Loudy227

I just made a protein shake in the blender: 1 scoop unjury vanilla protein, 1 cup unsweetened almond milk, 1/2 blueberries, splenda to taste, five ice cubes. Delish!

Glad to it Bama2012, congrats! Tomorrow is my big day.

I was told by my hospital not to shave before surgery, as tiny nicks could be future site of infection and let the hospital do the shaving. Maybe you could bleach the hairs, if they are dark and the idea of it makes you more comfortable. I wouldn't worry either way!

Hi YaYa! I'm in Raleigh, NC. I started my process in Feb. and I will have my surgery June 22. At my first doctor's visit, the office looked up my insurance and told me exactly how much my part would be. Unfortunately I have a large deductible. Some insurance plans will have you go through a 3 or 6 month diet before surgery, however, I did not! My hospital has everyone go to 3 nutrition classes before surgery and you have a lot of medical appointments to go to. I had a psychological exam, an endoscopy, a sleep study, an ultrasound of my gallbladder and monthly surgeon visits. I also had to go to 2 support group meetings, provide a 5 year weight history and get a letter from my primary care physician. It took me about 3 months to get all that done and another month waiting for paperwork and approval for surgery. Waiting for all the appointments seemed to take forever, but here I am, next week I'm going to start my 2 week liquid diet (to shrink my liver to make it easier for surgery, not everyone has to do this). So excited that I decided to do this for myself. About selecting my surgeon. We have a couple of top notch programs where I live, but only one took my insurance. I had three surgeons to choose from, and ther were videos on their website where each surgeon spoke about himself. I liked that my surgeon had been doing these surgeries for a few years, but he was a bit younger, I think they're more likely to be up to date on the newest techniques. When I met with him, I asked him how many bariatric surgeries he does and he said about 6 a week - which I liked, it sounded like he knows what he is doing.

Awesome! Sent from my SM-G920V using the BariatricPal App

Good luck to you!

I wanted rny, but my surgeon said I would have a better chance of getting the weight loss I need with DS. My best friend lost 150 lbs with RNY 10 years ago, but has gained most back. She is having a revision to DS. At her endoscopy her doc said her hole from her pouch to her small intestine had gotten too big and too much food was getting through. I've done a lot of research, and I'm excited that I will be getting my DS next month. I think the malabsorbtion is what I need and I plan on being diligent about getting my Protein and supplements.

I'm like you. Three weeks and no communication. Come on!!! Sent from my SM-G920V using the BariatricPal App

I think you should express your concerns with your surgeon. I prefer the way I had it done, at the hospital with sedation, no awareness of the procedure except they have to start an IV. I suspect the surgeon would rather get the $$ not to be too cynical. My endoscopy was done by a gastroenterologist and the surgeon just got the report. I have a friend who is getting a revison from RNY and her surgeon will actually be present at the endoscopy so I guess he can see for himself what is going on. Maybe that is an option for you if your surgeon wants to see in there for himself. I never had the trans-nasal, and I agree it sounds unpleasant, but hopefully it is not that big a deal and it will be quick. Maybe ask your surgeon if he can prescribe a valium to relax you? You would need someone to drive you home. Besides, maybe your ride ( spouse or friend, etc. ) can be present to hold your hand... just a thought!

I finished my testing 15 days ago and I told the coordinator I was done and she said she would pass along that info to the person who deals with insurance. I've heard nothing so yesterday I emailed my coordinator. I'm guessing a lot of people were out of town last week around Easter. I just with they would update us regularly. Let me know I haven't fallen through the cracks. They tell us in the packet not to call and email every day when we're being submitted. But I (and my insurer) are paying a lot for their services. Most medical practices apparently need better office staffing. Every medical test, too, seems to take forever to get the results. Waiting for other people to do their job...hate it! I hate to bug people, but my experience is iy pays to be the squeaky wheel. I'm also a believer in showing up in person. And I hate confronting people, too. But people are much more sympathetic to a face (teary, if necessary) than an email or voice-mail. Sent from my SM-G920V using the BariatricPal App

We were told in our nutrition class never to take Iron and calcium together. They block each other in the absorbtion process. Hope you start to feel better soon.

I found that tennis shoes made the pain worse. Try any shoe without a heel: flip flops, birkenstocks and crocs. Avoid long walks because it doesn't hurt while you're walking, you hurt after. Sent from my SM-G920V using the BariatricPal App

I was able to be put on a wait list for my sleep study and I ended up getting it done almost a month earlier. Maybe you can, too.

Very inspiring!

I am doing my sleep study tonight. This is the last requirement and I'm hoping my papers can get submitted by the end of the week. Hoping for an April surgery date. So excited, the sleep study had a cancellation and I got my appt a month early. Yay! My first appt was Feb. 17. So it's moving fast. Sent from my SM-G920V using the BariatricPal App

I'm not religious, but I support you talking about whatever helps you through this journey! No reason to hold back. Sent from my SM-G920V using the BariatricPal App

Once I lost over 100 lbs on a diet. My best friend's brother said, "You sure look better than you used to!" My friend was mortified. But I knew he was a nice guy and it was just a poor choice of words. Still it makes you think, what did people used to think about me? It especially stinks if you gain the weight back like I did.

Raleigh Pre-op at Rex Sent from my SM-G920V using the BariatricPal App

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