LousPeachy

It's a bit expensive but if you have the money, get a Vitamix! I love mine and it will do most anything. I use mine for Soups and smoothies/shakes. Not a lump to be found. I think it would be great for post-op. BTW, it has a 7 year warrantee. You could spend that much on replacing cheaper machines over that period of time. It does more than blend so you could use it through ALL the post-op stages and when you are on "normal" food.

I had major hernia surgery also. It was an open surgery. I also had gall bladder surgery with a HUGE incision. There were complications with that one. Plus, the hernia has torn out again. Lots to talk to the doctor about when I have my first appointment with him this Thursday. From what I have read, they like to do hernia surgery AFTER WLS. I am also concerned about scar tissue. If worse comes to worse they can do WLS the open way so it will add another scar with more recovery time. But at 67, that's the least of my worries. :-)

I had Gallbladder surgery a few years ago that ended up being open surgery and was in the hospital for 7 days with tubes coming out of every opening in my body. After surgery I had no drain which I thought was odd. When I went to have my staples removed (you are gonna love this one), as the doctor pulled out one of the staples.......WOOSH......the drainage shot out of me like Old Faithful and nearly got him right in the face!! I think he knew he messed up big time and was afraid of a lawsuit. It took several months of wound treatment 3 times a week to get it healed up since there was some infection also. What is scary is that this was the SECOND surgery he'd done on me, both that ended up open surgerys instead of Laprascopic. He said, half kidding, that he probably wouldn't do any more surgeries on me. I wanted to tell him not to worry he wouldn't be offered the job! In other words, drains are not always a bad thing! LOLOL

I feel the same way.Louise

Nothing to the Endoscopy! Just a little sore throat afterwards do don't worry about it. Louise

I am already trying to eliminate the junk food from my diet and eat frequent small meals, plus get off some weight since my BMI is well over 60. I ordered some Protein shakes and bars and am even using up some of the TON of Nutrisystem food I have left from years ago (you don't WANT to eat large portions of THAT stuff)! I lost 85 pounds on NS a few years ago and gained it all back PLUS MORE. Surgery will probably be several months from now but since I weighed in at 385 pounds 2 weeks ago, I could lose 50 pounds and STILL lots to lose. Past attempts have shown I can take it off but not keep it off for long. Louise

Medicare TX requires 3 month counseling sessions, I guess to see if you can lose weight on your own. If they look at all the years of doctor's visits with my weight going UP UP UP, I don't think I should have to have any more proof than that! They also require a sleep study but I have been using a CPAP for sleep apnea for around 7 year now, my last sleep test having been done just 3 years ago. I wonder if they will waive those 2 requirements. Probably not but it's the Government so there's no telling! LOL LOUISE

I don't know if I should be sad or glad I have a 5 year history of obesity and failure of keeping off what I DID lose. I have plenty of proof I can't do this by myself. I wish I had looked into this two years ago (had the same insurance) and not have waited till I gained more weight... Hope it all works out for you. Louise

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.

This CHEW CHEW CHEW thing is harder than I expected it to be. I am not doing well at all. The bypass surgery actually might be better for me because it means I CAN'T eat sweets. And I sure don't WANT to experienced dumping syndrome. I think I might do better that way. There is so much to think about I can't begin to take it all in. http://losingitat67.wordpress.com

Although surgery is several months in the future, I decided that starting today I would CHEW CHEW CHEW my food. That is going to take some retraining since I have been inhaling my food for 67 years. Started out ok but without even realizing it, I inhaled most of it. (and actually didn't even taste most of it). Louise

THIS IS THE SURGEON I WILL MEETING WITH A WEEK FROM TOMORROW. LOOKS LIKE HE IS WELL QUALIFIED AND VERY EXPERIENCED. Turnquest Surgical Solutions is comprised of a diverse team of surgeons, medical assistants, bariatric coordinators and practice office staff who enjoy helping people make life changing improvements in their health. Dr. Dexter Turnquest Dr. TurnquestDr. Turnquest is a board certified general and bariatric surgeon who has practiced in the Northwest Houston area for over 20 years. Dr. Turnquest is known for his dedication to his patients and excellent surgical skills. Repeatedly honored and featured in Texas Monthly’s annual “Super Doctors” issue, H Magazine’s “Top Doctors in Houston” publication, Health & Fitness magazine and Newsweek—Dr. Turnquest is trusted in the medical community and by media outlets. He is currently Bariatric Medical Director at Houston Methodist Willowbrook Hospital and has served as Chairman of the surgical department, Chief of Staff, and the Chairman of the Board of Trustees at Houston Northwest Medical Center. His program has been certified as a Center of Excellence for Bariatric Surgery by the ASMBS (American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery) and is one of the very few programs named a Blue Distinction Center for Bariatric Surgery in Texas. He is past President of the North Branch of the Harris County Medical Society and has served on the board of the Harris County Medical Society and the Houston Academy of Medicine. Dr. Turnquest is on the Board of Directors at Health South Rehabilitation Hospital. He was recently elected to the Board of Medical Legislation at Harris County Medical Society. Dr. Turnquest is actively involved with The Texas Medical Association and serves on the Trauma and EMS committee. Dr. Turnquest is board certified (1996) and recertified (2006) by the American Board of Surgery and is a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons and of The American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS). When not working, Dr. Turnquest enjoys spending time with his wife and two children.

Congrats to all of you! That is so exciting! I can hardly wait to see the pounds start dropping off! Louise

I am so glad you were able to update us! And it is great to hear you are not in a lot of pain! This is a second birthday for you! I bet your hospital stay will be a short one.. God bless you, Louise

Thank God for a support group like this! I have had 3 very difficult surgeries. Two have been in the last 5 years. But i have a feeling this one will be a whole new ball game. :-( From what I have read, at 3 weeks post-op, you still have a lot of healing to do. Do you have a blender? (I have a Vitamix). I would try using it to make it like baby food with NO solid pieces of food at all. I have heard that even the tinyest particle of food can bother you. Maybe add a little bit of chicken or beef broth to it to make it thinner. I am trying to figure out how you can "sip" 64oz of water! I don't work so I will always have water next to me like I do now. I deal with diarrhea a lot already so I understand that only too well. Like I will be telling myself after my surgery (if it is approved), most if not all of this is temporary and I can deal with just about anything if I know there is a end in sight! BTW, what does your doctor say about all this? I am sure he has dealt with all of this before. I think I can add you as a friend and you can do the same. I have a pretty new blog where I post a little encouraging graphic/saying every day. You can sign up to be notified when I post something new. http://losingitat67.wordpress.com God bless you, Louise God's richest blessings to you.

Has anyone purchased of the Doctor's office beam scales? I think that is the only one you can really trust. MY BLOG http://losingitat67.wordpress.com

The taste of Cranberry juice grows on you! MY BLOG http://losingitat67.wordpress.com

That's FANTASTIC! I am so very happy for you! I meet with the surgeon next Thursday. With the number of WLS's he has preformed, he should pretty well know if Medicare will approve it. Again, CONGRATS on the good news! CHECK OUT THE NEWLY POSTED "Inspiration" ON MY BLOG-A NEW ONE EVERY DAY! http://losingitat67.wordpress.com

Thanks for explaining. This would be a link to my blog. MY BLOG http://losingitat67.wordpress.com Louise

Not weight related so I am posting here. I think I read somewhere (can't find it now) you can't posts links in your posts? But I have seen some people do so. What do I need to do so I can do so too?

Thanks!

Actually, salads are one of my favorite foods. I can eat meat in moderation but I really prefer a salad with some chicken and cheese, tomatoes and onions, broccoli UUUGGG...look what you made me do. Kidding aside, keeping calories down in a salad can be a challenge. Gotta eat the really healthy things and most of all, be careful with the salad dressing! A lot of them are full of calories, fat and sodium. I wonder if I have the gastric bypass if I will eventually be able to eat a salad?

I don't mind paying for samples but I DO balk at paying $5 or $6 shipping for a tiny purchase. If they would apply the shipping towards a future purchase, I would be ok with that.

At first I thought this was off topic but then decided that it was not. This has to do with NEVER GIVING UP, HOPE, FAITH and ENCOURAGMENT. Around Thanksgiving of last year, after seeing how much work our house needed, we thought we would never be able to afford to get it done. Then came the MIRACLE! To keep it brief, a dear friend won a large sum of money playing the lottery. He paid for a huge remodeling job, bathroom (I have a gorgeous porcelain walk in shower, bathroom remodeled from top to bottom! Our bedroom has new flooring and a new paint job. The kitchen was another top to bottom remodel including new cupboards. The living room has new flooring and paint job. We have new doors, the leaky windows don't leak anymore. We have new appliances, dishes and lots more. This has taught me a valuable lesson...God can work through the most impossible problems and difficult situations. He can help us ALL to become healthier through WLS. More often than not, He expects us to do our part. But He can also use something totally off the wall like the lottery to make life so much better for two Senior citizens who don't even buy lottery tickets. KEEP GOING ON GOING ON! WLS may be easy or hard but it CAN CHANGE OUR LIVES FOR THE BETTER! REMEMBER, NEVER GIVE UP!

Big miracles are great for sure but sometimes it is the SMALLEST ones that blesses you the most,