Pookeyism

Go get a baby blue or red potato - the whole thing is about 1-2 oz...bake and enjoy! Consider some evoo/sea salt or a small bit of a very strong, sharp, finely grated cheese... I had a friend "blend" the contents of a littel blue with a turnip and some red wine and bake it back in the skin. She loved it.

I don't recall if I did. Why would H Pylori need to be treated first anyway? Tell them to write up an order for your test, and yo uwill search for a nearby lab. You have the right to use your own choices...make them aware that you know this. They either accomidate you or you pay someone else.

http://www.covidien.com/tristaple/pages.aspx?page=productInformation/TristapleReloads Yes these are very good.

Yes, curious - they have been doing stapling for a long while - a new tool, perhaps? Speaking of stapling - make sure they use reinforcement sutures on the outside of the stapling. Good to hear you have been approved!

phew! - be really careful. Make plans to have an alternate plan should you not be able to go up that many stairs - just remember, you really need to be able to anticipate the unanticipated, too. If you go up that many stairs, and let's say you do it in an hour, with rest - etc...now there is a fire alarm at 2AM - real or not - and you have to haul ass down those stairs...hmmmm Consider a compression garment to help you for when you do go up the stairs, and down. Good luck!

I am 5'10". I am only 4 months out, so I don't yet know what the skin will be like for me in a year or so - which is minimally when I am going to begin to worry about it seriously.

Pre op I would say ok - but best thing for protien breath is aggressive rinsing and brushing AND inside cheek and tongue scraping! If you have a quality clear vodka or moonshine, preop about a tbs x3 Water will help elimnate the protien breath. But it has to be clear, rinse before and after.... Post be careful I swallowed a tic tack and it is sooo small and hurt BIG!

I will get plastics eventually but if I have to choose it will be the apron. It is large but really nowhere as big as my tummy was before surgery. That is more of a concern for aging and being independent in my later years. Daily skin therapy - baths with glycerin are good - dry brushing and such that stimulates the skin will help too. a MODERATE daily lotion therapy will help. Drink your Water, drink, drink - avoid alcohol. Cigarettes are no good either! Accupuncture may help this - I am lookin ginto a few reports that it helps the subcutaneous blood flow, which helps the lipids and such dissolve, which triggers the skin to "recede" blah, blah - like I said, I have not confirmed this!

So it seems one minute I am "yayyyy" because I hit onderland(actually it was a couple of weeks ago). Now I am like OMG! Mother's Day is creeping up and it will be the first Mother's Day since my Mom passed away (a week after my surgery) - but the next day my hubby will be leaving for Cypress/Israel where he will be for at least several weeks!!! My non-surgery-but-doing-awesome weight loss buddy is going to Philadelphia for however long to properly spoil her step-grandchild. Again "yayyy" but poo! I need hobbies...lol

I dropped my personal trainer - the 500$ a month helped me cover the surgery, lol.

I waited about 5 weeks before coffee post-op, then realized I needed more time - now, I must admit, as long as I ma getting in my water I will let myself have some coffee. I use lowfat creamer OR sometimes I will use mootopia (fortified milk w/ 12g protien for 8 oz...I also put benefiber in my coffee, so I cam claim some value! haha)

I am also going to see how much weight I can knock off by the time he gets back!

I do have hobbies, actually - I was just whining...but it so happens my favorite company is my hubby. I think it is that he will be missing stuff we had planned - really looking forward to doing with him - so I will feel his abscence more. I ride bikes, play with my bunnies, tend to my carnivorous plants (and others) - lately I am researching inexpensive ideas to re-do the kitchen and bath (till we do his dream kitchen once we are sure we won't be moving). I am also back into devilsticks & flowersticks, contact juggling, and boxing, krav maga (a little less on the krav maga until my sleeve is healed better) and I am back into european swordplay (double swords rawrrrrrr!). I can keep busy, and I am not really lonely when I am alone - but really like being around people right now. Hmmmm.

I was asked to keep it on clear liquids only during the last 12 hours, before the 12 fasting just before surgery. I was allowed protien shakes until then - but sugar free jello, popsicles, etc and broth worked post-op.

chitowngirl has it on the nose...i often forget to wait (bad habit and I am working on it I swear). I get a pressure sensation and a feeling of wanting to burp but it catches in my throat. UGH.

Thank you for the suggestion! My cook (hubby) is leaving for awhile soon - are the recipies easy? (I have burned boiled eggs before).

Yes, or at least a couple of widths, I know. I am going to go get new safety shoes for work - It takes 3 big thick pairs of socks to keep my shoes from "farting" each step I take, !

My Mom passed away this year, but I was thinking about making some coupons for my friends who are Moms...things like babysitting, or a mani-pedi, trip to Houston Museum of Natural History - it would be a way to say "thank you" to my awesome friends and give me somethign to do while my hubby is out of the country.

That may be a bit high on calories (not to mention sodium) I can't "see" the label from this PC...what are serving size/calories/sodium?

Avoid the fast food! Be strong and yes Lissa is always right, lol.

What year are you? What classes are you taking? Finals used to be so iffy for me. One semester i'd be working my tail off, and studying, and be ok...the next I would be stressed and sure I had failed and blah, blah...you know? Drink all your liquids - eat what you can - protien first. Get in some serious B vitamins! Good luck! PS - exercize!

You will know if you have or develop a leak. Just take it easy and take in very small amounts if it makes you feel better, take in less htan recommended at one time, BUT remember that will be longer you will have to eat/drink to make it up. Good luck. PS - Maybe the few hundred extra for another barium swallow would be worth it - in regards to calming your nerves.?

That is good to hear! I had self pay, but I have seen so many people struggle so hard with their insurance (although nothing like this should be taken lightly by an insurance company)! Good luck! Keep us informed!