SParkle

Thanks hun - I have to admit sadly that we sold it about a year ago....issues with too many forms of transport, moving house and not enough space....but we still have a bike, but just not as fab!! Do miss it tho.....xxx

Congrats on your date - as far as the cost to you is concerned, try offsetting it against the money you'll save on food long term......thats what I did with my husband, (although I didn't mention the fact I would need a WHOLE new wardrobe! :biggrin0:). Kathy

I can second the Lean Desserts range - they are lush!! Not grainy at all. Even with water they taste good. Kathy

Finally able to let you know I was done yesterday passed leak test this morning and if all well shall go home tomorrow and give more info then. Kathy

Good points terri - I'll add them into my list as well.

Plus..... about taking stuff to the hospital - I took WAY too much and didn't use a lot of it, but it was good to know I had it if I wanted it! Loose clothing - I gained weight and inches in there.....take something like a non wired bra as certainly one of my incisions is quite high up and a wired bra would have rubbed on it. A cover up/wrap/dressing gown to walk down the halls in. I took books - a couple of different ones, Ipod, phone, chargers, the usual shower stuff although I didn't actually shower in there but before I went and when I got home - I just managed to hand wash myself carefully. Do yourself a favour and get some Ear plugs!! Boy those places can be noisy!! Good luck!! Kathy

If its any help I compiled this list from other lists from other wonderful post op sleevers on here plus some questions of my own....you can never be too prepared! Good luck Questions to ask Pre Op /The Op If self pay - What does your fee involve? Is there some follow up care thrown in there, like labs at 3,6,9 and 12 months? Pre op diet – what to eat/drink and how long for? Do I get a nutritionist/psychologist? What size bougie is used? Do you oversew the staple line? How many incisions do you make? Do you go in thru previous scars? How many nights in the hospital – is there facility for someone else to stay in my room as well? Do they need to be with me 24/ during my hospital stay? How many leak tests do you do? How many sleeves have you performed? Complication/leak stats? How many if any deaths? Who do I contact if I think I have a problem (most places give out an emergency number)? Is the hospital equipped an ICU and blood bank in case of complications? If complications do happen to occur, are these complications/additional surgery/days in hospital covered by the original quoted price of the surgery? Would you remove my gall bladder at the same time if needed? Can you give me some patient testimonials or do you have any before/after pictures of your patients that I could read/look at? Is it standard operation procedure, ie: no nail polish, no body jewellery? Do I need to stop taking any particular medication pre op? (Take a list of what you take and dosage) Post Op How often are the post op check ups? Where are they? – is price included? What supplements/anti acid drug would I need to take and for how long? Do I need labs done post op? – Are these checked with you or my local doctor? DO I get a dvd of the operation? Post op diet? How much weight would I be exepected loose? What if I loose too much, how to maintain? Do you use heparin? How soon after the op can I……drive, swim, work out?

You're so right..... good luck - let us know how you do. Kathy

Good luck - post when you can to let us know how you got on. Kathy

WEll done you! Keep up the good work..... walking and otherwise. Kathy

Well done - you're looking fabulous!! Kathy

From what I've read on the boards it is normal.....dn't forget your body goes thru so much in surgery, and you'll loose an initial amount from Fluid retention, your body will then go into a bit of protective mode and hold onto weight... but it'll drop off again if you follow your advice. Also don't forget we go from totally empty bowels to being filled up again, and surely that has to weigh something! ;o) Good luck and stick with it - I've already warned my hubby about stalling so he is expecting it and won't think its me not doing the work! Kathy

Sounds like you have a good Dr - and like you're also on the other side of it all now.... so fingers crossed each day will be a better one for you. Stick with it.... I know its depressing when you gain - I've gained weight and inches since the op.... but it'll works it way off again and you'll soon be posting fabulous losses! Good luck Maddie, and its good to have you back again. Kathy

No idea how long... but good luck!! Keep us informed Kathy

I hate nausea as well... and told them that so they gave me anti nausea drugs. But sadly what I thought was an allergy to Penicillin, was in fact an intolerance to the heavy anti biotics, so as soon as they hooked me up post op to the AB's I threw up. Not pleasant........and it happened 4 times that day, but nothing since, they sorted out which AB's I could tolerate and I am at home with anti nausea stuff as well but not had an issue since. Make sure you tell them, and you'll be fine. At the end of the day I would prefer to go thru what I went thru than not have the op..... small price for me to pay. Kathy

I'm with the Water theory, plus also remember we're not taking in our usual amount of calories, so you are going to feel weak.... but always best to get it checked out -when is your next appt with your Dr? OR can you give him a call.....but I don't think this is unusual. Good luck Kathy

I have to say mine is a lot better now.....I am consciously trying to make the effort to sit properly, so hopefully its on the mend. Good luck with yours. Kathy

How about using the time efficiently: Clear out your kitchen of any out of date or 'bad' food that you know you won't use. Clean the whole house top to bottom.... as you won't want to do that post op for a while anyway!! Get in some exercise - the fitter you can be pre op the better... beg or borrow a dog if you don't have one, or get to a pool and swim. I dyed my hair did my eyebrows etc.....all things I knew needed to be done and as I knew I'd not be looking my best in hospital i figured at least i would try with the bits that are on show 100% of the time! LOL (And I shaved my legs knowing I was in for surgery......lucky for me as my Dr kept checking them for thrombosis!!) Or get lost in a REALLY good book Foodwise - I made popsicles out of fruit juice which were great. Made some Soups and stocked up on everything I was allowed on my pre op.... which included yoghurt drinks for me....if I even felt tempted i just attacked something I could have and it worked. Its a long term thing... think of the long term goal and you'll be fine. If they get inside and find your liver hasn't shrunk enough then you'd be gutted after all the build up to it.....so Iwish you luck - be strong - its one of the worst parts about it all, but you CAN do it. Good luck - and keep us posted... if you get tempted just get your butt back on here and we'll sort you out! LOL Kathy

With all the time differences what time do you all tend to be in there?? I'm in Spain so Madrid time for me!.... Its now 9.17am on Tuesday...... Would be great to chat with some of you Kathy

I think what you are going thru is only natural.....but at least the surgery is relatively short compared to others, and I think you just have to have faith in the tool they will be providing you with. I went thru all the same thoughts about I'll be the one person it doesn't work for etc.... like many others I bet. Focus on other things instead - try on your whole wardrobe and get rid of anything too big..... you'll not be needing them. I have a shedload of clothes which fitted me on the way up, or I bought thinking they would fit me from 2nd hand shops (and they don't!)...... so I tried them all one again, got rid of any BAD decisions, and kept the ones I still liked. I went thru the kitchen and found it quite therapeutic going thru everything..... stripping out the 'bad' foods.... Good luck - let us know when you get your date, we're here for you!! Kathy

Oh I will......anything else than this! lol Kathy

I'm not that far out from the op and have to take Nexium every 12 hours. Can I ask anyone else who is taking this - can you swallow it? :thumbup: It tastes foul if you crush it - no wonder they sugar coat the pill!!! I thought of breaking it in half and then trying, but my head says don't!! I will ask my Dr on Wednesday when I see him if theres a dissolving one I can use instead as the taste goes thru anything I try and take it in. Ever hopeful Kathy

Pcindy - 3 weeks? Be strong babe..... I did one week and found that bearable.....it sounds like you have your head in the right place tho.....this is a long term thing, and the more you can shift during pre op the better. I figured with mine that hubby paid for the op (from inheritance money) and the least I could do to honor the relative was stick to my side of the bargain and be 100%. If they opened you up then said not doing it you'd be gutted..... so i do think your advice to follow a vague pre op is a good one. It can't hurt anyway!! Good luck with your 3 weeks..... we're here for you, when you want to cheat come and post on here and we'll put you off bigtime!! Kathy