Gethealthy2016

Anyone have both done? I was getting comfortable with the Sleeve stuff and know the left incision will be the worst pain, but I'm worried about the hernia repair. I think mine is small, but as mentioned in other posts it is the silent kind that the radiologist said is dangerous. Worried about what to expect for healing and pain tolerance? I have a very low tolerance for pain unfortunately....

Thanks guys! This surgeon is the best in the state and one of the top in the country so I am hoping to have a similar experience-except I am extremely fair skinned and blond to boot! I think the closer it gets to my date the more my brain is playing the fear card. Ugh. I did have my appendix out and remember the pain came from sneezing lol but generally it was more a pain in the butt to get up or down versus actual surgery pain. I'm hoping for that to be the case with this...but this seems much more major. I really enjoy these boards as they help me through the processing of what is about to happen!

Congrats!! I have to say I envy your success and hope I too can hit those goals. Great job!!

Hi all! My date is May 2nd for sleeving, super nervous. But finding it difficult to understand Vitamins. I currently take Iron, multi, D3, and fish oil. Fish oil is out for awhile because I can only stomach one kind. But for the others, am I missing anything and how much iron do we need? I know for D3 I have to take more than a normal daily average. Does the hospital tell you the amounts before you go home? I'm hoping to find a barimelt kind in case I can't stomach the chewables during the liquid stage.

Hum...well funny thing is I don't have acid reflux. I had it once due to what I ate, but generally I never have it. I'm in my 30s but when I was a teenager I used to suffer-not anymore. I had no idea I had a hernia, and the radiologist said because I don't have symptoms that's why it has to be corrected. I'm not sure what Barrett's is, but no one mentioned that as an issue. Is the sleeve not the way to go if you have a hernia period? Again, thinking I missed that day of class!

Did you get that list once you were checked out from the hospital or prior? I know I'm stocked up on D3, and I already wear a wig so no sense in worrying about biotin. But calcium and iron seem to be things I would need.

Thanks guys! Just want to stock up prior to surgery. ????

I just discovered today that in May I have my hernia repair (though I think it is a small one I haven't had the heartburn and the radiologist stated that is the dangerous kind), liver biopsy and an really long word that starts with a e and is some type of scope. I didn't think the pain would be related to anything except the incisions (heard left is worst) and I'm getting sleeved. Feel like I missed this day in class with the hernia is bad...I only planned 10 weeks out of work, but wondering if I now need more?

Well I finally made it to my last appointment with the NUT. Cleared all my appointment/clearances and have lost 28lbs in four months. Of course, that's merely a drop in the bucket-I am now 257lbs and 5'6 (plus a newly found hiatal hernia) so I have roughly 100lbs left to go. I luckily don't have a full liquid diet beforehand, but I am really getting nervous for the surgery itself. I know I will have regrets right after and I am making the right call, but I have some fear of pain and the hospital stay. It sounds stupid but I'm even afraid of a cath! I had my appendix out and it wasn't that bad, so no clue why I am suddenly super nervous! I know I have to fix the hernia so it's not like I will back out here but how did everyone shake the jitters?!

Hi! My insurance only required four months of dietician, but I had to work alongside a Cigna nurse as well. I was worried about the educational program but it does go fast and you do lose weight during the process. I have done weight watchers for 10 years and was sad to learn I was going about things the wrong way by focusing on Fiber and fruits/veggies versus eating Protein first. MIND BLOWN-but it works! Good luck on your journey!!!

Woohoo! Congrats!????????

Hi! I just sent you a message through FB to be added to your secret group. I'm not sure how they work, but I hoping to be sleeved by April pending insurance approval. Only one visit to the NUT left! Nervous and excited all at the same time!

Hi all! I am heading out of state for a week with a friend and need plane friendly, shelf stable advice on things to pack to take. While I know I can visit a grocery store there, I will be with her family and one car so I won't have everything I need to stay on plan right away like Greek yogurt, FF cottage cheese, etc. I need to pack some kind bars, but most of my Protein comes from meat and low fat/FF dairy. Any suggestions?

*stock not stick ????

Thanks all! I plan to stick to Protein, it's just awkward because I don't want to have $100 grocery bill to stick the fridge. I need to find some good Protein Bars as Kind chewy only has 3 grams. I'm also taking low sugar oatmeal for mornings. I think chicken and veggies will be the go to for nights out!

I have Cigna and they require 4 visits 30 days apart with dietician (which the hospital also requires time in their education forum). They also required the nurse contact but it has been monthly-not a one and done scenario. She helps to ensure you are staying on track and reminds you of the requirements. So after all the tests, letter from your regular doc and from the surgeon (needed a second opinion from their hospital doc too), then I can submit the paperwork. I'm heading to third dietician this week, and the psychological evaluation. Pending I pass all of those, just need to meet the surgeon and the final dietician visit in March before submitting everything to Cigna. Wish you luck on your journey!

Fear-Not making it through the educational program the Nut has instituted before surgery. Other fears post-op I try not to think about until insurance approves a date. I am struggling with staying on plan. There are days I do just fine with 10 grams or more Protein per meal, and under 10 grams each of sugar and fat per meal. But others I am still feeling hungry and wanting to eat more. I'm sure it is a head game, but is this normal? Especially before my cycle, I couldn't keep meals under the fat and sugar content (aversion roughly 15 grams each). I eat a lot of Greek yogurt so my protein can be above 80 sometimes when I have pork or chicken in the same day. Meeting with the Nut after one month next week. I had two bad days over Christmas and regained what I lost so focusing hard this week to get back on track. I hear after surgery you aren't hungry so I am hoping this is normal and just the hormone aspect of hunger that is gone after the sleeve? I also REALLY struggle with slowing down. Taking 10 minutes to eat a yogurt is really slow-but the longest I've taken for a meal is 30 minutes. And I was forcing myself to do that-not sure why that is so hard.

Hi everyone-I'm new as well. This is a great topic and I've enjoyed reading all the posts because I am in the same boat. Currently only three people know-husband, close friend and my stepmother (by default because I wasn't able to drive to the first appointment at the hospital due to recovering from a leg issue). Ironically, several individuals in my department have recently had this surgery. Our company insurance thankfully covers it so it is something several folks take advantage of if possible. My boss actually recommended it to me simply because we have known each other for years and he knows my husband wants to have kids but I refuse to at this weight-plus I have lymphedema in my legs which could force me into a wheelchair eventually. He knows about that because I have to wear crocks to work. So one day he says, "Not to pry, but have you considered this surgery? Wouldn't the weight loss help relieve the stress on your legs?" Sadly, while I should have been offended, I didn't want him to know I had already begun the process at our local hospital. I just nodded and said I'd look into it. He then went an additional step and told his boss just to come back to tell me that they both would support it next year if I had to take the full 3 months off for STD that others in the department took. I was so shocked at his kindness as I know he knows taking time off work worries me as I don't want to let my team down. And he truly is a great boss to even go the extra mile to ensure I am healthy. Yet, I still don't want anyone to know for all the reasons folks posted above. I've witnessed how an entire department gets behind supporting people yet judges them at the same time. I guess it comes down to a fear of failing, as I am a senior leader and don't want my struggle to define who I am-especially professionally. Reading above though I realized I can't not tell my family because to another poster's point, family functions will happen and if I'm still in the liquid stage I need to be honest so they don't think I am being rude. Luckily with the new year coming, most people will think it's the typical lose weight resolution for more working out (which I desperately need to start walking) and eating better. Now that the "Holiday Season" is behind me, I can hopefully slink by under the radar under March or April which I am hoping to have as my surgery date!

Hi everyone! Newbie here. I have struggled with weight loss most of my life. I've seen my PCP, and she is on board with getting a sleeve. Went to Riverside Hospital in Columbus, Ohio to a free seminar and believe I have enough to get started. My insurance (Cigna) requires 90 days of physician supervised weight loss program-so I've rejoined Weight Watchers for probably the 10th time and already had one doc appointment for weigh in. The hospital requires a psych evaluation and a nutritionist appt but they haven't called me. Think I'll call Monday to see what I have to do to get started. Couple of questions for you guys who have been through this process.... 1. Do you need to be approved before talking to the hospital? 2. Anyone had a sleeve at Riverside? 3. Anyone have an opinion on Riverside vs Ohio State?

Well had a successful appointment with the NUT, told >10 grams of Protein at each meal and snack. Fat and sugar must be <10 grams. Color me confused here, but almost every single fruit I look up has way more than 10 grams sugar. While it is natural sugar, perhaps the under 10 is for processed food? For example, apples, blackberries, blueberries and watermelon would be off limits? Can that be accurate? I thought about calling the Nut tomorrow but perhaps this is just a silly question and fruit is off limits?

Got it thank you! Saved me an embarrassing question for the Nut! I've never eaten this much Protein and spent hours at the store trying to figure out the "math". Since I was following weight watchers before this I stocked up on apples, blueberries, blackberries, a small watermelon and clementines. Then I got home and found so much sugar in each item-but I'll have my seven year old eat it and maybe I'll split some with her.

Thanks for the vote of confidence! I don't know why I was nervous, my Nut is so sweet. And I learned a ton with understanding under 10 grams of fat and sugar per meal and over 10 grams of Protein. I also had a wellness screening at work and fasting glucose was 87 versus 101 at prescreen blood work. Huge difference and I'm excited to start Vitamins too. So excited to be on this path-with a long battle to go. But I know I can do this!!!

So I'll admit, my pre blood work came back square at pre diabetic, and I have slightly elevated Protein in the urinalysis. I knew about the protein but doc said I'm not drinking enough fluids previously. The A1C at 6.2 made my heart sink to the floor. If I thought about chickening out of surgery before-that is definitely not happening now, especially with a BMI at 46. So hoping to have some positive thoughts as I start the journey tomorrow because I am absolutely feeling nervous. This will be the first doc visit that I go in knowing I am not doing well and I need a major intervention. Not knowing what to expect is the hardest thing. And all the pretesting, while routine, seems expensive and somewhat scary. But doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result is insane and not going fly any longer. Might be nervous, but definitely determined to succeed.

Ok, I admit I am a new to this and Protein shakes. I have a strong taste aversion and gag reflex based on smell and taste. I have done tons of research and purchased Optimum Nutrition 100% whey Protein powder in both Salted Carmel and Double Rich chocolate. Mixed Carmel with 1% milk (did I mention I don't like milk) but while the taste wasn't horrible the smell killed it for me. I read mixing and letting it sit in the fridge will kill the smell and chalky taste. As well as mixing with Silk soy milk instead. Anyone have any thought or ideas on how to stomach this stuff?