CanyonBaby

You know, I'm thinking she may have already been there in the past, who knows, maybe she does this more often than we know! I'm glad she's doing it, and if I were there, I would befriend her, and, over time, tell her MY story....can lead to something wonderful!!!!!

Have your surgeon's office call you doctor and have them get the paperwork. Often times that's all it takes. NAG them...they are getting paid for this! Make sure you follow up with the surgeon's office to be sure they got it. Good luck.....

I'm with you... not much appeals, so I dug up last night's caprese salad, and decided it would be good loaded up on.....a slab of green pepper! YUM. Did I say YUM? Yeah! I layered the sliced tomato, mozzarella cheese slice (all coated in the olive oil/balsamic dressing), basil leaf, and then sprinkled with flake sea salt and chunky ground black pepper.....oh my goodness, I could be had for that! And I guess I was!!!! Try it...it is amazing, so fresh....hmmmmm....

If you know this is the best thing you can do for your situation, then be comfortable with it. Yes, there is always the chance of complications. That goes for just about anything. If you are comfortable with your surgeon and their ability, and their surgical team, then take comfort in that. This actually goes quite quickly, I am now at 5 months out, and can't believe how fast the time went. If you look at the challenges that face you as things that will pass quickly on your route to a healthy life, they WILL pass quickly. Look at them as things that MUST pass, pass them one day at a time, and soon you'll be over the worst of it, and enjoying a life full of possibilities. In the meantime you have plenty of support here! Good luck with your surgery, and keep us posted!

My broken rib only hurt while I was exercising, which was very peculiar to my surgeon, but hey - everyone is different! That's why it took so long to diagnose it. I sure hope they can figure this out for you, and relieve your pain/situation. Keep us informed, and we'll keep you in our prayers...

You will more than likely meet the surgeon, who will ask you all kinds of questions. Be HONEST and forthright about the answers, as they NEED to know everything! This is surgery, and it can be risky, so tell ALL. They will probably examine your abdomen for any potential problems. Your vital signs will be taken, and you will have a heart-to-heart with that surgeon, who will probably tell you if you qualify or not, and what to do next. Try not to be nervous, no point in that, and it just raises your blood pressure - you don't want that. Do your research BEFORE you go, know what it is you (and he) are talking about. Write down any and ALL questions you can think of, and ASK them. Be satisfied with the answers. Your surgeon will probably tell you which surgery is right for you. You may be required to attend classes or a seminar. Make sure you attend. This is YOUR life...know what it is you're about to do. Good luck to you, and if you have more questions, call your surgeon's office and ask what they will be doing. It is no secret. Let us know how you do!

Just walk, walk, walk. It will work it's way out. Some faster than others. Just gotta grin and bear it!

I think the best thing you can do for yourself is go and chat with either your surgeon, or surgical team. I don't believe the tummy will shrink, or the esophagus, but I could be wrong. What I think is right, though, is everyone progresses at their own rate, and comparing doesn't change that. Are you on solid foods yet? If so, maybe go back a little to soft foods. You may not be ready for solids, yet. Purees may be right for you for awhile. Check with your dietician. Good luck to you!

I am 5 months out and started "shedding" at about 3 months. It has reduced greatly in the last couple of weeks, BUT I cannot say WHY. That's because my thyroid medicine was not accurately dosed for me, and I noticed when I started on the correct dose, after a couple of weeks, the hair loss slowed way down. I have had major hair loss in the past from my thyroid issue, and whenever the meds aren't right, I lose again. So it is hard for me to say which was the cause. I, too, have been on the right Vitamins and correct Protein, so I can't use that as a reason for the loss. So I would suggest if you THINK your thyroid might be not functioning up to par, get it checked. Other symptoms of a low thyroid are loss of energy, feeling cold, kinda the same things as you feel AFTER WLS!!! SO if in doubt...get it checked!

@@Mommabird You and I have a lot in common! I, too, had to do pre-op at Thanksgiving time....TALK ABOUT A HEARTACHE!!!! Very challenging, indeed, as I AM THE COOK! We have singles and those who have no one come and join us, and I usually do a HUGE spread. Life can be CRUEL! Because this is something I excel at, and am well known for. Such a tragedy! However, I overcame, and saw it through. Everyone enjoyed themselves, and I enjoyed SMELLING the food! I agree, NOW smelling the food is my enjoyment, because my tastebuds have changed since this surgery. Now something that used to taste good just doesn't live up to the SCENT it emits. Strange how that works, but if it continues, I should do quite well at holidays, now!!!

For sleep, I use a mattress pad warmer. It fits the whole mattress. I turn it on (on the lowest setting) about a half hour before I go to bed. Even in the summer, but I use AC. Then, I immediately turn it off. It comforts my body (especially the arthritis) and helps me get to sleep. I rarely need to use sleep aids anymore because of the pad. Sleep well, all................

I am assuming you haven't had your surgery yet, then? If this is any comfort, after my surgery (5 months ago), I can now walk through a grocery store and it DOESN"T tempt me! Nothing is appealing, so I just get the necessaries. I shop also for a husband who doesn't gain; ice cream, treats...but the BIG difference is...I DON'T CARE!!!!!! I buy them, into the cupboard or freezer they go, and I'm done with it. AND I DON'T CARE!!!!! He eats it in front of me, and I'M NOT TEMPTED!!!!!! I find when I shop for me, I shop the perimeter of the store, instead of down the aisles, because what I eat isn't found in the aisles. It is found in the dairy, meat and produce sections. I only go down the aisles for my hubs. AND I DON'T MIND!!!!!! I'm not saying I'm a saint and don't IMBIBE once in awhile, because I do and I CAN! But for the most part, I stick to what's LEGAL! AND I DON'T MIND!!!!!!! Hope this helps.....a little.......but it is true.

I've been at this for 5 months, now, and STILL have to remember to chew well! I remember well enough at a restaurant, and I really enjoy the chewing there, but forget when I am in a hurry, especially. RETRAIN THE BRAIN!!!!!!!!

I am in the same boat regarding nerve damage, and so no sensation in my abdominal area. Thus I had only the tiniest bit of pain for my WLS. Certainly a breeze compared my other surgeries! Maybe those other surgeries had dual purposes...hmmm..........

I think what needs to be asked here is what TYPE of hernia do you have? If it is a hiatal hernia, like mine was, it may be repaired during the WLS. If it is another type of hernia, in a different location, it may need to be done separately.

You know what? I think you can do this. I really do. If you put forth your best effort to show what YOU can do, I think that doctor will work WITH you to get you this surgery. He sounds fantastic, and very thorough and knowledgeable. And it's obvious he is looking at all the angles. Now, IF it turns out that you cannot have the surgery, I believe there is a reason for that (after all, there is a reason for everything, isn't there?). So why not try to do a pre-op type diet, with HIS permission, to see how much you can lose prior to your next appointment? Have him set you up with one, to see how it works with your other health issues. Maybe this will help. One thing is for sure, I am praying that this all works for you. You have had so much to deal with, and you deserve a chance at this. Keep us posted, and even if you end up with the bypass surgery instead of the sleeve, we sleevers still want to here of your situation and progress! God Bless you on your journey!

@@KingMoose So I saw my nurse today, and asked the question on getting too much Water. She said it is very difficult to get TOO much water, but it is possible. I told her about your working out and sweating...and she still thought it would be nearly impossible for you to get too much. She suggested you have a blood test to see if you were dehydrated, if you were concerned. Your PCP would hopefully be better to direct your personal situation. Hope this helps...

@@Stevehud Do you think it could be a fractured rib? I had one, and had strange pain for well over a year before anyone was able to diagnose it. It never did heal (due to my hyperparathyroidism) and had to be removed. Can you tell if the pain is deeper than where your rib sits? Might be worth looking into....

LOVE it!!!!!

It depends on who and how it is asked. For the most part, a simple thank-you is all that is required.

I am sorry to hear of your troubles. I, too, am 5 months out (yesterday), and have had an "episode" with chest tightening. I was in the grocery store when it happened, I have had heart "flutters" all my life (probably my MVP), but this time a very strong sensation of the chest area being squeezed came with it. Not a comfortable feeling, and it lasted about 10 minutes, and was worrisome enough I went to the doctor, who did an EKG. Apparently it was strange enough for her to order a stress test, which I will do on Wednesday. She is not sure if I had a heart attack, or not, as the EKG was indefinite. Hopefully not, but I have a strong family history of heart issues, with my people dying typically between ages 33 and 65. I am 53. So we'll see on Wednesday what happens. I hope your doctors can come to a POSITIVE conclusion for you, and it is maybe just your body healing from the surgery. I will keep you in my prayers, let us know how you do!

Remember, unflavored doesn't mean there is no flavor, it means they ADD no flavor to it. To me unflavored protein powder has a creamy, almost coffee-creamer taste, kinda like powdered milk. I don't mind it in the slightest, and it is milky-looking when added to liquid. I prefer it to pre-made shakes. I use TG's, found on Amazon.com. I also use Genepro. Hope this helps!

It's my understanding that caffeine can make one hungry. This I don't need! I also understand it to cause acid, which I also don't need! So I do decaf, once or twice a week. Since I have so few carbs (which always made me sleepy), I don't really need the boost anymore. Have a good evening!

Try it with canned pumpkin, too. Pumpkin soup is one of my favorites!

@@Proud2BMe So I started to answer, then got called out! Sorry! Are you using canned broth, or making your own? Have you had your surgery yet, or is this for your pre-op diet? Or both? To "beef" up the flavor, you can use meat, cooked or raw, just simmer it in a sauce pan, or in a crock pot (for longer periods), if using raw meat, make sure the meat is fully cooked before removing it from the broth. While you're doing this, add seasonings/spices that you prefer. It sounds like maybe you did not add enough of the spices you did use, or maybe didn't cook it long enough, or both. Be careful of pepper, it can get out of hand in a hurry! For beef broth, I like to add black pepper, garlic, and onion. For chicken, I like thyme, rosemary, sage, and marjoram (if you use a good poultry seasoning blend like McCormicks, it has a great blend of these spices), onion and black pepper. If you are just wanting broth without bits in it, strain it before using it. You could use whole peppercorns instead of ground pepper, and fresh herbs instead of dried, then tie them up in some cheesecloth, and throw it in the broth to steep for awhile. The longer it sits in there, the stronger the flavor. Then remove the bag before using the broth. Same thing with veggies and meat, strain them out of the broth. Hopefully this will help. Spices are like gold to me. They add so much interest to what you are cooking. You can change one recipe so many ways just by changing the spices. If you are interested in different spice blends, Penzey's Spices has a catalog (and website), and they make their own blends. Seriously awesome spices! Good luck to you on you endeavors!