prairieprincess

My surgery date is November 14 - My husband and I are going away for a mini vaca to a spa in a week as a treat and some relaxation before surgery - I am looking so forward to the hot tub since its going to be a while before I will be able to enjoy one again.

Well its finally here - I was beginning to think that this day would never get here - tomorrow I have my surgeons appointment - not sure which emotion is winning right now my excitement/anticipation or the terror. I have never been in for any type of procedure or surgery unless you want to start including minor dental work such as fillings that's as close as it comes. I don't know how I will be feeling once I get a surgery date and it becomes that real - I have a feeling anxiety and nerves will be tipping the scales a little bit then. I plan to just focus on the tasks I need to do and not the date to try and keep the emotions in check hoping that will work. I will keep this updated more for myself looking back more than anything

I know its not meant to come off as such - but you have people who at the most have maybe 5-10 pounds to loose and they are talking about how hard it is to loose weight - what an effort and struggle - then they look at you and say - you know what I mean. I know they aren't trying to be rude or hurtful - they all have their own story and struggles - but when you have these tiny little people going on about their weight issues and then compare it to my struggle - I find it so irritating and annoying - anyone else have experience with anything similar and how do you respond to them - I find my self biting back sarcasm when they do this

My family children/husband were a very central part of my decision making process - my daughter who is 19 has watched me struggle with my weight her entire life. She is now struggling with her weight and I have been taking her to all my appointments with me so that she can learn from my experiences first hand and have more motivation to find her own road and hopefully find solutions for herself that don't lead to surgery

I am starting a blog for myself to have a way to look back and keep a log of my feelings, attitudes, struggles and triumphs. I am Canadian living in Manitoba. Our system in Manitoba anyway is very different than many stories I see on this site. I started out putting myself on the surgery wait list it takes approx. 2 to 2 1/2 years to get past that. Then you go to a large group meeting where they go over a in broad terms what the next levels/steps will look like and give you a info package and a in depth questionnaire regarding your current health. It was then 3 months after that I had my first one on one meetings. I do mean meetings you do 1 hour each with a kinesologist, dietician, psychologist, and surgical nurse - they go over your current status and set goals for your next meeting if you are accepted. It was again 3 months since the first set of meetings this past Aug 18th that I had my next set of meetings. I am still waiting to move to the next step - my iron levels are not at the right level for me to move on and this is not negotiable. Your Iron levels must be a minimum of 50 before you will get to move to meeting the anesthetist, surgeon, and start the classes for pre-op and post op diets. My iron levels were 45 close but not close enough. My next blood work is around the 21st or 22nd whenever I wish to go to the lab. I will hear the following week if my blood work passes. I will admit though up till I went to my individual meetings I was extremely naïve about this whole process and what to expect and how intense/involved this all is. I have done a lot of self education in the last 6 to 8 months. I suppose its a good thing I do not frighten easy and really do not shy away from hard work, but I will say I thought it was simple surgery and recovery would be a breeze. I also thought we would be given more of a choice into the type of surgery. Not in Manitoba 99% of have bypass that is what has the best overall long term weight loss results and if in the future medically things need to be undone you are able to. The sleeve may be done depending on your health. There has only been one patient once inside that they just closed back up without doing anything- that was because of health related issues and an exceptional case and that is all they can tell us understandably. I am excited and nervously awaiting moving to the next step. I don't think any of this will be truly real until I meet with the surgeon and anesthetist. Heres hoping for good news when they call at the end of September.

I want to add something now that I have read all the responses - I want to weigh less/be smaller than my husband - I really hadn't thought of that before now

I am trying to change some habits and do some prep work for after surgery - my problem is I really dislike yogurt and have been trying to get used to protein shakes - is there any recipes that don't include yogurt or ways to disguise the yogurt taste -any ideas would be appreciated

There are a 3 things I cant wait for - I want to go horse back riding I have been to afraid/embarrassed at this weight, I want to run a 1/2 marathon I used to be a long distance runner as a child - and to go shopping in a non xl clothing store just a regular department store.

You could also try plant based Protein powder. I found that animal based makes me extremely physically ill. The dietician suggested trying planted based because it might be an allergy to the animal based. I tried and found that I am able to tolerate and keep the plant based down so much easier. The one I use is called Vega - you never know give it a try it might help.

The brand I use is called Vega but I will admit I gave not tried many brands I little nervous from previous experiences Sent from my iPad using the BariatricPal App

I wish there was more I could do other then be a shoulder and an ear for you and think positive thoughts for you - I wish there was a magic wand I could wave for you to make it right Sent from my iPad using the BariatricPal App

Sharbear617 - I want to say thank you I am pre op and how you described it - as a way to look at this as a break up and a bad relationship - really changed my thinking and helped me out at the grocery store yesterday - I used to go what's one package of Reese Peanut Butter cups or a bag of chips no ones home no one will know - there's no one to give me grief - but thanks to your prospective in the store it was so much easier to ignore and walk right past and say your not going to drag me down any more instead I bought myself grapes as a treat and it was because of your advice thank you very much it is going to make my future so much easier and brighter Sent from my iPad using the BariatricPal App

I was wondering would your gp be able to help push the date ahead - and I thought waiting for my Iron to go up was frustrating - I'm feeling lucky and blessed at the moment Sent from my iPad using the BariatricPal App

Wow sorry that things are so rough for you right now will keep you in my thoughts Sent from my iPad using the BariatricPal App

I am preop but have tried different Protein shakes in preparation - but I found animal based Proteins made me incredibly ill - I had to go to vegetarian or vegan Protein Shakes and powders - you may want to try those options - can't hurt anything Sent from my iPad using the BariatricPal App

To thisidthenewme feel free to msg me whenever you need I have been looking for the same - people who are in going through similar that understand for support my family are there but my husband and boys are in the category of people who have never had to struggle with there weight ever. Sent from my iPad using the BariatricPal App

I am just starting the preoperative visits- I was wanting know what people did to get started moving and getting exercise - how do you keep motivated and stay honest - I have been considering a fit bit but would have upgrade my current device because the IPad I have now is not compatible with it - the only apple device that isn't just my luck, but if it is worth the upgrade and a useful tool I would so any advice and or suggestions would be appreciated

I am in Canada and things work slightly differently but you should have no issues because I am almost exactly the same height and weight and as soon as my Iron is up a little more they are figuring I should have surgery before Christmas. Again I am unfamiliar with the workings of insurance in the states but medically I can tell you since we are identical in height and weight you should have zero issues on that front

Hi I'm also 45 hoping to hear about a date by the end of September just need my Iron levels up by another 5 they are at 45 they need to be at 50 this at the moment is the only hold up

Hi Tucker; Manitoba here - I am also pre surgery - like you about half way through pre operative stage - once I have my Iron levels up will be going on to meet the anesthetist, surgeon and get my diet teachings. My iron as of my appointment on the 17th was at 45 it needs to be at a 50 to move on so a bit frustrated. Hopeful though when my blood work is done on Sept 22 that it will be where it needs to be at - if it is I am to get my history and physical filled out because they will be booking those appointments right away - like I said very hopeful that things will progress quickly soon.

I do great with staying on track with eating - I find it difficult to stay motivated in the exercising department - that's where I need advice - how do others keep themselves moving, interested, and ready to go. The only thing holding things back from getting a surgical date is my iron levels need to get up by 5 more points but I am finding it difficult to get myself motivated to go for that walk daily so advice on what keeps others going and moving would be so appreciated

I go to Zumba classes when they are running in our small town the are on summer hiatus unfortunately - I am looking to join more classes this fall they will be having drums alive classes - I am on iron tablets 3 times a day to get my levels up where they need to be for surgery - they are at 45 and need to be at 50 for surgery

I am currently going through the pre-operative steps and I can totally relate to everything you were saying the fear is still here. I can say I am terrified, excited, and over flowing with anticipation for post operative changes all in one. I am also so afraid once I start loosing weight I wont recognize myself and or I will change personality wise into someone I wont like - get a terrible ego or something. I am told these are common fears and natural. The psychologist is very helpful and is always willing to talk - I am in Canada and the psychologist is part of the team and is always available. She (the psychologist) suggested support groups are a great resource to help and have people in similar circumstances to talk to. So just stay open talk to people and work through the process.

Just recently joined from Brandon, Manitoba - going next week for second meeting with surgical nurse, dietician, and kinesiologist. Hopefully get the go ahead to meet with the anesthetist and surgeon pre-op.

I am pre surgery and found that Protein shakes make me extremely ill - they don't stay down no matter what I did. The dietician suggested switching to vegan/vegetarian Protein powder. She felt it might be an allergic reaction to the animal protein. It worked you could try it and see if it works for you