IfICanDream

So I was feeling pretty down about surgery tomorrow, UNTIL I took my "Before" pics. Man, I have a long was to go, and I need this so badly. Bring it on!!

If I Can Dream by Elvis. Yes, I am only 30, but the first time I heard that song, within the first 30 seconds I knew if was going to be my favorite song forever.

I'm Monday at 12:30! It's getting so close!!

So nice to hear from all of you! I also have PCOS, and have also struggled with infertility. I'm getting sleeved on Monday (less than 48 hours away!), and I am so hopeful that it will help get my PCOS under control. I've been married for 8 years, and we have had no luck with pregnancy. Last year, I tried Clomid for 6 months. It did exactly what it was supposed to do (multiple follicles were produced each month), but I never succeeded in getting pregnant. All of my hormones were good, my husband was checked, and he was above average for his count and quality, and still no success. I even tried an IUI, but it still didn't happen. I am having this surgery for SO many other reasons than to try and become pregnant, but I can't help but being the slightest bit hopeful. If I can dream...

I hear ya with being busy this week! I have about a month's worth of work to do by Friday, and I've been working late to try and tackle it. I wish I had a professional cleaner come to my house! What a great idea. I'm also scheduled for Monday, but at 12:30. I almost wish it was first thing so I didn't have half a day to worry about it. Make sure to keep us updated when you are feeling up to it after surgery! I'll be sending positive thoughts out to everyone

Best of luck tomorrow! We'll be thinking of you. Let us know how it goes!

Things I'm looking forward to: 1. Not cringing every time I pass a mirror (including the rear view mirror). 2. Not worrying about side-profile pics (I have the worst double chin!) 3. Riding on any roller coaster I want! 4. POSSIBLY being able to get pregnant. 5. Wearing shorts for the first time since 9th grade. 6. Not always being the largest person in the room. 7. Having more energy! 8. Feeling like in not constantly being judged when I'm eating in public. 9. Feeling pretty for my husband (he has always said I'm beautiful, I just want to feel confident!) 10. Being able to order any bridesmaid dress (not just the ones who have extended sizes). 11. Feeling like I can enter the job market confidently (not planning on it, but you never know!). There are so many more, but these are the biggest! What about all of you?

I'm with you on the artificial sweeteners - I refuse to have aspartame! I'm okay with the natural sweeteners like Stevia and Monk Fruit. I have an awesome recipe for homemade sugar free jello out you ever want it!

I hear ya Butterflyhigh! I think it's finally time to do this. I hope this date is the one that works for you! If you ever need someone to talk to, I'm here for you. I go in at 12:30 on the 9th, so I'll be thinking about all of you going in earlier in the day!

Quick update: I had my very last appointment before my surgery! It was with my primary care physician for surgery clearance. She officially took me off if my last medication, and she said that all of my lab results were better than great! Apparently completely changing my diet and losing 40 pounds has "reset" all of the borderline things that we're going on. I couldn't be happier! Already planned my last two meals before my official pre-op starts this weekend: 1. Cherry tomato, avocado, and fresh mozzarella salad with a little balsamic vinegar and lemon juice - AMAZING! 2. Sushi! I am so excited!

I already started giving up the caffeine now. I don't think I could survive on the pre-op diet with a killer headache. I'm having my surgery about an hour south, just north of Flint, Michigan. It's a bit of a drive, but the hospital has a great program, and my PCP wasn't a fan of the local hospitals. Tomorrow is my last appointment (I just need my PCP to give final surgical consent - she's been helping me through everything so I know she will!), and then I am all clear for everything!

As long as your company will work with you then I'm sure you'll be fine! It's all about surrounding yourself with the right foods/drinks, and make sure you are listening to your body. If your employer is accepting, then I'm sure they will understand if you need to take extra brakes, or even leave a little early the first few days until you are 100% My doctor's office automatically fills out the short term disability paperwork for 6 weeks off. My work is very supportive, so it's up to me when I want to go back. The only catch is that I only get 60% of my paycheck while I'm out so I'm basically going to stay off as long as I can afford to. I have a crazy stressful job with mountains of work that will be waiting for me when I return. I know it will be 10 hour days full of stress when I go back, and I just want to make sure that I am going to be up for it! Right now I'm thinking 4 weeks off should get my mind and body in a good place

Sounds like a great plan! 4 weeks after surgery, and by how good you will look, it should be easy to tell them! Best of luck!

So how is everyone telling the friends/family they don't see very often? Or are you not? It's just a weird subject to bring up, but I don't want friends to be upset that I didn't tell them. I think my parents are slightly embarrassed - they love me, but it's even harder for them to let people know about the surgery. I feel like I need a list of who knows so I can avoid the super awkwardness the next time I see them! Any thoughts are appreciated!

I LOVE HEARING EVERYONE'S STORIES, THOUGHTS, AND CONCERNS! I feel like My husband must be going crazy listening to me talk about this all of the time. It feels great to talk to everyone who knows EXACTLY what I'm going through! The differences in pre-op diets are crazy! I was instructed to do a 10 day pre-op diet of 3 shakes and 1 lean cuisine. I'm thinking about just doing the 4 shakes. I can't stand the thought of chemically preservative-filled frozen meals, and I'm going to have to get used to drinking everything sooner than later. My main concern is that I have my sister's bridal shower on the first day that I am supposed to start my pre-op diet. I plan on telling extended family and friends eventually of my surgery (everyone close to me already knows), but I don't want to take the focus off of my sister by everyone wondering why I am drinking my 12 oz Protein drink rather than eating. I think 8 days should be good...

"food funeral" - I love it! That's exactly how I feel. I am mourning the loss of so many little things. This morning, I felt completely unprepared for my husband to make toast! The smell was insane, and to him I must have looked like a crazy lady. But I know, that one bite of toast would lead to four pieces. All I keep thinking, is why didn't I eat peanut butter sandwiches all of the time?! Now, I think about them all of the time, but the calories are through the roof.

Starting on Memorial Day is rough! Make sure to try and stay away from tempting situations! We're giving up holiday meals for so many more happier holidays in the future! At least you have a reason not to give in to the food. I'm at that point where I not not on a restricted diet, and I still have about a week before I start my super strict diet, so tomorrow will be a challenge. I've been SUPER good for the last 2 months, but now I'm in that window of time where I met my pre-surgery weight loss goal (with room to spare), and I'm thinking about all of those foods I'll either never have again (or at least for a very long time). I need to be strong!!

I'm so excited to find all of you! Only about 2 weeks away until the big day. I just want to make sure I'm ready for everything. Any words of advice to share? Any big worries? Personally, I'm obviously worried about the pain, but I'm also worried about the little things like not being able to drink Water while I eat or getting behind by taking time off work is. Also, I tend to push myself harder than I should. I'm the person who can lose weight easily when I'm committed, but I also gain it twice as easily when I fall off the wagon. Because I have had success on my own in the past, will I have "buyer's remorse" after I do it?

I'm brand new on here, but I'm pretty excited to find others getting sleeved on June 9th! I just turned 30, and I have been overweight my entire adult life. After countless diets and gains, I just finally decided that it was time to take the bull by the horns and go all in. So far in my pre-op diet I've lost 34 pounds. My eventual goal weight is 180 (currently at 298). I'm ready to get this show on the road! I love to hear about how all of you other June 9th peeps are doing!