Buzzirk Barbie

We have a lot in common. The pain will get better. We have to remember we've had major surgery! I too am looking forward to being heathy, have an extremely supportive husband and I turned 60 on 2/8. Sleeved on Valentines Day. I will offer you the same birthday wish my son wrote in his birthday card to me... "Here's to believing that 60 will be even better than 50!" Hope I'm the first to say Happy 60th Birthday (in May)!

Bored with chocolate & vanilla? I sure am! I just made a chocolate Protein Shake but added a tablespoon of reduced fat Peanut Butter (8 g protein) before I blended it in my Ninja. Oh, yum!!! Can you say Reeses Peanut Butter Cup? Three weeks on "full liquids" plus 3 more to go! I have got to find some ways to dress these shakes up! Anyone else have some ideas to change up these chocolate & vanilla Protein Shakes? Has anyone tried a drop or two of peppermint oil? How about instant coffee for a mocha flavor?

I am not a medical professional, but I do consider myself a reasonable person with common sense. That being said... I have never heard of "blowing up" ones sleeve with the CPAP. I wore mine in the hospital and then at home. I know people can swallow air, but we inhale air (and exhale) ALL THE TIME and the CPAP is to keep those airways open! Can't imagine that much air would even travel as far as your stomach because your airways are directing to your lungs.

Just calculated my out of pocket expenses so far (original MD, RD, stress echo, endo/colo, sleep study & CPAP, psych eval, pre surgery fees to surgeon & hosp). I'm 8 days post-op and have shelled out $4489 so far. Thank God for my insurance! I can't imagine what it would be to have this done locally (NC, urban) without it! I am claiming it all on my taxes plus the mileage! Oh well, my weight has been an issue for 50 years, so I have probably spent that much or more on Weight Watchers (multiple times), Medifast, Phen-fen, Curves, Gold's gym, etc. (you get the idea)! I still have a gym membership, but now I have added the LAST tool that I'm going to use to conquer this problem, finally at age 60!

I had similar experience with pain. One of the nurses suggested I wasn't taking small enough sips. Also found a heating pad helped. You might ask if they have one. Hope it gets better soon, but it will get better!

I know that the manufacturers tell you not to, but I did it any way. I slept with a heating pad on low just slightly off center toward my right side. I called mine the "Thank-You-Jesus-Heating-Pad". I had it on my incisions all the time (even took it to the hospital with me) except for when I was walking. Finally was able to wean myself from in the middle of the 5th night. It really did help with sleeping.

My doctore instructed me to take Bariatric Advantage Chewable Multivitamin. They are loaded with B vitamins, especially B-12. I have the french vanilla flavor. Let's just say they are not the worst things I've tasted in the last 6 days and I take a sip of water after thoroughly chewling them!. I was also told that no pill could ever be bigger than a tic-tac, so the MD gave me permission to take my slow-release iron, stool softener, and to cut my calcium into tic-tac size pieces. My blood pressure pill (hoping to get off this soon) is smaller than a tic-tac, so I take that, too. I'm 6 days out and have had no repercutions. If they are gross, I'd talk to the doctor about alternatives (chewable?). Bariatric Advantage has a bunch of different ones, such as calcium, too. And I just saw on TV recently that Nature's Made is advertising a whole line of "Vitamelts", too. By the way, I have no vested interest or monetary interest in any of these products! Just giving you another perspective.

Good one! Wish I'd thought of that one before I told people! I had to tell my close colleagues; they were very concerned because I had to take off for many of the pre-surgery appointments. Even though I asked them not to discuss this with anyone else, it leaked out at work (I am a high school teacher). So far some people have approached me and have been very supportive. I must say that I am most disappointed in my best friend who took it upon herself to tell my other friends. I would have preferred to have been included in that conversation rather than the clucking that went on without my presence. Frankly, I'm upset that she took away my control of my health information...and she's a nurse! But rest assured, after I have calmed down about this, I will have that conversation with her!

Thanks for the info. Originally I was shocked, but after posting & going back over some previous comments, I'm feeling more encouraged!

Wow! I'm impressed your going back to teach so soon! I too, was sleeved on the 14th & teach HS science but I'm staying out until 3/4. However, prepping for 2+ weeks of lessons was was way worse than anything I've had to go through with this process so far! Good luck!

Sleeved on Valentines Day. Came home from hospital on day 4. Stepped on scale to monitor progress...I was up 14 pounds after being down by 27 on day of surgery! What the heck...? Today I was down 5 of the 14. I had IV's while in the hospital and could understand a little water weight gain, but 14 pounds? Anyone have a similar experience or any answers?

I am on day 11 of pre-op full liquids. I, too, am relying mainly on protein shakes, at work (I'm a teacher) but when I get home from work, I mix Jarrow's unflavored protein (Amazon.com) with unheated Progresso Basil Tomato soup in a shaker then heat it up. In my opinion, It does not affect the flavor. I really enjoy it. I finish my evening with 1 or 2 sugar free popsicles (Walmart) which are delicious...lots of great flavors. I tend to chew them which satisfies my urge to have something to chew something crunchy. The 1st weekend was a little challenging, being at home more. But,since I started the pre-op phase, I've lost an additional 8 pounds. That has helped me stay on the straight & narrow. I am soooo ready for this surgery which will be on Valentines Day. Hang in there! It has seemed to get easier!