KaraBoo

I'm in Bakersfield too, will be having Dr. Irani but no date yet.

I am not having surgery in MX but as a newer member I appreciate Alex and Susan investigating offers to accompany strangers to a foreign country for a surgery that leaves you vulnerable pre and post op. I feel safer as a part of this community knowing that someone is monitoring for scams, shysters, and predators.

I'm not keeping this private. My friends and family know, my boyfriend's ex-wife is in my 12 week supervised diet group with me (not planned that way but kinda cool) and a good percentage of the people I work with have had wls, including my boss and his wife. I'm very blessed to have so much support! Oh, and my mom had her sleeve 2 years ago -- she's my inspiration for doing this! Now if I had people in my life who were negative, I probably wouldn't say anything to them, but I love being able to educate people about vsg

Very inspiring! Keep up the great work!

I'm still completing my 12 week Options class in So Cal, last class is Aug 20 so hoping for a Sept date!

I will absolutely buy that! That's incredible!

My mom and I both have fibro. My mom was sleeved 2 yearsago and has had no pain from fibro since 1 week post op. I haven't had my surgery yet, but I hope I'm the same way!!

I am so incredibly sorry for your loss. A good friend of mine lost her son to congenital heart issues at the age of 5 and has memorial tattoos that give me chills everytime I see them. I cannot truly understand the depth of your pain but I do know how strong you are to keep on living every day. I too recommend Grief Share or Celebrate Recovery. CR helped me immensely with sexual abuse issues that I had been stuffing down with pain medication. There was a sub group of "special issues" that were women who were struggling with depression, weight, sexual abuse, addiction, and all kinds of grief. Also, if there is a college or university near you, they may offer your community counseling at little to no cost; both our community college and state university here do that. Thank you for having the courage to post your story, and for everyone else who has shared their losses as well. I am new here, but I now know that I have a safe place in times of sorrow as well as triumph. Love this forum! Wishing you peace and healing, in whatever form it takes. {{{Hugs}}}

Thanks for the sites, got my first box today, really excited to try the chews! I'm pre op but want to make sure I'm well stocked before surgery with items that don't taste disgusting

This thread has made me even more thankful for my NUT. She is curvy, personable, and sincerely has a desire to help. She doesn't follow the pyramid and says that all foods can fit in our meal plans. We focus on starch, Protein, fats, veggies, fruit, milk exchanges. I've learned to convert grams into servings and can analyze a label like no other lol. The NUTs I deal with at my hospital are completely worthless, regardless of size or shape, at educating my patients on diets appropriate for their diabetes/heart disease/renal failure etc and I end up doing it myself. Don't tell my diabetic patient that he can't have sugar in his cream of wheat but breads and Pasta won't effect his blood sugar! My NP that I have to see pre op on the other hand is overweight, cold, and judgemental about those of contemplating surgery. Skinny or fat, her attitude is off-putting and I can't wait until I'm done with my 12 week Options class and can meet with the surgeon!!

As a person with a history of pain pill abuse, I want you to know that there is nothing wrong with taking your pain medication AS PRESCRIBED. I know that you're afraid of slipping back into addiction and that's a valid fear. My personal solution is to have my SO help keep me accountable and if I feel myself slipping, I have him lock the meds up and give them to me as needed. This is what has worked for me, I don't know if that would be an option for you. I do know, however, that pain that is uncontrolled can impede healing. I wish you the best!

Hi Judy, I'm new to VST and not yet sleeved. I've been reading up, trying to prepare myself and my family for what's to come. I just read this out loud to my husband because it painted such an incredibly vivid picture of what early post op will be like. Thank you for sharing, and I'm going to adopt the "no baking anything sweet ban" as well! Gentle {{{hugs}}}