makemyownluck

You could try going to a different surgeon. They aren't all the same! I started my process in July 2012. My insurance was a PAIN, plus the MD was really booked, so I didn't meet with the surgeon until December 2012. My experience with her was awful. She wanted me to lose 40 lbs before she'd even CONSIDER me for surgery. That wasn't the reason I disliked her, it was her attitude (I won't go into details). So I went back to my PCP and asked for a new referral for a 2nd opinion. I'm so glad I did. I found out from the 2nd doctor that my insurance at the time required an EIGHTEEN MONTH supervised diet. 18 months!!! The first surgeon apparently didn't bother to check into my benefits and tell me about that! So I ended up having to switch insurance (thank GOD I had that option!). It went into effect Feb 1st. I was able to see the surgeon in March (took a few weeks for my new coverage to "show up" in the insurance company's database), get my pre-op testing orders, see him again in April and schedule surgery for May 2nd. If I'd had this insurance the whole time, I could have been scheduled within 2 months of starting the process... In the meantime, I've lost over 50lbs since I started in November 2012. My original surgeon MIGHT have considered me a surgical candidate by now, but eventually they would have found out my insurance benefits and I'd be stuck waiting again. Long story short, you don't have to accept an answer you don't like. At least not about this! Go find a surgeon who really understands where you are coming from and wants to help. I'd be willing to bet your surgeon is either "testing" you, to see if you can commit to a lifestyle change OR he's too booked to schedule you til then and doesn't want to tell you that. In either case, I feel like a surgeon should be upfront with you about everything. Some surgeons have a superiority complex and just expect you to take what they say as gold without making your own decision about your health/body. Find someone who has YOUR best interest in mind, not their own. Good luck!

I'm trying to figure out what to take also... I know a lot of people say they didn't use most of what they took, but I'd rather have it and not use it than be without it. My support people are all an hour or more from the hospital where my surgery is taking place. I'm only expecting my parents to be there on surgery day and go home day, so the day in between I'll be on my own and won't be able to ask someone to bring something for me. I'm getting some of the new spray-on kind of body lotion (I think Vaseline makes it) because bending/stretching might be difficult. I'm taking facial cleansing wipes, lip balm, some baby wipes, deodorant, toothbrush/toothpaste, biotene mouth spray, gas-x strips, a glasses case, my cell phone and external charger (I don't want to deal with cords), Listerine strips, a hairbrush, a couple of pony tail holders (as I tend to lose them), maybe a notepad/pen or a couple of magazines. I'm also taking a robe and slippers and asking my parents to bring me a pillow for the ride home. As far as entertainment, I think my cell phone will provide enough. I'm just hoping my external charger has enough juice to get me through the whole stay.

sounds kinky. then again, I'm a pervert.

I've never heard of it, but according to wiki: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hitting_the_wall The term bonk for cycling fatigue is presumably derived from the original meaning "to hit", and dates back at least half a century. A 2005 video issued by the British Transport Films Collection contains several old films, one of which entitled "Cyclists Special", a color film produced in 1955, tells the story of a party of cyclists touring the English countryside. At one point they stop for refreshments and the film's commentator states that if they didn't rest and eat they would get "the bonk".[1] The term is used colloquially both as a noun ("hitting the bonk") and a verb ("to bonk halfway through the race"). The condition is also known to long-distance (marathon) runners, who usually refer to it as "hitting the wall". The British may refer to it as "hunger knock," while "hunger bonk" or "bunger honk" was used by South African cyclists in the 1960s.

I would! Send me the link, please.

Yup. No gum. Could cause a blockage if accidentally swallowed, but more importantly, it can cause lots of gas. I'm not sure if that's a rule just for the beginning post-op stages or if it's a rule for forever, tho.

I think in a perfect world, I'd like 6 weeks so I can be relatively 'back to normal' before getting back to work. But I also know ME, and I'll get bored. Fast. Not that I love my job so much, but I think about trying to be at home and staring at these walls and trying not to think about food or pain or whatever else would drive me mad. So I'm gonna take 2 weeks and rest, rest, rest; sip, sip, sip; walk, walk, walk and repeat and hope I'll be ready to get back to the grind. Also, living alone, I just don't have the finances to stop working for that long. I do have disability benefits I could use, but it's really just not enough to cover me. I'd rather get back to my routine. I know the way I am and I just think I'll do better that way. But I know most people would take a 6 week break from work if they could get it!! And you could take up to 12 weeks if you wanted to with FMLA (if your MD approves). Your job can't say no if the doctor says yes, that's the beauty of FMLA.

So far, the shakes have been keeping my hunger in check. I've been hungry here and there, but nothing I couldn't get over. For me, the worst part is that my stomach is grumbling constantly today. Grumbling isn't even the right word - more like whale songs. My stomach is singing to me, and not in a good way. Also, **TMI ALERT** I'm getting a little diarrhea. Not terribly, but it's not what it should be, either. I can't tell if that means I'm dehydrated or if it's supposed to be like that because I'm on liquids only. I feel okay otherwise, but I can't seem to get my stomach to calm down. I've been taking a Fiber supplement to try to stay regular, not sure if it's helping. Any one got suggestions?

I'm curious about this as well. I'm currently using gummy Fiber supplements, but I'm pre- op. I hate chewable stuff. HATE. That chalky texture grosses me out, so I can only imagine that it's going to be worse post op. I know that the gummy Vitamins are usually less potent, so I'm not sure if that's the reason they don't recommend them or if it has to do with the actual 'gummy' part, like if they are worried it won't digest properly or get stuck. But I chew my fiber gummy til it's practically liquid, so I don't see how it could harm me post op - then again, I'm not a doctor, so what do I know? I think if gummy is all you can take, then it's better than nothing. Definitely check with your NUT and see what they suggest. Also, puritan.com has a lot of liquid Vitamin choices: http://www.puritan.c...ter=Form|Liquid. I'm not as savvy as to what our Multivitamins should have in them, so I don't know which one to recommend, but they have several, so there has to be SOMETHING in there that will work. Good luck to you, update us on what your NUT comes up with.

2 weeks. I have a desk job. I tried to push him into letting me go back sooner, but he said I'd be doing myself a favor to wait.

I love the bolthouse stuff. They do have high carbs, if I remember correctly. try cutting them with Water or almond/soy milk (whatever you prefer) and adding a scoop of unflavored Protein powder (Syntrax makes a good one, you can buy it on amazon.com). That way it will be a flavor you like with less carbs and the same or more protein. The unflavored is undetectable in most stuff, so you can also add it to Soup, yogurt, pudding, crystal light... whatever you want. gas-x helps with the gasses they pump into you for the surgery. Walking helps a lot with that, too, but using gas-x could speed it along. I only think I'll need/use it for the first few post op days, I'm not expecting to need it forever (like how I'll need vitamins). In addition to the Multivitamin, b12 and calcium, you might want to get some chewable Fiber supplements and Biotin. Biotin will help your hair from thinning out as you're losing weight. For at home, I stocked up on gauze, bandages and some hydrogen peroxide because I didn't have much of that already. And I got some Milk of Magnesia, Liquid Imodium and extra strength Tums, simply because I'd rather have it and not need it than need it and have to go out and get it. On my list when I hit the store next week are just some convenience items. Cottonelle wipes (because it might be a little uncomfortable to wipe, so might as well get something that will clean up more effectively), spray on body lotion (because bending/stretching will be hard at first and my skin itches without lotion), and some disposable spoons and cups so I won't have a whole lot of dishes to do. I live alone, so I'm trying to think of anything that will make my life easier because it's gonna be JUST ME getting me through this.

Then maybe I will get one. I do have several people lined up to come by and help me with stuff, so I might not end up needing it. If that's the case, I suppose I could just take it back if I never use it! I do remember having issues bending over for a long while after my gall bladder surgery. It was the last post op pain to leave me... I felt great about 4-5 days after that surgery, but bending was still tender for over a month. Guess it would be better to spend $20 on a grabber than spend a month in agony every time I drop something...

Working out in the new bathing suit - LOVE IT!! Congrats on the NSV. It couldn't have happened at a better time than right after an intense cake craving! Good for you!

***adds face wipes to my hospital bag list*** Thank you TES! I'm taking listerine strips and biotene mouth spray with me, because I hate having funky mouth taste. Taking my toothbrush and toothpaste as well, obviously, but I'm a habitual gum chewer now so I always want that extra freshness and I know I can't have gum after surgery. I have some gas-x strips because I've seen them recommended a million times on these boards. But I also like peppermint tea, I've been using it for years to alleviate mild gas and to help with bloating from my period, so I think it'll be useful post-op as well. Plus, it's very crisp and refreshing, which will help with my aforementioned disdain for mouth funk. And for at home, make sure you have slip on slippers and/or shoes. Bending down won't be pleasant for a while. I'm grateful to be having this in May because HOPEFULLY it will be nice out (although Chicago's weather has been crap lately) so I can go without socks and wear my slip on flats to work. I'm thisclose to getting one of those grabber things... you know, like people with limited mobility use to pick things up or grab things from far away? I've actually wanted one forever, but thought it really represented the epitome of laziness since I'm not handicapped. But I live alone and I worry about having to bend over and pick stuff up (I'm a klutz, I drop stuff allllll the time). Not sure I'll actually invest in one, though. good luck to you! I'm wishing you a safe and speedy recovery - think only of the big picture. The post op drama will pass soon enough and your new life is about to start!

^^^ what ISleevedIt said! Think of how miserable you'll be if you DON'T do the surgery. Expect the best! Be prepared for the worst! Whatever is gonna happen will happen, so just do all you can to stay positive on your end and focus on your desired end result. I'm getting sleeved May 2nd. We're almost Sleeve Sisters! WE CAN DO THIS! Good luck!!

I had my gall bladder removed 6 years ago. Honestly, it didn't affect me at all. I was able to eat anything I wanted afterward. Some people had issues with fatty foods when it's removed (similar to IBS symptoms) but I never had that reaction. Some people also get "phantom pains" where they feel like they are having a gall bladder attack after it's been removed, but I never had that either. I do believe both of these are rare. Still pre-op for the sleeve, but I do know that the incision sites will be the same for gb. Probably similar as far as pain/recovery as well (at least that's what I'm hoping for, cuz that surgery wasn't a big deal for me). You do form stones when you lose weight rapidly, but they can also form from a bad diet. The bad diet is what caused mine, hence here I am 6 years later getting a sleeve... You'll feel better when it's out, right away (aside from surgery soreness). Also, there were no diet restrictions when I had mine out, so you should be able to resume your diet, which always makes surgical recovery easier when you can resume your eating habits. It won't be like with the sleeve on the staged diets (unless your surgeon says you need to for some reason, but I don't see why you would). Good luck, I wish you a speedy recovery!

I'm scheduled for May 2nd. I live in Aurora, having my surgery at Rush University in Chicago. I'm sorry you had a break down on surgery day, I've been feeling a little overwhelmed as well as the day is approaching. I'm just trying to remember that yes, these next few weeks/months may be difficult at times, but I WILL be okay and I'll get what I wanted from this and I'll have the rest of my life to live. They can definitely give you some Valium in your IV on surgery day, just try to take deep breaths and think of something else until you get it. You can do this!! Good luck!

I'm doing the preop liquid diet and I'm STARVING. All I can do is keep myself busy so my empty tummy isn't screaming at me. I'm already so over these shakes... it's starting to be a real struggle, and I still have 11 days of preop diet left, then all the post op stages until I can just eat something. I wish i could just feel satisfied with shakes. Sorry you're dealing with that post op. Hopefully it's just head hunger and it will pass soon!

There's lots of times I get recognized and wish I wasn't, so I'm kinda looking forward to have a skinny "disguise" someday. That's awesome! Good luck with your marathon!

That's awesome!!! I'm pre-op, but I'm celebrating 50 lbs gone today! YAY for us!

Thanks Amanda! I really need to take some "before" pics already. Because I didn't take any when I started and I WISH I could look at the difference already. Maybe I'll get someone to take some for me today. I have a goal to get below 400 before surgery. I have 12 days and 10lbs to go, I THINK I might be able to do it. I just remember when I started and I was reading how some surgeons require you to lose weight and I thought "BUT I CAN'T!". Ironically, my surgeon didn't ask me to lose weight, but I lost a bunch anyway. Funny how it works out sometimes. I'll definitely be on this site to post updates. I love this board!! Awesome support. Thank you!

That's awesome! I had a NSV just last week. We got a LOT of rain it the Chicago area all last week. At work, I park in a garage and have to walk across the street to get inside the building. One morning was downpouring really badly and I didn't have an umbrella, just a sweatshirt with a hood. I opened the door out of the parking garage and sprinted across the street to avoid getting soaked. Now, I haven't RUN to ANYTHING in years. I didn't even think about it, tho. I just ran to avoid the rain. And as soon as I got in the building and realized I had done it, I also realized I wasn't panting out of breath. It wasn't a long run or anything, but a year ago just WALKING QUICKLY when I was a little late to work could wind me. But I had just ran as fast as I could and wasn't affected at all. Not a huge NSV maybe, but it was something that caught me off guard. I'm by NO means 'in shape'. But I think it might be my body's way of letting me know it likes that I'm getting lighter.

AWESOME job! You look great!

thank you!