traceyc

Agree with Catracks, a positive attitude goes a long way. That said, read up on and prepare yourself for complications. They are rare, but knowing about all the what ifs helped me to know what all the possibilities were. I have had a great experience. I was very diligent in the beginning getting in all my protein and fluid and I think this helped my recovery. I was back at work with in a week and a half. I know you have decided on the sleeve, but quick add to the Rny vs sleeve discussion. I have been on and off anti inflammatory for a couple years. You can take these with Rny but there is a high risk of ulcer at the point they reconnect the intestines with these meds. This is why I went with the sleeve after my surgeon let me know of the risk. With your on-going back issues, you may be in the same position.

I love the Multivites Gummies. I take 4 a day. I can't do the chalky chewable type of vitamins. They made me sick.

Once the steristrips came off, I had to use an over the counter anit-itch cortisone cream. I couldn't take the itching anymore. Just 2 applications took care of it. I wouldn't use until things close up a little more or maybe use just around the incision not actually on it. I sometimes have bad reactions to adhesives. I was in tears it was itching so bad. Soap and warm water did help some. I would wash the area with a soupy cloth a few times a day.

Wow, what a transformation!

I lost 20 lb before surgery doing low carb for about a month. My pre-surgery diet was 2 weeks of 20 grams carbs or less. My doctor didn't have any goals for weight lost before surgery. In fact they didn't even weigh me the day of. You can still be very successful if you can't lose weight before. If it were super easy to lose weight we wouldn't all be getting the sleeve as a tool to help us. Once you are sleeved, you will not be able to keep up bad habits because your body will not let you. Eventually you will be able to eat almost anything but hopefully by then you will have broken the bad habits and learned the sleeve way of living.

I have always enjoyed their soups. The chicken and gnocchi is my favorite. I usually do the soup and salad. I haven't tried it but there is a lighter menu now. The apricot chicken with broccoli and asparagus sounds good and sleeve friendly

I have 2 incisions above my belly button from VGS. One is the largest where they removed the stomach. They may have to work around any mesh that is in there from the repair, but I would be surprised if it meant you couldn't have surgery at all.

I love the Cream of Wheat Healthy Grain since it has extra protein. I make it with milk and love it plain (I know I am a minority). I like the idea of adding the vanilla protein powder, might try that.

I am Rh- and had no problems with any of the 3 surgeries I have had in my life. Also, no one has ever mentioned it would cause any issues with blood loss. The only thing I have ever been told is it could cause some issues with pregnancy if the baby is positive like buffygirl mentioned.

The questions are pretty basic. I had an interview which I think just basically analyzed that I knew what I was getting into and didn't have any major issues. Just relax and be honest. Then I had a huge multiple choice test with some really bizarre questions like which magazine is most appealing. Not sure what that was judging lol.

Congrats!!

Yes, I have the CVS brand generic liquid Tylenol.

Same as Ailly. I had to stand in front of the xray and swallow the liquid while they recorded the day after my surgery. It was about 4 small sips. They try to make it taste better with some orange flavor or something but it is gross. I did not have a drain either. The best thing to know going in is to be patient. It can get frustrating being on liquids or purees for awhile or having pains from surgery or gas but they will get better. You will have stalls on the scale, but measure yourself before so you can track inches too. I have been mostly stalled on the scale since July but have gone down two pant sizes.

I couldn't do it on the app but if you go to the website click your user name in the top right for a drop down. Choose my settings from there and then choose my surgery. The is then an option for my photos where the before and after can be uploaded. Hope that works for you!

Very well put! I have been stalled for over 2 months on weight, but I am down almost 2 sizes in that time. Craziness! It took me some time to stop focusing on my scale so much and not freak out when it wasn't moving. There is a bowl of kit kats on my counter right now, been there for 3 days and I haven't had one yet. I know my sleeve loves chocolate and sweets.

Wow you look so great. You really do look younger, not that you looked old before. I share your wish to wear high boots. i haven't tried any yet, but I have lost a shoe size so I may do it soon.

I take Vitafusion Multvites gummy. I love them. I couldn't stomach the chalky chewable ones. I take 4 a day and my labs were all good. You can find them at Walmart or Sam's. I take biotin, but I forget that one a lot. Not sure if it is helping with hair loss, but I know it has helped others. I do need to start taking calcium more regularly though.

I have notice the same thing. I am in 14s and I swear I am at least 20 lbs heavier than I was last time I wore a 14. I am wearing a large in shirts and this just confuses me. I was probably 40 lbs lighter last time I wore large. I guess I was just really not toned before!

It was only in the beginning that I ate super slow. Now 8 months out I feel normal eating and drinking. I can sip Water or if I am super thirsty I can down an 8 oz glass in a few minutes. Which is really mostly restricted by the fact that I could never drink liquids fast. I eat my dinner in about the same time as my husband except I am eating 1/4 of the food he is. I eat healthy most of the time, but I don't deprive myself. A bite of something "sinful" once and awhile isn't going to make me gain all the weight back. I am a foodie and love trying new things. I have never once thrown up since surgery. It is up to you as you will be the one going through with it as to how much to remove, but I would suggest going with the standard. I think once you are fully healed, you will be happy with the time and portions you are getting. There is a certain amount of patience needed at first and a lot to learn, but this is the best thing I have ever done for myself.

I have been trying to change the way I think about buffets. My family loves buffets and I don't want to miss out on hanging out with them because of my eating restrictions. For me I am paying for the company and the experience. I try to not think that I am wasting money because I don't get my money's worth at the buffet anymore. I just think about how much I ate way way more than my money's worth prior to surgery. It all has to balance out right? lol I have been to several and just eat really slow and take a small bite of everything I want. It is nice to have the variety of food even if you can only have one bite.

I had a beer about 3 months out. I got one I knew was low carbonation but I couldn't even finish it in 2 hours. It was nice to have the taste, but really wasn't worth it. I had no problems with wine and stuck to that for awhile after.

You look great!