and the things I love to eat. I am very concerned that I may become extremely depressed after this surgery. (Although I have no prior history of depression or any other mood disorder, and yes I have already been cleared by Psych I have seen so many people say that they have different tastes after the sleeve. They no longer crave the things they did before. That they know if they eat just one more tiny bit of whatever, they will feel ill or vomit or whatever, and so you learn. It seems more like being conditioned. Would you agree? But what I want to know is.... 1. Do you look FORWARD to your meals and snacks? 2. Do you ENJOY what you eat? 3. Do you feel satisfied with the taste given how little you can actually eat? 4. Do you feel better the further out you get when you do get to eat a little more? 5. Do you feel the majority of sleevers can eat whatever they want, so long as the portion is right? 6. How has your feelings or attitudes changed about food? 7. Is there anything you really wish you could eat, that you can't? (And if so, do you get over that?) 8. Can you still eat spicy foods? (curries, peppers, etc) Thank you all in advance!

Thanks so much for all your answers so far! It actually really is helpful