cseidman

Wow, that's a lot! I'm in Colorado and did self pay. Mine was just under $12,000 for the sleeve. I ended up only staying in the hospital one night though, so a check is in the mail to reimburse me (I paid for 2 nights). Not sure how much, but every little bit helps! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I'm just starting to ease in to the soft food stage. I know I can eat soft cheeses, but hard cheeses are about another 3 or 4 weeks away. I went to my local cheese shop today to ask for recommendations on flavorful soft cheeses, and I got some wonderul options: a goat cheese, an onion and chives cotswald, and a super squishy soft gorgonzola. Yum, yum, yum. So, now my question: Are hard cheeses okay if they are melted? I also have some gruyere, which I often use for making quiche. If I were to skip the crust and make a fritatta instead, with shredded gruyere, is that allowable in the soft food phase, even though gruyere is a very hard cheese? Thanks!

I'm in Colorado. My favorite place charges $25 for a basic pedi, but I usually splurge for the deluxe at $35 because the massage is amazing and so worth the extra money.

I can't wait til my wedding ring fits again! No manicures for me though. I do too much artwork with charcoal and pastels. My hands are always a mess and I'd quickly ruin a manicure.

Thanks everyone! I'm definitely going to try a fritatta with gruyere. Right now I'm enjoying a wedge of laughing cow. :-)

Okay, I need an easier and more convenient option for smoothies than my regular blender. Not sure if I want to go with an immersion blender or a bullet. Anyone care to share their thoughts on pros and cons of each? I'm 6 days post surgery, so it's something I'll be using every day. Thanks, Christi Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Flying more comfortably, being able to zip line on vacation, play with my kids, run a 5k someday, stop needing my CPAP. Those are the big ones. Day to day, it's about doing things more easily: shave my legs, cross my legs, get up and down off the floor, keep up with housework, etc. Like you, clothes shopping is a huge one! I'm almost 2 weeks post op, so no need to yet, but I'm so excited! Also, I'm looking forward to cleaning out my closet and rediscovering old clothes that I out grew years ago. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I've had my Fitbit for about a week now and I love it! I have heard other people mention that it syncs to certain apps, like MFP and Lose It. But, is there a reason to sync? It seems to me that the Fitbit app has all the necessary stuff. I'm just trying to figure out if I'm missing something by not using an app other than Fitbit. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I stopped taking mine on day 3 or 4, as well as my nausea medicine, mostly because I couldn't get the medicine down. I would gag and throw up every time, so I decided it just wasn't worth it. I suppose if I needed it badly enough, I would have forced myself to continue. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

My first few days were not too bad, but then it really sucked when I went home from the hospital. For me, days 3 and 4 were the worst. I no longer had IV meds and I could barely get down my meds because I'd gag and throw up every time. The meds were so awful to take that I just quit them and dealt with the pain and nausea. BUT, if it helps, I'm in week 2 now and it's gotten much better! Hang in there, this awful phase will be over very soon. And remember to be kind to yourself. This is not only a physical stressor your body is under, but an emotional one as well. I have found myself incredibly emotional since surgery, but this week it's turned to positive emotion. There are moments that I want to cry tears of joy for how grateful I am and how excited for the future I am. When you're feeling down, just remember all the reasons you made this decision in the first place. It's all uphill from here. Also, regarding those people who said it wasn't that bad : I've decided surgery is similar to giving birth. It horrible, painful, embarrassing, and sometimes scary and traumatic. But the passage of time dims the memory of all that, and instead you start to focus on the positive outcome. For the new mom, it's a baby. For us, it's the healthier life. And that crappy first week becomes a distant memory that doesn't actually seem so bad in retrospect. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I'm just starting to ease in to the soft food phase, so i haven't experimented with much yet, but I have to say that my favorite post op meal so far was hummus. It was flavorful and delicious! I ate is slowly and savored every bite. I'm already so much more 'aware' of the food I'm eating. Pre op it would just be mindless, without really paying attention to the tastes. I feel like I'm going to enjoy my meals much more now. Not sure if that feeling sticks around, but I hope so! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Yay! I love hearing the success stories from those who've gone since surgery. It's making me even more excited, and definitely easing my worries. Last time I went to one, I was 255 pounds and feeling miserable. I was hot and sweaty and had to take my CPAP with me. Walking around Chichen Itza was a nightmare on my big out of shape body. I'll still won't be at goal by the time we leave, but I can't wait to see what a difference the weight loss makes! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

8 days post surgery and just booked a family vacation to an all inclusive in Mexico. How exciting to not feel horrified by the idea of a swimsuit! I think it will be the perfect celebration of the huge life changes I'm making now! So, now for the questions. I will be 3 months post op when we travel. My husband has expressed concern that it might be really tough for me to be in that all you can eat environment. I guess it might be, but I also wonder if there might also me some benefits. For example, I will be able to get food anytime I want it. Knowing my past relationship with food, this is a good thing. I'm less likely to over indulge if I know I could always come back for more in a couple hours if I want. That way, I won't feel like I need to eat much at each sitting. I don't know, maybe I'm overthinking it. Anyway, any tips for success at an AI? Any cautions? I'll plan to use the fitness center while there, and I don't mind not having alcohol. That's never been a big draw for me anyway. Thanks, Christi Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Thanks everyone! This is great perspective, which is what I needed right now. On a somewhat related note, I know it will still be a while until I can eat fresh veggies too, but my teenage daughter just planted some veggie starters for us. We've never been gardeners, but she wants to give it a go, so we're going to try and not kill it all. She planted tomatoes and zucchini, and we're going to get a few more starters this weekend. Definitely some herbs. Maybe she and I can start a new hobby together. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Oh yes, of course. That makes sense. It's so easy to slip back into old thinking! In my mind I'm telling myself that fruit is healthy, so why shouldn't I add it to my smoothie. My book does mention bananas several times though, so I'll look up their sugar content. Maybe adding 1/2 a banana to a vanilla Protein shake would be reasonable from time to time. Thanks! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I have not tried the Atkins Protein drink. I'll add it to my list. I've been very boring with my protein drinks - nothing but Carnation so far. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

My goal was also to get to 2000ml. It took me until about a week after surgery before I could actually do it. In the hospital, I was mostly around 1500. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Weird, I could have written this post today too. I had my first post op this morning, 9 days after surgery. Since then I've eaten one scrambled egg and I'm eating refried Beans right now. I'm eating about the same amount as you are, and feeling fine. I'm actually tolerating this better than my Protein drink. On doctors orders, I'm switching to almond milk. Not sure if I'll be one of those who end up lactose intolerant, or if my body is just taking awhile to like milk again. Anyway, if it's not "normal" at this stage, then we can both be weirdos together. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I had the sleeve done 7 days ago. The first few days were miserable, but I'm mostly feeling pretty good now. Except for the gas! It didn't start until day 5 and it's not getting any better. Mostly I'm just uncomfortable throughout the day, and my kids think all my burping is hilarious, but then it gets real bad at night time. Last night I slept less than 4 hours (according to my Fitbit), and that's because I spent so much time sitting up, standing up, and walking around, just trying to alleviate some of the discomfort. My husband is picking up some Gas X today, so I'm hoping that helps some. Any other tips for alleviating the discomfort, especially during the night so I can sleep? I'm also tracking how I feel after each thing I eat or drink, to see if I can identify a specific culprit. So far I can't see a pattern. These are the only things I'm having throughout the day right now - plain Water, flavored water, lemon-infused water, carnation Breakfast drink, sugar free Popsicles, Jello, and I had my first puréed egg today. Do any of those seem like they could be contributing to the problem? Thanks! Christi Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Such good suggestions! It's going to be HOT when we go (August), so I think the beverages will be key. I usually would drink sodas throughout the day, occasional Water and occasional slushy type drink. So, I guess water and tea it is. I thought about bringing along some Protein drink mixes to stir into skim milk, but ugh, I'm already sick of those. The spa is high on the list! For me, this week is about pampering, not food, and I'll probably continuously stress that point in my mind. My children get to enjoy the kids club while I get massages, snorkel, and lay on the beach and read. Perhaps the new and improved me will even try something more physical. Not sure if I'll be up for kite surfing or SUP, but I'd definitely enjoy a little sea kayaking. My mantras for the week: 1. Be cautious of grazing 2. There are tons of healthy food and drink options too 3. Be active 4. It's about pampering myself, not about food 5. Sashimi!!!! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Wow! You look fantastic! Keep up the good work - you're changing your life AND inspiring the newbies like myself! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Hey everyone. I'm 6 days post surgery. Had the sleeve on May 10. This first week has been a weird blur of pain, nausea, vomit, narcotics, sleep, and the strangest dreams. Today, however, I actually feel a little bit normal and I'm finding the motivation for some walking and meal planning. I'm also doing quite a bit of journaling and personal introspection, and I guess some of that is what I want to discuss. At a recent support group, one member told me to think of myself as a baby after surgery. I have to relearn to eat. I have to try new foods one at a time to see how my body responds. I may even freeze ice cube trays of purées like I did for my kids. It's such a simple analogy, but this mindset is helping me so much right now! I tell myself that the I am wiping the slate clean and starting over. This is my opportunity to develop a new and different and healthier relationship with food. Six days after surgery, my slate is clean. Here are the things I plan for my new slate: 1. Drinking anything except soda. I don't think I should even slip a little in this area. The hardest time will be when I'm out to eat or at a movie and I think it would be a good treat. I need to adamantly stick to other beverages - tea, Water, even juice. But no soda! 2. Eating is not a solution for boredom. I have a plan for other activities to fill time or occupy my hands. 3. Holidays and events are about so much more than food. Enjoy the food in moderation, but focus on the true meaning of the gathering. 4. Most importantly, I want to cover my slate with all the wonderful and healthy ways I plan to enjoy life. Playing with my kids, traveling the world, running a 5k again some day, exploring new fashions for a slimmer and sexier body, living a nice long life with my husband, enjoying grandchildren someday, and so on. So, now that I'm a 6 day old infant with a clean slate, those are some of my plans. What did you wipe away from your old slate, and what new words are written there? Those that had the surgery long ago, how does your new slate compare to the old? Sorry for the long post. I guess this is going to be one of my strategies to keep from eating while bored. Christi Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Thanks for all the responses! I'm going to get both. My mom just drove to Target to get the cheapest immersion blender, and now I'm going to research the Vitamix, Blendtec, and Ninja. Any of those will be a big expense, but I'm worth it. May as well start out with the right tools for success. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I just got my first Fitbit this weekend and I love it already. I'm tracking fluids, food, sleep, steps, etc. I'm someone who does very well with the accountability of tracking, so I think this will be a very useful tool for me! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I'm 5 days post surgery, emotional and nauseous, and these responses are making me cry. Joyful tears, of course. At this point, obviously, I'm just trying to let my body heal, but I'm definitely making plans for replacing my food addiction. I know there will be challenging days. today was actually the first time I felt a desire to eat something (chips and salsa) and the remorse of not being able to. For me, food has always been a boredom buster. I'm a stay at home mom and there's only so many tea parties and Lego sessions I can tolerate before my brain starts screaming for stimulation. My plan is this: I'm rediscovering an interest from my younger years. I considered majoring in art in college, but ended up going a more sensible direction. This fall, I'm returning to school for art classes. Not to pursue a degree, simply to pursue a passion. My hands will be occupied with pencils and paint brushes instead of popcorn and pizza. I'll be standing at my easel instead of sitting on my couch, and it will stimulate me intellectually and creatively. For exercise, I'd like to give taichi a try. Many, many years ago, I earned a black belt in taekwondo. I loved it and practiced regularly for 10 years. Part of the love though was the people I trained with. They were like family. So, whatever exercise regimen I pursue, I realize that the social piece of it is going to be essential for me. Finally, travel. The kids are getting older now and I dream of taking them to beaches, zip lining in Costa Rica, and train tours in Europe. Feeling fit and healthy and comfortable while traveling is a huge incentive for me! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App