RockyRitz

I am 13 days post-op. My recovery was easy! Everyone is different but I felt back to normal pretty much by day 3, walking 3 miles, traveling, etc. I had zero pain from the actual surgery, only gas pain in shoulders the first few days post-op. I'm also sleeping better than I have in years and my acid reflux is gone thanks to my surgeon repairing a hiatal hernia during surgery. Getting the sleeve has already shown to be a good choice in ways I didn't expect. Good luck!

It is. I left a five-year position at a fortune 500 company to do it and I am happy. I meet some interesting people for sure, from cancer survivors to prize fighters to housewives. It's great!

I'm a professional tattoo artist in Southern California.

Good for you. My Doctor was mad that I made the decision without him but still helped me with everything I needed to get done pre-op. I am being sleeved by Dr. Umbach next Thursday (the 10th)!

I am not sleeved yet but I do have experience with extensions. I have had the best experience with clip-in extensions and feel less hair fall with them (probably because you don't sleep in them) Mine are natural hair and colored to match my own hair and only take minutes to put in. As far as helping prevent hair loss, fish oil can help. There's a brand called Barlean's that comes in liquid form and tastes good as well. Just remember any hair loss as a result of the surgery is not permanent. Also if you see your hair is starting to fall more than usual, try increasing your protein intake.

Riverside here and willing to meet up for a hike as well. My surgery will be Oct. 10th!

Good to know because I just ordered some yesterday. I will admit I do love my hair and will do whatever I can to prevent loss, however I want to be a healthy weight more. If someone told me I had to shave my head in-order to lose weight I'd grab the clippers faster than you can blink!

Someone told me fish oil helps and I did some research and it seems the omega-3 fatty acids may help with hair growth and reduce loss. Here is the recommended brand/type: Barlean's Organic Oils Omega Swirl Fish Oil, Lemon Zest, 16-Ounce Bottle http://amzn.com/B002VLZ8BW Can't hurt to try it right?

Oct 10th! I don't know what I'm going to do with all this excitement I have for the next 3 weeks.

Yay for you! Good luck!

Good tip on the omega fish oil. Everyone says to take Biotin but there seems to be some controversy about whether or not it helps with hair loss. Can't hurt to try both right?

My surgery is scheduled for 10/10 and I have been getting prepared by ordering product samples and trying them out. I started having a protein shake for breakfast and taking a chewable multivitamin a couple days ago. I think easing myself into everything prior to surgery will help with all the changes post-op.

If you are flying you will need a passport, if driving, there is a little more wiggle room.

I am so frustrated with my PCP right now. I am scheduled for surgery on Oct. 10th in Las Vegas (5 hrs away). I had my EKG and blood panels which came back normal except for elevated cholesterol. My surgeon needs the surgical clearance signed off by my PCP but my PCP won't sign without a Cardiac Clearance. FIne, I totally understand that. I ask him to refer me to a cardiologist so I can get the clearance and he said absolutely not and that I should do it in Las Vegas where I am having the surgery! What's the difference!? I'm irritated and upset and tired of seemingly unnecessary road bumps. I think anticipating this surgery is making me more emotional because I don't usually cry this easily. Has anyone else had issues with their PCP being not so helpful? I'm wondering if I should just go to a cardiologist on my own here and ignore my PCP about traveling to Vegas for it.

I'm sure it's typical protocol. I'm starting to think that my Doctor is mad that I made the decision to have WLS without him. I seriously can't understand why he wouldn't refer me to a cardiologist if his true issue was that I have a cardiac clearance first. I like my PCP so this is disheartening.

Have you been reading my email? Lol Thanks for your response. My surgeon's office wrote me back regarding this issue and they were surprised but did say the surgeon can go over my tests and clear me himself. Thank goodness! My PCP is afraid of being liable for anything even after he went down the list of how healthy I am. He was using the elevated cholesterol against me even though he said himself it's not high enough to put me on medication for. Oh well. So glad he is not the be-all-end-all.

If you go to BJsBariatrics.com you can get a sample pack. It comes with 11 packets and you get to choose the flavors. It cost me $14.95 and $4.52 shipping but they include a $5 coupon with the order. I ordered on friday and they came today!

I'm 5'8" and i feel I look best at 165-170.

If anyone's had surgery with Dr. Gonzales in Dallas I would really like to hear from you. I am currently in the stages of talking to his coordinator and I'm just about ready to book my surgery and would really like some patient feedback.

Quinn you are going to do great! You are a saint for cooking your hubby's dinner. I told my husband he is on his own the week before surgery!

Okay, so, I had an appointment with my PC Doctor yesterday and he really put my nerves at ease. He gave me the results of my EKG and said it was normal and all my labs are good except I have elevated cholesterol. He also told me he has many patients who have had weight loss surgery and they all have done quite well. We also discussed some other tests my sleeve surgeon wants and my doctor ordered those. He said I'll do great after surgery and that was good to hear. I was nervous he was going to be against the surgery for some reason and I'm more than happy that I was wrong. Now I'm just anxious and impatient which is the normal me lol. I also started a video blog so that I can talk about the surgery and my decision and just get things out since I haven't really been talking to anyone about it. Hope everyone is having a good Friday the 13th!