Valentina

Dulcolax softener. I'm sorry--I should have told you that. It really has helped throughout the years.

I simply take a Dulcolax every night. I have been taking it since my knee replacement 5 1/2 years ago. Life is much more "smooth" since doing so.

I was a canine behaviorist for years and have seen the outstanding differences that dogs can make in our lives. You will NEVER find a partner more loyal than a dog. I'd be absolutely alone and lost without Gucci.

Take some time, sit on the shore of the Raritan Bay and look upon the sunrise. It doesn't get more inspirational than that. Doing so has always rejuvenated my spirit. I'm sorry your are going through such turmoil in your life right now. I know, for myself--I'd rather be "from a bad relationship and be in one". You are now on the path to a healthier life and a clean slate in life. Erase and wash the old slate and prepare for a new and exciting path. You're heading in the right direction! Keep posting . Let us know how you're doing. I, for one, REALLY care. I'm here and I'm listening. I hope that helps. Feel better, Friend. Happiness will find you. I promise.

Now, I simply answer people's questions---upfront, honestly and to the point. That way everyone gets the same answers. I'm too old to have to remember what I told to whom. It's an individual situation. You have to decide for yourself what you will look back on in the near and distant future. Just one question: Once you are a NP, what are you going to tell your patients about WLS? Do you have any concerns within that realm?

What do you do with an elephant with three balls? You walk him and pitch to the zebra!

Yep, just me and Gucci (my Chinese crested). He's terrified of fireworks, so we will stay close to home. He and I will go walking along the old RR tracks and take a picnic with us. Then it will be home to watch the Yankees. Gucci is a loyal fan!

Patience, Grasshopper. Patience. And , in my opinion-- (getting spiritual back at ya! ), God works in mysterious ways, but always in the RIGHT way. Let us know WHEN your approval comes through.

Welcome to BP, Friend. You should like it here. Look around, check us out. Comment, rant, agree, or disagree. Voice your opinion and your experience. We're here to support, to hopefully help and to just plain listen. Hope we hear a lot from you as you begin your WLS journey. I hope it will be a joyful one! Welcome---from a fellow New Yorker.

Ha! Yes, Synvisc is made from *****' combs!!! OMG! Male chicken (a cock) was bleeped out. Now I know how the Smuther Brothers felt.--yes! I'm old! My question still is, "Who is the genius who thought to cut off a cock's comb and use it to relieve knee pain"? And yes, it is ONLY used for KNEES. And then: Who was the first patient who allowed some MD to inject their knee with "*****' combs"? Hmmmm??? something to ponder...

Welcome to "hot flashes", girls. --or as they used to be called wwwaaaaayyyy back in the day---"hot flushes". In my opinion: Your hot cheeks are probably contributed to the hormonal flush most people get after WLS. If you're not old enough to have experienced menopause yet, you now have a "preview" of things to come. All of the above is, again, only my opinion. If you are really concerned about it, please call your bariatric team. They will be able to guide/ assure you. Good luck and please post back and let us know what your "hot cheeks" are all about.

My surgeon fixed my hiatal hernia when he performed my sleeve surgery --AND THEN billed my insurance for the repair. It is medically necessary, so I'm not understanding why your ins. company would say otherwise. In the long run, it's cheaper for them to combine the two surgeries than to have two separate ones. I just don't understand. Good luck and post to let us know the outcome. fingers crossed for you, friend.

Just breathe, my friend. Just breathe. Take care of yourself, your children and your husband. Hold them close and tell them that you love them everyday. All will work out. You know it. You just need to remind yourself of it now, more than ever. You have each other. Everything else will fall into place. I promise.

I had my surgery in the AM. I had my "leak test" in the afternoon. I went home that evening. So sorry to hear about your girlfriend's turmoil. I am rooting for her. She's luck to have you by her side. That's the way to "Stand Tall" and be her Hero. Good job, young man.

Four months from first consultation to surgery. One visit with the Nut. monthly----I think I only needed three visits. I had to weigh less at the end of the four months than I did when I started. Mental eval Cardiology eval Pulmonology eval labwork Endoscopy X-rays Informational seminar two support group meetings. I think that was it. Everything was covered by Affinity. I hope it will be the same for you. Good luck!

There's a lot to be said about, "Happy wife-----Happy life". Just a thought.

I had Affinity insurance way back --5yrs----when I had my WLS. Keep in mind that was before all of the health insurance changes through Obama Care. Anyway, Affinity paid for my WLS--totally. I had no copay, no nothing out of pocket. Good luck. Post and let us know how you make out.

Sooo sorry that you are having to go through all of this turmoil. I have not judgments, no idea what's right or wrong for you. Just keep your children close, tell them that you love them everyday--and this mess is NOT their fault. Children have a way of finding a way to blame themselves for anything that goes wrong within their family. Guard your heart. Think with your brain. I will keep you in my prayers. Please keep updating us on how you and your children are doing.

what are friends ---

OK, so I turned 63yrs last Valentine's Day and am having skin surgery . Old bitty, right? I've already had my initial consultation and have been approved by my insurance company. My bariatric surgeon, plastic surgeon AND orthopod all sent in statements stating that, in their opinion I need to have my excess skin removed to help stabilize my spine which has been reconstructed . AND as long as "plastics" is down in the area, I'm having my lady bits made "pirdy" and my thighs lifted off of my ankles--- . the insurance approved all of it. I don't think that age should be a deciding factor. If one needs the surgery to improve their ADL---activities of daily living, then the surgery should be done. I truly believe that in the future skin surgery will be a routine follow up procedure for WLS and will be paid for by the same insurance company automatically. It only makes sense. To the OP: It's really too bad that you are no long associating with that "nice man" who had such positive advice for you. Why? Because if you were you could serve him "back fat" and eggs for Breakfast after your surgery. No hinting about where the "back fat" came from. And always remember: I still have a flashlight and a shovel!

Did your orthopod happened to tell you what "synvisc" is made from? Ask him/her next time you have an app'tment. My question is who ever thought of such a thing?? I had synvisc injections and yes my L knee was a great deal better for a few months. Then I had cortisone injections that helped for about one month. PT made my knee worse. Sooo, at 55yr I had a total L knee replacement. Is it a tough surgery? Sure is! Does the recovery take time and a great deal of dedication and determination? Sure does! BUT, I have been knee pain free for 8yrs now. I don't regret having that painful, nightmare of a knee replaced for one second. Some one mentioned having an orthopod who specialized in sports' medicine--subspecialty in Knees. YES! YES! and again YES! I couldn't agree more. My orthopedic surgeon is on the orthopedic surgical team (knees only) for the NY Jets. Though I question is choice in Football teams, I don't doubt his skill with knees. Knee surgery is noted to be the most painful surgery to recover from, but given the choice of suffering with a wasted knee for years or having it replaced, I wouldn't hesitate for a second to opt for a complete replacement. Best wished for whatever option you choose. Feel better.

I never put it to the test. We only have one movie theater here in the Mts, so I just went to the office and asked prior to going to the movies the next weekend. I explained that I could not eat anything solid and asked if I could bring in my own snack. They had absolutely NO problem . The most they can say is, "no". If they do----then you can sneak something.

I used to take a SF pudding/jello and a berry Protein Water. Enjoy the show!

I add a drop of vanilla and a drop of red raspberry extract to the 100% Peanut Butter powder. --add a wee bit of Water and I have a PB+J --just no bread. I have that a couple times a week on a small apple as my afternoon snack, or I lick if off of a baby spoon for my bedtime treat. Yummy! Thank you for the suggesting other varieties.