December 2013 Sleevers Come In!

[AtlantaRed 651]

Congratulations!! I moved you up on the list!

Good news! Put me down for December 3rd!!!! SO excited!!!!

[RunningA5K 645]

Glad to see our December group making their way back to the thread. Atlanta, thanks again for such a great job updating the list...what a fantastic group of sleepers we have.

[DeezJeanz 1,065]

Is any1 else having problems staying subscribed? Three times its happened to me. I'm subscribed to this group but noticed I wasn't getting any notices, which seemed strange. So I came on and sure nuff u guys had chatted since yesterday but I didn't get the notice. So I checked my subscription and it had unsubscribed me:( this site is becoming a pain in the bottom. Grr!

[RunningA5K 645]

Is any1 else having problems staying subscribed? Three times its happened to me. I'm subscribed to this group but noticed I wasn't getting any notices, which seemed strange. So I came on and sure nuff u guys had chatted since yesterday but I didn't get the notice. So I checked my subscription and it had unsubscribed me:( this site is becoming a pain in the bottom. Grr!

Yes, it seems like every time I post, then I become unsubscribed. I did let Alex know this in a different thread, and I always just make sure to resubscribe myself to my threads....a little inconvenient, but will hopefully get worked out!

[Clexie 3]

Hello everyone!

I've been reading these forums for months now but just joined. I am scheduled for December 17th. I wasn't sure if I was going to get the sleeve or the band. I have Crohn's and my gastro doc wanted me to have the band but my surgeon thought the sleeve would be better for me (which is what I had researched and wanted in the first place.) I still have another EGD to do and another surgeon consult.

I have a full time job that I work from home, a part time job that's just on Sunday and I am going to school part time as well. It really could not have landed on a better day for me since I will just be ending school and my part time job is at another school so would have the days off anyway. I plan on taking 2 weeks off my full time job (which I have STD) and will return to work after the new year.

[AtlantaRed 651]

Welcome to our December group!! I will add you to our list!

Also, if you want to join a secret Facebook group (completely private) for Dec 2013 sleevers, click this link and friend Vixey. She will add you to the group!

https://www.facebook....are.u.dead.yet

Hello everyone!

I've been reading these forums for months now but just joined. I am scheduled for December 17th. I wasn't sure if I was going to get the sleeve or the band. I have Crohn's and my gastro doc wanted me to have the band but my surgeon thought the sleeve would be better for me (which is what I had researched and wanted in the first place.) I still have another EGD to do and another surgeon consult.

I have a full time job that I work from home, a part time job that's just on Sunday and I am going to school part time as well. It really could not have landed on a better day for me since I will just be ending school and my part time job is at another school so would have the days off anyway. I plan on taking 2 weeks off my full time job (which I have STD) and will return to work after the new year.

[RunningA5K 645]

Hello everyone! I've been reading these forums for months now but just joined. I am scheduled for December 17th. I wasn't sure if I was going to get the sleeve or the band. I have Crohn's and my gastro doc wanted me to have the band but my surgeon thought the sleeve would be better for me (which is what I had researched and wanted in the first place.) I still have another EGD to do and another surgeon consult. I have a full time job that I work from home, a part time job that's just on Sunday and I am going to school part time as well. It really could not have landed on a better day for me since I will just be ending school and my part time job is at another school so would have the days off anyway. I plan on taking 2 weeks off my full time job (which I have STD) and will return to work after the new year.

Welcome. Clexie! This is an awesome group filled with so many December sleevers! Sounds like you did get a great date for you! Best wishes on your journey!

[RunningA5K 645]

I wish they had gotten all of this tested better before making the changes! So many issues! I wasn't subscribed to my own thread! Those of you on Facebook, if you haven't already joined in over there, click this link and friend Vixey. She will then add you to the Secret Facebook group. It is completely private. No one will see that you've joined or see your posts. <a data-ipb='nomediaparse' class="bbc_url" href='https://www.facebook.com/darling.are.u.dead.yet' title="External link"><span style="color:#666666;"> https://www.facebook....are.u.dead.yet</span></a>

Atlanta...I couldn't agree with you more. That is actually my profession...a website tester, and I can tell you heads would have rolled if we went to production with these kinds of problems! Hopefully I keep providing Alex with the bugs and issues and it will be back to 'normal' soon. I feel like we're missing a bunch of our group.

[AtlantaRed 651]

So I finally saw my PCP. I had seen her last in June and my hubby changed jobs in July. So we've been without insurance until his new insurance kicked in Nov. 1. At my last visit with her, she suggested looking into the surgery due to aches and pains creeping up. She didn't know that since not seeing her, I had already found a surgeon and completed EVERYTHING before seeing her again!

Luckily I don't have to change any of my meds, they are not extended release. I did ask her about the flu shot. She said that of course she is a big proponent of the flu shot but since I've never had one and sometimes people have a reaction to them, she is actually suggesting I NOT have the flu shot before surgery. I don't have kids and am not at a high risk for getting it, so thank goodness, I didn't want one!

I'm always low on Iron and I take 3 prescription iron a day regigiously and it's still low. I asked about getting an iron infusion since I'm sure post op it will probably be worse and she said there were big side effects for an iron infusion and that was a last resort! Ugh. I'm losing my hair preop (I was ok with losing it post op) and really feel this iron thing might be contributing. She drew blood again Friday and said she had to see what the numbers are before further recommendations.

Other than that, she was really excited. Oh, I was also glad that she agreed to help manage my pain meds. I typically have terrible recoveries from procedures as regular pain meds just don't work for me. Heavy duty pain meds have to be picked up (not faxed to pharmacy) and the surgeon's office is an hour away! She said it was okay with her if my surgeon's office contacted her about pain med prescriptions and she would happily write them for me. She even gave me her nurse's "back number" for them to reach directly. Her office is only 1.5 miles away! Whew...

I actually have anxiety in general. I noted up there a page or two back that I had been doing ridiculously well in that regard. However, fast forward to about 2 days ago, panic is setting in! I expected that, though. It will be a quick month with Thanksgiving and trying to get Christmas in order before surgery, so I know the time will go by super fast!

I can't wait for the initial 20-30 pound drop after surgery. I'm really hoping that eases up some aches and pains. Up until Jan of this year, I was pretty active. This year terrible knee issues. I know that once I can get out and walk, hike, etc., that will also help with the anxiety! It's all one big circle, isn't it? Everything is connected.

Anyway, those are my thoughts and updates for today!

[AshleyMidwife 189]

Dec 9th sleever here! Getting excited and nervous......

I did my preop nutrition class this last week and I have to say that I was even more anxious about the diet after the class...it's becoming very real. It's not this theoretical thing anymore. We learned about preop diet, postop stages 1, 2, and 3 (liquid, purée, and soft) diet and supplementation. I'm so nervous about the diet....not that I won't be able to do it, but that I'll be hungry and lethargic. I know it's truly a form of starvation but our bodies can survive and will be in a much better place over time. I bought my supplements and found that my usual supplement online vendor has bariatric options and are way more affordable that most. It's Swanson Supplements. Check em out. I also tried a Isopure premixed ready to drink, it was melon/ apple.....tasted like candy! Yum! I'll try a few more before I buy a stock of some. I also bought some flavorless soy Protein, and already have other Protein Shake mix.

So I'm getting prepared, but feeling very very nervous as the big day gets closer. Thank god my family and boyfriend are supportive.

How is everyone else preparing? Feeling nervous? Excited? Mourning?

[caligirl3 73]

Dec 9th sleever here! Getting excited and nervous......

I did my preop nutrition class this last week and I have to say that I was even more anxious about the diet after the class...it's becoming very real. It's not this theoretical thing anymore. We learned about preop diet, postop stages 1, 2, and 3 (liquid, purée, and soft) diet and supplementation. I'm so nervous about the diet....not that I won't be able to do it, but that I'll be hungry and lethargic. I know it's truly a form of starvation but our bodies can survive and will be in a much better place over time. I bought my supplements and found that my usual supplement online vendor has bariatric options and are way more affordable that most. It's Swanson Supplements. Check em out. I also tried a Isopure premixed ready to drink, it was melon/ apple.....tasted like candy! Yum! I'll try a few more before I buy a stock of some. I also bought some flavorless soy Protein, and already have other Protein Shake mix.

So I'm getting prepared, but feeling very very nervous as the big day gets closer. Thank god my family and boyfriend are supportive.

How is everyone else preparing? Feeling nervous? Excited? Mourning?

Dec. 4th here. Need to get my supplements and some unflavored protein. I have two types of flavored protein: rtd and powdered. I'm kind of freaking out too. Not so much about what I'm going to eat, but complications since I'm a single mom. I have a shit ton of life insurance but I'm everything to my kids. Ugh! I know this is a necessary surgery for health reasons. Just feeling selfish at times because there's also a good bit of vanity involved as well.

[healthbound1 69]

Dec 9th sleever here! Getting excited and nervous...... I did my preop nutrition class this last week and I have to say that I was even more anxious about the diet after the class...it's becoming very real. It's not this theoretical thing anymore. We learned about preop diet, postop stages 1, 2, and 3 (liquid, purée, and soft) diet and supplementation. I'm so nervous about the diet....not that I won't be able to do it, but that I'll be hungry and lethargic. I know it's truly a form of starvation but our bodies can survive and will be in a much better place over time. I bought my supplements and found that my usual supplement online vendor has bariatric options and are way more affordable that most. It's Swanson Supplements. Check em out. I also tried a Isopure premixed ready to drink, it was melon/ apple.....tasted like candy! Yum! I'll try a few more before I buy a stock of some. I also bought some flavorless soy Protein, and already have other Protein Shake mix. So I'm getting prepared, but feeling very very nervous as the big day gets closer. Thank god my family and boyfriend are supportive. How is everyone else preparing? Feeling nervous? Excited? Mourning?

Totally feeling nervous, excited and am mourning! My surgery is dec4 and I start pre-op next week. I have gained a few pounds because I find myself craving all the foods I know I won't be able to eat post op. I'm sure it will be challenging not use food for comfort anymore but I think the anticipation of it is worse than it will be. I start thinking I will fail and won't be able to do what I'm supposed to do. Or that I will have complications etc.

Thank God for these forums because when I feel like this I can come here and be reminded that it's normal to have a wide range of thoughts and feelings. Then I remember why I am doing this...to regain my health and wellness. I want to be healthy and well

[sknyinside 99]

Dec. 4th here. Need to get my supplements and some unflavored Protein. I have two types of flavored protein: rtd and powdered. I'm kind of freaking out too. Not so much about what I'm going to eat, but complications since I'm a single mom. I have a **** ton of life insurance but I'm everything to my kids. Ugh! I know this is a necessary surgery for health reasons. Just feeling selfish at times because there's also a good bit of vanity involved as well.

I'm a 9th sleever too. Feel the same. I'm not a single mom. But my husband is away for 3 to 4 weeks at a time. So sometimes I do feel like I'm a single mom. Part of the year. My oldest son is special-needs and I am his world. While his younger brother would be okay with time, right now my older son would be so incredibly devastated that I don't know if he would recover. But I feel if I don't do something now, permanent health issues may become a reality. And yes, for reasons of vanity I would like to get this done. Confidence in our surgeons and our choices and we will move forward taking it one day at a time. I have to have faith that everything will go well

[RunningA5K 645]

Dec 9th sleever here! Getting excited and nervous......

I did my preop nutrition class this last week and I have to say that I was even more anxious about the diet after the class...it's becoming very real. It's not this theoretical thing anymore. We learned about preop diet, postop stages 1, 2, and 3 (liquid, purée, and soft) diet and supplementation. I'm so nervous about the diet....not that I won't be able to do it, but that I'll be hungry and lethargic. I know it's truly a form of starvation but our bodies can survive and will be in a much better place over time. I bought my supplements and found that my usual supplement online vendor has bariatric options and are way more affordable that most. It's Swanson Supplements. Check em out. I also tried a Isopure premixed ready to drink, it was melon/ apple.....tasted like candy! Yum! I'll try a few more before I buy a stock of some. I also bought some flavorless soy Protein, and already have other Protein Shake mix.

So I'm getting prepared, but feeling very very nervous as the big day gets closer. Thank god my family and boyfriend are supportive.

How is everyone else preparing? Feeling nervous? Excited? Mourning?

Hi Ashley, and congratulations on your surgery date!

I, too have been a little concerned about the pre-op diet, and actually scheduled my surgery so that I could do my pre-op diet in a controlled environment. (My initial date would have meant that my pre-op would have started on Thanksgiving day...I am traveling and there just was no way that I could do a liquid diet on vacation with my family, so I rescheduled for a week later).

I gave up caffeine quite some time ago, and so I only drink Decaf coffee, and gave up soda already, so although I am expecting the first 1-3 days to be difficult, hopefully it will be less difficult because there won't be caffeine withdrawal.

Overall, I couldn't be more excited...one month from this moment, I should be in the hospital (not sure on the time of surgery, so don't know if I will be getting ready to go in, already in, or recovering... lol)

[Mel1071 149]

Well, looks like one of my last (and huge!) obstacles has been taken care of. Being self pay I k we it was going to be tough to get the 18K in such a short period of time. Yes, we could obliterate our savings but I really didn't want to do that. Long story short, got approved for a loan that we should hopefully have paid off ASAP - especially if we can count the surgery in our taxes.

I think not knowing how everything was going to be paid for has kept me quiet - too afraid I was going to get excited about everything and then find out I couldn't pay for it