Beni

How was pain in the first week after coming home? Did you take any meds for pain? Which ones? I was told I should have no pain just soreness at which point I thought, right and the Easter bunny is real!

25 pounds. AWESOME!

Thanks Auri, I'll order some of the 15 flavors of protein

Hi kindle, What protein do you take? I like the idea that includes fiber.

Healthiertoday1227, did you also have gallbladder attacks. I have been told they are very painful. My symptoms are somewhat mild but now I am wondering if it's not the gallbladder after all. How did your doctor determine it was gallbladder?

Thank you Kimberly1184. I will hold off on the implant. The last thing I want is extra pain to deal with. I just feel bad because my chewing, which I am supposed to do for 20 minutes per meal will be less efficient. That tooth cracked all the way through eating a corn chip and had to be removed. Imagine that! On other side of my mouth I have a sensitive tooth with a filling. It was done when I was a child and recently redone a month ago. It's now super sensitive. It will eventually require a root canal but I am waiting to see if it will calm down. Blast. Both sides of my mouth are in trouble. I will have to chew for 20 minutes with my front teeth. It's a good thing I am not going out to eat for a while! I will look very odd but if chipmunks do it, so can I.

Dr Maozzez I believe works out of Fair Oaks Hospital ( he may work at other hospitals as well). But the upshot is my surgery is at Fair Oaks Oct 28th and they are a Center of Excellence. By the way some insurances require a Center of Excellence for approval. At least that's what I have been told on the bords but I have not fact checked.

FIY did a bit of research on omeprazole (Prilosec) and pantoprazole (Protonix). They are both very similar drugs and I am sure our doctors will make the best choice for us. They come under a category of proton inhibitors which cause decreased acid secretion in the stomach. Now, I also found out they inhibit vitamin B12 absorption. VERY IMPORTANT not to take it within 3 hours of vitamins. It also states either drug must be taken whole (not crushed) and slow release is also not okay. Again the doctor has the ultimate say but I thought it was interesting. A long list of side effects is also listed just like with any drug. I feel like I understand this a little better.

eacarpenter, what kind of pain meds where you given for that first week when you went home?

Selina, your plan is solid and very easy to follow, Thank you for sharing

I think this only proves, once more, that protein is key to feeling full. Please tell me about Nectar protein powder and where you get it?

Great! Correct on the ulcers, but acid is manageable with Prilosec. You just have to be on top of things. As a complication at this point, this is an easier one, especially since you know before hand you have a tendency to acidity. I do too, oh well! I like to think I am just super efficient at cracking every molecule of nutrition. In a famine I would be set, unfortunately I live in abundance, thus I have obesity. Not fair, lol

My bypass will be Oct 28th. I can't wait. I only had to lose 5 pounds which I did in a week but I hope to start a little pre-surgery diet of my own two weeks before surgery. I will also focus on exercise beyond walking. I am thinking it will help with the recovery. 5 pounds to go is not much at all. The 2 week diet will do it for sure.

Congrats and thank you for the advice.

I plan on keeping my bypass to myself and husband. I am not even telling the kids. I need to keep my head clear and my eye on the ball. This is high stakes game right now. Emotionally, I don't think I can handle everyone's reactions, feelings and questions. I have spent my entire life giving but not taking care of myself in part because everyone's needs always seemed more important then mine. This time, I am taking care of ME. I may feel differently down the road.

Congrats brown eyed gal, that's so great. Hurray for jello and popsicles. I too am going down that road. My bypass is Oct 28th.

Hi everyone, now that some of us have started to buy and drink protein shakes are there any favorites as far as taste. I think vanilla and chocolate is were I'll start. I went GNC but was not sure which to buy.

Hurray for mushy foods!

My doctors approach: What was explained to me 1. Protein shakes for two weeks after surgery and Water to allow recovery 2. Progressively introducing foods in stages, liquid, soft, etc. Not until week 8 you begin chewing if I recall correctly. A lot of folks like the protein shakes because they are easy and reassures them they are meeting the required protein intake specially if they exercise and are trying to build muscle. However, because it is a liquid it will travel through your pouch much quicker then food. solid food is a must to keep you satisfied for several hours. That's how you get the "full feeling" that lasts 5 hours. With shakes the duration of "full feeling" is shorter. You will be hungry sooner. If you are not careful you could easily take in too many calories thus defeating your WLS. High calorie drinks is how you slow down your weight loss and who needs that. Having said that there are also some folks who have trouble keeping meats down and depend on shakes to meet daily protein requirements. Hope it makes sense. This is what I have learned but I have not placed into practice, as my surgery is October 28 Hope it makes sense.

I was told by my doctor's nutritionist: I would be doing post surgery, two solid weeks of only Protein shakes and Water to allow the pouch to heal. So for right now concentrate your efforts on that protein. I can't remember the amount right now

What does your doctor say? If you are not able to keep anything down specially fluids, I think you need to call him. Have you tried to get the Water a little warmer, closer to your body temperature and eating it with a teaspoon. I used to do this while I was pregnant and had horrible morning sickness. I would pretend I was eating Soup. I think because I was "eating my water" in such tiny amounts at a time, my tummy could handle it. I was told by my NUT that I would go on a prescription anti-acid after surgery to manage stomach acidity. Are you taking anything like that. Obviously I am not a doctor, I am just thinking. The burning sensation sounds worrisome but I have not had the surgery yet to be able to compare for myself. Good luck

Could it be acid? With doctor approval, of course, try a 7 day anti-acid course. With a prescription grade medicine or Prilosec - OTC like meds. I am pre-surgery but over the years I have suffered from exactly the same symptoms you state. Mine get a little better throughout the day. It seems worst when I wake up. The bloating is the worst. I was told by my GP to do the Prilosec and it always works after a few days. I have always wondered if I have a food allergy.

I have not gone through that phase yet but, I understand drinking plenty of water - over 64 oz helps. I must say yours is the most drastic 12 day diet I have seen on the boards. But it seems there is a lot of variety when it comes to pre-diet.

RJ, This is a set back but not the end of the road. Yes, there is a lot going on. It is time perhaps to break down tasks (after a little break where fun and distraction play a big role) to simple things you can do. Make a list if that helps you. Make one phone call a day on your process. I find if I move forward even if only y a small amount I feel like I accomplished something. My grandmother, the wisest woman I ever knew, would have said "don't worry about the things that you can't do. Worry about those that you can do and how you are going to do it." Start with those, as small has they maybe, they are your path to bigger and better things. Baby steps, that's how you build a great wall, a life for yourself! Make the most beautiful wall you can make. It won't be perfect but it will be your wall and it will stand as an example of the amazing individual that you are. You keep building, okay! I wish all the best, it is a journey, and this too shall pass.

I have Blue Cross Blue Shield, Federal Employee Program. They require a two year weight history to qualify. You have to show them you have been at a BMI above 40 or 35 with complications such as high blood pressure, diabetes or sleep apnea, etc. This is to avoid people putting on weight quickly just to qualify for bariatric surgery. Have you gone to any other doctor at all in the past 2 or 3 years where your weight was taken? At my bariatric office, they told me, I only needed 2 weight measures and they requested my GP to fax them one from 2013 and one from 2012. If you have no doctor/hospital weight history go ASAP to a GP to start one. If you don't have complications associated with weight make sure your weight is 256 lbs that day as it would place you at a 40 BMI. It's a $20 copay just go see a GP. It would be an opportunity for you to discuss your weight history (which will be recorded) and get some advice on weight loss surgery. Good luck