CanyonBaby

I'm not sure why there is so much discrepancy amongst the surgeons regarding pre-op weight loss, I wonder if the liver enzyme blood test has anything to do with it? Anybody?

I just want you to know that this WILL be a difficult road, no matter which surgery is done. BUTTTTTTTTTTT. Imagine the life that you've wanted, the life you deserve. The life you SHOULD have! Difficulties strengthen our character, and I believe, to prepare us or enable us to help others who may be going through the same difficulties, down the road. I didn't even know 2 months before the surgery that there was even a possibility of me being slender let alone HEALTHY again. But here I am, talking with all of you about our common goals. I'm on my way, I hope you are right there with me......

For pain, maybe, but for pleasure? You're going to free yourself of who knows how many pounds and you want an artificial high? You're going to have enough troubles dealing with head-hunger, might want to stay far away from it, and have yourself a "real" high when you're free from obesity!

Thankx for the article, it all helps!

Ok. Here we go...are you ready? If you don't have any yet, go get some unflavored protein powder, then add it to some cold water and mix well. Then add some water enhancer drops, to your liking. That should go down a lot easier. If you can't find the powder, Amazon.com has it. And your grocery probably has the drops. That will get you your protein AND your water. Keep sipping, my dear......

@@yoyolifechange11 So is that a good thing, or a bad thing? I guess what you, and only you, can determine is: what do YOU want? May I suggest going to the bariatric counseling (because we have to do that, you know, for the program) together? And if the counselor and/or your husband won't do that, can you arrange a bariatric counseling session together, once you've met with the psychologist? This will be different counseling than marriage counseling. But it will tell you and the psychologist whether you and/or your husband are ready for this. This surgery is EXTREMELY life-altering, in many ways. And it is very taxing on the emotions as hormones are released helter-skelter (anybody remember that book?! Gosh, am I old or what!!!), you say, think, feel things that are, shall we politely say; atypical. Definitely hard on a marriage, and if your marriage is rocky now, whew, it is in for a ride! I thank God above for my extremely tolerant husband, who has born the brunt of many a scathing remark............. Irregardless, we are here, we are listening, and we all care about you, so come when you need to, and find some peace....All the best to you.

@@VSGAnn2014 And how!

Ok. I will be the odd-duck and say something strange...do you think he is the way he is.......because he is scared of losing you? Sometimes people react in ways not normally expected when faced with the thought of losing a loved one (whether it is from illness, death, or to another). No, it is not an acceptable excuse for anyone, but it IS understandable. Fear is a VERY powerful motivator, and can block a person's reasonable understanding of a situation. Thus they kick into overdrive, take a powertrip that they hope will overcome the situation, and you are along for the ride. Men who tend to be overly protective tend towards this action, because it is, in their mind, an action. Something to do, a way to take the power away from the thing that is hurting you - in this case, your weight. Death from an obesity-caused illness can be fought, and this is how he may be fighting it. I am NOT excusing his behavior, but I have seen my own husband afraid for me when I have an illness he can do nothing about. A man being powerless is seen, by the man who is protective of his family, as unacceptable, and SOMETHING MUST BE DONE. NOW. I think that is why everyday he comes at you with a mission, a plan for the fight. The fight against obesity. Which may take you from him. He must do something, anything. He is afraid. SO, what do we do with this? My approach would be to, as others have suggested, educate him. It's time to sit him down, explain what it is you want to do to fight this obesity devil, and you need his help to do it. Without him and his support, you tell him, it cannot be done. You seem like you want things in your marriage to get straightened out, so straighten it out! He has one option here, and that is to support you in your fight...it is YOUR fight! He can be the Robin to your Batman! You still have to do all the work with this surgery, but you will need HIM to prop you up, keep you on track, but in a good way.\ And the place to start is an orientation meeting of WLS. He either goes with you willingly, or is left behind to be an unsupportive husband, who is bound to lose his wife. And that is what I would tell him. This is YOUR choice, to live a healthier life, not just a slimmer life. He is either for you, or against you (Ha! Just like God, in the bible!). But you can't live a life that is full of secrecy, for that is a GUARANTEE for marital failure. Be strong. Be willful. Be free. From what you just said about him calling you to tell you he loves you, sent a spark through me. I don't think, if he didn't love you, he would still be with you. Now it's time for YOU to take the reins, and guide your own life. It seems he wants you to do that, as well, or he wouldn't nag you about it. So, what do you have to lose if you tell him the truth about wanting to have this surgery? It sounds like you are already prepared for the worst, so get it over with, be the strong woman you are, and take charge. He can either go with you, or not. His choice. Your choice. Good luck to you, my dear, keep us informed....You are in my prayers....

I am sooooo proud of you! Congratulations on your decision for a new life and a better quality of life!!!

And THANK YOU for bringing it to attention of those who are new to the arena. It is so true there are little or no manners out there anymore. If, indeed, these people to whom you refer do have the surgery, I have the feeling they won't even respect themselves enough to follow the WLS rules, and will soon fall into their old vices. Good luck to you on your journey...

If you're experiencing anything you don't understand, call your surgical team! Why take chances? It is what you paid them to do; take care of you. As for the food amounts, are you trying for full, or sated (which is what you want)? Full is too full, sated is comfortable, but not at the top of your sleeve. As you eat each bite, try to sense where that bite is at in your sleeve. When you start to get to the top, you should be able to feel it, and then stop eating. It shouldn't get to that "slightly uncomfortable" state, because by then you are already at or near the top. It is a new thing for you, this sated feeling. It will take some time to adjust to it, without going over it. Just take your time eating, chewing slowing and thoroughly, let some time elapse before taking another bite, feeling where the last bit "landed". You will soon recognize where your sated point is, and it truly is a "sweet spot"! It's just happy there!

Yay, congrats and all that!!!! Have a happy journey, your new life STARTS NOW!

Are you working out like you did in the Coast Guard (and thanks, by the way, for your service!)? As the previous writer said, it is probably the age-thing. My body, as I am losing and getting back into old clothes from years ago, is definitely not the same shape! But I am not doing quite the same things as I did then (National Park Service Ranger, minimum 6 miles/day hiking)! So I guess I shouldn't be surprised, huh? Things shift, and at least the excess weight is "shifting" elsewhere, hopefully never to be seen OR heard from again.....

I have slowed way down, and drew that to the attention of my dietician on Monday-last. She also said the slower it goes, the more likely it is to stay off. I have heard that in the past, as well. Not sure the reason, but you are not alone!

It will depend on each individual's needs. In addition to taking a multi-vitamin (that is SUPER-LOADED), I take D3 (5000), calcium citrate, B12, E, Biotin, and iron. I have hyperparathyroidism, so the D and calcium are super-critical for me. After that issue reared it's ugly head, my bones are super scary brittle. And since I'm on this super-thingy, have a super day!!!

I am soooo sorry for your situation. But I may have a solution for your exercise! Have you tried "Sit and Be Fit"? All the exercises are done in a chair, and you wouldn't need to use your bum knee! I believe you can get DVD's on Amazon.com, and here in Washington state, it is on PBS. Maybe that can get the scales AND the sizes moving! Good luck with your surgery, let us know how it goes!

I think I have taken the Advil 3 times (and only in the evening) since I had the surgery, when I can't bear the pain anymore (I have really had to hold myself back-if you knew my pain history, you'd understand!). I haven't had any problems. Now, last night at our support group meeting, I asked the "dumb" question of how will I know if I am having problems, and they ALL yelled "when it hurts!!!".....ok, blush, hide in the darkest closet.....

@@Elode I am so glad, and relieved! Feeling good is so important, especially as I think it has so much to do with our emotions... I know when my sacral joints are out, NOBODY is havin' a good time! All the best...

You're going to get really different answers and opinions on this; I can't figure out why the opinions are so different! They either are or are not ok for the sleeve - WHICH IS IT?! My surgeon HIMSELF told me it was ok (for my arthritis), which is why I went with the sleeve. Then last night I go to the support group meeting where we had an "anti-drug of any type" nurse who told us all they were very bad for us and to never use them! Now SHE works for the guy, so WHAT DO I DO NOW? He is a surgeon, she a nurse. These conflicting opinions within the same office are not helping anyone. So my dietician suggested if we take them, to take them with yogurt, cheese, milk.....something to coat the stomach. I like the Advil Liquid-Gels, and she (dietician) said that might be the better of the choices as it melts with the body, so it might (MIGHT) pass through the sleeve before dissolving, which would the best for the sleeve. WHO KNOWS? You got me....

@@Elode WOW, kid! Are you getting in enough nutrients to keep you going? Did your labs show any Vitamin deficiencies? Do you think if you got a little more in your mood would improve? I know that when I am hungry, my mood is to be feared! I try not to get to that point for my families' sake! What if you ate a little more often, how often are you eating now?? Do you follow the 2-3-2 program at all? It really helps me keep it together. I went to my support group meeting last night, and one of the nurses said that sleeve sizes were not regulated in any way, so the size for one could be way different from another, and that a lot of those done in Mexico tended to be really tiny. Possibility? Maybe you have one of the tinier ones. She said the super tiny ones tended to cause an uncomfortable quality of life. I can believe that! Super interesting meeting, that one. Are you getting enough B12? Should I be worried for you? Am right now, I hope you feel better...keep us informed!

Hmmmm...I'm not sure what your insurance requirements are, that might be your biggest question to get answered. What your Dr. said is just what will happen. When you get called in, they will tell you what you need to lose, if any. The pre-op diet is pretty much to reduce your fatty liver, so they can see better during the surgery - kinda reduces the size of it so it is not in the way so much. You should lose quite a bit during that phase, but it's not a happy time for most, as a liquid diet is not so pleasant! And be prepared, some don't lose any or much weight for the first few weeks, as the swelling weighs a lot. Once you get rid of the swelling, you should really start losing. So many people get frustrated during this period, and lose patience, thinking they made the wrong decision. Like everything else, this, too, shall pass, and, if you follow all the rules, you will do great!!! Good luck to you on you journey!

Same here! Welcome! My diabetes is in remission, as well, and am off all meds for it. All other issues have been greatly reduced, as well. Just a suggestion: search through the posts for anything you want to know, and if you can't find what you're looking for, you can use the search box or just post a question...someone is bound to answer! Good luck to you on your journey!

It's funny that this was a topic of conversation at my support group meeting tonight! I usually get very nauseous in the morning right after I take my first sips of water. Well, the nurse told us it is because the stomach contracts during the night, with nothing in it all night. So when the water hits it, it kinda goes into shock - like a slap in the face! She suggested to take a couple of small sips of warm to hot water, so it's not such a shock. And then, when you have the first meal of the day, to eat something soft for the first few bites, to kinda "prime" the stomach for the harder textures to come. Makes sense, huh?! I'm definitely going to try this in the morning! And good evening to all...

I, too, am one of those "lazy, good, for naught" creatures of the homefront, whereas ALL I do ALL day is laze about. Doing things like....plowing the driveway, felling dead trees so they don't fall and hurt anyone, fend off unwanted critters that plague my land, plow that land, garden that land, cut and buck up that fallen tree, feed the woodstove AND the children AND husband that warm themselves by that woodstove, clean that woodstove, clean up after said children and husband, tend the animals that provide for us, and then, of course, take time to help others by volunteering time to see at-risk youths get some much-needed counseling, seeing to elderly folks who are now left alone in the world, answering calls from those souls who have had WLS, to help them on their journey, and finally, before I rest my head for the evening, see to it that fellow "housewives" and "homemakers" have their day AND their say in a forum where no judgement is placed. In case you're wondering what all this is about, it is for the lone soul who just had to make a comment in another's Quest for answers in "Having Doubts...". Yes, I'm just a "housewife" and I'm proud of it......for I AM THE NECK THAT TURNS THE HEAD.

@@Babbs Sensitive? Maybe, but I said what I felt needed to be said. There are a lot out there who don't/won't stand up for themselves, and I have taken it on the chin repeatedly for the career I have chosen. And I choose to follow my preferred path of weight loss by not doing the log-thing. As I have said before, the professionals that I have hired are happy with my progress, and my way of doing things (after all, doesn't the progress speak for itself?), so the rest of the world SHOULD be happy with it, as well (as if it mattered). I deliberately did not address this in the post to which I was referring, as it would have taken the importance away from the subject of the post itself. As I have accomplished what my goal is, onto the chores that SHOULD work my ass off....