KeepPullinThatRipCord

6 weeks, went on short-term disability. Got paid from day one. Benefits have their benefit.

Wow...Oh my head. Anyways, I use a small blender made by Oster. It uses a "bottle" that you screw the blades into the top, invert it onto the blender motor and twist. The thing blends great. When done blending, turn it back over and remove the blades and screw on the sip lid. I picked up a couple of extra bottles so I can rotate them out through the dishwasher. This thing crushes ice, mashes bananas and has no problems with shakes. I got it at Wal-Mart and have had not a bit of problem with it. I guess it is similar to the "Bullet". The Blender Bottle is the best thing made. Again Wal-Mart has the best price for the bigger 20 oz bottle. I have 3, again helps with the dishwasher thingy. Always have one glued to my hand. Just be careful if you use it with hot liquids. The pressure will pop the topper.

Keep up the good work. Take the water bottle with you on your walk. Pick out landmarks or points of interests to stop at and take your sips.That will help you make the sipping more habit than a job. It will get easier. I work out 1 1/2 hours a day at a gym and have no problem putting away 2 one liter bottles worth of water in that time. I'm 7 months post-op.

First, You'll be asleep when it's placed. Kind of a "what you don't know won't hurt you" thingy. Then, You'll have your "yellow purse" with you for a day or two. I actually thought it was a cool item. I even asked how to use it. Thinking when you felt like you needed to "go" you released into the bag. Nope, it constantly drains on it's own. (isn't gravity great?) I was thinking this would be so nice for watching the Super Bowl. Any-a-who...within 24 hours of surgery it was removed. Being a guy and having female nurses was supposed to make it an uncomfortable thing when it was time for removal. Nope again, a deep breath...hold...push and it was out. Buck up and realize it's an everyday item for the professional nursing staff that will be there for all your needs.

Also I believe the reason for the NO liquids at meals (before/after) is so that you don't "wash" the nutrients out and secondly you have room to except the food that you need.

It'll take a while but after 6 months post-op, I can down two 1 liter bottles worth of water in an hour and a half gym workout without hesitation. One during a 45 minute run on the treadmill and then refill it before hitting the floor for the weights portion of the workout. Definiately think about refraining from the mixing food and drink. It is a weird feeling when it gets "tangled". You just want someone to "burp" you it's that painful. I use my blender bottle all the time. It looks like it's surgically attached to my hand I have it with me always. It's 20 ounces and when the protein is emptied into me, a quick rinse and then 20 ounces of Crystal Light takes it's place. 64 ounces is pretty freakin' easy. Good luck and keep on keeping on.

I used BC/BS of South Carolina (employer offered insurance) Did not have to do a supervised weight loss, had a 40+ bmi with 3 co-morbities ( High BP, Cholesterol,sleep Apnea) The Doctor's office folk did all the heavy lifting. Attended the Obesity Center's initial seminar in March 2011 and was all done with the surgery on May 24th 2011. Pretty easy. Down to 230lbs. today from a weight of 325 the day of the surgery. No longer on BP meds (96/65 last check),107 total cholesterol and the mask is gone. Good luck to you.