SugarFreeMe

I take meds for thyroid, allergies, high blood pressure - I've taken them since surgery but i I have to crush them. I wash them down with juice to get rid of the taste.

My eval was a while ago, but while I was answering the true/false portion of the test he walked into the room I was in without knocking and caught me laughing. I turned around as he entered and said "This is hysterical, who writes these questions?" He laughed back and said "You pass, your definitely normal". Talk about relaxing the whole process. From there it was a breeze.

Congratulations. Make sure to have your sf Jello and popsicles. I became a huge fan of decaf tea. I had problems the first week or so drinking cold liquids, especially first thing in the am. Make sure to have gas-x strips and miralax. I had 3 full weeks off work and then worked one extra week only 1/2 days. Depending on what you do you should be fine with 3 weeks, I took extra time because I could, not that I needed too. Don't take too much with you to the hospital, you won't need that much. You only really need: Robe (but you can use the hospital gowns), slippers (but the hospital gives you tooties), tooth brush, tooth paste, ear plugs, chapstick, brush, hair clips if you have long hair, face cleaning wipes, body and face lotion and your cell charger if your taking that with you. I wore the same cloths home that I wore there. When your not sleeping your either sitting up watching tv or out walking the halls. If your a reader you may want to bring a book or magazine. I took way more and never took it out of my bag. Best wishes for an uneventful procedure and a speedy recover.

Love your post and find myself thinking about my own loses and gains. My surgery was the 19th of March and I've also lost diabetes and high cholesterol in additional to 27 lbs. Hoping to loose the high blood pressure soon. I can now wear my original pants, but the muffin top is gone. I'm eating food that requires chewing and has taste, good taste. Life is good.......

The pre-op diet is tough for the first 3 or 4 days, then it's way easier. Hang tight, we've all been there and got thru it. You ARE strong and you CAN do this.

hair loss is a result of Vitamins deficiencies. My surgeon said most wls patients will experience it. I've hear that 7 months is generally the start time. I'm already taking Biotin to help with that, I'm 3 weeks post-op. It helped when I went thru menopause to stop the loss and my surgeon and PCP both recommend it.

I wouldn't worry too much about sleep right now, you'll get plenty in the days to come. Make sure your bag is packed (Don't take too much, you won't need it) and make sure you have what you'll need when you get home. Make sure whoever is going with you has a list of everyone who needs to be contacted post-op. My hubby sent a mass text so it was easier for him. Things you need to take: Toothbrush, toothpaste, lotion, face cleaner, chapstick/lip balm, cell phone, cell phone charger, ear plugs, hair brush and hair clips if you have longer hair. You can take a robe or you can use the hospitals. You can take slippers or use the footies the hospital has. I wore the same clothes home that I wore there. (sweat shirt and sweat pants, socks and tennis shoes). Really, that's all I needed. I took way more and never even took it out of the bag. Things to have at home: liquid Tylenol, SF Jello, SF pop-cycles, broth, liquid multi-Vitamin, measuring cups (Small). After the first week your diet may change depending on your plan but it's not something you need to worry about right now. Above all else, remember to stay positive and know that this isn't easy but being 3 weeks out I can tell you it's all worth it. The first week is tough, but it gets better every day. Keep us posted on your surgery and progress. Best to you all tomorrow.

Congratulations to you both on your surgeries tomorrow. Your procedures will be over before you know it and you'll be on your way to a new healthier future.

I find that if I suck on the gummies for a while they get softer and mushier, then I chew, chew, chew. So far, not a problem. Thanks for the heads-up. Hope your feeling better

Hi there - Congratulations on your approval. BCBS was really quick for me. Also, because Dr Guske and his group know what they're doing I think the process is even quicker for them. He did tell me that his insurance coordinators are very familiar with the employees at BCBS so submissions were almost always approved. My surgery on the 18th of March went pretty good. I had a few complications, but nothing very serious. They found a Haital hernia that needed repair, not a biggie but something else to heal from. The main complication was that my body doesn't like anethesia (I'm very sensitive to it) so what happened was that my intestines and bowels essentially "slept" for a couple days following surgery. It was very uncomfortable because I wasn't passing all the gas they fill you up with. Instead of coming home Thursday morning I had to stay until Friday night. Not a huge deal and not something that would have caused me to cancel had they said it would happen. I'm now on soft food. After being on liquids and pureed since the 3rd of March, chewing is awesome. Since my pre-op diet until today I've lost 27 lbs. It's truly amazing. Let me know when you get your date, I'd love to be able to support you and share whatever I can about my progress to help you with yours if I can.

I too have to take my meds crushed and it's awful. I take them all at once a day so I don't have to do it repeatedly throughout the day. When I take them I make sure I have a flavored beverage to drink to wash them down. It helps to get the nasty flavor out. Either that or I take them and eat a spoonful or two of Jello. You can also try hot tea. I still can't do really cold Water it has to be room temp water. It's nasty no matter what you do, but I need my meds so......

Do any of your incisions look suspect, red, swollen, hot or leaky? I had RNY, so different surgery, but still I don't believe you should have a fever of any kind. I'd call your surgeons office. I know they won't be there, but the answering service will place a call to the the "on-call" surgeon and they can direct you better then anyone on here can/should. Don't wait too long, you don't want to end up in the hospital with a serious infection.

I was on Clear liquids the first week, pureed for week 2 (strained cream Soups, refried Beans, blended cottage cheese) and now week 3 I'm on soft foods (ground chicken, scrambled eggs, greek yogurt with fruit). Did your surgeon provide a schedule as to when you can advance your intake? You really need to verify with them as to what you can have. Everyone surgeon has a different plan so what mine recommends may not be the same as yours - sorry. I'd call them tomorrow and let them know you think your ready to move on to something more substantial. Good luck.

Chewing never felt so good. I had a scrambled egg with a bit of melted cheddar and a topped that with a mild salsa. Yum.

I've heard that stalls happen to many at weeks 3 and or 4. I'm guessing your body is just adjusting, hang tight and keep working your program.

Knowledge is understanding. If you care to continue your relationship with this person maybe you could/should educate him/her on the hardships you would have been facing without taking such a drastic step. Point out all the things you learned about the benefits of WLS. Share your triumphs, things like not having to take certain meds. anymore, not being judged or other things that have happened to you that have enriched your life. If this person looked up to you as the post suggests maybe a simple explanation is all that's needed. May because you didn't have a one on one conversation about it there are hurt feelings. We all knew going in that not everyone was going to be a fan. Those that know I had my surgery were told about it by me with the understanding that I was telling them because I needed and wanted their support. Good Luck

Misty, my heart breaks for you. Between Feb-2010 and Jan-2013 I lost my dad, step-mom, brother-in-law, brother, mom and step-dad. Everything from heart disease, cancer, pneumonia and suicide. It was a really rough time and I even though some of the passing's were imminent and we had time to try to come to grips with them, they still hurt deep. I don't think any amount of time to try to come to terms with the situation truly prepares you. Just know that we're all here for you to support, console and help in any way we can. Be strong, but don't be afraid to ask for help. You're in my thought and prayers and I hope from the bottom of my heart that your mom's passing is peaceful, quiet and pain free. Hugs to you.

I'm 2 weeks out and can't do cold Water. Weird because cold Jello is fine. Strange..........

The first 3 days are really the worst ladies. Tired, head-achy and crabby. It really does get easier. Just keep reminding yourself that these few days of struggle end in so many more years of healthy lives. It's so worth it.

Went to my 2 week post-op today. Down 22 lbs since I started the liquid meal replacement before surgery. Who ever would have thought it was possible to loose 22 pounds in 4 weeks. And, the kicker is I know it will stay off this time. I've been eating things like cream of chicken, cream of mushroom and cream of celery. The tomato didn't sit to well, it didn't make me sick, I could just tell my new tummy didn't like it. Also having blended cottage cheese, refried beans and cream of wheat. I try to add unflavored protein to everything so I'm sure to get it all in, whey protein isolate seems to be one that works best because it mixes well with creamy things. I add my chocolate protein to regular cream of wheat, it's pretty good. This weekend I get to start soft foods, scrambled eggs, fish and chicken as long as it's very tender. I'm really excited about that. So far I've been adding one new food a day so see how it's tolerated which seems to be working. Glad to see everyone is doing so well. Being on this side of the whole journey is so much easier and less scary. Best of luck to everyone. Cheers to us all.

Here's what I can tell you. Does the 2 week liquid diet stink, yep especially the first 3 days. You'll get a headache and feel overall sluggish and tired., but you'll get past that. I don't know what your restrictions are, but I was allowed to add fresh fruits, Peanut Butter, yogurt and other things to my shakes to help with the flavor and to stave off boredom. Don't be afraid to do this, the variety is what got me thru it. My surgeon prefers Bariatric Advantage, so I used that one. I wouldn't suggest buying too much of any specific type of shake yet, afterwards your tastes are different so what works now may not work later. I got lots of samples and I'm trying them now, post-op. Some are good, some not so good. Everyone raves about the unjury chicken Soup - It was by far the worst thing I've ever tasted, but that's me. You can do this though. Before you know it your day will be here and you'll then be sitting on the losers bench. Best of luck.

I'm 12 days out and can't imaging going back tomorrow after 2 weeks. I'm scheduled for my post-op on Tuesday, hoping to get another week of full time off and then another working 1/2 days.

I chose RNY for many reasons including having Type 2 diabetes, high cholesterol and high blood pressure. Also I get bouts of reflux so it was really the only choice I had. Since my surgery on the 18th I've not taken a single med for the diabetes or the High cholesterol. Also my blood pressure is way down, that will be evaluated over time and I'm told eventually I'll probably be able to drop that med as well. (perhaps inside of 2 to 3 months). It's a decision that should be made with your medical support team, thou there are clear choices depending on your health. Good luck - keep us posted.

Welcome. My first seminar was late December, met with my surgeon on the 21 of January, had RNY surgery on the 18th of March. Pretty quick for me, I have BCBS-IL, they don't have the 6 month dietary requirement any more so it was shorter then some. Best of luck on your journey.

Welcome April. Keep walking no matter how uncomfortable it is, it does help. Every day you'll find that you can get a little bit more in. I'm 12 days out and can do upwards of 3 to 4oz, depending on the consistency. Welcome to the losers bench.