Gastricsleeve4me

Hey! Sleeved Monday and on clear liquids for 10 days (4 more to go!). After that I move to "full liquids" for another 10 days. My surgeon's recommendation for that phase includes "thicker low fat soups". Anyone have favorites? I picked up some thicker cream-based soups but most of them don't look like they're low fat. Welcome ideas!

Sleeved on Monday so I'm only 5 days out. Wondering how much liquid is too fast...and why. My dr said no more than 2 oz in a 10-15 min period. I seem to be able to tolerate more...and my sleeve has no problem. Just wondering if it's an issue to get like a cup down in 20-30 mins if it's not making me feel crappy. Advice?

I can't wait to go on a date and not worry that the guy will be disappointed when he sees me in person!

In anticipation of having some low moments, I've enlisted the help of a therapist to help me work through why I overeat. Our sessions aren't about food. They're about the feelings and experiences I'm having and have had that I'm trying to cope with using food. Highly, highly recommend finding someone to talk to. But if you meet with a therapist and don't click...try another. You want someone you can feel truly comfortable with. Good luck...you don't have to go it alone!

I was also sleeved Monday and am sort of having the hungry thing too. But when I step back I'm not sure it's physical...I think it might be in my head But I'm pretty much sucking something down all day long. Protein shake, water, soup. I seem to be able get down a cup of soup in 45 mins or so which my post op guidance says is too fast...but it doesn't cause me any probs. but even with constantly putting something down I'm still barely getting 400 calories. I figure it's okay until I can get to full liquids or mushies. I'm just trying to stay busy and constantly putting liquids down. Good luck!

Hey there....sleeved by aceves on Monday. He gave me pantozol granules to take daily for acid reduction. But how the heck do you take it? I've tried putting in like an oz of water, then an oz of apply juice but those suckers don't seem to dissolve...they just sit there at the bottom of the glass mocking me, lol. I emailed Nina and she said to put in a half glass of water...but a half glass for those tiny granules, which will take me a bit to get down, seems nutters. Anyone figure it out? I may just switch to Prilosec. Thoughts?!

Was sleeved Monday by dr aceves and am down exactly 10 lbs today! 250.5 to 240.5. Not physically hungry but certainly aware of some emotions coming up not being able to eat anything I want. So trying to focus on the weight loss instead!

I was sleeved Monday and only told two people; a friend who's struggled with his weight and whom I stayed with in San Diego for a couple days before going to mex for surgery. And one co worker whom I'd heard was considering wls. I figure I'll decide to tell others as I go along.

32, class of '97...just sleeved by dr aceves Monday may 21!

Got approved for STD today! Had to use one week of my "paid time off" (at my work they bundle sick time and vacation). Been saving all my receipts to use for FSA...though I don't think I set aside much this year. Also got my therapist and nutritionists partially reimbursed thru insurance in the status, so that's great. Taking everything I can get. Next, I'm going to take a total shot in the dark and submit my $8000 receipt for dr aceves to united healthcare. I can't imagine it will work, but can't hurt to do some paperwork and try!

Well, I did it! May 21 with dr aceves. Left hospital yesterday and got home last night. Doing well! Bit of a nasty rash everywhere I have skin folds. But taking clear liquids down fine and getting all my protein in. Tried French onion soup today with unflavored unjury powder (strained out onions) but sort of went right thru me. Might need to go easier with chicken broth. aceves has me on clear liquids until 10 days post op, so easing into it. Good luck to all the other may sleevers!

Great post. I'm scheduled for May 21 in Mexico. I've used therapy in the past to work through issues, and have just started again in anticipation of surgery, particularly since I haven't focused on food issues specifically (though, frankly, everything's related I did a video post about this on my blog recently entitled "Why I eat", which hit a similar theme if you (or anyone else!) are interested... http://gastricsleeve4me.blogspot.com/2012/05/why-i-eat.html

Hi there! I'm scheduled with Dr. Aceves in mexico on May 21. A couple years ago I had a breast reduction in the US and was able to apply for (and get) short-term disability benefits since I was going to be out of work over one week (I was going to be out for two). I called MetLife today (who handles disability for the company I work for) and they said it shouldn't matter if my Dr is in Mexico, so long as they can call and verify I'm having surgery. Curious if anyone has been successful applying. It would mean I wouldn't have to use vacation time, and hopefully that I could do that for two weeks so I feel good going back. Anyone have experience?

At least call a lawyer for a consult (one who has experience with medical insurance)...if nothing else, they can give you some advice. Sorry you're dealing with this.

To all who have UHC and are stuck on the 5-yr requirement...MAKE SURE YOUR DOCTOR/SURGEON IS WORKING OFF OF CURRENT INFORMATION! I saw one surgeon here in NJ who told me of the 5-yr requirement, which I don't have, so I assumed insurance was off the table and started researching Mexico. After weeks/months of planning for Mexico I popped into another NJ surgeon who seemed to be a little more organized...and told me that UHC dropped their 5-yr requirement recently. I was blown away that now I could be covered. After much agony, I ultimately decided to go to Mexico anyway (in 1.5 weeks!) to circumvent the 6 mos of nutrition appts and the chance that it might not be covered in the end...mostly because I'd done all this planning and was so excited to move forward. If you're really curious, I blogged about it in the following two blog posts: http://gastricsleeve4me.blogspot.com/2012/05/insurance.html http://gastricsleeve4me.blogspot.com/2012/05/mexico-it-is.html

Good luck! I'm headed there on May 21 and can't wait. Keep us posted!

May 21 with Dr. aceves. Starting to get a little nervous (eg can I do the post op diet?!). Did people clean out their cupboards? How'd you prep the house?

Thanks - the packing part is a good point. It's got me thinking about making sure I pack a variety of things to help keep me on track - in sizes and quantities that are good for travel. Thanks for the thoughts.

Thanks, that's helpful! Yeah, Nina has been great. I've been reading everything she's been giving me like it's the new bible I've been starting pages on my blog for things I've learned from my nutritionist and got hooked up with a therapist in the area that specializes in bariatric patients in the hopes that they can both help me stay on track. Just super paranoid about not taking FULL advantage of those first six months or so when I can't use food as the cure-all...and wanting to maximize my potential for forming new good habits. Traveling for work just seems to muck with my routines and schedules, so it's making me nervous. But, you're right, it's really going to just be about sticking to the plan whether I'm sitting home in NJ or out with clients in Korea. Will be interesting given that I'm not telling my co-workers. They're bound to notice the bird-eating, lol. But I suppose that's the least of my challenges, LOL! Thanks!!

My nutritionist said that biotin won't do too much to prevent (though it can stimulate re-growth). To lessen the loss she recommended primarily making sure that I was getting enough protein and, secondarily, taking zinc. My surgeon seconded the zinc thing and recommended 50 mg every three days. I'm about 2 weeks from surgery and have been prepping to do everything I can to get as much protein as possible. Isopure (both the clear liquid drinks and the whey isolate) has become my item of choice since it's positively PACKED with protein and you can get a zero carb version.

I'm scheduled with Aceves in a couple of weeks - very excited! I recognize that everyone's weight loss and journey is the same, but I'm curious...when did you hit the 50 lbs loss mark? I'd like to make that a mini-goal and am thinking about where to position it. Congrats on the weight loss!!

Good luck Lori! Sending positive vibes your way!!