Hugs :)

Just had to share this!

Just had to share this!

Just had to share this!

Just had to share this!

Wow, I'm so glad to see I'm not the only one struggling with the decision to tell or not to tell. My surgery is scheduled for Sept. 15th and I'd really prefer to keep my personal decisions to myself and avoid the judgmental comments of others who know nothing of what I am enduring. That being said, I will take on the comments and questions on an individual bases. One of my biggest deciding factors in my decision for surgery was because a friend shared with me that she has WLS a few years prior, which surprised me because I didn't even know she had ever had a weight problem. When I started checking into it for myself, I was able to ask her about her experience and what to expect and it really helped me make my decision. So if I can help someone else along their journey, I want to be open to that but other than that, I'd really rather keep private.
Since the beginning of the year, I've already lost just over 30 lb's, mostly from cutting out sugar and fast food and trying to change my lifestyle to be closer to what I'll be doing after surgery with the exception of the far smaller portion sizes post-op. I regularly work-out in an aqua-fitness class already and many people have already noticed and commented on the changes. I'm hoping this will help the additional weight loss after surgery be less of a big deal. When people are asking how I've done it, I am just saying I've been making a lot of lifestyle changes and I've also made the the comment, "you name it, I've about done it all" and leave it at that, which is true both before and after surgery.
When I've had to request time off from work and other commitments, I've just told the necessary people that I'm having a medical procedure for personal reasons and prefer to keep it private. They typically think that it's a "female" issue and leave it alone. I've also read somewhere on another post in this group someone else had a great comment
for this by saying "it's just one of those things that is necessary but no one likes to talk about". I love that & knew I'd have to remember that one.
I am still wondering how to best handle comments post-op while still being honest but not broadcasting my personal life to everyone. I'd love to hear more how everyone else is handling this as well. Ultimately, I must remember that regardless of any comments, criticisms, or judgments I may get, my self-worth is not determined by what people say or think of me, but by what God knows of me.
Best wishes to everyone on their journey!

September 15th! Pre-op appt already done, all that's left to do is start pre-op diet next week & show up for surgery!
Little nervous, excited, apprehensive & relieved at same time!
It helps a lot having so many people on the same journey to get support from!
Good luck everyone!

Just had to share this!

I think my pet peeve is when people say, "oh your husband must be so happy now." News flash people... My husband has been happy and loved me fat, thin, young and older. Why do people think your spouse is miserable if you are fat. That is my pet peeve.

I thought of another one (gosh this makes me sound like I have so many peeves... I really don't think I do!). I had someone tell me "I think wls is great, I just think people need to diet and exercise first". It amazes me how many people think that this is easy and that if you get wls yoy didn't try anything else first

Hello fellow Pal I am on the pre-op journey along with you, I just got scheduled for my surgery Sept 15th! I have been researching all the most budget-friendly options as well. Protein shakes & all the supplements are definitely pricey & a big consideration when you're on a small budget but I'm hoping purchasing less in groceries will help offset the cost. I found a few things for myself that may help...
First off, each doctor has different guidelines and requirements, many doctors require you to purchase a specific brand Protein and Vitamin supplements for pre/post op. Unfortunately, the doctors requirements are often quite expensive & must be factored into your surgery cost & as far as I know, most insurances do not cover this portion. You'll have to check with your own Dr/insurance.
Early on, I checked into the "Insure" program I found on this site that offers to get your Protein Shakes covered by insurance & gave the info. to my Dr & nutritionist who checked into it & discovered they are largely a scam! The protein shakes they offer are "Premier Protein" anyway, widely available at costco (cheapest) & I've found them at Walmart, Winco & many other stores, depending on your area.
I tried the Premier Protein shakes (30 gm protein in 11 oz), I like the chocolate one pretty well, tried the strawberry too & just didn't like it as well. This is one of the most inexpensive brands I've been able to find. The cheapest I've been able to find works out to be about $1.20-$1.50 per shake (that's for my area in Northern California).
I've also tried the Syntrax nectar (personally I like having fruit flavored options better than most the other powders). I discovered something not widely advertised, the company offers a "variety sampler" of 1 packet of each of their 15 flavors for $17. I ordered this & got it, tried only 1 so far (not horrible but I tried the cherry & that just won't be my flavor), but that's when I started hearing all about how my taste-buds could change after surgery so I decided to wait to try the rest of them after surgery. 23 gm protein each. If I decide to go with the Nectars, it will be cheaper to purchase online, about $35 or more for a 2lb/30 serving canister. If you want to order the "Variety Sampler" you order directly from the company - you can take a look at their Facebook ad here: https://www.facebook.com/officialsyntrax/photos/pb.139333966120689.-2207520000.1440194636./770066349714111/?type=3&theater
However, one of my favorite recent finds is LiquaCel, it's 16gm protein in only 1OZ! In fruit flavors, it's a concentrate that you can either take straight if you just can't choke down more (especially post-op), or dilute in liquid. You can get them in individual packets for $1.50 each or 32 oz bottles for $34. So far I like these the best for taste! I've tried the orange (undiluted) & the lemonade mixed in Crystal Light lemonade & I liked them both far better than the powdered protein shakes. I have the other 2 flavors too, just haven't tried them yet & I just ordered more. However, I know that after surgery taking it straight in the concentrated form may be too strong for me, but it can be diluted in less liquid than traditional protein shakes. You can find them here: http://www.procarenow.com/search.asp?keyword=LiquaCel&search=GO
As far as vitamins/supplements, this has taken even more research... for me, I found ProCare Bariatric Multi-Vitamin chewable, very similar ingredient amounts to Celebrate brand, only $12 for a month supply & it includes Iron. I checked them with my Dr. & she was good with these. They are from the same company as the LiquaCel: http://www.procarenow.com/Bariatric-Complete-Chewable-MultiVitamin-Once-Per-Day--Formulated-for-Roux-en-Y-Vertical-Sleeve-Duodenal-Switch-30-Day-Supply_p_10002.html
For Calcium, I am having a really hard time with the soft-chews, they all taste like chalk to me. Once I am able to swallow pills again, which my Dr. is OK with shortly after post-op, I found Puritan's Pride calcium citrate +D "miniatures". Smaller pills than the the more common huge horse pills, if they're still too much for me after surgery, they can be cut, crushed or disintegrated in applesauce. It works out to be 200 mg per tab, so I'll need 3 tab 2x day to get 1200 but I can handle tablets better than chews. 3 bottles $17.50 6 for $35 (6 mo. supply). Available here: http://www.puritan.com/calcium-citrate-337/calcium-citrate-vitamin-d3-miniatures-033195
I'm also going to be adding Biotin gel tabs from costco post-op, hoping to prevent hair loss & the Dr. will let me know if anything else needs to be added after blood work is done post op.
These have been all my best finds so far. Hopefully some of these can help.
This is definitely no easy journey and affects every aspect your life, including financially, but I'm trusting it will all be worth it & at least I'll have a life! My mother & grandmother both passed away in their early 50's & both morbidly obese when they died -- I am planning on breaking that cycle! It is such a big help to get support from all the others who are going through the same thing or have been there!
Just imagine how much better life will be at this time next year!
All the best on your journey!
Warm Hugs,
Kristina

Oh gosh - yeah, you can run into some characters out there!
I met a woman in my first class who told me my surgeon was no good, that her surgery was better because she was "only getting cut once" but I was "getting cut 5 times", and that I was going to be unhappy because she was getting a bypass and would lose more weight than me.
Sometimes all you can do is nod, smile, and tune out the noise!

Hmmmm interesting variances. I was told no NSAIDS but Tylenol was ok. I was also told no asprin (is that an NSAID?)
Reason was they can eat away the stomach lining and cause ulcers. In our previously larger stomachs this wasn't an issue becuse we had more surface area to absorb the meds but now we don't. Maybe it's individual to the person if they're allowed? I am at high risk for an ulcer because I had GERD preop (no trouble since) and I'm allergic to omeprazole so I have to take protonix for treatment. I'm curious to those of you that said you take them regularly, do you have(had) any issues with GERD?
Since you can see we all received different answers, it might be a good idea for you to discuss with you PCP and your surgeon. Good Luck!

You're going to get really different answers and opinions on this; I can't figure out why the opinions are so different! They either are or are not ok for the sleeve - WHICH IS IT?! My surgeon HIMSELF told me it was ok (for my arthritis), which is why I went with the sleeve. Then last night I go to the support group meeting where we had an "anti-drug of any type" nurse who told us all they were very bad for us and to never use them! Now SHE works for the guy, so WHAT DO I DO NOW? He is a surgeon, she a nurse. These conflicting opinions within the same office are not helping anyone. So my dietician suggested if we take them, to take them with yogurt, cheese, milk.....something to coat the stomach. I like the Advil Liquid-Gels, and she (dietician) said that might be the better of the choices as it melts with the body, so it might (MIGHT) pass through the sleeve before dissolving, which would the best for the sleeve. WHO KNOWS? You got me....

One of the reason I chose the sleeve over RNY was because I need to take NSAIDs. My doc said never with RNY, but ok with the sleeve. I take them almost every day and have for two years.

I was honestly surprised when I asked my surgeon about this because I was always under the impression that NSAIDs were absolutely out of the question after surgery. He told me as long as they weren't more than once or twice a week that they wouldn't be a problem. I also get Migraines (a few times a year) but at almost 9 weeks post-op, I've barely even had a headache (which were several times a week) much less a Migraine.< /p>