SugarBomb

I started the process in Nov 13, which required six months of a medically supervised diet and many hoops to jump through. My approval letter arrived on July 14th. I've since been to the bariatric center, gotten most of my lab work done, and have just started the opti fast diet as required by the surgeon. Out-of-pocket costs for the surgery, which the bariatric center required me to pay up front even though I don't have a surgery date yet, is around $850.00. That doesn't include lab work or the anesthesiology. Plus there was the cost of the Opti-fast--around $400.00. My BMI is 56, plus I have high blood pressure and a C-Pap. That probably made me a shoo-in.

I have a list of banned medications...somewhere. I'll keep looking, but in the meantime does anyone here know if Nyquil is allowed for someone with the sleeve?

Great job!

Your replies eased my concerns. I went for my post-op checkup yesterday to meet with the surgeon, but he wasn't there. I met with the nurse instead, but she wasn't concerned about Protein at this point. She said in that first week the important thing was getting in enough liquid. While 64 oz of Fluid is the goal, the real danger zone is when we drink less than 40 ounces a day. I usually get in 50-70, but the other post-op patients I was talking to at the bariatric meeting were not able to hit goal--ever. Today I get to start pureed foods. Looking forward to it...I think.

I had my surgery on Oct. 7th. I had a rough time of it right after surgery, or so I've been told. I was so doped up, I don't remember very much. But I was doing great by the second day. I haven't needed any pain medicine since coming home from the hospital. Overall, I'm doing well. I get a frequent gassy feeling in my chest after swallowing, no big deal though. But my one concern is that I'm only getting in about 50-75% of my Protein requirement. I'm on full liquid right now. I mix the Nestle Beneprotein powder I was given by the bariatric center prior to my surgery with my Greek yogurt, but a scoop of that only has 6 g protein. And I gag down one Muscle shake a day, which has about 20 g, but I really don't like the taste. Anyway, is it common not to reach the protein goal right at the beginning? Should I be majorly concerned?

I'm scheduled for October 7th. I've been in Limbo for so long, finally having a date is very motivational.

Tentative date...October 7th.

I'm in the pre-surgery liquid diet phase, but I'm already thinking about how to add resistance training to my routine. I was looking at something like the Total Gym Fit, but it's a little too pricey for my blood. I also need something that can handle my 300 plus pounds. I'm looking at the Bayou Fitness Total Body Gym because it's less expensive and is made for people up to 400 lbs. I'm just wondering if anyone here has tried one of these machines or something similar? It looks like it can help a lot with strengthening the upper body, but not so much for the lower body. Do you agree? If I purchase one I plan to combine it with walking, but that won't work in the winter because we get a lot of ice and snow here. I wish I lived closer to a gym, but the nearest one is fifteen miles away. So I'm thinking this machine, or some kind of machine, will get more use. Anybody else in a similar situation or simply chooses to do resistance work at home?

I'm just not a big fan of free weights--never have been even when I was in shaped and worked out everyday. Though I have an interest in the resistance band, I really like the concept behind the total gym. The kids are interested in using the machine too, so anything that motivates them to get off their butts and exercise is a big plus. So I'm wondering if people my size have used them with good results.

Well, Rainmaker70...your story beats mine to hell . That's all I can say.

I'm on day two. I am on a strict menu. It's six Opti-Fast shakes and one Protein bar a day. Soup, Jello, nothing else is an option. Except I'm allowed to have sugar-free, caffeine-free, calorie-free liquids (which also means taste-free). I have a slight headache, but my energy level is okay. I made pizza and tacos for the kids today. Everything looks twice as delicious as usual, so I've been doing the Jedi Mind Trick on myself. "These are not the meals you are looking for--move along. Drink a shake." And it's been working.

On top of looking slimmer, you look 10-15 years younger. Wow.

This may not be the best reason, but it was very motivational for me to finally get off of my bum and to vigorously pursue weight loss surgery. I'm on my husband's insurance. He'll be retiring in a couple of years. Not knowing what the future holds, I decided I better get this done while it's still an option.

Oh, my gosh. I just drank my first Opti-Fast shake and I'm still starving! I'm supposed to do this for 4 to 5 weeks? One of these tiny little drink shakes makes me feel about as full as...breathing. Somebody, quick, give me a pep talk!

Yep, the surgeon requires a minimum 4 weeks on the Opti-fast diet for all of his patients. Longer if they don't lose enough weight. It's supposed to de-fat the liver, giving him safer access to the guts he needs to reach. I have to go to three pre-surgery clinics as well. I already went to the first one. They drew blood and gave me a huge 3-ring binder full of practical pre- and post-op information. Spent nearly the whole day there. They also went over all the Vitamins and pills I'm supposed to be taking--I feel like a walking chemical. They let those of us at the clinic taste test all of of the Opti-fast shake flavors and candy bars. Then we picked out the ones we wanted for the week. We come back again next week for another clinic. And then there's another one after that. They're really thorough at this bariatric center, which is annoying, but I'm sure it's a good thing. I'm slugging through my shakes okay. Oh, I forgot to mention that I'm supposed to eat one Protein bar in addition to the shakes. Everything tastes okay, but I'm sure I'll be sick of them real soon. It's hard when I still have to cook for the kids. I was watching them eat their supper with envy. That leftover 5-layer dip in the fridge looked so good, but I practiced self-control. Thanks for the advice everyone and the words of encouragement.

I'm not sure if these are questions I already should know, but I don't. I'd really appreciate some feedback about your experiences with liquids. 1. After the gastric sleeve surgery will I still be able to take oral medicines normally like Synthroid and high blood pressure medicines? 2. What about aspirin and Tylenol? 3. Are you able to drink carbonated beverages? 4. What about black coffee? What about black coffee with cream and sugar? 5. Are you able to drink a plain glass of milk? 6. How about beer or wine? 7. I like fresh carrot juice now and then. I think it's a good way to get extra nutrients into your body. Has anyone here juiced post-op?

That seems like bad luck. Maybe it's pre-surgery stress nibbling away at your body, weakening your resistance. Then again, it's better to deal with an infection now than right after the surgery, so maybe it's good luck in disguise. Just a thought.

Maybe this is a strange question. Every morning when I wake up, and right before I go to bed, I drink a large glass of water in like five seconds flat. Also, I can't imagine being thirsty and/or hot after working in the yard, then coming in and taking only a sip or two of water at a time. I'm a glugger, I guess. Will I still be able to glug after the surgery? Never really thought about how hard it would be not to hydrate this way.

You've answered my question, everyone. Thank you.

Thank you. Enjoy the magic, heh.

I'm sorry if I picked the wrong forum to introduce myself, but here I go. I'm a 45-year-old woman on the road to to weight loss surgery (maybe). I'm interested in the gastric sleeve, but I haven't met with the surgeon yet. However, I've gone to a group meeting at the weight loss surgery center where I received a packet of all the stuff I need to do beforehand to get insurance approval. Basically, the surgeon doesn't want to see you until you're approved. I've done the 6 months medically supervised diet (which I didn't follow very well, I admit). All I have left is the required psych evaluation before I send all the paperwork off in hopes that insurance will give its approval. At this point, I'm not sure if the surgeon will think I'm a good candidate for the gastric sleeve. I have a lot to lose and I'm not a spring chicken anymore. If he recommends the duodenal switch instead, I'm probably going to say no thank you. I seriously considered it before, but backed away because I thought it was too extreme. I'm hoping I make the right decision, whatever it is. Reading about your experiences ought to help.