SqueakyWheel&Ethyl

I am Day 9 post-op. I had (still have) SEVERE GERDs pre-op for years. Have been on Nexium, but the surgeon switched me to Pepcid which was a TOTAL WASTE. I asked if I could go back to Nexium (left voicemail with surgeon's nurse). My pulmonologist that put me on it said I definitely need it, but to ask the surgeon. Surgeon's office never called me back. So, I went back on it and feel better. I've been opening the capsule and pouring it into pudding to swallow it. Not fun. 1. Is Nexium TABOO with VS? 2. Are capsules TABOO with VS? What are the ramifications for swallowing capsules? 3. If you take Nexium, do you just swallow the capsule, or take it another form? Thanks for all the advice!

Thanks so much for all the helpful feedback. I LOVE THIS SITE!

51 years old. 5' 7" here. 253 starting weight. Sleeved 04/17. I'm taking full advantage of this site. Check out my before pics and read my blogs. I'm here if you need an ear.

Trust me. You won't feel satisfied at that particular moment. Why wouldn't you get the clearance from your PCP? That's usually one of the easiest things to check off your to-do list. My Medical Clearance from my PCP was 1 appt, including an EKG and blood draw in the office at the same time as the appt, along with the PCP's routine 5 minute exam. I was in and out of there in less than an hour. PCP sent the Medical Clearance to the surgeon that afternoon. Hope you get it quick, too.

I dropped 16 lbs pretty fast, but have stalled the past couple of days. I logged my intake today (and for yesterday) and see that I had 18 gm of protein yesterday, and 300 cal. Today, I've had 39 gm protein and 629 calories. Is the stall because I UNDERSHOT (by accident) the past couple of days and Ethyl (my body's alter-ego) switched to survival mode?

A few years ago, I was down and discouraged about something I can't even remember now what it was. My mom, my best friend, said "just keep swimming, just keep swimming ..." And I laughed through my tears. It became our mantra. We would say it to each other. Especially while she was in isolation at MD Anderson with leukemia. And, later, at home while I held her hand. Those words just became our way of encouraging each other. Earlier today, I was wishing I knew how she felt about what I put myself through with this surgery. She was speaking through you. You don't have to believe it. I KNOW IT. Thank you for saying EXACTLY what I needed to hear tonight.

Anything in liquid form counts toward your total fluid intake. 64 oz is recommended daily (preferably water, not coffee, milk shakes, of as, etc). For this plan, i was told to make sure you get in at least 48 oz total daily. 64 is the goal. Counting just water? Then count just water for logging water. Use common sense on what is water. WATER!

I'm on Full liquids for 3 weeks. Can't wait for scrambled eggs in the purée stage.

Let me introduce myself. I'm Squeaky Wheel. Otherwise known as "THAT PERSON." Had I not been That Person, I would have never had my surgery. Nobody CARES about your needs but you. You don't have to be mean. But, you MIGHT have to be assertive. Look at it this way. You're playing their game by their rules and doing everything expected of you to get approval. The insurance company works for your company. They are expected to do their job. If their rules states you qualify, and you have met all the criteria (their rules again), then they are expected to respond in a timely manner. So BE That Person. And Rock On.

GIRL POWER! Yea!

Bless your heart. It's tough enough to do what we do, but to hurl AND try to do the math on it, too? Don't put so much pressure on yourself. Your records aren't going to be scrutinized enough for that small portion to matter. No worries. Cut yourself a break.

That is a significant change! Way to go!

I can relate to your frustration. Fortunately, my surgeon's office runs like a well-oiled machine. My problem was my insurance company resisting to admit they would cover it. I suggest you just take over your checklist of things to do. Call your insurance company yourself (basically, just do her job) and send her copy on whatever must be kept in the surgeon's file. When you have everything done, THEN, camp out in her office while she faxes everything to the insurance company's Medical Director (the final approver). That's all she will be needed for. I did all the leg work myself and would just copy my Drs office on all of it. Sometimes, it's less stress to just do it all yourself. Good luck.

I have a handicapped little sister who is tube fed and takes in 24-32 oz of liquid nutrition daily. I track her water. At the end of every day, she should have taken in at least a total of 64 oz of liquid. I apply the same principal to me. 64 oz of fluid minimum daily.

Are we talking about less than 50 calories at question? Or less than 10 gms of Protein? And how do you know that you retained exactly half? I say record 1/2. It isn't like we are on a 3,000 calories per day diet.

I would be surprised to hear anything less than enthusiasm about the Mexico experience. There are so many who chose it, and obviously a competitive market for it internationally. If I wasn't fortunate enough to have double coverage, I would have probably gone that route, too. If I were a surgeon in a foreign country wanting to get a piece of the US VS surgery profits, I'd certainly put together a package that would be a far more appealing experience for the person shelling out the money.

What is the green bar on my profile page? What does the number represent? Mine said "Excellent" last time I saw it, but it changes. Why? What purpose does it serve?

Cracked me up!

From what you've described, it sounds like you are like 90% of Overweight America. We are inundated with processed sugar and pre-made meals... Fast food in a world where we are always watching the clock. If diets in our environment really worked, the success rate would be much higher. It's a multi-million dollar industry. Why? Because when it doesn't work, we try another diet, or pill, or exercise gadget. I like to think I have great self-discipline. And, I know lots of other people who are overweight who are devoted to their career, their family, their home care. Successful people. Yet, we cannot conquer weight loss. GS has the best long-term success record of every weight-loss alternative I've found. If there has been ANY failure, it's with everything that came before it. It's a tool to better our lives, every bit as much as the tools we use to invest in our future. With your health in such danger (as is mine), this is the best gift you can give yourself. And, if you want to think its easy, then do it! Frankly, I don't have time to focus on any other diet plans. This "easy" way is allowing me to live. LIVE. In your case, it isn't about looking better or having pants that aren't as snug. It's about saving your life. Grab the BEST TOOL available to get your health back.

Ethyl is explained in my blog.... She is the identity of my body, who talks (or complains) to me when I eat too fast or eat the wrong thing, or wants something else to eat. Listening to my body more than I ever have... So she deserved a name. A new friend I made on here yesterday said hers is "Susie Sleeve."

My question is what purpose does it serve to see what a TOTAL STRANGER rates another total stranger? Is this a popularity website? Can I get elected prom queen?

Thanks for sharing. That's good to know the experience was good. I might consider it for a tummy tuck or boob job after this is over. I doubt my insurance will cover either of those.

Ok, thanks. Now, what does it have to do with the Reputation I saw somewhere? What is that about?

Glad to hear Effexor works for you. I took Effexor for almost a year and regret it. It is extremely addictive. It was very, very hard to wean off of it. I ended up seeking advice online and following it, buying empty gel caps and dividing the granules up myself taking out about five granules per capsule and reducing it again each week. It took me 4 months to completely get off it. And, while on it, it changed my personality (according tofriends and coworkers). Attention to detail is important to me, but it made me not care if my work didn't get done... And not care if I jeopardized my job, etc. My brother took it for several years and had a tough time weaning off, too. We both think its dangerous. Effexor really scares me. It sounds like it is serving the purpose you need and I'm happy for you. Just be very careful with it.