BenisaMartim4

I didn't have one of those, but I know they are like when you are pregnant. No big deal. I had a CAT scan of my abdomen. When it can back irregular, I also had a colonoscopy. I had colitis and had a pre-cancerous polyp removed.

The diet my doc does is like this. It starts on day 3. They do a stage progression each week from there until a month out. Then you stay there for a month. After that you start the maintenance diet.

You'll be groggy and maybe even a bit on the 'high' side. It will depend on exactly what kinds of drugs they use on you. Of course you will have an IV, but other than that I had absolutely no discomfort what so ever.

I take a wonderful cherry flavored, sub-lingual B-12. Then I take two chewable multi-vitamins and 4 chewable Citrate+D a day. They all taste really good and I don't burp them up. My doc says this covers everything you need. 

A good firm girdle will help. I lost 70 pounds with my last pregnancy. My lower stomach deflated enough that it hang down, but with the girdle it was fine. You just have to arrange everything straight in there to make it look the best. You'll figure it out. It's not all going to fall off overnight, so you'll have some time to experiment with what you like. Wal-Mart has plenty of variety for a beginner. They sell up to a size 3x. That should be about the time you will start wanting to wear on. Happy shopping

You will not be able to take your son to the endoscopy. They put you to sleep and require that you have another adult with you. They will not allow you to drive after the procedure. The procedure itself only takes about 30 min, but with the pre-op and recovery room time I would plan to be there between 2-3 hours. The ultra sound is very simple. He could probable go for that. It only takes about 10 min. It's just like when you are pregnant, but on your neck. He could sit on the end of the bed while you have it done. The longest part about this will be waiting your turn to go back. Best of luck

I absolutely will be giving this a trymy husband even said, 'ooo, that sounds good'

Yes, that is right ladies and gentlemen. After submitting my paper work to the insurance and waiting 15 weeks, my approval letter finally came in the mail today. It has been a constant battle with them and now it is finally over. I can now breath a big sigh of relief. I had my pre-op education class and dr.s visit on Wed. It was 6 hours long and just almost too much to absorb at once {especially because I had a migraine}. We were weighed, measured and had our before pictures taken from 3 different angles. We had the main class with the nurse practitioner; then met with another nurse, the nutritionist, the exercise instructor from the wellness center { we actually had to walk for her for 6 minutes so she could check heart rates} and then the doc and the surgical nurse practitioner. They had so loaded us with information {they gave us a large 3-ring binder full of everything we would need to know and contact numbers for EVERYONE} that by the time the doc came in and asked if I had any questions, I was blank. The only thing I managed to ask was how he wanted me to wear my hair. After the surprised look on his face, I explained to him that it came right to my knees and I wanted to make sure it was done properly not to be in the way. He told me I looked good to him right now...lol, but the surgical nurse jumped in and said no metal pins or clips. We finally decided on a braid and elastic bands. He did laugh and tell me that I might get to sport a new dye job to go with that braid though. He said even though they try hard not to, many times the blue leak test dye runs into peoples hair and gives them a blue streak. I just laughed and said, " I'll just have to tell everyone 'no, I have not been cussing'" After I paid my $360 for my class { non-refundable, non-insurable}, they gave me my Rxs and let me go. I was ordered to buy chewable Multivitamin, chewable Caltrate-D, sublingual b-12, Hebicleanse, bowel prep, two different antibiotics and Emend (surgical anti-emetic). I also bought the rest of the stuff I needed for my pre-op diet. We will do 7 days of Atkins, then 4 days of liquids. I was relieve to hear that it wasn't liquid the whole time. My pre-op testing is scheduled for Feb. 8, then my surgery for Valentine's day. I am starting to get a bit on the nervous side because this is such a big important event. When you hear the words "permanent" or "irreversible" and it involves the functions of your body, it is not something to enter into lightly. My doctor wanted me to have a hysterectomy 6 years ago but I refused because it was something I couldn't go back and change later. I have had another child since then. I glad in that case I didn't do it. But this is a different story. I feel like this is my Carpe Diem moment. I have missed out on so much because of my health and my weight. I'm ready to be able to participate in life and not just be a by-stander any more. So everyone wish me luck, send up prayers or whatever you do. I'm excited and nervous at the same time and will need lots so of support. I have T-12 day til VSG BTW...I expect this "big" mama to have a name change pretty soon. I'm thinking "hot" mama has a nice ring to it. What about y'all 

Aww sweetie, I'm sorry you are sick again  We'll send a request up for you

My husband used to drive a big truck and Xenophile is right; Love's, Pilot, and Flying J are great! They are huge national chains that cater to truckers and have stuff for them to be able to live on the road. You can get their food, food from a national fast food chain that they have in their facility or you can buy canned food from their grocery selection. The are open 24/7 most of the time and usually very clean and maintained. If nothing else, if you can find one of these places you should be ok. The really big nice ones are on interstates. 

You and me both. It is so embarrassing and just ruins my lady-like image..hehe

Hey everyone! I know the main problem with most early post-op folks is staying hydrated. So, I though I would share a little something my husband and I discovered by accident. During the 100 degree+ summertime days {here in Mississippi}, when my Hubbs works outside he likes to drink cold Gatorade. On this particular day, he was going to mow, but I didn't have him one cold. So to try to chill it faster, I put it in the freezer (32oz.)...then forgot about it When I went to take it out hours later, I was expecting to find a quart brick of ice. I was surprising mistaken. It does not freeze into ice {I guess because of the salt content}, but turns into this wonderful soft slushy like a pina coloda or daiquiri We now do this with one every time so he can have it when he comes in. It easily pours out of the bottle and into a glass so that you can get however much you want and put the rest back. This might be a good alternative to Popsicles. It's not going to melt on the way home, freeze what you need and it has electrolytes. I have not tried the reduced sugar or sugar free versions because he doesn't like them. We will just have to see if they work as well. If not, I'm personally thinking, if I'm dying of dehydration the last thing I'm gonna be worrying about is a few grams of sugar in a flippin' Gatorade. Hope this helps someone. I've heard many say they couldn't handle the protein and Popsicles were so comforting to them. Best wishes

Do you have any other illnesses? Or do you take any Rx meds? I have fibromyalgia and take several meds for that and all of it's associated disorders. I have what's called the "Fibro Fog", but trust me; it is far worse than that! It is like I have Alzheimer's disease. I forget the names of common objects, including those of my children {any of them will answer to "hey you". When I talk to my husband at night, they are referred to by sizes: the big one, the little one etc.) Example- where's the ketchup? It in the....that thing where we keep food cold (refrigerate). 2. Will you get me...oh that thing that you take the wrinkles out with (iron). I say all the time, "what's this called?" I am so ready for my surgery. I have hopes of dumping that bag of meds right along with a hundred pounds. Another thing that can cause that fog is, sleep deprivation. Are you resting well? Are you the one taking care of the baby at night? If so, you are playing the role of new mom; and trust me, any of us with experience can tell you. When your baby is very small, you can't remember what day of the week it is; let alone some memorization facts for school. Hope you figure it out. Best wishes :0)

My mom bought one of those too. She didn't like it either.

Aww sweetie, I'm so sorry you are that sick. I haven't been sleeved yet, but I promise I know how you feel. When I was expecting my last baby I had hyperemesis and colitis for a solid 6 weeks without a one day break. (I lost 22# the first two weeks I was sick and 70# by the time he was born {a month and a half early}). I threw up and had to use the bathroom as many as 15 times a day EACH! The pain was so bad from the strain. I was afraid I would lose my baby and there was nothing they could do for me. I laid in the bed and I cried and begged God to help. Finally I started begging to die. But as horrid as it was, I made it through it. And look what I go for a reward, my stinkin' rotten #4 son, Timmy. You'll make it through it to. Just set your eyes on the rewards that are ahead of you to encourage you through these hard times. The Bible says, " weeping may endure for the night, but joy comes in the morning." Just hold on. Remember me and when I am in that weak spot in a few weeks. You drop by and tell me, "you were right. I made it and you will too!" :0)

So proud for all of you December Divas. You're doing wonderful! I hate that I miss getting to be there with y'all. But if all goes as planned, I'm going to be a Febuary Flower: bloom into a new life of beauty and possibilities. Wish me well :0)

Yeah, I vote for just shaving it off too. If you don't need a full size razor, buy some of those little bitty ones for the bikini area. They are just a little bigger than your thumb nail. Of course shaving is a daily task { but so would be using this thing}. I use it for emergencies, but I prefer good old fashioned slanted tweezers. This keeps the woolies away for weeks :0)

This is called "dumping". Dumping syndrome is more common in people with RNY, but from what I understand, people with sleeve can get it too. It might get better with time, it might not. It can be induced by certain foods or your body may just have a new uncomfortable norm. I have had severe dumping syndrome for 13 years from having my gallbladder removed. This is rather common with that surgery. I don't even have to eat to dump; I can just take a couple drinks of water and have to go. I get directly up from eating and go to the bathroom; sometimes I have to stop after two or three bites and go. It is suppose to take a meal an average of 24 hours to travel from top to bottom in a healthy person. It takes 2-3 hours with me. I have to go as may as 10 times a day. It has always amazed me that I could flush stuff through this fast and still be so heavy :0/

Well, if everything goes right { oh please, please, please this time *fingers crossed*} my surgery is 16 days away. So last night was our last chance to go out before my pre-op diet starts. Tupelo was covered up and the wait time to get in everywhere was an hour {and it was cold outside!}. We finally managed to get in the door at Applebee's after only 35 min. But anywho, I had an exquisite 9oz. Sirloin strip, steamed broccoli and baby carrots, onion rings and then to finish off a shooter glass of chocolate mousse and whip cream. It was wonderful and nice of him to take me out. What I would like to know is how much of that does the average person eat after surgery? As in how may portions or meals. Of course I know that eating sweets won't be in with that; this was just for shall we say one last time around the track..hehe :0) {BTW, I've already lost 21#s. Yay me!}

You don't have to be sleeved to have it either. I'm not sleeved yet and I have been doing it for 13 years. I have post-surgical dumping syndrome {gallbladder related} and I sound like draining pipes all the time. I've just gotten used to it. It doesn't hurt, so oh well :0/

Congrats and feel better soon :0)

What about in apple sauce {you can buy all kinds of flavors now. I LOVE mango} or pudding or yogurt; or just add it to your soups. I don't know. Just an idea :0)

Black Currant Seed Oil This oil contains omega-6 and omega-3 essential fatty acids, which help provide moisture for your hair and encourage hair growth and strength. Specifically, the gamma-linolenic acid (GLA) in black currant seed oil is an omega-6 acid that can help prevent hair thinning, splitting and dryness, according to Dr. Andrew Weil. Moisture is key for healthy hair because if your hair is dry and fragile, it will be more likely to break. Of course your hair will keep growing, but it will seem like it is not because it breaks before you see any real progress. Omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids are also beneficial in improving the condition of skin and nails. Recommended Dosage Weil recommends starting with 500 mg capsules one to three times per day. The capsules are also available in higher dosages, but start with the lower dosage and gauge your reaction to the supplement. It is important to take GLA as a capsule (rather than trying to get an adequate amount solely through diet) because it can be challenging to get enough of the fatty acid to improve hair health. A supplement makes it much easier to get the recommended dosage. Where to Buy Black currant seed oil is a little less common than other hair growth supplements but it can be found at health and nutrition stores such as Vitamin Shoppe. You can also find the supplement through many online health stores. Results Hair growth will not happen overnight with black currant seed oil or any other supplement. In general, you can expect to see results in six to eight weeks if you are taking the supplement on a regular basis. It may take you a shorter or longer period of time to notice that the health of your hair has improved, as everyone reacts differently to supplements. Side Effects Negative side effects from black currant oil are relatively uncommon. Some users may have an allergic reaction, and this supplement should not be used by people who are predisposed to seizures because omega-6 acids can increase the likelihood of a seizure occurrence. As with any supplement, you should notify your doctor if you begin taking black currant seed oil to ensure that it does not negatively interact with any medications you take.

I'm sorry, but I am just sitting here laughing at myself because I just had a really big "dumb blond" moment. I'm going, "what does fat free dressing have to do with underwear; especially an entire tank of it? I didn't even know it came in a tank!" Don't tell anyone..bahaha. *blushing* SMH

Congrats, best wishes for your weight loss journey :0)