Any one in NW WA

[sue11 0]

Sorry Gentlemen...didn't mean to make light of your journey, it's hard work for all. I think the grass is alway greener

[Beckie9395 0]

Thank you for the encouragement Not being able to afford the surgery here, has its disadvantages. One being part of a support group. We met another patient while we were in Mexico, who referred this site to me. She and I have been keeping in touch through e-mail. Her surgery was rescheduled, and she'll be going in at the end of this month.

Anyway, I was on liquids the first week, then graduated to creamy things like yogurt, cream of wheat and oatmeal. This doctor has a different recommendation than what I have heard from others. Doesn't seem as strict. My primary doctor here recommended sticking to it. I think the longer you can go with the softer stuff, the better. The "strict" may be better overall. I snuck a few things here and there, and must say, I did regret it. I would try a bite here and there, and if it works, then I try it again another day. The broth and liquids were giving me a huge stomach ache several times a day.

Yes, the port side has been quite painful. Nobody ever talked about that, so I didn't expect it. My husband felt it too. Our bandages were off after about a week. Our incisions were closed with some kind of "glue." I had two stitches, and my husband had 3, which are also out now. We're almost healed except for one long incision that is about 3". I think the port is under there because we can feel a bump. I am usually allergic to adhesive, so I understand what you went through. I started using rubbing alcohol as soon as I could get near the areas to get the sticky stuff off.

Yes I have heard that men lose quickly. My husband is just in heaven, telling me his watch keeps flipping around now, and that he is on the last notch of his belt. I'm proud of him. He used to eat about 5 full dinner plate sized meals a day. Now he can only eat a cup at a time, and hasn't needed any insulin because his body is making just enough. His doctor is monitoring him, so please, don't anyone out there just go and do this on your own. Blood sugar levels are not something to mess with. He has been a diabetic for 14 years, and his top weight was 330. I did this for myself, but also to support him.

We have a 14 year old son, and a 12 year old daughter, and look forward to having more energy and spending more time with them before they are grown.

[Wenjea 1]

Welcome Beckie - you will like this site alot, everyone is really great and very friendly. I didn't catch where you were from here in WA.

Mer - You tell me. How did you feel the day of your surgery? did you sleep alot or were you feeling well enough for company? My husband and daughter-in-law were wondering if they should come up and I didn't know what to tell them.

nbjen - feel free to answere this one too about visitors. I'm glad to hear that your rash is doing better.

this liquid stuff is the hardest thing I have ever done. My stomach is really growling tonight!! I got through the first 7 days and i only have 45 more to go . . . . . help!!

[sue11 0]

Hi Becky

Congrats to your husband on his Blood Sugar contol, it's so important for his future health!

The support groups are often avaiable to anyone, not tied to a specific Doc or clinic. I know Franciscan groups are open to anyone. I see you are up north, there should be some in your area. I know how important it is to me to be involved in a group that includes medical support and real life people. This site has had alot of great info from the "real life" perspective.

[nbjen 0]

Wendy - stay strong!!! Your doing so well and I know how you feel about 45 more days of liquids!! I feel like I was just where you were and look now I only have about two more weeks left, you can do it Just think how much easier the surgery will be. I only lost 8 lbs on my pre-op diet but my Doctor said my liver looked great and he didn't even have to move it (good I guess) and that I was a super easy surgery. I wouldn't have felt like visitor's. I was on that pain pump and then when I came home I just stayed on the couch for about two days. You will probably want one person there to help you though. Everyone's experience is so different and you may feel fine like some people here.

Good luck and I know you'll keep going - because your already doing it!!

Becky - My doctor see's patients from Mexico so you might be able to go to his support groups too. Dr Earl Fox, I would have to check when they are exactly but once a month at the La Quinta Inn in Tacoma.

[singandsew 0]

Hi all! Lovely day today! Yippee! Going to get some lab work done at my regular doctor's office this AM. It will be cool to see where my sugars, cholesterol, etc. have gone since the pre-op diet and surgery.

Wenjea, Yah, you probably won't want visitors. I was thinking about the evening, but as I remember now, I didn't like people there visiting me..... I just couldn't communicate. I guess I wasn't thinking......LOL DOOO hang in there. Once you get through the surgery, the liquid diet is much easier. I think about a few days before my first fill I was going a little nuts over it and cheated some, but determination generally won out. I didn't want to wreck the work DR. had done.

As for MEN! My husband worries me. He's 5'7" and about 240 and his food choices are terrible.....works himself to death all the time. My daughter and I try to get him to eat a vegetable occasionally....but I'm sure that if he really decided to do something he'd be at a good weight in just a short few months. I just pray that he does decide soon. I worry that he's going to have a stroke or a heart attack. He's bursting out of his clothes. He's such a doll....I love him to pieces. Will you all say a prayer for him? I'd appreciate it.

Are we walking at the Mall or somewhere tomorrow?! I will be there with bells and whistles!!! I really want to meet you all! Let me know.

Merrillee

[Wenjea 1]

let's meet and walk on the Grandview trail (the flat part) at 11:00am. Drive down Bridgeport to Chambers Creek Rd (just before Fred Meyers) Turn right onto Chambers Creek and drive to the first turn-a-bout, go three quarters around and drive into the park. The bathrooms are straight ahead of you. We will start there. Anyone can come!!

[punkytres 0]

Hi everyone, sounds like everyones doin pretty good. I went to my first fallow up appt. today, it went well I'm down 22lbs and my infection has cleared. I get to go to pureed foods, YAH I hoping it will make not eating the good stuff easier.... Have a good day

[punkytres 0]

oops sorry still cant get my ticker working

[Beckie9395 0]

Did get it working yet? I can't figure it out either???

[sue11 0]

Beckie & Punkytres, did you paste the ticker to the bottom of the edit signture page?

[singandsew 0]

Wenjea babe!@ It's COLD today! ARe you sure you don't want to meet at the Mall!?

Merrillee

[singandsew 0]

OK, OK, OK....I'm coming to the park.

Mer

[Wenjea 1]

Mer - dress warmer! you better be there or I'm cominlookin for you!

[Startin'Over 0]

Hi Nw banders. I am getting banded on the 23rd of May and will start my liquids this Sunday. Dr. Fox at SWLC in Tacoma will be doing mine. Nice to meet some local people