AtlantaRed

Nothing over the counter works for me, I take Protonix. However, even that was not working for a bit. The pharmacist recommended taking it an hour before I eat anything for the day, and that has helped. He also said that prescription versions of over the counter meds are "cleaner" and seem to work better than the OTC meds such as prilosec and such. When I have issues now, I drink a couple of swigs of generic Maalox and that really helps. It may be in my head, but I feel like it almost numbs the area on the way down.

You're welcome! Even though I am a rule follower and would do it anyway, it is helpful to understand why.

Hi everyone, I will be self pay for the sleeve. I've had heartburn off an off for years but definitely moreso since last year after having my gallbladder removed. Met with the surgeon today who mentioned that if I had a hiatal hernia, he would fix it while doing the sleeve. I'm wondering, does anyone know if I could possibly get part of the surgery covered under the guise of having the hiatal hernia repaired?? Could I get the hospital stay, anesthesia, etc covered as necessary for the hiatal hernia? Thanks for any input!

My surgeon said he would fix it at no additional cost if I had one.

Mine said anything without caffeine counted as liquids for the day.

Yes, it can safely be taken long term.

Mine go in alternating arms. I see others do theirs at home but my docs office is up the road and I just run in once a month.

I am pre-sleeve but already have lower B12. I had to do one shot a week for 4 weeks and then once a week afterwards. Not sure if you've had one yet, but I'm a big baby when it comes to shots and these are easy. The nurse calls them Kool-Aid shots.

My surgeon said if I had one, he would fix it at the time of my sleeve as well.

I have a dehydrator. I bought if off Amazon and it is wonderful for jerky! I bought it to make Jerky for dog treats but it is sooooo good, it's one for me, one for them! Plus, you can make the jerky without the packet of cure which makes it have less sodium. The packet of cure is to allow you to keep it out of the fridge or if you go camping or such. If it is put in the fridge, you don't need the cure. I bought the Nesco dehydrator and jerky gun. You use 97% lean ground beef and using the flat tip for the gun, it comes out like store bought jerky. People swear I used steak instead of ground beef. You can also use a rounded tip that makes it in the shape of a slim jim. I have not done fruits or vegetables yet. I did try ground turkey (again for the dogs) but I didn't like it, so I assumed they wouldn't either! It takes about 3.5 hours to make 2 pounds of jerky and takes the dogs and I about 2 weeks to eat it (if I'm good!)

These are my thoughts too. I'm not convinced that the artificial sweeteners are safe for us either as well as studies that show they are as bad at causing cravings too, plus tricking our bodies into thinking we are having sugar and messing with insulin production. I am not a big sweet eater. Therefore, I plan to eat full sugar when I do. As long as it is plugged into my tracker, I feel like a full sugar this or that will be fine. I do have my first NUT appt tomorrow and will discuss with her.

I'm interested.

Thank you so much!!

Thanks so much! That is very helpful! It's just so bizarre to me to think about even getting into a large shirt! I wanted to buy a "goal" shirt but when I looked at the XL, it still looked way too small! I think I have average bone structure.

I plan on blaming it on my hiatal hernia repair which I would assume could make it necessary to eat a bland diet which in turn could cause a bit of weight loss.

I have noticed that too! For some reason I've noticed many bypass patients with old faces and thicker calves. I was so pleasantly surprised when researching that ALL of the pics I saw show beautiful faces with bigger eyes and smiles!

There are some scales on amazon around $55 that measure fat, Water, muscle and bone. Hopefully that means that even during stalls, you would still see body composition changes. EatSmart Precision GetFit Digital Body Fat scale w/ 400 lb. Capacity & Auto Recognition Technology

I did a quick search for white poop and it doesn't seem to be normal. Good thing you have an appointment already. I did not have that as a sign of anything with my gallbladder. My gallbladder issues were severe pain from chest through to back and severe acid in my stomach.

You sound very well prepared!! I also had some decent success over about a 1-1/2 year span where I exercised at least 3 hours a day and ate 1000 cal or less. It was great. BUT it started climbing back up. I couldn't have eaten any less and I certainly could not have exercised any more. So, I gave up. I feel I can easily do the work...I'm not a binge eater, emotional eater, stress eater, etc. I actually like low carb foods, I can give up soda and alcohol. I'm not a big sweet eater. I just don't want to be hungry all the time. So, I feel this surgery would be a good option for me. I will probably get more excited and start stocking up more when it becomes more real...after I finish the various appointments! Let me know when you get your date!

I've seen people mention him. Maybe go to the top right of the page and put his name in the search bar or search for the Atlanta threads.

I think the chewing is what makes the swallowing easier without meals. I'm nowhere near sleeved but lately have noticed the difference between a regular bit (for me) where it's a decent sized bite with 3 or 4 chews and a gulp to swallow. Then I will make an effort to actually chew the same sized bite a million times and it's so different going down! The unflavored powder and the unjury chicken flavored Proteins sound like your best bet if you don't want the Protein mixed with milk.

I am definitely a secret sleever. However, I'm not fond of the assumption that keeping it a secret means I'm "ashamed" or not "honest." For me, my mom, hubby and one nephew know (because they all live under my roof). My best friend knows, because she's my best friend...no big circle of friend. I have one best friend and she had bypass herself. I've also told my boss. I don't work in an office, I work for an individual and have for 13 years. We're close, she's understanding of my struggles and she would LOVE to cook for me afterwards! However, I have 4 siblings and 5 other nephews, cousins and so forth, whom I feel don't deserve to know. They have all been consumed with their own lives and they have no idea what I've done on my own and how hard I've worked in the past. I have no desire for them to run their mouths to others who have no part in my life so that they have something else to distract them from their own woes. As it is, we see each other on holidays. So, for me, I don't feel they deserve to know. I've had stomach issues for a year and probably have a hiatal hernia and that's what they'll know.

I am ready for the changes too! It's not even eating Thanksgiving meal, it's just the cooking I'm worried about! I have to wait until Nov to get 2 of my tests done, so I'm one of those who can't get too excited until those are cleared! I won't even order anything yet. However, when I get the all clear, I will order an extra heating pad, bathroom scale that measures Water, muscle, fat, etc. (for the dreaded stalls), a food scale, and a Withings Pulse. I've always been pretty active for my size, it's just catching up to me now. Hoping the initial 20-30 pounds will be enough to help me move easier. I'm even afraid to buy many Protein drinks since many have said after surgery, their taste buds changed and they no longer liked the ones they did before surgery. I will not have a preop diet, so I guess I'll just buy a variety until I know after surgery which ones I will like! I got totally freaked out when I initially thought I'd be able to schedule it within a month of me getting financed and deciding to do it. I think waiting until Dec is good for me. What all do you still need/want to do before your surgery?

I cannot answer your question as I am self pay and using Emory John's Creek, Dr. William Johnson. But welcome to the Atlanta board! I'm hoping for an early December date. I don't generally recover well from surgery and don't want to feel ill while cooking Thanksgiving dinner, so after Thanksgiving and before Christmas is my hope!

Actually looking forward to my upper Gi. I have to wait until November, though. My stomach hurts with random nausea. I've had heartburn since my gallbladder was removed last year. Although I'm already on Protonix 40 mg daily, acid has been increasing. Really want to get the H. pylori checked out and see what the upper GI finds. It will be a long month and a half!