DownInSocal

I too noticed my dog was wadling when she walked. She is over 70 lbs so I couldn't pick her up to hold her and weigh her so I don't know how much she gained but I think about 5-8 lbs. She is on a diet now too and has lost at least 5 lbs I bet. Her tummy doesnt sway back and forth when she walks with me.

Shanda I was a train wreck looking for a place to happen. Now that I can have some soft pureed foods I am better. It is normal and I promise it will get better with time. I was just like you. I cried easily over stupid stuff or nothing at all. I am happy with my surgery but would cry over it. You are normal girl!

I had a sealant over my suture line. No outside staples, sutures or drainage tubes for me.

I don't think you are stupid at all, honestly. We are learning to live with a redesigned organ. I am only 4 weeks out but feel your symptoms are from your food choices. Try an all Protein meal, like pureed meat. Does it happen when you eat an only protein meal? I also think you should be measuring. Our eyes are not good at measuring portions or we wouldn't have needed surgery.

This whole thing just sucks. I am so sorry this happened to you.

Nice post. You got star treatment and it seems like you are doing good. I am happy for you!

Honestly where is the word "free" coming in? Making it so people can buy policies at a group rate instead of individual rate is not free. The average individual low deducible (under $500) plan in California is $450 a month for a 35 year old woman. Add in a whole family (that is Primay holder plus spouse and children) and the cost jumps to $955. The people sitting in basements getting high already qualify and are using Medical. Trust me you are paying for them already and nothing will change under this plan except if we don't do something those who DO work and DO pay their bills can BUY insurance at a more reasonable rate. It is the people who are making $10 an hour that can NOT afford to buy insurance. Who can afford $955 a month except the people who make decent wages and already get insurance through their jobs? I do understand about the "sense of entitlement" but some of us wonder why some have so much "sense of privilage". Some are willing to let others die of cancer because they worked a low paying job cleaning toilets and could not afford insurance that was more than their monthly income. Like somehow allowing people to buy insurance at a lower rate is going to take away from the priviliged ones care. I don't want you to have to make sure I can get mine. That is kind of scary thinking and it seems to be prevelant in the reform debate out there.

If taxes are raised to cover all individuals is that so bad? In my opinion no. Where do you draw the line on who deserves care and who does not? The person flipping the burger that feeds the CEO does not deserve even basic health care? Part of the problem is people need to be responsible. They should start budgeting for health insurance like they do car insurance. But lets face it health insurance is a million times more expensive than car insurance. I believe many people would buy health insurance if it was cheaper than $500 for a crappy policy. Anyone who thinks you can get health insurance for $200 a month is living in a dream world. I am not talking $10,000 deductible plans as health insurance either. That is just crazy when some people make less than $10,000 a year!

My stomach gurgled and I couldn't drink much of anything on the first day. Sounds normal to me!!! Congrats.

WOW. Honestly you were a very pretty woman before surgery. A head turner. Now you are stunning. I can't wait to see pics of you guys back together! I have never seen you whine about your problems. You are such a good military wife. You troop on alone. Military wives are strong. You are a good example. I agree. Ditch the bracelet.

Why will they only pay 50%? Some of these plans are down right criminal.

I don't want my taxes paying for any healthcare (beyond emergency life saving measures) for anyone who is here illegally. Period. I tend to be a different Lib when it comes to immigration. Maybe it comes from living on a border town. Illegal immigration scares me. Legal immigration does not. Illegal immigration side steps our health checks, our criminal checks, our checks to make sure they will be productive in society (not mooch off of welfare, social security, and Medicare). I can’t even imagine how many TB positive and violent criminals flood across our borders on a daily basis.

Ohh I thought of a name: BaldricksCorner.com

I have read a lot of strange stuff on weight loss boards. Laying claim to things just in case a family member dies during a surgery is one of the most shocking things I have read. This may not be the right time but in the future I would encourage you to stand up for yourself. I know I became more passive the more weight I gained. I stayed in an abusive relationship because I thought no one would want me. Next time someone does something so shocking and rude tell them to F off. They are not your friend. There is no excuse for this even if you were talking about your risks and fears of surgery. We are all educated adults here. We know you are a high risk patient. They know too. This is not a garage sale. This is your life. I know you are going to come through fine. I love the thought of a website! I am no good with web names though. We all can't wait to see before and after pics! Humm. At your size I think 1400 to 1800 calories to start is good. I don't know what your daily caloric intake is now but you don't want to drop too fast. Your journey is going to be a little different than the rest of us. Most of us were restricted to 800 to 1000 calories pre op or just Clear liquids but my uneducated guess is your weight makes going slower a better option. You will feel hungry until your pancreas gets used to having to put out less insulin. You can do it. I am 21 days out and not thrown up yet but (and two big buts) I have taken Zofran the minute I felt any nausa and I am still on clears. I have not "tested" my new tummy yet. I am honestly so scared of a leak I would do almost anything not to throw up. I would continue to own your problems with food. I had to own mine. Yes it is an addiction and yes I have to work everyday to overcome it. I alone am responsible for what goes in my mouth. I think your care in the U.S. is going to be great! Cleveland Clinic is good medicine. Nothing substandard there. Hey how are you getting to Cleveland?

Me protein and liquids. What a mess. I can't get enough of either. I am in the same boat as you. Sometimes it feels like it is sinking and I am not bailing fast enough. I LOVE Chike Nutrition shakes. They have a special sample pack: Chike Nutrition - Best Tasting Meal Replacement Shake. Guaranteed. Pour, Shake, Drink & Go! It has saved my but. It has less protein but is not as filling so you can drink more and tastes great. I like the banana. I make a half a packet at a time. It takes me half hour to drink it.

I am clears but my last "movement" was September 5th. I am going to take some MOM tonight and see what happens. I can't imagine eating real food and going that long.

I had sleep issues before surgery but it was real bad the first two weeks after surgery. I had so much energy but could not do what I wanted (like rearrange the attic, yard work). I still have more energy but I am sleeping so much better now it is great.

Wow. Have you asked your Dr. point blank if you have a leak? I am sorry if I missed some of this story. Two weeks is a long time. I can't imagine what you are going through.

Thats great! As so many told me don't worry about your Protein so much the first several weeks. Concentrate on staying hydrated.

I should get honest about my Protein intake. It is no good. I am 12 days out and lucky if I can gag down 30 grams. I just can't take in protein and drink all this Fluid. Fifteen grams of protein fills me up for hours (half my average shake). So then I drink more when I can and I am filled up again. Of course while all this protein BS is going on I am not drinking Water. Just messing around with trying to get 70 grams is taking up my whole day. I am still struggling with hydration. I am putting out about 30 cc to 40 cc an hour which is good but I wake up shakey and my mouth is dry. My husband curled up to me this morning and was like "What is wrong you are shaking" And I said I am just this way in the morning if I try to focus on protein and miss water. I am in a vicious cycle. My calves are also cramping. I already got checked for blood clots. I have none. I am not liking life right now. Still no regrets. How long can I go with not enough protein? Mac? Help.

Welcome Bill!

My doctor considers Protein Shakes made with at least 50% more water clears. unjury also makes a clear protein. I bought a bunch just in case he restricted me to that. Thick shakes were a nightmare the first couple weeks. I thinned. Now they are ok but I should be drinking them more thinned.

I feel much better about the tooth being taken care of before surgery! This is all so exciting. Things have really come together. If you get a surgery date before you leave be sure to put it on the calendar. I can't say that I fully understand your position about the fear of surgery because your risks were so much higher than mine. I did think about it though. I thought about it enough I updated my will. I did come to peace the night before though. That is the only thing I could tell you. Do you have a lap top? Do you know if you will have any net? If not we will have to go so long without an update because of all your stops. The way you feel on liquids prior to surgery will be different than the way you will feel on it after surgery I promise. I still have not felt real hunger. When my stomach feels "empty" like something going in would bounce off the bottom is how I know I am hungery. Do you live alone? The reason I ask is my hardest thing has been my family eating around me. If you live alone I would tell people to stay away with food. If they show up with it tell them to beat it. If I am not around people eating I don't feel left out and do fine.

Oh sorry! I must have been thinking about before your incredible loss. I think it is easy to lose sight of how much you have loss. I weighed as much as you lost at 15. Motivation is hard. If we were all perfectly motivated people to excersise we would not need surgery.

You are SOOOO lucky (as far as your diet, not your leg). I am clears. Jello, broth, thinned shakes, gatorade, propel, SF popcicles and...... that is it. What I wouldn't give for anything made with veggies.