gomekast

Is anyone willing to share what extra steps your surgeon made you do as a result of having high blood pressure? I was also told that its fairly common to find thick left ventricle walls along with the high bp in us larger folks. Any thoughts or input for anyone would be appreciated!

That's what the dr said. She wasn't so concerned but I'm 38 with 2 small kids. Reality hit me and dr and I agreed...this surgery is closer to necessary now. I'm so glad to hear that your bp is going down post op! I read that it happens but wanted to see if it really did to anyone here! Thank you and I'm wishing you an uneventful recovery!

Ok, so it sounds like the usual arsenal of stuff us sensitive gals would have handy. I've got a bag of just skin rash creams..so sounds like that will do the trick with the Benadryl at bedtime. Thanks for taking your time everyone! I really appreciate it. :-)

Ok everyone, I need some feedback. I have very sensitive skin, I break out from metals except high grades of gold. Scents from laundry soap and shampoo and regular soaps can also make me break out. I usually get raised red Patches of insanely itchy bumps as my reaction. Having said this, has anyone else here had the same? What did you surgeon recommend as a result? I want to go in well informed when I meet my surgeon. Thanks!

Just try to read up here on the forum. I'm also pre op, hoping to get approval this week. Don't be afraid to reach out and ask questions!

See where I'm shaving.

I think this is the number one thing I'm looking forward too not having to deal with post op.

Thanks for responding! I've been dealing with chronic depression and dysthymia for years. Good to know that this may change.

My NUT said only flintstone complete chewables. She said that gummies if any kind have enough added sugars to possibly cause reaction. What did your program or office suggest for you? As far as Protein shakes go, I bought the starter pack off www.unjury.com. It came recommended from my program also. I do have pure protein that I have now and I like it, but realize I may need the unjury post op if my tastes change.

Could be, since post op your immune system isn't working up to its capacity. It's fairly common for people with weaker immune systems..which includes myself! Get Plenty of rest!

Totally forgot about this but I do it ALL the time.

You may have to come up to the cities, unfortunately. I live up in the north metro in Anoka, and I've been driving down there to the Gonda building for ear stuff. It's doable but not fun on the car or gas pump. I'm going threw Park Nicollet Bariatric group that's based out in St Louis Park and Methodist hospital. They do all of the pre op appts in half days, to make it easier. They even have an online info session to watch so that you don't have to travel for the info meeting. Go to their website and their listed under surgery centers. Hope you get connected with a new group...

I bought "weight loss surgery cookbook for dummies" from Barnes and Noble. It was in the special diet cookbook section of cookbooks.

My Dr doesn't require any weight loss before surgery. But there is a pre op diet I have to do.

Things I will not miss: -having such a messy closet because I've got sizes 12-24 in it. I refused to get rid of the small stuff. -having to sit on the sidelines while my husband runs around with our kids -my 4 year old saying..you have a big butt! -my 6 year old giving me flubbers on my big belly -my kids putting both of their hands on my big belly and shaking it all around. They think its fun. -not being able to exercise the way I want too. -being told I'm not too far away from heart failure if I don't get the weight down.

Have you talked to a therapist about this? I think some doubt to a certain extent is normal with something like this. And although I've had the doubt too, I've also come to peace with it and know I have to do it. But I think if you talk about your mixed emotions with a therapist, you may be able to better sort it all out so you come to a decision either way. Good luck!

Yes, your right about that. The psych eval was a poor example, I'll admit that. I know that for me, I've had 8 YEARS of psych therapy to prepare myself for this journey. My only hope is that others don't 'judge' someone else just because they've got a different set of coping skills. I need this surgery to save my life, quite literally. I still prefer to use laughter and positive things to keep it light. It works for me, but not for a lot of others on this forum. I happened to get lucky and found a few others who can relate to where I'm coming from. I fully appreciate reading those posts you mention where someone's freaking over that cheeseburger or pissed because they can't eat heaps of food now. It shows me that it's going to require determination, tons of hard work, and it's not always going to be fun. I'm ok with that. I'm ready for that. This thread was simply put, a breath of fresh air.

I'm so glad you've found this thread mouse! I'm happy that there is someone else with similar thinking about that this process. Life really is too short to be Debbie downer. Laughter and positivity tends to take you farther. I would to brag that my cholesterol dropped 25 whole points just by upping my Vitamin d! How's that for bragging about my labs?! Plus, I haven't had the surgery yet either! I also could sit and tell everyone that I'm doing it to improve my PCOS, hypothyroidism, hypertension and ventricular hypertrophy..but I like sticking with looking hot for that jogging commercial instead. Here's my info, shoot me an email anytime! I would love a buddy threw this journey! My husband can only offer so much one liners til I'm feeling like he just doesn't get it! Kelly Kittyredcake@gmail.com

My program is run pretty smoothly. They base your testing pre op off of your insurance carrier. They have us come in for half days to knock out 3 appts in one half day. Also, with my program, you don't meet the surgeon until your approved for the surgery. Their in very high demand and they weed out the not so serious folks by doing things that way. But every program or clinic has their own ways of doing it. I was lucky, I had very little requirements per my ins., so today I did my 2nd half day and got the green light for submitting to ins. I hope to have that happen by this Friday or Monday. Once I get the approval, I see the surgeon within 2 weeks. He sets up whatever tests he thinks I need based on all of what I've done already. This is also when we set a date. Hope this helps a little.