Jaimianna79

The steroids can inhibit healing by suppressing the immune system making you more prone to leaks, yes. The ER dr put me on the pred and then my surgeon took me off. The NSAIDS my surgeon said I should really never take...which sucks because ibuprofen is one of the few things which actually works for menstrual cramps for me

I went to the group info session last night, and have my first appt with the surgeon next week. Right now, I am right at 40BMI. So I don't know what my insurance will say if I lose a few pounds during the supervised diet procedure and drop below 40. I'm sure the insurance specialist at their office has suggestions. So silly. OF COURSE I can lose weight on a supervised diet. We all can! But how many times do we regain the weight, plus more, afterwards? But, I'll play their game if that's what I need to do.

I think the whole "night eating is bad for you" is a myth. I've always had a problem eating at night. It is only a problem IF you are going over your calorie limit or eating the wrong kind of foods. I eat around midnight 5-7 days a week. Its usually dense meat like fish or turkey sticks. Sometimes I'll eat cucumbers with vinegar if I'm near my limit for the day. I lost 100 pounds in 5 months after surgery. Fortunately, I don't think the night eating hindered my weight loss what so ever. Now, eating starchy, carbohydrate rich food right before bed or the middle of the night is a no-no. That's how I got so big in the first place. That's not to say I don't crave a piece of cake or pie in the middle of the night. I just don't make it available in my house.

She's only a month out. That's about the perfect amount of calories for a month out.

great, thanks! going to make some right now b/c im craving something sweet these days :S

I'm 3 days post op and have had a lot of trouble getting in Protein without getting disgusted. Drinking little cups of thick shake...ugh. I bought Syntrax Nectar protein in fuzzy navel flavor. It's good, but still grosses me out to drink it. I put it in an ice pop maker and froze it...omg so good! This is a much better option than sugar free ice pops as it serves as a protein source. They actually taste better than sugar free ice pops as well. The Syntrax totally replaces the need for shakes. I seriously would be in trouble if not for making these ice pops!

It went very well! So far a very pleasant experience. Thirsty as heck though. I can't drink until after they check for leaks tomorrow. I just have those sponges to wet my mouth. Other than that, no pain other than the gas in the upper chest and shoulder, but on a dilaudid pump. Everyone at this hospital has been so supportive! The patient advocate was just sleeved January 5, he's 87lbs thinner. He brought me in pictures of himself. He's thin...I would never have guessed he had one! He brought me a birthday card and happy birthday balloon for my new beginning <3

Thank you so much for your input, everyone! So...after consulting with the surgeons, I've decided to go with the sleeve initially. Perhaps the weight loss alone will improve the acid reflux. My Barrett's will be closely monitored with regular scopes. IF - worst case scenario, i do experience worsening acid, I can be converted to the RNY. I'm comfortable with the sleeve for now...and having it revised in the future might even be an added bonus if I end up one of those people who have severe hunger return after a year or two. So - I pack my bags tonight and have my surgery in the morning!!! :-D

I am only 3 1/2 weeks post op. For me, I was hungry the first week when I was on Clear Liquids. I am sure some of it was head hunger. Now that I am on soft foods I can say I am not really hungry anymore. Yay!

I'm 6 days post op. The pain in my left shoulder/upper left chest area still isn't gone. It's worse in the morning and my positioning can trigger it or worsen it. I feel it upon inspiration, especially of a deep breath. It is not always gas that simply needs to dissipate either, so don't be alarmed if it doesn't go away after a few days as it does for many who have the discomfort due to gas. My surgeon told me that stimulation of the diaphragm can inflame the nerve and this can take a while to heal. This happens most frequently when a hiatal hernia is repaired. I had a very small hernia repaired during the surgery.

You are so not alone! The funny thing is that I always hated before and after pics before I knew the surgery was a reality for me. They always made me feel like such a failure. It was like a tease. Once I was scheduled for surgery, I spent hours marveling at before and after pics!
Now I'm 3 days post-op. I still can't imagine becoming thin. It's so strange. I can't wait! I know how excited you are for the surgery - that was me all last week! I was counting the days!

I use 8 ounces of Water for one scoop and that makes 4 small (my ice pop makers are 2 oz each) ice pops. I probably could add even more because it doesn't have that Protein texture and flavor when it's frozen. It really just tastes like an ice pop!

I use 8 ounces of Water for one scoop and that makes 4 small (my ice pop makers are 2 oz each) ice pops. I probably could add even more because it doesn't have that Protein texture and flavor when it's frozen. It really just tastes like an ice pop!

that sounds like a fantastic idea Syntrax has been wonderful for me. If you don't mind crystal light, I would suggest using a scoop of Syntrax and 1 crystal light packet in about 24-32 ounces of Water. that dilutes the "protein" flavor and you just wind up with crystal light flavor.

You are so not alone! The funny thing is that I always hated before and after pics before I knew the surgery was a reality for me. They always made me feel like such a failure. It was like a tease. Once I was scheduled for surgery, I spent hours marveling at before and after pics!
Now I'm 3 days post-op. I still can't imagine becoming thin. It's so strange. I can't wait! I know how excited you are for the surgery - that was me all last week! I was counting the days!

Wow, all I can say is I want to be like you all when I grow up.
Surgery scheduled for April 20th

I would love to hear how your surgeries go? I'll add you all as friends! I'm proud of all of us! This is not a journey for the weak. It drives me CrAzY when ppl say it's the easy way out! So GOOD JOB!
Also, my husband is a twig as well!

Interested as well. My pre-op appointment is May 5th. So excited and nervous!

My surgery is scheduled next week, April 23!! I am 1 week into the pre-op diet, and still feeling a bit hungry. I know I'm not drinking Water like I should, so I am pushing myself today.
Getting so excited! I am obsessed with looking at before & after photos! I am sure I'm not alone......lol

I'm 3 days post op and have had a lot of trouble getting in Protein without getting disgusted. Drinking little cups of thick shake...ugh. I bought Syntrax Nectar protein in fuzzy navel flavor. It's good, but still grosses me out to drink it. I put it in an ice pop maker and froze it...omg so good! This is a much better option than sugar free ice pops as it serves as a protein source. They actually taste better than sugar free ice pops as well. The Syntrax totally replaces the need for shakes. I seriously would be in trouble if not for making these ice pops!

I'm 3 days post op and have had a lot of trouble getting in Protein without getting disgusted. Drinking little cups of thick shake...ugh. I bought Syntrax Nectar protein in fuzzy navel flavor. It's good, but still grosses me out to drink it. I put it in an ice pop maker and froze it...omg so good! This is a much better option than sugar free ice pops as it serves as a protein source. They actually taste better than sugar free ice pops as well. The Syntrax totally replaces the need for shakes. I seriously would be in trouble if not for making these ice pops!

Tomorrow is my day! Everyone at work has been so uplifting and encouraging with the well wishes. I am so excited!!!

Two more days! Well, once tomorrow gets here....lol! I'm excited!

OMG OMG OMG I leave tomorrow! Flying to San Diego tomorrow! Then surgery Wednesday! It's sooo surreal.

Awwww, I'm so sorry! How stressful. I know, having to work the night before stinks. I got off at 10pm last night. The good thing is that you'll have the best sleep ever the next morning. No matter how old we (or they) get, we still need our parents sometimes. I'm sure they are happy to drive you. There is a lot to look forward to. Don't let this get you down, ok?