OrchidFan

You rebel, you! I don't know for sure, but I imagine it's to protect the staple line.. Didn't the tylenol taste *&^% horrible? My asthma pill tastes so bad I haven't taken it since surgery. :001_unsure: Yea, I'm dead when my pcp finds that out. If you don't want to buy a pill crusher, wax paper and a spoon works perfectly well. Ivy

Tonight I had homemade chicken broth, oh was it ever good! for dessert, (I am still sipping on it) am having Welsh's light grape juice with a bit of Water added to it, delicious! Yum! I'm a wuss and asked my Mom to make me traditional Greek chicken Soup and strain it. Mmmmmm. I'm glad you're home and doing well :thumbup: Anyway, hope you will be able to attend the upcoming support group that will start first Wed of November. The more, the merrier, we are getting a nice little group going here in Toon town! They are talking of doing a clothing exchange. Worth checking out! Sign me up! I couldn't get to the pre op meeting (I don't drive) and missed it. Where're you holding it? Ivy

Hey Bookie I'm having that weird skin reaction from boobs to pubes too, but I think it's a random rash in my case as I still have it. Maybe from the pink stuff they paint on you? (Speaking of which, I hope that wears off, because it's a little startling in the shower) I get a lot of weird rashes, I once had a dermatologist take pictures of my butt for a paper. Did not appreciate it a lot. Great to hear from you :love: Ivy

I did carry my own pillow and it was nice to have. Took my small "e-computer" too but never could get it to work in Mexicali.I also took a few packets of koolaid and some stevia, in case I got stranded somewhere and needed fluids. Tried the koolaid while in the hospital but it tasted nasty. Yea, I brought several nightgowns, but my drain area kept leaking (I had a weird drain, due to latex sensitivity) so it was easier to wear theirs. The pillow's a great idea, especially for long car/plane trips. I don't think you're going to Mexicali, but..Almater hospital's server is a bit odd; if you ask for help they will send a couple of very cute technicians to set your computer up. :thumbup: Ivy

If you had a drain, don't get a mirror and take a close look at where it was. Wow, I'm not usually squeamish but ew. lol,vain Ivy

I just thought of this while packing.. will the hospital gowns fit me? I'm probably a lot bigger than the typical sleever, I weigh about 300lbs and I'm short. I wear a Canadian 5X usually. I have 2 nightgowns packed in case. Is the hospital cold? I know it's going to be near fatally hot outside. *g* Didn't lose any weight on the preop diet either:cursing::thumbup: Had one bad day but the rest of the time I kept it well under 30 carbs. I even went total carbs not net! Ivy

Well, there shouldn't be classic dumping, as we keep the pylorus valve. I believe there's someone on OH whose vsg stomach empties too fast, making her feel icky if she eats a lot at once, she takes medication for it. hope that helps a bit, Ivy

Hey Henner, I'm Canadian too, but from SK. Your wait might not be that bad depending on your health. I was told by one very honest surgeon that he wouldn't take my referral as I was "so healthy he'd be retired before my number came up". Ha! I am super morbidly obese, but the only comorbidity I have is bad asthma, which isn't strictly due to weight. Losing weight should help the wheezies but I doubt it'll cure my allergies. I do see the point of doing people who urgently need the weight off due to diabetes,etc first. Are you seeing Dr Tang or Dr Arneson? Ivy

Well, if you wait a few days you'll have a ton of first hand info. :thumbup: There's quite a crowd of us heading down on the 28th Ivy

Lol awesome you've got my back! Are you getting excited? I sure am! Ivy

I hope so! My flight arrives at 12:45. I'm arriving at..I don't know what gate. The airline is WestJet, flight WS 860 if that helps? My Dad might even be with me, last minute family turnaround, awesome! They aren't in favour of the surg but I want to get healthy BEFORE I get sick from being so heavy. I'm really into world of warcraft. I may be a tad geeky. :thumbup: Ivy

Hi again :scared0: Did you feel odd when you did Atkins? I don't and I'm wondering if I should get some of those strips that detect ketones. I've not lost a pound. Possibly due to high fat? I get all weirded out if I think I'm not going to have anything to eat at work -and we have a candy machine so it's dangerous- so I've been making up a ton of lunches and Snacks the last few days. I can post them if you like. Ivy

This is going to be awesome! So many of us, the staff will think it's a party. :scared0: I started the preop diet on Fri, forgetting that we were having a big birthday party for my Dad the same day. I did super right up until the cake.. it was decorated by my niece, who just turned 3. She obviously had a ball decorating, heh. Started again Sat.. I'm not sure I feel any different, except for the thoughts of REALLY wanting a bagel or a croissant. Or some rice or.. yeah gonna stop that. :cursing: Had a headache today but that could have been the weather or allergies. Had to laugh at the banana comment, I had some greek salad (tomato, cuke, feta etc) and whoah, 12g right there! I think I will bring my laptop too. If anyone wants to borrow it, it has a dvd player. Ivy (still wondering about what to bring)

It's weird, I was really really calm about having surgery until I actually booked the flight...now I've lost my mind completely! I'm seeing Dr. Aceves on the 29th, so I have to start the 10 day very low carb diet this Sat. I have been eating below 2000 calories since June to try and lose weight, but this week I've just *lost* it with carbs especially. I've been making lists of things to eat..but I think I'm gonna die. I live off carbs. Ok, healthy carbs, I eat a lot of whole grains, veg, fruit etc. I like salad *dodges things thrown at her head*. Yea I eat a lot of junk food too, I didn't get to 320lbs eating good food. Can anyone suggest good starter foods? I'm lactose intolerant and slightly allergic to milk products, lately can't even eat yoghurt (arg!). Also violently allergic to shellfish, and I don't eat fish in case I'm allergic to them also. I don't think it's a true allergy, but Peanut Butter makes me spend a lot of time in the bathroom. So does almond and hazelnut butter, but I can eat the actual nuts ok. (What's with that?) Here's my list so far: Nuts-almonds, pecans, pistachios, walnuts, brazil, cashews Shitake burgers (haven't checked carbs on these but they're great) deli meat? (sodium from heck) hummus? Protein shakes (got nectar, an egg one, vegan ones that have carbs and variety packs that're so far disgusting) may wind up living on these :cursing: hamburger, chicken, a roast to cut up, pork bonny bel cheese (risky) canned meat ham, chicken (dunno how gross they'll be) romaine lettuce, radishes, celery, baby tomatoes, raspberries, cuke I looked at a lot of Atkins sites and thought the food looked nasty, or it was loaded with dairy. Ivy

Hey, great! Is this a regular support group? I havent been able to find one locally for wls people. Ivy

Lol, I've packed and unpacked 3 times so far. I think I might just wear the hospital robe/gown instead of mine, it's really ratty now that I look at it. Gotta buy some slip on slippers too. The nurses will see us walking around and know it's trouble! :cursing: Ivy

Where are you having the surgery? Dr Aceves, Mexicali! I must apologize, I jumped the gun and assumed that the flight they would choose for me would be the least expensive and the two stops each way is what I found to be the best seat sale. BUT, Shirley found me a shorter duration one with United so am not going to be as long flying home as originally believed. And only one stop in Denver! Ha, the travel agents I checked with all emailed me quotes over $1000! Playing around online I booked with WestJet for $600. Which is still a LOT but worth it. I phoned them to ask about various things and they made a note in my file to have seat belt extenders ready, and they'll golf cart me around on the way back. Awesome people! I've never had surgery before so I really have no idea how out of it I'll be. I'm a wuss, though. It will be a 7 hour flight! (Does that count the layover in Calgary?) Ivy

I'm flying in on the 28th, surgery on the 29th. I just booked my flights and paid the deposit and am now FREAKING OUT!!! I was calm up until now, I guess it's sinking in. Ivy

OMG are you seriously in Toon? I am in Saskatoon, and having vsg on the 29th of this month! Just trying to book flights now. It's either a small world or I'm unintentionally stalking you, lol:eek: Ivy