BLERDgirl

@@Mariah13 Aw man that sucks! So sorry that you had to go through that. Hopefully they get you rescheduled soon.

@@BLAKQUEEN - LA Fitness. I caught a membership deal online. All access for $8.95 a week and no initiation fee. I've been a member for 3 years. I primarily do water aerobics but also take other classes and use the machines.

STEP. AWAY. FROM. THE. SCALE It is not your friend and will make you nuts. Work your program and the weight loss will happen.

@@Miss Mac - As much as I like this forum I would never recommend it for pre-ops. The horror stories outweigh the happy successes and if you aren't someone who has had previous positive medical experiences it can be intimidating. I've seen far too many post of people who perseverate on worries about the gas, nausea and pain. I found the support groups my program offers to be much more helpful. I wanted to get my pre-op questions from the my bariatric team. Thankfully they were a tremendous support and of course, I had the handbook my program offers that I was able to use a my bible.

Step away from the scale. It will drive you nuts. Work the program, get your protein and fluids in. Exercise 3 - 4 times a week. The weight loss will happen.

I think a lot of people who opt to have surgery in Mexico bring Gas-X strips. I was started on omeprazole in the hospital so I didn't need to bring anything. Most hospitals will want to know what meds you are taking and if you need it they will likely provide you with something for the gas.

Yes to good facials! I am a makeup gal so I believe in facials and good skin care. I use my Clarisonic daily and wash & moisturize with either coconut oil or shea butter each night. I was always a big Water drinker because it's good for my skin. Please do! I guess it's cultural, but I always moisturize head to toe each day. Coconut oil and shea butter for my face and baby oil gel everywhere else. I use this after I shower & towel off. I have extremely dry skin and this leaves my skin smooth and soft. Hearing it may help with skin retaining some of it's elasticity makes me very happy. The only downside is I go through a bottle a month and it doesn't come in economy size.

And here's the other weird thing. When I started cleaning up my diet & removing processed foods and fake sugars my palette changed. Good Water tasted better to me and I no longer craved sweets.

I knew my insurance was accepted at the major hospitals. I investigated 2 in my area. I went to one and talked to the surgeon. I wasn't impressed. I then happen to run into a friend who had gotten bypass and asked who her surgeon was. I had to attend a seminar before I was allowed to even schedule an appointment but once I did I knew he was the one. I don't think I even told my primary until after they received a copy of my insurance approval letter about three quarters of the way through my pre-op testing.I wasn't worried as I knew she would be supportive and she has been. The seminars are a great way to see if this is an option for you. It will also help you to decide which type of WLS is best for you. I attended the seminar at the end of April, had my first surgical appointment in May and had surgery in September. It would have been August, but I had to take a month off for family vacation. The process can take anywhere from 3months to 12months depending on the program requirements and protocols for pre-op testing.

I'm getting my IVC filter removed this afternoon so I'm once again NPO. Needless to say I have a headache am I'm starving! However I know these docs. everything went easy for the inserting of the filter and the sleeve surgery itself. I know things will be okay. When I get home, I hope to see a post from you letting us know how your rocked this like a champ! Welcome to the sip, sip club!

I think it's easier to cut back gradually. Glad to hear you are already using some of these tools. I used Protein shakes before surgery because it was easier for me to stomach before going to the gym. oh yeah and You're Welcome!

Sounds like you are attempting some pretty heavy foods for just 4 weeks out. What was the protocol that your nutritionist suggested? As others have mentioned it's typically, shakes/all liquids>purees (baby food texture)>soft foods>regular food as tolerates. With each stage you have to eat super slow. Start with easier to digest foods like chicken and eggs. Remember to keep a 30 minute window on your meals where you do not drink and Water or fluids. Do not worry about ketosis, on a short term basis it won't harm you. If you still have trouble call your nutritionist.

I drink plain water as well. At first I had t have it at room temp, but now I prefer it ice cold. However I still have to sip, sip, sip. Now that I am mostly eating regular food, I make the rudest burps! I assume it's the gas from filling such a small space. I'd rather burp than have heartburn or gas pains.

You can over investigate an make yourself crazy. You'll need to do your research in choosing a doctor and a program that works best for you. Once you decide on the specific type of WLS you'll know what foods to buy. For know I wouldn't even come here. Just do basic prep such as: Incorporating some form of regular exercise into your daily routine, even if it's just walking 30 minutes or more each day. Start a food diary. Pay attention the macro nutrients. Processed foods are full of sodium and sugars. Try to reduce your use of them as much as possible. Fast Foods are also extremely high in sodium and sugar, again try to reduce your usage Try to opt for more complex carbs versus simple carbs like refined sugars, white rice, potatoes and breads Cut back or eliminate soda and caffeinated drinks like coffee & teas If you can locate a seminar on WLS surgery in your are and attention. It will give you an overview of what to expect. How long the pre-op process will be for your particular program and the like.

The difference it if you look at something like FAGE 0% the ingredients are clean and basic; milk and active cultures. Compare that to Yoplait that contains: Cultured Pasteurized Grade A Nonfat Milk, Milk Protein Concentrate, Sugar, Kosher Gelatin, Pectin, Lemon juice Concentrate, Natural Flavor, Locust Bean Gum, Vitamin A Acetate, Vitamin D3. FAGE also has more protein than Yoplait

I choose the sleeve because: I wanted a slower weight loss I didn't want to reroute with bypass Lap band didn't seem like a good fit my BMI I was told it might alleviate some of my other chronic conditions I'm vegetarian with multiple food & medicine allergies. I thought a malabsorptive procedure would be too limiting

They'll likely have you in a hospital gown so you probably won't get to use yours. For walking they'll give you another gown to wear backwards. Don't worry about the gas pains. Not everyone gets them. I had none.

Take minimum belongings to the hospital. I took a large pair of panties to wear home, a toohbrush, my iPhone, IPad & charger. I was started on colace stool softener and omeprazole for acid in the hospital. Walk ASAP. I walked in recovery. I experienced no gas at all. really try to gauge your pain level. I was sore like after a good work out, not really in pain. I didn't use the morphine pump. I think it helped me stay clear headed enough to walk more in the hospital. However do not try to be a hero, if you need pain meds, use them. Go slow when sitting up. It will ease any uncomfortableness and make it less likely that you will get dizzy or nauseous. Mostly stay positive. This is an easy surgery! Welcome to the loser's bench!

It's simple. Stop posting in the thread and it will fall off. Every time someone comes in to wag a cyber finger it bumps the topic up.

Lucerne is Safeway's local brand.

I plan to purchase a Vitamix because I cook and will get more use out of it than just smoothie making. If someone just want to blend their Protein drinks they don't need one.

I'm a vegetarian with food allergies. I always bring my own food. If I can trust the person who made it, I may partake of a bit of salad. You can always just say, "Sorry I'm on a diet".

You just have to adjust to the food there. I know it's challenging, but from what I know of the Middle East they do have tasty things like hummus and yogurt. A quick google gave me this and I believe the region has plenty of dairy and poultry. Not a lot of processed food, but plenty of good choices to support a bariatric diet.

@@amponder - Yup, kick her to the curb. You don't need her harshing your buzz as you do you workout. You workout at YOUR pace. It's fine to work to increase you pace, but you do so at your pace, not MIL's dictates.

I prefer the nutrabullet because I sometimes also add fruit and veg to my smoothies. Blends really well. My next purchase will be a vitamix. However if you just want something to mix smoothies. Oster makes a smoothie blender for about $20