STLoser

I stayed in the hospital 4 nights but did not have a pain pump, although they did give me pain medicine any time I needed it. I had more trouble with nausea than pain and once I went home I did not need the Percocet they gave me. It sure can't hurt to have a pump when you go home though.. Better to have it in case you do have pain. Good luck! Sent from my Nokia 7.2 using BariatricPal mobile app

I agree. Just ask them to clarify to be safe. Every doctor is different, and again, it may be that mine was worried about malabsorption because of the type of surgery I had. Sent from my Nokia 7.2 using BariatricPal mobile app

Here is my bottle of Procare. It does not contain calcium. Sent from my Nokia 7.2 using BariatricPal mobile app

Yes, that is true. I take my Procare and other extra vitamins in the morning, and wait 2 hours before taking calcium. Sent from my Nokia 7.2 using BariatricPal mobile app

Yes, my surgeon does have me on extra calcium, but I had the Loop DS so they may because of the malabsorption that goes along with it. I'm also 50 years old, so even with no surgery they'd probably advise me to take extra calcium since I'm female. Also, my surgeon said it takes a long time for your calcium to register as low so you can have kidney damage before it shows up. So I take it faithfully. I don't mind. I also take extra vitamin B1, zinc, and folic acid. I was on extra vitamin D and K, but my levels were high last time so I'm off those now. Sent from my Nokia 7.2 using BariatricPal mobile app

Also, it's great you're going to a ballgame. I'm a huge St. Louis Cardinals fan we went they were in town to play the Cubs and we went to the game. The Cubs fans were very friendly as well as the stadium employees, and the stadium has a great atmosphere. It was a lot of fun! Sent from my Nokia 7.2 using BariatricPal mobile app

They're great. My surgeon actually suggested them to me. I just had my labs done and all my levels were great! Sent from my Nokia 7.2 using BariatricPal mobile app

Yeah. It sucked those first few days without my coffee , which I live for ! I tried decaf, which was allowed, but it's just not the same . I just had to tough it out. I get migraines and I did have one those first few days. By that 4th day it was better. Hang in there! It gets better! Sent from my Nokia 7.2 using BariatricPal mobile app

Water. Stupid autocorrect ! Sent from my Nokia 7.2 using BariatricPal mobile app

I actually like the fizziness of the carbonation. I do like the mineral taste too , so maybe I could try letting it get flat . I was always a big water drinker too. I am allowed occasional carbonation now, but I have taken sips and it just doesn't feel right in my stomach , so for now I'm avoiding it. I do miss it though! At least I can still have my regular eater and coffee though! Sent from my Nokia 7.2 using BariatricPal mobile app

I second the gem exhibit! That was my favorite ! We did the Field Museum and the aquarium in 1 day and it was no problem for us. They're right by each other. Perhaps if you spend a super long time at the museum it may be better to do seperate days . We were there a few hours if I remember correctly. Also , don't forget the Willis Tower! Sent from my Nokia 7.2 using BariatricPal mobile app

That's amazing!!! Congratulations! Sent from my Nokia 7.2 using BariatricPal mobile app

That makes me feel better. I don't mind giving up my carbonated water and not drinking at meals , but I've always been a huge veggie lover . And even if I never could eat many again it's still all worth it , but I want to be able to eat a mostly normal about of them . I tried to eat a healthy variety of foods before even though it was obviously too much , so that is important to me. I eat yogurt every day too. I have it for lunch , and usually again later as an evening snack . I have been able to put a few blueberries or raspberries in it and still finish it so that's good. At a year out I am able to eat more , which is scary and good at the same time ha ha ! Sent from my Nokia 7.2 using BariatricPal mobile app

I'm 1 Year post op now, and my biggest struggle has been not being able to eat as many veggies as I'm used to, not being able to have carbonated water, and not being able to drink with meals. Overall, it has gone much easier than I expected though, and these minor things are worth it. I do also struggle with being more hungry and craving sweets before my period. Normally sweets don't tempt me, but I crave them like crazy when my period is coming. Sent from my Nokia 7.2 using BariatricPal mobile app

Ha ha ha. I never let fat keep me from dancing like Elaine from Seinfeld either. [emoji23] Enjoy your shows! Sounds like it will be a lot of fun! Sent from my Nokia 7.2 using BariatricPal mobile app

This is kind of silly, but I always looked forward to things like going to concerts and being able to buy concert t-shirts. Back when I was a teenager in the 80s I wore a size large, but that wasn't as common to find, when I got older I wore between 2x to 5x at my highest weight, and they never had that size. My husband and I went to see my favorite band the other day, and I went to buy a t-shirt. I have been wearing XL, but they only had large left, and I decided to buy it anyway since I plan to lose more anyway. Well IT FITS!!! So I can fit into the size I wore in high school now AND I got my first concert t-shirt! It's these kind of things I always looked forward to! Sent from my Nokia 7.2 using BariatricPal mobile app

The list for me goes on and on, but the biggest things were : -reversing my fatty liver disease - being able to be active with my son -improving my asthma -being able to walk without sweating and getting short of breath -getting off the BP meds I had just started -fitting in my seat belt and my stomach not touching the steering wheel -being able to perform my personal hygiene without a struggle -fitting into chairs, booths, etc. -fitting into smaller clothes. I was a size 32. I'm a 16 how bordering on 14 and hoping to get smaller! Sent from my Nokia 7.2 using BariatricPal mobile app

Before my breast reduction, my breasts were so pendulous they hung to my waist and my nipples had very little feeling at all. The skin around them was also purplish because there wasn't good blood supply and my nipples barely had any color. After the breast reduction and lift, I have feeling like I never had before. It took a lot of getting used to, because they got so sensitive, and before I never had my nipples show through clothes because they didn't react much to cold or touch. They are also a much darker color now. So for me, I GAINED feeling in them after the reduction and lift. I was also able to successfully breast feed my son, which I don't think would have been possible had I not had the reduction and lift. All that being said, there is always a risk of loss of feeling after a lift. I had a really fantastic surgeon and was also very lucky that everything went so well. If they become empty sacks after I have finished losing weight, it will be ironic. Ha ha Sent from my Nokia 7.2 using BariatricPal mobile app

Congratulations on your success! You are doing amazing! It sure makes a difference weighing less walking those halls as a nurse! I was also in the ICU back when I saw people die from wls. Since our insurance never covered it I had given up researching it until I decided to actually do it and then I saw complications were a lot fewer than back when I was a new nurse, so I was pleasantly surprised. I'm also do happy I went with the DS. I'm very happy it's working so well for you. Congratulations! [emoji4] Sent from my Nokia 7.2 using BariatricPal mobile app

Also, thanks for the birthday wishes! [emoji4] Sent from my Nokia 7.2 using BariatricPal mobile app

Omg I love this story! That's so awesome that you did so well at it. I actually showed my husband your post, because I have been talking about surfing a lot with it being in the Olympics this year. I keep saying I need to watch and get pointers since I'm an aspiring surfer. [emoji23] You've definitely given me hope that my dream could be a reality. Living on Maui and being a surf bum sounds like the life! I'm game! Let's do it! Sent from my Nokia 7.2 using BariatricPal mobile app

Thank you Arabesque! [emoji4]I will be booking a ticket as soon as I can! Sent from my Nokia 7.2 using BariatricPal mobile app

Omg that's my DREAM to take a surfing lesson in Hawaii. The first time I went I was 6 months pregnant. The 2nd time I was almost 400 pounds, so I never was able. I plan on going back to Hawaii again, and I WILL do it. I turn 50 Monday, and I don't know when I will get back there but I don't care how old I am, I have to take a surfing lesson! Congratulations on such an amazing NSV! So awesome! Sent from my Nokia 7.2 using BariatricPal mobile app

Ugh. I can't type. Stuffed not studded. Sent from my Nokia 7.2 using BariatricPal mobile app

Also, I can understand you being nervous, especially if you've never stayed in the hospital. I just want to wish you luck. I'm sure it will go very well! Sent from my Nokia 7.2 using BariatricPal mobile app