back2me1987

Great question! I'm having surgery on 11/16 and I'm bringing:
- A sleep eye mask and ear plugs in case it's bright/loud
- An extension cord plus 10 ft super fast phone charger (tested to make sure the USB plug inside the charger doesn't come loose easily - there's nothing worse than snagging the cord and realizing your charger is no longer inside the plug!)
- Mini can of Lysol since hospitals are filthy, plus hand sanitizer and antibacterial body wipes
- Fleece socks with traction
- Face wipes, moisturizer, and lip balm (you're so dry after surgery)
- Notepad, pen, and thank you notes for anyone who's especially helpful
- Little tray to keep everything organized and from falling off the table
- Loose clothes (including a skirt since some people have trouble putting on pants)
- Sperry shoes (comfy, flat, awesome traction)
- Warm shawl/wrap (rooms are cold and you'll have wires/tubes to work around)
I did a ton of research and list-making. Hope that helps!

Dr. A is awesome. If I ever needed a revision, I'd go with Dr. A hands down. He has fantastic bedside manners and a great sense of humor. Once you meet him you'll understand. He's a meticulous surgeon and LOVES changing people's lives and really cares about his patients.

Best choice. I had surgery 10 days ago and he found a massive hernia I did not know was there. He fixed it and here I am feeling great and losing weight well. But he is the nicest most honestly caring docs I have ever met. Good luck!!!

I'm a tentative November 9th! Here's to the next few months of Pasta, cheese and beer. ????

Joining the chorus. Dr. Oz has unfortunately sold his soul for cash and ratings.

@@back2me1987 - good point, I didn't do coffee again until a month after surgery. NOTE: I also didn't do intense workouts until a month after surgery either. You really can't or shouldn't do more than walking the first month post surgery IMHO. I have no problem with my stomach.

I fuel my workouts with Protein and carbs. I make a big Protein shake with FAGE 0% greek yogurt, a big scoop of Protein powder and whatever mix ins I have on hand. Sometimes nut butter, sometime coffee ice cubes, sometimes a handful of spinach, half an orange, etc... My shakes come out to between 31 - 38 gms of Protein. I typically drink half pre-work out and the rest after. Most work out supplements are designed for body builder and weight lifters and may have more carbs/fat/sugar than a bariatric patient needs to fuel a workout. I just try to have my shake at least 30 minutes before my workout out and the rest during recovery.

I would take anything Dr. Oz says with a grain of salt.
He is leading this country into believing the what they eat is dangerous. If you eat a bag of Oreos a day, THAT is dangerous. Consuming soy-based products is NOT dangerous. Also, consumers should know that NO food is injected with antibiotics. That just does NOT happen. Dr. Oz has America believing that American farmers are trying to kill the people keeping them in business. It's CRAZY. Don't over-pay for "no-antibiotic" marketing... And check reliable sources for nutritional information if you're concerned about what's in your food.... Like the FDA. Don't fall victim to this fear campaign.
Rant over.

Hello and welcome.
I take Moringa and I have noticed a difference. But it is a different kind of difference ... I know, sounds funny.
From what I understand, moringa helps your body to absorb nutrients more efficiently. So, it's not a substance which super-charges your body and makes you more beautiful to 83% of all accountants in Illinois ... But ... I just feel like my body works more efficiently.
I use the powder and add it to shakes. It tastes like a$$ if you add too much. Makes you feel like you are a koala bear without the high ... a leaf chewer because that is what it is ... ground leaves from Moringa trees.
I blend this with a teaspoon of fish oil, fresh fruit, yogurt and Protein powder. I call Breakfast.

So, a few weeks ago, I received my latest shipment of chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Quest Bars. I noticed they had a slightly different taste and texture, but didn't think much of it, because I've noticed some variation in batches of Quest Bars before. But then I started getting really gassy in the past two weeks or so. Like really gross smelling gas and loose stool. After talking to a coworker who also eats Quest Bars, I realized that Quest Nutrition has been phasing out Isomalto-Oligosaccharide in all of their bars and replacing it with Soluble Corn Fiber. Now both of these are "fake" fiber and have their various issues, but at least the former didn't make me horribly gassy. I've now been soluble corn fiber free for a day and a half and the gas has stopped, so I know that was the issue.
I managed to find one more box of the old version of Quest Bars, but I'm very sad to have to be switching away from them. I loved them SO much. Now I'm trying Muscle Pharm's Combat Crunch bars and they are tasty, but very candy bar like, which can be cloyingly sweet. The also have slightly more calories and more net carbs than the Quest Bars. I guess I will have to keep searching for something that tastes good, has plenty of Protein, has few carbs, and doesn't make me sick.

Here is a list I have started with web sites that give out free samples on request. Please post any other places that give out free sample and i'll add them to the list.

Just contact them with your name and address and let them know why you want a free sample. They are very nice and support us surgery people.

Please like, follow, and rate if this has helped you. I am updating this all the time and adding new sites. Thank you.

Thanks to the people that have added to this list:

- SuNMooNStaRS816
- Tink12/26
- Saffikeagan
- Veruca Salt
- Sylvynn

Here is the list:

Protein
- vanilla mix and a cookie and cream mix)

- Quest bar (My favorite Protein bar). If they are out of free samples you can wait a few weeks and they will have some. Also if you buy a mixed sample box you can use CODE: mixbar for a discount.

- Protein shakes

- banana, strawberry, chocolate, Vanilla and Orange) Phone number 1-877-974-2537

- Protein Bars (they sent me 2 bars)

- Fiber 1 Protein Bar

- Water

- Vitamins
- liquid vitamins

- Bariatricadvantage.com --- Sample pack of vitamins

- Bariatricfusion.com --- Sample of Vitamin

- Bbvitamins.com --- Vitamin samples


Other Offers/Discounts

- GNC.com --- They will give you a $5 code for your next online or phone order. (all GNC product is returnable with in 30 days if you dont like it)

- Chefjays.com --- Will send you a $7.50 coupon to try some of their products

- Kindsnacks.com --- 10% off first time order with code KINDLYL10

- Isatoritech.com --- Buy one get one free smart bar

- Purefit.com --- $14.95 for a 7 bar sample box and a coupon for money off your next order

- Boost.com --- Two $1 off coupons for Boost Protein drinks and bars

- Gotein.com/sampls_pack.html --- Sample pack for $3





Water Flavorings

- Makeitmio.com --- Will send you free sample of Mio

I will be with Dr. A the first week of November. I'll keep y'all informed on how it goes! ????

Looking for a buddy for Nov. 20 with Dr. A

i just joined the group yesterday, Dr. A Looking forward to connecting with everyone!

Hey Back2me -
I had the surgery with Dr. A in August.
It went FANTASTIC !!!
Everything from the Dr., to the nurses, staff, hospital, and recovery condo were all top notch.
I am down over 40 lbs and 6 weeks out.
Best decision I ever made.
Dr. A is the man !

Thank you all for your input! I have decided to schedule surgery with Dr. Altamirano in January of next year!

Hi all, I am new here and have a question! I've been lurking around a bit but can't seem to find an answer so I decided to suck it up and post my very first topic!
I am looking into getting Gastric Sleeve surgery. I am leaning towards scheduling something in Mexico because my BMI is normally 32 or 33 and I have no major health issues that would qualify me for surgery in the US. I haven't tried yet to see if I would qualify for some reason so that might not be out of the question.
For those of you who have gone to Mexico for your surgery, was that decision made because you did not qualify for surgery through your insurance in the US and you needed to self-pay? Or for other reasons?

I'm right there with you. Although I have made an appt to see my second surgeon. My first surgeon I'm sure is an awesome doctor but his office staff cannot reply to my emails for 3 wks and when they do it very vague. And that doesn't give me warm fuzzies. My fear is anathesia. But I'm moving forward one step at a time.

Hey y'all!
I'm planning my surgery the same week as Veterans Day (US) in Mexico. Flying out of Columbus, Ohio. SO EXCITED!
Now I just need to find the perfect surgeon! ????

Hey y'all!
I'm planning my surgery the same week as Veterans Day (US) in Mexico. Flying out of Columbus, Ohio. SO EXCITED!
Now I just need to find the perfect surgeon! ????

I had gerd for many years and was on a strong dose of nexium for several years. I had a band removed and a sleeve and hernia repair in June and o have had no gerd symptoms.

I haven't really gotten too nervous.....yet. Mostly I just think how much better I'm going to feel, and how I will be able to walk without hurting, or bend over without grunting, etc etc. I'm enjoying my food now and am usually thinking of ways to beef up the Protein in it for post-surgery (months post-surgery).
Sometimes I'll get a little sad because I'll think, "won't be able to have this after surgery". Then I remember, well I can. Just a lot less, and after I have my Protein first. Trying to turn the thinking around.
PM'd you Jenny.
Have a great week everyone!

My husband is pre-surgery and was told he had the worst case of of Barrett's that doc had ever seen. He has also had an EGD and had been on meds for several yrs. Following his EGD he has now been told that there is no sign of Barrett's only a Baikal hernia. He has also been advised to have the sleeve.

Most surgeons won't perform the sleeve on anyone with Barrett's. Gastric bypass is the preferred surgery for someone with that condition, from what I gather. However, you definitely want to discuss it with your surgeon. You may want to call your surgeon's office and see if you can make an appointment to come in earlier to discuss your options based on this new diagnosis.

Since I've gotten my date I wake up anxious and nervous. I suppose that is normal.