ShelaBug,

It sounds like you have a very thorough surgeon! I'm impressed. I remember the excitement mixed with trepidation in the days leading up to my surgery. I'm so excited for you!

Saving you a special seat on the loser's bench! ...and I can't wait to watch you shrink!

JJ

Thank you JJ for keeping tabs on me and following my posts :) I too am very pleased with my surgeon.... his mindful and conservative approach, matched with his vast experience and knowledge of cutting edge bariatric research and surgical skill is reassuring. :) Tonight I Just finished getting all my ducks in a row for tomorrows start of the 10 day sugar- free clear liquid program.... 38 cherry sugar-free Jello shooters (sans the booze..lol!) chillin' in the fridge... check....pantry shelf stocked with low sodium chicken broth...check....freezer stocked with sugar-free yummy popsicles....check.....pantry with various flavors of Crystal Light....check....pantry stocked with several of my favorite herbal green teas....check....A solid mind set that I will be nothing less than fantastic for the rest of my life!!!... ( I know...kinda narcissistic, however a girls gotta do what a girls gotta do to get healthy! CHECK! I'm ready! Starting weight...311 BIG ONE'S....this mornings weight....260.... and awaaaay I go!!! Weeee!
Take Care Everyone! Much Love Coming Your Way! ShelaBug
PS: I will post pictures in the coming days....

Hi everyone! As most of you know...I've been on DS for some years now....different health issues.....however my Sleeve is the one tool along with hard work and dedication that help alleviate the pain and swelling from the Psoriatic Arthritis. With 55 lbs gone (as of this morning) I'm getting a small "taste" of the good things to come :) Surgery day is only 4 DAYS AWAY! And as committed, determined and educated about the procedure I am.....I've become extremely anxious.....basically.....I'm scared. Not about my decision to have the surgery.....it's knowing that I will experience pain...and I really, REALLY don't like the "P" word. I know that following my surgeons plan of action will prepare me as well as I can be for this physical challenge...It's just a fear I cannot seem to shake tonight. A very anxious Shelabug

Tomorrow is the day.....5/5/15.....pins and needles tonight! Wish me luck and I will join all my DS inspirations on "The Bench" :) Thank you all for your positive thoughts, prayers and inspiration. ShelaBug

Go get 'em!!! I'm so excited for you!!

JJ

Looking forward to your recovery posts Shela. Hope all went well and you're feeling fine!

I DID IT!!! What a challenge the first 48 has been....It's not the Sleeve Gastrectomy that is causing me pain... It's those two darn umbilical hernia's he repaired while he was in my tummy :) Those little buggers are paaaainful! Nothing that cannot be helped along with a little bit of liquid narcotics. So, would I do it all over again? ABSOLUTELY! Did I have thoughts prior to surgery like "What the heck am I doing?" Yes. What did not help was the time the surgeon had me report to the hospital....5 am. I only got 2 hours sleep the night before...1:30 am up at 3:30 am... then wait, pace, wait, pace for 12....yes you're reading it correctly....12 HOURS!! My surgery did not begin until 5 pm!!! Seriously? I know he's a top notch surgeon.... however having all 3 of his patients report at 5 am was ridiculous... I get the concept...if one of us did not show... or the procedure could not be performed...then we are there.... however, I had diligently followed the 10 day clear liquid pre-op diet..so by the time I was called back... I was totally dehydrated...it was difficult to start my IV, etc... all in all though I have NO REGRETS AND NO REMORSE.... I am looking forward to my new, healthy lifestyle.... THAT I can hardly wait for...Thank you all for your support...JJ, MNMama, Lcat4 and soooo many other DS family members... Love you all!! ShelaBug

Congratulations ShelaBug!!!! It sounds like things are going very well for you and it makes me even more excited about my upcoming surgery this Monday. I hope you continue to heal quickly and easily!

Yay ShelaBug! You're on your way! Wishing you all the best. Stay with us! We're here to support you and help you along the way. You too. In Virginia! ..and all of you out there starting or progressing through your wild ride!

Good morning to all my wonderful DS peeps! I'm from the Seattle area...so I know that many time zones are represented :) Update....5 days out. I have to say....Other than back discomfort yesterday (gone today!) and the tenderness from the hernia incision....I'm feeling quite well! I know I've already said this...however I will say it again....FOLLOW YOUR SURGEON'S INSTRUCTIONS TO THE LETTER and your recovery will be far more productive. Now is not the time to waiver. InVirginia....your big day is tomorrow! You are in my thoughts and prayers....you need all the strength you can gather. I promise that you will be glad you made the decision. There will be times that you may not feel that way (or maybe not...everyone's journey is there own!) but hang in there...know that you have many DS mentors that are pulling for you. Take in your clear liquids... practice "Sipping" LOL! As you will be doing that a lot! I have not weighed yet this morning.... I will report later with the total....however, it's really not what the scale says... I choose not to focus on that....it's more of how I feel each day. It's a no brainer that by following the plan and taking good care of my tummy... the weight will come off. So making sure that I get the right amount of nutrients and liquids is my priority. So all in all...I'm on the mend and today I feel great! Happy Mother's Day to all of you who are "Mom's" (((Hugs))) all around! ShelaBug

Oh My Goodness Everyone! Do I have an experience to share! JJ, MNMama, InVirginia....and ESPECIALLY for the DS friends who are about to have surgery... I am NOT sharing this to scare or have you entertain second thoughts....PLEASE STAY THE COURSE! The last time I posted...I was 5 days post surgery and doing swimmingly well....then...on May 12th, exactly one week post-op, I had what I will refer to as an "Episode" in the days before that...I was starting to feel increasingly weak, I chalked it up to the recovery process and since I had not had any protein during the clear liquid diet that I started on April 25th... I rationalized that is what was contributing to my weakness and since I had just reintroduced the protein drinks on day 8 post-op that it would take some time to regain my strength....Back to May 12th and the "Episode" It was 4 am... I awoke and got out of bed ....I walked about 10ft and it hit me...HARD! I have experienced "Out of breath" before....NEVER had I experienced "Shortness of breath" I now know the difference....I felt a crushing pain just beneath my shoulder blades and I broke out in a cold sweat! My first thought was heart attack! Then instantly I thought....no.....no... just calm down...sit down....slowly....I could breath easier...I could feel the sweat trickling down the back of my neck...however, I composed myself and went back to bed. I awoke a few hours later and was completely exhausted!! I slept most of the day :( Over the next FIVE days... I had 3 more episodes...each time becoming more...and more... exhausted. I then decided on Sunday May 17th.. that I had had enough and was determined to get out of the house....a change of pace...that SURELY would kick up my energy. Given that each of the previous "Episodes" had eventually subsided... I took it as part of the recovery process. I WAS WRONG!!! When I went upstairs to get ready.. I could barely walk up the stairs... I then was in pain trying to shower.. I had to open the shower door mid shower as I felt like I was suffocating... AT THIS POINT YOU WOULD THINK THAT I WOULD CALL 911!! No...stubborn me called for my husband... when he came upstairs he took one look at me and said "You don't look very well... I think you should call your doctor" I asked that he locate and give me our blood pressure cuff and when took my blood pressure...the readings were 88/46 heart rate 88 I thought it was a mistake! Second reading 84/42 heart rate 96....I called the surgeon and since it was a weekend...I was worried that I may not receive a call back quickly... I was wrong... In less than 3 mins...the call was returned.. I explained my weakness/ blood pressure and was asked if I was still taking my blood pressure medicine... I said I was and was told that in most cases it would be fine to continue, however with the weakness and low blood pressure I should stop for now and that I should feel better and to keep my follow up appt. the following day. I said okay because with the shortness of breath and....the surgeon immediately said... whoa... wait a minute...you didn't say anything about shortness of breath.. so I went into more detail about the "Episodes" when it first happened etc and before I could say anything more I was told to go immediately to the nearest ER and to have them call him. Long story short.... I AM LUCKY TO BE HEAR TO CONNECT WITH ALL OF YOU! I had two blood clots in my right lung..and was in kidney failure. I'm sharing this so that NO ONE ELSE second guesses or minimizes their symptoms like I did...I WAS FOOLISH AND STUBBORN. I had followed the surgeons directives to the letter and it was nothing in his performing the surgery that was not adequate.. I HAVE NO HISTORY of blood clots.... was given blood thinning injections prior to going into surgery in pre-op... walked immediately in the recovery room...continued my walking each day at home.... it was just something that happened. Like I said, I am not sharing this to deter anyone from having this life saving operation. I was in the hospital for three days.... received EXCELLENT care (obviously) and am glad to report I am on the mend! Also....since beginning my journey on Sept 29th this past autumn...including the days since my surgery.... I have lost a total of 73lbs!!!! I would do this again in an instant!!!! Except I would have listened to my body when it was clearly sending me signals and calling 911 first! I LOVE YOU ALL....YOU ALL STILL GIVE ME STRENTH AND SUPPORT. GLAD TO BE ALIVE!! THERE'S TRULY NO STOPPING ME NOW!! ShelaBug

Oh, Shela! I am so glad you mentioned the shortness of breath! And that you are on the mend! Good luck with your journey and keep taking care of you!!

Thank you Bouvier Each day finds me a lttle stronger! How about everyone else that recently had their surgeries? I hope this finds you hanging in there! Keep reminding yourself that our true rewards for making this decision is right around the corner!! ShelaBug

Whoa! Shela- what a scary story! Thank god you are all right. I am also a stubborn person, so your story hit home with me, as a good reminder to listen to your body!

SO happy you are doing well now! Keep us posted and continued success!

Hi everyone! Looking back...that was a really long post...So I'll keep it short and sweet.... Hope everyone is doing well...thank you for your kind words of support. Since my hospital stay... I'm having trouble getting my energy back with a good dose of insomnia. Hope it passes. Take Care! ShelaBug