Amyllf2

I'm 3 weeks pre-op and I've only told my kids, hubby, mother and 2 co-workers. I teach college so I need to make sure I have coverage should I need it. Otherwise I would not have told 1 of those co-workers. I think I'm telling both of my department heads that "I'm having surgery." Today I was asked to help coordinate senior night for my daughters lacrosse team. It's 18 days post-op. So my response was very generic- "I'm having some surgery on 4/15 but I can certainly help with everything but crawling up and down the bleachers." My challenge and big decision is going to come on 4/12. I will be a large group of people at my son's college for his spring football game. We will all be out at a buffet afterwards and I will be sitting their eating my Jello and broth since I will be on my clear liquid at that point. Obviously I have to tell them something, but I'm just not sure what it's going to be. I'm not embarrassed by the decision, but some of the people are not my close friends therefor it's a weird dynamic. I also want the focus to be on my son, not me.

I had my 2nd appointment with the nutritionist today. I addition to getting all my scripts for blood work and EKG, I received my information about supplements. I find this whole thing fascinating because based on my reading, people are told such different things. Here is mine info: 2 complete Multivitamins with Iron and minerals to be started as soon as I arrive home. Examples of adequate chewable multivitamins include: Centrum Chewable (do not take the "silver" version), Centrum Kid's Complete (any flavor or character is ok), Equate Children's Multivitamin Complete (found at Walmart) and Flinstones Complete. Do not take gummy bear or gumball Vitamins, they are typically inadequate. Examples of non-chewable multivitamins are Centrum Multivitamin/Mineral Supplement or most store brand multivitamin/mineral supplements equal of Centrum. Your choice should contain exactly 18mg Iron and 400mg Folic acid in each pill. liquid is also an option. 500 mg Vitamin B12 taken once a day as soon as you get home. Pill or sublingual, any brand is ok. Starting 1 month post-op 500-600mg Calcium citrate with D. Take 2 per day but at different times for a total of 1000-1200 mg. Examples of calcium citrate: Citracel or Wal-Mart/Store brand equivalent. You can get calcium citrate that will dissolve in fluids if you don't want to swallow whole. Chewable forms can be found on the internet or in some health food stores. Can I just tell you how excited I am that I don't have to buy expensive name brand stuff!!!

My favorite Youtuber is WestCoastRust. I have not watched all of her videos but I love what I have seen. She's a year post-op. Today I watched this great video. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uLSuqSPlIzI I also like Jen https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgIyD3AEWi3gN1a8BOyKh6w/feed LessofSarah is a really popular video blogger. She had VSG not an RNY, but a lot of people really love her. https://www.youtube.com/user/LessofSarah/featured

Share you favorite Internet blogger or video blogger. Have you found someone you love? Found a website with great information or advice? Have you started a blog or video blog? Do tell!

Jkppt- where do you live? I grew up in Beaver County. My mom currently lives in Hopewell. She had RNY in 2006 at one of the UMPC hospitals.

Cyndi my plan was also to have the sleeve. I didn't know about the heartburn issue until my surgeon brought it up. In my mind, it wasn't a big deal until my hubby commented on me eating tums like candy more often than not. I live in a NW Maryland suburb of Washington DC. I'm 48, married with 2 kids. My 20 year old is away at college and will pretty much stay there for the next few years. Don't get me wrong, I miss him, but I'm glad I don't have to feed him. He's a 6'6" 285 football player! He comes home for a week in May then moves into off campus housing. He will only visit me once that happens. My daughter is a 17 year old junior in high school. She lost 65 pounds in 2013. Right now she's struggling with the same 5 pounds over and over again. My change in eating habits will greatly benefit her, so she's now on board. At first she just didn't understand why I couldn't do it the way she did. (weight watchers) But even when she was heavy, she was very active. I'm not. My hubby will also benefit because he could use to lose about 50 pounds. So it's a win-win-win for our house. In July 2013, after having severe chest pains, it was discovered that I have a small blocked artery in the lower front section of my heart. It's 100% blocked which means they are not able to open it up using a stint. So it remains blocked forever. Since I'm 254 pounds, my heart has to work too hard which means I feel the affects of the missing oxygen. I take meds for that, cholesterol and high blood pressure. I am a part time college professor, trying very hard to land a full time gig!!

http://www.bariatricpal.com/groups/391-april-2014-rny-group/ April 2014 group. I built this today. I'm new so I'm not sure how it works but I did invite all the April 2014 people I could find. It's open to the public so anyone can join. I figured it's a good place for our group to support each other.

http://www.bariatricpal.com/groups/391-april-2014-rny-group/ April 2014 group. I built this today. I'm new so I'm not sure how it works but I did invite all the April 2014 people I could find. It's open to the public so anyone can join. I figured it's a good place for our group to support each other.

All you early April folks need to make sure you keep us updated!!! And those of us who are mid month need to do the same for those later in the month. I think it's going to be extremely helpful to have that kind of information.

I take heart, cholesterol and BP medicines. I've been told I will continue to take all of them for the first few months but will need to use a pill splitter. I was told the splitter will become my friend long term because I will always need to reduce the size of any pill I take. I've also been told I will never be able to use Advil, Motrin or Aleve. I believe that is RNY specific.

I too went in to my first appointment with the intension of having the sleeve. I wanted to avoid the malabsorption issue and just really didn't want to have my intestines rearranged. My surgeon said he will perform any of the surgeries as long as his patient is well informed. We discussed both the VSG and RNY. I left very confused. I am having RNY on 4/15. Why? For me it came down to 4 things. 1) Heartburn, which I have on occasion, which means the likelihood of having it long term and more severely is high with VSG. 2) long term outcome data. The RNY has decades of data and the VSG is the new kid on the block. 3) god forbid something happens and I need my original stomach restored. Not an option with VSG. 4) I'm a sugar addict and VSG would not restrict me from that problem. You will find fans of both procedures. People who swear by each. Only you can decide based on your research.

I had to take a few short written assessments. One was questions related to whether I understood what the surgery entailed and it's possible complications; one was about alcohol; one was about eating disorders. My appointment was only about 30 minutes.

Welcome! I'm scheduled for 4/15.

If you are looking for small containers look at baby food products. There is a huge portion of the world who make their own baby food and use glass or plastic containers. Many are 2,3 or 4 ounces. I found a ton on Amazon.

Jpeters I agree hand making Protein shakes, even with that little ball thing, leave much to be desired!!! I'm a ready made girl which I need to work on. My surgery is 4/15 so I'll be looking for progress reports from you since you are 2 weeks ahead if me!

Throw away your scales- have a loved one lock them up! I am pre-op but just had this conversation with my husband and daughter. When I come home after surgery, I don't want the scale to be in my sight for the first month. Then I have asked that it only come out 1 day a week and be locked back up. I personally cannot take the stress of being a slave to the scale.

I'm on the other side of the pond is the snowy USA. You should not focus on the fact that had the band. It doesn't work for a lot of people so you are not alone. My surgeon and my primary care doctor are against it because so many people don't succeed. Focus on 4/3 and how successful you are going to be!

I don't think casseroles have to be unhealthy. There are probably lots of beef/chicken/pork and veggie options. Have you ever looked for recipes on Pinterest? I also be you can find some weight watchers recipes that have meat/protein and veggies. Healthy also doesn't mean bland. Since you don't have a date yet you have time to implement the suggestions from the nutritionist. For example, I added an egg or cheese stick or some kind of meat to my Breakfast even if I am having Cereal or oatmeal. I'm also slowly but surely getting rid of bread and Pasta. It all takes time. My mom had gastric bypass 8 years ago and she uses unjury unflavored Protein and adds it to stuff or makes her own flavored shakes when she needs to supplement. That's probably the way I will go. I have my last pre-op nutrition appointment on 4/3 at which time I will get my post op eating instructions including protein options. I know my surgeon is pro food and anti shake and Protein Bar.

My prep diet is only 3 days of clear liquids. However, I have a lot of behavior modification tasks given to me by the nutritionist. The most important thing is 3 meals a day, which I'm terrible at doing at this point. The main problem is my schedule. I've been instructed to have 3 meals a day, 5 to 5.5 hours apart. I have class 3 days a week from 11 to 2 which is pretty much when I need to eat. Then I'm in the car for an hour. So lunch is a real problem. I think I'm going to add a Protein shake at for my "lunch" to try to get on a schedule. I like the GNC Total Lean ready made.

First step is to see if your insurance covers it at all. I had insurance for many years through United Airlines that specifically excluded it from the policy. Also check on state requirements. I live in Maryland so my Carefirst BCBS uses the state guidelines which is pretty much what SugarFreeMe listed above. I had a 6 month supervised diet (or two nonconcurrent 3 month diet) requirement within the last 2 years and a psychological exam.

Will you be working with a nutritionist at your surgeons office? Have you asked your surgeon's office? I already met my 6 month supervised diet last year doing weight watchers where I lost and gained. So my 3 nutritionist sessions are for the surgeon not the insurance. However, they would have counted if I needed to use for insurance. That being said, the focus is on habits not weight loss. I've been instructed not to gain. We are working on not drinking while eating, eating 3 meals a day spaced 5 hours apart, eliminating diet coke and other bad things I consume, chewing, eating at the table, distracted eating, chewing, making meals last 30 minutes etc. It's more behavior modification than weight loss.

Lorraine are all these direction from your surgeon for pre-op? When is surgery?

I met with my surgeon for the first time today. When I walked into the appointment, I was getting a Gastric Sleeve. Now I'm not so sure and I'm confused. I've been on the sleeve board and there is a ton of support for that procedure. Now I'm on the Bypass board and the same exists. So why do people pick one or the other? My surgeon will do either. But he pointed out some pros/cons and now I'm just confused!!!!!

Have you tried the Lap-Band forums? I'm guessing they can give really good advice. Lots of people in the bypass forum can't eat the junk or they will dump. That deters them. But I think you can eat anything so you need support by others like you.