AmandaD

I'm looking forward to being able to really play and hike and bike with my kids!!

Hoping I get back to normal quickly. As of right now I'm scheduled to go back to week 2 weeks after surgery!!

6 Month pre-op diet and weigh ins with my PCP. EKG, Sleep Apnea Evaluation, Psych Eval, Cardio Eval, Nutrition class. It's amazing how different the requirements are from insurance to insurance. My employer changed insurances mid-stream for me and all of my requirements changed!!

I used to be a smoking cessation counselor and one of the things I would tell people is to carry a toothbrush and toothpaste around. When you're going to get into your car, since you said you smoke in the car a lot, brush your teeth right before. Whenever you crave a cigarette brush your teeth. It's subtle but the freshness in your mouth helps fight the urge to smoke and dirty it all up again. If you smoke with coffee in the morning, change where or how you drink your coffee. . put it in a to go cup and walk around the block for example. Most smokers have habitual behaviors that go along with the smoking, you have to change those and it will make fighting the cravings easier. Also try to tell yourself how many new clothes you'll be able to buy with all of that money you aren't spending on smokes!!!!!

Today I had my first appointment with Pulmonology. Nobody told me until I got there that it meant another office visit after a sleep study! As it is I still have my psych consult, cardiology evaluation, nutrition class, pre-op testing at the hospital, one more visit with my primary, and now I have to add on a sleep study and follow up appointment with the Pulmonology group. Sheesh!!! My surgery is 6 weeks from Thursday. With all of these appointments it's going to fly by. What stinks is that I'm having my surgery an hour away so I have to travel for almost all of them. I was definitely blind-sided by this sleep study but I have to do what I have to do to get my insurance clearance.

My pre-op prep is 3 days of clear liquids. I'm amazed at how much prep varies from dr to dr!

Your surgeon didn't give you a list?? Mine lists broth, sugar free Popsicles, decaf coffee and tea without any creamer, basically anything you can see through.

I just bought the Unjury sample pack for right after my surgery. I've heard it's pretty palatable. My dr. also allows Atkins shakes afterward but no other pre-made shakes. My dr requires 3 days pre-op liquid diet. My surgery is 7 weeks from today, seems like forever. I'm SO ready to get a move on!!

My surgeon's office is actually in Utica but they do surgery in Syracuse too and since I was familiar with St Joseph's I opted to have my surgery there. My aunt lives just outside of Cooperstown in Richfield Springs. I'm about 2 hours from Cooperstown.

Your stories are making me thankful for where I work. I requested the FMLA packet from the person who handles it in our office and the email that I got from her was that she was having the same surgery with the same surgeon I am using 2 weeks before I am. They are very understanding. Several of my co-workers have WLS and there have been no issues with time off.

I'm not sure. I will have to ask them. All I know is that it was a woman.

Both of my sisters had their surgery there.

I think they're fabulous. My date is 3/21. Several people in my office have had their procedures done by Graber and all loved him but I've heard nothing but good things about Baranov too. They are all so nice and so fast to get back to me if I have questions! I'm totally comfortable with them. Getting ready for my marathon of pre-op appointments. In the next 5 weeks I have my nutrition class, psych consult, pulmonary eval, cardiac eval, pre-admin tests and a final pre-op clearance from my PCP. Then I just sit back and wait 2 more weeks to start my liquid diet! I'm excited but SO nervous!!

Graber's associate Baranov. I'm from the Watertown area. What is your surgery date?

Who is your surgeon?

Everyone I've ever talked to has felt the same way. Just keep your eye on the prize of a healthier you!!!!!

I'm in upstate NY and will be having my surgery in Syracuse, NY

Oh, forgot an important one.... I have to order a medic alert bracelet!!

My list is similar. I just bought a new robe and slippers for the hospital and I'm stocking up on groceries so my family won't have to worry about it for a few weeks. I'm a coupon queen and I can't stand the idea of anyone else doing the shopping and overpaying! Also stocking up for my 3 day pre-op liquid diet. We're going to hire someone to clean since I am working right up to surgery. We're going to have dinner at a couple of my favorite restaurants beforehand also. Lastly, working on lining up help since my hubby is an accountant and can't take time off this time of year and I have a 3 year old.