Day Dreamer

I haven't tried these but wondered why more people were not taking them post op. There are many brands but I tend to trust the ones made especially for bariatric patients. http://www.google.com/products/catalog?hl=en&biw=1031&bih=700&q=protein+tablets&um=1&ie=UTF-8&cid=12278409554751532036&sa=X&ei=X6a-Tf2gJarv0gHnu83sBQ&ved=0CCMQ8wIwAA http://www.bariatricchoice.com/bariatric-chewable-protein-tablets-111.html

I am a bit of an extremist and a worry wart. I am worried that post op I will want to stay on Clear liquids or full liquids as long as I can. I keep having this vision/worries (?) that it will hurt very badly to eat – even Jell-O. I picture taking a very small spoonful of Jell-O (picture a sliver of the tip of your nail small) and letting it melt in my mouth, swooshing it around, before I swallow it. I am deathly afraid of a complication and have heard that staying on clear liquids will help prevent leaks. I am also seeing more people with complications, leaks and even extreme post op pain; and that scares me. I suppose it is just pre op jitters, but I am wondering if anyone else worried about these things. How can I calm my fears? Thanks!!

SoCal, Did you ever join a bariatric support group?

Laugh now Paul but NEWS FLASH that thread in the mens room about your endowment size seeming bigger - it's all a LIE!! BAHAHAHAHAHAHHAA (j/k) She who laughs last, laughs loudest hehe! Now out of the powder room before we paint your nails and shave your legs!

When I lost weight a couple years back, I went from a 40D to a 36C. Looking at the pictures now, I think WOW my boobies disappeared. No not really. It is perception. I think now, post op, I would be happy in a 36C - even if I have to bend over, shake a bit, roll them bad boys up and stuff them in a Vicki to make em look nice! Shoot, I will even invest in some "chicken cutlets" too... LOL I am super scared of getting my VSG and even more scared about implants. After all - I chose VSG because of the lack of foreign objects in my body (Band.. ugh).

LOL I think it is funny that this came up [again]. Someone else started a thread like this and wow did people go crazy. First, there are a lot of misconceptions about weed. People assume you will munch like crazy. If you smoked, you know how your body will react - no two people are the same. Some cancer patients try smoking weed to help them eat more but find it doesn't work for them. Some people just don't get that baked or munchy feeling as portrayed in the movies. If you are a muncher when you smoke, why not stock up on healthy goodies that will be ok for your sleeve!?!? (Think meat and cheese roll up, SF Jell-o and pudding etc) OK OK back to what you originally asked... when? when? when? IDK. Who would have that answer? No one I would guess. But there are people on this board that went right back to smoking cigs post op (I won't mention names LOL...). You are still pretty much newly sleeved. My humble opinion, I would wait 2 or 3 months. Smoking earlier the smoke may agitate the site of the surgery and slow healing but not stop it or cause infection. You must be a strong person to ask this question knowing you would get beat up for asking.

I agree - sometimes you need to add to the shakes to give them a flavor boost. I have added SF dry pudding mix or Crystal Light to change up the taste. I personally enjoy Slim Fast and Atkins shakes. I have used the shakes on and off for years to lose weight. Actually, the Atkins ones are so tasty I drink the Cafe Latte for Breakfast and I am not even on a pre op diet I got my shipment of Syntrex Protein Nectars - the variety sample pack - and some of the flavors are wild!!! I just hope they taste as good as they sound. One thing I have noticed is that every person has very different taste. I seem to like more of the Protein drinks than other people. But I have always been big into SF products so the after-taste doesn't even register anymore. This may or may not change post op :eek: Best to buy sample size and do a test run than to sink tons of money into drinks you may or may not like. I bet if you took a poll on who likes this brand Protein Drink vs that brand.. it would be split evenly.

Congrats!!!!

Hugs Sherri! I am sorry you are going through this! I pray that it is not cancer!

Hey guys, I am in the same boat. My hubby seemed supportive to an extent. Now he wont speak about my surgery. He is giving me a hard time about having to drive me to / from the hospital - even for my EGD this week. To top is off, he announced last week that he is going on a low carb diet. --> After he mocked me for saying I had to do low carb post op. He has started exercising and is already losing weight. I have to wonder if our spouses are threatened??? Do they think we will get skinny/sexy and leave them? Are they worried about people hitting on us?? NEWS FLASH - men hit on me all the time LOL AND I was skinny when I married my hubby. He should not be nervous about my weight loss. Also, I have to wonder what motivates them not to be supportive: jealousy, insecurity or envy? My hubby isn't obese; he is barely overweight. Why should our spouses be this way? I just don't get it... Eh..

Thank you!!

Congrats! Every step of the pre surgery phase is a milestone!!

Wooo hoo! Congrats!! Better change your signature block now LOL Happy Dance :party4:

YAY!! I will keep you in my morning prayers!!!

Ahh don't sell yourself short.. I say it sounds like your day 14 was closer to a B!! You seem to have a very good understanding of when and why you would eat - that has to be worth some points It sounds like you might need some options... have you tried the Syntrex protein nectars? PowerAde zero with protein powder? - anything to shake up the routine of just water... Keep up the good work and stay positive!!

Hmmm how many people do you think went to Mexico purely for the Doctor? Looking at the threads, it seems like most went to Mexico because: 1. No insurance and it is cheaper in MX 2. Were denied by their insurance 3. Didn't meet insurance requirements so they paid out of pocket I [personally] don't think people are saying the MX Doctors are better than US Doctors... nor did they choose to go to MX because the quality was just so outstanding. The people that go to MX for WLS probably love their results and the treatment they received - but there are many post contrary to that opinion. It is definitely subjective to the patient. I think we have good and crappy Doctors everywhere - US and abroad. It is important for people to voice their experiences with bad Doctors because it might save someone else some heartbreak, or even death. I am not knocking the MX Doctors, but I think we have tons of amazing bariatric surgeons here in the US - some are leaders in the world! That is awesome stuff. Each person has to do what is right for them, and sometimes that means going outside the US for service. For the original topic starter, I honestly feel bad for him/her. What Dr (US or otherwise) would treat a patient like that? What was that Dr thinking? I would have checked his attitude right then and there. Hell no, you have PhD but you are not my mom/dad/GOD. I would have gave him the business and walked the hell out - never to return. Grrrr. So bad Doctors? Yeah they are out there. One country better than the other? HAH... I seriously doubt that our best US Dr's pale in comparison to Mexican Dr's. Just another reason to research your Dr, and not accept poor service.

I have used the "Instead Cup", which are disposable. When you take it out (without sounding too graphic) you dump the excess, wrap the cup in tissue and discard in the trash. I gave one to a friend to try (yes, they are individually wrapped hehehe) and she hated it. She said it was so comfortable but when it came time to take it out, she said she was fishing for it, tilted it and made a mess. In my opinion, like all things, it takes practice to get it just right, but once you do it is so easy and comfy. I honestly do not feel them while they are in place - it is just that comfy. Not sure if anyone else covered this, but you can have relations while wearing one and the guy can't really feel it. (I asked mine a couple times, and he claims Nope, can't feel it.) It even didn't spill or move during the throw down Instead Cup (on Amazon approx $14 USD for 14 disposable) http://www.amazon.co...p/dp/B000X29GY6 Diva Cup (on Amazon approx $22 USD for 1 reusable) http://www.amazon.co...h/dp/B000FAG6XA FYI Instead cup does not have a tail like the Diva cup. And both can be found cheaper.. just using Amazon as a comparison..

Hey G, I am doing the 24 hour Clear liquids only. Too close to BMI for me.... But if you have quite a bit to lose, starting now would only benefit you. I do see more and more people starting the low carb diets before their surgery. Maybe you want to cut fat or carbs to help shrink your liver a bit, just to make surgery easier. Good Luck

Congrats!! What an amazing loss!

I suppose it is unique based on your insurance. My CoE said that I could not lose because I was already borderline BMI. They do have everyone do a 2 week, low carb, pre op diet. During the seminar a lady with UHC asked if she lost weight would she be denied and they told her that it was possible. At this point, I think the insurance companies are looking for any reason not to cover the surgery, so I am not going to give them one. Good Luck

Yeppers.. they won't do the VSG at Hardin.. so it is off to Baptist East for me and my crew. I am so nervous now, but wonder why they haven't scheduled my surgery yet ?!?! My friend got the approval call and they scheduled her right then.. sigh. Amy said Dr Oldham was extremely attentive with her and that was good to hear. Her good experience really gives me hope that my experience will be good as well! I haven't met Dr Weiss yet, but it is my understanding that they will both be in the surgery?!?! Do you know for sure?

Should have known you were on.. Lurker

It is nice to see someone [some what] local!! I got approved last week and now I am waiting on my surgery date, but need to do an EGD as well. I will having my surgery at Baptist East wtih Dr Oldham (part of the same group as Dr Weiss). Did they have you buy the Bariatric Advantage powder? Do they have support group meeting in Lexington? We have them maybe once a month (from what I have heard) in the Elizabethtown office. But they are for all WLS, not just VSG patients. Congrats on your surgery date BTW!! Keep us updated!

Does anyone know if there is an issue putting in a breathing tube (tracheal intubation) when the patient has a goiter? My goiter seems a bit large (probably medium compared to really bad cases) and just worried that they might have an issue getting the tube down... ?!? Assuming people with hypothyroidism will be able to answer this, I want to also ask: Was your weight loss slower than what others post because of your thyroid issues? Has the fatigue from your thyroid disease gotten any less intense? I really hope my weight loss will help me feel half way normal again. Everyday feels like walking through quicksand.. fatigue..no energy. (My meds: 125 mcg Synthroid) Bleh. Thanks for reading.