BLERDgirl

I know it's hard to believe now but there are some who would be jealous that you get that banana & apple. I now that's not much comfort now, but really, it gets better.

It's funny because I am so meticulous about everything else. I think that years of working to clean up my eating habits have helped me become fairly decent about eyeballing and guestimating measurements.

I never had any regrets. Not before and certainly not after. I thought long and hard about this. By the time I made my decision I was certain it was the right thing to do. As for people saying you took the easy way out, ignore them. They have no idea the work involved in this.

I had steri strips that I left on until they fell off. Took about a week.

Cheer up love. It will all be over soon. Some people have really bad pre-op diets. All liquids no food AT ALL. As for that cold, get you some airborne & alka seltzer and chase that thing way! You don't want surgery rescheduled and then have to do the pre-op diet again.

Double check with your nutritionist, but most people do one low carb. low fat, high protein meal in addition to the shakes. So a green salad with grilled or broiled chicken and either olive oil & basalmic vinegar or a light dressing would do well. Fill the salad with good, crunchy veg so you'll feel full.

Are you sipping slooooowly? Does this happen with all liquids or just water?

Congrats!

I have one and never use it.

It could be gas. It takes a while to be able to tell the difference. It could also be acid which is why many of use end up on antacids. Mention it to the doctor they may start you on omeprazole.

@@sunflowerchild - I did a similar thing in the beginning. I couldn't get it all in. I felt full ALL the time. I can't drink gatorade because it's too artificial and I'm allergic to food dyes, but I knew I need fluids to keep from getting dehydrated & I knew I needed Protein. I started adding ¼cup of Water and loads of ice to my Protein drinks. 2 birds/1 stone and all that.

I just got a bean bread recipe. I haven't tried it yet because I'm really not craving breads yet but I'll share it for any of those interested. *I lost the link to the site. I'll edit if I find it later.

@@Jugido64 - I'm 51 as well. I have great genes in my family. My grandmother was beautiful. My grandpop lived to 102. I have a high BMI so I now it's a long road uphill, but just looking at the way things are going so far my thighs may be my only problem area. I'm doing everything in my power to keep it that way.

My doctor gives out a small packet at the seminar, then at the first appointment with the surgeon you receive a handbook. It's a loose leaf note book about 2 inches thick.

I use baby oil gel every day year round. My favorite is the coco butter formula. Always have. Lotions and body butters never really worked on me.

Everything gets easier. If you have no complication you'll feel dramatically better within 2 weeks, sometimes less. They kept me in the hospital for 2 days. I was asking to go home after 1. They had me relaxing at home for 2 weeks. I was bored silly by week 1. You can start walking anytime, and adding light exercises by week 1. From what I've read most docs will clear you to return to the gym by week 2. I had to wait until week 3 because I do Water aerobics and the incision site where my drain was took longer to scab over. Sorry you've had a rough time of it. Even if you can't walk, raise your arms as if you are lifting dumb bells whenever you can. The movement may help relieve the gas pains.

Water aerobics is my fav as well! Thankfully my gym has classes 6 days/2 evenings a week. I go t least 5 days a week.

I paid $400 and I think that was for the IVC filter and not the surgery itself. Either way other than my regular deductibles that was it my follow ups have all been included in the surgery fee. Oh wait, I also paid $200 for the nutrition class that was not covered. BTW - I lived briefly in Monmouth Co. in Bel Mar.

I feel your pain. I'm at the stage now where clothes are just starting to hang off me. It's a bit annoying because I don't buy cheap clothes. Right now I still have some things that were getting a bit snug but I don't know how long that's going to last. I'm just trying to stay focused on the fact that this is a good thing.

Check with the hospital. Sometimes they won't allow you to drive yourself home. When I had my IVC filter I was told I had to have a ride. I wasn't even allowed to call a taxi. They specifically wanted the name and number of my ride.

Woo hoo! Congrats! on the loss.

Once I started drinking and they saw I was peeing frequently enough that they didn't have to worry about dehydration, my IV was unhooked.

One word of advice: take what you read here with a grain of salt. I find the people who experienced complications tend to be a bit more vocal. There are many of us who have experienced zero complications. I've had none to date and couldn't be happier.

I'm using Connect. What's your user name? I'll look for you.

I was cleared at my 2 week check up but later learned the rule had more to do with not wanting patients driving under the influence of heavy pain killers.