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If your ulcer is due to H. pylori, you can take a course of antibiotics to relieve the ulcer and prevent future ulcers. Did it years ago after multiple rounds of ulcers and haven't had one since.

Ok, so they asked--you don't have to agree. Say NO, too much already scheduled around this. They'll sort it out. I had a call Friday from my surgeon's office for a different surgery, asking to change my date. I said No, my plans are set. They said okay and got my pre-op tests schedule so now my date is fixed right where I want it. Not a big deal.

MzShay, looks like you've got the wrong end of the stick. The reason you don't have much energy is that you are not eating well. Too little Protein and Water, too few calories and your body thinks you are starving it, so it begins slowing and shutting down to conserve. Time to get back on track and eat right!

Same thing here. Upping my walking program to get the scale moving again.

Haven't had either, so I can't comment on that. However, I wonder why you are using large amounts of sweetener. That doesn't sound like part of a healthy eating plan.

I, too, was concerned about the lack of long term data on the sleeve. In the end, I wanted the tried and true, gold standard of weight loss surgery that offered me the very best chance of success. I only get one shot at WLS and I wanted the best. Now I feel like I've won the lottery and am very happy with my decision!

Ask your doctor why you should do this, mention that others do not have the restriction, and see if you get a reasonably satisfactory response. I was given my daily meds in the hospital, starting the day after surgery. For one larger pill, I was given two smaller capsules that added up the same dose but told I could go back to my normal pills when I got home. I was just instructed to take them one at a time, about 15 minutes apart with a little bit of Water. Haven't had any problems doing this.

Strictures are not uncommon. Search the word for more posts on this subject here. Call your doctor first thing Monday. You need to get this taken care of ASAP. Good luck!

You Look Amazing is a compliment, not a judgment. You'll get used to compliments eventually. Just smile, say thanks and move on! :-)

My program won't allow any salad for at least 6 months. I can eat small amounts of pretty much everything by 4 months though. Diversify your diet to get better nutrition. Contact your Nut for suggested foods. Check Eggface's blog for great recipes. Don't be scared to eat--just chew thoroughly and eat very small amounts at a time with adequate time in between and you'll see there is nothing to fear.

To the best of my knowledge, Voltaren gel is available by prescription only. Mine was prescribed by a pain management specialist. The generic is diclofenac sodium. I need to have both shoulders replaced due to severe arthritis, but I can't think or work while taking Vicodin, but using Voltaren gel gets me through most days until I can have my first shoulder replacement in late October.

I can't address the migraine problem, but getting to a normal weight is surely going to make things easier for your heart and lungs to function. If you look at the stats for women's heart disease, that alone should be a motivator to get to a healthy weight. Bypass may cure your sleep apnea and it will definitely take a load off your joints reducing chance of arthritis and other problems. The profound sense of control you gain over your body is likely to give you a huge boost in fighting depression. I am thrilled at how well the bypass is working for me in those regards!

You might give your location and ask if anyone nearby has a PCP they can recommend. My family practitioner is a gem and really went to bat for me when I was initially denied by the insurance company. I've been seeing her for 15+ years and she is truly a partner in caring for my health.

Sorry that their self-interest exceeds their support and concern for you. I would just say, "Thanks, I've made my decision." Period. Then make yourself scarce. People can't argue with you if you won't engage or be baited. I don't think that I'd deny it because the lie will soon become obvious. If you are old enough to sign the surgery forms and pay for it, you are old enough to make decisions for your own health. Good for you for taking control of your health and your life. Meeting your nutritional requirements after surgery is not easy, but it beats lugging around all those pounds and developing a list of other problems. I hope you will be as thrilled with the results as I am with mine! The statement that kills me is that the surgery is unnatural. Well, so are penicillin, the polio vaccine, coronary bypasses, appendix removals, etc., but they save millions of lives each year! Duh.

Before you consider getting back on sodas, do some online research into the recent scientific studies on what soda does to our bodies--both regular and diet types. I think you'll be dismayed by the findings. It won't kill you, but soda affects not only our weight, but also chemically affects our organs and our brains. And as you can tell from your cravings, it also has addictive properties. Having this surgery is really about taking back control of your body and what you put into it. I find that profoundly empowering and life changing. Why would anyone want to give up that sense of control to have fizzy flavored Water?

I think the better question would be if there was any one who DIDN'T have 2nd thoughts. This is major surgery. You can read hundreds of posts on this issue in the archives. But on the other hand, your risks of not being there for your kids are much higher if you are obese, especially if you have co-morbidities, than if you have the surgery. Not only will you be there for them if you use this tool, you'll be able to play with them, keep track of them as teenagers, dance like crazy at their weddings and have engery to babysit your grandkids. Certainly that is worth a few weeks of down time?

Voltaren may be on the list, but Voltaren GEL is a topical NSAID which does not affect the stomach. According to my doctors, the gel is safe to use post op. I use it daily without problems.

Vicodin contains a combination of acetaminophen (tylenol) and hydrocodone. Both medicines are pain killers. Hydrocodone is an opioid pain medication. Always good to check with your doctor to see if it is right for you. However, I am still allowed to take vicodin for my arthritis pain.

Seems like most insurers respond in about 2 weeks. Relax.

Temperature does not matter, at least to me. I have a lot of my drinks with ice to improve taste. I even make my protein drinks in the blender with ice rather than water. You just have to experiment to see what works for you. Good luck for your surgery and erecovery.

Good for you!! You have to be your own advocate and not rely solely on the staffers.

A friend of mine once said that she would gladly risk living a few years less in exchange for the good quality of life that she found by taking an anti-depressant med.

Talk to your doctor about your depression. Some meds for a few months, perhaps some therapy, would probably be a great help to get you through this difficult time.

I had morphine the day after surgery, but no pain meds were needed after that. My abdomen was a wee bit tender the first week, but I was careful not to bump it and sometimes wore the abdominal binder for support. That was all. Resumed working in my home office one week post op. Just have made time for lunch time naps and gone to bed early most nights to give my body time to rest and heal. Pleasantly surprised to be doing so well! I'm much more worried about my upcoming shoulder replacement!

Like you, I had a great surgeon but the office was largely staffed with incompetent idiots, many of whom did not return phone calls. I took my problem to the surgeon's office manager. Had she not returned my phone call and fixed the problem immediately, I would have camped out in her office until she saw me and together we walked my file through her bleepin' office to get things done right. I also faxed a letter to my surgeon summarizing the difficulties I was experiencing with his staff. There was one really serious staff error that caused the insurance co. to deny my surgery. I took that matter to the Chief Operating Officer of the hospital that runs the Obesity Center. I would make an appt with the insurance processors at the surgeon's office and demand that they show you the file that was submitted to the insurance company and give you a copy of it. While you are there, have them make a conference call with the insurance co and right then and there have it sorted out as to exactly whom to send a copy to in order to resubmit. If they are going to fax it, sit there and wait until you see them do it. Call the insurance company staffer an hour later to make sure it was received. Repeat as necessary. Sometimes you have to take matters in your own hands and be your own advocate.