April Dawn

I was Sleeved on 10/29. Been trying each day to get in all my protein and liquids but I have fallen a bit short each day. A;so struggling to get my vitamins in. I am still not feeling hungry but yesterday I just started growing really tired of the same texture of "food". I am a fast food girl, have been since I could get my own money and get to the drive thru. I miss the crunch, the spice, the different textures, the ability to choose something different everyday/every meal. The food commercials are really getting to me and I'm starting to think, "I can't wait until I can have that". I'm afraid that this means failure is right around the corner. I'm starting to regret that I ever did this. I could really use some encouragement and maybe some suggestions on how to work through it. Thanks.

I have 3 capsules that I have to take. I have been told to empty the contents into something like yogurt. I have tried yogurt, applesauce, and today V8. I am really struggling to get these down. Gagging with each swallow. I'm 5 days post op and just want to swallow these meds. The largest is the Bariatric Advantage vitamins with iron. When did you all start swallowing pills that are larger than MnMs? Any advise on how to get the powder down?

Hi All, Any encouragement and advise would be welcomed. I am scheduled to have the sleeve on Monday 10/29 and my case is still being approved by the insurance company. I believe I have met all the requirements but I've heard that the insurance may still fight it. I think the hardest mental part is that I have been on the liquid only diet for 3 days now and it is soooo hard. What is the point of being on the ultra-strict diet if I am not approved. It just makes me feel like spending the day at a buffet. Ok, maybe thats a bit extreme, I'm a bit testy from the diet. So, the diet is hard enough, and thinking I am doing it for nothing, just for now, is even more of a mental F**k. I am a pre-transplant patient (heart damaged from chemo therapy {Adriamycin} 1999) and that is why I have to have the surgery. I am going through Loma Linda University Hospital. They submitted 83 pages of details to the insurance and the insurance company told me that it takes a while to review and I should have an answer by 10/25. OMG! That's right before the surgery date!! Ok, enough ranting..... Has anyone had the insurance approved upon the first review? Any advise about getting through this crazy diet when you may not even have the surgery right now? Encouragement is always appreciated. The other reason why I'm stressing is financial. If they don't do the surgery soon I will have to pay all my deductibles again (up to $8000). Right now I am maxed out I would have no more out of pocket for the surgery. So, between the money and this diet my brain just keeps telling me that it's not worth it and to go get a pizza. Thank you for listening.

Surgery date is coming up on Monday, 10/29. I'm going to do my measurements today but I'm not sure where it what to measure. Any suggestions?

Thank you all for your responses. I found out yesterday that I was approved. Surgery date is Monday 10/29. Now my brain can shift into surgery mode instead of approval stress mode. @Cynthia312, did you get your approval? Looks like we are scheduled for the same day. I Understand your concerns and frustrations. I went through all of it. Especially the tough pre-op diet. That was really hard when it feels like it could be for nothing and that you might just have to do it all over again. Good luck. Please keep me posted on your progress.

I'm scheduled for my sleeve surgery on 10/29. I live alone so I will be taking care of myself on my own. I was wondering what you all would suggest that I have around me while I recover. I already have all my meds so I'm good there. Are there products that you used that really helped you or maybe soft foods that you had available. Right now I'm feeling a bit unprepared and could really use some advise. Thanks in advance.

Hi Everyone. I've finally received my surgery date. 10/29. Hopefully it won't be moved into November.

Hi everyone. I'm in SoCal and on my path to the gastric sleeve. Was wondering if anyone ever hung out at Disneyland, was a Disney fan or wanted a Disney Park buddy to hang out with.

I found JoLynn Braley on iheart radii

I listen to a podcast that is done be JoLynn Braley of the Inner Self Diet. It's called "The JoLynn Braley Show". She deals with all of the reasons why we eat and how we can change them. It's all about changing from the inside out. She does some personal counseling but she can be kind of expensive. But the podcast is really good.

Hi Erika702. Sounds like you are really struggling. I'm so sorry you are dealing with all those painful feelings. Facing feelings is what a lot of us have to do on this journey. It sounds like you may be doing some self sabotage by not following your pre-op diet. Might be time to talk to the Psyc about it and try to find out what you are so afraid of. Maybe it's time to face some scary demons. Only you can decide if you are truly ready for the physical, mental and emotional journey ahead. Just know that you are not alone. We are here to support you in whatever decision you make. Keep us posted. Good luck sweetheart. Sending hugs.

I can relate to your fear Sunshineprincess. I am not as heavy as you are but my heart only functions at 26%. Anesthesia can cause it to go even lower so having surgery is a scary thought. Your fearful thoughts are very natural and healthy. However, it is not a good idea to dwell. Try to accept your feelings and then imagine how good it will feel to lose the weight and all the changes you will make in your life. You got this girl!

Hi everyone, I have spent a couple weeks now reading the message boards and I am so surprised at how accepting, supportive, and, dare I say, loving everyone is to each other. This is a very special place and I'm glad to have found it. I am starting the process of Gastric Sleeve, BMI 40 with Congestive Heart failure. I was wondering if anyone out there could relate. I've been feeling a bit alone. My ejection fraction is only 26.6% so the surgery is considered high risk. I'm pretty nervous but need to get the weight off so I can ease the stress on my heart. Can anyone else share their high risk situations and how they are doing? Looking forward to meeting new people and making new friends.

Hey Frust8. I am in California, Inland Empire. Thanks for the details. Loma Linda is a hospital and a university and is also a Center of Excellence. So, I feel like I am in good hands. I meet with the Dr for the first time on 4/4 to discuss the details and discuss my concerns. I hope the process will start on that day. I am ready to start on this new path.

Hi Mattymatt. Thank you for sharing. I have found a surgeon. Going to Loma Linda University, Dr Scharf. It's a really good hospital here in the Inland Empire area of CA. He is the lead bariatric surgery there. I have a 2 hour meeting scheduled with him on April 4 to go over all of the tests I've had so far. He had told me that he worked on someone who was at 10% EF which I thought was incredible. The risk is with the anesthesia. I'm told that the EF will fall even more and could lead to cardiac arrest. I interviewed 4 other doctors before choosing Dr. Scharf. I feel like I'm in good hands but still pretty scary.

Surgery is just another tool in the tool box of your health. I have also dealt with many trainers who feel the same way. The difference between us and them is that they don't really seem to understand the mental and emotional struggles we have with food. Trainers and gyms are all great tools to help us achieve our ultimate goals but that is what all of it is. Just more tools. To build a better mind, soul and body we need as many tools as we can get. Good luck with your decision. Hopefully he will understand that you need your surgery tool and his tools as well.

I have just started the process with Loma Linda. Have my first meeting with Dr. Scharf on 4/4. How are things going for you so far?