Crick

I’ve heard that some people find their tastes change after surgery. I would really recommend you have some broth and protein shakes you like ahead of time. I didn’t prep anything - it’s a lot of trial and error as you move stages. I have not found that my tastes have really changed - I’m off of the soft foods as of this week and got my favorite dish from my favorite restaurant yesterday. Granted, I just ate 1.5 oz of the fajita meat with .5 oz of the cheese and a couple of spoonfuls of salsa - no tortillas, or chips, or anything else - but it tasted so good. And it will probably last me 6 meals or so!

I weighed 10 lbs more when I got home from the hospital 2 days after surgery! But by 1 week post-op, I had lost that plus another 8 lbs! Be sure to drink your fluids and it will come off, I promise. I echo Sue about the pain - call your surgeon.

My doctor told me specifically it didn’t matter from a surgical standpoint - it only mattered from my comfort level. I slept on my stomach from 6 nights post op and I haven’t looked back.

I didn’t but I only used the pre-made shakes. The fairlife ones were the best (chocolate and vanilla). Post-op I also did the premier protein salted caramel and I like that as well - wanted something a little less sweet.

So, I made the infamous ricotta bake last night. I browned some ground Italian sausage and spread it on top of the marinara and under the mozzarella. I scanned the wrapper and measured - did .5 oz per serving which only added 30 calories (and 3 G protein and 2 fat). Very yummy and helped satisfy my craving for something resembling pizza. I’m on week 2 of the soft food stage and it tasted awesome. Also, George Bush Sr was right about broccoli. I’m ok with most vegetables but that one will make me vomit. You can drown it in cheese and it doesn’t make it any better.

I’m so glad! It makes such a huge difference when you can sleep in your preferred position!

Hi there. I used the one my surgeon recommended (PsyMed Inc) and I think I had a $50 copay (sorry, don’t know the self pay cost). I’m in the same area as you but my evaluation was actually done by someone in Dallas. It was a video visit; my guess is you will have that option as well no matter who you use. I had to do an online test as well. It was relatively painless. Good luck!

6 days after surgery I broke out in the rash from hell on my sides. Never did figure it out. My surgeon’s office called in something to help with the itching and calamine lotion was the only thing that really helped. Rash was a million times worse than anything I felt from surgery; it actually made me cry. It got worse for 2 days and then by Saturday (it started Wednesday evening) it started improving.

That was one of my biggest concerns as a stomach sleeper. I had my surgery on Jan 14 and spent two nights in the hospital. Honestly, sleeping on my back in the hospital wasn’t as bad as them coming in to check vitals at 2 am or draw blood at 4:15 am. I was back sleeping on my stomach after 6 days. Really wasn’t uncomfortable. I’ve been sleeping soooo much better since then.

I have UHC as well. My surgeon wouldn’t meet with me until I got pre-approved (they worked with my insurance). My first meeting with the surgeon was in late October and my surgery was Jan 14. I had to meet with a nutritionist once, do an endoscopy, and the psych evaluation. I was fortunate in that my company has a wellness program and I had been in that all of 2020. That wellness program had quarterly doctor visits and two meetings with a nutritionist. I had already lost fifty pounds prior to meeting with my surgeon for the first time so I didn’t have to do the 6 month thing with UHC. The endoscopy cost me around $650 and the surgery was around $2500 (including the surgeon’s part), although that may go up as I had to spend an extra night in the hospital because my white blood cell count wasn’t where my surgeon wanted it the afternoon after surgery. Keep in mind most hospitals allow you to pay part and then have a payment plan for the remainder (their biggest portion is going to come from insurance), so don’t be afraid of the cost component.

Be sure to bring a charger for your phone/kindle and make sure the cord is long - you never know how far the plug will be from where you are. I ended up having to stay in the hospital an extra night as my white blood cell count hadn’t come down enough for my doctor the day after surgery (even though I felt fine) so be prepared that may happen. I brought my own lotion too; it made me feel better to put that on after surgery. You might order a binder for your waist; my hospital gave me one but I don’t think that is universal as it depends on the surgeon. I second catwoman’s recommendation for a good blender - you will need it especially when you get to the purée stage. I would caution against ordering the vitamins too early unless you know which ones specifically your surgeon wants you taking. For example, there is a brand that was on my approved list but only for the pill not the chewable version. Sugar free popsicles have been a lifesaver for me, especially in the first week after surgery. If I could figure out how to get them without the grape ones, life would be great. 🤪

The best way I can describe it is to liken it to a corset or a big ace bandage - it basically goes around your waist and helps provide support. I just found it very helpful. I actually had ordered one prior to surgery but they gave me one in the hospital.

Just had mine on Thursday (1/14). I have to be honest, the pain was not as bad as I thought it would be (not painless, mind you, just not OMG I’m going to die pain). My gall bladder removal hurt way worse than this. I had lost close to 70 pounds on my own prior to surgery so I don’t know if that helped with the recovery (I was doing a minimum 3 mile a day exercise walk). My advise is get up and start walking as soon as you can after surgery. I was up and walking by maybe 4 pm (got to my room maybe around 11 am). I also really believe the surgical binder has been a big help.

I just had my surgery Thursday. I was on a “clean wing” - no COVID patients. I think the dangers of Covid and obesity outweighed the fear of catching in the hospital. I would have been more concerned had I had to go to the ER - but I went straight to the surgical section and then to my clean floor after recovery.