question, struggle, and caresource question

why does everyone complain about itching after surgery and do i need to pick up some bendyll to have on hand? also what kind of medical tape and gauze and much of it do u need for post op

i have figured out some things that are making me struggle. i cant have chips AT ALL and bready thing are pushing the envelope too. I dont understand why i struggle. i had 3 quesadillas for dinner last night and ate til i felt sick. i never do that but i wanted more and more. i dont get it. and even if i vidide the chips into baggies i go crazy and eat 2 baggies a day which is 2 servings and 300 or so calories that i cant afford. these are much better than what things used to be but i want to be "perfect" and have all my struggles under cnotrol. since last monday i have gained 1 lb which btwn the quesadillas and chips i had i guess isn't bad. i lost 5 lbs in 2 weeks earlier this month and now i am fighting to maintain it. 2 more weeks and my final preop appointment. i had a dream that i gained/lost a bunch of weight and they denied me. getting sick of hearing people tell me not to have the surgery. starting to do everything now that i need done before surgery. trying to do a few things a day on the weekends and need to finish my book and stuff. child is not helpful and goes btwn being downright defiant to being super duper helper or super duper clingy. counseling is working on some things with her and i might have a sitter. asked like 10 people and got some maybes, they just need to know the surgery date first. i wonder if they will let me get a monday. he does them on monday and thursdays and my aunt is off mondays and if she takes vacation she will be able to spend the time with me. otherwise im on my own and she will loose pay to take me to the hospital. i hope they will be understanding and choosing my own date wouldnt delay it much. i hope that things go quickly.


does anyone have caresource and how long did it take for them to approve your claim?
 

my weight is holding under 300..... its 296 right now and i am estactic but once i hit 290 i am out of the 50 BMI's and i really want to hit that number. obviously it wont happen before insurance approval is is a good thing. my bmi has gone from   59 TO a 51 i think it is right now.

so much on my mind. also starting to do more meditation, progressive body relaxation and just telling myself i am a peaceful soul to help combat the ticks that have now started. usually get 1 a day unless i am really stressed or not stressed at all.

well that's about it for me. just wanted to post and see what everyone was up to and if anyone had any answers.

p.s, whats your favorite noncookbook about weight loss surgery that you like

Hun, I'm not sure what your name is, so I'm going to call you Sam for now.

This is just a suggestion, but I think you just need to take a deep breath and relax.  I know that the waiting for the surgery drove me crazy but it's something that is out of our control; we can only go in when the hospital and the surgeon say so.

As far as itching, I personally didn't have a reaction to the tape but anytime you have a cut or some kind of injury where the skin opens there is bound to be some itching during the healing process.  Itching might be a pain in the butt, but it's a good thing.  It means you are healing. I did not have laproscopic surgery; I chose to have a full, open incision.

Please don't feel like you are the only one that didn't follow pre-op rules.  I am not suggesting to you that it's okay, but to let you know that I didn't follow my liquid diet to the letter either.  But I will say that is something you need to address, maybe with a therapist or try OA.  I am getting private coaching right now and also sort of participate with OA.  You have to remember that they are operating on our stomachs, not our heads, and we have to address the issues that get us going on a binge we know we shouldn't be having.

My favorite book about WLS is "Weight Loss Surgery For Dummies."  It has a lot of good information, is written in a manner that is not only easy to understand (I sure am no rocket scientist) but with a lot of humor as well.  It takes you pretty much step by step through the entire process from pre-op through post op and beyond and also has some recipes thrown in for good measure. 

Sam I think you are doing the right thing by meditating and trying to relax.  You are doing all your footwork as far as making plans for after surgery etc.  Try getting in some exercise as well; it will get you moving, help rev up your metabolism and also help you work off some of the stress you're experiencing.

Just hang in there and keep posting when you need to.  You'll be fine!
Colleen

my name is Sara, and i havcent started my liquid diet and dont plan to cheat on it but know i might be miserable. i go for insurance approval in 2 weeks. there are just some things i wish i did better. im learning and have learned enough to lose 60 plud pounds but i hate to make a mistake that will cost me pounds. doing much better but easy to slip back into old habits. thanks for taking the time to respond! :) i have a counselor and stuff and i am just anxious. 9 months is a long time to wait when i normally cant wait a week for something. and im trying to relax.

Hey Sara, you have done wonderful to loose that amount pre op.  I read an article on making the kitchen more wls friendly.  Rid your kitchen of the unhealthy things that you and your family can live without.  Continue with the meditation and relaxation.  I know that you are anxious to have everything land "in line".  Life just does not toe the line.  Take the bumps and rolls one at a time.  Know that your friends here at OH are rooting for your success.

You will look back at this time, a few weeks after surgery and wonder what you were so worried about.  Wishing you calmness, cooperative family and a surgery date that works best for your schedule.  You have been doing very well on getting through this time waiting, and the waiting seems eternal.

I like to experiment with non wls recipies and see what I can do to reduce the carb content and increase the protein.  Made a batch of chicken corn chowder a couple of days ago, skipped the potatoes and used bite sized pieces of cauliflower instead.  Non wls hubby enjoyed the dish as well.  Heated up easily too.  This would freeze for servings as needed.  Enjoy the weekend.

Hang in there Sara. You are going to be ok. definately dooooo relax.

i did not have any issues with itching post op, except for a tiny bit on the scars as a result of heling. So don't worry too much about that. Most people do not have problems with that.

You are going to do great! Just relax and enjoy this journey!

Hi Sara, I have to agree with everyone else : RELAX!  (LOL, like I took that advice when I was waiting for my surgery date!).  I am 2 weeks post-op tomorrow, and have had no problems with itching.  I only know of one person who has, and she was likely allergic to the steri-strips.

I wouldn't count on them letting you choose your date.  I got a call telling me when my surgery was (I guess I assumed they would call to schedule - as in, we'd cooperate on it.  No.  I had no say).  I begged, pleaded, cried, and everything else I could think of to get it changed... I had the week BEFORE my surgery off work and wanted to do it then so I would have the time to recover.  I also didn't know until the Thursday before (Monday surgery) what time to go in, so I had to have two plans - one for if I had to be in super early, and the other if I was able to bring my daughter to school first (I was, as I didn't have to go to the hospital until 10am).  It will work out, though.  It's hard to arrange child care without a date... you have a few people who are willing if they're available, no you just need to wait for a date.

You've done GREAT with the pre-op weight loss!  Don't stress too much; keep doing what you've been doing, keep working on the things you know are your biggest issues, and know that after surgery, lots will change.  I hated the pre-op liquid diet, but post-op I haven't been hungry AT ALL... I eat when I know I'm supposed to, and I try to be drinking something (water or protein shake) at all times except 30 min before and 60 min after meals, but I'm not thinking about food nearly as much as I have every other time in my life I've tried to lose weight.  

Good luck with everything!

-Lisa

i was afraid but figured that about the date. i will just take what they give me. i just hate to see my aunt waste vacation time on me. we'll play it by ear. im tired and starting to wake up. im glad the surgery has helped. and im iffy about the liquid diet but i know it needs to be done and i want to lose more weight before i have surgery. im 296 now and my goal would be to drop 21 more lbs before surgery but id be happy with 5 or 10.

I am still Pre-Op as well. I can tell you that this group is very helpful with concerns. I have had to start my process TWICE and they were very supportive! They kept telling me to just keep at it and be the "squeaky wheel". Another thing the have taught me is to roll with the punches. Right now I am waiting to get a call to meet my surgeon and its testing my patience. But I use what they taught me and relax and take deep relaxing breaths, Because stressing and worring is just going to wear you out and take your energy. I too have to worry about child care and time off and even a ride home from the hospital 2hrs away! But I think everything is going to fall into place when the time draws near! Keep your head up and just relax and ride this rollercoaster of a Journey! Good Luck!