iggychic

That's what it took to get me well Lindsey. I'm so glad you are in good hands. I was worried about you. I don't want anyone to suffer like I did. If I have to smack around every doctor in the US I would do it to see that it never happens to anyone else!

I'm around 600 normally. I sometimes go over if I need to do a Protein boost (I do oveltine in nonfat milk at night to get me over the hump). I tend to go below or above that by 50 or so, but no matter what I do it's always near that number. I don't know how I'd get 800 in frankly. I"m finding five meals hard to do myself and am trying to do four now. My sleeve just does not have any capacity for more calories unless I ate goober...which I'm not terribly interested in.

I did not get extra insurance but I had serious complications and in 90% of cases, those costs wouldn't be covered because the initial surgery wasn't covered. There are some insurance policies that will cover, but it's rare. You should review your policy carefully. Now for the scary part. You get a bill in the mail...not one bill, but bill after bill after bill for anyone you see during your after care if you have any complications. I am still adding them up. We thought it would be around a quarter of a million, but it's looking like we might be pushing half a million in costs from the complications. Compare what that bill would do to your finances if you weren't covered with the few hundred dollars that an added policy might cost....It's easy math Get the extra insurance. And no hospital makes you pay up front if you need to go to the ER. But you will get a bill in the mail. Added to my costs are all of my follow up care because I switched doctors (and had paid for that up front with the other). Ouch!

I'm glad you are getting some care finally darling. But get a leak test! You can bill my insurance

You look so much younger! Great work!!!

Insist on a leak test for gods sake. You are being jacked around like I was. It nearly killed me. DON'T ASK!!! INSIST!!!!!

Ive had issues since coming home from the hospital. I take benedryl at night to knock me out and it still does not work well. I can't take anything stronger because I need to wake up around 4 to get my son a bottle, but it sucks that even on benedryl (like 4 of them) I don't get sleepy. I've been staying up way too late and then I'm too tired when I have to get back up at six. I was blaming it on the hospital hours. I was there for 22 days so perhaps there is some truth to that, but given so many others have the same problem it can't be all that. I still wake up at 6:00 and expect to see the surgeon's (gad they did early visiting hours) next to my bed. I am getting better but it's still not great. I'm on week four of the second surgery and week ummm 10 on the first. I must admit, I did sleep pretty well when my lungs were filling with Fluid prior to the hospitalization...perhaps it might have been the delaudid and vicodin (is that the right name???) combination. If ya'll want a cocktail to make you sleep...those two do knock you for a loop! LOL

I'm hoping to be at goal in Jan i bet you get to your goal of being sleeved before i meet mine lol

no biggie

I replied to your other thread *(best to do just one by the way). I had nausea and felt generally ill that long. I nearly died from a leak. Don't wait to get to your doc Wed. Call them first thing in the morning.

I'm 5' tall and expect to be between a 0 and a 4 when all is said and done, aside from fitted cotton shirts which would be more like a 6 if I'm lucky (I love fitted shirts but with a DD chest it's hard to find ones that actually "fit". Other tops should be small/petite hopefully My target weight is 110. between 105 and 115 is ideal but I want wiggle room on each side. Not long after surgery DH bought me a dress that he said reminds him of a dress I used to wear a lot when we met. It was a size 2 I think....knit thing that I'd throw on with tights when I was traveling because it traveled so well. I miss that dress LOL Anyhoo, his version is more cocktail party than travel dress, but it's fun anyhoo and I can't wait to wear it.

I'm 5' tall and expect to be between a 0 and a 4 when all is said and done, aside from fitted cotton shirts which would be more like a 6 if I'm lucky (I love fitted shirts but with a DD chest it's hard to find ones that actually "fit". Other tops should be small/petite hopefully My target weight is 110. between 105 and 115 is ideal but I want wiggle room on each side. Not long after surgery DH bought me a dress that he said reminds him of a dress I used to wear a lot when we met. It was a size 2 I think....knit thing that I'd throw on with tights when I was traveling because it traveled so well. I miss that dress LOL Anyhoo, his version is more cocktail party than travel dress, but it's fun anyhoo and I can't wait to wear it.

LOL Thanks all...yup just lazy Oh and then there was the almost dead thing in the hospital thing and two surgeries...but Lazy is so much easier to go with OP, I was just making fun of myself to make you feel better about hanging out at home for a couple of weeks. I had serious complications and a second surgery hence the 58 days...(half of that was in hospital). Don't rush it If you push too hard you could end up where I was. A couple of weeks rest after major surgery isn't a luxury, nor is it lazy It's a good idea so that things heal properly. You will also be on a weight lifting restriction, so things like the grocery shopping should be done with someone else to carry bags, or by someone else. My mom might still be available

I couldn't do Water in the hospital. I had broth and peppermint (which is decaf) tea and they were fine with this. I still drink tea mostly (decaf always) instead of water. I just don't like the stuff and my doc is just fine with this. My son had dehydration issues all the time as a baby due to a rare condition he has. At ten months a doctor (one of the best in his field in the country) suggested I give him six ounces of diet soda a day and he'd never be in hospital for dehydration again (he just weighed a few lbs so that was enough). He was quite right. The issue is you need liquids, and while water is a liquid, so was soda in his case. Between that and formula (he didn't take much) he stayed out of hospital from that point on for dehydration. Tea is fine As long as it's decaf.

You're a doll I'm almost out of the woods (two more weeks til they officially test and clear me to quit worrying about another surgery....all signs are very good so far). Initially on puree I was on 2 oz at a time, (1/4 cup) which seems like so little but was hard to get down LOL I'm in week four now, moving to week five and am having 1/2 a cup at a time, which is plenty for me. After I'm cleared I can go up to 3/4 but that's because I'm on a weird time skew (10 weeks from the initial surgery and five from the second...for some stuff they use the first date and some the second...for this they are using the first date). Personally I'm having a hard time getting in five 1/2 cup meals a day so going up does not seem reasonable to me, but I have been thinking of doing four or three meals a day instead which might be easier once my tummy will allow it. It's kind of funny what your tummy allows. Cottage cheese...I could eat more than i'm allowed now, but am totally satisfied with what I do eat. But denser stuff...refried Beans or meat...I have to keep those portions lower. Liquids (dense ones like cream Soup, chocolate milk, etc...stuff on your full liquid diet...yogurt...) I can have more of with no problem. Lamb did not want to be eaten for dinner tonight LOL So I had mashed potatoes with Protein powder and butter. (1/2 cup total) Some people have talked about different portion sizes...when I was in hospital after the second surgery I was on week one diet for their sleeve and they wanted me to have 4 oz of Soups or yogurt or custard (the stuff they have for their "full liquid" diet). Prior to discovering the leak they had me on purees for a day and that was a 2 oz serving. The guy in the room next to mine was on the same day and he was having half a cup, but he was 6'7" (we walked halls together) so his sleeve was longer...bigger...than mine. So your milage may vary Oh ya, and I was able to deal with liquids pretty well. Because I missed the initial healing phase where you only get tiny sips mostly. So when my second surgery was done I was able to drink as I do now...pretty much normal sized drinks but no chug a lug lug. I do often have 16 oz of milk (am right now) with oveltine to make up for any missed protein during a day. I have no issues with that.

day 58 i went to the grocery store and then let my 70 year old mom schlep the groceries lol Now you'll feel better about just waiting a week or so heh heh

You are quite welcome dear. I forgot to mention...I actually do use a plate...well actually a bowl, that I have here at the house by the dozens (we bought the house with all of it's stuff LOL) and I've been measuring 1/2 a cup into it for so long that I actually can use the bowl as my guide. That's easier with a bowl because things don't spread out like on a plate. Early on though you really want to be precise in your measurements because over doing it in the puree and soft food stages can put a strain on your new stomach (risking leaks).