Learningtolive

Strange as it may sound but my taste buds feel like everything tastes so much better so chicken broth was like the best chicken broth ever lol. I ate lots of apple sauce (sugar free of course) and cream of wheat at that stage, with plenty of Protein drinks for my Snacks. I guess I never really had cravings.

Agreed, IV fluids plus the swelling from your body post-surgery. Don't focus on numbers early on, except the fluid and protein numbers! I refuse to buy a scale lol

No shame in being the chubby girl going to GNC. When I was starting the pre-op I bought Isopures from there. I didn't think they were terrible at all. And I believe it's 40g in the drink, and remember the protein fluids count as your daily fluid goal!

My surgery day is here. I slept fine, but woke up early but I'm treating my day as I normally would before the surgery (Walking the dog at ex time, watching tv until I normally would get ready for work, going to take my daughter to school then.... make sure I'm packed for my stay). I'm a ball of emotions- excited to start this part of my journey, anxious as my insides will be rearranged. I'm nauseous, literally, with nerves. I tried a sip of Water, didn't help. I can have Clear liquids until 8am. But I am thankful today is the day! No doubt. I feel blessed for this opportunity and I've worked hard to get where I am. Think of me today, I'll try to post this evening. My surgery is at 11:45am.

I can't focus on anything and I have a lot I should be doing. Such as finishing up my Masters program. But I can't! I've already told myself.... if it gets denied then it wasn't meant to be but I can't stick with that thought. I called the insurance just now to see if it was even sent in, it was and it's "pending" and the lady said it could take 15-30 days. We have a tentative surgery date of January 27th, as my surgeon is very comfortable with the paperwork submitted and has worked with Aetna several times as it's the preferred insurance at the hospital. I'm just anxious and can't concentrate.

I've heard of several ppl having successful pregnancies after either, and my surgeon said to wait at least 18 months after the procedure due to your body still likely being in the weight lost mode and it would be rough on a pregnancy to ensure that you are receiving the nutrients necessary prior to that. I have a personal friend who is pregnant a year after her surgery, she is 30 weeks along right now and both baby and her are healthy. She's had no issues except the usual first child fears.

I don't have no alternating Protein and liquid days, so no experience with that. But I work in a high stress environment (I'm a psych nurse) and I just take it a day at a time, that's really all you can do. When you feel low, you have to find your own way to compensate, like a mantra to keep you going. I just started my pre-op diet a week ago which is Atkins or Paleo like according to my doctor, the first few days I was exhausted but I told myself it would pass and just kept going.

Good luck! I hope you have a smooth recovery and are quickly on the way to a new you! Congrats!!!

I've had so many naysayers, it was frustrating. They would say, "OK you lost all of this weight before surgery, so now you can cancel it." What?! I hate that. I just choose to ignore that. I haven't told most of my friends, or family. My husband knows and my mom, some friends like 4, ones I know won't say anything. My dad is Mr. Negative about everything so I just know telling him would do more damage than good. When I got pregnant I was "Making a mistake" according to him. I was 26 and yeah it was an oops baby but definitely not a mistake. I'm not publishing my surgery anywhere like facebook, etc. If after the surgery my in-laws ask where I've been or why I can't go to functions at the time, I'm going to say gallbladder surgery. (read that on here somewhere). It's really no one's business but my own. If people want to be negative, fine. I've talked with several ppl who have had this surgery and say it was the best decision of their life. I'm ready to make that decision as well.

Happy surgery day!! I wish you a fast, easy recovery!!! Mine's on the 27th too!

You'll be fine. Positive thoughts for you!

I hated the insurance approval wait game. My surgeon made the appt a month beforehand, he was confident. Now, I'm anxious about my surgery in 9 days. You'll get past this step. Be confident, you did everything required!

This is exciting for everyone! I'm glad I'm on an Atkins diet.... but the side effects are terrible and likely similar to what others may experience. I have nausea bad! And I'm very tired and mentally cannot think straight. It's like I have a thought and it takes a few minutes to truly form. No carbs is hard. But all liquid would be even worse so I'm thinking of you guys!!

Not going to make a new thread: It was approved as of this morning! Well likely yesterday but surgeon's office told me today! They do know their process and I trust them. So January 27th my life is changing! And my husband is taking off the time I'm hospitalized to be with me during the day and take care of our daughter after school. I'm shocked cause he hardly takes time off of work for anything. Now, again just short term disability, which I'm confident the doctor's office has as well. Working on my grad school stuff now.

Sorry, I've been super busy trying to work on my Masters program (difficult progress here). Had to go back to my surgeons Monday because the nurse at the insurance company wanted one more doctor's progress note in which I lost more weight. I'll admit I had a last harrah over New Years and had a few beers and was freaking out over empty calories and gaining weight. So that was submitted to satisfy them. The surgeon said to basically don't be anxious about this, I was honest and said I was. He said this is all they asked for, so they will approve so to plan for the 27th as my surgery date. So yeah. Started my 2 week pre-op diet today, which he basically said no carbs. Still anxious until I hear official word. And I'm anxious hoping my short term disability will be approved. Wouldn't be the end of the world but would make life difficult. I'm just anxious, let's be honest! And my school paper is taking 100x longer than I usually do. Grrr

OMG, that's funny cause today is my first day of this! My doctor basically told me to cut out carbs and to basically follow an Atkins or Paleo diet. So far just had a Protein drink for Breakfast, a Protein Bar as a snack. Probably a chicken breast for lunch with broccoli. So does this mean we are having surgery on the same day!? The 27th?

I'm trying to calm down. I'm reading about ppl with decisions of like 3 days, I'd like to know now. And I have my pre-op testing Monday, which is only valid for 21 days. I don't know. Just being doubtful. I need an ear to listen to me

January 27th! This is tentative of course on insurance approval but the surgeon doesn't see any issues with that so he went ahead and scheduled. I'm just a ball of emotions right now as a result. I was checking out my company's website regarding FMLA, then ended up on the website for the insurance company that handles it and I submitted, then I read after on my company's website "Do not submit for than 30 days before the event" AHHH! Seriously screwed up, I hope it doesn't ruin everything! And my company's website says they coordinate your short term disability with the FMLA. Did I ruin everything?! Geez. Told you, ball of emotions.

At my job I qualify for both FMLA and STD for my surgery. I'm a nurse who assists a psychiatrist so he knows about my surgery coming up, sometime end of January. My office manager just started a month ago so I haven't told her until I have the surgery date pre-scheduled, which I'll know mid-Dec. And that will be that, the forms go through HR so whatever surgeon decides on time off, so be it

I need an Instragram. I'm 30 going on 80, I don't understand technology lol. I'll join in a few days and add you!

I mean by bad, yeah it's good and all. But, if my BMI hits below 40 by my last NUT appt Dec. 29th then I'll probably be denied by the insurance. I've lost 20 lbs in less than 2 months. I follow my low-calorie, high Protein diet very well with little exercise (I'm doing brisk walks for the moment as instructed) but this is going too well I think. I'm just worried.

I'm a January baby! Not scheduled yet but appt with surgeon Dec. 17th to schedule and then final NUT appt Dec. 29th. I'm hoping for January 19th or after as that's when I have officially been at my job a year and qualify for FMLA.

Have you ever had a negative response to anesthesia? If not, I wouldn't worry about that part. I admit I'm worried too but I've had anesthesia several times, several types, and never had any issues. Just stay positive and focus on the outcome. Follow the dr's orders as stated already and you should be good. Complications from anesthesia are extremely rare. Mortality from this surgery is also rare and this surgery is well-researched and well-documented. You'll be fine.

Welcome Leanne. This is a good forum for information and support. I'm a newbie pretty recently too. Surgery is "planned" for January but will have an official date in December.

My surgeon gave me an estimate of my surgery, I just know end of January but we are finalizing the date mid-Dec. Like already mentioned, every place is different. Mine's giving me a date before the insurance approval and I will get my ducks in a row then- tell my manager, apply for short term disability, apply for FMLA.