terry1118

My surgeon won't remove my gallbladder at the same time as the gastric bypass. I know, I asked him. I'm worried about my gallbladder. I know I have gallstones and I had a bad attack last August. I don't want to go through anything like that again! It was my one and only attack, though.

This is the best answer, if you don't mind sharing the info. Or you could say "That subject is personal. My weight is not your concern and it doesn't affect my ability to do my job." There are laws that protect your right to privacy in the workplace. You don't need to share personal info and you don't need to take anyone's criticism of non work-related issues.

I never even considered my shoe size getting smaller! PLEASE don't tell me I'll need to buy all new shoes - I have so very many! Oh well, I guess it'll just be another excuse to go shoping...

I have two tweenie doxies that sleep with us at night. One is elderly and pretty calm - she sleeps at the foot of our bed. My Copper on the other hand is a restless sleeper and moves all around the bed, usually crawling across me or even settling onto me. When not sleepng ON me, he uses me as a pillow for his head. I plan to sleep in the spare room for a week or so. He'll be content with having my side of the bed and my pillow all to himself. lol

I'm a bank teller, which is pretty non-physical. But I do stand up all day so I'm worried about that. I'n not worried about pain so much. I had rotator cuff surgery four years ago. I went back after 1 1/2 weeks and worked one-armed for three months. I'm more worried about weakness from not eating so much in the beginning. Has anyone found that to be an issue? From reading your responses I'm leaning perhaps towards three weeks off. I'll have to play that one by ear.

April workshops are full with no backouts. May it is. My team is wonderful and are trying to get ins. preapproval now so I can get a surgery date within a day or two of completing my last workshop on May 21. Crossing my fingers...

I just finished all my requirements except for workshops. My program requires three educational workshops before surgery. The April ones were full so I'm scheduled for May 7, 14, and 21. My coordinator is going to try to get preapproval so the surgery can be scheduled imediately following the last workshop. My surgeon does surgery on Wed and Thurs so we're shooting for May 22 or 23. I'm crossing my fingers...

LOL

It's not a good feeling to have to buy things with the only criteria that THEY FIT. I want to buy something because I LOVE it and I want to pass on things that just FIT. Such freedom! Plus size clothes have never fit me right being so short (4"11" or 5" - depends on who's measuring ). Everthing is too long and the waist and/or bust falls too low. There doesn't seem to be a true petite in plus. You start to pretend that you don't really care how you look (but inside you really do), you bury the embarrassment deep inside, and avoid social situations that most people dress up for. My daughters are both in serious relationships and may marry someday soon. I want a pretty mother-of-the-bride dress... and I don't want to look like a "weeble" in wedding photos. So I look and daydream... and it renews my resolve to do this right.

Ditto! Someday...

You are so young! Congratulations on making a choice to live a healthier happier life. My daughter has a friend who is around your age who had RNY last year and she lost over a hundred pounds. She has been encouraging me and is an inspiration. You have so much to live for and so many years ahead of you that you will be able enjoy to the fullest. Nervousness is normal. You'll get through it and it will be worth it...

Just looking, not buying. Looking and imagining. For me it's a great incentive to keep me on track with the better choices I've been trying to make pre-surgery. My dietician wants me to implement a lot of the food choices and eating habits now that will be necessary after surgery. Higher Protein choices, fruits and veggies, smart Snacks, chewing slowly and thoroughly, sipping fluids all day, and Vitamins. I am doing all that but sometimes it's hard and looking at clothes inspires me. I do not have unreasonable expectations. I want to be healthy, feel good, and enjoy life. If I can indulge in buying pretty things someday that is only a bonus, not a goal.

I bought Flintstones Complete from Walmart. Last week CVS had "buy one get one free" on Nature Made vitamins. I bought out all the B-12 Sublingual from three local CVS stores. I found the Celebrate Calcium Citrate with vitamin D chewables at Faunce Corner Nutrition in North Dartmouth MA,(which they had in several flavors). They have a fair selection of bariatric products in addition to workout and diet suppliments. They also have unflavored whey protein isolate that I want to try adding to soups after surgery. They do online sales too.

Workshops are full and everyone paid on time. I'm so disappointed! I'm in the next set of workshops but they don't begin until May 7 and end on May 21. I probably won't get a surgery date until sometime in late May or early June, and that's only if I get insurance approval quickly. That timing is right smack in the beginning of of our conversion training at work. :( I am going to be on a few you-know-what lists... Does anyone know at what point they submit to insurance for pre-approval? I have an appointment tomorrow and I'll be asking that question then.

I've never had a snowsuit but a warm cozy coat that I can button would be nice. I couldn't button any of my coats this winter so I was forced to buy this hideous plaid thing that my husband calls my "Lumberjack" coat. It was actually sort of stylish but the look was wasted on a very short heavy person. I'm looking forward to being comfortable in the summertime. Maybe it won't be this summer but definately next summer. You should be able to find a great deal on a snowsuit now that winter is over. Buy yourself one and make it your goal to wear it someday! Enjoy the anticipation.

I had my Pulminary appt today and recieved my medical clearance. Holding my breath on the workshops... they should let me know tomorrow if I'm in.

I went to the seminar Feb 13 and so far I've had my first surgeon's appt, two psych appts, one dietition apt, first half of stress test, all my labs, x-ray,and EKG. Friday I have my pulminary appt and next week I have my second dietitian appt and second half of my stress test. Then my second surgeon appt on April 10. The workshops are full but one person still hasn't paid - if they don't pay by Friday I'm in. If they do I have to wait to do my workshops in May. That would be terrible and set me back a whole month... I'm stressing about it. I REALLY want to get this done soon.

Me too. I got the call last Friday. They want my Primary care dr to treat it. I'm seeing him Saturday but picked up some D in the meantime. I was diagnosed with D deficiency two years ago, too. The teatment is fairly simple... Prescription for a week or so and admonition to keep taking your vitamins. Also, sitting in the sunshine is supposed to help. I hope it's warm after my surgery. I plan to spend my recovery time reading on the deck and walking with my fat little dachshund (he needs some exercise, too).

I'm stocking up on all the Vitamins and Protein I'll need for a few months. My local Bariatric Supply store has unflavored whey protein that I can mix into Soups and yogurt. I'm going to buy a small bottle of that and maybe a vanilla one to mix into pudding and yogurt. Be careful not to buy too much of any one food. I was told that tastes change after your surgery and what you like now you may not like then. Get a variety of things in smaller amounts to try to see what is best for you. Try an Herbal tea variety pack to see what you like. I bought small comtainers to measure out small portions of food that I can grab quickly. They say small plates and utensils are helpful for eating slowly when you are on solids. sugar-free popsicles have flavor and can help keep you hydrated. I am going to buy a Nutribullit to make shakes and puree foods (if it does that). Have loose comfortable clothing, as your abdomin will be tender for a little while. The tips above are all things I read about and am doing myself but of course I am NOT the voice of expreience. You started the same time I did and you already have your date! I am envious! Good luck to you!

The workshops for April are full. My only hope of getting in is if someone backs out or doesn't come up with the money. Otherwise I'm not getting in till May and they won't submit to insurance till workshops are done. After that I get a surgery date. So PLEASE PLEASE I hope I get in the April workshops. May is so far away and then it may mean a June surgery date... that would be terrible timing.

Thanks. Today was only the imaging and the appoinment was only one hour (they break it up - that's why two appointments). The real stress I feel is not coming from the many appointments and tests. It's coming from the fact that I want to have the surgery done and be back at work by June. We are doing a total system conversion in August and the training on it starts in June. I know they can't stop me from having surgery, but I don't want to miss training or inconvenience my coworkers in any way. And I am excited about learning something new.

I'm 53 and halfway through all my appoinments before getting my surgery date. I feel so old right now. I want to feel healthy and enjoy my empty nest years with my husband and future grandchildren. I have a stress test in two hours - and I am stressing about it.

I found out yesterday I am severely deficient in Vitamin D and have to go to my primary care physician to treat it (Yet ANOTHER Dr. appointment). I had the same problem two years ago. Also my liver results were questionable but I already knew this. My cholesterol meds are known to cause the problem so my endocrinologist took me off it a few weeks ago and is testing me every couple weeks to make sure levels go back to normal before changing my meds. Will this delay surgery? I'll be asking my coordinator Tuesday but I'm agonizing over it now. Also I'm REALLY worried about the stress test Tues. The appt is three hours long and involves a treadmill. My lower back hurts if I walk or if I am on my feet too long. I just want to fast-forward to surgery and GET IT DONE.

I was told coffee will irritate the stomach pouch but even worse is it's a dieuretic. You need to stay hydrated and caffiene interferes with that. I gave up caffiene several weeks ago, and it wasn't too bad aside from having headaches for a week. I was pleasantly surprised and very happy that I am sleeping way better now. Alcohol is also a dieuretic. It's very bad for your healing stomach. Wine is acidic and will irritate it. With your changed digestive system you will become intoxicated sooner, on less, and it stays in your system longer. I get very tipsy easily anyway and in my own experience, I eat more and have less self-control when I drink wine. Those two things could be very painful and maybe even dangerous after surgery. I believe it's best to follow your doctors instructions for success and to avoid problems.

I have been researching the options for months. I noticed that there seem to be quite a few people who initially have the sleeve but later convert to the bypass. My supervisor at work had the Lapband three years ago. He has lost 140 lbs, and looks great but he's always throwing up and generally not feeling well. He gets something he calls "slime hiccups" that make him uncomfortable all the time, too. My friend's surgeon told her that women do better with the bypass that the sleeve but I don't know why or if it's true. At the informational seminar they said that the results were better with the bypass. But finally, my deciding factor was the port. The thought of having a port really was an unpleasant thought for me personaly.