joodster219

17 Days for me... I start full liquids on Monday. SO EXCITED and terrified at the same time. WE GOT THIS LADIES!!!!!

I haven't had surgery yet, but I know I will be carrying my soft pillow and a microbead neck rest. The regular bed/soft pillow will protect from the seat belt and my big dog when I walk in the door. The microbead I'll probably use at the hospital just for comfort. I've had 9 previous abdominal surgeries, so I think whatever you have at home... ANYTHING will be better than nothing at all. Hope this helps.

Congratulations on your surgery date! That's my date too! Yes, we'll forever be changed! Although I haven't gone on extreme "mourning" food funeral times, I have indulged a bit more this past week because of the same reasoning. Also, my nurse had told me in the beginning to lose the weight, but not too much because insurance may have not approved it. I totally understand what you're going thru MzGee! I'm getting nervous about next Monday, so this week I will try to deal with my food funeral, one day at a time. Then I will try to leave one bite to tell it good bye and flush it down the sink with the garbage disposal running and I'll salute it! LOL I'm ready for this change! I'm 47 and my pain mgmt doc said I could be in a wheel chair in 5 to 10 years due to arthritis... I'm READY FOR THIS! We've GOT THIS!

My first shake that I could tolerate was a Slim Fast low carb/protein. My surgeon's office has it on the list of acceptable Proteins. VERY GOOD and tastes like chocolate milk to me. The 2nd one is Visalus and I order that on-line. It's a bit pricey, but it's the only one, so far, that I can drink that doesn't give me gas. It's a "sweet cream" mix (kind of like vanilla) and you add stuff to it. I prefer mine with 1 or 2 tablespoons of unsweetened cocoa powder and 1 or 2 tablespoons of instant coffee. I also prefer almond milk & skim milk over anything else I've had. I mix that together and then I use 6 or 7 pieces of ice in my ninja blender to have a real shake consistancy. I'm not a coffee drinker, but a hint of coffee gives it a great flavor. You can puree fruit into it, juices, etc. And lastly nectar Protein powders on line. You can get $1.99 single serving samples in many bariatric powders from Nashua Nutition ... http://www.nashuanutrition.com/store/protein-powders/protein-powder-samples-1-serving.html Keep us posted on what you try and actually like! Good luck sunshine!

Due to my insurance, I've been in this process since January. I have my last weigh in on 7/21/14 and then the surgeon's office will submit my documentation for approval. I hope to be sleeved in August or September at the VERY latest. It is a long and tedious process, but very well worth it if you incorporate all the life changes in the next few months! Definitely find a Protein shake/powder you can tolerate and also read, get rid of caffeine, learn to love Water and make it a true life change. My surgeon says learning now helps you in the long run. YOU GOT THIS!

They have those plastic bottles at Wal-Mart you can add the mint and cucumber into the infuser. I think they are around $6.88.

I, too, have BCBS but it's thru Michigan even though I'm in Missouri. I am currently in month 4 of my 6 months supervised diets. I can't go below BMI 35 with the dieting or I was told they would deny me. So, I am slowly losing and like others have said just learning the new way of life. Trying Protein powders, but not buying too many because that can change after surgery. Also made a list of the month before to use a small plate for portions, drink plenty of Water, using a food diary each day, exercise (going to begin walking) and Vitamins. It seems it's taking forever, but I know it is best for me. My surgeon will submit my documentation the end of July with my 6th weigh in and then ... we shall see.

I actually started with a popular surgeon in my area. I went to his seminar and he just rambled on and on and the classroom was packed. I even went to a consultation with my patient advocate, but he didn't have time for me at that point. I was discouraged because I had questions even with the seminar. So, just out of the blue, I ran into a friend who had the same procedure with a surgeon who does this procedure about 45 minutes away, but she actually has an office close by for everything else. I went ahead and "humored" myself and went to her seminar and there were hardly any people there. She was THOROUGH, very informative, very young (so that made me skeptical), but her "stats" for this procedure were phenomenal. I knew this was a God Send to me! So, I'm in process with Dr. Hawver and she's amazing! Your "gut" will tell you! You want someone thorough and with good surgical statistics! How many leaks / any deaths / any complications and if so, why? Ask! NO DUMB QUESTIONS in life! YOU GOT THIS!

I'm still in pre-op stage, but my surgeon already stated nothing less than 6 weeks. For one, you have the first week to clear out all those nasty hospital chemicals/fluids/medications; 2) you have the pain meds you really do need to take whether you think you need them or not because they allow your body to heal; and 3) you need the rest of the time to sip, walk, rest & let your body heal... along with allowing your new life to begin. (I only know about this because I've been blessed to have 9 previous surgeries) Best wishes my sleeve sibling!

Since you are vegan, I would highly recommend seeing one. Especially if your insurance will cover it. So many Vitamins and other things you really need to incorporate into your every day diet.

Apparently, I also have the same height/weight as my "great-grandmother" and she was in a wheel chair from arthritis in her spine. I've been diagnosed with the same. These next few months need to fly by for me, as well! I want to have mobility and not have to worry if I will end up in a chair with wheels... hang in there! We'll be sporting our size SMALLS soon enough!

I've read this over and over and over again, so it apparently is extremely normal to gain weight from those crazy hospital fluids and medications. No worries dear - you'll do WONDERFUL!

I have to complete a 6 month physician documented & supervised diet and hope to have an Aug. / Sept. date, as well. I've been going crazy fulfilling all kinds of tests. How about you?

My surgeon stated to take off 6 weeks. Abdominal surgery is a major surgery and there will be lots of swelling and we'll need time to let the anesthesia and pain meds wear off. I would like to take off only 3 or 4 weeks, but she was highly against it. Mentioned the only thing I should be doing is walking and resting the first few weeks to allow the abdomen to heal properly. Your insides get jarred and moved all over to do this surgery, and it's a once in a life time Change so why not heal properly to avoid complications in the future?! right?! Each surgeon is different though.

My surgeon stated that many that are sleeved get a dumping syndrome from eating sugar/sweets. That's what I'm looking forward to, as I have a sweet tooth the size of Texas. :\ I am in pre-approval stage still, so I really can't say one way or another. This is just what the surgeon and nutritionist have all told me.

I have BCBS-MI and the nurse in the surgeons office said I have to lose something, not a lot, but don't gain. I am on a 6 month supervised diet, as well. I hate to say it, but the night before you go to weigh in, take 4 dulcolax tablets... you will lose something. I did this for a colonoscopy... with Clear liquids. PHEW... it was horrible. LOL

Oh good Tiffany4fit - we can keep each other company. It seems like it will be forever, however - everyone says it flies by fast. Plus, we can learn all the tips like chewing slowly, drinking without a straw, eating protein first, and then we'll be set when the surgery gets here. I'm creating a monthly task plan to not get so anxious. It's difficult, but I am excited! Congrats everyone else on your surgery dates! I can't wait to post mine!

That's wonderful! congratulations! What BCBS do you have? I have BCBS-MI thru GM and have to do a 6 month supervised documented diet. I have until July/August before they submit. I hope they do the same thing. How awesome for you!