Pookeyism

I traveled home for my Mom's funeral 7 days after my surgery, and back about a week later. I had complications on the last leg home, but I think it was more to do with the circumstances than the actual flying.

I never understood the food funeral thing - it sounds like one more really good example that we will give ourselves sooo many excuses to eat...my goal thru the food funeral excuses was to say "less to lose later, less on my frame in surgery, less on my liver, and if I can't avoid it now, maybe I shouldn't do this!" Good for you on no more excess! Make it count!

Get a list of the docs you are covered under, and call, first make sure of the basics...that the other people they use are covered as well, and then whoever can get you in before the new year, go for it...assuming they are reputable, of course. Even if you are not apprived, if you want it bad enough, start saving now, just in case. I had a friend start saving at the same time she started her approval process, and it dragged on for so long that she decided to pay for it herself. Good luck sweetie!

I was a wreck, just breath deep, and if you need it get a hug!!!! (((hugg)))

Just remeber to always be viligant, be always aware of your eating patterns...we are beating a disease here, but it can come back. NOT trying to be a downer! That comes from some personal experience, you forget how much of this is in your head and heart, and your body remembers that... read 'the Power of Habit' by Doughill if you can...informative, very. And yayayayaya! Sounds like you are doing great, I know no one can experience what you are feeling for yourself as much as you are, but so many of us are right there with you...everyday we are a product of what we did the day before...and now our choices give us our lives back, rather than take them away!

Tell him to flip a coin 1000 times, and if he gets it accurate better than 80% of the time, you'll think about it. >.<

You sound like you are doing fine. Maybe a few things - guessing since I have limited info : Water - have to have water for your body to do what it needs to do. sleep is a most undervalued part of this. About 8 hours, in a regular rythm if at all possible. Sleep regulates so much of what your body needs, it is again, undervalued!!! Sleep, Sleep, Sleep If you are getting adequate protien, consider amping up to a light bodybuilding routine. Yoga - I dont even consider it exercize anymore - it is a part of my mental well being...it does not have to be hard, or even challenging, really. I light 5 minute session helps me so much (I can't say I lose more weight, although I probably do, but I feel better to cope with the day to day) Oh yeah - go get a tshirt that is too small - tight but not enough to rip seams, and try it on, and put it away for a couple of weeks, and put it back on again. It is a better gauge than you weight. I promise.

In my opinion tell your family to not rely on you, but you will try. Consider some things that would put you sitting down, or able to relax if you needed it...go look at christmas lights, or an evening of christmas movies? I was sleeved 1-4-12 so at this time I was already cutting down on foods, just to get used to it. I had begun a protien shake a day, and my Hubby had began testing recipies, I was already in a bit of pain (I had the surgery after being diagnosed with a huge stomach tumor, so I decided to have the sleeve - it also cut down on the risk of the tumor coming back.) so my holiday was limited. I was in a cycle of work, rest, exercize, rest, housework maybe, rest... Good luck!

My situation was a bit different than most. I can say you will have a bit of discomfort, probably, it willl hurt, possibly...lol Make some plans for yor kiddos. If you can at all, schedule them to spend time with family AWAY from home...if you dont have a sitter maybe a temp? Don't laugh but seriously, alot of people will not post this, and I dont know why, but many people get a housekeeper to come in once or twice while they recover, and it is so very worth it. We were going to, just so hubby wouldnt have to do it all, and I thought it could free me up from soreness to have enough energy to get back to work a little faster. (I did not get to test my theory. I was away from home for awhile directly following surgery. I think it would have helped, however)

I was so nervous...I was about to cry, and I would get real silent then want to chat...drove Hubby crazy!

pack your food, pack your food, pack your food! lol also consider getting a blendy bottle and powder like unjury. I have found I would rather drink a meal than ruin it...

They can be really nom nom in a thick tea...kinda like tapioca.

If you have a sweet tooth, the very best advise I can offer you - kick it. Cold and permanently. It sounds harsh but it is true. I am learning that I really, truly, will just have to exist without indulging carbs or sweets of any kind. I can't have really sweet stuff anyway, my tummy hates it - but I went into remission from type 2 diabeties in March and my pancreas and liver are functioning effortlessly - no spikes with OJ or wheat bread, or Peanut Butter - my limit is only on what I can eat without it making my stomach hurt. With that said, and letting myself slip off the 5-year long almost carbless existence I had pre-sleeve/remission, it is a creeper, it will sneak up on you - if you don't clip it it is like what I imagine smoking to be to my sister - you go for sooo long, and go so well, and a nip here (puff there) and bam! For me, given what I have been through, seeing my progress and knowing now I can still slip, I have made what I can say will a decision to live refined-sugar (refined 'oses') free.

Make sure your body is ready. There is a difference between what the timeline says and what you can have. I considered egg of any sort OK in my puree stage, mostly because if you chew it as much as you should it is liquid. pate (duck, chicken, liver) are all OK. butternut squash Soup is great. canned pumpkin (NOT PIE FILLER) is great - add unjury unflavored protien and it is a great source for Fiber and protien. she crab soup and lobster (not bisque, too many carbs) pureed was so nice. there are canned meats and just this morning a gentleman posted about Hormel pureed meals, which I did not even know existed. I had a variety of soups and ground meats and veggies, the trick is to use the unflavored proien to get as much protien in as you can. Do not forget your seasonings and spices. liquid smoke is so wonderful to give the purees flavor, but use sparingly...it takes the smallest drop to pack a whollop of flavor.

Way to go!

baked fish is usually pretty good. Dont plop dowm a whole lot on a fish...or for a "better fish". Unless you are a true fish foodie you ar not going to be abel to tell if you got what you paid for, or the difference in taste. Look at the eyes, shrunken eyes = not fresh. Consider mussels!!!! protien, protien,protien and they are wonderfully delicious. add pesto and or garlic and nom, nom, nom...

Shannon, These are questions you should ask your doctor and get in writing! Good luck.

I am known for a tolerance to pain, but my experience was different - it was not pain, it was the fatigue. It is not easy to explain, it would be like a normal waive vs. a tsunami...relentless depth, systemic energy loss. My suggestion is if this is you dream job, find a comfortable medium of how long you need to be there to "prove" your worth, then schedule your surgery...in the meantime prepare with exercize, reading, researching, etc...and if you do not have all the funds put away, maybe save a few more dollars up so you will not have debt later.

It happens...and alot of people notice but don't want to say much...I had a neighbor wait almost 6 months to comment, because she said she was reluctant to do so because her sister would always gain it back, and then it created an awkward feeling...a bit of a new take on it. It is xmas too - remember, bulky clothes and all...wait till spring! OMG!!!

Oh, wow! What a wonderful gift!

God bless you Sweetie! Sending bright green energy you way!

Wow - how healthy and glowing you look! Phenominal change! NSV moment here - do you notice now how you do not have to bend over at the waist to be in a face shot with friends(!!!!!!!)?

I would have DIED waiting like some of you have. Commendable patience to you! You will get there, I'll save a place for you on the loser's bench! yayayayay!

Hmmmm....

Good read, even if there are no issues...best to read up on things ahead of time. However, do not use this article to "fix" anything - this was written by a personal trainer, who di not list any credentials that should outweigh your own decisions. Thanks for sharing!