New start

I am interested in your reply as I know my surgeon refused to sleeve anyone who smoked- he made it a non- negociable pre requirement. Yours didn't? How about others? quote name='Raine' timestamp='1313538295' post='195185'] When I tried to quit smoking I gained 8lbs! I am down all 8 now and weigh in on Thursday, I "feel" I should be down another 3 by then.

Hi, Steve! Wow! I just had may surgery Thursday, and it is Monday AM and I am no where near ready to go back to work as a nurse. I will have my JP drain in until at least tomorrow, but he said it could be a week. I am doing a pretty good job of getting my fluids in, but I can only tolerate about 1 1/2 shakes a day- that's only about 200 calories- that doesn't give me much stamina. I did not have any complications, and I am mostly pain free- just a little soreness. I have done alot of walking since my sleeve as it really helps to get the air/ gas out that they insert during the procedure. You want to set yourself up for success- can you get any more time off? Does that help any? Rebecca ( I had to laugh about the purse trick- I lost 40# pre-op and I had no need for them to add any to my scale!) quote name='firefighter2621' timestamp='1318829016' post='219398'] It just hit me that my life as I know it will be changed completly Thursday morning. I work nights here at my job and just realized that I only have to go to sleep 3 more times before my surgery. The only part of the operation that I am worried about is when they examine my liver to make sure it is ok. I started my 2-week pre-op diet last monday afternoon. By the time Thursday gets here I will have been on it for 10 days. I have completely eliminated all sugars and carbs from my eating habits. I only eat Protein. On a daily basis I have no more that 10 carbs. I go tomorrow afternoon for a pre-op consult with my doctor. I'm guessing I will sign documenation for the operation and have all blood work, xrays and EKG's done. To those who read this and have already had the operation what was your recovery time like? Like I said I am having the surgery on Thursday and returning to work the following Wednesday. Is it better to try to move around as much as possible to avoid becomming stiff and not hurting as much? The only part I am worried about with returning to work is the fact that I am a machinist and I work right next to a 1700 degree furnace. I will have to make sure I have my Water with me at all times to avoid dehydration. Also to everyone reading this, was there ever a time where you almost changed your mind because either you saw you were losing weight or because people told you that you didnt look to overweight and should just do a strict diet? At my first doctor appointment I weighed in at 216LBS. My BMI was 39.5, I'm 5'3" tall. The nurse actually put my wifes purse on the scale with me to put me over the 40 BMI requirement the insurance was asking for. Since I started the pre-op diet I have lost close to 10 pounds. I know that I could lose the weight without the surgery but I would have a hard time keeping it off. Thanks for reading and I look forward to your responses. Steve

I just had my final pre-op at the hospital for my procedure 10-13-11. Biggest fear? That I won't be compliant and mess it up!

My surgery date is 10-13 so I know alot of what you are feeling! We will get through this together and be so glad we did. Just focus on the reasons you NEED (not want) to do this, and spend some time making a list. It will help with the pre-op nerves and be fun to look at afterward as you get to say "yup, did that, met that one", etc.

My thoughts and prayers are with you from another October '11 sleever!!! Rebecca

How wonderful to "meet" you as a fellow sisiter in the Lord, and an RN. I have just started my journey as my surg date is 10-13-11, so your success is a true inspiration! I started my relationship with Christ over 30 yrs ago, and it truely has been the most wonderful joy I could imagine this side of eternity!

Hey, welcome aboard! I am new too, as my surgery is in 2 weeks, though I started this journey 11 months ago. As our nurse navigator said at our support group last night, enjoy the journey, as it is a once in a lifetime life changing experience. Savor the process, not just the destination!

So I am one step closer to the 13th!!! I was very surprised my Dr did not require a 2 week pre-op fast, only clears the day before. He said the pre-op 10 % wt loss requirement was enough. Also he does not require post-op B12. Does this sound strange to anyone? One last question. With the restricted volume and high Protein, is anyone eles having trouble getting in enough potassium? I saw a post about using Powerade zero which I have tried, but I retained so much Water fronm the sodium. What am I doing wrong?

Hey, guys!! OH, I am learning so much!! I did want to ask though if and how you all track your intake. Is there a website that is particularly user friendly, or are you doing it manually? I am 2.5 weeks pre-op and have lost about 30 lbs so far, but I have not recorded my daily intake anywhere, and am kinda convicted that I should do so, so if I hit a stall, I can see what is going on. Does everyone do this, or am I just obsessing? I don't have any of the latest igadgets, just my laptop and a basic phone with no "apps" Thanks for your help in advance. To success!!

IYou sound like you are exactly where I am- back and forth between excited and nervous, and I am quessing it is all pretty normal. I too am taking 2 weeks from work, but I am a little worried that it might not be enough. I just took a promotion amidst alot of shake-up in our organization and I really don't think I can be away much longer. I will make the 2 weeks count! Rebecca

That sounds just right. I am a pre-oper, so could you share a typical day of intake? I am still trying to figure out what this looks like. Thanks!

Hey, girl, Welcome aboard!! I'm a newbie, too and my sch'd date is 10-13-11, so we are in the same place. I have been hanging around this site alot lately, and I have been learning so much! It is alot of really encouraging and knowlegable folks who like to help others. Pretty cool, huh? Where are you having your procedure? I live in New Hampshire, about an hour north of Boston. There is a group of Oct 2011 sleevers coming together- it will be fun to take the journey together.

Thank you for the tips- I wull try thoses websites, but I may just end up with the old notebook- thanks for the "permission". Whatever works, right? I need to look at it as rewarding to keep track, not a chore.

You are right- it is truely beautiful here. Portsmouth is the seacoast, about 50 miles north of Boston. So, Are you ready?

Hey! I am sch'd for 10-13-11 in Portsmouth NH. I have one more meeting with pre-op, a GB ultrasound, and I am there! Where are you? New Start

Hey, girl!! I am being sleeved Oct 13, 2011 in Portsmouth NH- less than an hour from you! I feel like I am on a rollercoaster ride, and right now I am strapped in, and on the first incline. Click..click..click..click. I am nervous about getting through the first week or so, but NO doubts about this being the right choice for me. I am so grateful I have a supportive family and co-workers. How about you? New Start

Very interesting perspective! It had not thought about NUT this way, but I believe you are right!

This is the stuff that gives the rest of us HOPE! Thanks for sharing.

I will pray for you and your marriage. It sounds like you have a great foundation, and that you do have the tools to work through this together. What would you be feeling if he came to you one day and told you he wanted to make a major change in his life, that it would mean giving up alot of things you both have a habit of enjoying together, and it was a tremendous journey he was going to take alone, with or without your support. Now ask him to put himself in your shoes. Every time you look at those 2 wonderful kids, you wonder if you will be around to watch them grow up if you don't change. I bet you have alot more common ground than it seems like right now. I have been married for 30 yrs, and my husband has been supportive of me on the journey because he says he wants the chance to grow old with me.

I am a nurse in a family practice office, and all of our providers use them interchangably. Biggest factor is the price as they can be expensive, but Omeprazole can be obtained over the counter and the others can not. The OTC version is only 20 mg and the Rx one is 40 mg- you may just need 2, which may be cost prohibitive. Right now the Dexilant and the Aciphex are the only ones being sampled to your dr's office for free from the pharm reps, but don't be shy about asking for them. Also, I will mention here that I do alot of prior auth's as a part of my job- I may be able to help in that area if anyone has questions for an "insider"

Just drink your shake, and if anyone has anything to say, just tell them you are trying to loose some weight. Most people will just move on!