akusah

Hi there' date='

This is my first post - I just registered. Yes, I'm scheduled for October 18th. Overly excited and feel like I've been preparing for this for a VERY long time....[/quote']

There are tons of October sleepers on this site. Congratulations on getting your date.

Try the Quest bars they are available at GNC or online at http://www.questproteinbar.com/ Another one is the Oh Yeah! Victory bars online at http://ohyeahnutrition.myshopify.com/collections/all/products/ohyeah-victory-bars. They both have about 21 grams of Protein per bar' date=' they also both have a lot of fiber which is helpful.[/quote']

Thanks. I am doing Protein drinks, bars, and liquids with a small meal in the evening. I will definitely try those.

I am OFFICIALLY an October sleever! Just found out this a.m.' date=' kind of by accident. My surgeon's office was supposed to submit the paperwork to my insurance (Anthem BC) yesterday. I called my insurance this morning just to verify the paperwork had been sent. Much to my extreme amazement I was told it was received AND APPROVED 9/25. The lady then proceeded to tell me I am approved for a one night stay 10/21-10/22. ( I questioned..That is standard she said. Get approval for one night then add to it as needed.) Then I realized she just gave me my surgery date, even before I heard it from my surgeon's office!!!! I am so freaking happy it isn't funny![/quote']

Good for you. I am Oct. 22.

I am 68 and will be sleeved oct 22. Are you taking additional. Vitamins? If so, what and how much.

I am looking for Protein Bars that do not have chocolate but have a good Protein number. I am not a big fan of chocolate, although I can drink the Protein Drink. I don't enjoy the bars with chocolate.

I'll be 3 months out next week and have lost 41 lbs. as of today. I'm happy with the weight lost so far. I know I could probably have lost more if I exercised' date=' but I'm so lazy for exercise anyway...I don't regret having this surgery. I feel great![/quote']

I am glad to learn that not everyone will lose fast. Last week I weighed 266 and will be sleeved on Oct. 22. I am trying to loose some before surgery. But also I am an older patient and don't expect to lose like iI did in my 20's or 30's.

I had my first post op appointment with surgeon today. He was not happy that I only lost 11 pounds in the last 9 days. Told me I need to work harder.

He cleared me for bike riding today so maybe that will help!

That sounds tough. It is at least a pound a day.

I have not been sleeved yet' date=' but my pre-op appt. is October 4th. Here is a list of questions I have compiled so far that I am interested in:

Gas after surgery: Some people complain a lot about this. Does this have to do with the person or the surgeon's technique? What can I expect after surgery?

Do you make everyone's stomach the same size or is it based on the size of my original stomach?

Is there anything you might find during surgery that would cause me to wake up and not be sleeved?

Straws: What is your "policy" on straws? I have heard different things online. Can you explain the theroy behind not using a straw?

Weight gain from/after surgery: Some people online report gaining weight after surgery. Is this normal? What causes it? and what can I expect?

Fluid Vs Protein: I am worried about getting all my Fluid in. I don't drink that much liquid now. What is most important fluid or Protein?

Blood tests: What are you testing for and what might show up that would cause concern or to have to postpone the surgery?

Thats all I have for now, but I may be adding some after I read the replies to this post <img src='http://www.bariatricpal.com/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.png' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='' />

Bonnie[/quote']

I plan to also ask about strictures, the leak test, drains going home.

cool. I will add you to my friends Akusah

Have you been told about your pre-op diet yet?

My incision started bleeding last night. Waiting on the dr. Office to open

Incision or the stomach sleeve?

Don't do it!!! I'm 4 months out and only lost 20 pounds. So dizzy and weak' date=' can hardly function. Only thing I can eat is Protein. When I splurge on fruits and veggies, it's at the cost of getting my Proteins in. Even though I live on those disgusting Protein supplements, my labs show I'm muscle wasting. I would give anything to have my life back. Being fat is much better than living like this.[/quote']

I guess I am curious as to what your complications are that are causing this? We're you able to eat anything you wanted before surgery? What is your doctor saying?

Mines is tomorrow also @ 9:15am:)

Best of luck to you. Prayers.

Yes' date=' It was not that bad. The ABG hurt like hell, but was fast.[/quote']

What is ABG?

I am 61 here' date=' and expecting mid-November sleeve. I am going into this surgery fighting loose skin every inch of the way. Everyday I am exfoliating in the shower to regenerate new skin cells. I bought some exfoliating gloves at the corner drugstore (which are great)and I use an exfoliating scrub. I suppose any moisturizer with collagen would help, but I after I dry off I am rubbing in sweet almond oil. My belly may be fat, but it is as soft as a new baby. Plus, I am doing that dreaded strength training to videos here at home. I work with the hand weights and stretch bands, but I also have a favorite video with a boxing routine I can do in a chair. Plus they sent me some one pound boxing mitts that are not bulky like what the professionals use. These just go on with wrap around ease, and the fingertips are exposed. I am counting on that to minimize the bat wings. There are several senior level workout videos for those of us who don't want the gym culture. From what I understand, strong muscles will help fill out some of the loose skin. So, I am hoping this effort will at least minimize the problem. If nothing else, the exercise is good for me in many other ways.[/quote']

Great. Thanks for your information. I do work out through a Silver Sneakers program. But, my arms already swing so I think this will be my most visible skin issue.

I am 68 and will be sleeved on Oct. 22. I have been reading a lot of the forums here and there is a lot of discussion re: loose skin, bat wings, etc. How has this age group done with the skin issue? I definitely know my skin doesn't have as much elasticity.

Has anyone had WLS with Dr. Phillip Price? I am being sleeved Oct. 22 by him

October 22 inColumbus OH.

I have posted my date on here before' date=' but haven't really seen anyone else with October 22. I would love a surgery buddy. Now I know there has to be someone out there with my date and Dr. because the 7:30 AM appointment was taken and I have the 9:30 time slot.

October 22 announce yourself [/quote']

I have Oct. 22. I am in Columbus Oh.

I am 4 weeks out from surgery (Oct.22) and I have an appt. on the 10th to get all the pre-op tests and instructions. However this weekend I said goodbye to foods I liked. Hamburger with cheese and bacon and apple pie. Saturday I had steak, baked potato w/sour cream & Brussels sprouts. Sunday I had lobster bisque, fish, red-skinned mashed potatoes. chocolate cake & Hagen Das dulce de leche ice cream.

Now I am trying to follow the soft food portion of the post surgery diet. I want to practice getting 50 grams of Protein and 64 ounces of liquid in a day. This is my training for the actual new way of eating and drinking.

I was just wondering if u had tried both types of their bars?

I messed up myself today. My hubs and grand kids ordered pizza from my fav place today.... Ahhh. Ny style. Yeah. I ate a slice. Well. A good two thirds of it anyway. It went down too easy. Tasted good too. Problem is I have felt hungry ever since. Thinking I poked my carb monster and now he's pissed. Lol. So. I learned it's too soon to even try eating the wondrous triangle of awesomeness I need to just admire it from afar. Difference now is instead of letting guilt push me to the junk food. I now reconciled with myself that tomorrow is back to the business of Protein first Water second. And the knowledge that I'm down over sixty lbs and yes. I. Can. Do. This.

With the pizza, can't you just eat the topping and not the crust? I haven't been sleeved yet, (Oct.) but friends that have had WLS do this.

I can across this page and it laid everything out nicely for me. Maybe it will also help someone else who is getting ready for surgery. This is exactly what I needed and really makes me more comfortable with my new habits I need to create post op.

http://www.murfsurg.com/dietary_guidelines_sleeve_gastrectomy.htm

I looked at this site also and copied it. Loved the way it laid out the sample guidelines.

Thanks for the list. I'm in Columbus Oh. Any Ohioans on the list with me?

Fit' date='

I friend if mine had this saying, "how do you eat an elephant?.... One bite at a time!!" He meant that to look at a task that is really large you complete it one step at a time. Celebrate the intirim goals, that will give you victories and help keep motivated!! Plus its nice to have wins!!!

In our cases if we have 100 pounds to lose, and set 10-10# wieght loss minigoals and we only lose 90 pounds, thats is still damn good!! Do we meet our ultimate goal, no, but we reached 9 minigoals, have 9 victories and still lost 90pounds!!! Plus we probably had a few NSV's along the way!!! Thats awesome and pretty good!! We would all be that much healthier and skinnier and better off!!!

Every large task I have undetaking since, i have looked at the same way.[/quote']

Thanks for sharing that. I worry that I will. Not have the stamina long term to keep it off once I reach goal (if I reach goal). I'm sleeved Oct. 22.

Does anyone have Medicare? If you do' date=' what did you have to go thru to get your surgery approved and how long did it take?

Thank You,

Antonette[/quote']

I have Anthem Medicare Advantage, initially, last year they would not approve the sleeve but would approve the band and Rny. In September 2012, they started approving the sleeve. I did not have to do anything different beyond getting the psych exam, cardiology clearance, see the dietitian, attend two nutrition classes. Once done, with my medical history., regarding weight, BMI, and other health issues were sent for approval. I had to cancel my original surgery date due to a medical problem but I will now be sleeved Oct. 22. Now Medicare covers all 3 procedures.

Whats your date? Mine pre-op diet starts 10/14 also and my surgery is 10/28.

My date is oct. 22. Don't know when to start pre-op diet. Trying to practice starting Monday with more Protein meals and Protein Drinks.< /p>