New Year=New Me

Hello all!

(I guess I'm posting to introduce myself.)

This is my first post in the OH forums and before I begin I would just like to thank you all for all that you have shared.  I have been a lurker around here off and on for a while during my researching and pre-op diet-doc journey.

I completed my six month, insurance required, diet-doc in early December and my insurance approval letter finally came!  I got the mail after coming home late in the wee hours of New Year's Day (forgot to do so earlier in the day), and found the letter from my insurance company.  I won't get into details, but considering the less-than-cheerful holidays I've had, it felt amazing to hold in my hands the authorization for what I'm hoping will be the start of a "new me."

I don't have a surgery date yet.  My doctor's office is supposed to call me to schedule one after they receive the approval from the insurance co., and I'm not even sure if they were open yesterday, so I'll give them a day or two to call me before I bug them .

I am very excited, but I am also incredibly anxious--and not in a good way.  I'm sure everyone can relate to all the thoughts that are going through my mind right now: Do I know enough? Am I totally prepared (for all the changes, the vitamins... psychologically)?  Most of all, can I be successful?  I feel like I won't know the answers to these things until after I have the surgery.  Though I feel like I have a bit of an advantage in preparing myself for the pain and "feeling down" after the procedure because I am no stranger to major surgery...

I had a lobectomy of the bottom lobe of my right lung back in 2006 (in short, it contained a carcinoid tumor that was creating a blockage and making me very sick).  Mainly due to the fact that my surgeon was a butcher, I still have a lot of residual pain and numbness.  I have a lot of hope that losing weight will help with this... if only because the ability to do more exercise and physical therapy might ease some of the pain.  The numbness will probably never go away and I've made my peace with that--at least that's what I tell myself LOL (part of me will always be bitter I guess--not because of the numbness as much as the fact that I was not forewarned and was only 15 at the time of surgery).  Anyway, after living through that ordeal--having so much physical pain that I couldn't lie flat for more than half a year--I think I have a pretty high pain threshold, and by comparison, this laparoscopic procedure should be a breeze.

With all that said, I may put on a brave face, but I'm still pretty stinking nervous (and I have an awful nail-biting habit, so that emoticon is perfect for me).

Anyway, any need-to-know advice, no matter how "obvious" or "small," is greatly appreciated .

~Erika

Hello, and welcome!

If pain is your biggest fear, you can tick that off your list.  I was a virgin lap DS 4/29/13 and there was very little pain.  Especially after what you have been through, I really wouldn't worry about the physical pain.

Now, nausea, for me, was a very different story.  But that is a very individualized issue.  I know of a lot of people who had no nausea at all!  Plus, they give you lots of different meds to try, if it is an issue,

Sounds like you're doing great research, just keep coming here for support, and you will do great!

Thank you for the warm welcome :)

Were you easily nauseous before the surgery? I guess it might not have anything to do with it since our stomachs are so drastically changed by the procedure?

~Erika

Welcome!

How exciting! I hope you get your surgery date soon! I know I was so anxious throughout the pre-approval process!

Make sure to take before pictures. Some people save the clothes they used in their before pictures (I didn't, but should have!) so that they can compare themselves when they reach their goal weight. 

I started a video blog because I loved watching those kinds of videos pre-op and I wanted to give others another glimpse into what post-op life is like. 

The most important thing to keep in mind  early out is to stay hydrated. When I felt like crap those first few weeks, it was always because I hadn't drank enough water.

As far as vitamins, I had a three month supply ready to go. From now on, I will be buying them in yearly supplies using my flexible spending plan from work. I mainly use Vitalady's plan and will tweak them based on my next set of labs which is coming up in about a month. 

If you've been reading and researching here, I'm sure you will be well prepared. Good luck! !

Thank you for the warm welcome :).

I've always hated having my picture taken but I will definitely take "before" pictures to remind myself of what I never want to be again. 

I have seen many YouTube videos from those who have had all kinds of WLS and they have been tremendously helpful to me.  I would love to give back in the same manner but I have a feeling I'd make the videos and then be too embarrassed to share them .  I've never been very extroverted and I don't see that changing... we'll see though I guess.

How often do you get your labs done?

~Erika

I got mine done at 3 months and I plan to do them at 6 months and 1 year. After that, yearly. 

Prepare yourself for LOVING having your picture taken as the "new" you!

I too lurked for a while. I have found it to be supportive but also constructive when needed. Pain is my fear too. I had an Open Surgery RnY in 99 and I'm not a newbie to under the knife. This was horrible and i cqn agree we have a right to be worried BUT that one month of pain still a clear memory 14 yrs later, still worth it! I loved my thinner life, the one where i was really active, outside and hicking and kayaking and fun stuff. I loved felling normal, not having people make horrible comments, not shopping in Lane Bryant only. The pain is worth doing it again If i must. While many people get lap surgery i dont qualify for that, you might. If you do, Dont worry e recovery is nothing like these major disfiguring ones. Thw recover i'm told and have seen takes about a week you will feel not bad no pain meds. Hope to hear more when you can Robin

"Feeling normal"... that is something I can't wait for.  I have been overweight my whole life, so I don't even remember a time when I was a "normal weight." 

I'm sorry you are not eligible for a laparoscopic procedure.  Are you going to go through with an open DS revision then?

~Erika

I am still going through with Open DS YES! The end goal of having a life free of obesity is worth the second worst month of my life. I've made plenty of progress with therapy, ED treatment and I know with tools and determination keeping the weight off will be possible! For this second half of my life, healthy living in abudance and fulfillment is what i want.