Malaika

WASa is the "expert" so to speak with regard to this matter - I am sure she will post the information with regard to this finding and you can research it more on your own. Plus the link to order the test.

Congrats on your surgery date - one month out from Bearded's. I am sure you will do great and I am sure there will be others down here the same time as you are - you just may not know it ahead of time, but I'm sure you won't be alone - it is very busy here this time - every room is full. It will be nice, too, to have your husband here to share the entire experience with you.

HA - this is so true - will definitely cut down on the cost of eating out -- leave more $$$ for gambling and shows.

And everyone should visit Las Vegas at least once - and seems to be somewhat centrally located -- we'll have to work on getting something together down the road -- and no buffets for sure - what a waste of money that would be!

Dr. Aceves just phoned to say he is in recovery and everything went fine. No hernia and surgery was good. So I suspect he'll be in recovery a couple hours and then back to the room. Will post more later. Thanks for asking!

It's been nice and I agree, we definitely need to have a meet-n-greet - would bo so fun!!!

Well that is good to know -- although not what I was told by another doctor. Since I don't have to worry about it anymore and didn't even know I had the darn thing, I'm glad it wasn't more serious. Once the spasms and scar tissue goes away, I should be like new again!

Hearing that didn't make me real happy either; however, at least he didn't say I'll be this way forever! Now, that would totally suck! I can eat warm things easier than cold that is for sure, so I guess that is what I will stick with until things get better ... after this I may never be able to look at a can or bowl of soup again! (Sort of like I feel about Hamburger Helper as that is what, as newlyweds, we lived on way back when [my first marriage]). Thanks for the hugs - back atcha (((Daisy)))

Thanks Judy - I will always take all the prayers anyone wants to offer, as I know it is all in God's hands. Yes, very relieved and to know that everything else looks good. Dr. Aceves did mention this morning; however, that it could take up to 6 months to go away and I will need to learn to "work" with it until then. So I will have to experiment on when to take my medication and try to avoid vomiting ... it's not any fun; however, sometimes that is the only thing that makes me feel better. I will try the warm drinks before meals and try to figure out how and when to take my medication. Hopefully when I see my PCP in August, he will take me off the Benicar and that will only leave the Nexium Mups, Effexor and my BC pill - which is very tiny. Thank you both, and everyone else, for their concern. It means alot to me.

I had never heard of a sliding hiatal hernia either until Dr. Aceves mentioned it to me - so then I had to research it -- and from what I can gather, the whole in the esophogus where the stomach sometimes protrudes up through slides up and down - which I guess is dangerous as if the stomach is up in that area and it decides to "slide" it can strangulate and kill part of the stomach? I am sure there is a much more medical explanation; however, that is what I garnered from www.medline.com (I think that is where I went anyway). I HOPE you don't have these issues either - they are no fun ... Dr. Aceves told me this morning it could take up to 6 months for this issue to go away ... so I am going to have to experiment on the best times to take my medication -- I definitely don't think it is in the am when I am very restricted ... so maybe mid-afternoon ? I don't know -- I just know I don't like the feeling of having something "stuck" and having to fight the urge to vomit -- sometimes I just give in and do it but I don't enjoy it, that's for sure.

Bearded is in surgery right now - they took him at 9:00 and he was very nervous. I think it helped him some to know that he probably won't have the same issues I am having; however, he was still very nervous about the surgery. I will keep you posted on his progress as knowing him and how he is from prior surgeries, he will sleep almost all day today, if not more! He already told me to not let "them" bother him ...

HEY! I thought you were my friend? :biggrin0:

Leslie's DVDs are great - keep in mind you're walking a mile in about 20 minute, so it gets your heart rate up and is good cardio -- I enjoy doing's her DVDs especially when it's 111 outside ... The 2 mile one is an ass-kicking; I got there once and have to work my way back up to it -- never made it to the 3 mile walk (YET)!

Missed Wanna2BMe ... she left yesterday - DARN! Bob's last meal was not what he wanted -- we ate around 2:30 and he wasn't hungry at all after that, so he didn't get his steak like he wanted -- instead he got some gaucomole, chips, bread and 3/4 of the quesadilla I ordered (which was very tiny actually) - plenty for me, and I suppose with the other things he ate, plenty for him -- he was still 'stuffed' this morning. Guess he'll have to wait a while on that steak! Met Soon2BSkinny this morning -- we're all gonna party! LOL :biggrin0:

I think I missed Want2BMeAgain ... I've asked on the floor but no one seems to know who I am talking about so perhaps I missed her? There are 2 other women here today - one for a sleeve from Alaska and one for a revision -- they had not heard about VST ... they have now! Have also met Soon2BSkinny - she was up walking around this morning when we got here. She seems to be doing well. I think it's great to get to know people from here!

You must have been hiding in your room today when I was there -- I will look for you tomorrow when we get to the hospital for DF surgery -- what room were you in? 26? maybe that's why we're going to get that room ... I will try to find you tomorrow morning if you aren't already gone by the time we get there at 7 am.

I had my barium swallow today. Apparently everytime I drink/eat there is a small section, where the sliding hiatal hernia was repaired, that spasms and after the spasm, then it relaxes and the liquid/food passes through. Dr. Campos said told me to drink something warm before I ate and that should help to relax the spasms allowing me to eat. He said this will dissipate over time and told me to stay on a mushie diet for another 4 weeks and then to try adding in solid food a little bit at a time. I have made a very conscious effort to not eat too fast and I know I am not taking too big of bites -- I use a baby spoon (leftover from my kids) to ensure the bites are small. So now, hopefully knowing what the issue is - trying Dr. Campos' suggestion of something warm before eating to help relax the spasm, I will begin to feel better. Also knowing that this will not last forever is a big relief -- I can tolerate it as long as I know eventually it will dissipate and I will have my life back. I know Bearded was happy to hear that I am in the 1% of patients who have these issues and not in the majority.

That is what I did -- actually -- looked at the charts and found what room she was in and knocked on her door and said "Hi I'm VegasAngel" and she was happy to see me -- then I walked into her room and said "Hi DAD - what do you think so far?" (Her dad was hesitant about her having surgery in Mexico). He told me thus far he'd been very impressed. Rosey was waiting to have her surgery when I was there so I will be sure to check in on her tomorrow ... the wing is full ... Yolanda wasn't sure where she was going to put Bearded for his surgery -- think she decided on Room 26 ... hopefully we'll have good internet connection there -- Rosey and I took a pic and will post it when I can. (I think "dad" might have thought I was a bit crazy!) :biggrin0:

That is awesome - congratulations and I'll be anxious to hear how you are doing and how everything went. I know you must be glad to get the drain bag out - I know I was.

Congratulations Tracy and now you're in "Onederland" ... I will be so excited to get there - I've got awhile yet, but get there I will! I'm like you - as long as the scale moves downward, I'm good ... I am excited about starting to excercise when my friend gets back from her vacation (7/23) and am hoping the weight comes off regularly. Keep up the great work and thanks for checking in - both here and PM .. will talk to you soon!

I think when we get home, we are going to order that test for Beardeditalian - he so totally craves sweets ... wonder if his tastes for sweets will change after surgery and everything will be super sweet like it is for me. I actually did crave a donut today!

Well at least you know it and admit it ... Too funny about staying away when you're bad - you crack me up!

Try eating a little more than the measured amounts and try Protein instead of carbs and see if that helps.

I can't imagine him 44 lbs. heavier - he is so small now Roseyandmusic wanted a photo so we have one -- I'll post it when I can. Eyfura's sister wasn't feeling very well and very nauseous -- hoping she has a better night tonight. Will pass your well wishes on to DF

I find that eating bad carbs only make me hungrier.