Inner Surfer Girl

That is so cool! I just looked at her schedule and the closest she will be to me is Nashville.

I didn't have a drain but I did have this ball/device that administered a numbing agent. It was wired into my chest, just under my sternum and hung around my neck. I only wore it for a couple of days until it was empty. My incisions across my abdomen were glued, so unless I lifted up my shirt and showed someone they were not visible. You may have some bruising where the IV was administered. Also, since you are on blood thinners you may bruise easily. One thing you may need to keep in mind as a student is that in the first weeks/month or so after surgery you may be mentally fuzzy. I was in a bit of a fog for a month which impacted my short term memory. This may be due to dehydration/lack of nutrition, anesthesia, and/or general stress due to the surgery and healing. Also, keep in mind lifting restrictions. You won't be able to lift a heavy book bag for a while. The best way to heal quickly is to be gentle with yourself and follow your program. Focus on getting in all of your Protein and fluids. Take your Vitamins and supplements as instructed. Exercise (walking is great until you are cleared for more strenuous exercise). If you need any accommodations after surgery, talk with your Dean of Students office. And, if you can't find healthy choices through food service, definitely talk to the manager of your food services. Best of luck with your surgery and keep us posted on how you are doing.

Like the Sparkpeople app, you can look up foods, create meals and recipes, as well as track other things like exercise. Take a look at what is available and works for you, but ultimately the best one is the one you will use.

That is so great! I haven't worn jeans in decades. I would consider being able to wear Mom Jeans as an NSV myself.

Stalls are a normal, natural, and necessary part of the weight loss process. If you intend to lose a lot of weight you will experience stalls. Most people experience their first stall about three weeks after surgery. Follow your program. Focus on getting in all of your Protein and fluids. Take your Vitamins and supplements as instructed. Exercise. Stay off the scale. If the numbers in the scale are going to dictate how you feel, then I recommend you weigh no more than once a week (or even less often). Embrace the Stall! http://BariatricPal.com/index.php?/topic/351046-Embrace-the-Stall

My idea has to be: Embrace the Stall!

I have struggled with eating issues my whole life. I truly believe that the work I have done (therapy, OA, etc.) up to now is why I have had such a positive experience with my surgery and recovery. I have observed that many of the people who have the most difficulty are those who have not done any psychological work related to food issues: whether due to addiction, eating disorders, or just dealing with stress and life. WLS is a major change and is extremely stressful. Without healthy coping skills and support, it is even more so.

Please stay off the scale, especially if your first response to a weight fluctuation is to restrict your protein. Protein is absolutely critical to healing and weight loss. DO NOT cut back on fluids and protein. Follow your program. Focus on getting in ALL of your protein and fluids. Take your Vitamins and supplements when and as directed. Exercise. Walking is great until you are cleared for more strenuous exercise. Sip, sip, sip, And, STAY OFF THE SCALE. If you are going to let the numbers on the scale dictate how you are feeling, then please consider only weighing at your doctors appointments for the first few months. Just as a heads up, you will lose weight, and the numbers on the scale will fluctuate in the short term.

I use an app on my phone called MyFitnessPal. There is no way I could keep up with my protein without it.

Congratulations! I am not close to maintenance myself, but the first thing I plan to do when getting close to maintenance is to make an appointment with my NUT to talk about strategies. Keep us posted on how you are doing.

Actually, that was why the sleeve was initially developed. They found that so many patients did so well with the sleeve that they didn't have to go in and do a bypass for many of them. If you have a skilled and experienced surgeon, I would listen to his advice. His primary goal is to keep you safe and alive and to perform a successful surgery. I started with an extremely high BMI and was sleeved April 20. I couldn't be happier.

Sounds great. Most people don't have a lot of issues. Just take it easy and don't push too hard. Focus on getting in all of your Protein and fluids. You MAY experience a loss of energy and tiredness as you heal or you may be just fine. Stick with your program and you should be fine!

That would probably have too much protein (just my observation). It's not a powder, but the Premier vanilla tastes pretty good. chocolate Premier is my favorite but I like the vanilla and strawberry for a change of pace. I also like the GNC Lean 25 in orange cream.

Welcome! I am in Danville and was sleeved April 20 of this year by Dr. Weiss at Georgetown. I couldn't be happier with my experience so far. This is a great site for support, information, and inspiration. As to your post here, this is an old thread so I don't know if any of the previous posters are still here. I don't know of anyone in particular who has gone to Vanderbilt but you can do a search on the site. You might even want to look under the Tennessee threads or just search "Vanderbilt". My insurance doesn't cover weight loss surgery either but I wound up going through vocational rehab because I am disabled. I don't know your particular situation but that might be an option if your weight impacts your ability to work.

Congratulations! This is so great to hear. I wish you a very, Merry Christmas and an awesome New Year!

Welcome to the site. This is a great place for support, information and inspiration. I'll try to answer what I can but I am sure there are others that may have more insight. As far as pain being on your upper left side it might be due to the hernia repair and it also might be due to the incisions. I have heard that some people have soreness on that side because that is where the largest incision is located for some folks. If it persists, I would ask your surgeon. As to gas pain, the only treatment I know is to walk and move around as much as possible. Some folks have also had someone massage or pat their backs (like burping a baby). I found a heating pad helpful, too. I don't know what to tell you about your issue with drinking Protein shakes. At a week out from surgery I was pretty much sipping something at all times so I don't remember of any particular reaction. I just sip, sip, sipped. If you are sleepy, you may need to rest or take a nap. You are still healing from surgery so there is nothing wrong with taking it easy. It is so important to get all of your protein and fluids in for healing. You definitely don't want to get dehydrated. I hope this helps and you are able to get answers that will help you. The best advice I can give is to: follow your program; focus on getting in all of your protein and fluids; take your Vitamins and supplements when instructed; exercise when cleared; and stay off the scale for a while.

I believe mine was about 45 minutes with a hernia repair.

Congratulations! You've taken the first step toward the rest of your life!

Rant away! Then, Embrace the Stall! http://BariatricPal.com/index.php?/topic/351046-Embrace-the-Stall

Greek yogurt, cottage cheese, and tuna are pretty much staples for me. They are great protein sources.

We are here to help the best we can. I recommend you get the book Eat it Up! It's available on Amazon and was written by a therapist who works with bariatric surgery patients. It won't take the place of a good therapist but I think you may find it helpful. Another good book is When food is Love.

That isn't necessarily true, especially for larger sizes.

That sounds like something you need to ask your insurance carrier since it is their requirement.

What country are you in? I hope your surgeon's office can help you find someone. You also might want to check into Overeater's Anonymous. There are meetings all over the world as well as online and by phone. The website is www.oa.org.

Congratulations! Let your competitiveness help you be the most awesome you that you can be. You don't have to compete with anyone else to be awesome!