I just figured it out...

Welcome! I'm just echoing what everyone else has said but this is a great place with terrific people - feel free to jump in and participate! I had a BMI of 59 and now it's at 26 - it's been an amazing ride! If there is one thing i would suggest it would be to move as soon as possible - start walking, even if you are slow at first. But do something, anything. It makes you feel a lot better in the long run and you may just grow to love it! I know I have! Good luck on your surgery and be sure to come back and tell us how you are doing

Thanks, I am really motivated to get up and move later the same day of my surgery.  They have "Walking Nazi's" there so they will help me get up and moving too.  I learned something talking to the pre-op nurses that I wouldn't have thought of.  They asked me what my pain level tolerance is before taking meds, and I said usually about a 6... they said to take the meds at a 1 or 2 so that it doesn't get worse before it gets better, and that way I can get up and move.  Great idea!  I would have waited as long as possible because I don't like to take drugs that interfere with my clarity of mind (not much of a drinker either). My BMI was 60 at my pre-op apt... amazing what 14 pounds can do, my BMI is 57 today... go figure! I am looking forward to coming back and reporting GOOD news. :oP

I have a very low tollerance for pain. I used the pump in the hospital about 4x. The last 2x was for fear of pain. I really didn't need it. They sent me home with some RX for pain and I used them for my monthly cramps but I never had any real pain. It kinda felt like gas more than pain. But again everybody is different.  I was in the hospital for almost 2 days and off of work for 2 weeks. I started walking around my sub division the 2nd day home. But I took it very slow. I try to do a couple of blocks the first day and almost feel out. You have to realize this is major surgery and no matter how good you think you feel this is major surgery. However, by week 2 I was feeling better and the walks got longer and then I moved on to other things. Take it slow when you get home, get your rest and allow your body to heal before you start doing any serious movement..... shopping, picking up kids, working out, and housework. You have 2 more days. I was so nervous at this point. Try to stay busy so you wont go crazy.  I wish you a successful and uneventful surgery 

Thank you!  I sure hope I don't need the pain medication much either.  I really am not a fan of needing that, but I prefer vicodin over percoset sine I don't get the brain fog like I do with percoset... not to mention the nausea.  Not a fan of that at all.

I overdid it in the hospital with walking.  There were several RNY patients during my stay and I don't know why but I felt I should walk more than them.  We did laps around the hospital every 2 hours for the entire stay - most people did 1-3, I did 8.  Plus my back hurt laying in bed so it felt good to walk around.  My second stay, I did 1-3 laps each time. As far as pain meds, I recommend using them as much as you need.  Do not hesistate.  You heal better when your body is not in pain because pain is stressful to your body.  I used my button fairly often - I always pressed it about 10 minutes before I knew my next walk was coming, and I usually pressed it again when I got back.  The only time I got very uncomfortable was when I slept for a while and then woke up and needed more pain control.  The pain meds they gave me to take home, I barely used at all.  Maybe twice.  It was a nasty tasting liquid that upset my tummy enough that it wasn't worth it.  I don't like the fuzzy feelings that morphine gives you, but I still prefer that to unneeded pain. 

Yeah, pain isn't good... I guess I just put off taking things hoping that the pain will subside on its own.  Good idea to take it 10 min before walking.  That would make it more convenient to go for the walks.

i'm so glad that you get to have your surgery on friday!  here's hoping it goes exactly as it's supposed to, and that you are home and feeling great.  i have my first consult tomorrow.  i started with a different doc at a closer location and realized that he's not for me.  so now i'm driving to everett instead.  this new clinic treats patients well...respect and kindness.  the kindness part is very important to me. in the past couple of years, i've shrunk from 5'11" to 5'9".  i wonder what those two inches do to my bmi?  in any case, it's over 60 at present.  i'm looking forward to getting it down. i'm limited to lap band because i have celiac disease (an autoimmune disorder that is controlled by avoiding wheat, oats, barley, rye and anything with gluten).  i think i would have gone with rny had i been given the chance.  dangnabbit!

Thank you! My very good friend's 3 year old daughter has Celiac disease.  That is miserable!  I am surprised that they can't do RNY though, I wouldn't have realized that the disease would exclude you from the surgery.  Does it have something to do with bi-passing part of the intestines?  Or is it a stomach thing?  I know VSG has been very good for many people with the higher BMIs... but some go on to have the DS after they lose a bunch of weight if they aren't at goal yet.  I used to think I was 5'9" then discovered about 9 years ago that I was only 5'8" and now I am 5'7"... I don't like that trend!  I want to be 5'9" again!  Think I might get that height back?  Maybe I should post that in the general board... hmmm. It is important to have a good relationship with your doctor.  Personally, I don't care if he is a jerk as long as he does a GREAT job and has a perfect record like mine does.  Just so happens he seems pretty nice too.  Who was your doctor before you switched to Everett?

Welcome to you and best wishes as you begin your journey. No regrets from me, I don't even wish I'd had the surgery sooner, like most people do. I feel I had it when the time was right for me and that's why I've lost so much and follow the rules so well! I too have had my fair share of complications, but if need be would do this all over again in a heartbeat! It's all so worth it!

Thank you for the encouragement.  I am getting excited!