PeteO

Check out the myFitnessPal.com app. I use the website and the blackberry app. http://www.myfitnesspal.com/iphone My brother has it as well on his android, and that version has functionality to read the barcode for a food and pull it in to your food log ... pretty cool. I don't know if the iPhone version has that functionality or not. I like it because I can enter my information on-line or via mobile device and it is all in the same place. -Pete

I have one as well. My doctor handed them out at one of our support group meetings. Mine is basically a business card with text similar to the one shown above with my Doctor's office information on it.

Check out Amazon. http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_i_2_15?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=oh+yeah+protein+shakes&sprefix=oh+yeah+protein#/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=oh+yeah+protein+bars&rh=i%3Aaps%2Ck%3Aoh+yeah+protein+bars You can subscribe to have them sent monthly to your house automatically and save even more money.

Here is a pretty good article on what the Bariatric Center of Excellence means ... http://www.obesityaction.org/magazine/oacnews17/bscoe.php

That is interesting ... my wife suggested the Caesar dressing and tuna idea yesterday.

So today, I was able to start on canned chicken, tuna, baked fis etc. My surgeons office suggested that I mix it with some sort of dressing to cut the dryness and help it go down easier. Well, I don't care for Miracle Whip or Mayo, so I cam up with another solution ... I took about 2 oz. canned chicken breast (Swanson's) and mixed it with 1 tbsp of the Frank's Red Hot Wing sauce. I got my Protein, my low carbs, and my Buffalo Sauce fix all at once. I ate about an ounce of it and was stuffed. Nutrional Info as made: 65 cal, 1 gr. fat, 1 gr. carb, and 12g protein. Not much of a recipe, but it sure beats mushies!!!! -Pete

The drain varies from surgeon to surgeon. Some surgeons never insert a drain. I had one, but it was removed as part of my discharge from the hospital.

I say tell yourself this ... "Wow, if I can lose at this rate for another 3 months, I will be down over 100 lbs!" My 2 cents, -Pete

I was allowed to drive as soon as I was off my pain meds. I took my last dose of pain meds the day after my surgery. However, I didn't drive until my one week follow-up appt.

I am 36 and have 4 boys - a 7 year old, a 5 year old and identical twin 2 year olds. I was very open and honest about my surgery with them ... to the point that I took a drawing of a body/stomach and a pencil and showed them exactly what the doctor was going to do. I also told them why he was doing it ... to help me lose weight so that I could be around longer and play with them more. After my procedure, I showed them my incisions and such. They were more inquisitive than worried and great through the whole ordeal. -Pete

Hey Daddy-O, hope things are going well for you. I am feeling pretty damn good myself. Down another 10 lbs or so. You going back to work on Monday?

I know you say you don't feel much restriction, but what about the quality of food you are eating? How much Protein and carbs are you taking in? How many calories? Also, did you stop drinking with meals to avoid flushing out the food as you eat it? Some things to think about. -Pete

I am on day 10 of my preop diet. I am only allowed the Bariatric Advantage shakes and Clear liquids. According to my documentation, I am allowed to use milk in my shakes. I have been consuming mass amounts of Crystal Light. Mr. Smith is right ... you have to get that ketosis to kick in and carbs prevent that. I am surprised that your surgeon didn't define exactly what you can and can't have. I have lost 18 lbs. in the last 10 days.

I am scheduled for the sleeve in 11 days, but have been without a gall bladder for about 10 years now. I didn't have stones, mine was just not functioning properly ... the hidascan (sp?) showed that my gall bladder was only functioning at about 25%. I was in tremendous pain under the right side of my ribs and it radiated under my arm to my back. Many people with gall bladder attacks go to the hospital thinking they are having a heart attack because the pain is in similar locations. Some people do experience dumping syndrome with their gall bladder gone, but if you maintain a healthy diet (low carb, high protein), the effects will be minimal and easily controlled. Having it out is not a big deal to have it out while they are in there. My 2 cents. -Pete

At my initial consult, I weighed in at 411 lbs. That day, I changed my lifestyle habits ... use smaller plates, reasonable portions, better dining out options. I lost 22 lbs prior to my pre-op liquid diet, and have lost another 8 lbs in the first 3 days of the diet. I was at 381 lbs this morning.

In preparation for surgery on 9/19, I started my pre-op liquid diet this past Sunday. In the past 3 days, I have lost an additional 8 lbs. This takes my total to 30lbs. It is really starting to show, and I was able to wear some clothes yesterday that I haven't worn in over a year. Knowing everybody is different and loses at different rates, how much weight did you lose during the pre-op liquid diet? It is definitely getting easier. The second day was the worst ... I threatened to bully my two-year old for his Beans and franks -Pete

I had heard the same thing that CCBDEKE heard, and it coincides with your information ... Dr. Sonnanstine is leaving. Dr. Rasmussen is staying BUT he is joining the Bluegrass Bariatrice team with Dr. Weis and Oldham. CCBDEKE, where you at the last meeting a couple of weeks ago with the Behavioral Therapist. Looking at your avatar, you look familiar. Were you there with your wife who was having surgery the next week? -Pete

Why be worried about lying about the excuse for not walking if you have already lied about why you are going to be out of town. You are building a house of cards on your friendship, that will end up hurting you both in the long run ... if in fact you truly are "pretty close" friends. I am not trying to be disrespectful or question your desire to maintain secrecy ... call it tough love.

Ya'll should be suspect of anything DM says I am also in Louisville. Getting sleeved on 9/19 as well. -Pete

I think the use of a drain can also depend on your doctor's method to check for leaks. My doctor fills the abdominal cavity with fluid, then pushes air into the stomach, looking for bubles to identify a leak. He uses a drain while you are in the hospital to help eliminate the fluids he pumped into your body.

Where are you in KY? Who is your doctor? I am shceduled to be sleeved on Sept 19 with Dr. Oldham at Baptist East.

I have simply told everyone the truth, and I have been very open about it. My teammates know, my boss, my director. Heck I have even told the outside consultants that I am currently working with. All of my friends and neighbors know, as do most of my family. The only reason some of my family doesn't know is because we just arent close enought to even talk on a regular basis. Everyone has been incredibly supportive, and it is nice to have that kind of crowd cheering you on. -Pete

My advice ... search this forum for information about appealing the denial. It seems that some insurance companies rubber stamp a denial on the procedure, but when pressed will approve it. Several folks on here have gone through this process. If you want it bad enough, it is worth exploring these options. There are still open doors. -Pete

It appears that this is another one of those topis where there as many right answers as there are surgeons. My doctor says to aim for 1000-1200 calories, 70 grams protein, <100 grams carbs, and <30-35 grams fat.

How much water are you drinking? Did you give up caffeine cold turkey when you started the liquid diet?