Psyched

@VSGDavidyour big day is almost here!! Wish you the best! Keep us updated.

Saturday was hard for me. We had a gathering, which I planned, because I didn't want to have a party at any point in time after this surgery this month. Nevertheless, there was all of this delicious smelling food (I REALLY wanted the chicken my husband grilled) and I could not have a morsel. Everyone raved about how delicious the chicken was! I made it through. It was do hard. 😫Please get here quickly Thursday! How is everyone else fairing?

Initial Office Appointment: July 2018 3 months supervised MWM: July-September I had to have a psych evaluation, a PFT, an ABG, an EGD, stress test, echo, a couple of EKGs and see a pulmonologist. Process extended 30 days due to discovery of sleep apnea. (Received clearance October 29) BAR Class: Nov 1 (received surgery date at this class) Met surgeon: November 12 Pre admission appt: Nov 29th Surgery Date: Dec. 6th

@CWhip, hope you are doing well!

When you decide to do something for the betterment of your health and overall life, that's bravery and wisedom. Embarrassment has a way of keeping you bound. The decision that you have made and all of the hard work that you are putting in and will continue to put in offers you freedom. Freedom to know that you worked your butt off to accomplish what you have and what you will. You have chosen to add a tool. That's it. No more, no less. It is you and only you doing the work to make the tool useful. I hope one day soon, you will grow to know how brave you are, how assiduous you are and that choosing to add a tool shouldn't evoke embarrassment, but pride. Rooting for you and proud of you 🙂

I am a very private person. I shared with the 3 people I am closest to and that has been the best decision for me. It would have been 2, but my mom (my dad doesn't know) has to keep my boys. Heck, it would have been 1, but over time my husband convinced me I wouldn't be able to keep it from my best friend and that I shouldn't. I got push back from all 3. I knew I would. They didn't know anything about a VSG. I granted them the right to be a little scared, ask me questions, go to appointments, etcetera. I think the culture we live in has conditioned us to feel like everyone has to know everything and that just isn't true. I am not sure if your right to privacy that you have chosen to protect makes you feel more like you are keeping a secret or if you feel like because you are not shouting it from the mountaintops something is wrong with that. If you do, please don't. You are allowed your privacy and it's ok to be protective of it. I went around and around in my own head about whether or not I was being "dishonest" by not sharing my journey with others. I decided that I get to choose. Period. And I did not want to have to live in a constant state of explanation on why I decided to do what I feel is best for me. The support that I most needed was really that I wanted to be able to seek wisdom from those who have walked the journey too. I've found that here, so I am content. My squad of 3 is supportive and that is beyond a gift that I do not discount or take for granted, but in the end of this...it's me. I have a lot of work to put in, I'll do it with my 3, but equally as important to me is that there is a whole gang of support here. Wishing all the best for you, Neenaof4! You definitely have a support squad here.

I was there this morning. I was literally about to puke drinking a protein smoothie. Literally. I had to regroup before I finished it. I have been going between savory and sweet, but good grief... I understand. I am not allowed any food at all. So, I am definitely with you.. almost there.

Hugs to you @kjuno. Those first two days are the worst, but it gets a little easier. I am sorry you are having a rough day and I am sorry that those around you aren't being as supportive as you need. That's not helpful. I only told a handful full of people, literally, no more than 5. I didn't want the foolishness. Let's both continue to take it one day at a time and pretty soon we will look back with thankfulness. Take it moment by moment.

I shared this in the other December group as well. So, I am on day 5 of the liquids only and it's going pretty good. My best friend, this woman is truly my person, is doing a version of the liquid diet with me because she didn't want me to feel like I was alone. She completed the first 4 days liquid only, but I talked her into having at least one low carb/high protein meal a day because, first of all she doesn't need to lose a pound and second of all I was worried that the medicine that she takes would make her sick. I BEGGED and PLEADED and she FINALLY agreed. My husband prepped for this phase for me by going to the grocery store and purchasing plenty of said liquids, jello, pudding, etc. He has put in his time to take a week off from work, which is a blessing. I prepped myself over the course of the last 4 months by doing several (and I do mean several) liquid diets for various lengths of time. I fast periodically anyway, but I wanted to condition my body for this. It's a big difference between liquids only for 1 week and liquids only for 4 weeks. From all of my prior liquids only diets and fasts, I knew that Day 1 and Day 2 would be HARD for me. The kind of hard where you contemplate cheating. I expected it, so, to combat it I emptied my usual carry bag which usually contains protein chips, a protein bar, a protein water, and a protein shake, I took the chips and the bar out and doubled the protein shake and protein water. I still carry my usual thermos of water. I wanted to make sure I have enough liquids on me to last while I am out running errands, etc. so that when hunger hits, I won't go nuts. I knew the end of Day 3 would find me in bed early finishing off the end of my battling through constant headaches. So, Day 5-10 should be decent. I am sure I will have the occasional headache and battles with feeling weak. I have NO idea what awaits after Day 10, as I've only gone ten days. Fingers crossed! It gets tough, but we can do this!! I am just focused on the journey and enjoying seeing the pounds continue to come off. How is it coming for everyone else? VSG- 12/6

So, I am on day 5 of the liquids only and it's going pretty good. My best friend, this woman is truly my person, is doing a version of the liquid diet with me because she didn't want me to feel like I was alone. She completed the first 4 days liquid only, but I talked her into having at least one low carb/high protein meal a day because, first of all she doesn't need to lose a pound and second of all I was worried that the medicine that she takes would make her sick. I BEGGED and PLEADED and she FINALLY agreed. My husband prepped for this phase for me by going to the grocery store and purchasing plenty of said liquids, jello, pudding, etc. He has put in his time to take a week off from work, which is a blessing. I prepped myself over the course of the last 4 months by doing several (and I do mean several) liquid diets for various lengths of time. I fast periodically anyway, but I wanted to condition my body for this. It's a big difference between liquids only for 1 week and liquids only for 4 weeks. From all of my prior liquids only diets and fasts, I knew that Day 1 and Day 2 would be HARD for me. The kind of hard where you contemplate cheating. I expected it, so, to combat it I emptied my usual carry bag which usually contains protein chips, a protein bar, a protein water, and a protein shake, I took the chips and the bar out and doubled the protein shake and protein water. I still carry my usual thermos of water. I wanted to make sure I have enough liquids on me to last while I am out running errands, etc. so that when hunger hits, I won't go nuts. I knew the end of Day 3 would find me in bed early finishing off the end of my battling through constant headaches. So, Day 5-10 should be decent. I am sure I will have the occasional headache and battles with feeling weak. I have NO idea what awaits after Day 10, as I've only gone ten days. Fingers crossed! It gets tough, but we can do this!! I am just focused on the journey and enjoying seeing the pounds continue to come off. How is it coming for everyone else? VSG- 12/6

Dec. 6th for me too!!

I received approval from my insurance company today; so, December the 6th is official for me. I am so grateful because I didn't want this to drag into the new year. There is already a waiting list for the remainder of the year and I am grateful not to be on it. I start my liquids only diet Friday. I am a little nervous just because it is such a life changing move. The unknown after the surgery is what makes me nervous. What will my recovery look like, reintroducing foods when the time comes, etc. It's a nervous excitement though because I decided to do this in July, I haven't looked back and now I am here. I am a little nervous because it is such a life changing move, but I am so excited because it is a life changing move. I am so ready. Looking forward to supporting others along the way!

I start mine Friday. My surgery is Dec. 6th.

Me too!!!

I have class today and meet with my surgeon in a few more days. How long has class been for everyone? Any more December 6thers out here?

Thank you so much! The same to you.

@Anita watson, what stage are you at? Forgive me if you've stated this before, but I am a new comer. I "moved" here from the October Sleevers group. I do have all of the rest of my journey mapped out and dated.

I so know this feeling, and I am sorry that you have experienced it. I was looking forward to an end of October early November surgery, but ended up having to complete 30 days wearing a cpap first. Last night made 30 days, so I had them schedule my clearance followup for today! Day 31. I wish you well on your journey.

Sounds like you are well on your way!

Hey All, I was given a date of Dec. 6th. They found that I had sleep apnea, so I had to take an extra 30 days and sleep with the cpap. My follow-up pulmonary clearance appointment is today. Last night made 30 days of cpap use so I am able to get my clearance today. I had to schedule an extra weigh in to cover this 30 days so that I wouldn't have any gaps in my medical weight management, though my insurance only required three months this will be my fourth. My final weigh in is tomorrow. My class is Thursday. Tomorrow they will they will send in everything to get approval. I meet with the surgeon on the 12th. I am super ready!

Hey All, I was given a date of Dec. 6th. They found that I had sleep apnea, so I had to take an extra 30 days and sleep with the cpap. My follow-up pulmonary clearance appointment is today. Last night made 30 days of cpap use so I am able to get my clearance today. I had to schedule an extra weigh in to cover this 30 days so that I wouldn't have any gaps in my medical weight management, though my insurance only required three months this will be my fourth. My final weigh in is tomorrow. My class is Thursday. Tomorrow they will they will send in everything to get approval. I meet with the surgeon on the 12th. I am super ready!

AWESOME!!!! Congrats. I am sure you are excited. That's the exact day that I'll be receiving my final clearance from the pulmonary doctor because I got stuck having to wear this cpap for 30 days before I could get cleared. How are things coming? When do you start your liquids, or do you have that process?

Thank you and it is. it is sooo frustrating, but I'm taking it in stride and allowing the process to work for me. I decided to use the time to prepare even more mentally (as much as I can, of course), try other protein, and continue to research. Hoping the best for your clearance. Keep me posted!

Absolutely, cindy t! Thank you :-)

I am officially an October sleever no more. I was diagnosed with sleep apnea during my sleep study, so now I have to wear the CPAP for 30 days and receive a clearance for my pulmonary doctor before I am cleared. My follow up with him is the end of October; therefore, I will more than likely end up in November baring nothing happens with my EGD tomorrow. I am really low key disgusted, but it is what it is. I can't even take my class while i log my 30 days using the CPAP... I really wish I could, and at least it would be out of the way, but...I can't. It has been my pleasure being amongst you Octobers Best of luck to you all!