Indymom

Great thing to point out before someone gets "sticker shock" at the pharmacy! I work in insurance - and many plans eliminate medications from their prescription formulary that are available over-the-counter in the same formulation (PPIs are one of the most common examples of these, another is non-sedating antihistamines like Zyrtec and Claritin). I think I paid full price for my omeprazole script but my husband went to pick up my 5 scripts after surgery and I didn't have the energy to have him check each one. When I'm due for a refill I'll be going for the OTC version from Costco!

Hmm, I haven't had any issues with liquids from nearly day 1. I am 12 days out and am on my third 24-oz bottle of water for the day, plus 10 oz this morning of protein drink and another 10 oz tonight. Someone at the top of this thread said that eating mushies/soft food could help reduce swelling . . . I wonder if there's any truth to that? My food plan had me starting on some mushy-type food (refried beans, soft cheese, cottage cheese) much earlier than I expected - on day 4.

I want to go to bed! Unfortunately I still have 4 pills left from my pile to take . . . staggering 10 minutes apart . . . crossing my fingers they all go down. GRRR. So the meds I take for my colitis are capsules, which doctor says are OK but I have to stagger them 10 minutes apart. I take 8 pills a day - so I've split them up 4 times throughout the day. I also was getting massive heartburn from the Calcium crystals I got, so I have switched to the citracal petites (CVS brand) but I have to take 6 of those a day. Then I have my 2 softgel Multivitamins a day, and my BP pill in the morning. HOLY CRAP! I feel like I am constantly taking pills. For those of you who are at least 3-6 months out, do you get to the point where you can take more than 1 pill at a time? Pre-op I could take 4 of my colitis capsules at once with not too much Water . . . I could get down my morning Vitamins in a gulp or two.

I can't imagine 10 days of clears! 3 days about did me in. Of course, I'm 2 weeks into my full-liquids month and I'm already gagging on cottage cheese and SF pudding. I'm dreaming of purees and adding in meat/fruit!!

My doc wanted me to start my protein either on day 5 after surgery OR as soon as I had a BM and passed the majority of my gas. I actually started protein on day 4 because I had a BM pretty early out. I would check with your doc/nutritionist but I would think a protein drink is OK if you're on liquids . . .

That's what I'm hoping to be able to do as soon as I am on purees (16 days left!) - I'd be interested to see a sample of what you eat in a day to get 60 gms protein. My doc wants me at least 75 grams so I know I may need to keep one protein drink/supplement during the day but I'd love to be on 2 rather than 1. Suggestions welcome!

My mom was banded last October (she has had a few fills, no unfills . . . seems to do OK with it but she has had a few puking/sliming episodes). She's losing slowly but steadily and is overall happy with it at this point. That said, when I started researching I too thought it would be the 'safest' option for me. However, my surgeon indicated that lapband is NOT recommended for patients with ulcerative colitis or crohn's, and that's when he recommended the sleeve to me. I had never even heard of it 6 months ago! I started researching here and on OH and couldn't believe the revisions from LB to VSG. I am totally thrilled with my decision!!

My regular yogurt is Light & Fit so it's no sugar and nonfat. I looked at the vanilla frozen yogurt in my freezer that my husband eats and it's got HFCS (high fructose corn syrup) and sugar as a few of the first ingredients so I'm guessing that's why it's not recommended. You'd want to ask your doc about nonfat or sugar-free frozen yogurt, I suppose?

I had to go on twice-a-day omeprazole because one a day wasn't working. I'm less than a month out, though. I'm hoping it eventually clears up for me, I've never had reflux problems before.

Ooh, I didn't think about the powdered milk. I think I'll get some sugar-free chocolate milk mix and try it that way . . . thanks all!

Do you take a PPI for acid? My first few days after surgery I believe I was having excess acid and reflux and had a few mouth sores. My doc doubled my PPI dosage and the sores subsided.

OK, so I've resigned myself to the fact that I am going to have to continue supplementing with Protein shakes in my first full-liquids month. HOWEVER, once I get to purees I need some ideas on how to keep my meals small enough and still get close to enough protein for my daily target. I am willing to do skim milk at least once a day for a little extra protein but would prefer to get all from food. I will be able to have soft cheeses (already do, actually so I've been eating string cheese and babybel light) and will be doing the chicken salad pureed like others have suggested. Did anyone else start getting all their protein from food this early out?

Your body is still craving the carbs . . . give it a few days and you'll be surprised at how it subsides. I have done Atkins in the past and the first few days of induction are tough, but once you get your body into ketosis you'll feel 100% different.

Only 11 days out so I'm not released for full exercise yet, but walking is AMAZING! I am walking a mile at least twice daily now (at a brisk pace) and just 2 months ago, my "old self" would have shunned even half that . . .

Seems like most people on here swear by myfitnesspal. I think you can add people as friends, maybe if you added a few people they could give you some pointers?

It's such a great feeling when those gas pains "rip" loose! Hang in there!!

Congrats! You sound like me post-op . . . I seriously wondered if I had actually had surgery.

I did a litany of tests pre-op: bloodwork (10 vials!), urinalysis, chest x-ray, ultrasound, upper GI (barium=YUCK), EKG, and pulmonary function testing. Other than mild hypertension I had no other health problems and my BMI was only 45. I was perfectly comfortable with all that, though - I figured the more pre-testing they did, the better likelihood of identifying anything that could cause potential problems with surgery.

I think you'll be absolutely fine barring anything unusual. I had surgery on a Wednesday, went home on a Friday, worked from home on Monday and was back in the office Tuesday (and worked a 8 hour day). I think getting active more quickly has helped in my recovery, personally . . . .

I was SO this way before surgery! I'm still a little overly obsessed with this board . . . my husband says I'm acting the same way I did when I first got pregnant and spent every waking moment on pregnancy and childbirth websites. I told him to shut up and deal with it, he's going to reap the benefits of my skinnier self VERY soon.

Interesting motivator. Mine was watching videos of my daughter's birthday from last summer and seeing periodic shots of myself in a bathing suit. UGH!

if you had to go through the 6 month medical diet, did you loose weight and then the insurance would not cover it? ~ I didn't have a 6-month diet. Most people have said that the insurance uses your starting weight, not your weight at the end of the 6-month diet. have you heard of any complications, like leaking? ~ there are always complications possible, there's a 'complications' forum here but try not to spend too much time there. I scared the crap out of myself early on reading all the posts there. you really need to just remember what the statistics are for possible complications, and how those statistics compare to the statistics of maintaining an obsese weight for the rest of your life and figure out which is riskier. was it really hard to change your lifestyle (eating habits)? ~ I'm 11 days post-op and am having some difficulty with the 'full liquids' phase. I move onto purees in 2 1/2 weeks so there is some light at the end of the tunnel. My main issue has been head hunger and nothing physical. Are there any helpful sites (besides this one) or books that can help me prepare mentally, emotionally and physically? ~ this site has been great, ObesityHelp also has some good forums and info. You might also look into support groups in your community. I haven't gone to one yet (first one is next week) but a lot of people swear by them. When did you start getting your meal plan together? ~ I didn't have a pre-op diet other than the day before surgery, but I spent the last week before surgery purchasing a variety of protein samples, and my full liquid foods. I would find out what your post-op diet will be before you buy a bunch of stuff, I didn't realize I'd only be on clears a couple days so I bought a crapton of jello and broth that I likely won't be able to use up for a LONG time. How long did you stay in the hospital? ~ I was the first surgery of the day on a Wednesday and went home Friday around 11 a.m. I could have gone home on Thursday and would have probably felt OK, but I was exhausted and wanted the second night of sleep in the hospital without having to worry about my daughter, husband and dogs at home. How long did you stay on the liquid and soft foods? ~ My diet plan is pretty conservative based upon others I've seen. I had clear liquids only for the first two days after surgery. When I got home I was released to full liquids, which on my plan also includes refried beans, soft cheeses, cottage cheese, etc. I have to stay on this for a month (UGH) and then I am able to add purees and more proteins like chicken, turkey, tuna, and some veggies/fruits. I can't wait!

I have Anthem BC/BS in Indiana and they covered the sleeve . . . every plan is a little different, though. Remember that even every BCBS plan is different in every state, BC/BS is like a "franchise" for lack of a better term and while there are some BC/BS administration guidelines, I believe each state can dictate the particulars of their plans.

Yup, what everyone else said. People who don't have food issues can't comprehend that food addiction is as "real" and consuming as alcoholism, drug addiction, gambling issues, etc. My BFFs at work are all skinny-minnies (with the exception of 1) and they were all completely worked up about me having this surgery. They didn't understand that the risks I was taking with my obese body were likely higher than the risks involved with the surgery itself. Keep it up with the training! I've got a stretch goal to train for our local mini-marathon too . . . I don't think I'll be ready by next May but for sure the May after that!

Congrats! Sept. 8 is SOON, how exciting!