pookybear

Good for you!! I tell people too, I'm happy about my decision and I want to share it

Hi all, I'm in the RNY program right now. Just finished my classes today and have just one more appointment to go and they'll be submitting me for approval after the first of the year. It's been a very long, very emotional process...in more ways than one. I actually tried to have the surgery back in 2010 and went through the entire program but couldn't get the insurance approval. I'm hoping I can find lots of support on here, because with my work schedule I don't think I'll be able to make many meetings. And I've already had to end one friendship partly because of the surgery (but that's a story for another day). I've been big all my life, so I have no idea what to expect as I lose weight. I'm also trying to lose another 13 pounds before surgery. Nice to cyber-meet you all!

Which ones are best tolerated after surgery? I bought the unflavored pills that you have to swallow because I don't know which flavored I'll like after surgery. But now I'm wondering if I'll even be able to swallow the whole pills.

Dr Cudjo?? Hmm I'm not sure I'd trust someone with a name like that LOL

Just left my preop. Lost another 2 pounds, so that's 11 of the 19 pounds he wants me to lose. He said he won't cancel me over the 8 pounds. If I gain anything he WILL cancel, so I have to keep at it and at least maintain what I've lost! So relieved!

Think I might see if they'll let me exchange the hard pills for the chewable ones. They're huge and I'm not sure I will be able to tolerate them.

That is so convenient!

If you're having surgery in March you should be fine to travel in June. Just make sure you go prepared with whatever types of foods you'll need at that stage, and bring bottled water! Don't necessarily trust what they tell you over the phone, get the policy in writing. You can get it online or you should be able to find it in your handbook if you have one.

How much time do you need to take off? I'm only taking a week and a half. That'll use up my vacation time and one sick day, and I'll have the rest of my sick time in case something happens. August isn't too far away anyway. Don't give up, you can stay in the program and continue with follow ups until you can get the time off. I know how you feel, this is my second time going through this whole process. I could've had it done in October of last year if I had had the vacation time available but I had to wait till this year. You can do it!!

Phentermine causes mood swings. I'm already prone to mood swings to begin with, so I'm making sure to carefully monitor myself. I started a liquid diet today and had only a protein shake for breakfast and one for lunch. When I left work I drove to the grocery store (30 mins away from work) only to find I left my purse in my desk. Talk about temper tantrum! Holy cow! Thankfully my boyfriend is an absolute genius when It comes to calming me down and making me feel better. Made me realize maybe at least part of it had to do with the fact that I hadn't eaten anything solid in at least 24 hours. Once I ate I really felt so much better and now can actually think straight again. I'm thinking maybe the combination of the two just isn't a good idea. At least not without snacks in between. Maybe tomorrow I'll try it with some fat free unflavored popcorn as a snack.

It depends on the doctor and the program requirements.

I'm thinking this week I might start a pre-op liquid diet. It's not required by my surgeon or insurance, but I don't want to take the chance of my surgeon postponing or canceling my surgery because I didn't lose all 20 pounds. I think I'm going to do 2 protein shakes and tomato soup for meals. For snacks I'll have SF jello, SF pudding, and apples or berries. I'm going to do it as long and as often as I can, maybe allow myself one or two full meals a week on the weekends. I still have 11 pounds to lose before the 27th. I'm nervous that I won't be able to stick with it.

Yes, and yes. I was put on the Phentermine because I was having trouble losing the 20lbs I need for surgery. The liquid diet isn't a requirement of my program, but it seems to work well for so many people that I thought I'dtry it.

How long should I take to wean myself off coffee before surgery? I don't want to give it up too soon!

What kind of water are you drinking? Is it distilled, filtered, or spring? There is a difference, especially for post op bypass. You definitely do not want to drink distilled. Filtered isn't that good either. The best thing is spring water. If you're drinking distilled/purified water, that may be the problem.

My surgery will be on Wednesday 2/27. I'll take the remainder of that week and the next. As long as everything goes good I'll be returning to work on 3/11. I have a desk job as well.

- try yoga - cross my legs - go to the movies without being nervous about the seats - go ANYWHERE without being nervous about the seats - buy cute clothes - try other...*ahem...things, in the bedroom - buy sexy lingerie - go to Fenway Park or a concert and have no worries about stairs or seats - participate in classes at the gym - wear a studded belt (always wanted one) - go to Six Flags or Canobie Lake Park - not feel like everyone is looking at me as the 'fat girl' everywhere I go!!!!!!!

Just wondering, have you talked to your doctor about it? You might want to have them check your vitamin levels, especially your vitamin D. Vitamins A, C, and E can also affect eyesight.

The day before surgery I'm only supposed to eat light foods after 12pm, and just clear liquids I think after 5.

You know, the chafing you get with the loose skin.... Right now I use Lavender Twist from Athena's, which works AWESOME, but my uncle is 4 years post op and he gets a prescription cream (BETAMETHASONE DIPROPIONATE CREAM 0.05%) Anything else work?

Thanks, that's what I'm trying to do. It's hard because its my momma :-/ I guess I feel like she's always lonely because my step dad is gone. She seems ok, but I know it's been hard on her. She's in the program too, though it was her doctors choice and not hers. So I'm not yet convinced she's going to go through with it.

I wouldn't think heat effects protein, you have to heat eggs and chicken. I just did a quick web search and couldn't find anything saying heat would effect it. More reason to drink my coffee after surgery! Lol

Right now I just have the Body Fortress protein from Walmart. I hope I like it after surgery because its cheap lol

Nope he just wants me down to a certain weight by my surgery date. I wonder why you can't have tomato soups or fruit?