KarenLR75

Oh my gosh...AWESOME JOB and in under a year!! You definitely should be very very proud of yourself!

Dang! Was going to reply YESSSSSS! Then i realized I'm Week 4!! UGH. Sorry, that probably didn't sound gracious...I'm still "GO WEEK 3 PEEPS!!!"

OK, was on Day 13 of pre-op diet when I changed dr's. Had 2 or 3 days off...and back onto pre-op diet. By time surgery date comes around, I'll have been 'pre-op'ing for 30+ days. WHY is it harder this first week of starting again...than the ENTIRE 13 days I had been on it before. I was never as hungry as I am now even though I'm following same pre-op. I am not having the 1 lb a day loss I was having during my first pre-op attempt. Is it my body resisting me playing starvation games already...or maybe my mental mindset? Probably both. Trying to think, within the bounds of the pre-op items I'm allowed, if I can come up with some happier combination where I won't feel within an hour the deep growling, grumbling and that sick/nauseated feeling you get when you haven't eaten. My mind and/or body thinks it is not getting ANYTHING. I'm guess I'm surprised that I"m struggling already on just...Day 7 or 8 of my 2nd pre-op diet. The Premier shakes that usually always keep hunger at bay are not working, sugar free popsicles and jello...my body has its 'BS detector' out in full force...I think it literally just laughs when I desperately grab them from my fridge/freezer...like 'Yeah, right...not having it..nope...give me some REAL food'. I had done Keto for 15 months prior to mid-June when 1st pre-op started so I don't think I'm detoxing, etc. And I work such long hrs that I have often relied on Premier Protein drinks to keep me satisfied for HOURS upon HOURS. I even tried some Bariatric Fusion bars my dr's office uses...nope. The soup I ordered from bariatricpal isn't cutting it for more than an hour and it has always been very satisfying..plus it tastes good..but tummy still not happy (tummy going to be REALLY unhappy on 7/25..lol). I will say the Cocoa Variety pack from bariatricpal is the ONE thing that literally seems to make my stomach happy this time around still! @Alex Brecher I ordered more boxes and am giving you a pass on harassing you about API's, etc. to resolve the auto-renewal items in 'cart' situation since you are still recovering from MAJOR DANG surgery! Besides, I gotta have more cocoa!! (and my point total will continue going higher which is GREAT!) Ideas anyone? So bizarre!!

Sale? Hopefully like somewhere we might have in common between TX and NY...Hhmmm..Sam's club? Kroger? LOL about your Mom's comment!! If I'm ever in NY, I'll know who has the market cornered on them!

OH my gosh, logistical nightmare! Been through that once...crazy, crazy, especially while in pain/agony although I get the sense that you still cracked jokes Love it!

I LOVE your sense of humor!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

OH my gosh, I haven't even read your entire post...I was so shocked by seeing the subject line and it NOT being Alex's thread..and saw your name..and I thought "what in the world is going on to our people??!!" LOL - now i need to go back and read your thread. @FluffyChix , @Orchids&Dragonsand @Frustr8 - you are THREE of my fave ppl on these forums...and there are many many others that I already feel invested in...like part of a family. Frustr8 & Orchids&Dragons - you both are NOT allowed to have 'require' sudden emergency surgery/etc., ok?

Oh yeah....urinalysis too...but no upper GI, no x-ray, no pulmonary test. Interesting that they did a chest x-ray... And I've been changed to a gastric bypass now instead of a sleeve so I was even more surprised that the hospital didn't want anything further but was glad not to have to do 2 pre-op visits!

YAY! I have been thinking about you and your hubby!! Glad to hear you are home. Man, sorry about the hernia! That had to have been a rough period - those first 2 days! Am glad to hear the pain has not been a big deal! So happy for you both!!

They just checked my weight, blood pressure, asked if I had any sores/rashes..if I had been out of the country, etc. I also brought in all the meds I take on a regular basis..also brought along supplements & they weeded thru those and told me to discontinue most of the supplements (except my bariatric multi-vitamin, calcium, etc. type things). No more gingko biloba for a while but that is fine. One of my prescription meds, they don't carry @ the hospital so I'm to bring that with me. They gave me some Hibiclens wash (wash they use in the hospital) to 'shower/bathe with' the night before surgery (and the 'night' before that as well). They took the usual 5 to 6 vials..basically like what you'd get at your primary dr's office - whole CBC panel, etc. They talked the time I should report prior to surgery, etc. Most of the time the pre-op visit is a fairly easy thing and I've always had the luck of having nice ppl. Oh, and they talk about any monies you are going to owe, how you are going to pay, etc. but they did not take the payment then.

LOL...they were good. The sugar free Outshine popsicles are my favorite by far...don't taste quite as 'artificially flavored'...but considering it is often over 100 degrees here in TX, ANY popsicle sounds good most of the time! My surgery date slid BACK from 7/1 to 7/25 so after being on Day 13 of my pre-op diet...to realize with new dr that orig dr's office was indeed not going to cooperate and send records over...I realized I would have a brief break...which may sound good but since I was on day THIRTEEN of pre-op, I was SO looking forward to getting the surgery and moving into the post-op even knowing I'd be taking in far less for a while. Blah..by the time my surgery date comes around...I'll be like on day 30-something of preop diet. lol Anyone else out there with a 7/25 date? I was given 7/22 as a choice as well but eldest is visiting from PA and she leaves on 7/25 (will be there for my surgery and DFW airport is not far away from hospital). I decided to wait until the tail end of her visit before having the surgery.

By Day 2 in hospitals I'm always on my laptop (heck, sometimes on Day 1). It is a often a much needed...distraction..plus I would get horribly behind if I did not. At least I connect in stealth mode as most of my co-workers are not expecting me to be working - I get quite a bit done actually.

You totally had your laptop at the hospital, didn't you? I am glad to hear you made through it, despite the VERY long surgery and everything else you've been through. Wishing you well!

I have to admit I'm concerned not just about meds given in the hospital, but I was both disappointed and cynically amused when I saw my surgeon had called in pain meds for me to take 'after surgery' and it was Tramadol. I have had NO success for the past 2 yrs with Tramadol alleviating any pain for my chronic/torn up knees that are awaiting replacement. I guess it is part of the whole 'pain med crisis. I finally discontinued seeing the dr who prescribed Tramadol as it was simply not worth it. If it isn't going to help in any way, why take it? Guess we'll just have to see? Seems like much pain is around gas. I'm going to have to pack some gas-ex and a heating pad I guess. Any other recommendations for handling gas pain?

@froufrou - you made me think of something (um besides fact that my surgery has changed this month from being a sleeve to being a bypass).... I had 1 c-section after my cervix swelled shut (they don't tell you about that in childbirth class) from my 1st 'big-headed baby' & then a VBAC (vaginal birth after cesarean) with my 2nd big headed child who because her head was turned slightly, decided she wanted to hang out in the labor process for 36 hrs. The pushing for 4 hrs actually hurt me more the next day than the 36 hr ordeal I still tease her about. I literally blew every muscle that had once been in my abdomen. I actually have a 'high tolerance' in general; however, wise nurses have pointed something out to me that is common with patients with a high tolerance and that is thinking that we are trying to 'stave' off having to take any pain meds, we FAIL to ask for them in time so if the pain actually becomes worse than we realize we can handle, by that time everyone is trying to play 'catch up'. They told me I would be far better off NOT trying to tough it out as the last time I was in ICU with internal bleeding and I'd wait as I don't like to take pain meds...but on a few days, I'd get swept under the pain tsunami. Just something to think about for those of you who may be like me and maybe feel you should tough it out some...or for me, I worry that perhaps they get so used to ppl complaining about every minor ache & pain...and I don't want to be thought of like that. I should probably get over it. I actually have more of a problem dealing with nausea than with pain..which is ironic considering I'm having WLS

July 25th!

Finally! Approved AGAIN. Have a surgery date AGAIN. Phew! July 25! 3 weeks later than originally planned. By time I'm done I'll have done over 30+ days of pre-op diet...oh well, same as post-op from what I've heard/read/etc. Congrats to all that have had their surgery already this month! I hope you are all doing well.

OK, I was on day 13 of my pre-op diet when surgeon and I realized that since medical records were delayed in getting to them..and based on him having some time off and me having some days that would not work based on my job, that my surgery date was sliding back towards end of July. So, I get a 'double helping' of pre-op dieting. Pre-op diet based on new date started yesterday so by the time it is all said and done I will have done pre-op 'dieting' for...33+ days! LOL. I realize the pre-op diet is much like what initial post-op diet will be. I was looking in mirror the other night and freaked out as my forehead decided to suddenly have new lines out of nowhere! I just stood there staring and wondering what the heck happened!! Then the only thing that comes to mind that would explain an almost..what felt like 'overnight' appearance of these new wrinkles..that I had lost an additional 12 lbs in my 13 days (I didn't weigh on last 2 days of pre-op diet). It dawned on me....that it seems I am losing the 'slight padding' I had under my forehead maybe? I know before pre-op diet, I had 1 faint line across forehead. I actually shuddered inside as I know that if this is what happens based on pre-op diet...then within the next 6 months...they only thing I may see on my face is a BUNCH of wrinkles. I think I will look like a Shar Pai. Am at the age where my skin does not have the padding, etc. that estrogen helps to provide. ANOTHER reason I wished I had made this decision a decade ago - better to do when your skin retains some chance of more 'elasticity'. My elastic is 'gone'..LOL I went running to my 'lotions and potions' and have at least ensured my face is hydrated (also drinking tons of water anyways) and moisturized..and protected from the sun. It did help with some of the deeper 'crevices' that suddenly could be seen. I know this sounds so vain....but my best friend always used to fuss at me...even before I was morbidly obese that I 'never had wrinkles'. Before I knew that 'my excess weight was the reason that as I aged..that the wrinkles were not showing up....they were 'buried' under fat. Sigh...this and the hair loss are 2 things that I know will continue to occur (I already have been going thru hair thinning issues..and I am not expecting to be one of the lucky ones who do not experience more hair loss with WLS. Can do hair pieces, wigs, etc. for hair....but no wigs for my ongoing 'wrinkly face'...lol. Anyone else be...prepared for wrinkles to show up...but were astonished by how rapidly and/or how many?

Happy belated birthday! I am 50. I'm looking very forward to getting rid of the "chins" for sure! I've been using face creams, etc. for years to help combat some slight sun damage. I also have to be very diligent on sunscreen since I had a malignant melanoma diagnosis last year (early stage, malignant mole removed..but melanoma is sneaky). I know sun damage can add to the age of your skin's appearance so I will continue to apply the things that I have found that help my skin look better, especially in the 'tone' of my skin. I knew going into this what I'd be getting into in terms of my face and yes...my chest. I was just surprised that I could see such a loss of 'fat/padding' when I haven't yet had surgery..lol. Whether I have craters on my face, a turkey wobble, and a chest that deflates...is not going to stop me as I know I've only 'hidden' what would have been seen if I was not morbidly obese. The world can think what it will think. I'm too old to worry overly much about some of these things but I'd be lying if I said there was no vanity involved whatsoever...or just...some light regret about the excess skin, etc. and wondering how hubby will feel about the changes but in no way will I let that deter me from doing something to help me keep living no matter what I end up looking like (and I believe that most changes will be extremely positive). I love the pics you linked to. She looks great!!

Amen! I totally agree...but I think I wasn't prepared for...just how many. Heck, I haven't even started in on the 'after WLS weight drop'...well, at least it is something I can continue to be ready for. It still doesn't change my mind one little bit. Most of the ones that will show up will be ones I would have likely gotten and already have been noticeable if I hadn't been morbidly obese..

Well, I know one consequence of not getting enough protein is hair loss. More importantly your body will start taking protein from your muscles which will cause you to feel weaker (and that is NOT where you want your body to take it's 'fuel' from. I don't want to say those things to increase your anxiety though as that is counterproductive. What did your doctor say about the situation?

I SO get this! Definitely keep on...keeping on. My original dr's office staff caused my surgery' to be delayed by over TWO months because they refused to listen to me about CIGNA's policy & actually fought me on it. Told me I WAS reason insurance verification was hard as I was 'interfering' and 'didn't understand'. I finally had CIGNA call them when I was at office for appt &I took policy into dr & he had them push it thru. Got approved in 3 days. In hindsight, I wished I pushed harder, but I started to question myself & feeling like...surely I had to be wrong..because they "do this all the time". Turns out I was right the whole time & I started to feel ..down, resentful, frustrated, disappointed, etc. If things had gone right from start, I'd have had surgery by end of May. Now it is July & I originally had surgery date of 7/1. A week before surgery, I realized I was no longer comfortable by many other things that went wrong with office staff, etc. so I switched dr's. New dr assured me (when I voiced concerns they'd not be able to get my records easily) that "we'll get them, don't worry". Well, I finally got email from his staff asking me if I could intervene as they were getting no response.. After over a week, I had CIGNA ready to push original dr's office & after last minute convo, I told them I'd be by next day to pick u precords. They assured me they'd be ready but they weren't. However, I stayed until a different doctor's nurse went,got my records & copied them. So now I missed chance to get surgery done before eldest daughter flies in for visit 7/17. I rarely see her so I treasure any time I get with her. My heart is just..extra happy for any time I can see her. So now, am back to "dealing with cards I've been dealt". I'll be having surgery either 7/22 or 7/25 (both days that she will still be here, she leaves late on 7/25). Yes, this will impact time I spend with her, but she told me to do what I needed to do. We both got setback by roughly same amt of time when I look @ fact that I should have had surgery in May if things had been done right, but I'll tell you it DOES pass quickly even if some days it feels like it is crawling. I'm using extra weeks I didn't expect to have in July reading @FluffyChix 'Headwork' post & joining different FB groups in that thread, watching more youtube videos, etc.. I decided to look at the 'delayed time' as a gift to make sure I am even more informed and better prepared each day. We'll be here to cheer you on!!

Congrats to all of our July siblings below who have already started on the next leg of their journey!!! I'm so proud of all of you and praying for quick recoveries, easing of any pain/discomfort and continued success! 1- @MFaulk3 (GB) @texasnewf (VSG) @Jaybe08 (GB) @Ren951 (RNY) @sweetsagi @DianaP (VSG) @walstreet68 (LB) 2- @amaynard (RNY) @SublimeLemons (VSG) @PantxaPetita (VSG) 3- @alex76 (RNY)

You are such a sweetheart for putting this together and tracking all of it!! LOL, can't put me back into the schedule yet as I've been given 2 possible dates and I won't know for sure until next week (either 7/22 or 7/25).

SIGH, my husband keeps saying that "he knows lots of ppl who have had bariatric surgery when I started looking into WLS, when I got serious about it, when I actively pursued approval..and again today. I have been, perhaps because of vanity, a bit hesitant to bring up the subject of WLS causing potential hair loss..as I've been a bit worried about..well, how he might feel about how i look...and he heard me listening to some youtube videos done by ppl who have had both gastric sleeve and/or bypass. I'm trying to make sure that I get the one that is the best fit for me, not based on just what the doctor says. He kept interrupting but was asking questions so I thought ok, now he is interested that is cool. He asked about difference between bypass and sleeve. I gave him some basics. Just based on the quicker weight loss he 'agrees with new dr' that I should have that. Then I told him my concerns about dumping/malabsorption (do you lose more hair with bypass than with sleeve due to this?)..and he brought out the "no one i know who as had WLS has ever showed any signs of hair loss"... He is a distant co-worker to 2 ppl he THINKS may have had WLS. He doesn't intimately know them. He has told me this before. When I went through diff things (pros and cons of each) he became more horrified and said "maybe you shouldn't be doing this and just keep trying to lose weight". SIGH...I've been "trying to lose weight" most of my life...although I was never super morbidly obese until my late 30's. Anyone else have mixed signals from their 'closest support'? I've invited him to the 3 hr seminar/clinic I went to and to my dr appts. Don't get me wrong, it's not that he doesn't care at all..he just "doesn't get it..that he doesn't get it" I really...could use him "getting it". I guess I'll have to start a pros and cons thread on sleeve vs. bypass. I've looked at many old threads that have been posted here over the years and I've googled, etc. - but mine would be in regards to the fact of my own co-morbidities or lack thereof, etc.