longer-life

My recovery has not been as good as yours but close. I did have a hellish 45 minutes of dry heaving, nausea & acid pain at the hospital, but other than that it has been pretty good. The first day home from the hospital I drank 61 ounces of liquid/73 grams of Protein & ate 4oz pureed fruit (in two servings). I do have to sip small and constant, but that is improving greatly. I can sleep on my side since day 2-3 with a tad of discomfort that goes away with well placed pillow. I took only one pain medication to sleep better, not that I was in pain. I even went to the movies yesterday! I filled a 12 ounce bottle with smart Water, crystal light, benefiber & some Isopure juicy protein and sipped on that. I did great. I still can't believe it. However that is THE only thing I have done aside from sipping & walking. I feel great, but I am taking it very easy. I don't want to go backwards. I have soothing music as we speak, I get up constantly to walk around the house & I sip sip sip all day long. Later I will walk a little outside to get some sun. Take good care of yourself!

Congrats Dying2Bhealhty! Does the 19.5 pounds include pre-op loss? @Geno-You will be handed paperwork with very scary potential complications with EVERY surgery. I read it and asked the surgeon some questions in regards to some of them and then I moved on. If not, I wouldn't have had a hysterectomy, breast reduction & gallbladder surgery. We just have to be confident that our surgeon is the most experienced surgeon you can get, in the best hospital you can get and that you have done tons of research. The rest, we have no control over....in my opinion. Don't let this drive you crazy sweetie.

I understand the guilt. I tend to be very loyal to my nail girl, hair guy etc. Having said that, I would look for a surgeon of excellence in your area (not necessarily high profile) and call them about availability. Make sure you call your insurance first though. They might have certain providers or hospitals they require. Once you have it all secure, then call the first surgeons office, explain briefly why you will leave & thank them. This surgery is about you, your recovery, your finances, your health. Go for it girl! Do know though that "high profile" and experienced is not the same. If I was you, I'd make sure your surgeon is a "surgeon of excellence" practicing at a "hospital of excellence". You can find out the info easily online. Best wishes!!!

Love the update! Congratulations!

All of your personal messages made me feel SO good! Thanks!!! I had a pretty horrible 45-90 minutes ( can't even remember how long now) the first night. A bad case of dry heaving, nausea, followed by stomach acids. I was given an injection and I am doing great now. I haven't had any buyers remorse yet. I hope to continue this way. I am so darn happy! Please scoot over, I wanna sit on the bench!!! Thanks again for reaching out.

I lost track of this thread! Sorry I didn't update sooner. I am doing very well. Aside from the 90 minute ordeal the first night (dry heaving, nausea,acid), it has been smooth sailing. Sometimes it hurts a little when the liquids are going down, but it goes away in an instant. Even that is better now. I hope it all continues this way. Big hug to all of you. Thanks!!!!

It's my turn tomorrow! Surgery at 7:30am. I am very excited, a little hyper, but not too nervous. I even asked to be the first surgery of the day. lol I can't wait! I am expecting the first few weeks to be rough, but... I-AM-READY!!!! Ready to be healthier, ready to hopefully live a longer life, ready to have more energy, ready to enjoy life to the fullest. Could you please send me good vibes, prayers etc? I am not picky. I will take anything positive. :tongue2:

Welcome FionaB! @Geno- unjury chicken soup is not bad at all and it has tons of Protein. I don't like chicken soup and this is very doable to me, so you might love it. I bought it for variety. I got some fruity milky Proteins, some juicy/watery proteins, chicken soup etc. Don't over buy though. The Unjury is the biggest container of them all. The rest are individual servings. You never know what you will like after being sleeved.

I have a great PCP. We came to an agreement that 1 pound a week was good and that is what I did. She always wrote I was compliant. hope this helps Thanks Veda & Tai29

Call Aetna and have them direct you to the web page (Bulletin) that states the requirements, versus them dictating them to you. There you will probably see two options. One for 6 months and one for 3 months. I picked the 3 months with my primary doctor. My surgeons office provided her with the forms to fill out. I also went to see a dietician & a psychologist. Cant remember everything from the top of my head. Does your bariatric office have an insurance coordinator? After I read the bulletin and picked a surgeon, the insurance coordinator called Aetna and confirmed what I needed to do. So we both checked. Do you have a surgeon of excellence? My bariatric office was very experienced and it saved me loads of headaches. I hope this helps.

You all give me goosebumps and this warm and fuzzy feeling inside! WOW, thanks!!!!!!!! Big big hugs to all.

Sandyd & Geno- I do have support at home thank goodness. My husband has been very supportive and my wonderful mom lives with us a few months out of the year, so it's all good. However, I haven't needed much help. I have two little tables next to my recliner. One is my "bar" lol. There I have a ton of medicine cups and different choices of drinks such as Powerade Zero, Isopure Protein pre made "juice", smart Water & different flavors of crystal light. I go to the kitchen to get my ready to drink "milky" protein shakes. On the other little table I have "entertainment". he he My iPhone, my laptop, my bariatric manual, my drink log etc. I walk ALL THE TIME. Sandyd I will look into the Gatorade 2 to add to my 'bar". I did ask my husband to measure me today. Hopefully all of you have already done it. It will help us when the inevitable stalls happen! @geno I did not have a drain. To the hospital I took a small toiletry bag with a tiny toothpaste, toothbrush, chap stick, a comb, a brush and a nice smelling lotion. I also took a very loose fitting black pjs (pants & long sleeve shirt) to leave the hospital. I asked permission to take a shower before I left so when I got to the house I felt clean and ready to go! :-)

@Luvata Glad to hear you are doing better. How did the creamy soup sit on your tummy? I bought Unjury chic soup and it went down well. I'm also allowed 4 ounces of pureed fruit a day (2 ounces at a time) and it went well too. Consider adding unflavored protein to your soup. The protein will help with hunger or so they say. he he I'm a tad hungry too, but no too bad. I sip ALL DAY LONG!!!!!! :-) Hang in there

Pheeew!!! Congrats Mousetrap!!!!!

@jenni-867 & gfawcetti -Welcome! I will add you to the list. @Sandyd-How are you doing sweetie? I like your attitude very much. I do feel the support! I hope you do to. @Geno-I am sending a ton of good vibes your way. @Luvata-How are you today?? I am doing pretty good. Yesterday I was able to meet my protein quota for the day and fell a little short of my fluid quota. Today I hope to either meet them both or up the fluids. It was an all day job. I basically sipped and walked in the house ALL DAY LONG. Some sips still hurt a little but it goes away quickly. My left shoulder hurts whenever I don't walk enough. I will take a short walk outside so my mood doesn't deteriorate .

Hang in there sleeve sister! I am hurting less this afternoon than this morning, so there is relief on the way. I am hungry too and I have sipped all day! Oh well, we will deal with this right? In a few months we won't remember this. I have 3 wks of full liquids (yuck) & pureed fruit. You?

Thanks Sandyd & Michell & the rest. You guys are the best!!

(( scooting right now. Saving a spot for my friend Peacequeen)))) :-)

Hello everyone! Thanks so much for the well wishes. I am doing good now and thrilled that "its's over". The night of surgery I had 90 minutes of hellish nausea, spasms and acid pain. An injection of Dilaudid knocked me out and I have been doing great since then. I stayed two nights at hospital and am glad I had to. It does hurt sometimes when the liquids go down but it goes away super fast. Instead of drinking 3 sips per ounce I do 6. Hopefully it will go away with the swelling. I walk often around the house. I basically sip and walk, so gas pain is under control. I got lucky with incisions. I only have one in my belly button that I can't see and a minuscule by the "cleavage". It's been great reading your experiences. Sorry for the rambling. I am so darn happy! I hope it gets better each day! @amberj, sorry to hear it has been rough. Try walking at a minimum every hour and calling your doc about a patch or meds. Hope you get better soon. @ everyone -Remember to put BANANA BABES in orange on your signature. :-)

I have to agree eith you . Feels like you are being punished .I am lucky to have a good insurance and a few surgeons of excellence within driving distance.... I would switch surgeons. I'm drastic I know, but I'm at the hospital right now (bmi 40) and I didn't have to do pre-op diet. Many don't have to. I did lose 1 pound per week for 2 months to appease the insurance company. That was easy. Good luck with whatever you decide to do.

Thank you Geno!!! Scottiff so happy to hear you are doing well!! Save a spot on the losers bench. :-) Welcome Bellabbr!

All of you are absolutely wonderful. Thanks SO much!!!!!!

Awwwwww.........no weight loss at all? Glad you are back though. :smile1: