Surgery is ON peeps, excited without hesitatition!

[Pattimelt]

Hi everyone! I just finished paying for my surgery last night, and purchased my plane tickets. My surgery with Dr. Almanza in Mexico is scheduled for April 19, 2017, and I seriously can't wait!

So, I just got back from a cruise to Catalina Island and Ensenada, Mexico. The cruise was wonderful, and I got to catch up with some old friends. However, there were a few aspects of the cruise that bugged me. First, there were only four or five people I encountered all week that even approached my size. Self conscious doesn't even describe how I felt! Everywhere I went, we were surrounded by "normal" sized people and I felt like a freak! I had a hard time keeping up when we were walking, and my feet and ankles swelled up the second day. My knees, my back, and feet and ankles all gave me tremendous pain the whole trip. My friends expressed sympathy for me, but it was horribly embarrassing! At one point, my friends went swimming and lingered in the jacuzzi for a couple of hours. Since I don't even own a swimsuit, And declined going in the water, I was left watching purses and belongings on the deck. So annoying! All I can say is, NEVER AGAIN! On our cruise next year, I will be normal sized, and I WILL enjoy my trip to its fullest without self conscious embarrassment!

There are so many things we miss out on while being obese! I no longer wish to be on the sidelines of life, I want to embrace everything this world can throw at me, without reservation. My sleeve is an important tool to help me get where I want to be. I know it will be difficult at times, and I have to be diligent, but I am so READY to make these changes. Though I am nervous and a little scared about the surgery, I am going to embrace the changes!

Thanks everyone for all of your wonderful information and encouragement. This forum is an invaluable tool and I am grateful for each and every one of you! Ta ta for now and take care, Patti

[Tamera2]

Can't believe it's almost time!! I'm so excited for you and will continue to pray for you. I can so relate to your post about your trip. Glad you still had some fun. Next year will be amazing and exciting. No feeling shame, being the purse watching and sitting on the sidelines of your life. You will feel like a whole new woman in less than two months. You'll still have more work to do but it's amazing the difference you'll feel every 20 pounds than every 1pound after that. My Brother and his wife and children leave in Aspen Co. It feels like the land of 00. I feel like I was the only obese person and everyone is staring at me wondering what's wrong with me. Then they are constantly doing something physical, bike riding, hiking, running and all done at a high intensity. I should mention it's almost 8,000 feet elevation. Hard for someone of my size then to keep up. I love seeing my family and most people were nice but I dreaded going and would often push back the dates. It was so sad and an awful feeling. I can't wait to visit now. Prepare for a fun,exciting life changing event. Sounds like your prepared for the work and with your approach should do well. You might look into a support group in your area. My local hospital as one that meets once a month. It was nice to get more tools and meet others in person. Please let us know how your doing after surgery. The surgery was way easy and the pain was way less than I thought. Be sure to follow the doctors orders and instructions and you should do good. I'm here if I can help answer any questions.

[Pattimelt]

Thanks for your kind words of encouragement! And I also appreciate any and all prayers!

[Christie13]

Oh Patti. I hate to hear that you had some bad experiences on your cruise but I am SUPER HAPPY to hear that you have a date! And I know you are ready as you have been on the forum for a while. I know you know what to expect and all. And you're right, it is hard at first but it is so worth it. Big hugs!

[Rkchildress]

You will do great! I had my surgery with Dr. Almanza last Wednesday and as of yesterday I had lost 30 pds. The doctors, nurses and motel staff is AWESOME there and you will feel so comfortable and relaxed. So excited for the new you that you will become. Best wishes for you!

[Sandra3]

I traveled a lot being at my heaviest and I do know where you're coming from. It's always a pain! But very soon it will just be a bad memory. Very soon it will be your surgery and one year will just fly and you will have a the benefice of a lighter weight and a healthier you! Best wishes for your surgery, I hope you will have an easy and fast recovery. Take care.

[RehabNurse]

Congratulations, Patti. You are one step closer to a renewed lease on life.

[ambrosia76]

33 days for us Patti!!! What time do you arrive in San Diego?

[ghost_ryder]

Patti, you will have to purposefully change your mindset. I still walk into the room thinking I am the biggest guy there. I still go to the big and tall section first. I still enter my weight on the elliptical when I start my routine and begin with the 3. I don't think I will ever be able to type in a 1 without a total mind change. Be patient and kind to yourself, we are our own worst enemy when it comes to fat/body shaming. Good luck over the next few weeks, you will do great.

[Pattimelt]

33 days for us Patti!!! What time do you arrive in San Diego?

Hi! I arrive at 10:15 a.m. I'll be getting up REALLY early since I have to drive two hours to the airport. Only 33 days!

[DesertGal]

Patti, I am SO happy you have the date and final arrangements have been made. I know how you feel about being on the side lines. I have felt that way often and hate it. I was telling my sister on the way back from one of our hikes last month, as we were passing a horse back riding stable, that I would NEVER dare to go somewhere like that because feeling like a clydesdale myself, I wouldn't be able to do it. (Never mind the fact that even if I were 120 pounds, I still couldn't do it due to fibromyalgia and rheumatoid arthritis, but knowing I COULD do it and not look like a damn AMAZON woman at normal weight, is empowering.)
My surgery is one week from today and I am in knots. I have been trying to keep my mind occupied and it's hard to do. I want to get this show on the road. After being on the isopure zero carb protein drinks (which I still can't admit to liking), I have NO hunger anymore. Nothing. Nada, Zip. I think I have dropped 2 more pounds since yesterday morning. By next Friday, I may not need surgery due to losing weight from not eating from this pre op diet, LOL!!!

[Donald G]

Congrats and best wishes on a safe successful surgery.

[Pattimelt]

Patti, I am SO happy you have the date and final arrangements have been made. I know how you feel about being on the side lines. I have felt that way often and hate it. I was telling my sister on the way back from one of our hikes last month, as we were passing a horse back riding stable, that I would NEVER dare to go somewhere like that because feeling like a clydesdale myself, I wouldn't be able to do it. (Never mind the fact that even if I were 120 pounds, I still couldn't do it due to fibromyalgia and rheumatoid arthritis, but knowing I COULD do it and not look like a damn AMAZON woman at normal weight, is empowering.)
My surgery is one week from today and I am in knots. I have been trying to keep my mind occupied and it's hard to do. I want to get this show on the road. After being on the isopure zero carb protein drinks (which I still can't admit to liking), I have NO hunger anymore. Nothing. Nada, Zip. I think I have dropped 2 more pounds since yesterday morning. By next Friday, I may not need surgery due to losing weight from not eating from this pre op diet, LOL!!!

Hi Lori! Thanks for the encouragement! I rode a horse about ten years ago, and while walking, it literally fell to its knees! I was so flipping embarrassed! I have fibromyalgia and arthritis badly in my hands, wrists and knees. I'm SO hoping these symptoms improve with weight loss. Wow, one week to go! So the pre op diet has been ok? It sounds like you're doing well. I can't wait to see how your surgery goes! I'm sure it will be great and you'll do fantastically!

Good luck with everything my friend, and keep us posted!

[DesertGal]

Hi Lori! Thanks for the encouragement! I rode a horse about ten years ago, and while walking, it literally fell to its knees! I was so flipping embarrassed! I have fibromyalgia and arthritis badly in my hands, wrists and knees. I'm SO hoping these symptoms improve with weight loss. Wow, one week to go! So the pre op diet has been ok? It sounds like you're doing well. I can't wait to see how your surgery goes! I'm sure it will be great and you'll do fantastically!

Good luck with everything my friend, and keep us posted!

Patti, this PRE-OP diet SUCKS! The smell from the bottle of the Isopure Zero Carb drink is nasty. I am not quite sure exactly why it feels so slippery going down the throat, but I have been doing it for 3 days now. Had broth for dinner, maybe half a cup and even that tasted like feet! I'm just looking ahead at the prize.

[Pattimelt]

Patti, this PRE-OP diet SUCKS! The smell from the bottle of the Isopure Zero Carb drink is nasty. I am not quite sure exactly why it feels so slippery going down the throat, but I have been doing it for 3 days now. Had broth for dinner, maybe half a cup and even that tasted like feet! I'm just looking ahead at the prize.

You go girl! I'm so proud of you for sticking with it! Not long now and you'll be sleeved!