UrsulasShadow

I was alone. My SO worked all day, came home at night. I didn't need any help at all. I knew when I was in the hospital that I was walking fine, and doing fine. As a matter of fact, when I was discharged from the hospital, they didn't even wheel me down to the front door. I just dragged my rolling suitcase and pulling my bunch of balloons down the hall and to the elevator, then along a long corridor to the front door where my daughter met me. I thought that was a little strange, that they did discharges after abdominal surgery like that. And it was far from comfortable....and I got a little lost in the hallways trying to leave... Anyway, long story short, I didn't need any pain meds, and I pretty much took care of myself. Your situation could be VERY different, but not everyone needs help after surgery.

I am so glad to see someone else had to have this done! Ok, that sounded wrong.. I also had an abnormal stress test. I guess it's not uncommon for younger women to have a weird rhythm under stress...my cardiologist said it's something to do with estrogen. However, I'm menopausal, so he was concerned. Long story short, I went through the cardiac catheterization, which was not painful, but really stressful to me, because I was so afraid that I had an actual heart problem, and that I wouldn't be able to get the surgery I waited so long and patiently for. Well, it came back absolutely normal. I was a go for surgery. It panicked me for nothing. So, let's hope it's the same for you!

I had RNY and 6 incisions...4 small and 2 about an inch and a quarter. Only one ever hurt while healing, and that was when I twisted too hard when backing the car. I'm using Mederma on the scars, because my boyfriend had it lying around. Never worked on his scar, but his were old. Mine are only 3 weeks old.

Well, it did come off, just took a few days. I'm 10 days out from surgery, and I am down 8 lbs from pre-op weight. Doing very well, too! Didn't need to fill my pain script, and only took one of my nausea script. Only 4 days until I'm off of full liquids, and I CAN'T WAIT!

...and I've gained 13 lbs since surgery! I guessing my kidneys haven't recovered yet. Anyone else gain that much? I know I'm not eating too much, because I'm still in hospital, lol!

http://www.fitness-connection.com/chewy-bites-500-mg-p/chewy-bite-500.htm From my source, I get the 500 mg Bariatric Advantage 90 count for less than $32 a bag. That's 30 days worth. And I LOVE the tropical orange! Even cheaper if you get 3 bags at a time. And free shipping.

I thought so, too. It's nice to know for those people out there that may be having difficulty with an overstretched pouch, that they don't have to gain it all back, there are options for them.

I know I'm going to be sensitive to comments when I've lost this weight. I know how being fat has made people treat me unfairly and often unkindly. I know I may carry some of this bitterness with me into my new life, but I am going to try my damnedest not to exact revenge or be snarky with every perceived insensitive comment. I've lost a "ton" of weight before, and have had people tell me that I don't look like the same person. And these are people in weight watchers, so should be sensitive. The nicest thing I ever heard, which made me feel fantastic, was, "wow, I can really see you now!". So if people say slightly insensitive things to me this time, I think that's what I'll hang onto. That it's easier for them to see me now, and they like what they see.

Just putting another vote for the Quest, Bariatric Advantage, and Celebrate brands.

Heck, at least karma got you $10. Buy yourself some pretty shoelaces, and think of how well you're doing every time you look at them.

I was just told that I'm prediabetic, and that sealed the deal for me. RNY commonly reverses diabetes even before weight loss occurs. With my family history of deaths from diabetic complications, I'm not taking any chances. Besides, I truly need my body to tell me "no carbs" in a drastic way. I feel great when I'm carb-reduced, but I have a real tendency to head back for them in moments of weakness. My initial insurance would only cover RNY, so the decision was made easy. My current insurance will cover any bariatric surgery, but I think that RNY is the choice for me.

Pardon me, my mistake. HOST. Or is it hostess? A good one would provide popcorn, since there's a wonderful flame provided.

5daypouchtest.com

Nature Made B12 sublingual is yummy, but I don't know if it comes in lower doses than the 3000mcg I have.

I think that's why people even come to the rants and raves section...on the off-chance they'll get to witness a good, old-fashioned flounce. Heck, even the MODS here will make sure to multi-quote the juicy bits so everyone will have an opportunity to comment on them and up the chance of causing an exceptional flounce. Well-played, Rants & Raves. Well-played indeed.

Flintstones Complete chewables (not gummy) and Bariatric Advantage Calcium Tropical Orange 500mg. Taste amazing! Also, Celebrate Iron with C, Celebrate Vitamin D meltaways, and B12 sublingual.

Are you still losing? You are already at goal, I see. I'd say if you're still losing, you're doing ok. If you're starting to gain, there is a "pouch test" I've read about, that is supposed to shrink your pouch back down so you can eat smaller amounts and be satisfied again. Just so you know, this is just coming from what I've heard from others here. I haven't even had my surgery yet.

I switched to SouthCoast in Wareham after BID did that to me. Unfortunately, I don't think that I've moved along things any more quickly, since I've had insurance issues in the meantime. However, I WAS able to give up the counseling that BID insisted I have. Even the counselor, after 6 visits, kept saying, "I wish I knew why they said you need counseling. What shall we talk about today?".

It's hard when you see others that started at the same time you did already losing weight and healed from surgery when you run into roadblocks that slow you down. I've been at this since June, and I finally think I might have the surgery...but insurance and other occurrences keep moving the goalpost. SOO frustrating! But the good thing is...if I ever had doubts about whether or not I should be doing this, they've long since dissipated. Now all I have is focus. I can't help but feel it will make it easier to succeed.

Aww, heck...I'd smile too! Thanks for inspiring me!

Well, I lost my MassHealth coverage, but on the upside, I was able to sign up for Neighborhood Health Plan until the beginning of March, which everyone says is better, and easier for the bariatric team to work with. Downside, I had to postpone my appointments until January 12. Another downside, I might lose that insurance soon, so things better happen quickly or I might have to wait another YEAR (according to one source who says since this is pre-existing, BCBS of MA might turn me down for a year, if I have to go on that insurance through work). I'm really beginning to hate insurance...

They told me that AFTER the surgery, you may want to not stress your hair by dying or perking, because it already will be stressed by rapid weight loss. I intend to dye moments before surgery, though, and I have some of that temporary comb in stuff to deal with the roots after????

I'm so glad you're feeling better! I'm a little peeved right now at southcoast, because I've been told over and over that I should be tracking an early December surgery, and now the scheduler tells me that she can't submit until Jan 1st, because MassHealth has a 3 month in the program requirement. Nobody told me about this until the last visit! Not even MassHealth when I called them! So now it looks like the end of January for me, and I may have lost my insurance by then. So upset.

I consider hooking people on opiates a much more morally and ethically reprehensible act than WLS. I know there are people in incredible pain who need relief, but it makes junkies out of people. I've seen firsthand the hundreds of lives these thinly-veiled "dealer" doctors have ruined. I think you are wonderful and very brave to try to get off the pain meds as soon as you can. I believe your priorities and methods are in order, and you should do what you can to get away from the toxic pain clinic staff.

Thanks! I have stinky people whose stocking needs stuffing. This does the trick.