JALUVIC

Hey minniepearl - how are you doing this week? Hoping you are feeling better with each passing week!

I wish I could help, but do know that I'm thinking of you and praying for the best outcome. You have a lot of wisdom here and perhaps someone else will be able to share their story with you. It's odd that the xrays didn't show anything...hang in there, a solution will be found.

This thread is frightening..lol. I have always had thinner hair that looks full because it's naturally curly. I try to ignore it - have done the Toppix, it works ok if you get the color to match right. (I order two different shads and mix them together). However - over the weekend I got out my hand mirror so I could assess the state of my hair and OMG, it's sooo thin on top and down the back a bit. A few weeks ago I ordered a couple of wigs from QVC - not sure what I was thinking, should have know better. They were hysterical looking and are going back.

When you say a "topper" what does that mean? It's really all I need is something that only covers the top of my head and then down a bit all around and then the rest of my hair could take over, so to speak. What kind of injections were done? Just trying to prepare ahead of time as I'm still pre-op. Taking Biotin (10,000) and using Nioxin shampoo/conditioner.

I just recently went to my urologist and had the urodynamics testing (fun fun) and the result of that was that surprise, surprise I have stress incontinence (we both already knew that, but they do the testing anyway) and I also have some urge incontinence. Stress is the sneeze/cough/laff, and the urge incontinence is feeling the need to pee all the time or all of a sudden.

She discussed the various treatment options with me: one was the injections in the urethra up towards the bladder to inject a bulking agent. The second was a sling device. Each one, or so I'm told, can benefit each type of incontinence. However, when I mentioned that I was intending to have weight loss surgery, her thought was why not wait until after surgery and see how you do? It's very possible the loss of weight will help, but if not, she recommended only the injections if I was still in the process of losing weight and yet still wanted to treat the incontinence. The reason being is that the sling has to be fitted and weight loss will affect the fit. I'm just going to wait and see what happens, although lord knows I want to get this pesky life issue taken care of (have had problems for several years, soo annoying).

Here is my BCBS story: I really wanted my surgery pre-Christmas as my work has 2 weeks off at holiday time. Mentioned that several times to office coordinator so she said she would submit as soon as possible. My doctor's office submitted on Nov 21. I didn't hear anything for a few weeks so finally called BCBS myself and found out that they had approved it on the 24th, but the computer showed it hadn't been faxed/mailed yet to doctor/myself. So called doctor, said yada, yada, and she said, well, we haven't heard anything and I said well maybe you can call. She said I'll tell my assistant to check on Monday. So Monday came and went, and trying to be patient, but finally last Friday rolled around, and I called BCBS again, and STILL they had not sent it!! So I told THAT lady to send a message to the pre-determination department that day, to tell them I want that thing FAXED that day. She said she would. Then called doctors office to tell them it was coming..............we'll see. Anyway, during all this time waiting, my doc has filled up all his pre-Christmas time slots. So it will be early January. I told office that if a cancellation came up to let me know - I'm following the pre-op diet now anway, just in case.

My nutritionist told me to take 1000 mg of fish oil daily, so I have been. I can see where they might bother someone after surgery, but I'm still pre-op so can't say. The other things she told me to start taking pre-op was 10,000 IU of Vitamin D (my levels are very, very low), 1000 mg B12, and Calcium citrate (5000 mg). I finally got the Bariatric Chews for the Calcium, although the peanut/butter choc is not so good, and neither is the caramel. The lemon on the other hand is like eating a Starburst so I have to be careful with those

All I can say is that 58 and having lost the same 25 pounds more than once, and having had one child (22 years ago) my body is so saggy now, that even at my weight of 250 or so, I'm going to be a saggy bag a bones. I lay in bed at night and move all this flab around and think it's just fat flab, and then it's going to be empty skin.....what a sorry sight that will be

Hey Bob! Just think, by the time I have my surgery beginning of January, you will already be on your way to your new and improved life I hear ya about the Last Supper thing - it's been running across my mind too - like OMG I will never get to eat again! We know that isn't the case, but by the time you hear everyone here say how "life changing" it is, you're a bundle of nerves figuring you won't ever be the same. You'll be the same, only better!!!

I'm not sleeved yet (early January), but I'm 58 with a few side issues (high blood pressure, sleep apnea, aches and pains). I wish I had had the opportunity to do it earlier in life. When I think of all the activities and fun times, socializing, etc that I have missed out on, all I can say is that for those of you that are younger you will have such a better way of life, and will avoid some of the issues that a lifetime of carrying 100 extra pounds can do to your body over time.

Hey There! What a thoughtful post for us! Thanks so much, found some stuff I'll just have to buy for myself

Wow!!! What a transformation, it's hard to believe isn't it? You are just beaming in both pics, but the right one must just tickle you pink, eh?!

I know I've been able to eat some rather large amounts of food in the past...I'll give some examples of things I could put away in one sitting before starting this process:

1) Four bowls of Cereal

2) Cook a pound of bacon and eat the whole thing

3) 3 containers of Pringles

4) 1 pint of Haagen Daz ice cream

5) 12 pieces of fish and chips with a pop and massive tartar sauce (a mean intended at the fish and chip place to feed a family)

6) 3 grilled cheese sandwiches

7) chicken Teriyaki dinner with probably 1 lb of chicken/salad/sauce and 2 cups of rice...

8) One whole cheesecake (not the cheap kind either)

Anyone have any admissions to add

Bougie is the item the surgeon uses to size your stomach with. They insert it down your esophagus (thread it down) into your stomach and then snug your stomach up against the bogie and use it as a guide for where they will staple/cut your stomach. You can google it and find info.

Luv the Fuzzy Navel and the Carribean Crush.

Mine was a half hour, no paperwork, just some questions you might expect .."how do you see the surgery improving your life", "what do you think the biggest challenges will be", "tell me about your support network", etc. He was really funny and we ended up talking about his family, mine, laughing. 2nd appointment with him was the same way. Really liked him and wouldn't mind seeing him on a regular basis!

size 40 bougie. He has found that is the best all around size (in his practice anyway). Seems odd that everyone would get the same size no matter who they are if they choose him for a surgeon. Any thoughts?

Haha! Toooo funny pink bunies!

I'm going to double check with my surgeon again, but seems to me he said that it's typically a one night hospital stay...can't imagine taking much for just one night. Maybe it was two.........hmmm. I'd rather stay two nights to be sure everything is ok!

There is so much baggage tied to our weight, isn't there! I've been having dreams lately of feeling very vulnerable and lost. Already the unspoken fears are creeping in and I don't even have a surgery date yet. I know I've read that we have put on weight because the weight serves some kind of "purpose" for us emotionally - interesting that this particular "vision" you had involves feeling unsafe and unable to protect yourself. Well, I'm psycho-babbling now...lol. Lots to think about as we approach this milestone, that's for sure.

Sending prayers and good vibes your way. I'm not sure who advised you to write letters to your kids, and while I can see what the intent is, it seems like something that would be quite overwhelming the night before surgery Hang in there and try to get some sleep.

AMAZING TRANSFORMATIONS!!! WHY THE HECK IS MY FONT SO SMALL?..LOL)

I wanted to check in too! How's things RiskyGirl? I'm supposed to be excersising too for 30 mins a day prior to my surgery..have only done some walks at about 20 mins each. At least the dog seems to like it, if not me. Haha.

I'm wondering how age affects the rate of loss or total amount lost....I'm 58 and keep thinking that my metabolism is slower simply because of age. Do you think those of us "ahem" over ...50/55...lose slower in general?

^{Distraction with something kinda fun? For example, I plan on going out and buying a nice little set of many colored art pens and then a coloring book (not a kids one, the kind they make for adults who like to doodle). While I'm watching TV I will doodle and make pretty things...lol. I think anything that occupies your hands -- lots of great craft sites out there....}

I'm not very wise, but I was told something similar many years ago that is what others have mentioned and it has always stuck with me: ACT and the FEELINGS will follow. So, I would agree, I'm highly unmotivated, but it's almost like you have to "pretend" if that makes sense.

I also would advise not over thinking the whole process. Don't even think about it....don't talk to yourself about it for a half hour before you get up. Enjoy yourself in that bed! And then ...get up. Don't do a lot of self talk in between...you are in bed, enjoying it, and then you aren't. Period. I also agree - set the timer on your phone. My dad who had a stroke many years ago, did this as he got into his nineties (he actually used a little kitchen timer, bless his heart) - he would sit for 10 mins, and get up, move around for 10 and then sit again. Maybe set the timer for 30 mins in bed, 5 mins march in place, or five mins up and down the hall. Oh, and an anti-depressant in the right dose can really help. (has me anyway).

Good luck - come back here every day and get the support you need too.