Indymom

Ooh, I didn't think about the powdered milk. I think I'll get some sugar-free chocolate milk mix and try it that way . . . thanks all!

Do you take a PPI for acid? My first few days after surgery I believe I was having excess acid and reflux and had a few mouth sores. My doc doubled my PPI dosage and the sores subsided.

Your body is still craving the carbs . . . give it a few days and you'll be surprised at how it subsides. I have done Atkins in the past and the first few days of induction are tough, but once you get your body into ketosis you'll feel 100% different.

Only 11 days out so I'm not released for full exercise yet, but walking is AMAZING! I am walking a mile at least twice daily now (at a brisk pace) and just 2 months ago, my "old self" would have shunned even half that . . .

Seems like most people on here swear by myfitnesspal. I think you can add people as friends, maybe if you added a few people they could give you some pointers?

It's such a great feeling when those gas pains "rip" loose! Hang in there!!

Congrats! You sound like me post-op . . . I seriously wondered if I had actually had surgery.

I did a litany of tests pre-op: bloodwork (10 vials!), urinalysis, chest x-ray, ultrasound, upper GI (barium=YUCK), EKG, and pulmonary function testing. Other than mild hypertension I had no other health problems and my BMI was only 45. I was perfectly comfortable with all that, though - I figured the more pre-testing they did, the better likelihood of identifying anything that could cause potential problems with surgery.

I think you'll be absolutely fine barring anything unusual. I had surgery on a Wednesday, went home on a Friday, worked from home on Monday and was back in the office Tuesday (and worked a 8 hour day). I think getting active more quickly has helped in my recovery, personally . . . .

I was SO this way before surgery! I'm still a little overly obsessed with this board . . . my husband says I'm acting the same way I did when I first got pregnant and spent every waking moment on pregnancy and childbirth websites. I told him to shut up and deal with it, he's going to reap the benefits of my skinnier self VERY soon.

Interesting motivator. Mine was watching videos of my daughter's birthday from last summer and seeing periodic shots of myself in a bathing suit. UGH!

if you had to go through the 6 month medical diet, did you loose weight and then the insurance would not cover it? ~ I didn't have a 6-month diet. Most people have said that the insurance uses your starting weight, not your weight at the end of the 6-month diet. have you heard of any complications, like leaking? ~ there are always complications possible, there's a 'complications' forum here but try not to spend too much time there. I scared the crap out of myself early on reading all the posts there. you really need to just remember what the statistics are for possible complications, and how those statistics compare to the statistics of maintaining an obsese weight for the rest of your life and figure out which is riskier. was it really hard to change your lifestyle (eating habits)? ~ I'm 11 days post-op and am having some difficulty with the 'full liquids' phase. I move onto purees in 2 1/2 weeks so there is some light at the end of the tunnel. My main issue has been head hunger and nothing physical. Are there any helpful sites (besides this one) or books that can help me prepare mentally, emotionally and physically? ~ this site has been great, ObesityHelp also has some good forums and info. You might also look into support groups in your community. I haven't gone to one yet (first one is next week) but a lot of people swear by them. When did you start getting your meal plan together? ~ I didn't have a pre-op diet other than the day before surgery, but I spent the last week before surgery purchasing a variety of protein samples, and my full liquid foods. I would find out what your post-op diet will be before you buy a bunch of stuff, I didn't realize I'd only be on clears a couple days so I bought a crapton of jello and broth that I likely won't be able to use up for a LONG time. How long did you stay in the hospital? ~ I was the first surgery of the day on a Wednesday and went home Friday around 11 a.m. I could have gone home on Thursday and would have probably felt OK, but I was exhausted and wanted the second night of sleep in the hospital without having to worry about my daughter, husband and dogs at home. How long did you stay on the liquid and soft foods? ~ My diet plan is pretty conservative based upon others I've seen. I had clear liquids only for the first two days after surgery. When I got home I was released to full liquids, which on my plan also includes refried beans, soft cheeses, cottage cheese, etc. I have to stay on this for a month (UGH) and then I am able to add purees and more proteins like chicken, turkey, tuna, and some veggies/fruits. I can't wait!

I have Anthem BC/BS in Indiana and they covered the sleeve . . . every plan is a little different, though. Remember that even every BCBS plan is different in every state, BC/BS is like a "franchise" for lack of a better term and while there are some BC/BS administration guidelines, I believe each state can dictate the particulars of their plans.

Yup, what everyone else said. People who don't have food issues can't comprehend that food addiction is as "real" and consuming as alcoholism, drug addiction, gambling issues, etc. My BFFs at work are all skinny-minnies (with the exception of 1) and they were all completely worked up about me having this surgery. They didn't understand that the risks I was taking with my obese body were likely higher than the risks involved with the surgery itself. Keep it up with the training! I've got a stretch goal to train for our local mini-marathon too . . . I don't think I'll be ready by next May but for sure the May after that!

Congrats! Sept. 8 is SOON, how exciting!

Busy week!

I have had a small amount of dizziness but I suspect for me, it's likely just from the lower caloric intake. I've felt kinda "spacey" since surgery if that makes sense?

Awesome find . . . thanks for sharing!

You should just be able to click on the tracker, enter your pin and update it. It will automatically update.

I'm dying for a dill pickle right now . . . both the crunch and flavor! I'm only 11 days out so I don't want to impact my baby sleeve with the acidity of it but I CANNOT WAIT to have one. My nutritionist said that after month 1 when I am on purees, I can mix dill relish with my tuna/chicken salad puree. I love olives too.

B - Syntrax Nectar cappucino Protein packet with sugar-free hot chocolate Laughing Cow light french onion cheese wedge 1 oz applesauce S - chicken broth L - Laughing Cow light garlic & herb cheese wedge 1 oz. light & fit strawberry yogurt 24 oz Water so far today!

I haven't felt much pain at all. Are your incisions lower or higher on your belly? Mine are way up high. I wonder if that means they didn't have to cut through muscle?

If I recall it took me a couple days to have a BM, I was farting day two in the hospital.

I'm so glad to see your update! I told you how great those nurses were. I'm going to the support group next Wednesday night so if you're there I'll try to introduce myself!

Congrats! That's awesome progress in 4 months. What a great idea about the haircut as well.