Darkkyss

average is about 45 minute to 1 hour surgery, I had my gallbladder taken out also and it was close to 2 hours

It depends on your Dr. if you go to my gallery and look at my paperwork I scanned this is from my Dr. on what you can eat and when. Scrambled eggs I would say no not yet.......

(insurance wanted this) I had to ask my primary Dr. to refer me to the Bariatric Dr. and sent a report about my HBP and health issues. I have not taken 1 pill for HBP since surgery!!!!! and its normal now!

Sounds like your Dr. is "out of network" so yes sounds normal. Hospital called me and told me mine would be close to $4000.00 but I corrected her and informed her I had called my insurance and since my Dr. was "in network" I had NO out of pocket expense. She argued with me but I had her call the insurance company and she called me back and said Sorry she was wrong. So yes they want that amount up front 2 weeks before surgery. If there is any difference they will refund or bill you. My insurance paid for surgery/3 day stay at hospital was over $45,000.00 Call your insurance and ask questions!!!!!!!

3oz of 1 of the following grilled fish, chicken, shrimp, steak. I would do protein shakes 2 a day min.(they really want you to drink 4-6) I would have salad with chicken or shrimp, I would do fish with side salad. I did do salad dressing used low fat and very small amount. Cut out most of your fatty foods, take out food. gave up caffeine, no pop even diet. 8 cups of water a day. You will feel like you are floating in the beginning LOL...... 2 days before surgery liquids(soups, broth, protein drinks, jello, Popsicle) only, 24 hours before surgery only clear liquids (water, broth, Popsicle, jello)

Jess, sorry I did not read the starting post, only your last post! Keep your chin up!

Jessharris, OMG me too, I am up 2lbs and should be starting in a week... Been kind of bummed the last couple days!

My step dad had the excess skin paid for, but he had to document for 1 year of the issues. redness, rash in the folds and stuff.

I took 3 weeks off, I had my gallbladder out at the same time. I might of been able to work part of last week. Thursday and Friday I was wanting to do deep cleaning in my home but knowning I am still on lifting restrictions so I couldn't. I think it was good I was home, getting used to the food changes have been hard at work. I am on the phone a lot. so I have to make the time to go eat every 2 1/2-3 hours and to plan it all out to make sure I always have something to snack on if I start not feeling good. Done good this week. Glad it is a short week.

From what they told me soft foods are most things we eat, (no Steak), but hamburger, chicken.... if you go to my gallery. I scanned what my Dr. put as soft foods and tips and tricks.

Been 2 weeks 5 days since I had surgery. I am down to 230lbs total 33lbs, (12lbs down from day of surgery weight) even though when I left hospital I was up 11lbs, but how do I count re-losing that weight. My mom and I went to the mountains Sat. road was a little bumpy but I did ok. I ended up pretty tired when I got home, and I have taken it easy today. I wished I had a little more energy but I figured it really has not been that long. I think this weekend has been the hardest with the food, I am tired of what I been eating and nothing taste good. But do love sugar free banana flavored Popsicle's, and they only have 2 in a bag of 12..........grrrrrr So my other half wants to go camping one last time next weekend........ I want to go but I am a little worried how I will do with my food. I know home I have food choices I guess I will make sure I have TONS of extra stuff around just to give me choices. I start work back up tomorrow. I have to remind myself to eat. At least it will be a short work week, 3 days and then 4 hours on Friday!! I know this is a short blog this week, but honestly don't have a lot to report. Hope you are enjoying your weekend!

I have attached copies of my paperwork from my Dr. I know everyone does different but here gives you ideas for "full liquids"

Yes common, I was up I think 10lbs, I dont think I even weighed myself the first week. Give it time! easier said then done......... LOL

I was given numbers to call with an concerns 24 hours a day. Did your Dr. give you anything like that?? I would follow up no later then tomorrow. Is your leg swelling at all??

I liked having someone at the hospital, when I came out. They did not stay long that first day to let me rest. 2nd day they were there off and on for the same reason. 3rd day I gotta go home. My other half took a week off to just help around. It was nice because then I did not have to cook or clean LOL......... but really he was a big help. I did have my gallbladder out so I was in a little more pain, it was nice to have him help me in and out of the shower. It is what you think you might need! Dont over do it, I learned the hard way!

I was to pay any co pay 2 weeks prier to surgery, but with my insurance it was 100% covered. I think its weird they would require so much up front and NO refund. I would check into it, also call around see if there is another place. To pay all that out of pocket and then no surgery, that is a ripe off.

umm not sure, I think midol has caffeine in it and I think you are not suppose to have caffeine cant remember why though

I was not planning on doing another blog so soon but my dad stopped by, he seen me right before surgery but he was leaving town! ( I did the don't change your plans I will be fine speech) He stated "wow, I can tell sis" I know that I was down almost 20 lbs before the surgery, but seems these last 10lbs were the ones that you could start to notice more in my face and stomach! Can we say roller coaster day!!!!!!! Today is the first day I felt like I had energy and the day I decide to cry at ever drop??? Go figure LOL My grandma "second mom, best friend" past away in December and I wished she was here to watch this transformation she would be so happy, She never said one unkind word my whole life about my weight, but I know she worried, she herself was over weight and struggled up and down for years. You just wanna kick yourself for not doing earlier. My son I miss so much, I keep telling myself at least he is not in Afgan anymore, which makes me so happy but he is stationed in Germany so far away. Sounds like he might be home in Nov. he is supppose to be stationed in the states by then. What will he say, his momma under 200lbs lol, he has not seen that in years. He sends message almost daily which does help! I get these kind of messages from my wonderful boy "awesome job momma" "way to go" "you can do it" and the usual miss you and love you ...... Got this text yesterday... what you at now ma? I told him I was 233 and I kept waiting for a reply and nothing... I was kind of bummed all the sudden my phone rang and it was HIM!!!! He was happy he decided to call me! really made my day yesterday. 30lbs really?????????? OMG did the lil happy dance, swear my Sissie( my lil d-o-g, that in itself is another story LOL) gave me a you are crazy look. Later in the day she layed in my lap FIRST TIME EVER!!!!!! So a lil about Sissie, she is called a Munchkin she is about 6lbs cutest lil thing you ever seen, was a Christmas present because I was not dealing well with my son being gone. I would cry at least weekly. My other half (Marc) bought her for me. I was able to visit with her for 3 weeks before she was able to come home to us. I even slept with a blanket for a few days then took it over to her so she would sleep with my smell and get used to it(ok I know I am weird but anyone out there with a "child" pet knows what I am saying) She came home on Dec 21st. She was so tiny, her colors have changed completely I will attatch a couple different pictures of her for your viewing. Well lets just saying I would have never said in my life time my Sissie would be a child, I used to tease my mom all the time when she had her dog 13 years and would spoil it so bad! Marc and I joke all the time that Sissie is not a real d-o-g! WOW can you say rambling, My family teases me all the time because we were in the car on a road trip and I was rambling on and all the sudden I said "bird" and pointed....... and then just continued my converstation like it was no big deal. Well now its a standard joke when I start rambling and change the subject with out notice, they will go Bird!!!! Have a great Tuesday, I see light at the end of this big long tunnel!! Here is a few pictures 1st is Sissie Jan 2, she shy 2 days of being 2 months old, the second is my son Ryan, third what Sissie looks like now, cutest lil girl ever!

I hope so, thank you!

It is what you feel comfortable with, speak with your Dr. about both. I wanted Lap band at first but after speaking to my Dr. I realized I wanted more, with the band just from reading here and others I personally do not think the lap band is that great anymore. There is some Dr.'s that do not want to even continue with the lap band. It slips, scar tissue, the weight loss is more like 30% to 40% of your over weightiness (hope that makes since LOL) so say you are 100lbs over weight you will more then likely lose 40 or so lbs might be more might be less. The Sleeve on the other hand is for life! There is no turning back, and if you have to many issues it will turn into a gastro bypass. The plus side, most people lost anywhere from 70 to 80% of there over weightiness or MORE. It is a life style change, it is major surgery I know people say they went back to work in a week but honestly at least take 2 weeks get used to the change in food and body. I did go find the bad side of the sleeve from this site to make sure I knew both sides and there is scary stuff out there but I spoke with my Dr. about all my concerns. Ask questions how many leaks have they had and how many sleeves turned into bypass. Ask people questions on here, you read someone stories send a message ask questions! Good luck on your choice!

Well I feel like it has taken 2 days to get over going to the Dr. Friday. I have truly learned my lesson on making sure I eat enough during the day! I went shopping at walmart today, dang that store is BIG! LOL....... I am trying different protein drinks, everything taste TERRIBLE... I know its just me right now. I spent 14.00 to try this "new" stuff stated taste like watermelon, excited right! I love watermelon flavor..... thinking woohoo 42 grams of protein I can sip on this all day.. OMG is all I can say, 1 sip and I about threw up. So darn sweet ewww, sigh... Trying different pureed foods, boy does it change the taste of the food! I did find clam chowder was ok LOTS of the liquid and little bit of the potato's and clams. cream of wheat is something I can eat but takes me 2 meals per packet. I did buy 1 jar of baby food we will see if I get the nerve to try "herbal chicken and paste stage 3" lol I just want to add, my other half has been so great! I honestly don't think I could have done this without him. I have had some rough days and he has been so awesome on helping out in every way. 234.4lbs

as long as you do clear liquids 24 hours before surgery. I was able to eat some stuff up to 2 days before sugery. They are trying to have you shrink your liver to make surgery easier.

I had my Dr.'s appt. today, which I was very happy when the Dr. said I was down to 237lbs!!!!!!!!!!! so happy, but really sucked was the drive. 2 hours there, 2 hour appt., 2 hour drive back. I stupidly did not bring enough to eat on, and going that long made me almost sick. Lesson learned!! I get to move up from liquids to pureed foods. pretty excited! So I made a short term goal to be under 200 by my next appt. which is in Nov. I am part worred that is a lot to lose in 3 months!! but I think I can!!! LOL Pretty tired so not much to write today!