Marty McSkinnystein

I vacillate between that little bit will be great as long as I don't have hunger- TO.. but I want a?? roll w/butter AND a salad AND a baked potato AND green beans and the WHATEVER MEAT (notice lol the protein was mentioned last-- not lost on me). Oh, and did I mention dessert? Funny thing is when I went yesterday for that last big meal (although it wasn't near what I've been capable of) I noticed my a little overweight but normal-sized friend ate the entire plate and salad while I couldn't finish at all and had a stomach ache all night (probably gallstones though). But I wondered why with my weight I've never been (compared to others) a "high volume at once" eater yet skinnier friends can eat so much more. So I guess your stomach is your stomach and it's the calories a day not a meal that determines the fatness? It's weird what you start to analyze when getting this surgery. Maybe it's also like those skinny girls who can drink tons of alcohol and not seem drunk and I was never able to drink much without feeling it. No that's different. Hmmm...this is more of a blog isn't it? I don't have much experience in these areas.

When you go into it most places have very specific guidelines and classes to address how much to drink, eat and take supplementally to be healthy. The problem I think is when people don't adhere to the rules. There are books given out to the patients of each kind of surgery at a bariatric center that address the guidelines from pre-op and through each stage of liquids and through solid foods with timelines for eating specific foods. The general rules in the beginning are Protein first, sip Water (never during drinking during meals), try things with many bites a little at a time and actually some more- (you can read more about it in the pre-op section here). You do take supplements in the beginning since it's such low calories.

That's great to hear- keeps me going. Thanks!

If you go to a center that does these things regulary and that's their specialty they coordinate most of it. You meet with a surgeon and coordinator who hands you a paper with all these things checked off that they need you to do- pulmonary, sleep study, nutrtion class, psych eval., blood tests etc. Almost all these things get scheduled close together, some even can be in the place. In the meantime, they contacted my primary who faxed them a letter saying I've tried diets for years (he knows), plus you say- I tried WW and Jenny Craig etc. etc. Then they send the letter to insurance saying all that and I happened to get my approval letter from them and insurance in a couple days from making the decision. Good Luck!

Just called--- NEGATIVE!!!!

At my nutrition class I said I know about the whole 85% of stomach removed yada yada but how much volume does a "regular" stomach really hold. She says that after surgery I'll be able to eat 3-5 oz. at a meal, then eventually 5-8 oz. at about a year or so. Most hold 67-135 oz. Say huh wh...huh..whatchu. wh.. wh.. huh..what??? Yep .... 8 oz vs. 135 oz. how's that for a different perspective? I'm still good- starting the liquid pre-op tomorrow. But, I'll tell you I was working that 67-135 at Longhorn yesterday. And loved every minute. Now it's time to get serious and start my new life. with a 3 oz. stomach capacity..oy

Thanks for writing back about this Patrick. I am glad to hear- it's one of my worries. Did you do it or your wife. My husband's a big guy very tough about pain etc. but needles literally make him go white and momentarily pass out. So I think I'll be doing it myself. By the way, about the cost, I was told when I called pharmacy (who called my prescription carrier) that I wasn't covered and it would be $600 or so and generic was around $500. I then called the administrators of my health stuff and found out it WAS covered under regular insurance, i.e. Blue Cross. So it's a $9.00 co-pay basically...shwew!! that was scary. Every time this happens though I can't help but feel so sorry for everyone who can't afford it (whatever it is) or doesn't have health insurance. Makes me so sad.

But if even if your boogie's big don't you have no gremlins in there anymore? (I bet someone gets that).

Thanks for the offer to help me blow them away...but I've been told I have a lot of hot air!

It's a personal choice- telling or not/ who and when. I just want all the support I can get and plan to put the naysayers in a bubble and blow them off into the clouds.

What's weird is almost everyone I know (and told) knew someone who had bariatric surgery and said "I just saw him/her and they are looking so good!!"

Send him/print him out the most positive MD type site explanation that includes how it saves lives, cuts risks, safer procedure, chances without it of losing it.. yada yada. E-mail/ regular mail and let him digest it. I think people just have no idea. We've done the research. I remember when I forst heard of this it sounded barbaric. Cut your stomach out?!?? What?!? It's all in the presentation. I think I might make this a thread. Good luck!!

I didn't take pics. but I really really looked at my body in the mirror the other day like you were saying and thought the same things. How did I do this?? How didn't I notice just how bad I look. I thought by wearing nice makeup and jewelry and clothes that somehow it wasn't noticeable!?! I looked at every lump and clump and beat myself up and also tried to forgive myself. It was so hard but I think it was needed. Tomorrow is a new day and I'll never let it happen again.

Moving? EVERYONE needs help with moving! I haven't had it done yet so that's all can say. Although..... I couldn't not tell someone. I feel like I get emotional and need to deal with things by talking to others. I admire that you are so strong but I also wonder if you may want to have someone you love involved. This may not happen to you at all but some say their hormones and emotions are all over the place so just be aware of that and decide how that will be handled. I wish you much luck on your journey!

FYI- Whey DOES have milk so.....make sure the bottle/packet says "Whey Protein ISOLATE." That's what she told us at nutrition class yesterday.

Amy- I understand that and normally that's how I think of it. This was a bossy pants who I've tolerated my whole life and said (in my head) she's not doing it again. Yes, it comes from her insecurities (or whatever) but one time (this very important time) I couldn't play the game. And I feel just a little freer for it!

My favorite I tried is called "Oh Yeah" and I got it from Vitamin Shoppe.

I only had one person do that to me and it's not like me to confront this usually but I said "I'm on a high right in general and I don't want to brought down by anything- so what is else is new?" And the person (family member) totally got it and even referred later with something like "I was going to say....but I won't.." AND DIDN'T. It's all in the delivery. Maybe you (and I-- lol) should practice being assertive. I have a feeling we're going to have to say no a lot more. P.S. I promise.

Thanks for your answers. I originally started the process because of gallbladder attacks caused by large gallstones seen with ultrasound. The only test "problems" were low Vit. D and B12.

So I tried to research and honestly asked so many questions somehow I didn't understand the answer to this. I'm getting my sleeve, gb removal, hiatal hernia repair and liver biopsy. I'm doing a 10 day liquid diet before. So even if fatty liver disease is present what would be done besides....losing weight (which is common in obese people)? Plus my research said something about if you have a liver disease you should limit Protein (!?!) I'm sitting here pondering thinking I guess I didn't understand why it's being done. I'll call tomorrow but any ideas?

My surgery is July 16th also. I found out today I have to do a 10 liquid diet-- so I start Thurs. I'm anxious to see how our surgeries compare. Good luck to you!! I'm not looking forward to the liquid diet either but I've found from experimenting that the protein stuff is filling. We shall see.

Boy did I need this!! I just returned from my (last) day of info. and classes and this was the thing that freaked me out the most.

I think it's when it's right after surgery because the esophagus is swollen still, no?

Great to hear! Thanks

Okay, there's saying "suck it up" about pain (totally wrong) and then there's excellent surgeon/not so hot bedside manner. In general, I think surgeons are not as concerned with the emotional side as they are making sure you are operated on carefully. I happen to have a surgeon who has a wonderful bedside manner but most are so limited on time, they do what they need to professionally and they get out. We have so many people in these bariatric centers available- between the NUT, the PA's, nurses, psychologists. If you KNOW your surgeon has a great reputation, I'd say do it anyway. I'd rather have a great doc who isn't particularily nice than a real friendly one who isn't as experienced. Both is better-- but hard to come by.