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I meant to also add I don't live in TX.

I am, but I am self-pay with Dr. Nick. I assume you are at Forest Park?

I got the call from Forest Park with some basic details but I won't know what time to report until I see Dr. Nick tomorrow. So exciting! I would be so happy if I had to report at 3:30 am--that means you are one of the first in line for surgery with your doc that day! I have a feeling I will be at the end of the day...

I've noticed it in the last few months. It reminds me of the pregnancy boards I read while pregnant--seems hormonal. I backed off of the VST for a few weeks, but when I recently came back, it seemed better. I know what you mean though.

Hi January Sleevers. Are any of you scheduled for the 8th like me? I am getting really nervous! I've lost 10 lbs on my pre-op diet and feel pretty good. I just cannot believe this is about to happen. I would love to talk to some others who are going to the loser's bench on Tuesday! Shannon

Did you have a scopolamine patch for surgery? Did it help with nausea? I'm worried about post surgery vomiting. I have vomited after other surgery but I never had the patch.

Hi there. I know that dark feeling in having a blood clot. A pulmonary embolism is even worse. I had a blood clot in my calf in June. I had just gone off the birth control pill and was on a 7-hour car trip, although we did stop every 2 hours. Oh yeah, and I was fat and have hypertension, which is a risk factor too. So don't beat yourself up by having the surgery and risking your life. You could have developed the PE even without the surgery, in the future. Hang in there. It gets better, I promise. I am so happy they caught it and you are getting treatment! It is a deadly problem, but you are getting the care you need. I am pre-op, and my doctor does not plan to send me home with Louvenox shots. After reading your post, I have decided to insist on the Louvenox. I did them for 2 weeks after my clot, and it stunk, but I knew it was a safety measure until my INR was stablilized. Good luck!

Congrats!!! I am happy to hear this.

I don't know the answer but I will miss salads for the time we can't have them! I will also miss garbanzo beans, kidney beans, pickles, and broccoli. I am on the pre-op diet, and these are the foods I am dreaming about which is strange because they are not what made me fat. I will be following this thread.

You will do great! I am praying too, and I will be sure to keep you in my prayers as well. Shannon

I'm still a few weeks out, but I will be extremely nervous when I kiss my kids goodbye to travel to Texas for surgery. My only two fears are leaving my kids without a mom or bankrupting my family due to a leak that is not covered by Tricare, because I am self-pay.

Thanks Alex. I wasn't giving it enough time to auto fill because I didn't realize it would do that. Thanks very much!

Hi there. I am not able to add my surgeon on my profile. The option to do it gives me a box. I type his name in and save, but it doesn't work. Any suggestions? Also, I have two "likes" on my profile. It is shown on a green bar on the top right side of the profile. What is this, and how to I see who has "liked" me? Thanks, Shannon

I'm scheduled for January 8th and started my pre-op diet on Dec 26. It's not as bad as I thought it would be. My doc allows 3 shakes and 2 high protein bars and a 5 oz protein dinner with two cups of non-starch veggies. The protein really suppresses the appetite, but of course I have some head hunger. Head hunger is much easier for me to deal with when my physical hunger is under control (this is why I loved the HCG diet). I have also been sipping on chicken broth in between for something savory, which is only 20 calories in a can. How is everyone else doing on the POD? Shannon

Hi sleevers. I'm pre-op and looking for opinions/reviews of unflavored Syntrax nectar. I can't find any previous posts on the unflavored. Thanks! Shannon

I am so sorry this has happened, Lissa! How scary. Please keep us updated on your progress. You have been such an inspiration on this board. I will keep you in my prayers.

I hope you feel better soon! My 4-yr-old daughter has it. She was full term but was so fussy her first year that I'm not sure how I survived it. We too were told it was reflux, but she had the test last year and has full blown gastroparesis. I look back on her infancy and feel so guilty. I wish you all the best.

Hello. I am pre-op and have been reading a lot about post-op nausea. It reminds me of the severe morning sickness I had in pregnancy. I used to sip non-diet coke which stopped the morning sickness. This is obviously a no-no after surgery, and post-op nausea is different than morning sickness of course. I am wondering if any post-op'ers use juice to stop the nausea. Has it worked for anyone? I hate being nauseated and am predicting juice might help for me if I have this problem. I would think this would only be smart for the first few weeks in trying to stay hydrated. After that, it is too carb-y to keep on the menu. Shan

I was just going to post about this. I am pre-op so I don't have any input. I am wondering, for those who have had a leak, was it discovered in the hospital? Did you have a leak test during surgery, or right after, or not at all? I would think there are leaks discovered right away due to surgeon error and those that develop later due to unknown causes, such as trauma to the area. I hope OP doesn't mind me piggybacking on the topic. Shan

Hi Happydaisy. Congrats on your surgery. I am sure I will feel the same way you do after surgery. I will try to remember all those *&^(%$ days of dieting where I sat and watched my family eat like normal people while I ate "diet" food and had to battle my hunger demon. Sipping chicken broth for almost guaranteed results sounds a lot better. I am going to remember to surf the boards after surgery for the same reminder you describe. Good luck and congrats!

January 8th!!!

Congrats! You look beautiful.

Hi there. I plan on having surgery next year with Dr. Nick. I'm self-pay and flying in to Dallas from out of town. Can anyone answer the following questions: 1. Do you get a leak test after surgery? What other post-op tests do you get? 2. Can your attendant stay in your room with you while you are at hospital? 3. How far is the Hyatt Place hotel from Forest Park? 4. What pre-op tests do you do on Monday before surgery? 5. Is there a psych test? 6. Did you have any complications? 7. Did you have a good experience with this surgeon? Thanks for any info you can throw my way! S

Hello. I am pre-op and will be a self-pay patient at a Center of Excellence in the U.S. Both of my medical insurance plans (Tricare and the VA) do not cover medical care if I have complications. I am very concerned about this. If I am one of unfortunate souls who ends up with a leak, I will have to foot the bill for the hospital stay. This would put me into bankruptcy I would think. I have tried Blis insurance, but my surgeon (and my second and third choices) are not on the list. I have also tried seven corners and peterson insurance, but they are only for out of country (like MX). Does anyone have any suggestions about where to find coverage for complications for a US-based surgery? I've read the other posts on VST and tried all the suggestions. Thanks, Shan.

Hi there. Did anyone on the board get a hospital stay included with their US surgeon in a self pay situation? If so, could you post the surgeon's name and the amount you paid? Thanks very much for your input and suggestions.