M2G

Congratulations!!! The nerves are normal (mostly), hang in there!

Both DH and I have UHC (I'm sleeved and he is in wait mode) but my Case Manager said they have 15 days to approve/deny. My actual time was 9 days to approve, and I was able to schedule my surgery for the very next week. DH is still in wait mode, we are hoping to have his surgery THIS year...along with millions of others who are in the same boat, probably. Urgh.

Depends on if you are sharing only one meal together or if you will be around each other for several days. If it is one meal, you can always fake a tummy bug, or say that your last meal didn't agree with you (like alluding to food poisoning so you can still hold the little ones without the fear of them "catching" your tummy bug). Or even just say you have the runs and are afraid to put much in there, etc. If it is several days then I'm not sure how you would go about that. I didn't tell 'some' people at our Thanksgiving table (most of my family knew) but I was 5 weeks out and eating mostly regular food, although not much. I filled my plate with more than I could eat, and yes, it got wasted, BUT I noticed that everyone else was digging into their own plate and they could have totally cared less about what was one mine.

I took some of Shelly's Ricotta Bake Cups to a NON - WLS party and they were devoured! http://theworldaccordingtoeggface.blogspot.com/2010/11/weight-loss-surgery-friendly-party.html

I think no matter what her initial reaction might be (shock, disappointed, sadness, anger) that like Sadie said she will eventually come around. I think that most people reactly negatively towards "optional" surgery. They sort of think, why would you mess up a perfectly good organ inside your body, why can't you diet again and lose weight without surgically altering your body, etc. etc. I mean aren't we all sort of worried about it ourselves? Going under, not being able to lose weight the good old fashioned way, and of couse this is major surgery, it's not a minor little thing. So I don't want to say that her feelings aren't valid. But if this sister truly loves you, she will come around. I have found the very best way to treat the naysayers is to have done my reasearch. I can quote facts, figures, and know exactly what I was getting into with this surgery. I tell people that I did not come about this decision lightly, that I take it very seriously, etc. After all, this is YOUR life and you are doing what you need to do for you. Not only do I think she will come around, I think she will be sold on this surgery after she sees you go through the process (of course the process takes a long time, so you might have to patient with her!)

CONGRATS~!! Totally worth celebrating....woo hoo! My BMI is finally below 40. Just barely, but I'm excited about it.

CONGRATULATIONS! You are almost at goal...that is so exciting! You have done excellent! I keep trying to open your thumbnail bigger and it just spins and spins and won't show it to me. But from what I can tell on your tiny pic, you are looking wonderful! Congrats!!!

Good luck I hope it all works out for you! We are currenly awaiting DH's approval, all his paperwork is sitting on a desk....argh! If we go into Jan 2011, it will be another $5K out of pocket....so we are hoping for this year, so I can totally relate to what you are feeling. Last day that the surgeon will do surgery this year is Dec. 20th. We need all the planets to align for this to happen for us too!

You know what? I was told the same thing. BUT I KNOW that my surgeon's notes are modified from the bypass procedure. I was told that quick-release Tylenol would by my pain reliever of choice. And to NEVER buy EXTENDED release anything. period. I think the reason for avoiding it is because ibuprofen is more linked to causing stomach problems, like ulcers. With such a small tummy, you really don't want an ulcer. The thing I'm confused about for ibuprofen...is it forever? I mean if once in 5 years I get a toothache and ibuprofen would help that pain better than Tylenol, you would think taking it once in a while would be okay. I am just *guessing* that it is a med that you don't want to take all the time...hence causing ulcers, irritation, etc. If you learn more from your surgeon on clarification of this rule, please share. I will do the same!

I have learned a TON about cooking from the internet!!! I've been married 14+ years, and have 2 daughters, ages 8 and almost 10, but when I was first married, at age 24, I used to make microwave popcorn for DINNER!! My mom is an excellent cook, but so much that she could never "give up control" in the kitchen and "teach" me to cook. She always insisted on doing it all herself. \ Use the internet to google recipes, and pay attention to fat, calories, sugar and carbs, and work on recipes that get you that Protein first (that is my new mantra for the sleeve!) I hope you have fun trying out new things, it will take time (it is a process, this learning how to cook!) But you have the sleeve as your tool and your guide, and hopefully this will be a fun new adventure for you both!

I think it is is just a "notification" that they are quoting you or replying directly to something you posted. I doesn't require you to write back...it's more of a notification. I think you can turn that off in your preferences, but I'm not sure how to tell you to do that.

I totally know what you mean. I forced myself to switch to decaf BEFORE surgery because I do love my coffee. I've found that if I drink a decaf "flavored" coffee then it makes up for the difference of missing caffeine. I still get my "fix" but I won't have to worry about getting an ulcer or it damaging my little sleeve. I waited until I was 4 weeks post-op then resumed drinking my decaf. I made my hubby switch too, but it wasn't a struggle because he is getting sleeved soon, so he needed to switch with me anyway. The amount of coffee I drink now is less than my one cup per day pre-sleeve cup. I still fill my all the way but can never seem to finish it. lol. I guess I need to switch to half a cup and then I won't be wasting it. Side note...is there a way to follow your blog? I've read it a few times and tried to follow it so that it shows up on my blog roll, but I can't seem to figure it out. Let me know...thanks!

Oooooh, I hadn't thought about that. Maybe try to just eat what you can in 10 minutes. I'm super-fast eater - - I know, I know...not good post-op, but some habits are hard to break and I don't have any trouble eating fast...but mentally I know I need to slow down. So even if it's only half a cheese stick (or half of whatever snack you bring) at least it would put something in there to get you out of that long zone of empty.

Well, I *wish* I had your problem...lol...just put me on the slow losers bench...all good things in time though, so I'm not really here to moan about that. As for people's comments, maybe try empathy. Say something like "I do understand your concern, and I appreciate that you care about my well-being. But, I have very strict doctors orders that I am following, as far as nutrition, exercise, Vitamins, and Water, and my surgeon is very happy about my continued healthy loss." I know that sounds a little formal, but then if they are TRULY worried about you, then you can tell them thanks but back off in a nice sort of way.

As for driving, I was told as long as I had been off of pain pills for 8 hours or more then I could drive if I needed/wanted to. I didn't "need" to drive until about 5 days post-op, and was off pain meds by day 3, so it all worked out good. As far as the other, I would just recommend listening to your body. If you are in pain still, you most likely won't enjoy "it". And I also recommend going slow the first time so you don't pull/stretch anything abdominally.

Totally agree Irene! I still use soft-proteins as my go-to source and I'm 6 weeks out today. I am just taking it slow. Good luck w/your appt. today!

Thank you so much for sharing so much of your story with us! I was *just* telling my husband about you and your post-op, maintenance life, that nothing is 100% off limits, how you focused and got so quickly to goal, the whole nine yards. So it was a pleasant suprise to come and see your 18 month post-op update. You are truly an inspiration to so many of us! Congrats on rocking that sleeve and being such a great sounding board for many of us here!

For me no hiccups...but the burping, was horrible right after surgery for about 2 weeks. Every sip would = two burps. It finally went away. I still have lots of burping after eating, but it is much quieter and more controllable now, than it was at first. Ugh!

Ideas for portable protein: cheese sticks greek yogurt Protein bars (be careful about ingredients, calories, carbs, sugar alcohols, etc.) hard boiled eggs protein shakes RTD (ready-to-drink) beef Jerky (again being careful about nitrates, sugar added, etc....I usually make my own) cottage cheese ( you can buy little individual cups or just use your own tupperware and fill it and keep it in a cold pack) I hope you actually get a BREAK ...you SHOULD be having a snack at 10am ...esp. if you are feeling hungry. I think they are legal rules that employers must follow in regards to working x number of hours and getting x number of breaks per hours worked. I think .5 hour lunch is fine, but then again I'm a contractor (I work for my former employer on a contract basis...no benefits, or legal lunch breaks, etc.) and I used to work 10 hour days and take only .5 hour lunch. It seemed like more than enough time. Now when I work, I never take a lunch break but hardly ever work more than 8 hours in a day. I eat at my desk, because my job is in front of a computer so it's not a big deal to eat and work at the same time. I don't take a lunch because I only get paid for the time worked, so I would rather get in, do my work and get out than take any type of unpaid break.

I totally thought the same thing!!! Thanks for the laugh!

WOW! Incredible...and congrats!

Welcome to the forum. You will find tons of people here who have all been exactly in your shoes!!! I am very thankful for this forum and all the information I have learned here!

Woo Hoo! That is wonderful news. SO glad you didn't give up!!!

My leak test was about 5 hours after surgery and it was the first liquid they would let past my lips (so I was anxious to have it done so I could sip some water!) I had to drink a styrofoam cup worth of a heavy liquid that was compared to "crystal light" (lemon flavor). And I did ok for the first 2 big swallows, but I was worried about the last sip staying down. (Thankfully it did). They had a senior radiologist come and check it because most of the regular staff hadn't done sleeves, and he told me right away that everything was perfect.

Vicki, I don't ever feel hungry (at least not like a pre-surgery hungry...I tend to just feel empty, but that is rare, I feel like I could go all day and not eat anything at all!) I'm wondering if the PPI will help with that. Not everyone experiences that loss of hunger. As for the cup of food, it does seem like a lot, but here is what my NUT told me. Even if your sleeve can HOLD 4oz of food per meal doesn't mean that you should be filling it with 4oz per meal. Make sense? You might be able to hold a cup of food but I would try to cut that back. Also the TYPE of food makes a difference. If it is solid Protein vs. soft food like Soup or yogurt, because the solid more dense protein is supossed to fill your sleeve up whereas the soft protein can easily slide through.