Bye Bye Scale! Port Jefferson, NY

My teenage son came home this morning and said, "Mom, you look really skinny!" I didn't tell him what kind of surgery I had, so it was a genuine compliment! I haven't eaten since Sunday morning, and today is Saturday. I guess that will make anyone skinny! I felt great yesterday, but after 2 hours of trick or treating and a party, I am feeling it today. Still haven't weighed myself. I'll update after my first post op visit on Tuesday.

PS. My 6 year old is hooked on Isopure protein drinks. I'm trying to stick with Bariatric Advantage because it's a complete meal replacement and one shake meets 50 percent of your daily nutritional needs.

Surgery done! I had surgery October 27. I didn't get into my room until around 6 pm. When those pain meds ran out, I could feel it. My biggest complaint after surgery was my back and neck (and of course dry mouth because I was so insanely thirsty). At 6 am the next morning, I was able to do 4 laps. I was quite impressed. They took an X-ray, all looked good, and I was given the green light to drink. However, I couldn't pee even though I really had to go. So they had to put in a catheter.:( Day 2 in the hospital was okay. On pain meds, I was fine. Even just Tylenol through the IV helped. Trying to drink the clear liquid diet was tough. Every time I took a sip, my stomach was rumbling and I had the worst pain. I managed to drink half a protein drink and some ice chips the entire day. The doctor recommended I stay another day. It was definitely the right choice. The nurse said most patients stayed 2 nights. My back pain got really bad so I asked to sleep in a recliner that night. They were amazing at the hospital, and the whole floor was for bariatric patients. The next morning, the catheter came out, and it made a huge difference. I went home on Day 3 around 2 pm. I was able to walk no problem. Holy bumps in the car ride home though! That day I drank about 1 protein shake over the course of the day and some melted ice. Still horrible pains with every sip. Once I took a shower and got comfy in my recliner, it was much better to handle. Today is Day 4. I have crazy bruises on my stomach from the nonstop Heparin shots in the hospital. The tape is really itchy and one wound is bothering me a bit. I'm still in a lot of pain once meds wear off--mostly my back. My stomach is fine until I take a sip. Then it hurts like the worst gas ever times 20! I'm up to my second shake and will probably finish that by the end of the day. I take a tiny sip every few minutes. I can't even imagine eating a meal at this point. Or any type of solid food for that matter. I'm on clear liquids until I see the doctor on Monday. Then I can move on to full liquids. Food does smell good, but I'm just not interested. My roommate in the hospital wasn't happy. I think she regretted her choice. But we are all different. I look forward to seeing how things move along. So far, it is what I expected. I just wish my stomach would stop growling! The doc says it's gas, but it sounds like growling to me! I haven't weighed myself because I don't see the point. I will once the swelling goes down. Maybe I'll give myself a whole month. I'll let you all know! Wish me luck trick or treating with the kids tomorrow!

After reading all of these posts, I guess I really am on the fast track. I never thought about WLS before, but I went to see a doctor and the receptionist was telling me she just had a gastric sleeve done. I didn't even know what it was. She didn't look too big. Then she told me she was 2 weeks post op and was down 25 pounds. She checked my weight, googled a BMI calculator, and I just made it. I saw the doctor 9/11/14 and my surgery is on 10/27/14. My total cost will be $250 for a program fee which covers five years of counseling, nutritionist consults, and follow up visits. I feel blessed to have such good insurance after reading these posts.
I didn't plan on telling a soul except my husband. He is vehemently opposed because he says I can do it on my own. And I have--over, and over, and over. I should win a prize for being the best dieter ever. I have easily lost over 500 lbs. Just 3 years ago I weighed 128 pounds. So I told my husband that I'm not having the surgery to lose weight. I'm having the surgery because it will give me the support I need to keep it off. I guess I need accountability. Goals. A reason to be successful. I am soooo sick of dieting. Ironically, people come to me for diet advice. Ha!
I confided in only 2 people about my surgery--a colleague and my sister. Well, my colleague is having the surgery 2 days before me by the same doctor! (The protein shakes were a dead giveaway.) And I told my sister because I needed her to take me to the hospital. Her husband was scheduled for the same surgery also, same doctor, same day!! Due to some testing issues, however, he couldn't proceed.
I'm finally starting to feel like this surgery isn't so taboo. I'm still embarrassed to tell people because I feel like a failure. I hope this forum will change that. I've enjoyed reading your stories.
Here are the 2 things that really made me KNOW it was time. 1) My son told me I never play with him. :(. I have so many issues with fibromyalgia and arthritis that my husband really has become the playmate when it comes to physical activity. 2). My 19-year-old niece was over in the summer and said in a very concerned voice, "You are so beautiful. Why are you letting yourself go?" Seeing the kids perception of me was tough.
I'm looking forward to surgery. (Isn't that odd?) I guess I'm looking forward to being myself again. I miss running, spin classes, playing outdoors with the kids, etc. I miss being in pictures! I thought I was being crafty until people started asking why I wasn't in any. While I usually AM the photographer, you can only fool people for so long! And I really miss my social life because I've been saying no to too many things due to my weight.
Happy days, here I come!!