AtlJD

o Awesome! Glad to hear your experience was good. I go in Thursday and also plan to be out by Friday.

Thanks everyone! I appreciate your responses. I think I'll definetly do clear liquids the day before, too!

I've been reading all these posts about the pre-op diets and I am scheduled for surgery next Thursday (holy crap, it's coming) and was never put on a diet. I guess I should give a background, I'm 31, and probably considered a "lightweight" currently hovering between 250 and 255 lbs. In choosing to get sleeved, my doctor mentioned it would be a good option for me because I had less than 150 lbs. to lose (goal weight 145). I was given instructions not to GAIN weight and not to gorge leading up to surgery, especially the night before. But other than that, no restrictions. I've been trying to eat more cleanly in the last month for my own sanity, but I've definitely had some foods that I either want to say bye bye to permanently or that I know I won't be indulging in for a long time. Like tonight, I had pizza. Other than my weight, I'm in good health. No diabetes, no sleep apnea, no pre-existing conditions, no medications (except birth control). Sooo, anyone else not on a pre-op diet?

Yeah, I was planning on being on liquids the day before as well. Just wanted to know who else wasn't on one. Good to know I'm not crazy. Phew! Thanks!

I'm starting to get a little antsy. I've never had any surgery or really anything medically invasive. But everyday I think about life now, and life how I want it to be, and this is a major step towards that. I say that and I will probably be crying come Thursday morning!

August 29th here. So excited, but nervous. this is my first surgery ever. Really, first invasive medical procedure ever. Wisdom teeth don't count!

Congratulations! How did you like your experience at the hospital? How long did you stay? If you don't mind me asking. Thanks!

I go in for my surgery a week from today, but like others, when I was at my lowest (around 165, I was 20 lbs. shy of my former/current goal weight) I would hear that a lot. I'm not one of those people who throws around the words "They're just jealous" but in some cases, I truly believe it. I think it was about half people who hadn't seen me in a while and were just honestly shocked. Innocent enough. And half people who knew me well and saw me often, who would make comments and sometimes downright snide remarks. There are some loved ones, or co-workers, or friends who will consciously, or unconsciously try to sabotage you. They are so used to you being in a certain role, that having you change, a lot of times for the better, is unsettling. Whether it's you becoming more confident, dating more (if you aren't married), enjoying life more...it's hard for certain people to see. There's a reason some marriages struggle when one spouse loses a significant amount of weight, or friendships change when, for example, the funny fat girl suddenly starts getting a little more attention at the bar. Suddenly they are the wingman. I think for the most part people who make snide comments or try to sabotage you (the "oh c'mon, it's just a little ice cream/pizza/cake" people) don't start out wanting you to fail and trying to hurt you. I think people have a very natural reaction to a changing person and changing roles and sometimes they act out in not so positive ways.

No surgery yet, but my surgeon is Dr. Michael Williams. I have a friendly acquaintance who referred me to him after having lap band surgery (from his retired partner) 6 or so years ago (before the sleeve was really popular in this area, I think). I am self-pay as well, so I didn't have the restrictions of an insurance company. I've recently been to the doctor for a regular annual visit, so I really didn't have to do any pre-op testing. No sleep studies, no blood work, no psychological visit (though I already regularly see a therapist)...nothing but what they will do at pre-op to make sure I'm good to go. I think this is something unique to self-payers. I know when going through insurance there are a lot more hoops to jump through. When I went to my initial seminar, Dr. Johnson was leading it. He seemed very knowledgeable and is kind of a hottie:) I'm really excited. Initially I wasn't going to have my surgery at EJC, I was going to have it at Northside, which are both excellent hospitals (I qualified for a surgery center, but both hospitals were oddly less expensive). However, I was told that the facilities at EJC are so awesome and they have an entire dedicated floor to Gastric patients from their bariatric team, the approximate $400 difference didn't seem to be that much to get that kind of service.

I'm in Atlanta! I'm also having surgery done August 29 at Emory Johns Creek. I'm hoping to lose about 110 lbs.