bnorms

I realized/found out tonight I will never be able to serve as a nurse in the Naval Reserve Nurse Corps because of having the sleeve. :( :( :( I want to say that I would still have had the surgery if I had known that beforehand.....I *think* that is true. I suppose I could reason that I wouldn't have been able to meet their height/weight requirements if I hadn't had the surgery. You would think I would have researched it, since being a Navy nurse has been a lifelong dream....but I didn't think about it at all. I am only just now licensed as an RN and was going to wait a few years before joining. Majorly bummed. I feel like I'm mourning the loss of my dream. I have so much respect for those in the military and felt that serving them and my country as a nurse would be the most rewarding career possible....perhaps working as a civilian in a military hospital or at the VA would be just as fulfilling.

"History of any gastrointestinal procedure for the control of obesity is disqualifying. Artificial openings, including, but not limited to ostomy (V44), are disqualifying." I mean, I can see where they are coming from....I read on other forums where in training they want you to chug liquids or eat your food in a matter of minutes....not allowing vitamins/supplements in training. Most of the discussion I have read have been directed to bypass/lap band patients. I haven't tried to join yet, I was on a nursing forum and reading how many hoops you have to jump through. Someone mentioned having to explain every scar on your body in MEPS and I starting looking in to medical disqualifications. My original dream was to be a career Navy nurse.....but I got pregnant and am doing the single parent thing. I figured the reserves was going to be a happy medium (with my parents taking the necessary steps to care for my daughter in the event of a deployment/activation/whatever). I was going to wait til I got a few years of experience and then join the reserve as a nurse. Oh well. New plan! I will have to look into something civilian when I'm ready to serve . Thanks for the responses....feeling better this morning. I just kind of felt blindsided when I found out!

Welcome to the boards! I am still pretty new (8 weeks now) but the consensus seems to be that early post-op, the most important thing is to get your fluids in and it sounds like you have a great handle on that. Congrats on all that weight loss!

Ooooooooh man Slater's 50/50 looks SO good!!! My sister had been pushing me to go there pre-op but I never made it. First time going there was when I was DD for her birthday and I was still on Clear liquids. I had to sit there drinking my Water while everyone dug into their fried mac n cheese and gourmet burgers. If you choose the 50/50 patty, yes it is half bacon and half beef. They give you this paper where you pick how you want it and what you want on it (they have a million things you can put as toppings)...you could get it lettuce wrapped as well. I was miserable and felt deprived when I was there but I had to have won some kind of karma good sister award It would be a bit of a drive for you...it is like 30-45 minutes north of me. If you are in to burgers, there's a place called Hodad's in Ocean Beach. Its a cute little hamburger surfer-type joint right near the beach. Also burger related, most visitors want to try in-n-out. They can make their burgers "protein" style (lettuce wrapped)....I had one a week ago and just ate the hamburger patty. It kind of takes away from the experience when you can't have the whole thing though! You will be able to find a ton of fresh seafood restaurants in the area as well. Personally, I liked fish taco's from a chain restaurant called Rubio's pre-op (their fried fish tacos were great)....havent been there post-op, they may have a grilled version that I never noticed. Or Wahoo's fish taco....pretty good (never had fish tacos there but the food is good!).

I live an hour north of SD but only know of "unhealthy" good places to eat in. I like to take visitors to Coronado Island and Casa beach in La Jolla to see the seals or the drive-in thats down there but you might have more of those back in Illinois...not sure if that stuff is your type of thing! Enjoy your trip and I hope you find some good healthy places to eat

Damn....if I could ever look that good in a bikini!!!! You look amazing!

Way to go!!!!

Does anyone know if a gelato maker would work for the protein ice cream recipe?

It was hard not being able to pick up my 2.5yo for 6 weeks. Luckily, she was able to climb in and out of her carseat by herself and I would just strap her in. I put her highchair on the lowest setting, so she was able to climb in and out of that as well. Plus we are living with my parents right now, so they were able to help a lot with day to day stuff. Lol actually we had an earthquake that was centered right next to my city a few weeks ago....I picked her up and carried her down the stairs and out the door but it didn't hurt and i don't think I messed anything up. I remember laughing at her crazy behavior (such a fun age) shortly after I got home from the hospital and the laughing made my incisions hurt!

I was sleeved 3/30 so I am 6 weeks out. Every day is pretty much the same for me...start the day with a Protein shake. Then I eat sliced turkey, greek yogurt, string cheese, and chicken or fish for the rest of my meals. I try my best to drink enough Water. I started going to the gym last week. For confessions....we went to disneyland yesterday and I had a strawberry/pineapple/yogurt smoothie which made me feel pretty sick. At the end of the day I had a few sips of my mother's strawberry milkshake...that tasted very good! On cinco de mayo I had a couple of chips with guacamole and felt quite quilty afterwards. I have had a few of my daughter's crackers/dry Cereal on 3 different occasions but I'm trying to limit the carbs the best I can!

Way to go!

Greek yogurt for me! Even when I first tried it after surgery, I could barely choke it down. Now, I actually look forward to eating it! I kind of consider it my guilty pleasure (for some reason, don't know why) I was hoping I would fall in love with cottage cheese.....but after several attempts, I just can't eat it! The texture/consistency really gets me

I am 6 weeks out. I keep reading over and over "eat Protein then veggies". I'm sorry but its a struggle just to get the protein in! Absolutely no room for veggies. I'm guessing/hoping this will change over time? I'm worried I'm not eating very healthy. I do take a Vitamin. I have a 30g Protein shake for Breakfast and then try to get the rest of my protein in by eating greek yogurt, string cheese, chicken, sliced turkey, or fish throughout the day. Is that okay? My doctors info discusses fruits/veggies/small amount of grains but there is barely enough room for the protein! I feel content as it is....I just worry about not eating anything but protein type foods. :-/ One more question....for those of you who are a lot further out, does the "normal" feeling of being full eventually return? Right now, I only know I'm full because either I get the hiccups or chest tightness.....not the "thanksgiving full" feeling I had expected to feel. I don't know if it has something to do with the nerves being disturbed during the surgery or what. I'm just curious if I will ever get that standard full feeling I used to get. (and yes, I know we should only be eating until satisfied! I am just wondering!)

Well, yesterday I had my first veggies....overly steamed broccoli, mashed with a fork. I was able to eat 1/2 cup though...hope thats not odd. They went down great! I ate them about 2 hours before I had my "dinner" chicken. I can't believe how good it felt to eat something other than my standard Protein foods. I think the key for me will be making them a separate meal or something until my stomach "relaxes" enough to get a decent amount of protein in with some vegetables. Thanks for the advice!

That sounds soooo good!!!!

I have gone up and down through the years so much, the garage is full of boxes of clothes, labeled with the weight the clothes fit. Right before my surgery, I was in my highest sizes, even wearing my plus sized maternity wear! I just finished nursing school....once I am employed I am thinking I can just buy scrubs with drawstrings and hopefully they will last a long time. I would agree with getting a few staples (nice black pants if you have an office job or whatever) from better stores and just trying to make it through with casual clothes from the cheaper stores.

I was sleeved on 3/30 but haven't weighed yet....I'm thinking I will do it monthly. Starting weight was 252...we shall see what 4/30 brings! I started pureed yesterday

Where exactly in the airport is the driver waiting? I live in SoCal and am driving down to San Diego to meet the driver at the airport to be driven to the Mexicali. They said he would be there with a sign with my name on it. Will he be near the arrivals? Should I just go where people who have arrived via plane come out? Or will he be by the baggage claim? Out near the curb? Silly question...I know I could just ask them but thought I would try here first!

My doctor requires it for 3 months for non-smokers and 6 for smokers

I am 13 days post-op and am on full liquids. I'm pretty sure I have been eating far too much too quickly and need to get back on track. I know I have overeaten a LOT of things like pudding or Soup....so I guess I need to just measure it out so I don't overstretch my new stomach. Is it supposed to be 2oz at this point? In how much time? The post-op diet guidelines my doctor gave me said for pureed foods, only eat 2oz....is it the same for the pudding/yogurt/soup stuff? How bad is it that I drink my 8oz Protein shake in like 15-20 minutes?

Going over my information again gave me the answer....says to meet him in the baggage claim of terminal 1! Ahhh I'm getting nervous!!!

I have been lurking around quite a bit in the last few months....gearing up for surgery scheduled for next week. I am confused about how much you can drink once you've had the surgery. My doctor's info said no more than 2oz of water/fluid in 15 minutes....does that ever increase? I keep reading about these large Protein shakes that people prepare and drink...sometimes like 20oz...when you guys talk about drinking one, do you mean you sip on it for a couple hours?

My father seems to have a mild issue with hoarding. He loves to buy things in bulk when they are on sale. Several years ago he bought two 5lb tubs of chocolate whey Protein powder. It has taken him all of these years to get through one tub. There is still one tub left but looking at the expiration, it expired in February 2011. Don't remember if it said "best by" or "use by". I am scheduled for the sleeve on March 30, 2012. I have ordered powders and am getting everything arranged for my post-op diet. Do you guys think it would be okay to use the expired Protein Powder? Are the dates just a guideline for the freshest taste or does something gnarly happen after its past its date? Thanks for any input!

That's what I was thinking about it. I'm doing it in MX w/Aceves and want to limit the chance of having any out of pocket complications! I better just use fresh stuff and follow the diet to a T!

Hello! After much research I have decided to get sleeved by Dr. Aceves in Mexicali. I have Cigna but they will not cover the procedure because I had 6 months of a supervised weight loss attempt that was unfortunately spread over 8 months due to bizarre scheduling. Had I known I was going to go for WLS later, I would have scheduled the appointments more carefully!! I am leaving for a 30 day cruise around South America in two weeks with my parents and my 2 year old daughter. It will be HARD to not gain weight with the constant buffets on the cruise ship. Then when we get back to the states, I will start my pre-op diet and have surgery on March 30. I live near San Diego so luckily I won't have to pay for airfare. While my parents are not necessarily supportive, I seemed to have calmed their fears about Mexico and the surgery itself after presenting my research this evening. My mother will be babysitting my daughter and my dad is going to the hospital with me. I am super excited! Looking forward to the rest of my life I do have one concern though. If my understanding is clear, if any complications arise from the procedure....they will be out of pocket costs? I am worried something will go terribly wrong and I will have a $100k hospital bill!!