EsoKev

If you are eating sweets, yes.

So, @Dropdeadkim your surgeon told you the instructions they provided you were just general and to roll with it? From one of your previous posts, you mentioned that they told you to stop your medications cold turkey. Could you please share who this surgeon is so that others may avoid them at all costs? Sorry, but I'm just not buying it.

I'm somewhat struggling with the original post here. Did the doctor not know you were taking these medications? There are all sorts of liability issues here for the doctor given the fact that you could slip into depression and/or mania if it's bipolar related, increased risk for self-harm, etc. Was a psych eval performed? I don't mean to infer you aren't telling the truth, but I simply don't understand how this could happen from a medical perspective. I feel like we are missing pieces of the puzzle here.

Anyone take a Lyft or Uber or cab to the hospital or home? I know this sounds silly, and I could ask a friend or family member to get me there, but why if it's not needed? They plan on coming and saying hello to me when I'm out of surgery in the hospital and post op at home. I'm just wondering if it's "weird" or a big deal if I just handle it on my own (as long as I'm not driving myself obviously).

My surgeon told me to plan for two weeks though he has seen some recuperate faster. I work a desk job.

I had all of my medications converted to either liquid form or immediate release in preparation for my upcoming surgery. I bought a pill crusher that is hospital-grade (Silent Knight Pill Crusher) which was overkill, but I am determined to keep the mental health stuff in check during my recovery to the best of my ability. @Dropdeadkim I'm really disturbed that a medical provider told you to stop lithium and Zoloft cold turkey. Zoloft comes in generic liquid, and my understanding is that lithium capsules can be opened and sprinkled into something. In fact, I find it so disconcerting that I would suggest filing a complaint with State of New York.

Annie - Wisconsin here (western side of the state). From the looks of your profile you're in Minnesota? Park Nicollet and Fairview have excellent support groups if you are in the Minneapolis/ St. Paul vicinity. I checked them both out prior to deciding on a surgeon/facility. Support after is sooooooo important, and I found both of those groups to be great. I come in from Hudson, which isn't horrible.

I decided to do this before I started the process. LOTS of food funerals. I knew my process wouldn't be long given my insurance requirements, so I wanted it out of my system. Congrats, you're a human being... And an incredibly self-aware one :-) Show yourself a little love and give yourself a pat on the back. You've totally got this.

It's so helpful when veterans share the love!

I'm scheduled for late June, and I don't know how things will change. One thing I'm really hoping for is the drop in body temp that so many people have mentioned. It impacts me a lot... I'm so uncomfortable almost all the time. I live in Wisconsin where we get COLD winters and that actually makes me relieved when it the snow/ice hit, because I'll be less sweaty and miserable. I'm hoping my internal thermostat will reset and I will be able to enjoy being outdoors in the summer heat. I've thought about moving someplace warmer with year-round sunshine for almost 5 years now, but the thought of how my body currently responds to any kind of heat has always stopped me. Who knows now, right? We'll see what happens.

Just barely made June! Got my date today - June 28th!!!

Appointments completed! Now it goes to insurance. UGH! The waiting.... Hoping for a June surgery date, which my surgeon said is entirely possible.

Just got word! APPROVED. Getting my date tomorrow!

I suggest working with a mental health professional. The people on this board can offer you support, but not the kind that a therapist can.

Potential June sleever here! Submitted to insurance and hoping for a date the week of the 25th. Surgeon's office thinks it's possible.

I went in today for one of my pre-ops tests. Mind you, this was at an ambulatory surgical center that my bariatric team uses for test and such (EGD, pulmonary, etc.). The nurse who was wheeling me into the room for my procedure asked me why I was being scoped today. I told her I was going through the bariatric program and she said, "You don't look like the kind of person who needs that surgery." I was stunned and just held my breath and didn't say anything. She's a clinic nurse and not at all involved with my bariatric program, but it hit hard. She knew nothing about my comorbidities or general health and strictly made an assessment on the fact that my BMI is 40 or how I "looked" lying on the bed. How would you have reacted? Should I bring this up with my care team?

I had to lose 10% of my excess body weight as part of my program. They gave me a few simple guidelines to help with this (my program doesn't use a liquid diet, but instead opts for a slower approach to shrinking the liver with low carb): No more than 60 grams of net carbs per day Watch your liquid calories (no soda and everything should be sugar free) Start with your protein, then eat your veggies, THEN if you have room 1 fruit or a quarter cup of whole grain starch. Worked like a charm and I'm down about 20 lbs.

Eyes on the prize! Soon you'll be chilling with your cat again and feeling fabulous on top of it!

I initially wasn't going to, but then I shared it with the my direct team members since they've seen me working very hard these past few months changing my eating habits and being very mindful about physical activity. I expected NOT to be supported (not lack of support in a mean way, but rather not understanding since I am a lower BMI patient) but they all have been incredibly supportive and are actually excited for me. I've jokingly asked one if I can have his little one's dinner plates and spoons when he is done with them :-D I think it just depends on your comfort level and the circumstances.

Sounds good. I think I'm just going to have my good friend bring me to and from. Makes sense that they wouldn't want you in a cab...

The Mayo Clinic diet looks really good. How do you do the portions? Just follow bariatric guidelines set forth by your team and then follow the Mayo food plan? I am also looking for my forever diet... Fad dieting was part of what led to my weight gain over the years. Any tips?

Agreed. My team currently has me on a low carb diet as prep for the surgery (they don't do a liquid diet two weeks before, but instead opt for a more spread out way of shrinking the liver). They were also very clear that it is ONLY used for surgery prep as they have seen patients develop orthorexia after surgery. They emphasize ALL food groups need to be included in a post-surgery healthy lifestyle plan.

This is unacceptable and I truly feel for you. Glad you are pursuing a revision

One final dietitian appointment next week followed by my last surgeon appointment before submitting to insurance. Probably looking at a late June/early July if all goes well! Any advice for last minute nerves?

I see what you're saying now. I was asking for more information, not placing blame. I think your additional detailed response answers the OP question.