Hilary Epstein Cohen

(Re-printed from my Surgeon's website)
1. Your co-worker heard a strange noise and doesn’t bat an eye…knowing it was your stomach.
Patients often ask me why their new pouch makes odd gurgling noises. It could be too big of bites or eating too quickly. It could also just be your stomach moving around and making noises for all to hear
2. You have a space heater under your desk in the middle of July.
It may be in part to losing some “insulation” but many postop wls patients are colder than they’ve ever been using more blankets at night and space heaters to keep warm.
3. Your alarm just went off for the third time today to remember your next Vitamin.< /b>
While bariatric Vitamins have become much more simpler in recent years, it still takes reminders to get in your vitamins. Your family might even hear the alarm and hand you your calcium!
4. Protein is always first on your mind at your meals – it might as well be plastered inside your forehead.
Protein…protein..where’s the protein? Protein is what fills you up and keeps you full! You get the most out of your surgery when you focus on lean and solid protein sources.
5. Your waitress keeps asking if the food is okay. And if you’re sure you don’t want a drink.
When you can only eat an ounce or so, the wait staff may think something is wrong with the food. And what do you mean you don’t want anything to drink??
6. Your pants are barely holding on but you’re still holding off to go shopping.
Just make sure you don’t carry a heavy object and walk up a flight of stairs. At least not around anyone
7. Speaking of shopping, you still go to the plus sized section first out of habit.
It’s hard to wrap your mind around your new body. Leave plenty of time and stay patient with yourself as you find out what size your body is. Take a good friend to be your “runner” and someone to talk it out with.
8. You get overjoyed at the release of a new Protein Bar flavor…or a sale on your favorite Protein Bars.< /strong>
Quest® has a new flavor?!?!??! Ahhhhh!!!!!!
9. You rejoice at the small things like crossing your legs or getting a pair of boots that zip up your calves.
Some things you’ll never take for granted again. It may seem like nothing to others, but to you it’s something big.
10. You use lingo like “wls”…”bariatric friendly”…”pouch”…”vsg”…
You gotta know the lingo to be in the club!
11. You smile as you think of how far you’ve come and get excited to think of where you’ll be soon.
Patients wonder why they didn’t have their surgery sooner.

hi i'm still waiting on the date but was told up to 3months not too bad

hi i'm still waiting on the date but was told up to 3months not too bad

Surgery went well .. no complications
We are starting a new beginning starting today

I am waiting on approval right now so I am hoping February!

@@Hilary Epstein Cohen I was only in the hospital for one night, a total of about 27 hours. I was ready to leave! Everything went extremely well though, and I had no pain at all- but I also used every single possible push time on my PCA pump. I was flying so high, my husband took my iphone away from me so I would stop sending nonsensical text messages to people (including my boss- whoops!)
I didn't lose much the fist month- maybe 7-8 lbs, but the weight started coming off very quickly after week 4 or 5.

hi there Chava so nice to meet you . i've had operations before so all the tubes etc is fine by me if needed as long as the stay is really overnight thats good too anymore and i'm out of there had staying in for more then one night .. need my hubby sleeping beside me .. <3 PAIN killers etc well i'm well used to pain and i live on Morphine and legal grass for health reasons so i'm well covered there.. I've bben told I'm only allowed to lose 35kils the most.. so heres hoping for a date asap.. How did your operation go
how long were you in hospital how much did u lose the first month etc
thanks so much for your help
Shalom

Mah nishmah, achoti?!
It is important to have realistic expectations of what this "tool" can do for you! That's why you may want to ask your surgeon about their goal weight for you, because it may be different than the one you have for yourself.
As someone who had not previously had any kind of surgical procedure, I wanted to know everything about the process- from check-in to waiting room to surgery prep to recovery. Check this site for a great list of things to bring with you to the hospital.
I DEFINITELY wanted to know what, if any, tubes would be coming out of me when I woke up. My surgeon does not typically place a drainage tube or breathing intubator, and I was VERY happy about that.
PAIN MEDS. Ok, I was shocked when in Yerushalayim, I had to explain to the pharmacist (in detail) why I wanted to buy some Immodium (LOL). I know sabras (and olim) are tougher than tough, but you may want to have that frank discussion with your doctor/anesthesiologist to let them know exactly what type of pain relief you expect.
I wish you the best of luck! Please dm me if you have any other questions. Shalom u'vracha!