SugarFreeMe

Knowledge is understanding. If you care to continue your relationship with this person maybe you could/should educate him/her on the hardships you would have been facing without taking such a drastic step. Point out all the things you learned about the benefits of WLS. Share your triumphs, things like not having to take certain meds. anymore, not being judged or other things that have happened to you that have enriched your life. If this person looked up to you as the post suggests maybe a simple explanation is all that's needed. May because you didn't have a one on one conversation about it there are hurt feelings. We all knew going in that not everyone was going to be a fan. Those that know I had my surgery were told about it by me with the understanding that I was telling them because I needed and wanted their support. Good Luck

Misty, my heart breaks for you. Between Feb-2010 and Jan-2013 I lost my dad, step-mom, brother-in-law, brother, mom and step-dad. Everything from heart disease, cancer, pneumonia and suicide. It was a really rough time and I even though some of the passing's were imminent and we had time to try to come to grips with them, they still hurt deep. I don't think any amount of time to try to come to terms with the situation truly prepares you. Just know that we're all here for you to support, console and help in any way we can. Be strong, but don't be afraid to ask for help. You're in my thought and prayers and I hope from the bottom of my heart that your mom's passing is peaceful, quiet and pain free. Hugs to you.

I'm 2 weeks out and can't do cold Water. Weird because cold Jello is fine. Strange..........

The first 3 days are really the worst ladies. Tired, head-achy and crabby. It really does get easier. Just keep reminding yourself that these few days of struggle end in so many more years of healthy lives. It's so worth it.

Went to my 2 week post-op today. Down 22 lbs since I started the liquid meal replacement before surgery. Who ever would have thought it was possible to loose 22 pounds in 4 weeks. And, the kicker is I know it will stay off this time. I've been eating things like cream of chicken, cream of mushroom and cream of celery. The tomato didn't sit to well, it didn't make me sick, I could just tell my new tummy didn't like it. Also having blended cottage cheese, refried beans and cream of wheat. I try to add unflavored protein to everything so I'm sure to get it all in, whey protein isolate seems to be one that works best because it mixes well with creamy things. I add my chocolate protein to regular cream of wheat, it's pretty good. This weekend I get to start soft foods, scrambled eggs, fish and chicken as long as it's very tender. I'm really excited about that. So far I've been adding one new food a day so see how it's tolerated which seems to be working. Glad to see everyone is doing so well. Being on this side of the whole journey is so much easier and less scary. Best of luck to everyone. Cheers to us all.

Here's what I can tell you. Does the 2 week liquid diet stink, yep especially the first 3 days. You'll get a headache and feel overall sluggish and tired., but you'll get past that. I don't know what your restrictions are, but I was allowed to add fresh fruits, Peanut Butter, yogurt and other things to my shakes to help with the flavor and to stave off boredom. Don't be afraid to do this, the variety is what got me thru it. My surgeon prefers Bariatric Advantage, so I used that one. I wouldn't suggest buying too much of any specific type of shake yet, afterwards your tastes are different so what works now may not work later. I got lots of samples and I'm trying them now, post-op. Some are good, some not so good. Everyone raves about the

I'm 12 days out and can't imaging going back tomorrow after 2 weeks. I'm scheduled for my post-op on Tuesday, hoping to get another week of full time off and then another working 1/2 days.

I chose RNY for many reasons including having Type 2 diabetes, high cholesterol and high blood pressure. Also I get bouts of reflux so it was really the only choice I had. Since my surgery on the 18th I've not taken a single med for the diabetes or the High cholesterol. Also my blood pressure is way down, that will be evaluated over time and I'm told eventually I'll probably be able to drop that med as well. (perhaps inside of 2 to 3 months). It's a decision that should be made with your medical support team, thou there are clear choices depending on your health. Good luck - keep us posted.

Welcome. My first seminar was late December, met with my surgeon on the 21 of January, had RNY surgery on the 18th of March. Pretty quick for me, I have BCBS-IL, they don't have the 6 month dietary requirement any more so it was shorter then some. Best of luck on your journey.

Welcome April. Keep walking no matter how uncomfortable it is, it does help. Every day you'll find that you can get a little bit more in. I'm 12 days out and can do upwards of 3 to 4oz, depending on the consistency. Welcome to the losers bench.

I find when I eat liquidy foods I can get 4 oz in, but when I eat more solid foods (refried beans) I can only get in 2 1/2 to 3 oz. After that I start hiccuping and belching and I can almost feel the food going down very slowly. I think that's my que and if it isn't, it is now.

i saw a recipe for pizza except the crust was a portabella mushroom - I can't wait until I can try it off the grill this summer - Yummy..

Shannon - Have you tried adding unflavored protein to different things? I've added it to soup, tea and I add the chocolate protein to my cream of wheat. I'm always looking for ways to get it in, I was told to try to get in 10 grams at every meal. Not always easy to do, that's why I add it to my tea.

My thoughts will be on you tomorrow, but you'll do great Don't over pack because most of the stuff you probably won't need. Remember to sit back and relax a little today. The first week is a little hairy at times, but keep focusing on the losers bench you'll be sitting on come Tuesday.

Sorry girl it was meant for sugar free me but I miss an selected wrong thing and seen where you commented and wasn't paying attention. Hi Shannon - I have a whey protein I got from Fruitful Yield, it's called Now Sports Whey Protein Isolate - unflavored. Because it's whey (dairy) it's good for adding to soups (Cream of Chicken soup that is strained) and Hot tea as it gives it a creamy consistency. It has 27 grams of protein a scoop so I add 1/2 a scoop and I'm good for 10/12 grams each 4 oz serving. I also add it to my cream of wheat cereal. Yesterday I added refried beans with a dallop of sour cream. Yummy!!!!! Today I'm going to add blended cottage cheese. One new food a day was recommended so I can see what my tummy thinks of each one. So far no real bad reactions to anything except Tomato soup. That left me with a yucky filmy feel in my mouth for hours after I ate. Also later that night I had diarrhea (tmi), I don't want that again. Are you eating pureed's yet and if so, what's working for you?

I'd thought about wls for years, but it wasn't until I was diagnosed with High blood pressure in November that I had a sit down with my PCP and had a serious conversation about it. I already had diabetes and high cholesterol so once I got this new diagnosis I knew I needed to do something. From there I went to the seminar in December, first appt with the surgeon 1-21 and off I went. Surgery the 18th of March and here I am 11 days out and I don't regret any of it.

OMG Cathy - I had my RNY on the 18th (7:30am) and also have my follow-up on Tuesday (2:00). Did you not just love the nurses at the hospital? They were all so nice and caring. I also loved that everyone gets a private rooms. No sharing space, having to share a tv or listen to someone snore, although I did hear someone hacking all night long the first night. Fixed that the second night with earplugs and a closed door. Talk about a small world. Dr Guske is the best, so kind and compassionate. I'm so glad my PCP recommend them to me. Like I said, I would have no problem recommending them to anyone. AlmostHome, check on alternates to the Bariatric Advantage when you see them. I didn't question them on that, but Dr Guske did talk to me about Vitamins from GNC so I'm sure they'll give you a list of alternates to the shakes.

Quick add - I don't have to buy their shakes or Vitamins. They supplied me with a list of vitamins you can get at Walgreens and they really only worry about your Protein intake, but it doesn't "have" to be Bariatric Advantage, although as you state, they are in partnership with them so they offer that product in office.

Here's my biased opinion for what it's worth. I was referred to the Kane Center by my PCP, she and the practice she works at only recommend this center because they are a Center of Excellence in Bariatrics. My first experience with them was the seminar that like you I found extremely informative. When I went to my first appt with the surgeon (Dr Paul Guske) I was met by a nurse who treated me with the utmost respect and explained everything she was doing. Upon meeting Dr Guske and talking with him honestly, I was hooked. He is very compassionate and I never felt like I was the "fat" person in the room. He was/is very respectful and so encouraging. We talked for a bit about the different procedures, my health issues and then he asked me which procedure I thought was best for me. He was glad I had already chosen RNY, but he said if I had picked another he would have respected my decision. Thru the whole pre-op process I never felt like I was on my own. Every and any question I had was answered quickly and kindly, no matter how small or large, real or imagined in my head. During my final pre-op appt with Dr. Guske, he was very reassuring and I felt completely comfortable with what was about to take place. And then there's Alexian in Hoffman Estates. I've been in many and actually worked at a hospital but I have NEVER seen so many caring people who know what their doing. The nursing staff on 2 South that takes care of bariatric surgical patients are the BEST. They know what you need, how you feel and how to help you more often then not without you even having to ask. There wasn't a single disrespectful person there. I never felt like I was being judged or condemned because of my weight or situation. So if I ever had to refer someone, it would be to the Kane Center, Dr. Paul Guske and Alexian in Hoffman Estates. They are all top notch in patient care, compassion and understanding. Again, it's my unbiased opinion, but I feel quite confident in referring them to anyone. Best of luck with your journey

My surgeon advised me to take at least 2 weeks. I have a sit down job and he said that no matter what I thought or felt there was no way I would be able to sit for 8 hours a day in a chair. I'm currently 2 weeks out and taking at least another, possibly 2 more, depending on how my appt goes Tuesday (post-op appt). I do work from home, but I totally agree with him that sitting for long periods of time isn't comfortable. I am taking FML, but my company offered it. I'm really concerned for you when you say that everyone in your company will know what your doing if you file for FML, if they say ANYTHING to ANYONE about your procedure they would be doing something totally against the law. Your human resource department has no right to divulge any information to anyone about you, not even your manager. If they do, you have serious issues.

I try to eat before the rest of my family has dinner, that way I don't feel like I'm missing out. Since I'm eating every 3 hours, it's easy to do now. I finally stepped on the scale and I'm down 20 since 2 weeks before surgery when I started the Meal Replacement shakes. I have my first post-op appt on Tuesday, that's going to be my next "scale" date. I'm so trying to not be obsessed by it. I know I'll have stalls so I figure if I can break my habit of weighing every day I won't make my self crazy. I can say that by eating food and not drinking it, I do feel more satisfied, it's probably a mind game, but it's working.

I was so psyched to try the

Lyn, I know like everyone else here all too well how some healthcare professionals are un-professional regarding obesity and WLS. I'm wondering if you could help with this by asking your Surgeon to talk with your group. Explain to him the negative attitudes and perceptions your encountering in your class and ask him to educate them. If more people are educated about the real reasons behind the inability to loose and keep it off maybe they would have more empathy and understanding of the disease that is obesity. It's not something we chose to get, but it's something we need to fix and if the medical community were more on board it would make life so much easier.

Directly after our seminar we were given packets but told we could make our initial appts. right then and there. I'm guessing that 90% of the participants were there on referral from their PCP so we were probably all candidates therefore the packet information was for records only. The only thing they asked was that prior to the appt. we called and confirmed with our insurance that the procedure was covered.

Rosanna, I didn't bring them and didn't need them, the gas was more intestinal so I didn't think they'd do much.You can always bring them though, it's not like they take up much room. I was overpacked, I can tell you that. I only used a handful of items that included: Phone, loose fitting robe, tooth brush, tooth paste, hair brush, hair clips, ear plugs, face cleaner wipes, face moisturizer and lotion). I wore home what I wore there. I took way more then that and it never made it out of the bag. You don't even have to bring a robe, they'll give you 2 gowns, one for the front and one for the back. I was there for 4 days, one more day then expected, but still I didn't need much.