Lyndy

Had vsg 2 days ago. The surgeon also repaired a hiatal hernia that I didn't know I had. No pain to speak of other than with eating. I get waves of crampiness below my sternum. I've tried smaller sips but I can't get them much smaller. Working hard to get the 40 grams of Protein in as well as the 40 ounces of Water but the waves of pain are pretty strong sometimes. Is this something the surgeon needs to be aware of?

Try this, Mollsy, http://www.bariatricpal.com/index.php?app=trackers&module=tickers&section=create

I haven't stopped any activities yet but I have recently begun to think about how much my life has revolved around food. It's very much like my thinking when I quit smoking. I had to change other habits because they were triggers for smoking. The smoking issue has been conquered for years now and I know I'll never be a smoker again. At first I thought of not smoking as a loss rather than a positive thing but not anymore. I strongly suspect that my changing relationship with food will be much the same way. At least I'm hoping so.

June 11 here. Started pre-op diet of 4-5 shakes/day and light dinner high in Protein. I am working hard to drink the shake first thing in the morning. I'm using HMR-70 which is pretty yummy but it's hard to eat/drink when you're not hungry. It seems to me that eating will soon become my JOB and food will change from something of pleasure to something of need and nutrition. Trying to stay away from Pinterest due to all the great pictures of food that make me want to cook and bake. lol There are some good bariatric boards at Pinterest, though. Best wishes to all my fellow June sleevers out there!

Thank-you for this response. I agree...the mental/emotional preparation of the pre-surgery weight loss program I attended was slim to nothing. For a while I felt that it was simply a machine to funnel patients to the surgeon. As in most things, we must seek out our answers and educate ourselves. There is a lot of information out there. The choice is ours to utilize it.

I have the same issue. It's not that I wouldn't enjoy desserts but some of the protein drinks ARE too sweet. I have a supply that I have to use because it's too expensive to throw away. To the chocolate shake I added a teaspoon of Hershey's unsweetened cocoa powder. This helped a lot. To the vanilla, I add a teaspoon of cinnamon. Sounds like a lot but it tastes so much better that way.

They will likely give you a pre-op medication to relax you. The anesthesia is a really nice sleep...waking up is dreamy. I suspect you'll have a PCA pump for pain relief. You may have a bit of a sore throat from being intubated but it goes away quickly. Take a small pillow with you to hold against your belly when you need to do your cough and deep breathe exercises. It's important to fully expand your lungs after surgery to avoid pneumonia. Get up and start moving as soon as possible. This all comes from the RN in me...I can't help it. You'll do GREAT and your life will be so much healthier. Keep us posted!

I have Cigna which required 6 months of nutrition and weight loss counseling. After all the hoops were jumped through, my surgery date was set at June 11 which will be 8 and a half months from the start. I've already met my out of pocket maximum for the year so the surgery will be completely covered.

Gosh, I would think they would know that multiple 100 pound losses aren't so good for you and would like you to put an end to that. Do you have co-morbid conditions? Do they want you to have 6 months of supervised weight control? I hope it works out for you. I would approve you! lol Lynn

Well, Jenn, I anticipate being in the hospital overnight. They said one day but I don't know if they count the day of surgery. So maybe it'll be 2 nights. Pain relief will be a PCA pump the first day. I've never had dilaudid...guess I've never had much pain...so I might be a bit wiped out. Will bring my cell phone and lap top, some slippers, lip balm and lotion...and oh, some wax earplugs because I remember how much I wanted them at my last hospital stay. Maybe an eye mask, too. lol I'm an RN so I know they don't like to keep things too quiet in a hospital and I don't want to be grumpy. This week I'm going to work on getting more exercise in. I honestly don't love exercise. Maybe I'll love it more when it's easier but I could at least do more dog walking. 10,000 steps isn't easy unless I'm at work and I'm not right now. The dog will appreciate it. I am tired of being tired. I've been gaining steadily for 7 years now and it's time for it to be done. Enjoy your weekend and your last solid food for a little while. It'll be a wonderful send off! I'll be thinking about you and saying a few prayers on Monday. Woo hoo!!! Lynn

Wow Jenn...2 more days to the beginning of the NEW YOU! I'll be waiting to hear all about it. Are you excited? After 2 days of mostly liquids, I awakened today feeling much better. I actually feel like I might be coming alive again. Yesterday I tried a Protein shake that I got at costco. It's Premier Protein with a whopping 30 grams of protein for only 160 calories. It compares quite favorably to the HMR-70 that my weight loss center uses but was much less expensive. I chose vanilla and poured it into the blender, added about 5 ice cubes, and a big shake of cinnamon. Loved it! I think I really ought to take my "before" pictures and do some measurements today. Have you done that? Lynn

You are not alone. I will go through with this on 6/11 as I am counting on the huge majority of people who say they have no regrets and I plan to be one of them. I'm ready to take back my life.

I would imagine that if the sutures are loose, food could seep into that part of the stomach and stagnate. That would not be good at all.

My initial response was to put the brakes on my soon to be VSG but then I quickly changed my mind. It looks that the concept of restriction is the same but with the ability to "adjust" and/or reverse. Sounds to me to be a perfect tool for the surgeon to make a steady income from one surgery similar to lap band adjustments. If those sutures are never to come out then just be done with it and get the VSG. Who cares if it's reversible when the reversal might very well lead to a reversal of the weight loss? Just my initial opinion but I am open to more continued knowledge.

June 11 for me, too. I haven't "joined" any groups...been out here on my own...but I am feeling a great need for group support and also to be supportive.

I'm in month 2 of my 6 months of "supervised weight loss". I lost 5 pounds the first month but nothing the second month. Actually, I probably DID lose a couple pounds but I gained it back...just like the story of my life. The same old problem of losing and gaining hasn't changed a bit. If I could STICK to a weight loss plan, I wouldn't want to have this surgery. Is this going to be just another failure? How do you successful losers (didn't mean that the way it may have sounded...lol) actually manage to CHANGE? Honestly, this is way harder than the cravings I had while stopping smoking 7 years ago. I wish I could just sleep through the next 4 months, wake up and have surgery. I don't know how to do this...or maybe I'm lazy...or maybe I don't know how to keep my eye on the prize...I just don't know. Does anybody have a clue? Did any of you have the same problem?

OK...today I pulled myself together and planned to have a liquid day with only Protein shakes, Water, and my morning coffee. I did well, and felt stronger and better about myself. And then I got home after work and ate about 3 ounces of cold turkey white meat with nothing else. I'm still counting it as a victory because I briefly thought about how good it would be with stuffing and cranberry sauce but I stayed the course. Tomorrow I think I'll add some broth. You all are GREAT! Thank-you for your input!

Hmmm...I never thought of it quite like that. I was thinking the reason I have to go through these 6 months is to prove I CAN make lifestyle changes...when in reality, I don't believe I can without an external force...therefore my desire for the surgery. Good point!

I suspect that taking away the ABILITY to cheat would really make me feel better. I wouldn't mind giving up that control at all. Good luck to you, imgood. Your day is just around the corner!