JustJacciO

Not sure how other sleevers have figured out how to keep their food from getting cold by taking 30-45 minutes to eat, but I ordered this online for me. I know...it's for babies...but it'll work for me with Portion Control as well. Here's the link if anyone is interested:

Green Sprouts Warming Plate

Yes the heating pad really does help with the gas pain. Also, after surgery for some reason you will be cold all the time. So, it's the Two Birds rule.

Before the surgery, I actually made chicken and beef broth and froze it. I knew when I got home I wasn't going to be cooking, so thawing it and heating it up a little bit at a time was a huge help.

Best wishes Jacci and welcome to VST!!!

Success to you...

You'll be a new women!

Sending prayers up for you!!!
Best wishes on your journey to health and happiness!!
Glad you're here

Welcome to VST. There are alot of good ppl here and alot of info to be read. Ive been on the board nearly a year, my surgery is scheduled for March. Thanks to the people here, I feel very well informed and ready for my new lifestyle. Good luck in your journey. I hope VST will be a place of info and support.

I am also in the process of the 6 month pre-op work-up... I will keep up with you through VST... I hope that all goes well and that you find the support and encouragement that you need and deserve!

I can sympathize with you. I too struggle with who to tell that I am having the surgery, which should be happening in the next month. (I just completed my 6 months of dietician visits and received approval from insurance). I have received mixed comments from the people I have told, and unfortunately it is the negative ones that hurt the most. I don't want to tell everyone that I know that I am having the surgery, but I also don't want to be dishonest about how I lost the weight because I know the questions about how I did it are going to come. I also would appreciate any advice in this area. Thus far I have only told close friends, my family, and my manager.

Hi.
After many years of struggling with my weight, I have decided to get worked up for the sleeve surgery. Right now, in order to qualify for my insurance, there are several things I have to do in order to qualify...6 months worth! The longest thing is the work with a nutritionist. Im about half way thru everything....I am looking forward to being approved and changing my life!
I am 43 years old, divorced mother of 3, about to be a grandmom this month! I work from home and am an author.
My continual weight loss is decreasing my quality of life....and I have little to no support. No family, few friends.
I had my endoscopy yesterday and reached out to an associate...I confided in her about my plans...of course, she was against it.
She is on her own weight loss journey and has lost 15 lbs....I was happy for her. But at the same time, I was quite annoyed with her sharing horror stories of other friends she knows who had gastric surgery. I had promised myself I would share my plans with no one...except my daughter-who lives with me.
I decided to share with this associate only b/c I was asking her if she could be the pick up person for me when I am discharged from the hospital...again, I have no one here in this area that can help me and the hospital will not just let me go home in a cab like I asked. So she asked what was wrong, if Im ok.
So thats why I am coming here.
I don't need the negativity of other ppl's opinions or their projecting THEIR fears onto me about surgery.
I am not afraid of surgery like many (black) ppl are. I had to have a hysterectomy for fibroids a few years back and ran into the same issue...family and friends trying to discourage me from doing it. Imploring me to try other options before I do something so permanent.
I was having 2 week periods, couldn't have sex with my husband (we are now divorced), was severely anemic, couldn't work (I was passing out at my job!), and my quality of life sucked!
Having the hysterectomy was one of the BEST decisions I have EVER had!
So I feel the same thing will happen with this surgery.
I don't know how many believe in prayer on this forum...but I ask that you pray for me that I am approved for this surgery and that I can go on with the life I should have BEEN had almost 20 years ago!
Thanks!

Hi jenna,
I am also just beginning my journey i had my consult on jan 15th and just waiting on my approval letter. I have composed a list based on information i have found online and here to help with pre op and what to expect. (copied below)Sleeve Stomach Comparison/Concept:
Stomach is going from the size of a Football to the size of a plastic Easter egg.
Your stomach has to learn to eat again just like an infant, first liquids, then puree, then soft, then normal food.
What to take to hospital:
Eye Mask/Ear Plugs
Lip Balm
Shampoo, conditioner
Toothbrush
Phone Charger
Gas X strips or chewable
Robe
Personal meds
Blanket
Heating pad
stomach binder to support stomach/Pillow
Things to have at home POST OP:
Multi-Vitamins chewable/liquid-Don’t take at the same time as Calcium and Iron
Biotin-hair loss prevention
Vitamin D
Iron-B12(sublingual)/Calcium-Don’t take at same time or with Multi take at least 2hrs apart or they will contradict each other.
Clear liquid
Protein shake (Isopure, Muscle Milk, whey Protein etc).
Popsicles/SF Fudge Pops
SF Jell-O
SF- Hawaiian Punch/Kool-Aid
Italian Shaved Ice-SF
Diet V8-Splash
Decaffeinated Tea
Torani flavored sweeteners for shakes
Broth-cubes
Water-Gatorade G2-Smart Water-Propel Zero
100%juice
Crystal Light-varieties
Mio-flavor for Water
Full Liquids
Cream Soups
Almond Milk/Soy Milk/Skim Milk
Cream of Wheat
Yogurt
Carnation Breakfast-SF with skim milk
SF- pudding (skin or soy milk)
Do’s & Don’t s
Don’t drink with a straw
Don’t drink while you eat or 30min before or after
Avoid carbonated drinks
Avoid caffeine
Avoid gassy or greasy foods
Chew food and eat slowly
Stay upright for 30 min to hour after eating or take short walk after meal
Eat at least 2hrs before going to bed
Sip, Sip Sip 48-64oz of Fluid daily
Stop eating at first sign of fullness
Avoid hard candy and gum
Things to remember after surgery:
You are learning how to eat all over again so spitting up or vomiting from time to time is ok. This actually can last for up to 8wks post op or longer if you eat too much or too fast.
Swelling in the abdomen, It takes approximately 7-10 days for the swelling of the sleeve to go down. During this time you may have trouble with your intake but it will get better.