Chele H

My surgeon requires his patients to attend his informational seminar. Google bariatric surgeons in your area. Most of them have free seminars. I attended 3, listened to 3 different surgeons and picked one. Went to my consult with a list of questions: complications, recovery time, how many surgeries has he performed, etc. Also, I chose a surgeon and hospital that was bariatric center of excellence. There are risks with all surgeries. If you read this forum and others you will learn a lot. I am 16 months post op and have not regretted one day. I battled some acid reflux but once I educated myself on PPI's and the way the body becomes dependent on them I weened myself off them and take Zantac every day to protect my stomach. Research, attend a few seminars and make the decision that is best for you. Good luck!

Try some Vitamin Water Zero or G2....it will help with your electrolytes.

It is also delicious sauteed in a little butter with parmesan cheese sprinkled on top as a side dish. I also use it as a rice replacement if I make stir fry.

I was told one month. I mixed mine with sugar free pudding.

Are you taking an acid reducer? Sometimes acid can mimic hunger. Are you drinking enough water? Once you move to solid, dense protein you should stay full longer as long as you don't drink too soon after eating.

My chest xray showed spots, sent for CT.....nodules that have not grown and are stable. My surgery was not cancelled because of it.

The Kirkland brand calcium chews are calcium carbonate, bariatric patients need calcium citrate....that is what I was told.

Even before surgery I could never take any Vitamin on an empty stomach, always made me sick. I take my Vitamins with my morning Protein drink after I have had a few sips. I would say lesson learned and go back to taking them with your Protein Drink.

I took two weeks off. I have read on here that many people go back in a week. I was too tired, I think it is the way my body reacts to anesthesia. This was not my first surgery so it has happened before. I didn't have much pain or discomfort but I felt I needed a nap every day plus I wanted to be able to be on pureed foods before I went back to work so I could bring yogurt or cottage cheese.

I did.....not sure if the pain would be much different without the hiatal hernia repair. When I woke up I had stomach spasms, not so much pain. I don't really remember any unbearable pain. I stayed overnight in the hospital and had the best nurses who were very efficient and timely with pain and anti nausea meds. I never had any nausea but I took the meds on schedule just to be safe. I had my surgery at 7 a.m. I felt tired and crappy for most of the day but by around midnight I was walking the halls of the hospital. The only pain I had was from the largest incision which was uncomfortable for a week or two. I wish you the best of luck.

Nothing, not a thing....sleeve of steel

Your health and recovery are much more important. A good friend will understand and take a raincheck. Maybe not for the concert but definitely for dinner. I would say in advance "I know we have plans for the concert and dinner but this is the only time I can schedule this surgery. I have all intentions of keeping our date but I hope you understand if I am not up to it when the time comes, I will keep you posted on my recovery. Please keep me in your prayers and postive thoughts"

I guess it all depends on how your body reacts to surgery. I had breast reduction 6 years ago. I definitely could not go to concert at 5 days out, all I wanted to do is sleep. I felt the same way after my VSG. Could be my body's reaction to anesthesia. Hopefully yourr reaction is better. I read posts on here about people going to the mall 3 or 4 days after VSG or RNY and couldn't do that. How quickly did you good after your WLS? I had very little pain with the breast reduction so that was not an issue. I did have swelling which was uncomfortable but not painful. Maybe if you do nothing else all day except the concert you will be ok. Good luck, I hope you get to go to the concert.

How about ice packs instead of heat? My largest incision burned for a few weeks. I found if I wore a spanx like garment it helped. Hope you feel better soon.

If it is excess skin I am not sure anything will help except plastic surgery. Have you tried a personal trainer? Most gyms give you a free assessment with a trainer. Maybe you can get an idea of what type of specific exercise you need for that area. Congrats on your weight loss....you are doing great!

I had a wedding smack dab in the middle of my two week pre op diet. I went to the wedding, enjoyed the food and started right back on liquids the next day.

I used Premier Protein ready made shakes, I liked them. I recommend G2 or Vitamn Water Zero to keep your electrolytes in balance. It helped with hydration, headaches and the light headedness. Good luck!

It was on my list of foods post op

Drink some G2 or Vitamin Water Zero....it will help with your electrolytes. And I agree with the others who suggest Premier Protein...more protein, less carbs. Good luck

Old Navy carries tall in the store....probably not dress pants but they have nice khakis and great jeans

Are you eating a little something first? I absolutely can not take vitamins on an empty stomach. That being said, I take Nature Made multi vitamins with usually no issues.

Cheese sticks, half an apple w/peanut butter, beef jerky, almonds, greek yogurt

Calcet Creamy Bites from drugstore.com they come in chocolate or lemon. I did not like the lemon but the chocolate was ok. I switched to regular pills after a while because of the cost.

Didn't your surgeon's office give you a meameal/diet plan? I don't remember exactly but I had a packet with a list of food examples by the week. I think I went off purees after the 4th week but I would suggest you ask your doctor.

I am 4'10" my first weigh in with surgeon I was 200lbs with a BMI of 40 and was 189lbs the day of surgery on 7/22/13......124lbs with a BMI of about 26 this morning a little over 14 months post op. My surgeon said I could lose about 80 pounds, I am at 76 pounds from the first weigh in and very happy with what I see in the mirror. The first 50 pounds dropped off, the rest was slow and steady, I have lost only 5 pounds since May. But, the number on the scale is only one indicator of sucess because there were times I lost no weight but my clothes were getting too big.