SharBear617

Oh gosh yes. Thought first visit to the Cardiologist was for my surgery "clearance," but no....abnormality on my ECG, so on to treadmill stress test and an ECHO - ECHO was fine, however abnormality on my stress test (mind you, no chest pain with the exercise). Now the abnormality that was showing up in my ECG is one that can be COMPLETELY benign (nothing) in women, but the Cardiologist wanted to be very sure (and rack up some more $$ for additional testing), so I had to have a nuclear stress test (all the while, STILL waiting on my cardiac clearance (everything else was complete, even the insurance approval). On the downside, had an additional, oh $900 in Cardiology bills (that was just my part, sinful what they charged my insurance), but on the upside, everything was great, no ischemia (areas not getting oxygen) to my heart muscle, heart function at the high end of normal. Needless to say, went into surgery feeling amazingly relieved, because I come from a long family history of cardiovascular disease (a major factor in why I decided on surgery), so to know I would be starting the post-op part of the journey with pretty much a clean cardiac slate, I felt amazingly blessed. Pain in the butt, took additional time, money, and time off work, but peace of mind in the end. Sent from my SM-G928V using the BariatricPal App

Happy journey and welcome aboard! Sent from my SM-G928V using the BariatricPal App

I also am a side sleeper, and at about 10 days out, could finally sleep comfortably on my side. Sent from my SM-G928V using the BariatricPal App

You should be ok....I also have BCBS Fed insurance, was up a few lbs on my 2nd weigh in, then lost like a pound or 2 on my third weigh in, and I was still approved. Granted, my pre-surgery BMI was 42, and I had high BP for years, but I think the BCBS Fed is one of the better carriers for approvals. Sent from my SM-G928V using the BariatricPal App

Great hubby! I was a similar situation, had already started paying into a trip to Europe with my daughter, way in advance of knowing I'd be facing a WLS right before the trip was scheduled to depart (it was sponsored by some of her teachers thru a tour company, so no control over the dates). When I knew my surgery would most likely prevent me from going, and I wasn't sure if I'd lose the $ I had already put into it or not, I talked to my husband and he said pretty much the same thing, he wanted what I felt was best for me. Super tough decision because I was so looking forward to having that trip and memories to share with my daughter, but the way I saw it, the surgery and weight loss would allow me many, many more opportunities for the same well into the future. It is a great thing to have a supportive family going thru this journey. And great news! Two weeks after having my surgery I found out the travel insurance carrier would honor my request for a refund, and I got back almost all the $ I had put in...yay! Sent from my SM-G928V using the BariatricPal App

My experience was, day 1 fine, day 2 worst, rest of the time totally fine as long as I kept full on the non-starchy veggies I was allowed to have. But I agree most peopl are fine after first couple days. Also please keep in mind, that as hungry as you may get pre-op, literally you will come out of surgery with NO hunger, and it will stay that way for some time after surgery so hopefully knowing that will help you through. Sent from my SM-G928V using the BariatricPal App

Hi Jessica, congrats on getting a date, that is exciting! Most likely your surgeon/dietician will have you start on the Protein shakes in your pre-op diet that you will have to follow. My surgeon had me follow what's referred to as the "liver shrink diet," in which 2-3 weeks before surgery you start eliminating as much sugar and fat, to allow your liver to become smaller so the surgery is easier for the surgeon and much safer for you. There is a wide variety of pre-op diets based on the surgeon's preference as well as you as an individual patient, but from my experience and from many that I've seen on the forums, most people end up starting the Protein Shakes in that pre-op phase, usually used as 2 Meal Replacements each day. Also from what I can tell most hospital stays are 1-2 days after surgery, and I would recommend something for your lips if they are prone to getting dry, toothbrush, and phone charger were really the most important things I brought. I was a RNY bypass on June 16th, so it's pretty fresh in my head. Best of luck to you! Sent from my SM-G928V using the BariatricPal App

When electrocautery is used to stop bleeding in a surgery, they place a gronding pad underneath/on you to avoid the electricity flowing through a path that might burn you. Wearing any metal on your body will only increase the chance of the metal heating up and you receiving a burn. Burned nipples? Probably not fun. Plus the jewelry can harbor bacteria that may spread on your skin and get in your incisions. The surgical team has no interest or time to have to clean your piercings pre-op when they prep your skin prior to the surgeon making incisions. Sent from my SM-G928V using the BariatricPal App

For that amount of time post op, my surgeon's approved cheese is really only low fat cottage cheese. If you don't like plain cottage cheese, try adding a small amount of fat free salad dressing to it, like French or Thousand Island, yum! Sent from my SM-G928V using the BariatricPal App

KS611I also had mine on the 16th and am drinking a protein shake that my surgeon said if that goes well, I will get to go home today as well! Congrats on doing well, it's still kind of surreal to me the thought that it's done and am on "the other side." Do you feel that at all too? Sent from my SM-G928V using the BariatricPal App

Lemm61 you seem like an amazingly positive person, I know you'll completely own that scale! Good luck and thanks for your updates from the "other side" for those of us with dates coming up, much appreciated! Sent from my SM-G928V using the BariatricPal App

Don't fear the liver shrink! Lol....it's really not too terrible. The only rough day for me was day #2 (not sure why, I think my body just suddenly realized the food funerals I was having were no more!) other than that it was totally fine. Your appetite really does start to check itself at the door after that. And I survived being at a Mexican restaurant during that time, had some grilled salmon and asparagus and steamed veggies, and paid no attention to my family munching on tortilla chips, salsa and cheese dip, plus their meals! But use the "unlimited non starchy veggies" they allow cause it gets you through rough patches and just makes any hunger go away. And the protein really does an amazing job too of keeping hunger away. You'll do great! Sent from my SM-G928V using the BariatricPal App

Got a call today from my surgeon's office...I've been bumped up from the 17th to the 16th....WOW, really getting real! Looks like it's clears tomorrow for me. So weird to go through everything we go through to get to this point and bam...it's here. Good luck to all!Good luck tomorrow! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App Thank you! Sent from my SM-G928V using the BariatricPal App

Got a call today from my surgeon's office...I've been bumped up from the 17th to the 16th....WOW, really getting real! Looks like it's clears tomorrow for me. So weird to go through everything we go through to get to this point and bam...it's here. Good luck to all!

I have a small tattoo on my right ankle that is an Irish clover with the one of the colors of the Irish flag (orange, green, and white) in each leaf, and my first initial next to it. Got it when I was 25 for a very specific reason and years later (21 to be exact) my reasoning has proven true. I was very shy growing up, came out of my shell more by high school and college, but remained still quite reserved. I got my tattoo because I knew at some point in my life I would have people that would say, "YOU have a tattoo??!" And also because I knew I'd live a life more likely than not, in which I might need to remind myself every once in a while that I used to be fun, unencumbered, and a bit rebellious. Am having my WLS this Friday the 17th (yay!!), and am thinking afterward of having my wedding ring tattoed on my ring finger, because I'm hopeful it will slide around on my finger like crazy once I'm on the losers' bench!! Sent from my SM-G928V using the BariatricPal App

Oh I hear ya....once I make a decision to be all in, I want to just get started ASAP. My original date was 6/23, but turns out my surgeon has to be out of town, so they offered either 6/8 or the 17th, and the 8th felt a little closer than I was comfortable with, ONLY because I'm training someone at my work who's going to be my backup when I'm on leave after my surgery. If it weren't for that I would have taken the soonest date in a heartbeat! I agree about the insurance, I had no problems w/approval and have great coverage. Sent from my SM-G928V using the BariatricPal App

Hi taracutch - we're close in surgery dates (I'm rny 6/17) and age (I'll me 46 in a week). Good luck! Sent from my SM-G928V using the BariatricPal App

My surgery is June 17th for bypass. About to start my liver shrink diet (I was fortunate and my surgeon said I only need about 10 days of it, not 2-3 weeks). Super excited for this!