BKMama

Congratulations! You're a lovely bride and you look so happy!

Congratulations!

This is a really good idea! Here are the questions my husband and I came up with (again, many of these are basic questions that can be found with research, I just want to hear his thoughts): Experience: How many sleeves performed? On people with a BMI similar to mine? How often have you had to change to an open surgery? Surgery: How long is the surgery typically? How much of stomach is removed? Typical size of Bougie? Or typical size of sleeve after surgery? Do you staple and sew the sleeve or just staple? Hospital Stay: Day of surgery – what is it like? Who can be there? Bariatric patients with other patients? Typical hospital stay? Do you perform surgery on specific days? How are leaks checked? How many times? Is a catheter used? When is it placed and removed? ET tube? NG tube? Drain? If yes, when are they removed? Recovery: What types of pain medicines are given? (very bad reaction to codeine) Taking one week off, then working from home for one week. Sound feasible? How long until cleared for normal activity? Exercising? Strength training? Risks: What are the most common post-op complications? Any risk of rupturing the stomach (not stretching)? Chance of leak after leaving hospital? Risk of blood clots? (hormonal BC) Risk of hernia or adhesion? Any risk associated with the stomach not producing grehlin? Is stricture common? How is it treated? I have acid reflux , how common post-op? Treatment provided at discharge? Post Op (down the line): How often do I see you post-op? Goal weight?

You've got a deal!

Yay! How exciting!

Nice! I can't wait to zip up some FMBs. Hehe

So many seem to have their surgical consult early on in the process, with my program it's one of the last things you do. After this, everything goes to insurance for approval. <insert panic here> Anyway, between my husband and I, we have ummm.....4 pages of questions. It's 4 pages, typed up, with room under each question for me to write his answer. Is he going to look at me like I'm crazy? LOL I admit, many of the questions I've seen various answers for through researching and being here, but I want to hear the answers from *his* mouth. Is that weird? So, what say you, am I crazy? edited to add: I just counted, it's 31 questions. some of which may be answered during his spiel (if he gives one).

So we can eat cereal with milk? I assumed not since it goes against not eating and drinking at the same time . This will be such good news if so.

You look great! Thanks for sharing your advice too, it's greatly appreciated.

Yeah, I hadn't looked at the price (duh! LOL). it was less than $20 even with shipping. It's on its way. I don't know why I assumed it would be expensive.

Wow what a transformation. You should be so proud of yourself. Great job!!!!

It would really turn me of the be required to buy something from a doctor. What if you don't like it or simply can't afford it? Everyone likes different things when it comes to the protein. Alexian Brothers does have a great reputation though.

Yeah, that's the other reason in going to suck it up. I'm always exhausted. Always. 6 hours of sleep or 10. It's so frustrating. I don't even know what waking up refreshed feels like. My insurer rents for 6 months too. Seems common.

That's awesome! Congrats!!

An insurance company can't dictate you get treatment. However, with the hospital I'm working with, if you are diagnosed with apnea you MUST bring your machine with you to surgery or it will be cancelled. So I would check on that. And honestly, I hope you don't take this the wrong way, but using the machine prior to surgery is for your benefit. If you have apnea, it means that while you're asleep from the anesthesia you will stop breathing. Why risk that? I'm annoyed about the CPAP ( I flip around like a fish when I'm sleeping so I already know it's not going to be comfortable LOL) but if it's one more thing that will help me get through this surgery successfully then I'm going to suck it up. Once we drop the pounds, there's a good chance we won't need them anymore.

thank you! it's very similar to the crockpot turkey chili I make now. Wendy's chili tastes slightly sweet to me...haven't figured out how.

Cool, I definitely will. do you do the support groups at all? how are they? I really liked Dr. P the psychiatrist. We had a great session. You're doing great with your weight loss, by the way!

Is anyone done with it and want to sell (or loan/give) to a newbie? I'm going to go ahead and buy it if no offers, but figured I'd ask. Thanks!

Hi Jim! How cool that you and your wife will be doing this journey together.

Oh my goodness, you all and these darn letters making me cry. It's like you reached in my head! Beautiful, just beautiful. Thanks for sharing.

Do you mind sharing?

Hi everyone! Thanks so much for this conversation. I haven't set a goal weight yet, but chances are it will put me very close to needing to lose 200# if not at it. I'm still pre-op, but this thread gives me so much hope!

JaspersGirl, I'm having my surgery at NMH.

LOL! I hear you! I sent a picture to my husband and told him I was moving in. All of the wires were annoying but I was able to fall asleep (but I'm exhausted most if the time). I actually slept better the 2nd time (the titration) with the cpap than with the snore censor thing they had up my nose the 1st time. Anyway, as others said they hook you up to monitors for everything from brain waves, snoring , leg movement, chest movement (breathing), heart rate, pulse, and oxygen level. Try your best to relax, avoid any caffeine that day too. Just think of it as another hoop too jump through that will get you closer to goal. :-)

Congrats!