Miss Mac

Be careful, have fun.....we'll keep the porch light on for you.

What made me happy today was that I went in for a nutrition appointment and came out with a tentative date for my surgery....December 18. So, there is light at the end of my tunnel. One endoscopy, two appts., two weeks of liver shrink and ta da...losers bench. I am so excited. I never thought about the towel thing. I have those big giant bath sheets, too, because regular towels don't get the job done. I will be looking for that as a NSV!

Whatever feels healthy. I am 5'4". When I was 18, I weighed 108, but I was anorexic and looked it. My healthiest happiest weight was 130-135. At 235 this past summer, it was time to take it back down. So, my ultimate goal is 145, now that I am over 60 years old, but I would not complain about 130 again.

I am still pre-op, but I had to stop putting mine in the blender, too. Major difference by shaking in a bottle.

I got same day approval for mine with 41.37 BMI and co-morbitities. BCBS Federal Employee has been the best insurance policy I ever had.

I am still pre-op, but closing in on a surgery date. I see Dr. Chand on the 24th for an endoscopy at Gottleib. I have a NUT appt. on Monday 14th, and again on November 11th, the last psych appt. with Dr. Wool on November 18th, then my surgery date can be scheduled. So far everyone has been easy to get along with and encouraging. Even the office staff has been accommodating about scheduling. So far...no complaints. Shirley in Alsip. I have BCBS Federal Employee. My primary physician recommended the Loyola/Gottleib program.

I am still in my 3 month program with 60 grams protein, 1100 calories. Yeah, so I have been taking stool softeners and drinking 4 ounces of prune juice 2 X a day. It helps.

I've had 12 different surgeries where I was put out for the process. Every time I faced that dread of "what if" and every time it went like this: You're going to feel real relaxed....now count back from 100.....100, 99, 98......Shirley...wake up Shirley...your surgery's over....you did fine. So I agree with the other folks in this forum that I face a greater risk of death by not having the surgery. I, too am 5'4" with a starting weight of 235. The pre-op diet has taken me down to 217, and my surgery will be sometime in November. My 53" belly touches my legs, and it is getting harder and harder to stand up straight. So, the greater risk for me is to not take this journey.

I've had 12 different surgeries where I was put out for the process. Every time I faced that dread of "what if" and every time it went like this: You're going to feel real relaxed....now count back from 100.....100, 99, 98......Shirley...wake up Shirley...your surgery's over....you did fine. So I agree with the other folks in this forum that I face a greater risk of death by not having the surgery. I, too am 5'4" with a starting weight of 235. The pre-op diet has taken me down to 217, and my surgery will be sometime in November. My 53" belly touches my legs, and it is getting harder and harder to stand up straight. So, the greater risk for me is to not take this journey.

If the concept with the dentist is just to not chew, would he allow you to take something else from the fridge and just zap it in the blender with something liquid?

I chose the sleeve and expect my date to be in mid-November after I complete a 12 week program required by my insurance. I chose the sleeve because I did not want my stomach pinched with a port left in my side (lap band) and I did not want my intestines re-routed (gastric bypass). In the process of fashioning the smaller sleeve out of the stomach you do have, the portion that generates the hunger hormone ghrelin is removed too. That's not to say you can't ever overeat and stretch your sleeve, but it makes the whole process of gastric surgery more user-friendly. I expect to have successful results from it. Good luck with whatever decision you make. You won't regret being healthier and having more energy to live a fuller life.

It wouldn't hurt to ask about alternative meds. I have been taking Zoloft for three years for post-stroke anxiety, and as soon as I had my first visit with the bariatric physician, she immediately changed my med to Buproprion, which is a Wellbutrin generic. Within two weeks my mood lifted so much, that I had not realized how underserved I had been with the Zoloft. There are several different meds out there to treat depression and/or anxiety, so it wouldn't hurt to ask.

Results are in on pudding and chicken soup. I used Jello brand sugar free vanilla instant pudding, 2% milk, and Unjury unflavored protein powder. I like strong flavors, so I added a little extra vanilla and a couple of sweetener packets. I was pleasantly surprised that it was quite tasty. I will make this again. As for the Unjury Chicken Soup packet, also quite a surprise. I thought maybe I would just have a taste, but I finished the whole cup. So five stars for both from here.

Congratulations on your 37 pound weight loss so far. Don't worry so much that it doesn't show yet. In yo-yo dieting I have found that for me, I need to lose 50 pounds for anyone to notice. And don't let your brother the fit nut beat you up emotionally. It was your decision to make, and if that is what it takes to get you healthy, you did no harm. Your health problems aren't the same as his. Just brush him off like a fly on your nose. I have lost 17 pounds so far on my pre-op diet. When I went in for my first surgeons visit, I had lost 1 1/2 inches around my neck, 2" around my ribs, and NOTHING around my 53" belly - still the freakin' same. My doctor explained that it is like the belly becomes its own living breathing organ that breeds inflammation and imbalance. The sleeve helps to correct that and in time the fat in the belly has to go along with the rest of it.......so just be patient...in a year you will be able to encourage other people to do what it takes to get their health and happiness back.

When I had my first surgeons visit on the 9/24, I asked him if there would be any external staples, and he said no. I guess they are all different. This surgeon, Dr. Bipan Chand was recruited to Loyola University Medical Center from the Cleveland Clinic last year, and teaches gastro-intestinal surgery and robotics. I know I will be in good hands. Don't know why they all don't follow the same procedures, but I guess we get similar outcomes. Good luck with your healing.

I have been building my nest of supplies in anticipation of my surgery. The Unjury soups arrives a couple of days ago, but I haven't tried one yet. I have heard they are excellent, so I will try one tomorrow for lunch.

If you can't find one you like, you could buy a sugar free pudding from the grocery store and add Unjury's unflavored packet to it.

Congratulations......I can't wait for that day.

Try going to www.fepblue.org. In the toolbar across the top of the homepage, their is a category called Service Providers. I guess you could start there. Keep in mind that I am in Chicago. You need to find what is available in your own local....but this is a federal site, so you should just be able to type it in.

Like many others here, I am more afraid of what the future holds if I do NOT get the sleeve. My health and mobility are failing fast, and my belly is one big old inflammation machine. I really don't have a choice if I want to have health and longevity. My date will be sometime around Thanksgiving and even though I am fully aware that there will be some inconvenience and discomfort involved, it beats a future of immobility or early demise. Good luck with whatever decision you make, but I encourage you to go bold!

I'll have what she's having!

The Dolly Parton Diet (in the early 80's) which was basically a cabbage/tomato broth diet. 3x a day until you reach your goal weight. I lasted 3 days.

Congratulations on deciding to take this journey with us. I started my journey in early August with a three month requirement for the diet. For some people it is six months. I cannot believe I am in my seventh week already. My program does not require a certain amount of pre-op weight loss, but as a natural result of the diet I have lost 17 pounds already. It will seem like a lot of work because it is. Where we used to indulge, we now have to be more observant and aware of our eating habits. Our doctors have done this a thousand times before us and know the formula that works.....so my suggestion is to dig in and follow instructions. Your tummy is not going to like not being in charge. Your brain and your taste buds will rebel, too. So go deep to muster whatever resolve you have and take over the process. Good luck and let us know how you are doing. We are here to support and encourage each other.

Congratulations.........I will see you there shortly.

I am 61 here, and expecting mid-November sleeve. I am going into this surgery fighting loose skin every inch of the way. Everyday I am exfoliating in the shower to regenerate new skin cells. I bought some exfoliating gloves at the corner drugstore (which are great)and I use an exfoliating scrub. I suppose any moisturizer with collagen would help, but I after I dry off I am rubbing in sweet almond oil. My belly may be fat, but it is as soft as a new baby. Plus, I am doing that dreaded strength training to videos here at home. I work with the hand weights and stretch bands, but I also have a favorite video with a boxing routine I can do in a chair. Plus they sent me some one pound boxing mitts that are not bulky like what the professionals use. These just go on with wrap around ease, and the fingertips are exposed. I am counting on that to minimize the bat wings. There are several senior level workout videos for those of us who don't want the gym culture. From what I understand, strong muscles will help fill out some of the loose skin. So, I am hoping this effort will at least minimize the problem. If nothing else, the exercise is good for me in many other ways.