Beni

Thanks Amy for sharing on the Iron thing. I am trying to get in front of this. I lost a lot of blood with one of my baby deliveries I ended up anemic and with post partum depression. I do not want to go down that road again. It was terrible and I had zero energy. Dc0520 Sorry to hear about pain. Everyone says the gas pain is bad in the first couple days but make sure they take care of you with pain meds. I imagine it must be hard. we are thinking of you.

Something else to consider. A fellow Bariatric Pal just found out her Iron was low at the 6 month blood work. Of course, this is something to try to avoid because it can cause anemia. I have spent my morning researching proper Vitamin intake and checked the American Society of Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS.) This is the bible site for bariatric surgeons. After considerable reading, I found their guidelines for post operative requirements. Please take a look at this. You have to scroll farther down to Q5 to get to the area in question. I think it's worth reading since this is what the doctors read to design their post-op programs. Incidently it's what insurance companies follow for approval. http://asmbs.org/resources/clinical-practice-guidelines-for-the-perioperative-nutritional-metabolic-and-nonsurgical-support-of-the-bariatric-surgery-patient I do know there is this issue with how Iron supplements are poorly absorbed in general and by Bariatric patients specifically and taking Vitamin C with it helps bind it, but it is crucial not to have any milk products when you take your iron. You also can't have your Calcium at the same time (3 hours later). Because most of us are taking 2 Multivitamins at the same time once a day and probably not paying attention if there are any milk products eaten the time. I could see myself developing a problem in the future. Thus decided to share!

How are you holding up? PAT testing?

Hi majones_orl, You are so lucky to have a friend who went through and you can depend on. I too have started to freeze meals for my family because I need to have some control over my life and I can't stand the thought of what my husband would fix the kids. He has many qualities but he is surely, not a chef. Vegetables, what's that! Hi layknee. I was a bit that way two weeks ago. Now I am just seriously distracted. I can't stop thinking about my surgery and you all and I am having an issue focusing on things that are seemingly important but I find it all meaningless. In a word, I'm obssesed with my surgery.

I am so.... clever, figured out how to get hot pink lettering! misstvb and wlswarrior are going on the 8th and majones_orl on the 9th, layknee 13th, yoyonomore and smiley922 on the 14th and OnePhatWhoDat 15th. We'll get to the 20ths later. Anyone else with dates in the single digits and teens in our little group is missed? How are you all getting ready for the big day? what prep, mental or otherwise have you all been doing?

So glad to hear you are doing well superbariatricbabe. Yesterday at my support group there were 3 people, 2 weeks past surgery and pain free, walking around good as new. Not long at all.

Sherri4health, No over doing anything this week right? Get well soon my friend. Jyoyonomore, Yes, the dreadful errands that get in the way of my Water drinking. I know them well. I suspect my issue is also not having the straw. It just makes it slower to drink. The good news is the days right after surgery drinking water will be our full time job. Perhaps, I'll be focused then. I do make it to 48oz everyday, just not to 64oz. However, that's not with my tiny egg sized pouch post RNY. So many people are back in the hospital due to dehydration.

Bronxmerci, Best wishes, so sorry, I knew I was going to leave someone out accidentally. Go get them gladiator Best of luck!

I see. You can lead a horse to water but you cannot make it drink

Sherri, I know, lol. The only problem is there is going to be a lot less of me to go around when I lose all this weight! Are they going to put on antibiotics or do they still think your respiratory infection is viral?

I'm having a bypass Oct 28th. By the way everyone moves about in Bariatric Pal, bypass, sleeve, etc. It's just a big happy family. At times it's hard to keep track but there is so much overlap in pre-op and post-op it all works somehow. Also Everyone responds to topics in every forum. i know, it gets messy

Drinking water is my biggest challenge. I have tried everything but hardly ever make it to 64Oz. I am getting to the point I will need one of those camel backpacks with a line like hikers use. But we are not supposed to use straws. I am just too busy to focus on water every 5 seconds. So sad, I am failing at drinking water, imagine that!

Okay everyone, OCT 7th is a mad rush. There are a ton of gladiators going through tomorrow. I apologize in advance if I forget someone. It's getting harder for my little brain to keep track. Best of luck to: walkin'onsunshine hharrison43 dc0520 Joy59 Luvin_Life125 was a maybe. I noticed she was not on the upcoming surgeries, so not 100% sure Sherri4Health is going to fight another day as she is still sick from a cold Best of luck everyone! We are cheering you on! Let us know how you did!

Hi Tacycakes, I too was super nauseated in my first trimester of pregnancy. It was so bad I refused to have any more babies (did end up with 3 kids but 5 pregnancies). I am sure the hernia will add a little something but lots of people have them done at the same time as RNY. It will be fine in the end.

Sorry Sherri, that's a bummer.

My bariatric doctor stated that WLS surgery has the same outcomes for patients with eating disorders or not. I thought that was interesting. I am more of a portion control kind of person. I think the crucial point is your ability to follow the diet protocol. From everything I have read (a lot) the best you can do is be organized about what you eat. Your WLS will do the rest at least in the short term. Later on, making good choices will be crucial. The hope is you will develop good habits in the first year that will carry through.

Jeaniek, I was explained 3 to 5 lbs is what to expect. Heavier patients lose faster then lighter patients, (ask yourself were you a 200, 300, 400lbs,etc starting weight?) So, with 34 pounds lost in 10 weeks. That's 3.4 pounds per week, right on schedule! Doing fantastic!

Hi AuriP, glad you are thinking positive. I went on obesityhelp.com and they have this neat picture feature with before and after photos. It takes a while to go through but the neat thing is you can find someone with your body type and age before and it helps to see the result after. It's addicting! And awesome to see.

maggiemayuk, thank you for sharing. I would absolutely love to get a wig. I have seen them online but feared they may look too fake. I have curly thick hair (pixie cut right now) and blow drying and straightening almost everyday is a workout, specially when it was a little longer. My arm actually hurts. A nice wig in a slightly longer length would be a dream. I'll check out the Raquel Welch line

Good point Betty Boop, no one will be checking my tummy for scars. I was just being silly. And no, I have not complained about my imaginary hernia. It's not like I am going to lie, I just need to keep all focus on me. I can't be worrying about how others will react and how I tell them, blah, blah, blah!

My doctor stated I would be going home without drains. Of course, assuming there are no complications. He doesn't use catheters routinely either. Surgery is only an hour and you will be awake and up going to the bathroom a couple hours later. Sooner then a night's sleep. But I sure don't go to bed with an IV with fluids. I hope my bladder can hold! Lol. Mine is not on the largest size either. I think with every kid it shrunk. Since I have been attempting to get my 68oz of Water (have not made it except 3 times in a month) I feel it may be the size an almond. My, oh my, I sure visit the little girls room a lot (TMI). I also wonder if my doctor thinks I'm super woman. I very much doubt I will be walking around two hours after major surgery. But some doctors do drains and catheters as part of their procedure from what I have read in this board. I guess it varies.

Also, someone mentioned it took a whole year for her to adjust to some foods. I guess we'll have to be patient and hope for the best. Oh, no pizza.... tear. It made me bloated anyway but I did like it.

Yes, hernia. I remember now. You had the chest pain. Hum, I wonder why such sensitivity from fat. I have read other people having various food intolerances. But I have also read that they get better with time for some peope. Right after surgery your tolerance is very low specially since all the stomach enzymes are not in place, not to mention gut flora. It's like being a baby again introducing a new food at a time to see what agrees with the baby. I am not looking forward to that.

Betty Boop, me too, I'm having an imaginary "hiatal hernia" repair as well. I have even started complaining about it for added effect and credibility. I am also considering having some complications with my repair which will need some laproscopy to be going on my tummy, thus the extra scars. Since eating will be difficult I'll lose a lot of weight. I'll get so happy about it, this will cause me to stick to "my diet" and I will lose some more. LOL. Good Luck! Sorry I do not want to share my surgery for now. Maybe later, maybe never.

Read your facial hair comment regarding Biotin. Great I'll have a full head of hair and a full beard by surgery date. Since I have not told anyone about my surgery this will be my new look. Lol