ValerieDee1975

I get how you feel...I did lot of saying goodbye to my fave foods...but guess what? Eventually you more than likely will be able to eat those things again or try new stuff...it may be a little while and only small bits at a time, but you will be able to...keep that in mind. I was told not to buy too much cause sometimes (for unknown reasons) that our tastes can change...like if you like chocolate pre you might not like the taste after...so far, that hasn't been true for me. I made up some sf choc pudding today with some added Protein Powder in chocolate and it is tasty! I recommend saying a good bye to your faves with the idea that it will be ok, if it takes a while to have again or never again....keeping it positive really does make it easier and the more positive you push yourself to be the more real it becomes Good Luck! V

Hi everyone!! Ok, just went through the most horrific thing. As you may know, i am about 5 days post op now and it's been going great...I have even lost about 8 lbs. since surgery. My doc's only hiccup (not really a worry) was that I hadn't had a BM...ok, the crap literally hit me today and just did not want to come out and I know we are not supposed to push really hard, but sometimes you can't help it...nothing was working. Some background: I take Morphine twice a day anyway for degenerative disc disease in my low back, so I have prescription Colace to take with it...no help. I finally had to call the on call doc at my hospital and he said I could take my liquid Magnesium Citrate (already had some in house cause my Mom used to use it) and to add a Miralax to my daily pill list as well as double up on my Colace. Well, I hadn't even drunk half of the Mag Cit (found mine at the local Dollar Tree! They are great for some stuff) when stuff started moving! The doc said that with that there may be more cramping, but at that point I didn't care, just wanted relief! I got it, after A TON of sweating, shaking, pleading, etc...it passed...THANK THE GODDESS!!! I feel so much better now! Moral to my story? Be prepared...even if you have never had any troubles in that area, have some stuff on hand, better safe than sorry! Sorry if this was too graphic for some, but we are talking about changing our anatomy and are all adults...this stuff is an issue and we need to talk about it...to help the next one be prepared if nothing else! Good luck to all those waiting and Welcome to the other side for our post ops! V

I am no expert, but I don;t think this would happen...I was only required to loose 10 lbs., but I lost over 30 lbs.....had no problem, however I have Medicare and they don;t preapprove...they approve after the surgery (I know, it's all backwards)...but I honestly don;t think you have anything to worry about. Good Luck! What do you mean they approve AFTER the surgery? I have Medicare too. I am not sure if Medicare is different in different states, I am in VA...and here Medicare doesn't do anything on a preapproval basis...they decide after the fact if the procedure was medically necessary....now most of the time this is no problem...however if at anytime the claim is denied, what usually happens here (My Mom worked in insurance for many years) is that your doctor appeals that and then there should be no worry....I have never heard of anything being ultimately turned down, so I say you have nothing to worry about....if you want to check it out for yourself...Medicare should have a website for your state and you can research until you feel better or ask your surgeon's office how it was handled in the past...if you have any questions, ask your doc's office, they employ people who it is their sole job to deal with this stuff...there are no dumb questions...ask a billion...that's what they get paid for I'll say good luck, but you don;t need it......actually Medicare is one of the easier to deal with (less preop rules) even though it is gov't which can be a pain in the ass Take it easy!! V

Mainly I was ticked someone woke me up I was having a great nap. For a while I was dozing on and off coming off the anesthesia and my nurse kept hollering for me to take deep breaths (they were measuring my C02 output) but all I wanted to do was sleep....for me, I never had any negative thoughts popping in, I was and am sure this is the best thing for me. I know the pain will go away, I know I'll be able to eat (fairly) normally eventually. I am not a stranger to pain so this is a blip for me (I have degenerative disc disease in my back, arthritis in both knees, bursitis in both knees and shoulder, Fibromyalgia, etc.) I know this surgery will also help me manage those things better Yes, the gas pain is bad, but not unbearable...however I have a fairly high tolerance for pain...everyone is different. And my gas pain didn't kick in until I was home for a while (next day)...I was feeling great at the hospital! Now I feel like I've been hit by a truck lol Bottom line, my advice is to go with the flow, don't fight the pain, roll with it, makes it easier to deal. Good Luck!

Definitely Gas X strips, chapstick, maybe a book or kindle if you're a reader...comfy loose clothes to wear home, brush or comb for your hair, magazines maybe. I took a lot of things and luckily didn't really need them all, I was doing lots of dozing in and out...then the rns and cnas coming in and out taking vitals and such. My advice is to take a tad more than you think, just in case...it also depends on your hospital, mine had great wifi and their cable hook up was great for movies and such...could even access the internet from my tv. Good luck and go with the flow

Hello everyone! I am back, on the other side! Home the day after my surgery! Ok, here was my experience! Got to the hospital just before 7am yesterday, checked in, didn't have to wait long until I was taken back to be prepped, final weight before was 340.6...on a side note, my highest was 383, so I lost 43 on my own before surgery (taking a bow now ) Got prepped, undressed and covered in paper lol Wheeled in, was kind of hyper for that early...at least for me, I am not a morning person. Got to the OR, moved over to the table, strapped in, they put an oxygen mask on me and I remember nothing after that! TG Woke up in recovery, really dopey...apparently I had asked to pee but didn't really do anything, don't remember that lol....I remember the nurse kept hollering at me to take deep breathes as I was fading in a out of nappy time Took a while for my room to be ready, but finally got there about 5 pm....they were all shocked that I could get myself onto the bed on my own....I was feeling great if a little sleepy. Felt great all night, dozing in and out, reading, watching a movie or tv...so happy to get to sip water and ice chips...best stuff ever!! lol Finally peed...A LOT! but it felt great, was able to go to the bathroom on my own and wipe myself (wasn't sure about that part!) This morning, woke up about 6 am (of course they kept coming in to check vitals and what not) so I was reading a lot...very little pain, but then I had my morphine pump was upgraded to full liquids so that chicken broth was FABULOUS and the jello was TO DIE FOR! lol, felt myself get jsut full enough and knew when to stop...however at lunch I had a little too much and felt it. The Gas x strips someone recommended did really help, but I still wasn't feeling that horrible gas everyone described...just sore. They took away my pump but still not too bad...was released and got home about 3ish pm. Got my puppy loving in, was waking her, feeling good...got super tired around 5 so I took a nap...overslept my clock a little and upon waking..yep, feel like I have been in a car wreck! Gas is in residence and not much is helping, back, shoulders, chest, belly..ugh! took my evening meds (liquid) and one was so nasty that even hours later it has a bad taste in my mouth and making me cough....that HURTS! My advice, keep a pillow nearby, hold it to you when you cough, it helps some. So, that's were I am now...not regretting anything...I know there is a painful period in becoming the butterfly I can be and this is it...it will get better! Thanks for the support and energies! They really helped! and Good luck to all those waiting. My overall experience has been much better than I was expecting...so try to relax and go with the flow xoxo

Hi Everyone, this is my final post before surgery!!! My surgery is set for 8:30 in the AM, have to be at the hospital at 7AM....been doing last minute cleaning of the house and laundry, bathing my dog, etc. I am so ready, anxious, excited...everything at once! Good luck to anyone I miss...and send your healing energy my way! Thanks!!! Val

I am no expert, but I don;t think this would happen...I was only required to loose 10 lbs., but I lost over 30 lbs.....had no problem, however I have Medicare and they don;t preapprove...they approve after the surgery (I know, it's all backwards)...but I honestly don;t think you have anything to worry about. Good Luck!

Okay, I need to vent a little here, very emotional afternoon for me. I guess I have been truly lucky that my journey so far has been fairly easy and smooth....well....I hit my fuck up (sorry) today...ugh. I had a class this morning where we went over details, last minute questions etc.....my surgery is Wednesday (13th)...at this class my doc's NP gave us all our scripts for the pain meds for after surgery. Went to fill mine and was told since I see a Pain Management Dr. and I get Morphine from him (along the lines of what we were give, liquid Lortab), I was told by the pharmacy that my PM doc needed to okay me getting it. Called him about it (he is also refusing to change my Morphine to liquid) and he said he would not do that since it deals with a surgery he was not consulted on and knows nothing about (I have talked to him about it and told them it was happening!)...so bottom line, I can't get my post op pain meds!!! During all these calls I am crying like crazy cause I am already in pain from having to stop all my nsaids. Called my surgeons office about this and there is not really anything they can do....so she (the NP) said I can try to take my Morphine as usual since it is a really small pill..so that's where I stand now and I am still crying...and eating something bad of course so add the guilt on top....I know everything will work out somehow...beside the Morphine is so much more than the Lortab, if I can take it....I just needed to vent! Thank you guys for being here...y'all have been such a help to me since I started here. I'm not nervous about the surgery at all, just anxious...this crap is what makes me nervous...ok, rant done...thanks for reading/listening xoxo

Hey, here's the link to a couple that has the ingredients listed. http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00UAJ8CAQ/ref=ox_sc_act_title_4?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00UAJ8BM0/ref=ox_sc_act_title_5?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER

True, price wise, but if you can't find it in a local store, it's a consideration, plus it's for 3 cartons....and a few of them online on Amazon show the ingredients and stuff...Swanson has an Amazon store so you can check there...my biggest worry with them though is the sodium...my legs swell with too much

I can't find it at any grocery stores in my area yet. Oops. Have u tried walmart or target?I totally forgot to check there. Lol thanks I also just found it on Amazon...looks like a good deal and a few other flavors too

You should let your surgeon know, maybe they can prescribe or at least suggest something for you. I take prescription Colace (Doc-Q-Lace) and have for years since I also take Morphine...bonus, it comes in liquid. I have also seen lots of suggestions for Metamucil or the like (low sugar) and bought some ahead of time...just make sure there is NO stimulant in it...want a bit more natural so you don't hurt your new tummy by straining Good luck for your poops lol

You are a-okay! Mine is in a week and I've cheated 3 times during these Protein shakes! Just make sure if you're going to cheat off it, choose HEALTHY options! You're doing just fine! Don't kick yourself when you're so close! Don't feel bad, I have seen that many have cheated and I admit I have also (have still lost about 6 lbs. which is a bonus I say!), trying with healthy options but not always...forgive yourself and move on, don't beat yourself up over it...look how long we have all lived with food issues..a 2 week diet really won't change that, this whole thing is a process...plus we wouldn;t be having surgery if we could do it all on our own (at least for me..I have horrible will power! lol) This surgery, for me, is a tool to help with my journey to healthy...getting sick and such is a GREAT deterrent for me...so there is that. I say, if you cheat...forgive yourself, forget it and try (important word) to do better Good Luck all around!! My surgery is this coming Wed and I have been researching bariatric surgery for over 15 years, so this is a long time coming for me (really long story) and I am so excited...but getting a little nervous...I have OCD so I have already packed, have lists everywhere! lol Ok, done preaching! LOL Good Luck and Blessings All!

I totally get where you are coming from...I admit to cheating a little bit, nothing awful. I have lost 3 lbs. since May 1 But I hate the food commercials and no one is allowed to talk about food around me lol We can do it, just think of what we will get and we will eventually be able to eat most of what we want again, within reason! I still have just over a week (13th) to go and so far I haven't gotten really mean...feel like that may come when I have to stop my NSAIDs...not sure how well I can handle both hunger and pain My pre-op diet is 2 shakes, lunch and Breakfast and a Smart Ones for dinner (or the like)....was having a hard time with that so my nutritionist said I could add up to 3 Snacks a day, like a boiled egg, string cheese, lf cottage cheese, nsa yogurt, or 1 oz. of chicken. In my area Kroger carries their CarbSmart yogurt which has been really good and only has 3g sugar and like 9g protein and good flavors. I am having a harder time getting in all the water/liquid that I need too...even with adding flavor...so I think I am slightly dehydrated, but I am working on it! WE CAN DO IT!!! Good Luck

If all of your docs are saying keep it in, I would..like he said with no estrogen no problem....plus for whatever reason we tend to get really fertile after our surgeries....not to mention the pain in the ass of going through getting it out then back in, I have the Mirena IUD and there is no issue./ Good luck!!

For me Weight Watchers worked great for the diet part...it is more of a lifestyle change...they teach you how to eat real food in real life situations and going to meetings really works, so supportive and uplifting...even on bad days...everyone has them, you forgive yourself and move on. I was only required to loose 10 lbs., but I lost over 30 between Oct '14 and Feb '15...and that was without exercising...and having lots of bad days Good Luck again!

I'm doing Boost Calorie Smart - Chocolate. It's the best that I've had and approved by my nutritionist. I bought stuff from them and I just don't like it. I'm switching to Boost also...may cost a bit more, but has less sugar, haven't tried it yet so we'll see I had my preop testing today, just some blood work and my final visit with my surgeon, everything looks great! All that is left is a preop class they give for final questions (nutritionist and nurse give it), what to pack, what to expect, what to buy, etc. I am so excited but the butterflies have started...I am finally like "OMG this is really happening!" lol I hear ya! Butterflies something awful! I'm excited, nervous, determined, etc. So many emotions! I think you will like the boost. I love it. I've lost 8lbs on my pre-op liquid diet so far. Now I'm being asked by one or two of those who know I am having the surgery why I can't just continue on my own without surgery. They just don't understand! OMG, I get that question a lot too! What is it with people??? I started my journey in Sept of last year and my doc wanted me to loose 10 lbs...I started Weight Watchers last Oct and lost over 30lbs...so I got that question a lot from other WW people...yeah it was working for me and what not, but it was so hard and I just couldn;t really afford it long term...plus I have other health issues that having this surgery will definitely help with..anyway, i am SO GOOD with my decision...I know there may be a point where I regret doing it (apparently it's a thing) but I have been researching and prepping for over 15 years really...so I am way good! Good luck with yours too...I am really liking this site so far

Just my opinion, but I would say stay away from it...alcohol has lots of sugar in it...but have fun!

I'm doing Boost Calorie Smart - Chocolate. It's the best that I've had and approved by my nutritionist. I bought stuff from them and I just don't like it. I'm switching to Boost also...may cost a bit more, but has less sugar, haven't tried it yet so we'll see I had my preop testing today, just some blood work and my final visit with my surgeon, everything looks great! All that is left is a preop class they give for final questions (nutritionist and nurse give it), what to pack, what to expect, what to buy, etc. I am so excited but the butterflies have started...I am finally like "OMG this is really happening!" lol

For my 2 week preop diet, they have me doing 1shake for breakfast and one for lunch then a healthy meal for dinner...I am doing Smart Ones for that...plus my nutritionist told me if I am still getting really hungry I can do up to 3 small snacks a day...like lf yogurt, cheese stick, 1oz. of meat...stuff like that

I'm doing the Kroger brand of Slim Fast...pretty tasty

Roanoke, VA...with Dr. Kinga Powers at Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital