Comfy_Blue

I am scheduled for surgery tomorrow and woke up this morning to find that my period has started. When I first joined this site, I thought I remembered someone saying that you can still have the procedure while on your period because they're not going into your uterus, but I couldn't find that post. So my questions are: 1. Will starting my period delay my surgery? 2. Assuming I can still have surgery, is it better to wear a sanitary napkin or tampon tomorrow? (i heard that some people use a catheter after surgery. I'm not sure if I will be one of them because I'm only supposed to stay overnight Monday and go home Tuesday) 3. For those of you who were menstruating while having the operation, did you find that it was hard to change your pad/tampon because you were sore from surgery? Which would you recommend using while you're recovering post-op during those first few days? Thank you and sorry for the TMI, but it's Sunday, so I can't call my surgeon to ask.

I was assigned to do a 7 day diet, but ended up tacking on an extra two days because I wanted to give myself time to adjust. I haven't eaten anything since last Saturday. Even though your time is shorter than mine, it's hard to not eat (hence why we're all on here. LOL). I don't know what to say to make it easier except try to drink a lot of Water, drink your Protein shakes (they help with hunger) and find a couple really good broths. I like Swanson's tender beef, roissterie chicken and another one that's used as the base for tortilla Soup. I got some of Rachel Ray's beef broth and it was okay at first, then I heated some up yesterday (so it'd been in my fridge about 3 days) and while it tasted okay, it smelled like wet dog. I don't know if they're all that like or if I just got a bad batch. You can do it!!!

WOWZER! You look amazing! I love that your vibrant smile and sparkling personality shine through in both your before and after photo. Sometimes I see before shots and the person looks so sad and miserable and in the after they're thrilled. I like that you still look like you, just a lot less of you if that makes sense.

I'm loving all these updates! I go in tomorrow at 10 a.m. and my procedure will be at 12Noon. It's so crazy to think that this time tomorrow I will be on the other side. I'll be sure to post an update.

I assure you're I'm very real and one day away from surgery . I've had all those thoughts plus: 1. What if I am that rare person who they put under and I don't come back? 2. What if I'm miserable and end up gorging myself because I can't change my ways and I rupture my belly? 3. How could I have let myself get into the position to need WLS? Is it revenge for prank calling Jenny Craig with my bff when we were 13? (We'd call and pretend to have food in our mouths and go, "OMG, I CAN'T STOP EATING! HELP ME JENNY!" Then hang up laughing. ) 4. If i'm strong enough to do the pre opt diet, shouldn't I be strong enough to change WITHOUT the sleeve? 5. What if I back out, then I decide later I want to have the surgery because I can't lose on my own? I'll probably never get approved again because I wasted everyone's time and resources. LoL, believe me, you are NOT alone. What I've been doing to help destress is venting to my husband and parents, coming on here, reading books, watching A LOT of Netflix, trying to focus some on work, watching youtube success videos, writing a diary about my feelings and I've got a binder I'm using to chronicle my journey and keep all the recipes I'll need for Stage Three (mushy stage) and Stage Four (regular food). I've also been reading a lot of "The World According to Eggface"

I'm so sorry your family has not been supportive. I completely understand what you mean about needing to talk about it because just like it's new/different/scary for them, it's even newer/different/scarier for you because you're the one that has to go through it. I don't know if they would be interested, but maybe you could offer to bring them to an information session or one of your appointments? When I decided to do this journey, my husband was skeptical and kind of like your family. Not against it, but not 100% supportive. So I brought him with me to an information session held by the surgeons at the hospital where i'm having the procedure. We learned a lot, asked questions, talked with other people, etc. He also attended my first meeting with the nutritionist and got to ask a lot of questions. Now he's my biggest cheerleader and I don't feel alone anymore. With my parents, I wrote up about 3 or 4 pages and we sat around their kitchen table and I talked about why I wanted to have this procedure(lower my blood pressure, reverse the knee pain I'm starting to have, increase my life span, break my dependence on food, decrease my risk of diabetes, increase my chances of having a healthy pregnancy, etc). I also talked about the pros and cons of having the procedure, the insurance approval process, etc. When my parents saw that I was confident and had a good understanding of what I was getting into (plus answered their questions) they got on board. I think if I had just come to them and said, "This is what I'm doing" they wouldn't have been so supportive. If those suggestions aren't helpful, then I would try to find a support group. Maybe your hospital has one (mine does). I've also been considering Overeaters Annoymous. Plus, you have our community here. I know it's not the same, but all of us know what you're going through and can provide e-Support. I'm hardly an expert in any of this, but if you want to reach out to me, you're welcome to private message me anytime.

I'm sorry you're having a hard time sleeping. Is your incision sore? Have you tried the pillows like the other poster said? If that doesnt help what about sleeping on your back?

Hey, I know this thread is super old, but SkinnyJean, if you are still out there, how did it go? Was it as scary as you thought it was going to be? I am scheduled for my procedure in 2 days and i am very anxious. Today i burst into tears. Same thing yesterday.

Two weeks ago around Thursday, i caught a bug from one of my students. Sore throat, fever, chills, coughing so much i could barely sleep at night. It was awful. I started to feel better and by Tuesday i was Still coughing a bit but nothing like before. I started my liquid diet the following Saturday (so 1 week after i caught the bug) and i found that while i don't feel sick anymore(no fever, body ache, sore throat, etc), I'm still coughing up A LOT of mucus, especially in the morning. last night i woke up around midnight and had a bad coughing spell that lasted sbout 10 minutes. Each cough brings up mucus. It's disgusting to have productive coughs b/c i keep having to spit. I don't know if I'm sick or if this is a weird side effect of the diet. I can't call my nutritionist until about 3 today because of how my work schedule is, so i thought i'd ask here. My mom suggested that maybe my body is removing impurities of excess mucus that's in my system sincenwhen i got a colon cleanse a few months ago i was told there's a lot of mucus in my stool (the woman who did it said i should stop drinking milk, but i didnt. Lol) I dunno what to think.

Even though I'd read prior to my pre opt diet that food funerals are a bad idea, i had several small ones last week. First We husband and i ate out every night for dinner at all my favorite places. I took Chipotle, Applebees, pizza Hut and other leftovers from dinner to lunch everyday. On thursday mom and i went to olive garden after i got off work. She said a salad and Soup and i had 2 bowls of soup, linguine alfredo and 2 sprites. On friday i ate hot wings and macaroni around 3 then at 7, i got together with friends and we made pork spring rolls and the three of us shared a large, chocolate, peppermint pie. (Surprisingly they ate as much, if not more than me for dinner but both of them are thinner than me. One if them has even had 3 children and she's barely a size 6! Not fair!)

My diet didn't say how much protein, just that i could have up to six clear liquids a day ?broth, protein shakes, jello, sf popsicle, etc). Anyway, I get in about 50g of protein a day because i drink at least 2 of GNC's lean shakes which AMAZING. they are about 170cal, 2g of sugar and25g of protein I feel pretty good during the day, it's just around 5:30 to 6 i start feeling weak and tired. What's keeping me going is each day i get on the scale, i've lost a pound of two. When i started i was 241. This morning i am 232. Almost dow. 10lbs in 6 days. Not too shabby

Thanks guys for all the responses. I was freaking out a bit because I remembered once a few years ago i was VERY stressed and cluldnt stomach any food, so I drank like two 12 oz cups of coffee and maybe a bit of danish everyday and around day 3 my stool was complete liquid.

...to still be having rather solid bm's even though today starts Day 5 of my pre opt liquid diet? I promise I won't keep askng but it's really weird to me that I have had nothing but liquid (only protein shakes, clear broth, water w/lemon and cucumber) for FIVE DAYS STRAIGHT and even though I'm only going once a day instead of 3 to 4 times like i did on solid food, I'm not having a liquid stool. how is this possible? Am i normal? Is the fact i'm having a solid stool an indicator that i still have a lot of food stored in my intestine or something? I havent cheated and had anyrhing other than the broth, water, and protein shakes (except i do take 2 women's one a day and i take a zicam because i work with small kids and have a small sniffle that i dont want ti turn into a surgery stopping cold)

Whoo hoo! Way to go you! I'm so glad to hear about your success. It must feel so good to see less of yourself and achieve such a tremenous weight loss. I'm sure your joints thank you. Being able to get in a 16 is amazing. Pretty soon it'll be a 14, then a 12, and the nrxt thing you know you'll bbe inthe single digits club. Keep it up and keep us posted!

I'm so glad your husband is supporting you! without that, this is twice as hard. anyway what helped me is i started my diet on the weekend so whenever i was feeling weak, tired, cranky, and went through withdrawal, I was home and could lay down, journal, etc. It also helped that I have a lot of different varieties of broth. We stocked our cabinets w/beef, seafood and chicken stock, Thai Ginger broth, roitesserie* chicken broth, Mexican tortilla broth (i think swanson makes it), some kind of white wine and garlic chicken broth, etc. I also really like the Lean shakes from GNC. the strawberry ones taste the best imho. i really like that they're premade so i can grab and go. I'm starting day 5 tomorrow and honestly, i do feel hungry, but i've fought so hard for this that i keep pushing until the 23rd.

That's awesome! 66lbs in only 3 months?! Way to go! I'm not at that point yet (my surgery is the 23rd of December) but I've been keeping a binder of recipes for when I get to the solid food phase. I like a lot of the things on ''The World According to Eggface'' website as well as a recipe i found for zucchini fetticine. If u google it, i'm sure it'll come up. Anyhow, congrats again and keep up the great work. Can't wait to join you on the losers bench

Way to go! Caffeine addiction is one of the hardest to break. I started my diet on Saturday and haven't had a soda or coffee since then. I was surprised I don't really miss them either. What's made it easier for me is I drink sassy water (cucumber, lemon, ginger, mint leaves). when u let it brew over night it tastes really good and refreshing the next day. What I'll miss more than soda is juice. I like drinking OJ with my breakfast. I also love strawberry lemonade

thanks for the advice! i actually ended up pooping later that day, but i'm still going to consult my nutritionist b/c again, i used to go like 3 to 4 times, so 1 feels weird. it's actually surprising to me that i even have solid poops when i've been on liquid since saturday

I'm starting day 3 of my 9 day pre opt diet. When I was eating my usual high calorie, high fat, high sugar, high carb etc diet I poo between 3 - 4 times a day. Now I'm going once a day and (sorry for the TMI) it's a bit of a strain to get it out and it isn't very much. I'm a little surprised because I'm drinking so many fluids that I assumed I'd be having even more frequent, soft/liquid stools (like diarrhea). How about you guys that are on the clear liquid diet (broth, Protein shakes, Jello, SF popsicles) diet like me? Are you experimenting irregularity compared to your own diet? Are u taking any kind of laxatives or stool softeners? I'm debating if I should call my nutritionist or wait it out.

If your family arent willing to do the diet with you (my husband is still eating his normal diet but when we're at home he doesn't eat any food, rather he has protein shakes, jello, broth, etc. Last night he couldn't take it so he left and went to McDonald's but ate his food there so I wouldnt smell it) then I might consider leaving the room and going to another part of the house whenever people are eating. It seems extreme and excessive, but this time is so important for us (I'm just starting Day 3) and we've got to make sure we're not sabbotaging ourselves. I almost went into the trashcan to retrieve some chips I threw away, so husband and I decided to empty the trash and throw away all our non canned food (shredded cheese, poptarts, ham slices, etc) so I wouldnt be tempted. You can do this, just do your best to work around your family and try not to cheat! I've heard stories of people who snuck and ate a little which resulted in their surgery being pushed back or instead of laproscopic*, they had to be cut open my more invasive means because of the fatty liver. That's what has been helping me. Imagining myself getting there and being denied because I couldn't stick to the liquid diet. If they cancelled my surgery I feel like I'd have to get reapproved and my changes of that aren't very likely b/c the insurance company will think i'm a bad candidate since I didnt do my part.

Today is the first day of my pre opt diet. Technically i am supposed to start on the 16th but i decided to begin two days early because i thought it would be easier on a weekend since people typically go through withdraw, feel tired, weak in the beginning. Maybe it will be easier if you begin on the weekend. I am also doing my best to keep busy by reading a riveting novel, doing laundry, creating a WLS binder that has recipes, nutrition facts, etc in it, doing some online window shopping and lots of rest. I also purchased a journal where I've been keeping track of my thought and emotions because i am an emotional eater. This is HARD but you can do it! It'll be worth it on the loser bench. I've had to fast before for other reasons and it really does get easier, you just have to make it through the first few days.

Congratulations! That's so wonderful to hear especially since I've been feeling really nervous since my procedure is only 11 days away. I can't even imagine how much better your body must feel. I'm sure you can move easier, less pressure on the joints, etc. Keep up the great work!

I kid you not when I say you'll be fine. The psych exam was extremely painless...I was concerned that I would fail because I have a history of anxiety and I am an emotional eater. But he was really nice and mainly asked questions about if I had a history of sexual abuse, what my family life was like as a child, how well did I understand the procedure, how I felt about knowing 85% of my stomach would be removed and if I had any history of an bulimia or anorexia. My exam was on a Friday and he told me the same day I'd be approved and he wrote my approval letter and faxed it to my surgeon that following Monday. As for the endoscopy, it wasn't bad at all! I was put to sleep for the procedure, which I hear is better than when they allow you to stay awake. I posted in more detail about it here: http://www.bariatricpal.com/topic/290141-endoscopy/ Anyhow, *hugs* you'll be fine! I promise

I think that happens moreso in a situation where a person is already unhappily married but stays with their spouse because they are overweight and afraid no one else will want them. For instance, if i had had bariatric surgery while in a relationship with my ex boyfiend we probably would have been divorced after the surgery because losing weight would have increased my confidence to leave his sorry self. (Luckily for me even though i am chunky and was chunkier then, i prefer to be alone then with a man like that who tried to tear me down to build himself up) I also think couples do better if they discuss the changes that are going to happen before hand and if they are in it together. If one spouse is losing weight and getting healthy while the other is content to br a couch potato and scarf chips, then i can see a divorce. I'm not speaking from experience because i am still pre opt, just my opinion.

Hi Lauren! I'm getting sleeved on Dec. 23 and had an endoscopy a couple weeks ago. I was really scared because I've never had surgery or any kind of anesthesia (not even at the dentist). Here's how it went down: 1. Arrived at hospital's G.I. department, filled out your typical doctor's office form and waited. Then I was called back to a desk where they processed me and asked if I had a living will and that if I was about to die (they worded it nicer) did I want a priest/pastor called in. 2. Next, I went back to a small room where I put on a gown and a nurse took my blood pressure, temperature and went over the procedure with me and answered any questions. They put a needle in my arm and taped it there because that's where the anesthesia goes via an IV. 3. I followed the nurse into an operating room where my surgeon was waiting. They had me sit on the bed and introduced me to my anesthesiologist. He said he'd tell me when he was about to administer the medicine. 4. He sprayed the back of my throat twice with a numbing spray (it tasted like the stuff you spray when you have a sore throat, with a weird cherry aftertaste) 5. They had to lay on my left side and the anesthesiologist stood behind me. He said "okay, I'm administering the medicine now" and at first I didn't feel anything and said so aloud. 6. As I was about to repeat myself, my body began to feel heavy like I was falling asleep but I was a little scared, so I fought it and tried to stay away. I began to hear a ringing in my ears so I decided I would just close my eyes and lean into the pillow. 7. I had a very vivid dream that I was back home with my husband sitting at the kitchen table eating dinner and talking about my procedure 8. What seemed like seconds later, I woke up to find myself being wheeled into another room. I felt a little groggy like I had just woken up. About 20 minutes had passed since I "conked out" 9. My surgeon came in a few minutes later and said everything looked good and I had no ulcers. My mother (who drove me) came in while he was there and he explained the same thing to her and gave me a sheet that had pictures of my insides. 10. The nurse gave me Water and crackers and I had to lay on the bed for a half hour. I felt 100% fine, was laughing and talking normally with the nurse and my mom. 11. After my 30 minutes were up, I got dressed and mom and I ate in the cafeteria. I thought I was going to feel nauseous, but I felt fine. I ate chicken fingers and some chips with a soda. The worse part (and it wasn't even THAT bad) was that the next morning my throat felt a little achy. The ache was worse on the second day and it lasted about 4 days total. It wasn't horrendous, it just felt like someone had choked me and my muscles were sore. I could talk, swallow, etc. All in all, it wasn't a terrible experience. I kept laughing and felt giddy because it was SO not scary at all. I was imagining I'd wake up in the middle of the procedure, or choke or feel like I was dying when they put me under, but none of that happened. It was literally like going to sleep and waking up seconds later, and feeling completely awake within a minute or two. You'll do fine.