pnw218

Jillian, I am glad that you are moving forward. Have you talked to any doctors yet and have they recommended a size? It will be interesting to follow your story : )

omg! We have often taken my mom there for Mother's Day also! We will have to talk before next year! My husband is friends with the head vet there so he always gives us his club seat tickets. If you want to meet up there sometime over the summer, let me know. We can get tickets pretty much anytime we want them : )

LOL we were talking about that somewhere else - there are a few of us who jump on the scale after going #2! the scale has never moved for me tho :confused1: Glad you feel better!

Yea!! Glad your surgery went well and you are doing good : ) I remember very little after hitting the table either! They do knock you out quickly! That is a bummer about the vomiting! I had dry heaves once and that was it, thank goodness! And yes, the purple liquid was horrid!! I have had to drink potassium before because I was so low, and I think this was worse!! I didn't mind the stuff at the radiology clinic; altho I just took a big gulp and didn't finish all of it : ) I think it is good you had your gall bladder out as well. After having 2 gall bladder attacks, I wouldn't wish those on anyone! The language thing is a challenge. I personally didn't have any issues, however I travel alot internationally and am often in a country where I don't speak the language. I usually carry a pocket guide with English/whatever language. Before going to TJ, I also printed a couple of sheets of common and medical English/Spanish words and phrases. I saw Angie's mom post the other day that they also hand those out to patients at Aceve's because their nurses also aren't bilingual. Did you see Dr. Brenda while you were there? I was surprised how fluent she was and I figured she was an American or had at least studied there. I do agree they should always try to have someone to translate. I don't even think it needs to be a medically trained person, just someone to ease the barrier would be a good idea. Hope your recovery continues smoothly and the numbers on the scale start dropping! Congrats!!

ITA. Ask for a 2nd referral. I wouldn't want to be in the same room with that guy again! You can even play it kinda safe and tell your primary dr that your personalities just weren't a good match. I have done that with clients before! I can tell after one meeting that it isn't gonna work or they will drive me crazy during the process - so I make up some excuse and refer them to someone else : )

Hi Syry, I was told by my back dr to lose at least 50 pounds in order to take the pressure off my back. I have 4 bulging disks in my lower back. Between him and the sleep apnea dr telling me to also lose 50+ lbs the same week, I was sleeved about a month later! My back is doing much better. I just finished 6 weeks of physical therapy and I have lost just under 40 pounds in 3 months. I also get the twinge warning once in a while but haven't had a back attack since January. So - for me, it could be a combination of losing weight, PT and fairly limited physical activity for the past three months .... I would like to think the loss of weight has helped.

I am not big on hoops either! I took one look at my insurance info and promptly booked a date via cash as well : ) Good Luck!

Great attitude Jerry!! I have used all of the above forbidden items. Just my nature I guess : ) Love the sippy cup, especially if you are laying down and don't want to sit up for a sip. I have also used it prior to surgery when enjoying a little lemoncello in bed watching tv. Easier than trying to juggle a real glass and spill! lol I did use a straw fairly soon after surgery. Sometimes it just happened that way. No little kids at my house these days so don't have to worry about a toddler drinking from MY sippy cup : ) I didn't do caffeine or carbonation, so should get some points for that. I also didn't crush or break any meds; was able to swallow them just fine. Good luck with the powdered protein! yucky! lol The popsicles will be awesome tho!

Hope your final pre-op tests and packing go smoothly! Best of luck with your surgery and recovery! The first couple of days might be lousy but it gets better quickly!!!

My 2cents. It seems people on this board have mentioned that they still smoke cigarettes after surgery, so from that prospective it probably isn't any worse - from the smoke/inhaling side of things. Most people I know have been told to quit smoking for a time period prior to and after surgery to aid in healing. As for adding it to recipes???? Don't use the recipe that the coffee shops use in Amsterdam. Their chocolate cake tastes horrible. LOL Fab - I would agree that alcohol is probably harder on your stomach .... especially after my personal experience last weekend : ( oops! I thought I could drink one entire margarita. Nope. My limit is about half.

Huge is relative : ) I was taking all of my pills regularly by day 3 post op. I was going to suggest elevating the top half of your body when sleeping. I only had a couple of instances of heartburn when at the end of a pregnancy and actually slept in the recliner. Are you eating too close to bed time? If you need something, maybe try just a small glass of milk?? Unless that upsets your stomach as well.

I was wondering how it would go after surgery, and today I found out! I have donated off and on for over 20 years. I have been on restriction sometimes due to a new tattoo or traveling somewhere forbidden. :thumbup: Most of time I do just fine; sometimes tho I have felt lightheaded. I asked more questions this time to double check on the recent surgery out of the country, weight loss, etc. She was more concerned with the travel in the Caribbean in January! All was a-ok! She did recline my chair to help prevent the dizziness. It went just fine and I filled the bag within the time limit! Sometimes I am a little slow, and wasn't sure what to expect. I am O+ so often get calls when blood is needed for surgeries. O+ is the most common blood type with A+ close behind; O- can be used for any blood type but is more rare (O+ is only compatible with 4 types). May 17th has been an important surgery day for my family: my husband had successful surgery in 1995 for malignant melanoma; my MIL had heart bypass surgery a year later in 1996. May 17th is also her birthday! She is 88 today! So - the public service announcement of the day is: Remember to donate! 37% of the US population is eligible to donate ? only 5% of those eligible donate regularly.

Good for you!! Drink lots of Water ahead of time. Eat a good meal but not too soon before your appointment because it can slow down the flow. If you are nervous, ask for an ice pack for behind your neck and they can recline your chair : ) I also try to keep up a converstation with the nurse to distract me! LOL

I have only been turned down once for being a little low in Iron. They told me what to eat the day or so before. Not sure what you do for severe anemia tho! I was interested in where mine was after being post-op and it was 2 or 3 points higher than necessary - she said it was great! I have been kinda good at taking Vitamins - B complex, Prenatals, Potassium. My primary dr is running labs on my in a couple of weeks and then I'll see if I need to change anything : ) At least you tried :thumbup1:. My husband can't donate due to his prior cancer.

yikes! LOL I wouldn't be brave enough to try it after hearing others talk about it. The side effects are not pleasant at all. I ran across it (no pun intended) months ago and just reading the package made me cringe! :eek: The sleeve really works well. I would be surprised if you need to supplement with any other diet meds. The basics of the post-op diet are: calories 550-700, Protein 60-80, carbs 30-50, fats 30-50.

A glass of milk was and still is very calming to me now and great before I go to bed. Hopefully he will approve it for you : ) I was taking omeprazole before surgery (generic prilosec) and still had the weak and hunger feelings post-op.

I didn't go for almost a week after surgery. Then it was about every 4 days. Now I will go 2 or 3 days in row (normal, formed) and then not again for a few days. I don't feel uncomfortable so I think it is normal for my system. Makes sense to me that it takes longer to fill up the poop shoot before it empties.

I will share my experience - you will have to make your own decision tho : ) I was into the full liquid stage the first week primarily because I didn't feel good on clears, and soft/mushy soon after. I was weak, tired and cranky. I used the Atkins shakes alot before surgery. I also use them post-op and Premier shakes (30 grams protein) that I bought at costco.

how far post-op are you?? are you able to eat a variety of foods yet?? When I did Atkins and had too much Protein, constipation could be an issue. I didn't go for over a week post-op, I think. And then normal was about every 4 days. I have only had a couple of instances of rabbit poop (I know, tmi) where it is more of a strain and highly annoying. My new normal has been to go every day for 2 or 3 days, and then not again for a few days. Mostly formed normally and not a strain. If you are still in liquids, try more Water. Pain meds can also tighten things up. I have been allowed to take stool softeners after prior surgeries. You could ask to see if it is ok.

My main goal, prior to ever considering surgery, was to get back into single digit jeans. I didn't even care what the scale said - so long as it looked good! lol I feel pretty confident now that I will make it into 8's. A very long time ago, I did wear 5's and 7's. My lowest adult weight, after 2 babies, was 118 - and I didn't look healthy at all, too skinny and gaunt. I have no intention of even trying to get that low again. Nice that we even have to think about losing too much weight! LOL What a difference a surgery makes! : )

I agree. I had to remind myself that I wasn't that slender chick anymore! LOL And it was always very hard to tell what I really looked like. I would ask very close friends what size jeans they were wearing so I could get some idea of how big my butt was. It is a work in process but it certainly helps as people notice and make comments. The first 20 pounds didn't have much affect on me but I am really feeling the next 20. congrats attitudefree! you are doing amazing!

As an employer, I can understand their concern to a point, but if you have been working there for over 2 years, seems like you are a loyal employee! Has she not heard of labor ready or other temp workers?? I think you work in the medical field also, right?? Not sure if I remember that correctly or not. Overall, self and family comes before employers. Sheesh! She should be happy for you (and herself) that you will be a healthier and happier employee! I bought very little before surgery. I was concerned about what would sound good afterwards, so went to the store on the way home from the airport : ) Popsicles, gasx strips, sugar free pudding and Jello, chicken broth .... I already had crystal lite in the house but can not drink the flavors I used to. Good luck with your planning! It is exciting for sure!!

I would have expected my numbers to be a little different since I am 3 inches shorter than you two, but I was wearing a 14 very comfortably at about 180ish also. I feel like my weight is pretty evenly distributed throughout my body - might be different if I was more pear shaped?? I am now 155 and in 10's easily.

Good Morning! and thanks! It does feel good to be so close to normal! I even found my waist!! : ) GWL is fun - kinda spendy tho, especially if you have to go on a weekend. Sometimes there are specials and that helps! The rooms are nice tho. I wouldn't recommend the buffet - $35 per person and cold food the last time my daughter was there with friends. The snack bar in the waterpark area is decent pricewise and food quality/choices. We had drinks and nachos in the bar on Friday night and both seemed to be good values. We brought Snacks and Breakfast with us. The park itself: perfect for little kids, elementary aged and junior high. Older teens will be done after about 5 hours - unless of course there are teens of the opposite sex to splash with! LOL There is a teen dance on Fri/Sat nights. The girls always like that : ) I like the wavepool and hot tub. It would be nice if there was a parent/adult only area for those of us with older kids who don't need supervision. We did go outside in the lower sitting area near the hottub. There were lounge chairs and tables/chairs. You can't take your own food out there. Dumb. There is only one area that I think requires actual swimming skills; most of it is just Water play. That might help those who aren't water fans?? There are also lifejackets everywhere and are free to use. We have been three times. Took my daughter and 5 of her friends a couple of years ago. Met my sister and her then 4 yr old daughter - that was very fun! And then this trip with the teen vb players. Will probably take the granddaughter and have my sis meet us with her two kids this summer. The babies are just 1 day apart so that should be fun! You can enter the park early on the day you arrive, before your room is ready, and then stay until closing time the day you check out. Helps to justify the price. At least this time I could deduct the cost as a club expense! : )

Lost another pound over the weekend. Another good Monday morning! 155.8, down 37.2! Next goals: loss of 40+ lbs and getting into the 140's! Anxious to go to the back dr next Monday. Hopefully he will release me for exercise and I can start firming up. Overall not bad at all tho; was worried about loose skin but I must be losing slow enough that it's not an issue. However, the hips and bottom always need attention! LOL