Lisa :)

I ate a few Cheetos about a month out and they tasted HORRIBLE!!! They were way too salty and had a very artificial taste. I've not had a craving for them since!!! Your taste buds will change....so hang in there and don't go for the Cheetos!!!!

My Dr said I could add it back at 6 months!!!! But I've had a cup here and there. It just doesn't taste as good as I remember it, which is actually a good thing. I had really bad headaches pre op but I've not had one headache in three months since surgery. So, I think it was the coffe and why go back to that!!!!

Give Powerade Zero a try. I think it tastes better than the Gatorade G2 and it's calorie free. I've been drinking it since week one. I love the grape and fruit punch but it also comes in lemon lime, orange, strawberry and (I think) blue raspberry.

I had a post op appt at 5 weeks out and asked the NP if I could swallow pills and she said yes...her suggestion at that time was to take them with something like applesauce, yogurt or SF pudding and not to take more than two at a time. But I've been taking them with my protein drink in the morning since about week 10. So call and ask but it probably depends on how far out you are.

I was given herparin through an IV before and after surgery until I was discharged. I then self administered Lovenox shots twice a day for 2 weeks after returning home.

You look FABULOUS!!!! Congrats!!!!!

I also drink Premier Protein because I like the taste of it and because it's convenient. There have been other posts about different protein sources but basically, hydrolyzed protein is more absorbable than isolates and isolates are more absorbable than concentrates. But honestly, I don't know how much of this REALLY matters for us!!! Here is a link explaining the differences: http://www.wheyproteinfiend.com/best-whey-protein/

I know the feeling!! I got everything done by the time I saw Pat the NP in March and then I still had to wait!!

Hmmm, not sure about anthem. I have BCBS ***.

Me too!!! she's really the best!!!! You're in SUCH good hands!! Even if you do have to wait until June, it's worth it!!!!

I started the process in January 2011. My NP appt was at the end of March but I had gained weight so I had to WAIT!!!....I was so upset with myself but I also didn't know at the time how serious they were about the pre op weight loss. I did, of course, lose the 10% and was scheduled for my surgery in Sept for November. Insurance approval was only 5 days which really helped!!! Are you going through insurance? And if so, what insurance?

Since you have Dr Takahashi I will tell you that because she is the bariatric medical director at Torrance Memorial she is booked solid (but she's the best surgeon in that practice IMHO!!). I will say though that when they called to schedule my surgery I was expecting the first available to be 3 months out and it ended up only being a month and a half. Also, make sure you've lost at least half your weight by the time you have your NP appt....they will not move you forward to your pre op appt with Dr T if you haven't lost the weight. Lastly, your appt with Dr T is supposed to be 2-4 weeks after you see the NP but because she is so over booked the appt probably won't be for months. MAKE SURE YOU GET YOURSELF ON THE CANCELLATION LIST!!! I ended up seeing Dr T only days after I saw the NP....I think there are a lot of cancellations.

Dr Takahashi did my surgery on November 9th. She is a phenomenal surgeon and the care at Torrance Memorial was great!!! She is not all warm and fuzzy but I like the fact that she is very to the point. I would be happy to answer any questions you have about her and/or the practice itself.

I lived off the unflavored Isopure for the first 6 weeks!! I mixed it with SF Hot Chocolate, cream of chicken soup, and Powerade Zero. When mixing it with something that will be hot, I would suggest mixing it in a shaker cold and then heating it up in the microwave. Just be sure not to get it over 130 degrees or it will start to coagulate. But even if that happens, you can always pour it through a fine strainer before drinking it. Now, I only use it in recipes when I'm wanting to up my protein a bit.

Before my sleeve, I used to get really bad headaches if I went too long between meals. Since my surgery, I haven't had one hunger headache!!! I never really feel hungry but I do know I need to eat b/c I will sometimes get an empty feeling in my sleeve--but not the same empty feeling I would get pre sleeve. My relationship with food changed much faster than I thought it would. I can't believe how much food I used to eat and I cannot even imagine consuming that much EVER again (I don't know, maybe that will change over time?)!! And when I have ONE bite too many, my body lets me know as I get pain that radiates up into my left clavicle area (the denser the food, the worse the pain).

Welcome to the other side!!!!! Each day will get better and better!!!! Sip, sip, sip!!!!!

Here's a link: http://www.surgicalreview.org/asmbs/ Hope this helps!!

My surgeon uses a drain on all sleeve patients. I had heard a horror story from a friend and was so worried. It ended up being NOTHING to worry about!!! It wasn't uncomfortable at all and the nurses would empty it every few hours or so and measure the amounts. When my doc came in to release me, she pulled it out (which I hardly felt) and threw some dressing over it, which I had to change twice a day for 3 days and then it closed up. If you do end up with one, don't worry...it's no big deal!!! Good Luck!!!!

185 seems pretty high. Several years ago I had a gallstone blocking my hepatic duct which caused pretty high AST and ALT levels....but it took weeks to determine what was causing it. Have you had an ultrasound of your liver done? I would think that your doctor would want to know what's causing it....Does your Dr's office have the results yet? And, are you feeling sick at all? I know you don't want anything affecting your surgery but you also want to make sure that everything else with your health is okay before you have major surgery. Good Luck....hope everything works out okay!!!!!

For iPhone users it's called "Calorie Counter by FatSecret".....Great app!!!!!

I agree....find a another surgeon. If he's against the sleeve then that might indicate that he hasn't done very many....and you want a surgeon that is an experienced sleeve surgeon!!! Good Luck!!!

I wouldn't say that's "bad"....it's mostly liquid. I can generally eat more soup than I can solid meals. As for the water/liquid...I'm only two months out and I can guzzle water....it just goes right through me. Sounds to me like you're doing great!!!!

I had a back ache until about 3 weeks out....at my 10 day post op appt. my dr said it is common. Hang in there...every day will get better!!

I had pain in my side too...my dr. reminded me that I had MAJOR surgery!! Once I started exercising again (at about 2 weeks) that pain gradually went away. As for the Protein....do what you can. I couldn't stand Protein shakes (even though I loved them pre-op) so I mixed Isopure unflavored powder with hot chocolate and Lipton creamy chicken Soup. Hang in there....it'll get better everyday!!!!!

YAY you!!!!! You may not be able to notice but I'm sure people who haven't seen you since surgery would notice!!!