imgonnaloseit!

So sorry that your separation had to happen now,... of all the times, right? But that may be part of it, since this can be a very stressful time for the whole family. I am having surgery on Monday, Oct 1. I am single, never married and no kids. I do have a sister that will be dropping me off before she goes to work. She will also be taking me home when I am released and staying with me. She has offered to stay for 2 weeks. I'm hoping to be able to send her home after the 3rd day! I think if you shop for what you may need (food, drink and drugs) beforehand that you will do fine. We can help you out emotionally here but we we can't help you to the bathroom! Since you are an RN, maybe some of the other nurses from work could stop by, perhaps your daughters will stop in to help out and hopefully your estranged wife will, as well. Good luck, chad. Stay positive about your surgery and the rest will work out the way it was meant to.

Two weeks ago I was you.. well, not really, I was me but with a similar dilemma. Bypass vs. sleeve. I just could not make up my mind. As soon as I thought I knew, I would talk to someone or read something and change my mind again. Just so you know I had been thinking about WLS for several years. I know 6 people who have bypass, 1 had DS and 2 have lap-bands (3 of these people are blood-related). So I am fortunate that I could go to all of these people and pick their brains. While I was researching the bypass, I read about the sleeve. Well, I don't know anyone personally who had the sleeve done. Back to my dilemma,... the more I researched the sleeve and the more I asked questions, the more I knew, just knew that this was for me. But it wasn't until after my 2nd visit with the surgeon on Sept 12th that I had made my final decision. So I agree with AStephenson, take your time, do a lot of reading, learn as much as you can, make a list of pros and cons for each. If you need to delay the surgery, delay it. Be at peace with your decision before you go into the OR. Good luck whichever way you decide.

Is he taking vacation days or unpaid days? If vacation no explanation needed. If unpaid, no details needed. Just that you are having surgery and he would like those days off.

I had the same problem using the browser Internet Explorer. Read about some others on here that didn't have the problem they were using other browsers.... Foxfire and/or Chrome. I downloaded Foxfire (it's free) and an Add-on they have called "ad-block Plus" and use that now for this site and man is it FAST! Here is the link for Foxfire: http://www.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/fx/ You will have to determine if you want it for a PC or a phone then download the appropriate software. But it is a browser that has been around for decades and totally safe. Don't forget to download the "Ad-block Plus" (it blocks the ads). The Chrome browser by google -- you can go to there site and get it, although I have no experience with it, I 'm sure it is fine.

Good for you, Lloyd! Glad all went well and you can relax now...enjoy the ride, it's just starting.

Fantastic! You will be recovered and able to enjoy your family during the holidays. Super!

If you have the unjury brand unflavored Protein it can be mixed with just about anything including Water. Can go in Soup, hot or cold tea, etc. No graininess, no taste change, maybe a little bit of color change, though. I have not had surgery yet but know so many who have had the bypass that I am expecting to struggle to get it all in whether it be water or protein. The numbers you hear (64 oz of water and 64-84 g of protein per day) are down the road goals. They are not expected right after surgery. Do the best you can with both. You don't want to get dehydrated. Good luck!

I agree with you, Iz, I believe insurance companies should have more things covered that are preventative. As part of the this process for WLS I had to quit smoking after 43 years and chose to use a drug called Chantix as a tool to help me. This drug cost $219 dollars for a 28 day supply. I had to get the refill because although I did quit smoking in the first month, I felt that I was still subject to skitzing out from wanting a cigarette. My insurance didn't Chantix!! Really? I told them I thought it was smarter for them to cover the cost of a drug like that for even 6 months than to pay for the illnesses/diseases/prescriptions smoking causes. But, hey, I was talking to a guy in Customer Service.... what was he supposed to say to me... you're right and I'll bring it up at the next director's meeting? So, no, I don't get that insurance companies will not cover WLS.

reading your suggestion, cd, about the Protein in the drink made me think -- it sort of sounded familiar. So I went and got my notes and that is what the nutritionist had said. Either a Protein shake or SF Carnation Instant Breakfast with some Protein Powder in it. Either way, guess I missed some protein on Monday since I only had the SF CIB. Last night had fish for dinner with broccoli. Tonight had shrimp with fresh green Beans.

Oh, man, Barbi... I feel for you, girl. What a conumdrum! I would try the insurance coordinator one more time, as well as the bariatric surgery coordinator. If I didn't get to talk to either of them, I would be heading there in person first chance I had and not leave the office until something was accomplished. No yelling, no cursing, just asking who and why until it's done. Maybe threatening to change to a new surgeon might help. Heck there has got to be quite a few very good surgeons in the DC area. Hope it gets resolved for you sooner than later.

I'm Oct 1, as well, cdscott. My doc didn't give me a pre-op diet. The nutritionist I had an appointment with suggested to drink SF Carnation Instant Breakfast for breakfast & lunch and eat a sensible dinner (low fat, low carb, etc.) What does your pre-op consist of -- all liquids or what? As far as the loose skin - heck you are only 23 yrs old -- you should be fine. I was at that age when I lost, uh,... gosh it was a lifetime ago, ... I really don't remember how much it was . you'll be fine youngun'.

Good luck Miss Katie. I'll say a prayer for you now, too, if that is okay.

Wow! You look amazing! I surely hope that I am as successful. Do you have any words of wisdom for us newbies?

Friends for so many years then the relationship lasting for 3 -- sounds great! Seems to me there's only one thing to top the house when you do hit goal... elope

Good luck and God's speed to you. If all goes well between the drugs, visitors and walking around the hospital, you will be home before you crack open that netbook....

Way to go! Not sure that you will top the house thing when you hit goal. Unless, of course, you are single and gonna have a life partner move in the new house.

Fantastic! Sounds like you are feeling great, too. Whoo-hoo!

CoolBreeze, why the "I know, I know" about the baby peas? Are we not supposed to eat peas? Also, I am single and I noticed that you are too. How do you plan meals for just yourself. The turkey chli that you made, how many meals was that for you? Do you end up freezing portions a lot of the time? Also, someone in a local support meeting told me that food has to be eaten in 2 days. She had the RNY, but said that due to the size of the stomach that bacteria (food poisoning) is tougher to fight off if food is older than 2 days. Does anyone know if this is true for sleevers, as well? I am so afraid that I will be throwing food away left and right.

Yowza!! 50 pounds down... that's awesome! That's about 72% towards your goal. You really can't be disappointed with those numbers, can you? But if you are really frustrated with those last few pounds, go back to basics would be my suggestion. Still keeping a food journal? Getting all your protien and Water in? Maybe change up your exercising a bit. But, I say you are doing great. Don't compare yourself with others, don't get discouraged, the stall will pick up again. Good luck

October 1 in the Lehigh Valley area in eastern PA.

I am thrilled for you, Kathy! That is fantastic! Keep workin' it, girl!

all of his posts on Sept 1 give sort of a disclaimer that he is not giving advice. an older post (end of august) says something to the effect "don't worry I am NEVER giving advice out again on this site" put his name in the search box (upper right-hand corner of page-- in title bar) and click the drop-down menu; select "forums" -- all the titles with his posts will come up (unless admin. deleted some of his posts for offensive reasons).

Don't fret about loose skin. You are still young and your skin still has quite a bit of elasticity left to it. Do exercises specific to those trouble areas and you will be fine -- you will love the way you look as compared to before. As for what others think about your skin later on..., your new found confidence with the new contours should bring out the best of who you are. This "new you" will attract the right person and as long as you keep your clothes on by the time you are intimate and take them off he won't care about a little excess skin because he will already be in love with you! :wub: Good luck and enjoy the journey -- besides worrying and stressing cause lines and wrinkles!

Well, I no sooner finally decided to get the sleeve (vs the bypass) and BAM! I've got a surgery date less than a month away... Oct 1st! Insurance approved yesterday so I really am good to go! Good Luck to everyone that is scheduled for October. We will pick the brains of those before us , encourage/comfort each other as we start our journeys and give back by mentoring those that follow the same path at a later time .