AStephenson

I'm an equal opportunity alcohol consumer..I plan on switching to wine or liquors, in moderation, of course!

I hear ya there! I'm in Ohio...worried about the trip home too!

I'm scheduled to have surgery in Tijuana on Feb. 18th but with a different surgeon..maybe we will both be staying at the Marriott?

Oh those damn period hormones!! Hang in there girl, you've done so great this far! I am often the most critical of myself and my life when it's "THAT" time of the month! Thank goodness it doesn't last...well, at least not until next month! LOL

I have seen all sorts of diets, I think it depends on your surgeon and what they feel comfortable with. My surgeon requires a two week pre-op diet even, then clear liquids for 3 days prior to surgery. Post op it's clear liquids for 1 week, full liquids for two weeks, mushy/pureed for a week, then "regular" foods.

Hi there..is it on your left side, the largest incision? I've read that that site gets more handling (your stomach remnant comes out of it) and has to be sutured more tightly to prevent a hernia, so it takes longer to heal, and may be more tender. Hang in there..I haven't been sleeved yet but I had twinges and pings for almost two months after my gallbladder surgery.

You've gone through a lot of hoops, but so happy for you that your insurance is going to help. Mine doesn't cover bariatric ANYTHING so I will be self pay and headed to Mexico! Best of luck to you!!

Way to go!

Thanks for posting!

I worry about this too...all of my hubby and I's outings involve some form of food and/or drink!

ditto on what mwrarr said...I have "bariatric advantage" vitamins sitting in my shopping cart on Amazon.com....****deletes**** LOL

My husband and I itemize deductions, so yes, we are planning on claiming the cost of surgery as a medical expense. If I remember correctly, anything over $3000 is deductible

Hello everyone! I'm 5'1 and 219 lbs...scheduled for surgery with Dr. Ariel Ortiz in February. I'll be in Tijuana, Mexico and two days post-op on my 43rd birthday! Hoping this will be the BEST birthday present EVER!!

LOL! Haven't had surgery yet, but have been experimenting with shakes and powders and I have to say...UH-hem...not only do I have a very vocal tummy after ingesting, but some wicked-bad gas as well!! Hope this doesn't continue after surgery, all my support persons will be heading for the hills!

I'm having to look at flights from Columbus, Ohio to San Diego...UGH! Having trouble finding the appropriate flights to get me there at the set times for my surgery admission/discharge. How the heck do people get anywhere at the times they're supposed to?? I think I'll probably end up having to pay two extra hotel days...bummer!

My surgeon requires me to lose 5% of my body weight (about 10 lbs) prior to surgery. I have 2 pre-op diet options, either protein shakes 3 times a day for 2 weeks then clear liquids 3 days pre-op or 2 shakes plus low cal dinner (under 300 cals) a day with the 3 days clear liquid pre-op. This pre-op diet is to get my liver to shrink down to make the surgery easier and safer. My surgery paperwork expressly states that If I gain any weight my surgery will be cancelled!

Are you sweating a lot while working out? If you aren't replacing fluids you could be dehydrated. Also, maybe try half a banana before your workout. When I was doing a very low carb diet/work out plan once, they recommended that little bit of carbs beforehand...hope this helps

I suffered from sporadic "attacks" for years before my gallbladder caused me to have pancreatitis...OUCH! Gallbladder pain for me varied between acute sharp, stabbing pain in my right side just under my ribcage radiating into my back and chronic hot, gnawing pain in my right side. Sometimes pressing my arm into my side would make it a little better, sometimes laying on my side would give me some relief, but I usually just suffered through them. When my pancreas got invited to the party my doctor told me time to get it removed. At that time I had the gnawing side pain almost constantly and what felt like a thousand needles going across the front of my abdomen along with low grade fever, nausea, and night sweats. I've not had sleeve surgery yet, just years of dieting...losing/gaining

My surgery is scheduled for mid-February and I've already started increasing my protein intake, been experimenting with shakes and RTDs...trying to wean myself off of diet pepsi and eat slower with smaller bites. The biggest challenge I think for me after surgery will be the no drinking with or right before/after meals..I do like to "wash down" a nice size bite! Also trying to walk more before it gets too cold outside!

Hello I am an asthmatic too and am scheduled for surgery in Feb. The anesthesiologist has already instructed me to start using an incentive spirometer to strengthen my lungs. Maybe this would be something you would want to do as well? Take care!

Your title made me laugh out loud! I haven't had surgery yet, but I've been experimenting with protein shakes today and let me tell you...Wow! My stomach has been griping and grumbling for hours...this would not be good after surgery, I don't think!

Hi Karina...I think a slider food is anything that can be digested rather quickly, and doesn't leave you full or stay with you for very long, making it easy to eat again soon. People say to try and avoid these kinds of food because they can potentially contribute to weight gain, which is what we don't want!

Love this part of your post! I've been short and round for over 20 years now and HATE how I look on my horse...I convinced myself because of my weight I needed a drafty horse, something that could handle my heaviness so I ride around on a 16.3 hand, 1500 lb tank, and even though he has no problems carrying me..I look awful! I can't stand seeing pictures of myself with my horse. Knowing how I look takes some of the enjoyment out of it for me. Getting thinner will not only let me ride better (more freedom of movement, better leg position) but I'm hoping I won't look like humpty dumpty setting on a wall anymore!

Did you figure out which Dr.Ortiz it was? If it's Ariel Ortiz I was going to blow a gasket, I just sent in my non-refundable deposit for a higher priced surgery!!

I asked the coordinator thru ready4achange and she told me, yes..the hotel will provide you with complimentary popsicles, broth, and water or juice. It would be a surprise if someone went counting on that and it wasn't true...