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Oh my, sounds like you are really going through it! I have no words of wisdom to offer, but will be praying for your quick recovery!

It takes awhile for your body image to catch up to your actual physical image. For some reason, other people can see changes before you can.

I WAY overpacked for my hospital stay (thought it would be 2 nights, ended up only 1). Pretty much everything I needed except my phone and charger were supplied (lip balm, mouthwash, slipper socks, gown). But bring along lip balm and Biotene mouthwash just in case - your mouth will definitely be dry. One note about tampons, they probably won't let you use them - must use pads after surgery. I brought a change of underwear and wore home the clothes I wore in, so just make sure everything is loose and nonbinding.

Hi Tori, so glad to see another SENC person on here! I am getting sleeved today (12/8) by Dr. Hooks at NHRMC. Would love to keep in touch!

My surgery date is Dec 8 - getting super excited! Not as excited about the preop diet that starts tomorrow. It's very low carb/low calorie foods. Gotta shrink that liver, though. I took 2 weeks off work for the surgery, so that puts me going back the week of Christmas. I figure it will be easier to transition back since it will be a short work week. Good luck to everyone!

I'm on Dec 8 also! Would love a buddy.

my surgery is set for Dec 8 as well! just over 2 weeks away. my preop diet (low carb, low calorie) starts Monday. So excited!

My Dr. uses a 2 week low carb (<60 grams), low fat diet for 2 weeks prior to surgery, with the day before being Clear Liquids only. This is to shrink the liver. He didn't have any specific requirements for the weeks prior to this diet, although I have been following the nutritionist's recommendations and have lost about 20 pound on that so far.

Just got word yesterday that I am approved and scheduled for Dec. 8th!

congrats and best of luck to you!

Just left the surgeon's office with a Dec. 8 surgery date! Just one preop appt for surgery and a 2 week preop diet to go. Things are getting real!

I take Abilify, too. I am preop, but have managed to lose 19 pounds with a strict diet and exercise program. Weight loss is very hard on this medication, but possible. Wishing you all the best!

@@kymmiej11 Dec 30 sounds like a great time to have the surgery to me! you'll start the new year off as a new person! As to having to do the whole preop/postop diet over the holidays, I have been on diets before through the holidays and it didn't kill me, so i know i can do it again. Best of luck to you!

Welcome, and congratulations on making the decision to better your health by choosing this surgery!. I think you are really wise to get things in order, not just because you're having surgery, but because these things need to be done. Anything can happen at any time, surgery or not. Now you have it out of the way and can concentrate on getting healthier. I think it is normal to feel the way you are feeling, but once these tasks are out of the way you can feel confident that you are prepared for anything! Best wishes on your upcoming surgery and recovery!

I am also hoping for a Dec surgery date. I meet with my surgeon on Thursday and hopefully will get a date then. Still have to get insurance approval. Anyone else have people think you're crazy for doing this over the holidays? I think it will be the best Christmas (and birthday - my birthday is Dec. 13) present ever!

Welcome! It is very exciting to see hope, isn't it? I am a little further along (have already had 1st appt w/ surgeon, and 2 nutritionist classes as well as 1st psych. eval), but I don't have a date for surgery yet. But I am not waiting to get started! Now that I am finally ready to make changes in my life, I am starting to try to live the post sleeve lifestyle as much as possible. I have started exercising and logging my food intake, watching calories and fat and sugar, and drinking lots of Water. So far I have lost about 19 pounds! I encourage you to look at some of the lifestyle changes you will need to make after the surgery and start working on them now, so it won't be so hard post surgery. Best wishes for a huge success!!

I'm in Wilmington. Anyone else have surgery at NHRMC? Dr.Hooks will be my surgeon.

I am very open about it. While I certainly respect anyone's need for privacy, and understand if there are negative people in someone's life, for me it is not something that I need to be ashamed of or worried about anyone's opinion of, and telling others about it can help encourage anyone who has been considering the surgery. Everyone I have told has been very positive and supportive. I am pretty fortunate to have friends, family, and coworkers who understand and who wish me well, I guess..

Hello everyone, This is my first post and I am really excited about being here! My initial consultation with my surgeon was July 10. My next steps are meetings with a nutritionist and psychologist, which I have scheduled for Sept (2 appts each). My next appt. with the surgeon is Oct. 9, and I am hoping I can get a surgery date scheduled for mid-Dec. I have started a diet and exercise program on my own - even though it is not required, I want to be in the best shape possible for surgery and to get used to what I will need to do postoperatively to maintain weight loss. So far, about a month in, I have lost 11 lbs. I have attended 2 support groups for my surgeon's patients. In addition, I have read several books, including the "Big Book", and the Emotional First Aid Kit, both of which were very helpful. I'm just trying to be as prepared as possible! Best of luck to everyone here!