Machalo

Love seeing all these responses, I guess it will depend on who the doctor is as to what kind of testing they do to see if you're mentally ready for the surgery. I know some of the triggers not to say, like 'I had an eating disorder back when ...' or 'I've thrown up after eating' or anything else that can be classified as an eating disorder or severe depression or thoughts of harming yourself. Answer as "vanilla" as you can. I'm so sorry @Billy Bob that you had that experience. I agree you should call the doctor back and continue to ask questions until someone tells you what you need to do next in order to get your clearance. It may be some counseling or therapy or something easy like that for a few months that will bring on your clearance. Don't give up.

So glad to hear that your surgery was successful and that you're home and on the mend. Thanks for posting to let us know. Keep us updated on how your journey continues now that you are post-op.

Thanks for the update, Mike. I had heard about the no caffeine rule, but your surgeon said it was okay. That is great if you are a caffeine addict, like me. I don't drink coffee or tea, but I do have my diet soda to give me a boost of caffeine in the mornings to get me going. I'm wondering how I'm going to change that up without having the caffeine. Maybe it won't be so bad after all. I guess it will depend on what my surgeon says and what my body will tolerate. I've heard or read, I can't remember which at this point, that you need to try different things once surgery is over because your palate will have changed and different things will taste better or worse. So happy for you that you are so close to your surgery! Way to go! I know you've got what it takes to make it through the entire process to reach your goals. Just take it one step at a time and try not to rush your body. HAHA! Look at me sounding like I know anything. I do have faith in you though, Mike, so hang in there.

Thank you for sharing your journey. You should be proud of the woman you've become so far and of the woman you are becoming. You are making nothing but positive changes in your life, celebrate them! For us chronically overweight people I think we are more comfortable putting ourselves down rather than lifting ourselves up. But that is what this surgery demands of us, yes? It demands that we value ourselves and our health regardless of what anyone else thinks or feels. Not that we're arrogant in our self love, but that we are starting to get some self love. You are going to do great things post-surg, keep up the wonderful work.

Best wishes to you @AngelaJordan

I, too, was wondering what it was going to be like. I have my appointment in November. Thanks @SorryNameTaken for sharing your experience. I hope mine goes that easily as well. I'm currently taking depression and anxiety meds so I hope that isn't an issue. Gosh, I hope I can come off of them after surgery. That would be truly wonderful.

I'm pre-op. I have another long couple of months to go with my nutritionist and nurse. I still need my psych eval, which I'm having a hard time setting up, and then need an ultrasound on my stomach. I know in my head that it will go by fast, but right at the moment, I feel like it is drrraaaaggggginnng.

I'm also on the site continually throughout the day, in between tasks at work, and would be on at night too, if my computer and internet would talk with each other. I need to bring in my computer for service. You are on your way! I'm very excited for you and cannot wait until I have a date set as well. Let us know how you come along @Cherylmilla and @november11

Woohoo! Celebrate that 2 pounds. That is 2 pounds you don't have to lose later. *Cheer*

Best wishes, and I'm pretty sure that nerves beforehand are normal. It's the culmination of all the build up given to the thought of the surgery til now, and it's like the anxiety you get right before a really big event in your life that you've been looking forward to for the last several months. Girl, you got this!

What are you most looking forward as you progress on your journey? I'll start off 1. Not having to use the handicap stall in the bathroom 2. Being able to fasten a normal seatbelt on an airplane 3. Being able to put on my own sneakers 4. Doing my own pedicure 5. Being able to look at cute clothes again 6. Having a real hug (you know, when the other person can get their arms ALL the way around) 7. Exercise that doesn't hurt 8. Hopefully getting rid of most of my medications 9. Not being described by others as "fat" or "big" 10. Being able to keep up with my grandchildren Okay, that's a start. You get the idea. I didn't even mention the joy of being able to shop for clothes and not feel like I have to hide the size label when I take it to the cash register. I look forward to hearing what you all think.

Sounds like you have a wonderful support system there, Lady VS. I think mine will come around eventually. Though, I guess, it really is up to just me as to how I do with it. The best support system can't eat for me, or anything. I'm the one who has to do the work. So, I guess I should stop worrying about it.

Hope your surgery went well!

I didn't realize it was lying over the stomach. I guess that makes sense then. So much to learn about. Have you found any good books or videos on the subject of WLS?

LOL! You're right about that, Recidivist. It's even more of a chore when you can't easily reach them. Oh! I thought of another thing I will look forward to! I'm looking forward to being able to sit in a chair like a real person and not have to lean my upper body back to a reclining position just to have back support.

Go Mikeyy. You've got this. You've got a great attitude and it seems like you're doing your "head work" to have a successful WLS. Thanks for keeping us informed as to how you are doing. It's making all the difference to have people to talk to.

I went into my first consult thinking about the sleeve, mainly because I didn't want my plumbing to be rerouted. However, with my constant GERD, my team highly suggest the bypass which is supposed to fix the GERD. I don't understand how it does that yet, but I'm going to go with what my medical team advises since they've done hundreds of these surgeries and have probably seen cases like mine before. In the end, make the decision that is right for you, and trust your doctors have your best interests at heart.

Best wishes and prayers, LadyVS. Question - why do you have to shrink your liver? I didn't even know that was possible.

I hadn't actually thought about telling people about my new lifestyle, but that is a great idea. Of course telling my nurse sister-in-law is really telling the entire family. It's tele-phone, tele-graph, and tell-a-sister in law. LOL! I love her dearly, but she does like to tell everyone else in the family everyone else's business. Perhaps if I swear her to secrecy that will help. I'd rather just tell people that I've changed my eating habits and picked up some exercise. Besides, who knows when I'll hit a plateau and have to up my game to get going on the loss again.

I think we can all appreciate each other's desires here. Especially about not being in pain when you walk, run, etc. I'm looking forward to being able to do up the dishes in one go rather than having to quit half way through and come back to it later. Dang! I'm looking forward to being able to bend over without so much hassle to be able to clean out my cats' boxes, because right now it is a chore.

Amen to that last one, ChubRub! I will be so happy when I don't obsess over what is being offered determining where I want to go out.

Congratulations to you! Best wishes for a speedy recovery!

i'm not exactly keeping it a secret, but I'm not announcing to the world either. Right now, just my husband knows and I'm fine with that. When I actually have the surgical date, I will call my sister-in-law to see if she will come help the first few days with my husband who is disabled. She's a nurse and would be highly offended if I didn't at least ask her to come right at the beginning. Other than that, everyone will notice when my weight starts to drop in buckets.

You've got all of us on the board for support, Syrus. I know it's not the same as having local, in-person support, but it is very supportive here. Go out on the threads. There's a thread for almost everyone, and if there isn't one that interests you, create one.

Just eliminating candies, cookies, and chips this last week, I'm down 6 pounds. If you are able to get rid of the soda and fast food, you'll probably drop too. That is so exciting that you are that close to being able to set your date! My 4 months is regulated by my insurance who won't even look at the request for pre-auth until Jan. I'll keep good thoughts for you to be able to have surgery before end of the year. That would be so awesome!