Creekimp13

OK, now I have to go look. Kakatlady, we need to teach you to post links.

What the hell? Am I the local Pervert Whisperer?

You should write books on this stuff, Fluff. You are crazy detail oriented and creative and I bet your nutritionist loves you. LOL:)

Food *tastes* the same...but my preferences have changed significantly. Also, food does not offer the same "relief" that it used to offer. Not sure that makes sense, but the "drug of choice" effect of food is missing, somehow. It's bittersweet. You're glad it's gone, because you know food shouldn't be a coping mechanism....but you're also going....what in the hell do I do for a coping mechanism now? it's disconcerting.

Yes, it is generally safe to use Tums with Omeprazole.

You and me, both.

I'm not a fan of small independent bariatric clinics. I would only use a major trauma center and center of excellence for major surgery. I also want my surgeon to be the person following up on my case permanently. But that's my personal preference....and I do understand why people sometimes make other choices. There are a lot of things I'll bargain hunt for. But medical care isn't one of them. In a better world, people wouldn't have to do this.

cream of wheat. oatmeal. sugar free pudding. strained soup. At week 3...lots of good stuff opened up. Mashed regular and sweet potatoes. Cottage cheese. Tuna. Your dietitian should have a terrific list for you:)

I'm in southern Michigan....and while we do get lake effect, I'm inland enough not to get clobbered. We've got maybe 4-6 inches on the ground total right now. That said, we're due another inch or two today, and Friday we could get 8 inches. It melts quick. should have warm up pretty soon. Should be the last big snow. Spring is almost here!

Upper GI was standard for us, too. I had abnormalities and needed an endoscopy, too. I had a little chronic gastritis, so we took some biopsies to make sure I didn't have H. Pylori (ulcer causing bacteria infection). Very glad to have this safeguard in place! Would NOT want to have surgery with an active H. Pylori infection. I know it feels like a lot of hoops to jump through, but they really are for your own safety and best outcome.

Just so sorry you have to deal with all of this. Best wishes moving forward.

Hubby and I celebrate with trips to a more upscale hot tub gardens, get a room with a fireplace and a waterfall, and let the world melt away for a couple hours. We also still eat! We both love adventurous dining, I just eat a hell of a lot less now. My bestie and I celebrate with trips to antique stores, plays, and just hanging out doing art together. For home with friends....rather than pizza, chips and soda......we do crockpots of white chicken chili and veggies with hummus. We still play stupid games, watch movies and hang out together. Hasn't changed that much:) And there's still some junk food around....but we're better about making sure the main meal is healthier. I love to celebrate with my kiddo and hubby by doing something in nature. Kiddo and I both love nature photography, horseback riding, canoeing and hiking:) We celebrate hubby's victories with small plane rides. Flyboy needs to stretch his wings every so often:)

Go, girl, go! Congrats!

Looking at my claims at my insurance site (Blue Cross Blue Shield Michigan), have the actual bills in front of me. Billed cost for the hosptial, OR, surgical supplies, staff, recovery room, room and nursing care $47,290. My Surgeon $11,913 Anesthesiologist $2,560 Bunch of other stuff under $1000 each, pathology, etc. About $65,000 in total. My first quote was low. Was a center for excellence and a major trauma hospital affiliated with one of the best research hospitals in the nation. They perform over 300 bariatric procedures per year and have one of the lowest rates in the region for complications. They have a 24/7 hotline for bariatric patients 365 days a year. Bigger price tag, but I enjoyed the confidence of statistically better outcomes....and the knowledge that I had access to the best talent in the field in case anything went wrong. My insurance was excellent. Was out of pocket less than $2000.

A cancer scare and climbing prediabetic AIC. For me...it was that simple. Vanity really isn't something I worry about overly. Mobility, health, and longevity, on the other hand....are pretty critical. It was just time to address the issue with every resource available. Very, very glad I did:) Feeling great!

Worth a read: https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/news/publications/psychiatry_newsletter/hopkins_brainwise___winter_2015/bariatric_surgery_and_eating_disorders

Frozen banana+cocoa powder+almond milk+Splenda...blend well = Sugar craving cure. If you want to make it really decadent,...stir in some tiny chunks of strawberry, pineapple, fresh banana, pecan bits, and drizzle with sugar free chocolate syrup....and eat with a spoon.

OK...Bariatric Centers of Excellence are an American thing.....because they are accredited by two American organizations, one of which is the American Society of Metabolic Surgeons...the other is the Surgical Review Corporation. To qualify, hospitals have to do 140 bariatric procedures per year, and staff has to have extra training in bariatric surgery complications, sensitivity training for bariatric patients, nutrition and post op care, and safely moving bariatric patients. Their accreditation signifies a level of excellence in the field of bariatric medicine. There are currently 778 Bariatric Centers of Excellence in the US.

"Vacations from your diet" don't work very well after surgery. LOL. Best not to get in the habit of taking them. Presurgery is a good time to screw up...when screwing up does little harm beyond causing a potential delay. Just get back on the horse. Forgive yourself. And start over in the morning. In the end, it's not about the number of screw ups...it's about the desire to ernesty try hard again....and again...and again....until you get there. Not saying that taking time off is no big deal....it's a really bad idea. A very slippery slope. You're supposed to be working on lifestyle changes. But I am saying you're human...and this is fixable. Try, try again. Best wishes. Also....learn to eat out ON your diet. It's an important skill and being prepared will save your butt in the future.

Don't mess around with pancreatitis. Mind your Ps and Qs, follow your doc's orders... and feel better soon!

I concede. If you love something....let it go. *sigh* Jack.... Jack...

Can't speak for everyone but I know a LOT of people talk about insomnia and poor sleep in the weeks after surgery. I was getting 4-5 hours for the first six weeks. Kinda stunk! Am doing better now:) Averaging 6-7 which is much more normal for me and I feel better rested.

LOVE THEM! Especially the blankets...so true. My husband makes Princess and the Pea jokes everytime we make the bed. We're sleeping with TWO down comforters, a fuzzy blanket, a cotton waffle blanket and heavy sheets.

Nope. Sounds like you're healing well and you should be glad of that. I was eating 1000 calories per day at 3 weeks and my doctor was delighted.

kakatlady, stop honing in on my Fluffy action! She's mine, dammit, MINE! LOLOLOL (so kidding!)