VSGnewguy

Not having a second heart attack! Hoping sleep apnea goes away so I can actually feel rested after a night of sleep. Getting off blood pressure and cholesterol meds. More energy.

I know this is a question I will need to ask my surgeon about, and will at my next visit, but just curious if anyone has taken (or needed to take) anxiety medicine prior to surgery? I have had a couple of panic attacks in my life and have found that they are sort of self-driven. Once I start to think about having a panic attack, the thought of having one becomes the driving factor causing the attack, if that makes sense. I have medication I can take on an as-needed basis and I find that just knowing I have the medication available is reasuring and actually helps me to calm myself to the point that I usually don't need the medication...just knowing it's available if needed is sufficient. My concern is that, on the day of surgery, I won't be able to take anything for my anxiety and could have a panic attack worrying about the surgery. Am I worried about nothing? I know they can give you something in the hospital to help calm you...does that usually happen pretty quickly or do they make you wait? Thanks for any advice?

Are you using pre-made (ready to drink) shakes or have you tried making your own? If you mix your own whey protein powder with water and no sweetener, maybe that would be more tolerable to you. Hope you are feeling better soon!

I recently bought a new scale that I really like - syncs up with fitbit, etc. It's nice to be able to see not just my current weight, but how it's trending over time. It has a lot of the same functionality of the Fitbit scale but at less than half the price. Weight Gurus Scale

Thanks for all the replies. I'll be sure to discuss with my surgeon before hand.

How did it go? Hope you are doing well!

I've never tried it but I've heard that PB2 peanut butter powder isn't bad and can be used to add some protein to shakes, etc.

Got some good news this week. Had appointment with my cardiologist - did treadmill, ECG, and sonogram and everything was good...actually showed some improvement over last year. Dr. took me off my blood thinner and gave clearance for surgery. All set for Jan. 11th!

Mine was only a few days...less than a week for sure for BCBS of IL. Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N920A using BariatricPal mobile app

Glad you are going to talk to your surgeon.

I have wondered about the same question. I work in a petrochemical plant and while I am mostly at a desk, my job has the potential to be very physical. For that reason, I'm planning on taking off 3 weeks and seeing how I feel. How long are your work days, and do you get frequent breaks? I see a lot of people talk about being very drained the first week, so you may want to give yourself at least that amount of time. Of course others go back after just a few days.

I feel like there are two parts to this thread. In the first part, you talked about slipping up and eating cauliflower soup earlier than you knew you should have and having discomfort. People were supportive and it's not hard to understand making this type of mistake. I would just call it learning your new stomach. If that's where the thread ended, I would not have commented as I agreed with the early posters that you needn't beat yourself up about it. However, to me, things changed when later the same day, you tried to eat pizza. I don't know if it's self-sabotage, mindless eating, or something else but I still think you need to talk to your surgeon and nutritionist about this. I expect your surgeon would have a strong opinion as well. A forum can be a source of support and I don't fault you for posting here, but you shouldn't expect that every response is going to be supportive when you are putting your health at risk. I do hope you are able to follow your surgeons recommendations from here on out and wish you success.

Pizza? Just one week after surgery? I could understand making a mistake with the cauliflower soup you started this thread with, but pizza?? Were you not given a list of foods to eat for the first few weeks? You need to talk to your doctor and nutritionist and get on track before you hurt yourself!

I have the Tespo vitamin dispenser and they aren't bad at all.

I have the Blaze and really like it but I think for ladies smaller size, the Alta is probably the best choice for fit and function. Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N920A using BariatricPal mobile app

Yep, also on Jan 11th. Good luck to us both! [emoji106] Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N920A using BariatricPal mobile app

Let me start by saying that I am 100% in favor of people having the right to keep their surgery private and to choose who to tell, or not to tell. Having said that, I have decided to tell family and co-workers that I am having the surgery. Because WLS is getting to be so common now, when others see someone having rapid weight loss, they usually speculate that surgery was involved - at least that's been my experience. I'd rather just be open about it than have people talk behind my back...but that's just me. For those who are keeping it a secret, or trying to, I was wondering if any of you have been busted lying about not having surgery? I've read a lot of the little tricks that people do to hide their uneaten food at restaurants or excuses for why they are loosing weight. Any of that ever backfire on anyone? Just curious.

I'm talking specifically about people who outright lie saying they did not have surgery, had something else done, etc. There are even videos on YouTube telling people how to lie about their surgery. Lol. My question was to those people, wanting to know if it's ever backfired on them. Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N920A using BariatricPal mobile app

Found out today that my pre-op diet won't be too bad. I will have protein drinks and still get to eat a lean meat and vegetable each day. I'll find out more at my pre-op with dietitian but was glad to find out it won't be only clear liquids.

I'm taking the Tespo vitamins. Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N920A using BariatricPal mobile app

I got the Tespo liquid vitamin dispenser and am taking the Mens Bariatric Complete bundle. Figured I'd get a head start.

I think it all depends on what type of coverage is negotiated by your employer.

I had a similar experience with a co-worker. He was off work for a little over a month and came back nearly 50 lbs lighter. He told everyone it was diet and exercise but later confided to me that he had gotten WLS. Of course, that's what everyone else had already been saying.

BCBS of Illinois.

It didn't take long, less than a week, but I had already been diagnosed with sleep apnea and have had a heart attack. My insurance only required the psych consult and 1 meeting with dietitian - I did both of those on the same day.