BLERDgirl

COBRA is crazy expensive. It's one of the reasons why the Affordable Healthcare Act was needed. To @fit4life123 - Make sure to let your doctors know you no longer have insurance. When I was uninsured I told my doctors and they were very helpful. One doctor charged me the charity rate. This is the same fee that they charge medical assistance pts and is typically lower than what is charged to insurance companies. He also would only prescribe the bare minimal amount of pills I needed and would look for generic or lower cost alternatives. He was also extremely generous with samples. Most doctor's have loads since drug reps often leave them.

I wasn't either. The food I avoid are either foods I am allergic to or things I know my body doesn't respond well to. These may be foods that slow my weight loss down and/or foods that are triggers to binge eating.

Talk to the doctor who prescribes them. They may know of alternative meds or other ways to get them inexpensively.

Who makes your meds? Astrazeneca and Pfizer both have patient assist programs. They will send you meds free of charge.

It's a complete crap shoot. There is simply no guarantee. You may be fine or you may be wiped out. I would make the B-day a low key family affair and make a back up plan for the doctor's visit. If these are must for you at your final appointment tell your surgeon you need a date after the 12th. Then clear your calendar for at least 2 weeks post-op.

Yes my nutritionist says fluids as well. I just know my body works better when I am drinking Water. So I drink 4 or 5 glasses of plain water a day but when you add in my morning Protein drink I am hitting well over my 64 ounces of fluids.

I was the opposite. When I stopped drinking sodas and processed foods plus exercising I did indeed lose 50 lbs in about 6 mths time. The trouble is I would get sick and regain almost of it back. That's one reason why I had the surgery. The doctors can't quite explain why but I knew going in that there was a strong possibly that my chronic uterica would go into remission and it has. For 3 years I was on a cycle of losing 35 - 50 lbs, getting sick and regaining. This tool has me feeling like I can not only lose the weight but keep it off. This is the first time in years I've felt this way.

Different doctors have different protocols. I didn't have a clear liquid phase. My doc's protocol is 2 weeks full liquids> 2 weeks purees>2 weeks soft foods >whatever I can tolerate. I had oatmeal within the first 2 weeks and had absolutely zero issues. Some doctors want their patients on regular food ASAP. Until someone release a study as to what diet protocol tends to have the least complications I 'm going with it's just luck of the draw. I surprised at the co-morbs that people considerably smaller than I was have pre-op, but that's just the way the cookie crumbles sometimes.

Do what feels more comfortable for you. Better safe than sorry.

I only use Braggs. I used it pre WLS and still occasionally use it post-op. I typically add a capful per 8 ounces of Water, but that's an acquired taste. It will keep you regular and help with digestion. I also have used it on salads. I don;t buy bottled dressings so I often use balsamic vinegar or pickle juice and EVOO. Depending on the salad I'll use the Braggs. It's also good for you hair if you have product build up. You make a soak with baking soda & water. The mother in it has Protein so even though it will scrub the dirt and oils out of your hair it won't leave it feeling stripped and dry.

I was on full liquids from day 1 as well. No clear liquids stage for me. Like other have said slooooooowww down. This is an awful feeling and you're going to feel like crap for a few hours but it will pass.

I don't eat PB but I do eat almond butter. I used to use it to hide my crush Vitamins. I've had Indian food. It came with basmati rice. I ate a little then realized I could enjoy it without the rice. I have had a bit of brown rice. I don't avoid carbs but if I am going to have them I prefer to have complex carbs as opposed to simple, usually processed white carbs. I pretty much eat everything I ate pre-surgery but in much smaller portions.

The PPI works best for me. I didn't have any problems with acid until I was on solid food again. I find I need to head it off at the pass. I get it at night so if I take 40mgs omeprazole (prescription strength) I am usually fine for the evening. I'm not sure what other alternatives you have other than avoiding highly acidic foods like citrus, spicy foods and tomatoes. Perhaps give you nutritionist a call and see if they can recommend something.

I think I'm pretty good at following the rules. It wasn't fear of it not working but I am typically the one to have side effects. I was obedient because I wanted to do my part to ensure I had a positive outcome. I am also keenly aware of how much of a slippery slope not following the rules can be. Consequently I constantly try to walk that balance between being reasonable and following the rules. So, this is where I stand: I do the following (95% or more of the time) No grazing No drinking 30 minutes before or after meals Protein first 65 or more grams protein per day Take Vitamins as prescribed 64 ounces or more of fluids per day Stop eating when full No straws (I never really used them to begin with) Nothing carbonated ( I gave up sodas 3 years ago) Go to support group meetings (not a requirement, but a suggestion) Practice mindful eating. However I do eat while watching TV. It works for me because I use it to time my eating. If it's a ½ show. I try to make my food last for the duration of the show. I am also careful to take small bites. Keep a food diary. I watch my macros. I get more from looking at things like sodium and carb levels. I don't weigh frequently because the scale make me crazy. I can usually predict a gain or stall by what I am eating. It's a juggling act because being a vegetarian, I eat a lot of Beans. It's easy for my carbs to get really high, especially if I eat over 70gms of protein. Exercise regularly. I'm currently working out 4 days a week, but I think I'm going to take it up to 5 or 6. I'm finding that I really only need Sunday's off. The rest of the time I'm just bored. I avoid "white carbs" - potatoes, Pasta, white rice, breads & crackers. I have had homefries 2 times and basmati rice once since being sleeved. I have a long way to go so I think I'm going to avoid them until I hit maintenance. I don't do the following Avoid caffeine. I don't drink it every day, but I was cleared after 6 weeks out. I probably have coffee 2 or 3 days a week. Weigh daily or even weekly. The scale drives me crazy and I start living for the scale. This is about health more than being thinner so I prefer to focus on eating well and exercising. Weigh my food. I realize that sounds crazy for someone who studies their food diary like I do, but I just don't.

@@nprcowboy - Fingers crossed that all goes well.

There simply is no guarantee on how you will feel. You should be prepared to sell the Opera tix if necessary and I'm sure a bestie would understand if you aren't up for a party. Hopefully you'll have an easy time and can make it, there's just no way to say yes or no either way.

It depends on how much you want this surgery. Scheduling around work or school is one thing, but scheduling around a party and the opera sound very minor to me. You may feel up to it if you are one of those who has a relatively easy time of it post-op. I was fine. I woke up sore but not in pain. However there are many who need pain meds & rest for at least that first week and don't really feel back to normal until 2 weeks post -op. Honestly if you're ready to post pone surgery due to a party and a trip to the opera, I'd say you aren't really ready to commit to this surgery. I cleared my schedule for 2 weeks post -op. I ended up not needing the time, but my first priority was having a positive surgical outcome.

The mucus sounds like you aren't eating slow enough. It's suuupper slow. Try taking one tiny bite. (I fill no more than ¼ of a regular sized spoon or fork) chew until it dissolves then wait 2 full minutes before taking that second bite. After you finish eating make sure you are sitting up for at least 45 minutes. Even better take a short 15 minute walk. Don't forget to wait at least 30 minute before drinking after eating. As for being tired, it's probably related to not getting enough Protein. Once you get your protein levels up your energy level should return to normal.

My body responds better when I drink Water. I typically get between 4 -6 glasses a day sometimes more in the summer. I never had an issue drinking water in terms of taste but pre surgery I had terrible bladder frequency and more than 4 -6 glasses a day would have me peeing on myself or close to it. However I notice when I drink water I don't have trouble with constipation. I also try to keep my urine pale yellow so if I see it's getting dark I drink up. I don't have any special tricks to drinking more. I just make it a point to do so. I carry a water bottle at all times and just make it a point to drink. If I'm home I site with the bottle next to me. There are times I crave it ice cold but most times it really doesn't matter the temp.

You really need to focus on staying hydrated and keeping things down. We can go without food a lot longer than we can fluids. If you can at least keep down broth you're getting some nutrients. Hopefully giving your body some rest will allow it time to heal.

I'm sure you're hungry but I wouldn't try heavy things like banana. Watermelon may work but I would stick to liquids and broth for a bit. At this point you need things that will stay down. You can try the fortified waters like Propel or even 50/50 water and gatorade, but you really need to focus on staying hydrated and keeping things down. I would shelve things like bananas or cereals until you can keep water and broth down consistently.

You've identified the trigger. Now list the things you can do instead of eating. Write them down if you need to. I sometimes exercise when I feel that emotional eating feeling coming on. Take a deep breath then start writing out what you need to do. Job hunt, of course, also consider temp work and UE. Think about what things you can cut back on. This time of year if you haven;t filed your income tax do so ASAP. So sorry to hear about your. Hopefully they are giving you a severance package.

Everything stays down for me. It's a light fruit and it's mostly water if you think you can keep it down, try it.

@@Soready2lose I can't say for certain. I try to stay away from the scale and focus on eating well and exercise. I was weighed at my 2 week f/u, 6 weeks & 3 mths. I went to my primary last month and was weighed. I have a doctor's appointment next week and I may get weighed there. Otherwise I won't get weighed again until my 6 mth f/u. The good part about doing it like this is if I am experiencing stalls I don't notice them.

1. IS the sleeve the best way to go...Or is the band the better way to go. I want to lose 100 lbs. As others have said, that's not a question we can answer. Find a seminar online or in person and get information from actual medical personnel. 2. I was thinking about going to Tijuana Mexico and getting it done because it's the cheapest option...Is this a good place to go? I can't afford a 30 k surgery at all. Does your insurance not cover this at all? There are many on this forum who have had good experiences with Mexico. 3. I hear so many people talk about diet for the rest of your life....If that's the case...and you are dieting...why get the surgery? If Diet will work and you'll be dieting anyway...i'm confused about this aspect of it all. It's not a diet, it's a lifestyle change.The surgery is just a starting point but you have to make good food choices. I'm eating pretty much the same things I ate pre surgery but in much smaller portions. The difference is I am completely satisfied. I no longer have a desire or ability to over eat. When I talk about diet now I mean it in terms of the foods I eat.