TakingABreak

Vitamin Shoppe has a good price online for Isopure. You can also buy on Amazon.

I think the others are right. You will know when you are ready.

When I was thinner, I had the same problem. I've always had large breasts. I feel like I was born with them. So I know the feeling. My mom is the same way. She was a DD. She has always been thin though (120-130 lbs, at 5'2). She had a breast reduction and I couldn't believe how much smaller she looked afterwards. It was crazy. Her shoulders became less broad... it was an interesting transformation to say the least.

I haven't had surgery yet, but 3 days seems a bit soon. I hope your boyfriend is being patient with you. You just had major surgery! It takes 6 weeks for your stomach to fully heal.

Congrats on your weight loss! You look FABULOUS! I'd say that your breasts are not proportional to your body now. Even if they aren't bothering your back now, they will likely later. I wouldn't be worried about smaller breasts making your stomach look larger... girl... your stomach is pretty darn flat! Again, way to go!

We are almost twins, I will be January 19th. If you need someone to chat with, let me know! Did you find this out in pre surgical testing?

Is the group private? I'd like to join, but I don't want all my friends and family to know about the surgery. If you post into a group that isn't private on FB then it could show up on your friend's news feeds.

It's been a very big challenge to say the least. It is well worth it in the long run. As long as I use the "Center for Excellence" my insurance covers it 100%. I'm glad to hear from a variety of people. Thank you for your input. I'll take a look at the vitamin you take. The doctor's office gave me a list of vitamins (finally!) and the values I need. Now it's just a cost effectiveness thing for me. It seems like I'll have to supplement Vitamin D+ Calcium, Iron, and B12 with whatever vitamin I pick. Hugs, Ashley

So I started looking into WLS about a year and a half ago. I started out with one doctor and then our insurance changed and it delayed me significantly. In the meantime, I had a slew of health problems. I'm finally ready to take charge of my life again. I found out through insurance that I have to go to a Center for Excellence (COE) A.K.A. Blue Distinction Center for Bariatric Surgery . The closest one for me is 3 hours away (without traffic). By happenstance I know someone who lives near the closest COE and used a surgeon with great luck. It was a no brainer to pick her surgeon instead of finding one at random. Long story short, I have been and will be traveling back and forth for all requirements: NUT, pulmonologist, psych evaluation, pre-surgical testing, ect. My surgery is currently scheduled for January. Due to the distance, I'm limited on how many times I can just take the whole day to go in for an appointment. Therefore, I've met with the doctor once . I honestly think the next time I see the surgeon is the day before my surgery. The surgical center I'm using usually requires support groups, but once again, the distance makes it impossible for them to set me up with one. Therefore, I've been taking to the internet and reading as much as I can. Also, using these forums as my "support group". This brings me to some questions: 1. In the packet of information that I was sent home with, it states that pain medication is not administered during or after the hospital stay. It says it can interfere with digestive system...ect. I have read via internet that you also cannot take NSAIDs. I wouldn't be as much concerned about this but I have a 3 hour+ car ride home after surgery. Can anyone tell me what helped them, and what they took? 2. Vitamins...... I'd really like to try the patches or the TESPO. But, can anyone share the values... (i.e. B12 1000mg per day x 2) that was recommended to them to take? Any discussion on this would help tremendously!

I was the third comment and now I have a ba-zillion notifications. You all just blew up my email! Religion, politics, and grammar. The three big no-no's on forum conversation.

Bahahahahahhahahha [emoji23][emoji23][emoji23][emoji23][emoji23][emoji23]

I’ve been doing this as well. I started replacing breakfast and lunch with a protein shake. So when it comes time for the preop diet, it will be a lot easier. I will say, I’m hungry but it as bad as I thought.

January for me! Getting pretty excited. About 7 weeks out!

I am also very curious! I’ve heard the same thing.

I would def. be interested! I'm having my surgery in Jan. and I need as much support as possible!

This thread is older, but I just wanted to tell you to hang in there with the CPAP. After you adjust to it, you won't be able to sleep without it. I used to be a big napper.... I could fall asleep anywhere (not overly tired all the time, but it didn't matter where I was if I wanted to take a nap). Now, the only place I sleep is in my bed with my CPAP. It was a really rough 30 days. I went through 5 different masks and saw my respiratory therapist probably a dozen times. The key for me was the right mask. As far as the plastic smell, always wash your masks, hoses, tank, ect. before you use them. I wash mine with baby shampoo and it helps tremendously. There are so many health risks for people with untreated sleep apnea. It is so important that you use the CPAP as long as you have sleep apnea. My husband also has it and he is as thin as a board. Therefore, you may always have it. It's best to embrace the CPAP. Trust me, give it time and you will love it. You will feel like million dollars. Also, as far as the headaches.... your pressure may be too high. That's what happened to my husband. Our pulmonologist said that too much pressure can cause your blood pressure to raise and when it falls it can cause a headache. Make sure that you speak with your therapist about this. One last thing, is your machine set to "ramp up"? This means that the pressure slowly increases, vs. just blowing right off the bat.

I'd also like to keep it simple and inexpensive. Amazon is my best friend so if I can get a lot there, that would be great. thanks for your input. I've seen a lot of people talk about the aversions to large tablets, knowing that now, I will try and get as much chewable or liquid as possible.

Thank you so much for taking the time!

That is good to know about the calcium. Those are the things that I’m afraid of *not* knowing. Did your doctor go over these things? Or did your NUT? I feel like I’m winging this whole thing.

I should probably check with the doctors office and clarify. It was pretty clear though in the paperwork that was sent home, so I’ve been hesitant to call. I know there is a big problem with opioids and I don’t want to seem like I have a problem. I don’t want to put any doubt in the doctors mind. This surgery is so important to me. We’ve invested a lot in time off and travel already.

Thank you for your input! If you can do it for 12 hrs, I can do it for 3 hours. My mind is already at ease. Is the liquid calcium hard to find? I should say is liquid vitamins hard to find in general?

Thank you both! I appreciate the responses. Glad to know that pain should be manageable without meds. As far as the vitamins, I guess I’ll need to find some good chewable if the patches are only good for 185lbs and under. I did compare the values with the patches and they tend to have double or triple the amounts, but I won’t be 185lbs for some time!

I am also curious. Ashamed to say, but my husband and I have been obtaining from sex prior to surgery and I can only imagine we will after if I don't find a reliable form of birth control. At my weight, I don't think I'd have a successful pregnancy. That terrifies me.

My surgeon's office has said the same thing about pain medication (they don't do it). For other's who read this... is this pretty standard? I haven't had my surgery, but it def worries me as well. As far as the Zofran, I don't know why there would be a problem with getting a refill? If your surgeon's office isn't of great help, then I would contact your primary care doctor.

I'm not having surgery until January, but I've known that I was going to start this journey for a while. I bought some biotin 10,000u and started it awhile ago. Just to strengthen my hair, skin, nails, ect. Also, I stopped coloring my hair to improve its condition and I bought a good quality shampoo. I've known a few people who have had bariatric surgery, and all of them experienced some hair loss. However, I think how much is determined by how diligent you are with your vitamins, and what condition your hair is in prior to surgery. Lastly, don't feel bad about stressing this. You are making giant life changes, and it is natural to want to hold onto something that makes you feel like *you*. Just remember that your physical appearance doesn't define you. And hair loss isn't a permanent symptom. I've heard that it can start 6-12 months after surgery and start to regrow after that.