Coykoi

I found out today while I was pre-regestering that I've got an enlarged heart. The registration person kept tiptoeing around it to find out if the doctor had seen the echo, I said that she had, mentioned that something was off, but did not seem concerned. I asked what it was that was off and that's when "enlarged heart" was mentioned. Has anyone else had this and did it cause any problems? Does weight loss and the resulting loss of comorbidities help? Does the heart return to a normal size? I'm not worried but concerned. Thanks for any info.

I'm not until 12:30 so you'll be in recovery by the time I go in. Good luck with your surgery---3 more days to go!!!

I like the bottled Isopure better than the powder, but having bought a 3 lb tub of the powder, I'm going to make it work. I've been mixing them ahead of time and freezing them, they go down better ice cold.

4 more days to our new life! How are you doing on your pre-op diet? I had my last solid meal yesterday (of my own choice) and now I'm just going to do shakes thru Tuesday, which I then go to Clear liquids on Wednesday, then Thursday is the big day! I've been mixing up Protein drinks ahead of time and storing them in the freezer. I can take them to work and let them melt slowly, that way they're as cold as possible and it keeps me from chugging. This is really true of Isopure: it's icky when not ice cold. Someone suggested making Isopure ice cubes and adding them to Crystal Light lemonade, I think that's a super idea, as long as one can get enough over the course of the day.

The fat stores estrogen, which can decrease your sex drive. As you lose the fat and your estrogen level starts to normalize, your sex drive starts to return. I've also heard that people experience "teenage hormones", maybe you're going thru your second teen years

I have a very similar back situation, but back surgery is way down on my list of things to do. RNY tends to be faster weight loss, but some of the downsides are the malabsorbtive part that makes the weight loss faster can cause other problems. I found several websites of info on the sleeve and RNY which is good for info so you can make the decision. One thing to keep in mind is the sleeve can be converted into an RNY later, but not the other way around. Good luck on making your decision.

Your body seeks equilibrium, if it's retaining water it's because you have too much of something that causes water retention (salt or left over anesthesia, for example) and your body wants to grab more. The more water you drink, the body decides that it's too much and sheds the extra water, and along with the water, some of the "substance" goes with it. The more you drink, the less that you will retain. Think of your body as a sponge; at first it sucks up all that you give it, but at some point it gets saturated and any more in just goes back out, in this case, flushing some of the sponge with it. Drink, drink, drink and the water retention will resolve itself, and watch that you're not eating hidden salty stuff. If you're drinking broth, make sure it's low sodium.

My doctor requires a 10% loss before surgery (except in low BMI cases). I was required to stay the same until insurance approval. Now she would like me to lose a little if I can to help with the liver shrinkage. She explained that a fatty liver is easily damaged during surgery because it's so much softer. The retractors can slice right thru a really fatty liver. During weight loss the liver shrinks and is harder to damage during surgery. No pre-op diet for me, just clear liquids the last day and nothing after midnight the night before and the day of.

5 days to go!!!!! My office is having an open house tonight and part of me wants to be the "before" me and part wants to be the "after" me. Are there holiday events that you are looking forward to/dreading?

Go on your protein shakes and small salads now. You'll be surprised how fast you'll drop weight, you'll get to try out different shakes to find what you like, and do as much calorie-burning exercise as you can. Above all, be stubborn in your desire for the surgery! I can stick to any diet short term, and a week may seem like an eternity while you're in it, but will be over soon and you'll be on your way to your new sleeve!

That's great that he was there and smiling. He may not be "over it" yet, but it sounds like he's accepting it now. Many men don't know how to express fear, so maybe it came out as anger and denial. Good luck on your new life!

I had this and suffered for years. The podiatrist did different therapies to justify the surgery to insurance, but in the end, if the ligament is torn, the only thing to do is surgery. They basically cut the ligament at the tear, then make a bridge out of half-width pieces of it in order to lengthen it. When it heals, the scar tissue strengthens and thickens it, causing it to be as strong as before, only longer and less likely to tear again.

Six days and counting! The last weekend is coming up. My week next week is so full of signing consent forms, hospital registration and pre-op testing. There's hardly time to get nervous! Is your situation the same?

One week to go!!! How is everyone else doing? I'm ready to go, but ran into a snag with my ride to the hosp. One friend can, but would have to drop me off at least two hours early. Ive got calls out to those that said that they'd help but I'm fearful that it'll be like when you move---when it comes right down to it, they all disappear!

I had the same thing happen but I pressed in the nicest way I could. I have a second job January thru April so I said that it was December as led to believe or May. I also pointed out that it took over a month for the office to submit my request to insurance, if they had submitted right away I probably would have not had a problem. I then called another doctor who works out of another hospital and inquired about getting it done in December, giving my Dr's name. They called the next day with a December date.

Eight days to go! How is everyone doing with the pre-op prep, diet, jitters, etc?

Hello from down south! I'm i n Long Beach, surgery on Dec 6 in Torrance.

I feel that someone that likes you the way you are now is much better than someone that wouldn't give a second look in your direction before surgery. Give him a chance and enjoy it. If he can make it through the ride that you're about to take, he may be a keeper!

9 days and counting! I'm excited and nervous and scared and impatient and.... No pre-op diet for me, just a general urging to eat less and practice how I'll eat after surgery. Where are you having your surgery done? I'll be in Torrance, CA

Dec 6 here, just 10 more days! I'm feeling all of the same emotions, scared, excited, doubtful, and grateful for the chance. It's going to be one heck of a ride!

By now you must be in recovery. I'm sending good thoughts your way and I hope that your family comes around to supporting you.

Dec 6 is just 10 days away! I am on pins & needles!

Congratulations! Rest up and look forward to your new life.

This is something that I've been concerned about. I stopped at age 50, but my concern is that it's because of the weight and not really menopause. I understand that fat can hold onto estrogen, so it appears to be over; but when the weight comes off and the estrogen levels drop--Helloooo!!!

So I found an Isopure flavor that I really liked, Black Tea. So besides the caffeine in it, does anyone know if this is considered clear liquid? It's not quite see thru like the other flavors, but not what I would call not clear--maybe kinda in between. My doctor isn't too concerned about caffeine as long as I don't over do it. The other flavors are just too sweet.