UTGal99

Let me start by giving you a couple of my favorite quotes, Mommeof3... "You're on your own and you know what you know, you are the one who'll decide where to go!" - Dr. Seuss "Be who you are and say what you feel because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind." Dr. Seuss First and foremost, I'm sorry you are dealing with that. It is sad that you are not receiving support from your family; however, your husband is in your corner and VERY supportive of the decision. You have to do what is right for you and your family. Don't let anyone step all over that and try to put fear in you. The realistic facts are: there are more complications from knee surgery than there is from vertical sleeve gastrectomy. Yes, could you die on the table, sure you could but you could with any surgery (minor or major). There is always a risk! As a matter of fact, you could die in a car accident driving over to visit that unsupportive family. You have to get to a point where you do what you need to do and don't worry about what they think. I am saying this, b/c my mother is so very unsupportive too and doesn't agree with my decision. But I have told her it is my decision to make and it is not up for discussion! The bottom line is at 325 lbs. I am staring down far more serious obesity related complications than the surgery ever will be. You will get LOTS of support on this site! Even though I am still a pre-opper (looking for late September/early October surgery date) I find this site invaluable to me and I am sure I will continue to see it that way. Good Luck to you and I leave you with this quote: "Get busy living or get busy dying!" - Andy Dufresne (played by Tim Robbins) in the movie The Shawshank Redemption P.S. I am a huge quote gal! Keep me posted on how that goes with your family.

I would recommend the sleeve, although I haven't had surgery yet. My dear friend's sister had a plication and part of the stomach that was stapled/stitched back became infected (from food particles) - it became gangrene and she turned septic - BAD STUFF!!! They actually had to revise her to a sleeve to save her life. Moral of the story...skip the chance of issues and go straight for the sleeve.

Looking fabulous! I think we all feel that miserable in our before pictures...I'm looking forward to hitting the losers bench in late September/early October. Keep up the great work and thanks for sharing your pics!

What is the endoscopy for? My surgeon didn't order one up for me....only labs, chest xray and EKG

Call your surgeon's office but you might get some relief from Neosporin with pain relief (Lidocaine maybe) in it. I used that when I had my gallbladder taken out and it definitely worked to knock the edge off my pain.

You look great, Faganberry! I can truly tell a difference. Keep up the great work!

Do you both find that you don't need the Protein shakes to meet your nutrional requirements after you start eating solids? Or do you just not do them? What does an average meal look like for you now that you are post-op and eating solids?

Where did you buy just sample size product?

I have read on this forum from numerous people that the Protein powders are awful and they just have to choke them down. I got a sample packet from my bariatric surgeon's office and I have to say...it is GOOD!!! It is chocolate Splendor and is rather tasty! Now, with that said, many people have said that what you can tolerate before surgery may not be the case after surgery. So I am wondering what do I do to prepare for after surgery? Should I go ahead and buy the product now or wait?

I can see a difference - congrats to you! Keep up the great work!

I had already placed a call into my bariatric surgeon's office - the nurse was gone for the day. They should be calling me back tomorrow. I was just hoping to get a jump start on understanding.

Well, not sure how this will go for me. I am a stay at home mom to a child who will be in preschool from 8:30-2:30pm everyday. I am not sure if that is good to be able to focus on the task at hand for me, or will being by myself wondering and thinking about food all day be awful? Oh boy!

LOL! I am not that stupid! I did indeed ask my PCP who administred the steroid shot and medrol dose pack; however, with that she stated she wasn't familiar with what they would be looking for in bariatric bloodwork. Just wanted to get the opinion of some of the nurses here that are familiar with bariatric protocol. Thanks, NDN_RN for your response!

I am quite frustrated today... I need to go over the lab and do my bloodwork, EKG and chest xray and then everything can be submitted to insurance. Which is great; however, apparently that yard work I did this weekend and pulling weeds included poison ivy and now I have a terrible rash that resulted in a steriod shot and a medrol dose pack for the next 10 days. So, will this mess with my bloodwork results? Any nurses in the house to answer this one? What do I do? Wait until all done with steroids or go ahead an have bloodwork drawn? (Keep in mind this is the baseline bloodwork for the surgeon...for example CBC, Lipid Panel, TSH, A1C, Thiamine, Folate, etc...

I don't mean to sound rude, but quite frankly that is a choice you make. If you choose to be a "difficult patient," then you will be. It's like choosing to have a bad day. I say if you are going to be uncomfortable and not so happy about what is expected at the hospital then don't do the surgery. Sometimes in life we have to do things and obey by certain standards that we don't want to. I personally think you can choose to be an "easy patient" for 2-3 days. Just my 2 cents...

Have you considered following the Forks over Knives diet? Especially if you are more attracted to the the vegan lifestyle. I have a great friend who underwent gastric bypass and he is vegan - living very healthy, now running triathlons, etc. all while not eating animal proteins. If you have Netflix or swing out to a Blockbuster and rent the movie Forks over Knives. It will change your life! Good Luck in whatever journey you choose.

Oh no! Get well soon - keep us posted on what's going on. Take care!

What exactly is a slider food?

Don't want to sound ignorant, but why would this be a problem versus any other time? I know stomach is smaller; however, the opening to the pyloris (intestines) is still the same size. Seriously? Is this something to be concerned about???

Great topic! I don't have a surgery date yet, but I expect it to be end of September/early October. I have been preparing as best as I can with items I think I will need post-op (wedge pillow, Gas-X strips, Biotene mouthspray, etc.) As for my husband and 4 year old son, I plan on spending the entire weekend before my surgery cooking for 2 full days to freeze a bunch of meals to get them by as I don't think I will want to cook for the better part of 2 weeks (maybe even more) I have somewhat been packing a bag for the hospital (socks, chapstick, etc.) as I go along prepping for this journey. I have not gotten any foods, shakes, etc for myself. I hear alot of people say that what you could stomach before surgery doesn't taste great after and so don't buy a large quantity; however, I did run across a great website (www.mybariatricpantry.com) that has samples for sale. I was thinking about securing some samples to have on hand and try what I like after surgery. I do plan on having hubby stay home for about 3 days and the weekend and then my cousin is coming to town to help out for the next week, considering I have a little guy on my hands here. Anything you are doing particularly? Let's share notes...

How are you feeling? How was surgery? How has recovery been? Any tips for a pre-opper soon to be in your shoes??

Some call it Twoderville - I don't really like it either. Let's pitch some new names....

I don't think one has anything to do with the other. I don't believe that the WLS is causing heart problems, rather keep in mind people having WLS are obese and may already have heart related co-morbidities. Just my 2 cents...

Wow, I am shocked to see that food is the least favorite thing about the surgery. A bit concerning for me. I was hoping that after the surgery food wouldn't be such a huge issue and focus in my life.

For some reason I thought that Tomato soup was off limits in the first few weeks - something about the acidity? I sure hope it isn't - it is my FAVORITE!