trekker954

Its not fair that you have to use your vacation time in lieu of sick leave (I assume you have a sick leave policy). Therefore, I would go with some other surgery. If you only spoke to her about the WLS two months ago, don't you think she'll be suspicious that you really are having WLS? Although if you only see her every few years, it shouldn't matter. Its a tough position you are in. I didn't want to tell my boss but I had to because I wanted to take this extended sick leave. I have nearly 4 months accumulated and plan to retire next year. I'd like to dip into that a bit before taking my vacation days for what is a medical issue.

Most surgeons have a strict 2 week pre-op diet (either total Protein shakes/clear liquids or modified clean meals + shakes). Also called the liver shrink diet. They have to get to that stomach and have to move that big fatty liver out of the way. So its healthy for you to shrink that sucker. Others who have a lot to lose are told to start dieting immediately. Of course, common sense tells you to start cutting out something now such as sugar, carbs, soda and a big one you should start dealing with now is caffeine. Withdrawal from caffeine isn't so easy. You have terrible headaches and are moody for a while. That's common sense, human nature however, being a couple months out from your expected date, is going to pull you to want to eat a lot of your favorite meals one last time. All advice will say don't do that, but do try and be healthy for surgery, if you must, make sure you don't pig out in quantity. Another thing you should really start to do now, is portion control.

Glad to hear that the 60 years young group, is having success. My surgery date is this Wednesday. I have all my post-op shakes and drinks ready to go. To keep busy during this liquid pre-op, I just packed up all my 2X and 18s-20s and put them in a bag for Goodwill. I've already lost 19 pounds, so more or less 1X. I'll need to gigantic bags when I pack up the 1x. Gives me something to do, I'm starving right now. Ready to go drink my dinner.

@@TransformeVSG I too have TWO weddings. My nephew on Long Island, so I'm flying up exactly one month after for 2 nights. Then my best friend the weekend after on the Gulf Coast Florida (so I'm driving over). I do hope I have the energy. In my photo (which isn't everything I really have, lol). I have my Magic Bullet blender (had it for years), various types of Protein power (GENEPRO unflavor, unjury, BariatricPal various flavors and Soups, Syntrax Peanut Butter cookies) PB2, patch MD Vitamins, BariMelt vitamins, various minerals, nectar powder drinks, stock, boullion cubes and bone broth (chicken, vegie, beef), gas-x (BTW, during my pre-op, the nurse told me I could bring them to the hospital), beano, prevacid, Bariatric Samples of fusion shakes, decaf coffee and decaf peppermint tea, sugar free ice tea, mineral boost drink, my little 2 ounce cups. Not pictured in refrig are other ready to drink Protein Shakes and various types of Water with minerals and or protein. This morning I chose one of the samples i received, the fusion cinnamon bun. Funny, I came out of my room and loudy annouced I was having a cinnamon bun. My daughter dropped her jaw (my DH, just said thats nice and didn't look up, lol). Then showed them my shake. Anyway, first couple of sips, I said, hmmmmmm, it really tasted like a cinnamon bun......but after a while, I was turned off. It was just too sweet. Then again, I don't usually like the real cinnamon buns because they are too sweet.

My one week before pre-op includes Protein shakes (with skim milk or water) and Clear liquids (there is a long list of what that can be). 24 hours before surgery only clear liquids. And I need to take a mild laxative such as milk of magnesia) 30ml the day before surgery around 5 pm. I cannot drink or eat anything after midnight the night before surgery .

patch is not prescription. Sent from my SM-N910T using the BariatricPal App

I wasn't going to rush it. Insurance covers up to 5 days, but mostly allowing for complications. I figured maybe two nights. However my colleague was in Cleveland clinic giving her husband a kidney. She came home sick after 2 days post op. Hubby still in 2 weeks later. Both reportedly contracted "hospital infections". She told me to leave as soon as I could. Great surgeons but so many germs. Ugh Sent from my SM-N910T using the BariatricPal App

Thanks for the input all. Oh yes, its Tai Cheng, lol It going to take a while to learn all those moves. I love walking, but live in South Florida and most months it is either too hot or too mosquito infested. I'm in Toronto this week for work, I was looking forward to it being cool. Wrong, its blazing hot here too. So I have been doing the Tai Cheng DVR, and treadmill and a few short aerobic videos. I'm kind of looking forward to going home Thursday night. My pre-op surgery appointment is Friday morning with my surgeon and then the anesthesia department. I haven't weighed myself in three weeks. I'm kind of looking foward to it and updating my weight in my profile. My pre op diet the first week was two clean meals (no carbs) and one shake. Tomorrow my second week, I start ALL liquids for a week. I have no issues with Protein shakes, although really only care for the chocolate ones, but I've ordered many different kinds. I'm also having my gallbladder removed at the same time. I've always been diagnosed with a fatty liver, so lets hope it has shrunk a little. Of course I want to lose weight, more importantly I want to stop gaining also. As I mentioned so far my health is in check, but I swear another 10 or 20 pounds gained and I know for sure, I'll be running into all kinds of health issues. I'm sure I can do this, I'm pretty motivated. When I told my best friend she was very supportive, but I was floored when she confided to me that she had the sleeve done about 20 years ago and would like to see about the next step since she said she only lost 35 pounds (and of course regained all of that and then some). I've know her the past sixteen years and we've dieted together on and off all that time. your comments are encouraging.

Connie, can I ask your age. I often wonder if age has a key in who will suffer vs who will breeze through the recovery process. As well as for those that are successful or not. I'm sure age has to matter. I'm a tad nervous about that because I'm 62 1/2 scheduled for the sleeve next week.

Keep in mind, most insurance companies stipulate Medically supervised in order to approve the surgery. As a previous poster mentioned, most Nutritionist associated with Bariatric programs, are considered medically supervised. But choosing a dietitian, may not do the trick for insurance. Just double check before you spend the money.

You should call back your surgeons office to verify. Did you get any type of handouts during the consultation. Maybe you just missed that bit of info. I had to attend a class before consultation. Was given the "handbook". Everything is in there. Details of the pre-op to post-op diet. Nothing was mentioned during my consult or any other time. But its in their book they expect me to read. I think I've read it cover to cover 20 times, maybe more as my date is 8/10.

That's true, didn't think of that. Thanks. Sent from my SM-N910T using the BariatricPal App

I had told a couple of close colleagues I needed my gallbladder out (back in January) which is true, that is coming out also, I had to postpone the surgery until this month. I haven't mentioned it again. I had to tell my boss a couple of weeks ago because she wanted me to go to Haiti for a meeting a few weeks after. So she knows and was told not to discuss it with anyone. Things happen. My surgery got postponed for 7 months. I think its worse, telling, they showing up at work when you are suppose to be out on sick leave. My office is filled with young gossipers. I hope I lose so much they are WHAT HAVE you done? But since my weight has gone up and down for years and if they assume or I tell them my gallbladder was removed, they obvious I have to change my diet for that as well. If you don't want to say anything, I say, then say nothing. Later on, as you shrink, you can decide then whether or not to tell.

Is this for vets. My NUT said I can't have any more than 5 grams sugar per meal, including my Protein drinks/shakes.

These are the areas I get a lot of pain, while sleeping in hotels. You were in the hospital a night or two. It could be just that you weren't sleeping in your own bed. I really have no idea, just a thought

My instructions say once on this phase introduce one new food at a time. I guess more guidance will help. Is that one new food a day, once a week, etc. I know if we tolerate we can move on.

Amazon has them on their site also.

Thanks these are a lot of good tips. I'm like you DJmohr, I'm a rule follower to the letter. My plan does not allow me to start back my Vitamins until Phase III (soft/pureed). So not until 2 weeks post-op. I was worried about patients saying they cannot even drink their Water. I did some research on here and other sites where I have found it may be just the pH in my water and different ways to soften the water or trying different brands or flavors can may the big difference. Maybe, they mention that in my discharge papers/visit, but its not in the handbook they gave me with my instructions. I'm grateful everyday for this forum.

I'm not seeing how this math adds up. My food intake pre-op usually takes place between 8 am and 7 pm (11 hours). Or am in interpreting this wrong? Post op instructions from CCF. Phase I – Day 2 home from hospital (2 to 3 days) (CLEAR LIQUIDS) NO Protein shakes YET Drink 1 – 3 ounces Clear Liquids every hour (up to 64 ounces per day) Phase II – FOR 2 WEEKS - sugar free Liquids - HIGH Protein Shakes. NO SOLID FOODS YET Drink 60 grams of protein per day in the form of liquid, high Protein shake Drink 4 -8 ounces (1/2 to 1 cup) protein shake 3 times per day. Do not skip meals (set alarm) Stop drinking when you feel full Drink SF clear liquids in between shakes for total of 64 ounces (8 cups)per day 30 minutes RULE to Fluid intake. WAIT 20 MINUTES BEFORE AND AFTER YOUR SHAKE TO DRINK OTHER LIQUIDS. So help me understand. And I do understand the instructions say "Up To" 64 ounces. But even on the low end, that sounds like a lot in the 1/2 day I'm away. My life is no responsibility to anyone or anything at home, so typically by 6:30, I relax on the couch, watch news; internet, TV shows and usually asleep by 9:30-10 pm. I'm 62. Phase I. if I were able to consume 3 ounces day 2 and 3 each of my 11 hours that would equate to 33 ounces (half of the daily requirement). Or should I be aiming to drink 5 ounces every hour for my 11 hours, or should I be trying to extending my intake hours. I also anticipate, I'll still be on pain meds, possibly not even being awake that many hours. Phase II - pretty much the same questions, but this looks like I need to get in more ounces within this period. Will I really be able to up all my liquids to 8 ounces per

I wish my surgeon would allow Vitamins during 2 week pre op diet, but I had to stop taking my vitamins as they said they it may affect your blood clotting time. ???? Also no NSAIDS once in pre-op diet. I keep getting leg cramps, probably due to lack of potassium or calcium.

I would like to use my Magic Bullet (the smaller one) to make my pureed foods. Will that work? I've never pureed foods, I don't have a clue. I have a nice blender that I use for Margaritas oh wait, yeah, no more margaritas. I like my magic bullet size. Also I travel a lot and will still have some traveling a month out when I'm still eating soft pureed and mushy foods. I prefer to travel only with carry on. Has anyone had experience going through TSA with their Magic Bullet or similar blender. After googling, I've seen people say they got thru while others said no, they had to check. Anyone do this lately and get thru with no problems? Also can someone enlighten me. I've read no more carbs. Yet people are saying when they start soft mushy stage, they are eating mashed potatoes and/or refried Beans. Okay, so beans have some Proteins. I guess the best is to mix your unflavored Protein powder in the mashed???

I bring my morning yogurt, put it in a baggie. leave it in my carry on, and go through TSA pre all the time, without problem. My surgeon typically allows patients to start on pureed 2 weeks out, but from what I read here, that may be pushing it for most. Mentally, I preparing to take it slow. I'm older, a very busy worklife, although plan to stay close to home for the first month. I'm going to be a month out when I have to fly to NYC for a wedding (2 night trip). I am going to forgo the blender for that. The following weekend I drive 4 hours to a wedding and spend 4 nights in a hotel. I think I want to bring the blender for that. But thats fine, I'm driving. The day after I return I fly, only with a carry-on, to California for two nights and vegas for 4 nights. I'll be in a Residence Inn. I guess I can call ahead and ask if they can give me some type of blender. Hopefully so, although doubtful. In add these instances, I should be able to hit up a grocery store. My adult daughter is so disappointed not that she's meeting me in Vegas, but that I won't be visiting the wonderful buffets there. Skinny minny that she is, she is somewhat very disappointed in my journey as she truly feels our numerous vacations will change quite a bit. Some of our vacations have revolved around wine tours. We also cruise often, but rarely ever ate in the main dining rooms. She can't have it both ways. She has seen me slow down considerably the past two years. I just have gained too much weight and can't keep up with the walking and adventurous tours. I hope my WLS restores the adventurous me again.

thanks girls. Its great getting a shopping list from our very successful forum friends. I've made up two list one for Cosco and a general Shopping List.

In preparation, I'm working on my "out of milk" app and want to see what everyone is buying at costco. I have a membership but never go myself, my husband uses it occasionally. I'd like to add, that lots of articles say our taste bud changes after surgery. I'm really hopeful because I'm Irish, grew up on meat and potatoes (and ice cream). I can eat light yogurt, but always hated the taste of Greek yogurt. I can eat shell fish, but never cared much for any other fish and salmon, only if its covered in a french sauce. So I'm hoping my taste buds change and I welcome Greek yogurt and fish. Thanks

My surgery is taking place at Cleveland Clinic Florida. They require post-op appointments at 2 weeks; 2 months; 6 months; and 1 year. I'd imagine I'll be paying a co-pay for these visits. Lab work will be required for each. Included in my surgery fee is also a visit a month with the nutritionist. I'm not sure how this works yet, my surgery is still a week away. They also want me to be visiting my primary. (assume that is really optional unless something is wrong). They also offer monthly support groups (I do not believe there is even a co-pay for these. Once your insurance pays for the surgery that is the biggest cost. I don't think they are going to hold back payment for "post-op" appointments. All those co-pays do add up thats for sure. I had to go through a lot of testing, some invasive and expensive before getting approval from the surgeon (not insurance). Insurance approval seemed pretty easy actually. But IMHO, I think going to your post-op appointments are important as well as key to your success.