You Are My Sunshine

How did I forget that one!? Yes, this too, very much so. I've been dealing with hypoglycemia since I was a teenager. I worry about it getting worse, too. Also, Dr. Google and I have a very inappropriate relationship. 😂 I'm also in a bariatric complication group on Facebook and it's hard. People say to not read it and stay off. I don't want to have to have more surgeries, though, and I don't want to have the doctors on speed dial. I just want smooth surgery and new life!

Hmm. Good thoughts, ladies. It looks like whey protein isolate. I have a few different ones I rotate to keep some variety. A lot of the flavored s/f stuff also has citric acid. I just don't understand how I can be so FULL and so EMPTY at the same time. It's weird.

Hello! I'm on the 2-week liver shrink right now, 1 week in. I'm experiencing what feels like indigestion, maybe sour stomach or heartburn. It's very mild, but definitely there. Anyone else feeling this? This isn't my first rodeo with the liquid diet, but I don't remember this issue from before.

Good luck to everyone that is past their October surgery date! Can't wait to hear from you all. Hope things went smooooooothly for you. I'm on day 7 (I think) of the liquid diet. My doc. ok'd veggies (low carb) this time, and that has made a difference. I've pooped twice, which is much better than the last time I did this and was already taking colace, etc. Although I am so very tired. Sleeping a lot. And sick of shakes, lol. But I'm down 8 pounds, which is the lowest weight I've seen this year. I hesitate to be excited because that scale can go up and down like the sea, you know. Ha. Anyway, 1 week out today. I have bouts of panic, but trying to manage.

Death. Complications (resulting in extended hospital time). I'm just ready to be on the other side and recovery. I have some worries about it not working so great for me. I have some worries about having horrible heartburn, etc. and feeling terrible regret.

Mine was pretty quick. I guess submittal goes in depending on insurance (at my clinic). I got my date, but did not get the approval until I had my final surgical date (2 weeks before surgery). They told me that sometimes the insurance doesn't send confirmation until 7 days before. I received my confirmation about 10 days out.

Me, too! (On the date and the feels, lol.) I'm nervous, but trying to refocus that anxiety into excitement. It's crazy to remember I won't be having regular food for a while. I have to keep reminding family like, you'll need to eat xxx 'cause it won't wait for me! Sounds like you're doing great, and doing something that will help with the surgery and post-op, and just get you a bit in the mental mode. Good for you! Yeah I'm over shakes already and it's day 4. I'm going to go treat myself to a proffee from Sbux. One thing is I'm sleeping like a rock, which is nice. But man, I think shakes might be a challenge for me post-op. I have to make sure I keep up on them.

Sorry, I didn't see this response from you. I'm doing Okay... honestly pretty hungry at times, but forgetting to drink my shakes has been a bit of an issue. Spending a lot of time cleaning, lol. Made some cookies (weird, but I enjoy it). If you're concerned about not having a pre-op diet, you can do a really low carb one until that day. Stay away from fatty foods, sugar, alcohol. There's a lot of examples out there. It certainly can't hurt, and maybe will shrink up your liver a little bit.

THIS! I never will be able to, it will always be like that. As far as the OP, I did not know that you could revise RNY in a sleeve-like manner. I had to google it, and apparently it is a thing. Learn every day! Ha. The other thing you said about liposuction, though, I've been wondering about that. The occurrence of regain in those that have had some of their fat removed (through lipo or tucks). As much as I don't want to do more surgeries, I'm open to the idea of removing some of these fat cells when I'm at a maintainable weight as part of this process in keeping it off.

So understandable. I went through this all once before and ended up cancelling. This time I'm working on NOT doing that, lol. It's a big decision and a big change. Nervous is normal.

Same. I was supposed to have it a while ago, but declined. Feeling better about things this time, but doubts and worry creep in.

I'm scheduled for October 11. I switched surgeons now and hoping this is going to be it. Trying to work on not talking myself out of it or overthinking too terribly much.

Did anyone pre-med prior to surgery (like the day of)? I have anxiety, which was exacerbated pre-surgery. I asked if I could take something prior to going to the hospital, but the doctor said I needed to be able to sign an informed consent. I didn't say I was going to take a horse tranquilizer! I was talking about taking a prescribed med from my doctor that doesn't interfere with my cognitive ability.

Thanks everyone. I have no intent on going against the surgeon's advice. Just wondering what other's had experienced. I will ask him again.

Well. I went through the program, got approved, got a date, did my 2 week liquid diet, took my Gatorade the night before (to kick you out of ketosis), washed with Hibiclens, got all my proteins, packed my bag, washed with Hibiclens for the 2nd time... And then I started to have a meltdown. I could hardly get to the car. Finally, I got in the car, went to the hospital did (a little late to my check-in time). I went to the counter to check in and just said, "I'd like to cancel my surgery." Dude raised his eyebrows, said OK. And I left. Slammed a protein drink in the car, came home and had a little broth with tofu. I'm not sure how to feel about it. I felt a wave of peace after leaving the hospital. But now I just feel kind of empty. I've been planning this for so long. I told people about it. I did everything that would indicate I was going to have it... and then I didn't. Has anyone been on this side of things? Did you end up getting surgery later?

@Future Sleeve Diva Thanks for asking... I'm still in the process. I went back to the program to see what steps I'd need to take if I wanted to be considered. My original surgeon dumped me; I heard nothing from her at all. I was reassigned to a newly hired surgeon that I can find NO reviews or information on at all (which is not working in my favor). When I met with him, he asked if I had any alcohol in the past month and I told him that I had a couple drinks. He then said he wanted 3 months of sobriety and then he would meet with me again in June. I've found the process really frustrating, honestly, and it's not helping me feel any more confidence about things. I had/have no issues with alcohol. I did have issues with anxiety going into major surgery that really weren't addressed. I had passed the program (nutrition, psych, behaviors) before and was approved for surgery. I don't feel heard at all. I honestly feel like the pariah of the program at this point. Kind of funny, but not.

@Jue were you involved in a program? What were the next steps after cancelling?

Mine was against it years ago when I asked, but now seems to at least be neutral. She said she has another patient who has had the surgery and is happy about it, and has lost weight. I think you yourself need to decide if you are going to have the surgery, and if so - I'd find a primary that supports and understands wls.

Not sure... I'm not doing Keto, just kind of intuitive eating, trying to eat clean. I was doing pretty well, but have veered a bit. I'm very happy that I did NOT gain back the weight I lost on the pre-op liquid diet, so for me that's a win - I've lost 2 pounds since. Not a lot, and I hope I can keep it off during the holidays and make wise choices. After this week I am going to call and see what my options are and then make a decision from there.

Thanks. I haven't heard from my doctor at all. One thing I do want to mention as an FYI, or in case anyone is interested is that my psych asked me a question. She asked if I'd be happy staying the same weight that I am, or losing 10-20 pounds since my eating patterns have shifted a little. But generally, can I be happy at this weight. Because I think we both know that, barring some miracle, I'm likely to not lose the amount of weight I would if I had the procedure. I'd have to research the meds that were mentioned earlier (that's not really a road I've traveled as of yet). So I'm still thinking about that. Honestly, NO. I'm a big girl. I don't mind being big, to some extent, but I'm uncomfortable in my skin with how I am now. Eight years ago I was able to lose a nice chunk of weight, but I can't say that's possible right now for me. Age, stress, hormones - you name it, are really working against me. But, being also not sure about the surgery, I'm in a limbo of sorts, which is almost more depressing and frustrating. It was advised that I touch base back with the bariatric program in a month or so, or after the holidays to kind of gauge where things are. But honestly I don't even know what they would want me to do at this point (start over in the program, etc.) and it sound exhausting to me to do that.

How come?

Our hospitals are still scheduling, but it's also been dicey. People are quitting, etc. and staffing is low. Weird times we are in. Frustrating, I'm sure.

Thank you! Still working through things, and told myself I'd call either at the end of this month or in the new year to see what I would need to do to move forward, if that's what I felt was the right move. It's hard not to think of where I'd be right now in the process, but I'm also evaluating other things. I appreciate the feedback.

Thank you. I do think that's what I need, for sure. Too much must have been weighing on my mind that I didn't come to peace with. This is a great point. I can't help but be a bit sad as the days go by and think about how far out I'd be in recovery (and how long it will take for me to get to that actual point, now). But I try not to stay there too long. I do believe in timing, and maybe it just wasn't the right time. This is funny not funny! I did the same thing. I tried to go in and get mine removed while I was awake and he got 2 shots in my mouth and I was like, uh NO. BYE! I did finally get them pulled but honestly in retrospect, I don't think I actually needed to. Ha. I definitely am keeping with my psych, and she's been helpful talking about things. I wish I could keep with the in house bariatric psych, too, but that's for patients in the program, and right now I'm not in it. I'm going to step back for a little bit and just work with my regular psych, live life and see where I stand in the new year. Kinda sucks to think about going through that whole program again AND wasting the max out on insurance, but I really want to be in the right place if I move forward, and I guess I wasn't.

This is great advice. @Livgreen___ are you part of a bariatrics program right now? Would meeting with a psych be part of the process? Definitely worth it, or at least do as much research as you can and self-evaluation. They're going to tell you not to smoke. I've heard of plenty of people that get nicotine tested to make sure they aren't smoking. Some start up again after surgery.