BitterSweet*

@@Smye, You left out the single most important factor. You're a male. Boom. Consider your goal achieved. Men lose weight quite faster than women. I think you're going to do fantastic.

An esophageal hernia is not normal. Not today. Not ever. It is a known problem that you have and it seems quite obvious that it may in fact be the sole reason you aren't doing well.
I just don't understand your doctor's reasoning, so my prayer for you will be that you get a second opinion. Immediately. A GI specialist may also be able to help so don't just ask for a referral to another bariatric surgeon, ask for one to a gastroenterologist as well. I wish I could help more, but my gut says it's the hernia. Truly praying that this resolves soon enough. Hugs from afar......

I've done lots of research about him and I'm at 100% with my choice of him. What I'm not 100% about is the plane ride home. That part worries me a bit.
 
@@Kindle just had her surgiversary and Dr. Ortiz was her surgeon. There's a really lengthy thread on here about Dr. Ortiz and the OCC, but I don't remember the name. I'm sure Kindle does and she's usually kind enough to post the link when a question like yours comes up. Good luck!

A prescription strength PPI will work much better than an OTC one. I'm glad you're on top of this and I hope you feel better soon.

@@Jen Sull, All patients in the pre-op area receive IV Versed, a med that causes relaxation and amnesia. Folks who are super nervous or teary get more Versed until the desired effect is achieved. Unless you are allergic to it (in which case a different med like Xanax would be given), you'll be sufficiently calmed. No worries. Good luck with everything.

A prescription strength PPI will work much better than an OTC one. I'm glad you're on top of this and I hope you feel better soon.

Take a bunch of photos of yourself and measure your body parts. Take the pics in the same outfit and in the same place (like in front of a door) to provide a good frame of reference as your weight loss progresses. I agree with staying off of the scale too. Good luck!

Take a bunch of photos of yourself and measure your body parts. Take the pics in the same outfit and in the same place (like in front of a door) to provide a good frame of reference as your weight loss progresses. I agree with staying off of the scale too. Good luck!

Very brave and courageous of you. I hope everything turns out well for the missing person.

@@Mumsicle, Dying laughing at the description of your sisters!! ????????

Call your doctor and at a bare minimum go to urgent care if you are unable to reach him or her. Happy New Years and I hope you begin feeling better soon.

Hydrate your body, moisturize your skin, take your Vitamins, and lift weights. Heavy weights.

Awesome! Congratulations!

@@Tauruslady5, a JP drain collects A LOT of bloody drainage after surgery. When a JP drain is not used, where do you imagine that drainage goes? There isn't some special technique used by some surgeons and not others that eliminates the need for it; the drainage will happen regardless of whether a JP is used or not. Personally, I'd rather the pain and discomfort of a JP rather than letting all of the sanguinous Fluid just drain into my peritoneal cavity. That's scarier to me.
Btw, anyone who is considering a Tummy Tuck will get not one but two JP drains after surgery. And, they are tunneled and exit through the mons pubis (top of the va-jay)!
Happy New Years to all of you!

@@Tauruslady5, a JP drain collects A LOT of bloody drainage after surgery. When a JP drain is not used, where do you imagine that drainage goes? There isn't some special technique used by some surgeons and not others that eliminates the need for it; the drainage will happen regardless of whether a JP is used or not. Personally, I'd rather the pain and discomfort of a JP rather than letting all of the sanguinous Fluid just drain into my peritoneal cavity. That's scarier to me.
Btw, anyone who is considering a Tummy Tuck will get not one but two JP drains after surgery. And, they are tunneled and exit through the mons pubis (top of the va-jay)!
Happy New Years to all of you!

@@Mumsicle, Dying laughing at the description of your sisters!! ????????

Lol! Happy New Years and congrats on bringing in the new year in style! Rock those TED hose and that hospital gown!

..............@@Cococat, please YouTube the theme song for the Disney movie "Frozen".
I'll be sure to use my angel wings to make patient rounds instead of walking like regular folks, and I'll keep my eyes open for that bottle of drops. =)

Side note: This post doesn't come across as judgemental but moreso inquisitive and discussion worthy.

@@Cococat, Bless your heart.
You contaminated your hospital issued Latanoprost when the bottle tip made contact with your eye. Perhaps she didn't have her sights set on longer lashes at all, but removed the bottle from your room to prevent you from infecting your eye. Nah......that could never be the case. Perhaps her oversight was just in forgetting to get the pharmacy to issue you a new, sterile bottle of drops before your short stay was over.
Even if you've always administered eye drops in this improper way and never developed an eye infection, does not make it right. You've vented plenty about your "stolen" drops, so seek "justice" from those that wronged you so terribly. Patient questionnaires don't do much. Make your complaints with the appropriate personell at the hospital itself, and dispute the charge for the drops with the insurance company..........and then move on.
You should start your own thread about your pen & pad suggestion since you advocate for it so vehemently. I'm sure the good folks on this forum would be grateful for your helpful tips. Don't forget to advise them to take down the names of the tellers next time they're at the bank too. It'll keep those thieving tellers at bay.
Happy holidays to you and best wishes for continued weight loss success. =)

As an RN, I can tell you the suggestion above won't put the fear of God into the nurses that care for you, it'll cause them to minimize their interactions with you. Also, unless you have the power to change the information that is already on record, your employment and insurance information are printed on a demographic sheet that is located in the back of your chart or is easily viewed on a computer. Hopefully your procedure is being done in a fantastic and reputable hospital that is staffed with professionals.
My advice: Be kinder than is necessary to people you encounter; be your own advocate, and when something bothers you, speak up for yourself; be honest about your level of pain so that you can be medicated appropriately; follow your post-op instructions to the letter; make sure you are discharged with appropriate medications for pain, nausea, and a PPI (for acid / reflux).
I'm sure you'll do great. Congratulations and good luck on your journey. I hope all goes well for you!

As an RN, I can tell you the suggestion above won't put the fear of God into the nurses that care for you, it'll cause them to minimize their interactions with you. Also, unless you have the power to change the information that is already on record, your employment and insurance information are printed on a demographic sheet that is located in the back of your chart or is easily viewed on a computer. Hopefully your procedure is being done in a fantastic and reputable hospital that is staffed with professionals.
My advice: Be kinder than is necessary to people you encounter; be your own advocate, and when something bothers you, speak up for yourself; be honest about your level of pain so that you can be medicated appropriately; follow your post-op instructions to the letter; make sure you are discharged with appropriate medications for pain, nausea, and a PPI (for acid / reflux).
I'm sure you'll do great. Congratulations and good luck on your journey. I hope all goes well for you!

Side note: This post doesn't come across as judgemental but moreso inquisitive and discussion worthy.

You need more calories.

In the nicest, most professional way that I can say this.......Keep your trap shut. =)