keldolbeth

I don't know much about the 401k/IRA thing but I do know a friend's parents did it for his RNY. But, like everyone says, the penalties and terms are ridiculous. Your doctor doesn't offer financing? I was self pay and they had a specific credit union they financed with or you had the option of getting a personal loan from your bank. They also mentioned a Home Equity Loan (if you own). Can you put it on a regular credit card, Visa, AE? Luckily, my parents had an inheritance from my grandparents they were able to use. However, instead of transferring the money to me and going through all the legal and bank red tape, my dad charged it to his American Express then paid it off. Granted, he's an accountant and has a freakish credit score, I know not everyone can just charge $14k. lol

I had neither! But, I did have a little trouble peeing after surgery. I was drinking a ton and had the urge to go but couldn't get it started. lol I literally sat on the toilet for 30 minutes without anything moving sometimes. It felt a little like a bladder infection because I had to go about every 1-2 hours throughout the night but could only manage a tiny tinkle despite sitting there for a while. BUT, everything was fairly normal 24-36 hours later. It wasn't painful, just annoying.

I was sleeved June 25th. My doctor said 2 weeks for pool, hot tub or bath tub. I went swimming for the first time yesterday (so 15 days). No problems, no pain, no drainage. My incisions look no different today than they did yesterday. I didn't use any type of bandage. My CNP did tell me that if I was worried because my incisions were getting wet from sweat (the horrible heat wave last week) or after the pool, I could swipe some hydrogen peroxide over them, which I've done 2 or 3 times now. But, again, every doctor is different.

When people (the limited number who knew) asked if I was excited for surgery or how I was feeling, my response was always "I'm freaking the f out!" It's beyond natural. I think people would worry if you weren't a little scared or apprehensive. I'm sure anyone getting as routine of a surgery or their gallbladder or appendix would say they were somewhat nervous about going under... and those do not even compare to VSG in seriousness or recovery. For me, I was mostly scared of the change and the chance of failure. I've never been anything but F.A.T. And I know I don't handle change well; I like my comfort zone. I told people it was the fear of the unknown. Anytime you have a major change in your life like a new job, moving, getting married, etc you can sort of imagine what things will be like after. With this, I had NO IDEA and that scared me to death! There was NO WAY to imagine how I would feel about food, myself, my life. BUT, there was no doubt I needed this surgery. Maybe your mom and/or husband don't know as much about the surgery as you do. You could share with them your research and some success stories and also further explain your fears. The fear of failure can be a motivator... but it is still a very real fear.

(Sort of) an NSV for me... 15 days post-op, down 18 pounds; 83 total in 5 months. I met a guy on match.com shortly before surgery and today we finally were able to have our first date. (He knows I had surgery but not what kind.) So guess what we did on our "date"... went SWIMMING!!! Yes, I was in a bathing suit on a first date with a guy!!! I was freaked out but he's been so complimentary of me it quickly faded. I can still wear my old bathing suits but it was nice not to have my belly peak out between my top and bottom. And I have complained about my boobs shrinking but now they actually FIT into the top and look perky and round instead of falling out all over the place! Big win for Kelly today!

My CNP told me as soon as I felt ready, just to take it easy... that was 10 days for me! I kinda took it easy lol but didn't have any pain or problems. I was even on top and felt fine!

I listen to a lot of pop/rap/hip-hop when I'm working out... the faster the beat the better. Nicki Minaj, Flo-Rida, Rihanna, Busta Rhymes, Cee Lo, T-Pain... with some old school stuff too: Whitney, Pointer Sisters, Big Tymers. For some reason Jessie J's "Domino" gets me going on the treadmill... I think it's that first line "I'm feeling sexy and free!" But, with only 35ish songs on my playlist I'm definitely looking for more now!

I'm sure September/October there will be plenty of summer items on clearance and you could guesstimate your size. Also, thrift stores and consignment shops might have a decent selection since they don't change their items out as often. If you want to buy stuff a month or two ahead of time, pay attention to the return policy. I just bought some bras at Lane Bryant's semi-annual sale. I know they have a 60 day return policy so I'm going to try to hold off on wearing half of them and then see if I need to exchange them for a smaller size in 2 months. But, again, seasonal clothing might not have that option. And, I feel your pain. I had surgery 6/25 and I'm in a wedding 10/20. I have to order my dress in the next two weeks to get it here by then! I have no idea what size I'm going to be and with waiting until the last minute to order I might not have time for many alterations when it gets here! Eeek!

Every doctor is different as far as advancing the diet but I'm 15 days post-op and would be allowed to have tuna salad (if I liked it) as long as the chunks weren't too big. As far as a leak, I'm not sure what the symptoms are but it's not a bad idea to call. But, remember, every new food you add into your diet could cause a new reaction you've never experienced before.

Congratulations!!! Everyone talks a lot about NSV's on this site (which are great) but there's something about seeing those numbers! (Maybe because I'm a math teacher!) lol I'm 17 pounds away and can't wait to join the century club with you!!!

I'll be two weeks out as of tomorrow... I hate to be feeling this way already but week 1 (clear liquids) I lost 13. I weighed today (pureed since Monday) I've only lost 3 pounds. My doctor or NUT never talked to me about expected weight loss and I know that everyone is different but I was dieting 4 1/2 months prior to surgery and was losing about 3 pounds a week then! I'm hoping to jump start things once I'm allowed to work out and swim tomorrow! This site is a saving grace and I don't feel like I'm going through this "alone." Thanks, everyone, for their support and positive words!

I'm worried about this too as I feel big tatas of some of my trademark as well. However, I think part of my pride in my chest is due to shame about the other parts of my body so that's what I've always marketed to men and, consequently, gotten the most attention for. I've lost 80 (65 pre-op) and it was the first area I started losing. I've whined a lot about my shrinking boobies. Every time I've worn a bathing suit this summer someone has commented about it. Although, they actually FIT in my bathing suit tops now instead of fall out. lol I think everyone is different. My aunt, who was banded and lost 90, has maintained most of her chest so she tells me not to worry. I went bra shopping at a week post-op and, much to my delight, I went down a band size but was still in a DDD right now. But I do feel like my bras just one size bigger are huge on me. I just wish I could lose something in my hips because I was always proportionate and now I'm becoming pear shaped (not in a good way).

I'm in Dayton, also. I was sleeved 6/25 in Cincinnati.

I was sleeved on the 25th also. But I'm definitely not talkin 2 miles a day! lol I was told to wait until 2 weeks post-op for anything that intense. To me, if I sweat, it's working out! (Although, it's 100 degrees in Ohio so I guess walking to my car is working out. ) Prior to surgery I was doing about 8-9 miles a week. I hope to get back there soon; I'm just still dealing with serious fatigue and sleepiness. About the multivitamin... at the pre-op class they told sleevers to start it 2 weeks post-op. When I went back 7/2 the NUT told me to wait until 4 weeks because VSG patients are more prone to nausea and vitamins can make it worse. She did tell me to start a sublingual B12 now. If it's that bothersome, I would ask your DR or NUT.

Damn! I wish I would have seen this last night! I was at my "friend's" place and he had some, which isn't common. I hadn't had any in forever and was so tempted. And since I was at his house I would have been too shy to ask for any food in the case of munchies. I resisted though.

I saw eggface's recipe but she calls for an ice cream maker... has anyone else made her Protein ice cream using more common kitchen tools? I live in an apartment and barely have room (or money) for the magic bullet I just got! But protein ice cream sounds wonderful! My aunt was banded with my DR 3 years ago and has definitely warned me about ice cream being a slider food! Maybe it's a good thing dairy doesn't always agree with me. lol

I have been pondering the same thing about SF or no sugar added ice cream. I'm on purees so I'm sure I could "stomach" it. I never kept ice cream in the house much either and was thinking of it as a social thing. I'm not "out" to a ton of friends but I was thinking about conveniently suggesting getting ice cream instead of beer or food. I was just brainstorming creative options to get around the whole explaining thing. Plus, with the heat wave in the midwest right now, I'm sure I'm not the only one liking the sound of ice cream or froyo!

Like bee, my doctor said drive once I'm off pain meds and am comfortable turning around to back out, look in mirrors, etc. However, I've been getting light-headed occasionally, just from lack of calories and Protein, so I've chosen not to drive too much. I did drive my mom and I to my one week post-op appt but had her drive home. Yesterday I drove my car for the first time since surgery (6/25) and was fine for the hour trip back to my apartment. My CNP told me I could have sex whenever I felt up to it, just to be mindful of my incisions. Well, at 10 days post op today, I'm actually going to see a "friend" in a bit... I'll report back! lol

I actually found the Skinny Taste blog before I found her on Pinterest! She takes a lot of common recipes and redoes them to make them healthier. Kinda like Hungry Girl, but I think the recipes are easier and use more common ingredients. I'm a picky eater so it's not like froo froo stuff, it's real food. lol I think it's specifically for WW but she includes WW points, calories, fat, carbs, etc with almost every recipe! If you go to her blog you can search the different categories, there's a lot that are specifically low carb.

Great topic, made2beme! A lot of good info! I've been wondering this too (I just like to spend money- lol). I live alone and cooking for one was a challenge when I ate normal (and above normal) portions. I'm looking for creative ideas!

I'm checking out your board right now... but, like some of the others, I'm not totally "out." I just noticed you have a lot from skinny taste! I LOVE that blog! We even have a few of the same recipes pinned. When I did four months of low carb pre-op dieting, I made a lot of her recipes! Unfortunately, I'm 9 days post-op and on pureeds and your board is making me so anxious to start trying real food!

My mom's coworker suggested them but we've both looked a few stores and couldn't find the Special K protein drinks. Where did you get them?

I had a little piece today... as in a one-inch cube. I'm on pureeds. I just sucked it and chewed until it was mushy. I couldn't help it. All I seem to want is cold and wet things... my thirst is crazy!

It's awesome! You can find classes in your area on zumba.com! My gym has them indoors and the pool I belong to has them outdoors!