Elisabethsew

RNs make bad patients but they don't make stupid patients. If this friend understands the specifics of the surgery she had and decides to risk her life, she needs professional help.

You forgot the acid reflux burning a hold in your chest and the not being able to sleep in bed for fear of waking up choking on acid regurgitation.

I was born allergic to milk so I have to limit the amount of dairy I eat. Two ounces of goat cheese on two Wassa crackers is one of the lunches I enjoy. If I have that, I don't have anymore dairy. Here's the nutritional value for a SMALL blizzard: Calories: 675 Fat: 26 g Total Carbs: 102 g It's basically all fat and carbs and very unhealthy. I think I would die if I drank it. LOL. Protein: 12 g

I take synthroid and that isn't supposed to be crushed (not the generic levothyroxine). Since I could not take it the AM of surgery, I took it at 10 PM the night before surgery. The day after surgery, I got the OK to take the synthroid and it's about the same size as diovan... maybe a tad bigger. For those going to Mexico, remember to bring any meds you need to take with you. Rosebud, I'm glad you got it all worked out.

For me, head hunger is real. If I want something, I keep thinking about it. I was in the staff lounge in one of the ICUs at work 3 nights ago with two naturally thin RNs. Sitting on the table was 3 boxes of donuts (a GIFT from a family member). I chatted with them sipping coffee as they ate their dinner (brought from home). When they were done, they looked over the contents of all 3 boxes. Each decided on a favorite and cut the one selected in half! I asked how they determined they would have half and the one answered, "I really want several and if I don't have THIS and deprive myself, I WILL have several later on". Well, I wanted several also. So, I took a knife and cut off a tablespoon size piece of my favorite one. She was right, I continued on with the shift and never thought about those damn donuts again. I'm going to have to learn more skinny people secrets. LOL.

I've got a long way to go but people are starting to notice my weight loss and my clothes are getting very loose. You're going to great with the VSG and you'll make your goal. What I find helpful is to shoot for mini goals. My next one is to get below 250... 25 pounds at a time allows me to feel successful. LOL.

I can totally relate to have you feel. I did everything I was supposed to do when I got the band but never felt restriction. The weight I lost was through shear diet and determination. I felt like a band failure but it was the band that failed me. With the VSG, I felt restriction the minute they told me to start sipping Water. I'm amazed at this new feeling of fullness since I never had it before. The fact that I am taking in so much less food is exactly what I hoped for. Your new life begins 6/16!

Very valuable information and something that should be required reading when considering surgery in Mexico.

Did you all know that the most culturally diverse county in the United States is Queens, New York? I work for a huge health care system and we would literally go broke if we provided a face-to-face person to translate for all the people who did not speak English. What we do have is telephone translation for over one hundred languages. If a staff member can't speak the language and no one else in the hospital can, we use the phone and it works great. If the patient is confused, we encourage the family member to stay. If they can't stay, we make sure they provide us with a number they can be reached at.

Thank you, Mac... excellent articles!

You're officially an athlete! I think I'm 18% body fat in one arm. LOL. You've done an awesome job.

I bought a 2 month supply of 40 mg Nexium and I think it was @ $100. Once you go to a regular diet, you can take the pill whole. Dr. Aceves gives you a 2 week supply so you'll need to buy 2 additional weeks worth.

Diovan is tiny and you shouldn't have a problem taking it whole. It IS a medication that can be dissolved or cut in half. Are you sure you're absorbing it? If you're having diarrhea, that might be the reason you're BP is not responding to the medication.

I have had both... nothing with problems with the band. Once the surgery is over, you have to deal with fills and unfills and foods that you can no longer eat. The sleeve is also a restrictive procedure and once the surgery is over, you immediately feel restriction and begin losing weight. If I had it to do all over again, there is no way I would ever have chosen the band.

You can definitely notice a BIG loss in the after picture. You look great.

Congratulations on your great progress and thank you for sharing your story. I look forward to hearing more.

I told just two people I was getting banded and then told those same two that I was revising to the sleeve. Nobody else knows and I like it that way. I'm losing weight for me and don't want to answer to anyone but me.

I think a bikini is out of the question but I will have new knees and no pain! yes!

Things that melt in your mouth slide right on down so you'll still be able to eat it all.

You certainly went through a lot but I'm glad to hear you came through it. Why is it RNs always treat themselves last? LOL. Congratulations on your loss. I'm sure you'll wow them at the reunion!

I think she needs to have an evaluation ASAP to see what's going on. She'll need to drink the contrast to evaluate if there is a problem. How did she NOT follow the diet? What is she eating?

Thank you! I thought I was going nuts. LOL. As for the nausea, that happens if I "take one more taste" after "full" has registered. I had a thin chicken cutlet for dinner and got through 2/3's of it. There were maybe 4 bites left but I am fighting the "clean your plate" mentality and tossed them instead.

I am sooooooo sore... planted 8 flats of flowers and trimmed shrubs but it felt great to be outside. Once the outdoor funiture is cleaned (my next project) I'll actually get to spend time out there NOT working. LOL.

I love tilapia, scallops, and seabass. Last night, I had spaghetti and meatballs. This consisted of one very small meat ball and @ 1/3 cup of spaghetti. When I felt full, I stopped. The tuna cups (chunk white meat in water) are @ 2.5 oz. I flake it over some lettuce and add Walden's fat free/cal free dressing... excellent protein source.

People need to do what they feel comfortable with. I'm an RN so my preference is not to recover in a hotel. It was one of the main factors I considered when choosing a surgeon. In Mexico, hospitals are owned by MDs and are quite small. I wanted to make sure I was in one with ICU cababilities and with RNs. My goal was to avoid complications and, for me, that meant 3 leak tests and a post-op recovery in the hospital. Others feel differently and that's fine for them.