NoneYa

Have you called and asked if you can do it over the phone? Maybe you can. At least explain the week you want and why and maybe they can assure you get in.

I don't know why you have to go in for that, I wondered too. They phoned to say I was approved. I went in made the appt. Nothing in between except paying an office call and being handed a packet with pre-op instructions. It really should be able to be made over the phone. As far as nowing what date you want, that may and may not work for you. I think he does surgeries on certain days of the weeks only. I wanted a Friday but he doesn't operate on Fridays, I got a Tuesday. I hope your chosen day jives with his schedule.

Looking great!

Agreed. I don't think there is 1 right method. I think there are many methods and that we all must find the one that works for US.

I'm so sorry!

I smoked heavily for over 40 years, between 2-3 packs per day. I have had 5 major surgeries in my lifetime. With each and every one I have had postoperative pheumonia, extended hospital stay and slow healing. When I was researching the sleeve I learned quickly that quitting was a requirement with most surgeons. I resented it for a while and actually almost didn't procede with the process over it because I thought I couldn't quit and didn't particularly want to try. I had tried/failed many many times. Truth be told I didn't want to quit. I enjoyed it and it had become a part of who I was. Maybe strange but true. Then one day I thought about it on a deeper level. I looked at my pack of cigarettes and realized that it is what is standing between me and the opportunity to have a life changing-saving surgery. I thought " little rectangular box filled with chopped dried leaves has had more power over my health than I have and I have given it that power. I'm taking that power back today." After long hard consideration I decided to give it another try with one difference this time. I would not give myself permission to fail. I wanted the surgery and this habit was the object in my way. I decided to try vapor cigs. I purchased a kit with 4 vials of vapor liquid. I had the largest bottle made up with 25% less nicotine than full flavored. The 3 remaining bottles were made with 50% less, 75% less and 0% nicotine respectively. I puffed them in order reducing my nicotine intake until I was getting none. I puffed the 0% one for 2 weeks with the puffing spread out over longer periods of time. That was to break the hand to mouth habit we (smokers) all seem to have. That can be as hard to get past as the nicotine and can lead to weight gain because we replace food with the cigarette in the hand to mouth motion. It worked. I can say that not only do I not smoke, I don't even think about it. My husband still smokes and I am not bothered by it at all. I am not one of those x-smokers that spend my free time on a soapbox preaching the sermons of Hellfire and damnation to all of those that continue. I get that we are all adults and the choice belongs to each of us. I am one of those that knows very well how hard it can be to quit. I offer the method that worked for me to those of you that want to try it. If it doesn't work for you I encourage you to see your PCP for help with other methods. Its worth it. The end result was that my surgery was 8 days ago. From the moment of surgery on my oxygen readings were consistenly 100%. There was no pneumonia to add to my recovery plan for the first time in my life. I can focus on my weighloss. I can take the walks I need to take without getting winded. I get a certain satisfaction from knowing that while my body begins to look better outwardly it is healing inwardly as my lungs work to return to their normal state. I have a sense of self-pride in completing a challenge that has eluded me thus far. The money I save in cigarettes will now be stashed away in my personal new wardrobe stash. My children's memory of me from this point on will be of healthy living practices that will hopefully be incorporated into their lives as well. I have no doubt there will be more benefits to come.

So spread the word for the ladies out there that have a husband thats complaining about the cost of the surgery. It sounds like it'll be coming back to him in a much bigger better way.

Woo hoo! You go girl!

No, he didn't open and measure the liver. The fact is that most WLS candidates have enlarged/ fatty livers. The liver lies in front of the area he must operate on. In order to access it he must use retractors and move it out of the way. If it is overly large or firm it could become difficult to move. Moving it could result in laceration of the liver. There are many cases of patients waking up in recovery with the incisions and recovery time but no sleeve because contrary to your assumption that they are all too money hungry to use sound medical judgement, most do. If fact, if you have a Dr that you believe will crack and whack whether it is safe for his patient or not you really should run.

Just before i was rolled into surgery i told my Dr i hadn't lost the amount of weight he wanted me to lose. He said the diet isn't to lose weight. It is only to shrink and soften the liver. That is done by eliminating carbs. I don't suggest that anyone go against their Drs orders or cheat. I do suggest that if you do decide to cheat that you do it with a zero carb item.

I think I know what you feel. Before surgery when i was on the pre-op diet i got so hungry 1 hr after i woke i was in pain. Actually in pain! I couldn't figure it out. I was not used to eating in the am. On the pre-op diet i started the day with a Protein shake. Like clockwork within an hour every day i had extreme hunger pains. On several of those days i gave in and ate something to make it stop, usually an Atkins meal. It did stop. The next day, lather-rinse- repeat. On day 5 i decided to treat it like reflux. For me the best cure has always been a cup of milk. I tried it and voila. Problem solved. Since surgery it has not happened. I think the reason is that my surgeon started me on a different RX. I haven't had a trace of acid or reflux since surgery and have not felt hunger. I guess what I'm suggesting is that if someone finds themselves in post-op starvation feeling try drinking 1/2 cup ff milk. Its worth a try and won't cause a problem with your post-op diet unless you're lactose intolerant.

I'm so sorry you're going through this! He obviously has issues that need to be worked out. I don't think you can fix this for him. If it was me I would assure him of the reasons i am doing it. After that I would let him know that the end result and goal for me will be happiness and that I hope that he will be able to accept the new me so that my future happiness will include him.

Cheri, thank you. My dr has me on clears for 3 weeks. I'm following it. I just got concerned because I haven't needed to sip since day 2. I easily drink a cup of water, skim milk or P shake. There is no difference from before surgery on swallowing. I was getting concerned that if i can drink so much and so easily that when i get to solids i will be able to overdo. I hope for a tight restriction.

Did your left side stitch ever dissolve? One week out tomorrow and mine is just getting worse. I control it with a heating pad but as soon as i remove it and try to move arond ....BAM! Also, it sounds like you had a great first week. What did you eat (drink)? I take full swallows with. No problems.

I'm getting in the lobster line, strictly for the protein benefits of course.

Not to hijack the thread but i don't understand. I'm only 6 days out and on Clear liquids. I can swallow and drink easily. My pills go down more easily than they did before.A full cup of liquid is nothing. If i feel full its just for a minute or two then the fullness goes away. Is a cup of solid food different than a cup of broth? I feel tempted once in a while when the fam is eating something i like but I don't feel hungry.

Have you tried warm soup? Cold stuff does nothing for me. Warm cream soups and broth make me feel very full and satisfied.

There seems to be as many plans as surgeons. I think you must first research your surgeon, know you trust your choice completely then follow his/ her instructions to the letter.

Well here ya go. You've got it all worked out then. You've been well fed and the stars have all realigned. Long live your sleeve.

I don't know about classic but your remark here was Classless. BTW I honestly don't care what or when you eat. I do care when you open a thread asking for advice and promptly wage war as soon as you don't agree with the responses you get. Guess what, in the real world it doesn't work that way. You were rude and out of line and i think that somewhere in there you know that.

Girl, I get that you're hungry. Hungrier than me and all other new sleevers apparently. You should quietly go into a corner and put your face in the bottom of a bowl of mush. Maybe not talk anymore until after you've fed your unusually hungry beast because you're kinda close to biting off more than you can chew.

Mine was 2 protein shakes and 1 lean/ green green per day for 2 weeks. I told the surgeon on the morning of surgery that i had lost only 11 lbs. i was worried that it wasn't enough. He told me the reason for the pre-op diet is to shrink and soften the liver not so much to lose weight. That is accomplished with a low carb diet. Most weight loss surgery candidates have an enlarged/ fatty liver. Surgery is much safer for the patient when it is softened and smaller be ause it must be lifted out of the way during surgery.

Love the pix!. You have a lovely family!

Not TT but Panni

Isn't this one of hose issues that should e documented by your pcp for a possible ins paid TT later? I would think so.