Redmaxx

I did not need an MRI (but I am also a pouch, not a sleeve). Needed upper endoscopy, EKG, chest x-ray, ultrasound, psych eval and some blood work.

I finished the program early. I stopped the day of rest in between.

I initially went to the sleep doctor because many years ago when I worked midnights and my wife and daughter's where visiting family in NY I woke up not being able to catch my breath. I couldn't inhale or exhale. I thought I was going to die. I went to the sleep doctor, had the sleep study and in the morning g they told me that I needed to come back that night or else I was going to die. I went back that night and they put me on a CPAP machine. Now fast forward to today, I do everything at the VA hospital and they don't have the capabilities to do the sleep study at my VA hospital so they farmed it out to a local hospital that has the AutoPAP machine. Here it is 9 weeks to the day that I had my sleep study and still no report, phone call, e-mail or a F off and die from the sleep doctor or the VA.

I rejoined the Veterans of Foreign Wars Department of Michigan State Honor Guard last month. Well yesterday (4 July 2017) was our first official event. It was a 2 mile (give or take) parade. When I was on the State Honor Guard 2 years ago I thought I was going to die by the time we reached the end of the parade. Yesterday, I was like huh, when is this parade going to start. I carried the Department flag and had zero issues. What a difference losing 100 pounds makes. Also, 2 years ago the uniform I was issued had become a little too small for me (I couldn't button the pants (thank goodness there is a wide white belt that covered it up) and I had to buy a larger uniform) but now I have the smallest shirt and pants that I can find and I feel so much more comfortable. I love the new me.

I have heard different things about the size of compression shirt that you should wear. I heard that you are supposed to wear your "normal" size shirt and I have heard that you should wear one that is a size smaller. Any advice?

UPDATE: Here we are almost 7 weeks since the sleep study and still no report or letter or phone call about the sleep study. Maybe I should just stop using the CPAP machine and when I go to my next appointment (24 August 2017) tell them since I never heard anything I "assumed" that I didn't need it anymore?

I will check it out this weekend.

It is all mind over matter. You don't mind and it don't matter. Be truthful. People always think the worst when they hear psych exam. You will do fine.

We had one in group a few months ago who was about 1 1/2 months post op sleeve and was eating M&Ms.

We have a plastic surgeon coming to our next support group meeting. I for one am interested in what he has to say.

Now that I have had my RNY surgery, meet (and exceeded) my surgeon's weight loss goal and am starting to get self conscious about my short comings I am thinking about getting multifocal lens implants http://yaldoeyecenter.com/multifocal-lens-implants. I just turned 50 in February and I have bifocal glasses and hearing aids (due to loud noises on the flight line (when I was in the Army) and I am pretty self conscious about the hearing aids and the bifocals. I know I can't do anything about the hearing aids but I think I can do something about needing glasses. I already tried contact lenses but that didn't work too well. Has anyone had this procedure done and if so are you happy with it? TIA, Phil

I think what I am going to do is get the free consultation in December (along with the price) and set up my flex spending account in January and have it done shortly after that. I hate having bifocals (not to mention hearing aids) and I think it will help with my self esteem.

Welcome to the Loser's Bench! We have been waiting for you.

I couldn't shower for two days after surgery. That was due to the IV and catheter. Finally when I was cleared to be discharged the nurses removed the IV and catheter and I was able to shower.

And how did your scale take the letter?

So the Department of Michigan VFW Convention was this past weekend and low and behold everyone had a comment on my weight loss. From the "Oh are you sick?" to "Did you lose weight on purpose?" to the "You don't have AIDS do you?". That one really pissed me off and I wanted to kill that a*****e. What a thing to say to someone. And he is a past State Commander. I came so close to throat punching this POS. Losing the election didn't really upset me, but his comment really did. I now have a major attitude and my depression has come back with a vengeance.

I tried that but rumors quickly spread that I was sick. Congratulations on keeping it a secret.

Thank you. I can make an appointment at the VA to talk to the head shrinker.

My surgeon recommended the RNY to me. I took his advice and had it done 7 1/2 months ago. I am doing great (no complications) and would do it again in a heartbeat. My only regret is that I didn't have it done sooner.

No I didn't, but in all fairness I was only on liquids (pre-op) for 3 days.

Congratulations! It didn't take long to get my approval from BCBS FEP either.

For the past week I have just kinda felt like MEH. I don't know why. Kinda don't want to be around or deal with anyone. Went to the crack back on Friday for an adjustment and the whole left side of my back hurt whenever he pressed on it (that has never happened before). It almost feels like I have a major case of the Mondays. I hope to break out of this funk soon.

I am sure we will do our Friday evening restraint visit where she will have the Polish Combo and I will have the Chef Salad with Ranch (no onion).

Haven't lost hair and yesterday was 7 months post op for me. Only taking calcium citrate, iron, multivitamin and weekly B12.

Congratulations and good luck with your show.