TijuanaPlication

I hear you on that one as I just got Zumba and am struggling! I'm gonna persevere a bit longer, but I'm going to keep doing my Caribbean Workouts with Shelly McDonald. I like the Step workouts... you need a lot less co-ordination than with Zumba! I'm gonna go back to my '10 Minute Solution - Ultimate Kettleball Fat Burner' DVD once I'm a bit more recovered (only 4 weeks out at the mo). Good luck and I'll be interested to hear other people's suggestions.

Sounds like you're in a tough situation. You don't sound selfish at all. You'll probably have to go lateral on this one... are there any food delivery services you can get (ie purchase some groceries online)? Can you get him to bring home any non-crispy chicken salads from the fast food joint? You could then add some fat free dressing at home. The 3 kids must be handful. Maybe you could somehow try incorporating the kids into your workouts, like going for a walk with them to a nearby park.

Don't worry about Protein too much in the early weeks just concentrate on getting your liquids in. I was in hospital for 3 days after surgery and was given camomile tea, Jello, apple juice and broth (so zilch for protein). Once you're allowed full liquids and mushies protein is a lot easier to get in. I'm 4 weeks out and haven't had any Protein drinks as I can't have powdered anything (especially milk). eggs, yogurt and particularly Greek yogurt are good (Greek yogurt has 9 grams of protein per 100 grams as opposed to 4.5/100 grams in regular yogurt). I just aim for 60 grams of protein a day as advised by my surgeon and good ol WLS for Dummies!

I also had Dr Lopez Corvala 4 weeks ago. I'd do it all again with him if I had to. Good luck for your op!

All the best - 2011 will be our year!

I'm not at that stage so haven't really looked into it much, Trans Umbilical Breast Augmentation (TUBA) sounds interesting. Seen it on Dr 90210... dunno if our surgery would preclude us (they did operate on someone who had had stomach liposuction).

Good luck for Thursday - I look forward to hearing from you on the other side!

I was off for a week and a half and returned doing light duties (ie sitting at my desk mainly and using the PC). I didn't need a hernia repair, although this is very common (2 other patients I spoke to that were operated the same time as me had hernias). I guess it all depends on the person and how physical the job is and how long the commute to get there is.

Wow - that's like losing an Olsen twin! Congratulations - I hope I can do half as well!

Congratulations! I was told 3 weeks for the plication and I'm guessing it's bit longer for the sleeve.

Oh dear. At least you're feeling well enough to at least be attempting stuff like that!

Oh dear! At least you're feeling well enough to even try stuff like that though!

I'm nearly 4 weeks out from having a plication and I think it's great. I'm amazed that this past week I managed to lose 2.5 lbs even though I've been drinking cough syrup and having cough sweets like they're going out of fashion!! I've not been able to workout yet as I've been ill with a really bad cough so am pretty happy with my loss so far. I was also self pay and I had Dr Lopez Corvala at Angeles Health in Tijuana. I paid $8,000. I think GPS is a great surgery thus far... I'd say I feel 'normal' - I just get full very quickly. I was going to for the band but the maintenance/slippage/erosion thing put me off. Whatever you decide I wish you all the best and look forward to hearing what you decide.

Oh and flight socks are good. They like you to wear their compression stockings which I did while I was in hospital, but I went over to wearing my flight socks when I left (they're paranoid about DVT). Flight socks are waaay more comfortable and easier to get on than those nasty compression stockings!

I had twinges of pain in my left shoulder, as most people on here seem to have done, I've read it's due to the gas and referred pain from the diaphragm. Mine was only twinges though (ie killed for 5 seconds). If it's chronic I'd contact a doctor.

Hey Anna congrats. Lip balm was very handy for the first couple of days. For hospital you need slippers and a gown - I didn't even get to use the new nighties I bought as I just used the hospital gown. Once you can wear a bra again you want one with the skinniest strap between the cups as they do a high incision and you won't be able to wear bra with a wide strap across there as it'll get the incision. I was so tired after surgery I didn't even read the magazines I took with me! I found Yoplait yogurt drink really handy once I was allowed full liquids (you're meant to wait a week, but I started having it from day 5). You can just take a few sips and then put the lid back on it and pop it in your bag for when you want some more sips. I look forward to checking out your blog and seeing how you get on!

I was told, no exercise for 3 weeks, but mine was the plication and I've got a cold/cough right now so haven't really got going yet (I'm 3.5 weeks out). My guess is a bit longer for the sleeve. I'm going to ease in gently with Zumba and then go for it in New Year (I'll be 5 weeks out by then). I'll be interested in hearing what others say.

I've heard no straws too, but I was given them when I was in hospital... am gonna give them a try again as I swallow waaay too much air when I drink (wasn't drinking enough in hospital to make a proper decision).

BTW I was told 60 grams protein for women and 80 grams for men (WLS for Dummies & Cookbook says the same).

When I was in hospital - and I stayed 3 nights as I was having a lot of pain and had difficulty getting liquids down, so needed to stay on the drip - they gave me jello, apple juice, broth and camomile tea... so zero protein. I'm guessing in the really early days or first couple of weeks you shouldn't get too deficient. I'd be interested to hear others' opinions though.

Congrats and stay strong - don't let your family derail you, you'll just have to plan and have your own food items available!

Ha ha, that's funny where he put the incisions - nice thinking! I had to have 6 incisions because I had adhesions, not that I've had any previous abdominal surgeries - apart from a hernia when I was 3, but was told that didn't cause the adhesions!

Biotin, a supplement, is meant to help. You should check out 'massagegoddess - amelia' on youtube. I think she said that Rogaine helped her.

Hi tntransplant06! I'm 3 weeks out and apart from when I was lying in the recovery room thinking 'OMG what have I done to myself' (btw I was warned that most go through that), it's been positive. I'm happy I had my procedure and I'm sure you will be too!

Wow you look amazing - congrats!