vsg_joanna

I realize I posted this three times... phone messed up! I already reported the two newer posts to be deleted.

On my way to San Diego!!!!

Anyone else?! Today makes it sooo much more real for me! Feeling excited and scared about messing up.

Thank you soo much!

Wow, thanks for posting this. Everything you wrote describes binge eating/ good addiction so accurately. I'm going to be sleeved in six days so seeing this just confirms to me that this surgery will change my life! Congrats on battling your demons, I know how hard it is.

I don't think you're supposed to be testing how much you can handle- just follow your doctor's advice. From what I read, most people don't feel restriction until they start soft foods/ solids. Be careful, the surgeon gave you those limits for a reason!

Anyone else excited for the pool at the Marriott? Haven't swam in over 2 years and I have one day before surgery.... I know you can't swim afterwards

No, tanning does not hurt your insides- Myth Busters even did an episode about this. However, it does give you cancer and wrinkles...

Yup! I'm there April 7th-12th

I attached the cheat sheet I received from Mexico Bariatric Center. Translation Sheet (1).pdf

Your plan sounds great- I think starting these things help a lot! Tip from a coffee fiend- yesterday I went to Starbucks with a friend and I got something DELICIOUS. Not for everyday because you'd end up broke, but it's a good treat. I got a decaf, sugar-free caramel latte with whole milk. I think the whole milk helps it taste more real and it's still only like 120 calories for tall =)

I'm now on day four and going strong- I've actually already lost 3 pounds! I'm sure part of that is Water weight, which seems weird because I'm drinking so much fluids. I'm just not going to question it too much I seem get very hungry before Breakfast because I don't eat until I get to work and after work during my commute. STARVING. Not head hunger either. I think it has been getting a bit easier day by day though.

If you're a big caffeine drinker, you might want to consider stopping a few weeks before surgery- what I did was cut that out three weeks ago. Saw it posted by a few post-op patients saying they wished they did it pre-op. I'm imagining caffeine withdrawal + surgery pain/ gas is pretty miserable. Although, the moment I'm cleared for coffee again (my surgeon allows it sometime after) I'm having a GIANT mug and then probably going to be up for days lol. I don't feel guilty either because I like black coffee, not saying that adding anything to it is necessarily bad

Stress and PMS totally kill me. Luckily the moment I actually get my period I lose my appetite for whatever reason and I think it balances out lol. However, I do think stress is the number 1 reason I eat, closely followed by being bored. There's lots of research out there showing that meditation is supposed to help with stress and depression significantly. I've slowly started to meditate and hopefully I could do more. If you're interested, you should totally look into "mindfulness meditation".

Oh crap!! I forgot about stopping medications... need to check what my guidelines say. Thanks for reminding me about that lol. Good job starting a little early- I gave up caffeine three weeks ago and I stuck to low carb very well until this weekend. To be honest, I kind of panicked and ate every carb I could get my hands on this weekend. Definitely need to continue working on emotional eating...

I'm glad I'm not the only weirdo who started packing weeks before my surgery Scheduled for April 8th and started packing two weeks ago lol. I've also been stacking up on post-op supplies and sampling Protein Shakes. Luckily I love drinking them! In terms of mental preparations- I decided to give up caffeine and sugar (for the most part) now and to continue working on my binge eating issues. I did lose 30lbs since October with Weight Watchers which was very helpful. If I had a six month wait and could spare the $35 a month, I would totally sign up for Weight Watchers. Also, I wanted to add that I think I'd probably sign back up for weight watchers sometime after surgery- it really is a great support system!

Hi NJ sleevers! There is a WLS support group meetup THIS Friday, 03/21/2014 at 7pm in Jersey City. Details are here: http://www.meetup.com/NJ-WLS-Support/events/171130452/

So since I'm going to be in Mexico anyway I thought I would stock up on some of my pricey prescription meds since it would be cheaper there. I have asthma and need to use Qvar- about one inhaler monthly ($50 AFTER insurance!!)... do you guys know if I need a prescription with me to buy this? Maybe this is a dumb question, but I wasn't sure how that worked...

livvsmum please share an example of what a day looks like for you food wise! How many calories on average? Did you also do a ton of exercise for the past 6 months? FYI- my boyfriend is from Tunkhannock! We live in NJ right now, but we visit a few times a year and drive through Clarks-Summit lol. Nice town!

I'm packing light too- clothes are going to be comfort > style... no judgements at the hotel lol. Bringing gas x (even though I heard it doesn't help with surgical gas), this super awesome lipbalm I got at sephora (Bite Agave lip mask), some single serve fruit flavored Syntrax packets, sugar free crystal light stuff, etc By the way guys, I've heard a lot of talk about Syntrax Sweets chocolate Truffle Protein... actually I also tried the Cappuccino flavor.. Super delicious!!! I'm actually looking forward to drinking those three times a day lol.

Thanks 2muchfun! Didn't even realize that those studies were 6-13 years old =/ Guess my pre-op nervousness is getting the best of me lol That new study looks good and is also very current, so I'm just going to push through my worries.

I just saw this and now I'm kind of concerned.... I'm scheduled to be sleeved on April 8th. I know weight loss reduces the risk of cancer, but the evidence provided stating that sleeve or band increases the chance of esophageal cancer is alarming. The studies make a lot of sense. One article I found on Society of American Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons is very convincing. http://www.sages.org/meetings/annual-meeting/abstracts-archive/the-band-and-the-sleeve-as-pre-cancerous-procedures-the-band-and-the-sleeve-cause-gastroesophageal-reflux-ger-gastroesophageal-reflux-causes-esophageal-cancer/ Oh man... help me...

Thanks for asking! I'm curious too!!

I'm with you. My hair is so fine and thin to begin with..this is probably my biggest concern (after fitting in seat for my flight, ha). I need a haircut now, but I'm too afraid to cut it and it all fall out so I'm thinking I'll wait and see what I'm left with. Jen... I have super fine/thin hair too =( I'm planning on getting a super short bob ala Katie Holmes at the three month mark. I keep hearing people say that it begins around then =/ Unfortunately, I feel like my hair decided to preemptively start falling out more now maybe due to anxiety about the surgery. lol lucky me- might need a wig by month three.

I've heard a lot of things about how VSG is harder for people with a sweet tooth... I'm worried as I have a HUGE one and have struggled with it all my life. I made lots of progress the last few months with my binge eating issues (primarily sugar) and dropped 30lbs and kept it off. However, I'm still super anxious about it. My pre-op diet starts in two weeks and I decided to cut out sugar cold turkey three days ago and will try to keep low carb as this usually helps me quite a bit. I know that I'll probably have some sugar here or there in the future, but I know it has to be kept at a minimum along with carbs because large amounts trigger binges. This will probably be how I need to live my whole life to be successful and I'm ready to accept it. Any advice/ tips/ success stories??