Isabel'sGma

Being put under was easy. Unfortunately, I have been put under three times in the last month. Trust your anaesthesiologist (sp?) and ask them any questions that you have. I found that mine was more than willing to answer any questions that I had. For the most part, I have found that they are wonderful and easy to talk to.

Well I have been off here for several weeks. My stress levels have been amped up 100%. I have been in a stall for about three weeks and for the last two weeks I have been dealing with a f/u mammogram with negative results, referral to surgeon, breast ultrasound, then finally last Thursday a breast biopsy under general anaesthesia. Now impatiently waiting for results on Wednesday. Fortunately for me it is the same surgeon. I told him that I had not intendd to get to know him quite this well, he laughed. My weight has not changed except to go up about 5 pounds - However, today I put on a size 22 pair of jeans and a size 22/24 shirt. The clothes I wore into the store were a size 26 jean and a 30/32 shirt. Not sure how it all works, but I am so thankful. For all the prayers out there, I would appreciate them for the next few days.

I had surgery on Apr 24. I have been eating tuna with mayo and a couple of crackers for a week or so. I stick to low fat ritz crackers. Those who avoid cards, don't eat them, I am trying to go low carb though. I have also found that a great meal for me is 1/2 of a small turkey & cheddar lunchable. I eat 1/2 for Breakfast and 1/2 for lunch. 115 calories and tastes great.

As a benefits manager I would do a couple of things. 1) did your Dr get the surgery pre-authorized? 2) are they contracted with your insurance? 3) if the answer to the above two questions is yes, then do not worry about it too much. If the Dr and hospital are contracted, then it is ultimately their responsibility to to the pre-authorization prior to rendering services or it should go back on them. Now, that is the way my plan is designed for my employees and that is not a unique thing. 4) do you have a benefits manager you can talk to about this to help you wade through what might be incorrect information.

I keep reading on here about people having a hard time getting in 1 Tbsp of food or things like that but for me, since Dr said I could be on soft diet, I have no problem with 3-4 ounces of Protein. Today is the end of the 2nd full day and my calories are around 600/day and I have eaten taco cupcakes cheese, chicken, etc. Am I eating too much? I am not what you would call hungry, but have not problem eating the 3 oz portion I measure out. Help?

NUT = nutritionist

I wasn't released from the hospital until day 4; so, be prepared that it could be a possibility.

I couldn't wait to get rid of mine and had a little bit of apprehension and I can honestly say that the apprehension was worse than the procedure. The nurse told me to take a deep breath and breathe out as they removed it. It did not hurt at all just sort of felt like a needle being unthreaded a little pulling and sliding through the skin.

Also, your PCP may not have weighed you, but there may be those dreaded marks like "obese" or "morbidly obese" in chart notes. Those aren't specific weights but do have specific weight connotations that you insurance provider may consider.

If you were ever in Weight Watchers, they keep those records for a while, also your GYN should have some records and also any gyms that you might have been a member of, they might have those also. Just a couple of ideas, not sure if they will work.

Sort of a similar question, I will be taking a business trip at 4-weeks out from surgery. Today I started soft/pureed foods but I think I will be in the same stage when I go in two weeks. The food will all be provided by the vendor and I am just at a loss for what to do.

As an insurance administratror for an employer; I know a little about this. You should have been offered Cobra within 30 days of your last day worked. Then you have 60 days from the date of the letter or the end of your active coverage (whichever is later) to enroll in Cobra. To enroll, the only thing required by law is to complete their form and get it postmarked within that 60 day time period. Once you postmark the enrollment, you have 45 days from the date you place it in the mail to actually mail a payment. So in short, if you are within 60 days of your end of employment, you are ok. Get ahold of your insurance provider or your insurance person at work and they should be able to help you wade through it all.

Ok, to yesterday I went to the Dr for my 2-week check up. Ended up in the hospital overnight for dehydration. Feel 90% better today. Dr also changed me to a soft diet and we talked a little about what that would include, but I need some practical help from those that have been through this. He told me moist meat, thought chicken would be too dry. He also said I could have fruit with no seeds, no skin and nothing packed in syrup. No veggies because they might cause stomach upset. So, what does all that boil down to. All I can see is tuna mushed up with a little low-fat mayo, ... Would this be a good time for the lasagna cupcakes (and other types) that I have seen on the website posted by others or is this too early for that? What did you eat?

Ok, to yesterday I went to the Dr for my 2-week check up. Ended up in the hospital overnight for dehydration. Feel 90% better today. Dr also changed me to a soft diet and we talked a little about what that would include, but I need some practical help from those that have been through this. He told me moist meat, thought chicken would be too dry. He also said I could have fruit with no seeds, no skin and nothing packed in syrup. No veggies because they might cause stomach upset. So, what does all that boil down to. All I can see is tuna mushed up with a little low-fat mayo, ... Would this be a good time for the lasagna cupcakes (and other types) that I have seen on the website posted by others or is this too early for that? What did you eat?

Lisa, I have no regrets. Yes, it was a setback, but here I am two weeks our from surgery and down 26 pounds and other than this couple of day setback, I feel great. Go into it with a realistic expectation that there may be a few issues down the road, but in the long run, we will all be healthier and happier with less luggage to lug around ( at least until that first trip we can take, fit into a regular plane seat comfortable, and wear something without feeling self conscious).

Yes, I was having a terrible time getting fluids down. Now, the taste in my mouth is much better and I am better able to get the fluids in. Not sure what the key was, but I feel so much better so even though it was a pain to have to spend the night in the hospital, I am glad in hindsight that I did.

Well, my understanding is that "thanksgiving full" feeling is not actually full, it is overfull. So, if that is true, I never want to feel that feeling again myself. Hope that helps.

He could kind of twll by the way I felt, because I just had nothing in me. My heart rate has also been very erratic. Also, he did blood work and discovered that my hematocrit was either low or high, whichever one is bad. I think he said it should be 12 and it was 16. I was also low on Magnesium.

Yes, I remember talking to you before. We think that was the cause, I am to keep an eye on my BP and pulse and I go back to see him on Thursday. It is nice to see you are doing well also. Out of curiosity, what are you eating? Dr gave me some vague ideas like moist meats, no fruits with seeds or skin and no veggies, but no real ideas of what to eat. I posted on the post-op page hoping for some ideas.

I don't think it is a good idea to ask that type of a question. The reason I say that is because everyone's weight loss journey is different. Weight loss depends on SOOOO many different things that it is very hard to predict. My Dr. told me that his goal is 15 pounds a month and that he knows it will come off faster at the first, but to keep that monthly average in mind as an ultimate goal. Start now with measuring yourself and do that on a regular basis. I have only been sleeved two weeks and I can see how important that step is. As we go down this journey, the goal is to increase our lean muscle mass (ultimately) and decrease the percentage of fat in our bodies. Many people report little weight loss but huge NSV (non-scale vistories) with inches lost. And at least for me, that will be enough (I think and hope).

Well, I had been having a really weird, nasty taste in my mouth, almost like the taste I have gotten in my mouth in the past right before I threw up. It was there constantly and almost unbearable. Yesterday when I went for my two week checkup, Dr put me in the hospitla for dehydration. I am not sure if the two are related, but I have a feeling they were because today I have it just a tiny bit, but it is much better.

Re: Protein shakes. I have been trying them and cannot stand them. I was sleeved the 24th and went for my 2 week appt yesterday. Dr put me in the hospital overnight because I was dehydrated. I assume that will mean a weight gain because now my wedding ring, which was loose, is a little tighter on me. Oh well, I feel so good today compared to the last 5 days.

Sleeved the 24th, current weight as of yesterday is 287.6 (-30) since surgery (-41) since pre-op diet.

Oh my gosh, no regrets, but this has GOT to get better. I felt great after surgery, hardly any pain at all. I felt great and was walking up until Thursday night. We went out for a walk and my heart rate went up to 172 so we had to get back to the house. Since then I have been so weak it is not even funny. Last night my blood pressure dropped to 88/55 and I felt incredibly bad. Cold sweats and incredible weakness and dizziness. Blood pressure better today. I expected to feel like this last week, not 12 days post-op. Incredibly frustrating and has me wanting to cry at the drop of a hat. Sorry for the venting, but maybe someone will ahve some words of wisdom.

Mab, Just so you don't go out and buy expensive Vit E oil, you can just use a pin to open up a Vitamin E capsule and use the Vit E straight from there. Much cheaper from what I have seen.