Berry78

An enema should get things moving in short order.

My new "armor". Vests give me a confidence boost. Another person may wear hats or the like...

The bone broth is said to have about 8g per 8oz. I'd just use that number.

The wonderful thing about "too small" of breasts, is they will be very easy to fake under clothes. Women with mastectomies get prosthetics all the time. View this as just another hurdle.. a problem to solve. As for the self esteem issue when naked, I really think it's coming from the build-up of hope that the surgery would make things more attractive, and now you don't feel that goal was met. When I rearrange my house, things ALWAYS get messier and uglier during the process. I think you're still "in the process", so knowing that this current messiness is (or can be) temporary might help. A revision boob job might be needed down the road. Nothing to worry about right now, just keep it as a possibility in your mind. As for help, I'll mention again.. mastectomies are seriously harsh on women's self-esteems. Perhaps you can find some helpful advice in books or websites designed for that population.

Well, how I see it, is a size 10 today was a size 12 in 2000. I WAS a size 10 in 2000 (size 8 in today's sizes) and that was a good, average, healthy size medium on my 5'7 frame. So, I wouldn't hesitate to recommend keeping up to size 8. Donate or sell the 10's, 12's and 14's. That's assuming the clothes are of the modern sizing. If the size 8 start getting tight, it's time to start paying attention. After all, 3 sizes equals about 30lbs, and that is plenty of flex-range with which to be working, no?

Expect the recovery time to be surprisingly long. I was very functional 2 days out of surgery, but it took 3-4 months to really get my strength back. (I had a virgin sleeve, so my recovery right out of surgery was quicker than someone with a revision... so you might not feel quite as "functional" for a week or so). You'll also be surprised, in a good way, that after the 8 week diet that "full" feels more natural and comfortable than with the band.

Well, the reality is that many people DO regain some after a few years. I'd hate to see you pay for additional storage of things you *hopefully* will never need, but I can understand wanting to hold onto some of it. Size 2 is tiny and if I got there, I wouldn't hold my breath to stay there either Could you just put them in boxes in the back of a closet or something? What if you donated just the biggest sizes, would that decrease the collection enough?

I forget that some people go further than Tijuana for surgery! Lol! And other places may not have as many valets.. my experience was with Dr. Illan.

First, [hugs]. This is brand new territory for you, and of course you're stressed. Second, get out a tape measure to make sure you are accurate on your size. A sports type bra might work best for a bit too. While you are figuring things out, you can always wear the hospital one to work.

Cash.. they love US dollars. Amount is up to you. You'll have several different valets in the hospital, and 1 or 2 in the hotel. 2 drivers (to and from the airport) plus taxi rides around town for 2 days at hotel.

Yup, I read stories such as yours, so ran off to Vegas instead. Ok, well, Mexico, but same difference. But hey, at least you know your hubby is being thoroughly looked at.. no poo unturned..

Oh man, you may need a shunt , at least temporarily since it takes months to lose weight, no matter what diet you're on. (Even surgery doesn't act as quickly as you seem to be needing). Keeping my fingers crossed for you both. My daughter's symptoms thus far have been very mild, so other than keeping her to a diet, we don't have to do anything as of now.

Try smoothies based on potatoes if sugar doesn't work. Sweet potatoes in a creamy milky base with cinnamon and nutmeg sounds pretty good. Thinned cream of wheat will help get some grains on board.

Ditto what others said about drinking calories. The GERD is definitely an issue. Might have to revise to a bypass, but see if drinking 3000cal a day doesn't slow the losses in the meantime.

Unbearable pain absolutely needs to be reported. If you are laying there, unable to move, sweating, screaming.. any of that, go to the ER. Let us know what you find out!

My 17 year old daughter also has IIH. She notices her symotoms subside when she loses a few pounds, and come back when she gains. She is 5'5 and around 195lbs. She hasn't had surgery. I'd recommend talking with your surgeon about going on a ketogenic diet while waiting for the surgery. As long as you are losing weight you are headed in the right direction to save your vision. A keto diet will have you eating about 60g of protein and 20g of net carbs a day. Plenty of fat. Lots of meat and green veggies. You can start this TODAY as long as you aren't diabetic or have other health issues (like problems with low blood sugar or the like). With your vision on the line, I'm sure you are willing to do whatever it takes. Liquid diets also knock the pounds off quickly too. And don't worry about messing up your metabolism before surgery. Surgery will reset everything. Good luck!

I guess technically you are.. but it's absolutely allowed with soup. The problem with eating and drinking together is twofold. The liquid allows the solids to slip through, emptying your stomach prematurely, and you may get overfull. When I was about 8 weeks postop, I ate something that made me miserable for a couple hours... I think with heartburn. I figured enough was enough and drank a big glass of milk. Washed that stuff right through, and eased my suffering 100%. The problem with doing this regularly is you won't digest the food appropriately and you'll end up hungry and malnourished.

5'7 305lbs: size 24w 232lbs: size 16

The options keep expanding, that's for sure! I think the biggest concern with the mini is the potential for bile reflux. There was a person on the board that had it happen, but I'm not sure if/how she got sorted out. It sure would be nice if there was a "perfect procedure", but so far it hasn't been created. At this point, from what I see, all 4 main surgical options have semi-equivalent benefits. It's the complications that vary so much. (So that is what I would focus on to make a decision).

I don't know, but wanted to wish you luck! If you have been heavier for the last couple years, that might help.

The mini is also called an Omega Loop. It's not frequently done in the US. Before making a final decision, if you were to need help after going back home, who would help? What is their expertise? Personally my local surgeons do the RNY and sleeve, so I made my choice between those.

Diamonds, yep, first couple days of the liquid diet are torture! You'll be on the other side before you know it...

Devil's advocate here... Complications happen in about 1 in 20 surgeries. Bleeding, infection, leaks, blood clots, etc. Death is very rare, but these other things can and do happen. We all take a risk by undergoing the surgery, but the rewards ARE great when things go well. Only you can say whether the reward would be worth the risk for you. Personally, my health was deteriorating rapidly, so both paths were risky (surgery vs. no surgery). Do as much research as you can so you understand what the surgery can and can't do, and really get a grasp on your own "issues" that may or may not be helped. The surgery helps our bodies, but does nothing with our minds.

The concern is the skins on the popcorn getting "stuck". Chances are you're fine, but I'd hate to see someone get a complication from it. At this point, just go on with your life and don't worry. Just don't do it again until your surgeon clears it.

The sleep apnea won't be a problem during the operation. The tube down the throat keeps the airway open. They want it to help with the recovery. Sleep is important to the healing process. Good luck with everything!