DownInSocal

I understand how you feel and welcome! I have not had surgery yet. My surgery date is 5 days from now. If you run across some older posts of mine I am expressing my apprehension about removing a portion of my stomach. You stop and think "Am I crazy? What in the world am I thinking? I like my stomach. Nature gave it to me. Why would I give someone permission to take most of it out?" You are acting in your own best interest to be cautious when making a major medical decision. Good old fashioned time helped. Just time to absorb your decision and come terms with it. Remember you can continue with the tests before surgery and the whole “process” while still having doubts. No one is going to force you to have the surgery. You can back out at any time. You are in control. You are making the most important decision of your life. I believe these are perfectly normal and healthy thoughts to be having. 5 days out from surgery I can say I have anxiety but I am fully at peace with my decision and I am ready. My psychiatrist was kind enough to give me medication to help with the anxiety. Don’t be afraid to ask for some if you need it. Keep us updated no matter what you decide!!!

Welcome. I have not had surgery yet. I was going to get the band but after reading on lapbandtalk.com what people were living with daily I knew the band was not for me. Also there seems to be confusion about how long it is supposed to be in the body. Some doctors say forever (I don't know of a medical devise not made of metal that lasts forever) and some doctors say 10 years. That means more surgery later. All the risks of erosion, herniation, foaming, sliming, throwing up. I will never forget when I made the decision final, I was getting the sleeve. Someone wrote "My friend with the band told me that I could sleep with a bucket next to the bed so I could just wake up and throw up into the bucket." WHAT? I don't want to live that way. I don't want to subject my family to me throwing up in buckets and tumperware all the time. I value my esophagus and teeth also. So here I am 5 days from surgery. I started this Journey on April 28th so I have had lots of time to think about it. I am nervous but sure of my decision. I want a change and I am ready for it to be permanent. Oh I am 32 and have been heavy since my early 20's. I feel like I lost some of my best time to being overweight. I don't want to lose my 30's to it too!

I honestly wonder if this is just because you are consuming less calories? To your body it is just like skipping a meal. I know I get grouchy if I miss lunch.

I feel for you. I have terrible PMS. I wake up angry. I cry from cramps. I am always on the toilet. You are not alone sister.

Oh and safety pins don't work on thin undies. Just a little note in case you might need it in the future. Your undies just end up looking like you were attacked by a wolverine at the end of the day.

I bought a body fat scanner thing for 9 bucks at CVS. You put in your height, weight, age, and hold it out in front of you. I took it with me to the doctor and it was accurate. Maybe a friend has one of those you could borrow.

Waves ~ I am 32.

Wow Lan you have a lot going on. Sounds like my life at any given point. Will you be fully moved and unpacked by surgery??

I feel you about the nails. My nails have always been thin. I wear acrylics and when I have them done it is like torture. Most women love getting their nails done, not me. You could get nuclear secrets out of me by just giving me a fill.

I can fully relate. I have been working out like crazy because I can't gain anyway weight before surgery and I have been eating everything in sight the last week. Red Lobster? Sure! Applebees? Bring it on. Mexican? Can't wait. As you are making meal plans just make sure you are remembering that any weight you put on you will have to lose later.

I am glad you are ok! I had a nightmare last night that after surgery I had a swallow and when the dye hit my stomach it ran right out into my abdomen. It was like a dripping horror show. Ech. I am sure that is what you thought was going on in your tummy!

Thanks for sharing that!

I should be taking that but I decided against it. I was hoping losing weight would make it better. I just love peeing a little 5 times a night. Makes for a long damn night. I am known as the pee queen at work because I am always needing to run and pee, before meetings, during meetings, after meetings.

I don't know if anyone remembers but I am actually enrolled in a study now to measure how our nervous system changes after VSG, specifically the sympathetic nervous system. This is one of the systems that can have an effect on the urge to urinate. It can shut it off when you need to run from a bear or fight with your spouse lol. This is being studied. You guys are not alone. It is most likely a change in your nervous system. We still don't fully understand everything the hormones produced by the stomach do (or so my study doctor says).

Well if you guys want something funner and to add to my clothing misery all my pants are problems. I have lost 20 or so lbs and the pant crotch is now way below my crotch. I don't know how else to describe it. It does not matter how much I cinch my belt the crotch will not hike up. This adds to my problems when my underwear falls down because as I walk it slips off my butt and into that void that the low slung crotch pants create. The front of my undies stays up but not the back. I don't know if you can visualize this but if you see a woman walking around holding up her undies or has a weird mass of balled up something in her bottomless crotch area, it is most likely me.

Thanks Ruthi. I *feel* like I am ready for this change but as always you never know about something until you get there and when I am there I can't go back. I beat a smoking addiction. I can beat a food addiction. I just know it.

How is the belly button??? Pics? (just kidding)

My underwear is falling down. I walk around pulling up my underwear. I don't want to waste money on undies that I won't wear for years (I am not one to give up on undies just because they have a little wear). Do you know how hard it is to walk through a store when your undies have slid past the bottom of your butt? If I wore skirts or dresses I would be in serious trouble. Saftey pins? Hey that might be a good idea.........

I am da boss and I have been here forever and get away with murder. :lol0: I am also a damn good Accountant (if I do say so myself). The hand that controls the money is the hand that rules the world.

WhiteRice - I think we are on the same "meal" plan. I can't even tell you how much I hate soup but I have a feeling after 10 days of clear liquids (2 days before surgery, day of, 7 days after) I will be glad for some strained cream of whatever. I love cream of wheat. I eat it now super thin with some milk so that won't be a change at all. AJW - Dr. Aceves is strict but I bet it is because he feels you may not have right away care if something goes wrong. Did anyone have to err cleanse before surgery? I have to drink the cleanse stuff. I am NOT looking foward to it.

I think every doctor is different. She did not have her surgery with Dr Aceves. I can start cream soups on day 8. I am on Clear liquids for 7 days only after surgery. Then full liquids including cream Soup and thinned cream of wheat starting day 8. I hate soup.

I posted this in the buddies section if anyone is looking for a buddy: http://verticalsleevetalk.com/vsg-buddies-mentors/1141-surgery-week-august-24th.html#post10612

It is on my list for the "full liquid" state. It is the only thing that remotely represents real food to me on that list.

Hi Carmella, Glad to hear you are doing good. Sorry about the nausea. I hope it passes because that is the worst feeling. Keep us updated. I love to read peoples stories.

I see your date has come and you most likely in surger right now. We are thinking of you! Be sure to give us updates when you are home.