Well, I did it! I've had the surgery (I had the sleeve) on 10/17/11. I didn't seem to have the issues for approval through my insurance because I was recently diagnosed with high blood pressure and diabetes. My insurance evidently thought this would be the cheaper way out rather than decades of medicines.

Today was the first day that I have had any nausea so I guess I've been really lucky. (Luck? Maybe I actually followed the doctors' orders?!).

Some things that I've experienced and had help with from this site include: a rash that developed on my stomach (not at the incision sites) and what I would think is too rapid weight loss.

The rash has been treated with benadryl liquid and tablets and a prescription for a steroid. Seems to have done the trick.

I was also concerned that I didn't have a bowel movement (great topic, huh?!) the first 6 days after my surgery. I emailed my doctor and he recommended mineral oil. I also have been drinking smooth move herbal tea and believe it may actually have been what did the trick.

I have lost 21 pounds since 10/17/11 so I'm pretty pleased.

I also drank "shots" of Pro-Stat which I found on one of the bariatric websites. I showed it to my surgeon and he said it would be okay to use it. It has 15 grams of protein in a "shot" so I feel pretty good about it. I also just ordered the fiber equivalent of it maybe pump up my fiber intake.

Hope any of this was helpful to someone out there.

Myra