SkinnyScarlett

Hang in there! I was sleeved on 11.12.13 too. Fortunately I can keep things down, but the soreness is much worse today. I'll keep you in my prayers for a speedy recovery. S.

Hey y'all. My surgery was today and was it great. My surgeon was very pleased. I'll be in the hospital until Thursday. They are taking excellent care of me. So far the pain has been minimal. I am on a pain med pump, ice chips and water. And, of course, up and walking. My thoughts and prayers continue to be with everyone here. Please keep me in yours as well for a successful an speedy recovery. Getting sleepy. Will update tomorrow. ~Susan.

Hey y'all! Tomorrow is THE day! I'm excited and nervous at the same time. Surgery is at 10 AM. After that I will be starting a brand new chapter in my life - the skinny one! I'm on liquids for 2 weeks and am off work until December 2nd so I plan on sipping, walking and resting. Please keep me in your prayers for a successful surgery and a speedy recovery. God bless. ~Susan.

Hi Kelly! I'm going to GHP, too! My surgery date is Tuesday 11.12.13. I just had my last pre-op checkup with the PA and I have lost 10 pounds on the pre-op diet and that was earlier this week. I've lost a total of 14 since I started the pre-op on 10.29.13. I'm getting nervous and, honestly, can't really believe I am going to do this on Tuesday. I have Dr. Foote. Which surgeon do you have? I understand about the food. I've been tempted, too. But, I will say, GHP has done a good job of having a variety on the pre-op diet. The dinners are actually good. The soup is my least favorite. The omelets are better than the oatmeal. I bought my post-op liquids this week. Hopefully I will feel like drinking them after being sleeved! Good luck on your journey. You will do great. I'll keep you in my prayers and you do the same. ~Susan.

Hey Y'all. I'm on day 6 of my 2 week pre-op. My surgery is Tuesday, 11.12.13 in Grand Rapids. Unlike some of y'all, I'm not on liquid only. The place where I am having my surgery done is a Bariatric Center of Excellence and they have their own product for the pre and post op phases of this journey. With that said, I purchased their product and have been eating that. It's a combination of protein drinks, high-protein snacks (i.e. beef jerky, etc.), oatmeal, microwave dinners. I can have SF popsicles, SF jello, flavored waters, etc. I'm eating every two hours or so. In 6 days I have lost 10.5 pounds - which is still hard for me to believe! My husband is right there with me. While he is not (and doesn't need to have) having the surgery (he only needs to loose about 20 pounds), he is doing is own version of high protein with EAS drinks and snacks with a microwavable dinner. It is so incredibly helpful that he is doing something similar to me. When I am on liquids for 2 weeks post -op he will be drinking his EAS shakes. This is a team thing for us which I am incredibly grateful. I and we will be successful! Now though, I'm beginning to get nervous about the surgery itself as we all do. I ask for your positive thoughts and prayers as I prepare for and go through this surgery and journey. Lastly, I think I will try the FB group again (I left because I wasn't sure about the privacy from my "friends"). If someone could send an invitation to me that would be great. My email address is skinnyscarlett@gmail.com Take good care y'all. ~s.

Hey there. I had the same concerns, but I joined the group anyway. I logged in as my husband to see if would show and it did show "recent groups" that I had joined. So I left the group until I can figure out privacy settings so that no one can see the group. It's a very active group and it seems to provide a lot of valuable information but I only plan on sharing this information with those closest to me and not my "68 friends" on FB. If anyone knows of the settings I need to apply for it not to show at all to anyone, please let me know. I;d like to re-join but only if it is truly private and confidential. Susan.

Hey there Wolverine Girl! My surgery is 11.12.13 as welll! Where are you having yours done? Mine's in GR with GHP. Perhaps we can keep tabs on one another since we are going through this at the same time. I start my pre-op diet next Tuesday. It's pre-packaged food and snacks that equate to between 800-900 calories per day. I'm getting nervous and excited! Take care, Susan.

my pre-op starts the 28th as well! My surgery is on the 12th....4 weeks from today!

I'm just east of Lansing, too! Do you work Lansing? PM me - we could be neighbors!

I'm November 12th too! (11.12.13) in Michigan. Good luck y'all! Prayers to everyone for a successful and speedy recovery! Susan.

Hey Dawn! I'm in Michigan, too! Where are you having your surgery? I'm going to GHP in GR. My date is 11.12.13 Oh, and by the way.....Let's Go Red Wings! I just want to go to The Joe and fit in the seats comfortably! Susan.

You need to research and make the right decision for you. Don't let others make it for you. You are going to be the one to live with this decision - not others. I contemplated the lap band when I first started researching WLS. I loved the idea that it was 'not permanent'. What that told me later, after a lot of soul searching, is that I wasn't ready to commit to WLS of any kind. I wasn't ready to really change my life. Not that the lap band doesn't work - I see where it can be successful - just with a lot of side effects. When I went to my WLS orientation, the surgeon giving the presentation said they do not encourage the lap band surgery anymore due to the research and statistics over the last 10 years. He and his group were one of the pioneers in WLS so I trust what he says. Bottom line - do you research, talk to your PCP, don't let others influence you and make the decision YOU want to make - it's all about YOU now - no one else. Good Luck!

Good luck! Best wishes for a speedy recovery!

Another Michigander?! Yeah! Wishing you a successful and speedy recovery! Take good care.

Sending good wishes and prayers for a successful and speedy recovery!

I start my pre-op on October 28th and my surgery is scheduled for November 12th - 11.12.13! lol. I'm nervous and excited! GHP in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Anyone else?

Oh my stars - what an incredible journey! Im so glad you perservered and listened to your instincts. We know our bodies better than anyone - and you have shown us all how important it is to listen to our guts - literally and figuritively! Take good care and many wishes for a successful and unevently recovery! S.

It's exciting to hear all the positive comments about Dr. Foote. I have my surgery scheduled for November 12th (11.12.13 - interesting date!) with him at St. Mary's! I'm excited and nervous at the same time. I start my 2 week pre op on October 29th. Can y'all tell me more about your experience with Dr. Foote and GHP? How was St. Marys? I understand the rooms are private and nice. Is that a fair assessment? Is there a cot or pull-out for someone (husband) to sleep on and stay in the room with me? How as GHP's product for the pre and post op? Thanks for all your help in calming my nerves and sharing your experiences! Susan.

[ Thanks so much Shelley! and, YES, we can be friends! I'm a Michigan fan by marriage - my blood runs ORANGE (Vols) by birth! Yet, I will say no for the recored - GO BLUE! I appreciate your insight and supportive words. It's starting to sink in more and I've prayed about it so I am feeling more calm today than when I first got the phone call to set a date. Now I'm just dealing with the paperwork to take off work. Fortunately I have plenty of sick leave to use. I'll take a look at your blog - I'm so curious to read about your pre-op craziness! Take care, Susan.

Hey Y'all! I've been lurking around here for a couple of weeks and decided to join your forum so that I can learn even more about the gastric sleeve procedure, ups and downs, lifestyle changes, successes and setbacks as well as possibly make a few friends. I'm 52 years old and have been overweight since early childhood. At the earliest, I can remember being overweight at 5 years of age. I was raised in a "clean your plate there are children starving somewhere" household with three brothers and no adult supervision after school (both parents worked full time). I will say that there were things in my childhood that, I realize now after years of therapy, caused me to turn to and focus on food, binging and secret eating. I can remember doing that as early as 9 years of age. So, obviously, an intricate and intimate relationship with food has overwhelmingly contributed to my physical appearance and emotional carnage. With that said, I have been tempted to consider WLS previously, but I would not let myself consider "failing" at other weight loss attempts. I have just complete 1 year and 8 months of Weight Watchers. I lost a total of 14 pounds and gained it back over that timeframe. i have tried Medical Weight Loss Center, Meridia, PhenFen, Byetta (I am type 2 diabetic), Atkins and good old fashioned calorie counting just to name a few. I lost the most with Atkins - 75 pounds. I have gained 45 of that back. My current weight is 297.4 as of this morning. My highest was 320 about 6 years ago. I have since fluctuated between 274 and 300. My lowest adult weight was 247 for a day. I'm not afraid of exercise. As a matter of fact, even at my weight, I have completed 2 half marathons, multiple 5Ks and a couple of 10ks. Granted I did a walk/run combination and, most of the time, finished last in my age group, but I finished every one I started. It was always such a sense of accomplishment to cross that finish line. I miss that feeling and look forward to seeing it again. I am a successful IT executive and am very confident in my professional abilities. However, the doubt creeps in when it comes to weight loss and, more recently, the consideration of surgery as a weight loss tool. Will I be successful? Will I hit my goals? Will I have any complications? Will I be able to give up my Diet Mountain Dew each morning? Will I be able to resist the temptation of eating just because it tastes good? Can I successfully handle the skewed new portion size? What will I do with my new body? What will I think of myself? Will I believe in myself as I look in the mirror and see someone entirely new? How will I cook regular meals for my husband and just a couple of ounces of something for me? Will I mourn food? Will I miss eating the way I have for so long? Shall I have a food funeral - bury my favorite foods and give them last rites? On the other hand, I think if things that I want to do and will be able to do - shopping in regular clothing stores, kayaking, hiking, dancing, doing another half marathon faster, being able to qualify for a full marathon (finish within the required time), maybe even a triathlon, getting my ring rezised, surprising family and friends that I only see once a year, seeing my clavicles when I look in the mirror, getting links taken out of my watch and bracelet, wearing an anklet, not fearing the seatbelt on the plane won't fit, not looking around in a meeting and telling myself that I am the largest person here - ah - FREEDOM from negative thinking! I'm fearful for the physical aspects of surgery. I've had my thyroid removed but, that wasn't my choice - it had to be done. This surgery is my choice. Like others, I fear not waking up from surgery. But, as my sweet husband reminds me, the risks of surgery are less than the risk of continued morbid obesity and the negative impact it has on longevity. I just have to keep telling myself that. I hope to glean information from this forum to empower me to make comfortable, informed decisions and set realistic expectations and goals. I have an amazing husband who is incredibly supportive of this awakening. He is my best friend, my confident and my shoulder to lean on. He is with me, pardon the pun, through thick and thin! I just learned today that I have been approved by my insurance - so - my surgey date is now set! Oh my stars, I am soooooooooooooooo nervous. I have a million butterflies in my tummy and am going between excited and nervous. Here's to my new life - my journey into the unknown and the 'lighter' side of life (both weight and disposition). My mantra - Life IS good. Enjoy and give thanks. ~Susan.

Mine will be for two weeks and I will be using the products they provide me. Some protien drinks, Snacks and boxed meals. Good luck!

Thank you so much, Tbird, for your encouragement and support! I love what you said - I want to start living and not existing! AMEN to that! It's so true! Good luck on your awesome journey to a new you, too! :-) Take good care, Susan.

Hey Ann, Yes, I am in Michigan - the Lansing area. Are you in Michigan? I'm going to GHP in Grand Rapids. Dr. Foote is my surgeon. I'm like you - crazy nervous! I can't stop thinking about it. It's so good to know I am not alone on this emotional rollercoaster! Take good care, Susan.