NikkiDoc

My surgeon said I could start swallowing them immediately after surgery as long as they were smaller than an M&M. If they were bigger I needed to break them in half. Capsules were fine since they were smaller around than an M&M even if they were longer.

Everything I took was smaller than an M&M. I took chewable (not gummy) multi-Vitamin, subligual B-12 and Calcium chews.

I have mentioned it at a couple of places and they had no problems with me ordering from the children's menu or lunch menu. They didn't even need to see the card.

Firebirds has a nice children's menu that includes grilled chicken or grilled fish. I have used it there a few times.

Mostly I just get appetizers or take home left overs. I will also split meals with friends, hubby or co-workers.

My coworker used to make her Matrix Orange Cream Protein shake with a combination of orange juice and Water or OJ and milk. She had the band done 7 years ago.

I never drink real fruit juice since it is pretty much straight sugar and I just can't deal with that many carbs.

I don't think my program would have allowed me to use real fruit juice for my Protein shakes or just to drink. How my co-worker did it probably would have been okay since she wasn't using 8 oz of OJ instead of 8 oz of milk. She was using more like 3 oz of OJ and the rest milk or Water.< /p>

I am 18 months out and have had no gallbladder issues. My surgeon put me on Actigal for the first 5 or 6 months after surgery during my rapid weight loss phase.

The only person I know that have had gallbladder surgery was not a WLS patient. She has always been fit and healthy.

Consider talking to your GYN. I know some doctors will put patients on an oral birth control with no placebos. They only take the placebos a couple of times per year. You only get your period when you take the placebos.

Another option is the depo shot. If I remember correctly you get the shot every 3 months. Most woman stop having their period after a couple of shots and if/when they have it the period is much shorter and lighter.

You don't say how old you are. In my case, I am late 40s. My period is getting longer and heavier. I am starting the process to have an ablation. If I am like the majority of pre-menopausal women I will no longer have my period after the procedure. About 10% still have it but it is much much lighter.

Your options are going to depend on your age and desire for future children. Talk with your gyn to see if she has any suggestions.

Thanks for your support everyone! I'm feeling ok about the alone part. Now just the usual pre-surgery nerves are setting in. My surgery date is August 4th and I've got the jitters. I'm an intense researcher of everything so I look at a lot of different angles and end up worrying myself for nothing. lol! I'm really gonna make an effort to try and engage in more activity on the forums. Who knows maybe I'll work myself up to going to a meeting. I really like the idea of volunteering as well. I've been wanting to volunteer at a homeless shelter in the city as well as the ASPCA. I'm going to look into those after I've dropped a few pounds.

I vote for volunteering at the SPCA as soon as you are walking well and can handle walking a dog. The dogs will appreciate the walks and attention and you can get your exercise in at the same time. I am much more of an animal person anyway. Dogs don't care how much you weigh. And don't forget the kitties. Many of them appreciate a good snuggle.

I am 18 months post sleeve surgery. I have about 20 pounds to go to meet goal. I am 5'"3. I remember when I was in my twenties and early thirties and I was obese (versus morbidly obese) I would read the height weight charts and always figure they didn't really apply to me. I was heavy boned. Therefore it was fine I was 10 or 15 or 20 pounds heavier than those charts. Now that I have lost so much weight I realize not only am I not big boned I am actually pretty petite.

I was trying to find a Bracelet to go with a particular dress. Everything I tried on was way too big for my wrists. I actually almost need to buy children't sized jewelry. Remember I still need to lose 20 pounds to be at "goal". Goal would put me at the top end of my range for my height. Therefore I probably should lose more like 30-40 more pounds. I can't imagine how tiny my wrists will be then. So much for being "big boned".

So what other lies did you tell yourself while you were fat?

I had the world's easiest recovery. I never had gas pains. I am 18 months out and down 80 pounds since surgery and 106 since highest.

The only thing my sleeve seems to not like is soda. My surgeon allows soda after 6 months. I had a sip of my husband's a few months ago because I had a nasty taste in my mouth and even after swishing it around in my mouth before swallowing it was a little uncomfortable. I could not imagine taking a bigger swallow. No great loss for me to not drink soda.

I took 1 pain pill the night I was discharged just to make sure I slept well that night and did not even take a Tylenol after that.

I am off the Nexium, high blood pressure meds, 2 diabetic drugs that I was using off label for PCOS and off the pee pills (Detrol). I am using Celebrex but the low dose about once a week. (Surgeon approved the Celebrex)

I started riding my horse again about 1 month after surgery. I would have been sooner except I put an immersion blender blade through the tip of a finger on my left hand and needed 7 stitches.

I feel great.

Still have 20 pounds I want to lose and I am slowly getting there.

Why is it in Cialis commercials, the couples are in separate bath tubs? Shouldn't they be together, isn't that the point? Also, why bath tubs? I think it is fairly inconvenient to have sex in a tub, not impossible, but certainly inconvenient.

I actually was told the story of why this is. A friend worked on the early commercials. Apparently they were filming one of the commercials the the tubs were on the set for a different commercial. The actors got in the tub and were messing around between takes. Somebody thought it looked cool so they filmed some of it. Apparently it snowballed from there.

I would talk to the doctor that is prescribing you the Suboxone. They may have suggestions on how to taper it. They may have a preferred RX narcotic for you to use or have an alternate RX non-narcotic pain killer to use. If necessary have them talk to your surgeon.

I did use the narcotics the 3 days in the hospital plus one dose the night I came home just to make sure I slept well the first night at home. Quite frankly I would have done fine with tylenol that 3rd day in the hospital. I had an hour plus drive home so took an oral narcotic about 45 minutes before I was due to be picked up. I wanted to be sure the riding in the car wouldn't be uncomfortable.

Many people don't need the narcotics very long after surgery.

Once again I would talk to your Saboxine doctor about what they suggest.

If you really really feel like you need to have narcotics available at home after the surgery can you give them to a good friend or relative that lives close? This way you have to really need them and call that person to ask for them. They aren't sitting there in the medicine cabinet calling your name.

The hospital provided small sample sizes of mouthwash, toothpaste and a new plastic wrapped toothbrush so I used theirs.

Once I could shower they had nice little bottles of soap, Shampoo and conditioner.

I used chapstick from home. I used my Nook/charger and my phone/charger.

I brought multiple sets of clean undies that I used. I wore the same pair of baggy leggings, tshirt and sweatshirt home that I went to the hospital in. It was winter.

I had a pillow in the car for the trip home.

I never had gas pains so did not need GasX or anything like that.

I brought my prescription meds with me in their original bottles to use after surgery. I took it when they told me I was allowed to but it was my meds. Some hospitals do not allow you to take your own meds and all meds need to be through their pharmacy.

@@GermanShepherdMama

Okay thank you, I'll do just that. I'm sure I'll be super tender. Great idea!

@@Diana_in_Philly

Aww.. my socks are so warm too. I really hate their socks. Oh well, I guess I really have no choice. Lol... thanks for the warning

You can put your socks on under their socks. Their grippy socks tend to be plenty stretchy and big enough to go over socks.

My program actually preferred me to put on regular socks and sneakers for my walks around the ward. They felt it provided better support. The nurses helped me put on my socks and sneakers.

I had one assigned. She just really wanted to make sure I really understood the whole process. The process included the approval process, the nutrition, the surgery and that I was using an approved surgeon and facility.

How many times on this forum have we seen people that are surprised by the pre-op diet and the post-op eating restrictions? It was her job to help make sure that doesn't happen.

I was well educated prior to my first visit with my surgeon so my case nurse didn't need to do much.

I have worked in health insurance for 25+ years. I generally like when case management is involved. I have seen numerous times where the case manager has helped a patient by being an advocate for that patient. One case the person was a cancer patient and was constantly nauseous. The oncology office was blowing the patient off. The nurse helped the patient by suggesting diet changes to foods that were less likely to upset their stomach and pushed the doctor's office to prescribe an anti-nausea drug.

I have seen where the nurse case manager encourages a second opinion so that the patient is comfortable with their options.

I have never seen where case management is used to "trap" somebody to get something denied.

Many patients have a tough time navigating the health care system. The case management nurses will review the proposed care and make sure that what you are having done will be covered under insurance. If it isn't going to be covered they let you and your doctor's know before you incur the expense rather than you getting stuck with an unexpected bill.

For bariatric surgery my case manager made sure to stress that I had to have the monthly visits for 6 months for my pre-op managed diet. She was clear about what clearances I needed to get my approval.

For what it is worth once I got all my clearances pre-op my surgeon's office submitted the pre-authorization request on a Tuesday and I had approval Thursday the same week. It went smoothly because everyone was on the same page about what the insurance company needed for the approvals.

I had one assigned. She just really wanted to make sure I really understood the whole process. The process included the approval process, the nutrition, the surgery and that I was using an approved surgeon and facility.

How many times on this forum have we seen people that are surprised by the pre-op diet and the post-op eating restrictions? It was her job to help make sure that doesn't happen.

I was well educated prior to my first visit with my surgeon so my case nurse didn't need to do much.

I have worked in health insurance for 25+ years. I generally like when case management is involved. I have seen numerous times where the case manager has helped a patient by being an advocate for that patient. One case the person was a cancer patient and was constantly nauseous. The oncology office was blowing the patient off. The nurse helped the patient by suggesting diet changes to foods that were less likely to upset their stomach and pushed the doctor's office to prescribe an anti-nausea drug.

I have seen where the nurse case manager encourages a second opinion so that the patient is comfortable with their options.

I have never seen where case management is used to "trap" somebody to get something denied.

Many patients have a tough time navigating the health care system. The case management nurses will review the proposed care and make sure that what you are having done will be covered under insurance. If it isn't going to be covered they let you and your doctor's know before you incur the expense rather than you getting stuck with an unexpected bill.

For bariatric surgery my case manager made sure to stress that I had to have the monthly visits for 6 months for my pre-op managed diet. She was clear about what clearances I needed to get my approval.

For what it is worth once I got all my clearances pre-op my surgeon's office submitted the pre-authorization request on a Tuesday and I had approval Thursday the same week. It went smoothly because everyone was on the same page about what the insurance company needed for the approvals.

_{My surgeon did not make me get a sleep study. He based it on talking to me about my sleep habits and talking to my husband about me sleep habits. We also discussed how much energy I have and how often I nap, which is about once a month or month and a half. Based on those discussions he determined I did not need to consult either a pulmonologist or get a sleep study.}

_{The other surgeon in the practice apparently makes every patient get either a sleep study or have a consult with a pulmonologist.}

_{Sleep apnea is under diagnosed in the general population anyway. It is a larger issue for people that are obese. For most surgeons having all of their patients have a sleep apnea test and/or a pulmonary consult is a protection for them. This way they make sure you make it through the surgery and the initial number of months without issues.}

_{I would actually talk to your surgeon (not his staff) about the results of the sleep study to determine if you really need to buy the CPAP based on your results. If he does require you to use it then I would look into a short term rental. Or if you need to show up with one ask around to see if you can borrow one or buy one off of Craig's list. A really high percentage of people stop using them after a few months. If they go to make you actually use it at the hospital claim you get claustrophobic with it and can't use it.}

I have a particular donut I like from my local grocery store. One of the things I have been able to do is buy 1 of those donuts. I stand by the trashcan outside the store and eat 1/3 to 1/2 the donut and throw out the rest. This way I get the taste I wanted but cannot finish the rest of the donut when my will power fails me.

I have done that with things out of the vending machine at work too. There are times of the month if I do not have a bite of chocolate I might murder a co-worker or two. The trash cans are right by the vending machines. I break off 1/3 of the candy bar and throw the rest away.

Yes my will power has failed in that I am buying that crap to begin with but at least I am not consuming the entire thing. The key for me is to throw away the rest. It is my way to have things in moderation.

I do have an almost daily piece of chocolate. I like the Linder chocolate truffle or a chocolate covered cherry. I buy 1 piece at a time. It is my splurge but since I only buy 1 I can't overeat it.

OP- If you are like me you are regretting the purchase as you are hitting the door out of the store. Maybe you can take 1 handful of the salty snack, throw the rest away in the trash outside the store and drive away. This way you get you salt fix but can't overeat as much of it.

I had bought some deli ham lunch meat shaved and tried some Saturday evening as a snack. I had two thin slices with a 1 oz piece of cheese. Those two slices seemed to be okay; it did not have any spicy seasonings to it and I chose Ham off the Bone. So no Honey Ham, Maple Ham, Bavarian Ham...anything like that. I got greedy and tried a 3rd piece. That is when everything went to pot. Instantly had pain in middle of my chest, felt nauseous, actually was in the bathroom with head over the commode. I did spit up a few times, and once felt like food was coming up, but after that time everything kind of calmed down. Did I overeat or did the ham not sit well with the tummy? I don't plan on trying the lunch meat again for a while. I also bought some turkey breast but haven't tried it yet. A bit nervous to do so.

On a side note, when I began pureed foods, I did take some chili that the husband and I had made over the winter and froze and pureed about 1/4 cup of it. The chili had meat and Beans in it and after pureeing it, was fine to eat and sat quite well. I have not ventured to try any other beef such as taco meat, steaks, etc. yet. I'm pretty much sticking with chicken, tuna, fish and that's about it.

Early after surgery I had to be careful with deli meats. I think because deli turkey and the ham off the bone are very soft meats they could sorta pack in my sleeve and make me uncomfortable feeling. If I alternated the deli meat with something else such as Tomato or broccoli I didn't get that feeling.

My surgeon specifically addressed diet soda and alcohol. He said I could have both in moderation once I hit 6 months after surgery.

I will have a glass of wine or a shot of Fireball now and then.

I tried a sip of DH's diet Dr. Pepper because I had a really nasty taste in my mouth. I swished it around in my mouth before I swallowed. It was enough to let me know that I would not want to drink any more than that one sip. I would have been very uncomfortable if I had more than that. I was probably 15 months post-op. Post-op my sleeve has not had a problem with anything I have ever consumed. My sleeve is not exactly picky so it did surprise me that soda might be a problem.

I find I don't miss my diet Dr. Pepper and don't feel the need to start drinking it again.

I drink 95% of my liquid each day with a straw.

I would appeal it with BCBS anyway. Ask for the copy of the actual wording in the Policy they are denying it under.

While each BCBS is different and they each had many plans I had no problems with my pre-op blood work being paid by them.

I would raise Holy heck with the surgeon's and Quest about getting it rebilled with additional codes such as the ones for any co-morbidities such as high blood pressure, reflux, fatigue etc....

If BCBS refuses to provide the specific provision of the policy they are using to deny the claim you can file a complaint with your state's department of insurance. Sometimes that helps move things along even if your policy is self funded and not insurance.

I had palpitations when I was dehydrated. I had to make sure I drank enough. Early on it had to be hot or warm.

Have you considered getting the shot that you get every 6 months? Prolia is one of the brand names.

Reclast I think is the once a year injections.

Play with the temp of your liquids. Early on I preferred hot or room temp. Now I much prefer lots of ice.

Try different flavorings- I like some of the Mio ones. Early on I used Decaf tea mixed with herbal tea for different flavors. I sometimes drink Chick Fil-A diet lemonade that I Water down. I cannot get myself to drink much plain Water.

For me I can only get in enough liquids in if I use a straw. I know this is against most surgeon's programs but I have never had in issue. I have read many people on this board say they use straws.

It can be very hard to get in your liquids early on. It gets easier. I now drink 80-90 oz a day. I am never without a double walled cup with a straw unless I am riding my horse. No cup holder there.

I have added a lobster tail or shrimp skewer to hubby's meal as my meal and will steal a couple of bites of his Caesar salad.

I have ordered a single meatball.

I get appetizers mostly. One of my favorites is the Ahi tuna from Outback. It comes with just a little bit of Asian slaw. They have small and large. The small is perfect.

I have ordered off the kid's menu. Most places don't mind.

I travel about 10 times a year for business so eat out a lot.

Quite a few restaurants now have on the menu, a lettuce wrapped burger instead of a bun. I love that!! I have never ordered it but I think the next time I see it, I am going to, just because I love them for doing this!!

You can get any of Red Robin's chicken sandwiches or burgers this way. I have gotten them a few times. Yummy.

I decided to use getting a tattoo as a reward. For me I would get one when I got to 165 pounds. I got it on the outside of my thigh just above the knee. It isn't a very big one.

165 is not my goal weight for overall weight loss but it was an interim number I picked.

I would wait and use it as a nice reward to yourself when you hit one of your interim goal weights.

I have PCOS. I have been more regular since the surgery. I had the hair on my face lasered. I still have plenty of hair on my arms so I shave that still.

The hair on my head is still a little bit thin.

I used to regularly get these big honking cyst things in my armpits and groin. I have not had them in a long long time. The last one I had was much smaller.