NerdyMHC

Wow...I get a little over 600 calories a day...That's 330 in protein shakes, V8 juice, tuna, soup, and multivitamin and calcium chews. I have never had a problem getting anything down. I do feel restriction and I can only sip, but I stick to a really handy daily schedule that my doc gave me to ensure that I get everything in. Compared to some of you, I kind of feel like a pig...lol

The surgical gas pains are gone. It seems like I really only get intestinal gas pains when I take too big of a drink and then it kind of flares up to my chest and I know that I need to take a couple of minutes before drinking again, and to take smaller drinks. It's hard for me because I haven't found a Protein drink that I really like yet so I try to drink it down as fast as possible...I am learning that doing this is actually making it last longer because I have to constantly stop drinking because of the flare ups...lol...Long story short, yes and no to the gas pains... As far as eating...My doctor put me on full liquids after getting out of the hospital and in my huge bariatric packet that I got from my nutritionist is a sample menu for the day that lists when to drink what. I follow this, only changing the content of the meals. It has helped me to make sure that I am getting all of my liquids, Protein shakes, and Vitamins in. It takes me almost an hour to get down 8 ounces of Protein shake, about half an hour to get down 8ozs of Water, and about half an hour to get down my meals, which range from 2-4 ounces. I just really pay attention to my stomach. If it makes ANY kind of gurgling, flare up, or does anything out of the ordinary, I take that as a sign that I am getting full. I haven't felt the full feeling that I am used to, but I also haven't really felt hungry and it doesn't bother me to stop eating at these times. I eat because I have to and almost find it to be almost a nuisance. I hope you get something out of all of this rambling! lol...Let me know if you have any more questions!

If you have steri-strips, make sure not to mess with those until they come off by themselves!

I'm not a medical expert, but I am 3 days post-op and I took them off today to take a shower. My husband is an RN and told me that as long as the incisions have a hard scab over them that it would be okay to shower. My surgeon said to make sure to use unscented soap so as to not irritate the incisions. I took off all of the bandages and used my hands to apply the soap, softly rubbing over the incisions and my entire stomach. I patted dry when I got out of the shower and only applied bandages to where my drain was taken out because it had not fully scabbed and to the incision right under my boobs, so it didn't get rubbed. The rest I left unbandaged, put a clean shirt on and then put my binder over that. I hope this helps!

I am an atheist through and through. I just don't believe, never have, and never will. You can, however, have faith in other things. I have faith in the people who will be in the operating room for my surgery. I have faith in the science that will bring them there and the many years of school and debt they went through to ensure that their patients will get the utmost care. I have faith in my wonderful husband, who will be taking care of me afterwards. I have faith in the awesome chemical and biological process that my body will go through at a cellular and atomic level to heal me. It seems like those who are expressing the fact that they don't believe are being accused of god bashing. I am just giving my opinion as far as how my lack of religion effects my surgery, like the post asked.

I know why and I know how, but I just had to check to see if other people were fuzzy in the head during their 2 week pre-op diet. It is one that requires two Medifast shakes and a sensible meal. I am allowed to have healthy Snacks in moderation as well. I have to tell you though; my brain is just not all there! lol...I am working on a graduate degree and I can't concentrate on my homework. Heck, it took me 15 minutes to post this because I kept getting fuzzy...lol. I know that it is because I have cut down on the amount of food as well as cut out most carbs so that is probably why I am feeling this way...Is there a lot of fuzzy headedness after the surgery, too? I just want to know what to expect so I know if it is going to be an issue for schoolwork. Thanks!

Call your doctor if the pain is that bad! If your pee is brown, that could mean that you are dehydrated!

Sprinkle a little Mrs. Dash in it...It amps the flavor up without unecessary calories.

See if any other appointments count...I have BCBS of Iowa and I had to do the six month diet too, but my coordinator has a really good relationship with the insurance company and they counted my initial surgery consult and my meeting the next month with my NUT as two months so I only had to do the actual dieting for four months. Good luck!

I can't wait to do a 5k! I have never liked running, but I think the skinny me can get used to it! I also can't wait to go on amusement park rides again...I love roller coasters! I can't wait to go clothes shopping and not have to go to the fat section. The number one thing...I can't wait until I don't have to lug these huge boobs around everywhere...Sure they will be deflated, but I am sure a cute bra in a C cup will make me not mind so much!

My original name was my favorite, but I got locked out...It was mine and my husband's celebrity name...lol...Corange...For my name, Angela and his name, Corey. My new name comes from a variation of a name that he uses on other sites...He is an RN and a nerd so he calls himself NerdyRN....I went with NerdyMHC because I am currently working on my master's degree in Mental Health Counseling. Ta Da!

I have had a lot of gym memberships and have worked with personal trainers and I have never felt that I have gotten a better workout than with Wii Fit...My abs, thighs, butt, and arms all hurt in that good, after work out way...Plus you can do it at home, there is a variety of exercises, and you can watch your progress on their scale graph...I am going to work that into my workout to keep it interesting!

I have stretched ear lobes and I call it gauging, so we would be gauging out our stomachs instead of our ears

Because we didn't have to fight with my insurance as much as anticipated, I was able to move my tentative surgery date of December 6th, 2012 up to a solid surgery date of October 25th, 2012!!! How awesome is that? The not so awesome part? My coordinator told me that I would have to have $1300 up front by my pre-surg physical on October 3rd!!! I freaked a little because while I was expecting to have to pay something up front, $1300 almost gave me a heart attack! And in such a short time! I talked with her and made arrangements so that I could pay closer to my surgery date and I am going to move some funds around so that I am able to afford it. I'm not going to lie, though...For a brief moment, I thought that all of the work I put in to get approved was washed away because of the price tag. I am super excited and feel like October 25th can't get here fast enough! I am ready to start this new chapter in my life!

Thanks guys! I am obsessing a little...lol

Approved!!! It was fast too...My coordinator submitted all of the information on September 12th and I just got the letter today! I was super skeptical that I was going to get approved because I am a realist and just figured it was going to be a struggle. My pre-surg appointment is Nov. 15th and I start my pre-surg diet on Nov. 21st, with a tentative surgery date of December 6th. I hope it goes as fast as the 6 month diet and all of the qualifying stuff did! I am sooooo excited right now! YAY!!!

Awesome! I wish you luck and congratulations, Joisey!

It is a good idea to try to remove the polish from at least one of the nails. They watch the color of the nail to monitor blood flow. Usually if they really, really need that nail uncolored though, they will remove it for you before surgery.

This bottle helped me quit soda (and I was drinking about 7 to 8 cans of soda a day since I was a kid!) I love it because I hate the taste of municipal Water. This has a filter that filters as you drink so that all you have to do is fill the bottle up and go! The filters last for 3 months...They are pretty inexpensive and make it so you have clean tasting water wherever you go! I have one at work, one in the car, and one at home so that I know I will always have one with me. http://www.waterbobble.com/