Well Here Goes.....

[texaschick 0]

I have been lurking here for a little while and over at the OH sleeve forum for almost a year. I wanted to have the surgery last fall, but my DH was dead set against me going to Mexico, and I did not like any of the surgeons (or their offices) where I had been to seminars. Well I finally found a doc and office that I like and I am shooting for early-mid June! This doc was very supportive of my choice (in fact, he was thrilled), unlike one of the other doc's office that kept pushing the lap band because my insurance will cover it. It ain't cheap, but not as bad as I thought (14.5K).

I am soon to be 50 :scared0:, I have been transplanted to San Antonio Texas, I have two teenagers (17 & 14) and I went back to work full time a couple of years ago. I travel for work Mon-Thurs two - three weeks a month, so some of this is going to be challenging. I put on most of my weight after the birth of my second child (coincidently that is when I started working from home). My family is all obese, so more so than others.

I have to say a very big THANK YOU!!!! to all of you long-term sleevers that still post. You are an inspiration to me! Also, thank you to all that post their likes, dislikes etc. It is helping me compile a list of things to have on hand for after surgery and things to try now.

Here is what my doc says:

2 week pre-op diet: 2 -3 shakes a day and one small Protein and veggie meal (about the size of your hand)

2 nights in the hospital

liquids for 7-10 days after (he says the nut. will tell me clear, but he is OK with shakes after)

Mushies after that

I am not so crazy about the nut. She is pushing 70 and I had to call her on a couple of things. From all that I have read here whey isolate is the way to go, and she was pushing powders that were whey concentrate. When I asked about it, she said isolate is good, but concentrate is good too. Her "after" diet is 60g Protein a day 100g carbs and 20g fat. Not sure this is where I want to be in the losing phase, but I will play with it.

So here are some of the things I have already purchased (trying not to stockpile :001_smile:):

• Individual packs of the the Jay Robb protein mixes. I even found an egg white one. Anyone tried it?
  
• GasX strips
  
• chewable Vitamins
  
• trying to find chewable Calcium (citrate), but havent had any luck
  
• Cytomax Protein Drink (anyone try?
  
• SF Jello
  
• SF popcicles
  
• SF rice pudding (my new love)
  

I am starting to get a little scared now. I am a big baby when it comes to pain. What if I don't lose as much as I want? What if the "head hunger" is too overwhelming? What if there are complications? But really, my quality of life is going down hill fast anyway. Bad arthritis in my knee, feet hurt, I am sure diabetes is just around the corner.

So, I will keep lurking here, and build my courage through all of you.

[Swiftflow 6]

Welcome from a fellow Texan. You seem to be doing the right steps in the process getting ready and being fully informed going in. Best of luck to you beginning this journey!

[goodlife 3]

Congrats on finding a surgeon and welcome!

Those post-op parameters sure are different! 100g of carbs?? wow.

My nut says 50 per day but I'm going to try to stay more like around 30.

We'll see!

[PinkJewels 2]

Check out bariatricadvantage.com They have calcium chews (in lemon and raspberry) I am a big fan of the Calcium crystals and they're flavorless, as well as the lozenges (the cinnamon ones taste like cinnamon altoids!)

[Maddie 9]

Welcome and congrats. I too have started to buy some of the things I'll need pre and post op. I wanted to try a few of the Protein drinks now, thinking it would be better to eliminate the really yucky ones now rather than when I can barely stomach anything.

My insurance doesn't pay either, mine will be 14,200 so looks like we are in the same ballpark.

It took me a while to start posting as well, glad you did!

[escapesunshine 0]

Good luck sounds like you have got everything falling into place. I purchased my chewable calcium citrate from GNC website and saw some on Amazon's website.

[sam30204 0]

Congrats on date

[SFOTraveler 42]

Congrats on finding a surgeon you like.

Just FYI about the calcium citrate.... Citracal is Water soluble so if you take a pill and dissolve it in Water, you can just drink it that way. There was a doctor at my last surgeon support group who specialized in osteoporosis and he told us that. Apparently it tastes like lemonade when dissolved and the nutritional value remains the same. Just an idea ; )