LynRN

Thank you, RJ.

You look beautiful ... And a lot younger. Tell your SIL to eat her heart out.

I am having surgery where I work because many of my coworkers that have had the sleeve spoke very highly of the surgeon. I am not concerned about privacy because I work on maternity so no one on the bariatric floor knows me. However, I'm not really telling any coworkers except the ones that have had the sleeve. I am currently doing my 2 week preop diet which is basically just 1200 calories/day, then liquids for the last 2 days and it's really hard working 12 hour nights. There is constantly food around from patients and coworkers, especially on night shift because we have limited cafeteria hours. I'm really nervous about coming to work after surgery, even though I know that I won't jeopardize the integrity of my sleeve by eating things that I shouldn't. Also, one of the reasons that I am having this surgery is because I am starting a nurse practitioner program in January and I don't want to feel like a hypocrite when I advise my patients on making healthy lifestyle choices. I am really excited, but also increasingly nervous as my date looms on 11/25.

I think I should clarify my question. Does it seem like nurses make up an unusually large portion of the bariatric community? If so, why? I just noticed that so many people on this site have nurse or RN in their username (myself included). Maybe it's just that we wear our credentials as a badge of honor so it seems like we have higher representation on this site, as opposed to other professions. Or maybe we really do have an obesity problem as a group. I know that several of my coworkers have had some type of bariatric surgery. What do you guys think?

What are your stats?

Brennalynn, that is exactly why I started this thread. I was having so much anxiety after my surgery date was set and I just needed to know that the vast majority came through this okay. I am a mom of 2 little boys and a wife. I am the primary breadwinner for my family as my husband is a full time student. I just needed some reassurance that I am making a good choice for myself and my family. All of these stories are so encouraging to me and I'm glad that they are helping you too.

Maybe it's from all the protein. :-)

Maybe it's from all the protein. :-)

That is great to here. I hope that I will be able to say the same.

I will. Thank you.

Sounds terrible. But good to hear surgery went well.

Thanks. I'm not famous....maybe notorious. Advice? Stick to your docs pre and post op plan. If you feel you need to deviate from it, contact him first. You might find him more flexible than you think but it's worth talking things out with him. Really embrace loving Water. After surgery make that priority number 1. Protein next. Walk as often as you can those few weeks post op. Do not compare your weight loss to others and be disappointed. Do not be surprised if you stall or even gain a pound here and there. Body weight fluctuates for so many reasons. Take before and after pics and measurements. They tell the real story. Not the scale. The scale is a lying fiend and will break your heart at some point. That's guaranteed. Take a long look at your food issues. What foods and emotions trigger you to eat? Keep asking yourself this question even after surgery because the answer will get even clearer as time goes on. Starches and sweets increase hunger. So if you don't want to be hungry those are the first things that should go. Surround yourself with positive supportive people and distance yourself from those that make this thing harder. You're saving your own life here, it's too important to let others sabotage it. Find some sort of physical activity that you enjoy and do it as often as you can. Exercise does not have to be a tedious chore. Be prepared to second guess your decision at some point, but know that will pass. Weigh and measure your portion sizes so you know exactly how much you're eating and log it on MYFITNESSPAL or elsewhere. Studies show that it increases the chance of long term success. Never ever lose your sense of humor. You're gonna need it. Lastly, take all the advice given here with a grain of salt and a dash of common sense. Thank you for taking the time to write this.. That sounds like sound advice... But I should take it with a grain of salt and a dash of common sense, Right?Just Kidding.

Mr. Butter, I have to say that the guy in the after pics looks like the son of the guy in the before pics. PS, I almost feel like I'm talking to a celeb after reading many of your posts in other threads. I especially love your friendly banter with Laura-ven. I'm going to be sleeved on 11-25. Any advice?

Ii hope you're right. I'm an OB nurse and I take care of women immediately after c-sections and they are all so different in how they respond to pain. Some are ready to get up and moving within a few hours after surgery and I have had others literally crying and moaning after. I have had 2 c-sections myself and I never thought the recovery was that painful. I always describe it as a feeling of being unzipped and re-zipped. A little tight, but never that painful. I have been told that the pain from the vsg is not nearly as bad as an open surgery like a c- section so I'm actually not that worried about pain. It's the potential complications that scare me.

Thank you for the encouraging words. Sometimes is good to get some perspective. And I will probably need more and more of that as my date approaches. 12 days and counting!

As my sleeve date looms (11/25), I'd really like. To hear some more encouraging words. Thanks!

Does anyone know the price of Premier Protein Shakes at Sams/Costco? I'm trying to decide if its worth getting a membership. Thanks!

I see this all the time in posts but I don't know what it means.

Can you post some pics?

It's a condition called acanthosis nigricans. It's basically darkening of the neck, armpits, inner thighs, elbows. Etc. it is common in obese people because of the higher insulin levels present in our blood. Anyway, have any of you post ops with this condition noticed lightening of those areas since you've lost weight?

I am fairly young, (31, will turn 32 before surgery. Surgery is 11/25, my birthday is 11/13), but one of my biggest concerns is losing too much in the fa

I guess I'm trying to recapture the youth that I wasted being fat. That last thing I want is to be skinny and unattractive. PS. No judging please. If I can't be honest here, where can I be.

I will. Thank you.

Hi there, My surgery is on the 25th, too. I'd actually hoped for 10/28 but that was a no go due to me not doing so great on the preop diet. Anyway, we've got less than 4 weeks, hang in there. We can do this.

That' s great