WalkOnWaking

Due to my diabetes, I was told no fruit even pureed until later. I was given a list of soft veggies I could use and which to definitely avoid. Baby food was deemed ok, although an expensive route to take. In my surgeon's office, there are two surgeons in the practice. They do not have the same pre and post-op dietary instructions. When I was given the printed list of pre-op, post-op week 1, week 2, week 3, week 4, etc., the receptionist asked which surgeon I was seeing, and pulled out the one for mine. I jokingly asked her why would it make a difference. She said their instructions are not the same. It seems everyone has their own idea of what is right.

I had the sleeve, and am no longer diabetic. I was insulin dependent for over 10 years.

I guess I am lucky. My husband would not qualify for the surgery on our insurance (BMI too low), but he struggles with his weight. During my pre-op diet, he did the liquids and Protein shakes right along with me, with the ok of our PCP. He lost about 20 pounds since this started for me. He's back to eating normally, and is trying to eat more sensible, so maybe perhaps he can beat it on his own. He started gaining weight when he quit smoking 16 years ago. When we met and started dating, he was still smoking, and was at the high end of 'normal' weight for his height. Now he's at a BMI of 33 with his weight loss with me. He's bounced between 33 and 34 for 16 years.

I mentioned the possibility of WLS to several coworkers about 4 years ago (obviously I have been exploring this for a long time). One inundated me with every horror story you could think of, complications of folks she knew that ended up almost dead, unable to eat at all, etc. etc. Another coworker became pregnant at the age of 40. You guessed it, the horror stories came out: someone she knew had complications giving birth at that age, the child was born with defects, mentally retarded...etc. etc. Some are only happy bringing the bad news.

I am texting with her as we speak. It's like we are acquaintances. I am happy no matter what! I know the decision I made was the best for me. Side note: the pharmacy just called to remind me that it was time to refill prescriptions. Guess what, Mr. Pharmacist, I am no longer on lisinoprel, lantus, or humalog. Hahahahahaha!

I actually saw 2 other surgeons until I found the 3rd who actually performed my sleeve surgery. When I went to his office, I had all completed except the 6th nutritional visit. His office was the one who did the final submission to my insurance, so I don't have a complete answer. However, in my working with my insurance, I was told that as long as the surgeon and facility that the operation took place was 'in network' that I could change either of those two and not change my approval. I did change the facility. The one I had initially chosen was closer to my home, but when it came time to schedule the actual surgery date, I was given the 'soonest' date for both. I chose the hospital further away because they had an opening 3.5 weeks sooner than the closer hospital did. By the way, my surgeon would have done a hernia repair at the same time, or gallbladder, or both. My endoscopic exam suggested that I might have a small hernia needing repaired, and my 'approval' included doing the sleeve and the hernia repair. Turns out I didn't need the hernia repair upon internal examination while doing the sleeve, so I got out of the OR an hour ahead of schedule. Good luck!!

To know how long the powder will last, you need to know what your surgeon or nutritionist recommends on grams per day. Mine had some sort of calculation based on height and weight (said 71 grams minimum per day). Then you'll need to know how many grams of Protein is in a 'serving' for the product.

I used ice cube trays and made small 'popsicles' using Crystal Light drinks. Different flavors, and easy to munch on one or drop a few into the bullet and make an 'icy' of sorts.

I asked exactly this of my insurance company (BCBS of Ohio). I was given a link to the medical policy. It specified that my starting BMI had to be at least 40, or at least 35 with comorbidities. I was concerned about doing the six medically supervised dietitian visit would push me to being out of the BMI. That's when they asked me to re-read: the STARTING BMI, not the BMI at the end of the 6 visits. I think I called the insurance company a dozen times to learn how all this worked. I'll bet they are glad I'm done now! haha!

That's what I'm wanting to do too. My surgeon said not to put anything on the incisions at all. He told me if the outside heals over before the inside heals, it could trap infection and cause an abscess. Just want them scarred already!

I was told to have a goal of the heaviest part of the BMI chart that would make me 'normal weight' for my height. Hopefully can push it lower, but we shall see.

I'm 25.6 pounds down since surgery day, and am two days shy of 1 month. I love the 'tickers' that can be made. It really helps me to see progress and I can't wait to be in the middle of that 'YOU CAN DO IT' arrow!! Hahaha!!!

How are you feeling? Still doing fluids only? (Every surgeon seems to have different timetable of when to move onto soft foods - Mine said to wait until week 4).

When I'm tempted to eat something that I COULD eat (as in its soft which is where I am now), and if I SHOULD eat it, it becomes easier when you calculate calories. I used to LOVE sweet and sour chicken over rice. I say USED to. Because its not worth the miles and miles I'd have to walk to work off those calories.

BMI of 36? Ohmy!!

My Xmas present to myself arrived today and although I haven't figured out all the settings (does BMI, computes Water, muscle mass, fat, as well as weight), I did figure out how to change it from kg to lb. Drumroll: 203.0!!! I'm flying high. Only 5 more pounds, and I will be at my all-time low adult weight (198). I told myself I wouldn't do it yet, but I still have the pair of jeans I bought back then as a treat to myself. I just may have to break them out of the back of my closet and try them on this weekend. Now to figure out how to change my ticker thingie.

@@BLERDgirl - I have an inground pool not 10 ft from my back patio. It's killing me! Lol

I have no pain at the incisions. Just would like to be done with hot tub restrictions!

My incisions were all covered with what I was told was suture glue and that it would wear away in about two weeks. It was to cover the incisions to keep them sterile, not what was actually holding the skin together. Instead of lasting two weeks, all 5 fell off within 4 days, and I was left with raised, angry looking red welts at itched to no end. Benadryl did nothing for me. I spoke to my surgeon who said to keep them dry except during showering, and to not put pressure on them from the shower. To wash with soap gently, and to allow Water to 'trickle' down on them from water hitting above. Then after the shower, to put a thin cloth over them and put an gel pack I had in the freezer. Not ice, but a gel pack that is not as cold. It relieved the itchy feeling for several hours. The red welts were there for over 2 weeks, but the itchy feeling passed in a few days for me. When I saw the surgeon for the first post-op appointment, he said 'wow, your skin does not like adhesives!'

I'm 3.5 weeks post-op. Of my 5 incisions, only 1 has completely healed. No signs of infection in any of the others. How long SHOULD it take to heal complete (scar)? I'll see my surgeon on the 18th, but was curious what others' experience has been. I have no skin staples or stitches, but have suture glue that closed the skin layer.

Wow! More than halfway there!

I am open to her wanting to continue the friendship I thought we had. But not going to chase it down. But not sure about the hope of things.

I'd love to hear about your labs. When did you start the reduced calcium citrate? And BTW, totally jealous! Our starting 'stats' are similar and you just reached your goal!! I hope to be in your shoes, as it were, in 6 months time!

I had hoped to have her support, or at least be able to share milestones with her. Now I always have the back of my mind to be sure not to mention it. Its ok though. I have other friends who ARE supportive, and a few that I don't see often due to jobs or distance will send a text every few days with a 'how are ya doing, any good progress to report?' type of inquiries. Oh well. Her loss.

My first thought was "Will there be flowers involved?" HAHA! Congrats! Just around the corner!