SpaceDust

Hi, Mason As Doxieville said in the quote above, both my surgeon and my NUT were also very clear about that with me, as well. Additionally, several of the people who work at my weight loss clinic have also had some form of bariatric surgery and have been very up front about their experiences - good and bad - with it. I was actually rather surprised when you said that three different surgeons didn't talk about that during your consultations, since my surgeon brought it up without me asking. My NUT and I have talked about the need for this to be a sustainable lifestyle change several times over the last several months. I can't think of one of our monthly meetings where it wasn't some part of the conversation. It was always clearly established when we were talking about short term behaviors for early post surgery vs. long term life changes that would need to carry on into the future. I an going through a "Bariatric Center of Excellence" that also provides a lot of follow-up care and support groups post-surgery. I wonder if that has any impact on the difference in experience.

Good luck, Grace. I would almost rather have a stomach bug than a bad cold - stomach bugs usually end faster!

Based on previous experience with surgeries, I'll pack undies, a really soft sleeping bra (no under-wires!), a large, loose t-shirt and a lightweight robe, a hair brush, gas-x strips, sugar free hard candies, Blistex or Chap-stick and some mouthwash strips. I'll take my phone, phone charger, and my tablet (loaded with magazines or other really lightweight reading material and maybe a few videos, as I'll want to read/be entertained but probably won't be able to concentrate much). Depending on the weather, I *might* tuck in a zip-up hoodie or a cardigan, as I get chilled pretty easily after surgery, even if the temperature is pretty pleasant. I'll wear some slip-on mule-style shoes so I can slide into them without needing to bend over to tie them, and I can wear them without socks if I choose. I'll also wear a pair of either really loose sweatpants or yoga pants which since I will likely only be in them for at most an hour or two, I can then wear home. I'll take my CPAP only if they make me (I'm not dependent on it and my settings are all pretty low, so I may get away without it). I'll bring a pillow with me for two reasons - I hate sleeping on hospital pillows and it will likely be useful in the car on the way home to support my sore tummy. Other than my pillow, everything will fit into one of my travel backpacks (yes, including the CPAP). If I can get away without the CPAP, I can easily get everything but my pillow in a small daypack.

Hot Drinks for sure. If you have some, mint teas are particularly soothing. I also like spicy teas like masala chai, as that seems to loosen things up a bit. If you would normally take milk with your tea, I would suggest not doing so in this case because it tends to make me feel like I've just "gummed up the works" so to speak. Ginger in your tea can also be helpful, better if it's the fresh kind. You might also try a hot shower, as hot as you can stand it, and if your shower head moves direct it away from your body so you don't feel like you're being scalded - it will create a sauna-like effect that seems to loosen up the congestion. You could do something similar with hot Water in a bowl, hang over it with a towel creating a tent over your head. Add menthol or peppermint to the bowl if you have it, but the steam alone is helpful. Deep, slow breathing is called for with either of these methods. I prefer the shower, but if you don't tolerate pretty hot showers you might like the bowl method better. Just some thoughts for you.

I'm still a few months from surgery, but I have Protein drinks for Breakfast or lunch a few times a week (and getting ready to start consistently replacing one meal a day with them). I LOVE mixing coffee into my chocolate Protein Drinks. I wish there was a good flavored caramel protein that I could do the same thing with for a change-up - vanilla just doesn't quite do it for me as a latte replacement You might also try adding in a little cinnamon or even a dash of cayenne to the "mocha" - that's another way I change things up now and again.

Please call your doctor, as well. Even if you aren't pregnant, it would be good to know if this is fairly common and if there is anything you can do about it, right? Good luck!

Outstanding! That is no small victory, more like a significant triumph in my mind. Congratulations!

Mine is 3-4 protein shakes a day, plus one small meal, and goes on for a week. I will probably try to ease into it the week before to reduce the impact.

Fyre, I respect your right to feel this way. Please feel free to start a thread and rant about it all you like. Me, I'm going to play turtle and hide in my shell till it's over Thanks for making me laugh!

@Ruth71, if you're curious, a kilogram is approximately 2.2 US pounds So, 79 kg is just under 174 lb and 111 kg is just over 244 lb.

I'm a fan of civil debate - we all have different experiences, different opinions and different sources of knowledge, and it can be very useful to get this additional information or consider a different point of view, then discuss the pros and cons of each. But note that I said CIVIL debate. That means understanding that our way is quite probably not the only way, or the best way for everyone. Wouldn't it be more useful to remain respectful and discuss things rather than be snarky to each other? Then the experience remains supportive and positive. Discussion and debate are awesome. Threads where the bickering picks up just make me feel stressed, annoyed and frustrated. I stop reading those threads, even though I may miss out on useful info, because it's not worth the irritation to me. Of course, perhaps it's just me. Feel free to have a snarky free-for-all insult fest if it makes you happy and the administrators allow it. Just don't expect me to join in; I'll be off reading threads I consider more constructive and helpful

I'm sorry you're going through this, MK, and I know that level of embarassment can be debilitating. Just be cautious about where you get your legal advice for this, and think about the ramifications if you do decide to go for it, okay? There are potential costs to you besides money and time, regardless of how the suit turns out. Good luck with whatever you decide!

Ultimately, though, even though this isn't a HIPPA issue, there are generally company regulations that require that your boss should be keeping her big mouth shut because of legal implications if she says too much I would definitely bring it up with HR, let them know that it caused you embarassment and distress, as you had intended to keep your health plans private (as is your right) so that you wouldn't have to deal with questions and comments that you are now getting.

I'll have to do a week of 3-4 protein shakes a day plus one small sensible meal before the surgery. Since I often do a protein shake for breakfast now, it's not a huge big deal except that I won't be adding any fruit or milk to the shake - right now I usually add 6 oz of 1% and 1/4 cup of something like blueberries or cherries. I could optionally add some fruit or some milk and reduce the calories for the small meal, but I think I'll just get several flavors of protein drinks and tough it out. I might as well start getting used to it!

It's possibly an HR violation and may have legal implications depending on your location, but I believe that HIPPA rules only apply to health care providers, insurance and the like who have specific information related to your health and healthcare because they are a provider. However, I'm not sure how much there would be to raise a legal issue over unless details were provided about the procedure. If it could even possibly be interpreted that your boss was simply letting your colleagues know that you were going to be out of the office for a health-related procedure because some of them would need to cover for you for the next week or two, I doubt there would be more than a minor slap on the wrist from HR about mentioning it being a health care reason, if even that. Now, if she offered any details on your surgeon or her guesses of what you were having done, you would certainly have something to take to HR or someone more senior in your company. Personally, I would make an appointment with HR if it is really that disturbing to you or is an ongoing type of issue in your department. Good luck with whatever you decide to do..

How long did you have to stay post surgery, if you don't mind my asking? And do you attend the support group meetings? I'm thinking about starting to attend, but haven't quite made my mind up to do so.

I'm still pre-surgery, and I'm not scheduled yet but hope to have the surgery in late spring or early summer. Why do I want to do it? My husband and I and some of our friends love to travel, and it's hard for me to keep up when we're walking around a city all day - I end up with chronically sore hips, knees and ankles. I want to be truly comfortable on the airplane. I want to be able to just casually go into any clothing store instead of having to choose one with a decent plus size section. I am diabetic and have high cholesterol (both medicated) and I want to see a decrease or even a complete remission of both of those conditions. I want to feel good about going for an all-day hike instead of wearing out after three or four miles. I'm not looking for a miracle. I know there will be lots of work involved, too, and it won't be easy. But I need a tool to help me get started on the right track, and this is the tool I've chosen.

I'm nervous Seriously, it's not all that bad at this point - after all, I'm still at LEAST several weeks out, and I don't have a surgery date scheduled yet or insurance and financials finalized. I think that makes me more nervous in some ways than the surgery itself. How are you doing? Everything settling in well now that you're a few weeks out from your surgery, lrgandwrg? Since you had the same surgeon as I will have, anything I should know about?

My surgeon is Dr. Michaelson at Northwest Weight Loss in Everett, as well. I'm planning to do the deed in late spring/early summer at this point, although I'm wrapping up most of the pre-surgery requirements this month. Just need to deal with the financial side of it.

Hi, All - Sounds like a plan. I am still pre-sleeve, but will likely have my surgery in late spring or early summer.

I have to agree that I really like Dr. Michaelson and the staff at Northwest Weight Loss Surgery. Many of the people on staff have been through weight loss surgery themselves, so they are empathetic and understand on a real level what the mental, emotional and physical impacts are.

Have a great trip, Cinders!