SLH-A

My FSA was a life saver this year. My wife and I both had surgery, and our combined deductible/out of pocket max was $5,000. Our FSA only allows $2,500 for the family, so we maxed it. We burned through that pretty quickly with the sleep studies and a few other appointments. If you have the option, put as much in as your out of pocket max. Take advantage of it.

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I personally can't stand Isopure rtd's. I bought one of every flavor from luckyvitamin.com. I had high hopes but I can't stand the aftertaste.

But there are some people I've talked to who like the stuff. If you decide to try it, don't buy a case. Just buy one of each flavor and go from there.

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I'm curious why you don't want to tell (no judgement, just curious). I'm choosing to be upfront because I want to help take away the stigma. (My choice...DOES NOT HAVE TO BE YOURS!)

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I think everyone has a different reason for not wanting to disclose surgery. Mine was I didn't want my family knowing because I didn't want them to try to talk me out of it. And on another level, I didn't want them to know in case I were to somehow fail at loosing weight. I didn't want the added pressure.

2 days before surgery I decided to tell my parents. I just couldn't stop thinking about what if something were to happen during surgery? My wife would have to call and explain it all, and I didn't want her to have to do that. It turns out my mother was thrilled I was having the surgery. Her exact words were "You're doing what I never had the guts to do." 4 weeks later and I'm still shocked by her words. Family can be surprising.

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I had my surgery 17 days ago, and my wife's surgery is scheduled to be in 4 days. At first I was bummed out that our surgeries weren't closer together. Now I'm feeling panicked that we were scheduled only 21 days apart. I'm still healing and need her help around the house. Come Wednesday I'm going to have to be the one in good enough health to do it all while she recovers. I wish I had a bit more time. I can't even imagine trying to have surgery done within days of each other.

I am a little dumbfounded by the way your partner is behaving. I'm in complete agreement with high functioning fat man. How is she going to react when you need her help walking around? How is she going to react when you're down 30 pounds and she's still waiting on surgery approval? She should have your back 110%. I would have been happy and supportive if my wife had surgery a month before me. Just as my wife has been a rockstar for me the past few weeks. If she's reacting so badly in anger now, how will her anger be then?

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I have 4. I thought that was standard, but from this thread it appears I'm abnormal.

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I'm on post-op day 6. Still taking my oxy at night to sleep along with anti nausea and muscle relaxers. Have laid off the pain meds during the day so I can try to get my liquids in. BM day 5 after sipping 3 tbsp of milk of magnesia day 4.

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How do you sleep? I am a side sleeper and find that using a sobakawa cloud pillow to support my stomach makes it easier to sleep.

I'm usually a side or stomach sleeper. I have an adjustable sleep number bed, so since surgery I've been sleeping with my head elevated at about 45°. It's the only way I don't wake up in pain from trying to turn over in my sleep.

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I'm on post-op day 6. Still taking my oxy at night to sleep along with anti nausea and muscle relaxers. Have laid off the pain meds during the day so I can try to get my liquids in. BM day 5 after sipping 3 tbsp of milk of magnesia day 4.

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Hi guys I was sleeved 4th Oct and feeling so emotional. The pain is fine it's the gas pains that make me want to cry. I am sat in the hospital wondering if I've done the right thing. I know many of you have probably thought the same thing just looking for some encouragement. Didn't know the gas would be this bad. I keep walking and walking but my God this is really bad. Dr won't give me any gas relief. My throat hurts so bad as well. God help me

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I feel like this post was written by me. I had surgery yesterday. The gas pain is unbearable. All I want to do is cry. I can deal with the incision pain, but this gas pain is unbelievable. It makes everything hurt.

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My surgery is in the morning. I feel so nervous and scared. My gallbladder is being removed as well. I have come this far, why am I so scared?

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My surgery is tomorrow as well. Nervous doesn't even begin to describe what I'm feeling. More like terrified.

Bleach the Isopure rtd are not representative of the unflavored! 'Mainly due to not having an artificial flavor or sweetener.

I agree though. I drank them for about the first week post op because at the time I just could not get myself to drink shakes after surgery. So it was like half of the rtd and a broth with unflavored.

My go to is now premier rtd chocolate and unjury chicken. Still have and use isopure unflavored. I like that best in cold Water with a little lime, or in broth.< /p>

I'm super happy to hear that the unflavored has no resemblance to the rtd. I still have a few Isopure rtd that I'm saving for after surgery when/if I have issues reaching my Protein goals. They taste horrible, but good lord they have a load of Protein.

At the moment I'm loving Syntrax Nectars. Premier rtd banana is an everyday use for me, I'm hoping I can still stand it post surgery.

I've been debating about picking up some Unjury chicken vs Bariatric fusion chicken. Maybe I'll get both. I'm in my 2 week pre-op diet and warm liquids make me feel like I'm not starving.

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What is "rtd"?

RTD = Ready to Drink

Isopure had powders, and they also have bottles of liquid that are ready to drink.

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Ok so there are those who swear by GENEPRO and those who like others. The key to any is that you don't go over 140 degrees with Water mixing. I have mixed Isopure with cold Water and hot broth. I love it it is tasteless I find it odorless it is inexpensive in comparison to some other brands. You can get it at Vitamin shoppe GNC or Amazon

For me, GENEPRO seems like a shady company that also hawks "natural steroids" with a lot of scam appearing science. And I cannot get over the 30g of Protein in 15 g serving. I am all about reasonable space time continuum.

unjury starter kit is nice because you get their chicken broth (yum!) a thermometer and shaker bottle

Best of luck!

Thank you for sharing you're thoughts on Genepro. I've had the same exact thoughts after a few hours research last week. People here on BP rave about it, but it just seems a little too shady to me.

My Isopure from Amazon is in the mail. I'm a little worried about it, considering I hate all of Isopure's RTD's. But I'm ready to give it a try.

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There was also hoagie gate - but the poster only ate a foot long in one sitting .... Ahhh good times

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Holy hell, how did I miss this one?! Excuse me while I go waste the rest of my night looking for that thread.

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October 5th! Just got the call this morning. I'm excited, but silently freaking out.

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On Bariatric Fusions website you can buy an individual sample of all 9 flavors. I bought mine from them, and while the $3.00 a packet price is a little steep, I figured it was better than buying 2 lbs of a flavor I'll hate.

I haven't tried them yet, so I can't give input on that front. I'm working my way through my Syntrax nectar packets first, my Bariatric fusion packets are next.

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And then there was the guy who ate a 20oz steak a few weeks post op and somehow that was his surgeon's fault. HA!

This was my favorite one of the year. He was so insistent it was his surgeons fault. And really just wanted advice on how to tell his surgeon off. I really would have loved to hear that conversation.

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Hello,

I'm looking for a good Protein powder. I can't use anything with whey, I have used Body by Vi powder and I like it. I was wondering if anyone had any suggestion. Does anyone know how much Protein we should have a day? I’m just looking for a shake for the morning drive into work.

My stomach (I'm pre-op) can't tolerate Whey either. I use Orgain and Vega One plant based protein powders. I highly recommend both. On the Vega One website they sell individual packets of every flavor, so you could try them before you commit to buying 2 lbs of it.

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I'm in the middle of the process with Mission. I know how frustrated you are, I was in your shoes 6 weeks ago. I went to their information session, but could not find any info online about the doctors or the practice. The only way we got any info is by word of mouth. Luckily my wife is in the medical field, not at Mission, but was able to hear first hand from colleagues about Bradshaw and Edwards. That's the only reason I felt comfortable enough to start this process.

It truly sucks that there is no interaction between surgeon and patient until you're already 4-6 months into the process. The practice has a doctor, Hathaway, who can answer any questions you have. She handles all the pre-op and post-op physician appointments. During your first Physician appt, you can ask all your questions and she'll be able to answer. It just stinks that it's not the surgeon giving you the info.

If you have any questions, or would like to talk, feel free to message me.

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When I was in my pre-op nutrition class all the questions were about when people could have [insert all the foods that got them fat in the first place] again.

I just had my first pre-op NUT class last week. This was my exact experience. I could not believe all the questions regarding when they could eat Pasta, bread, rice, their "momma's brownies", Diet Coke, etc again. I just couldn't believe what I was hearing. I just wanted to scream NEVER. The poor nutritionist was trying hard to keep it together.

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As I'm reading about Bacongate 2016, all I can think about is 20 oz steak guy. Does anyone else remember him? 3-4 weeks ago he posted asking for advice on how to confront his doctor because he could eat a 20 oz steak 2 weeks post op. He was convinced his doctor screwed up.

Can we get him and bacon chick together? I'd love to read that forum.

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Every morning it's the same thing

Sidewalks of people with who cares stares

My heart's too big for this city

My heart's too big for my own body

My heart's too big for you to understand me

When I close my eyes

I dream in color

But my life's in black and white

Will it ever get better

I'm not monochromatic

Nobody's monochromatic

Everybody's hurting

There's nothing more human than that

See the pieces of heart's missing

But watch how the light fills the cracks

My heart's too big for the city

My heart's too big for my own body

My heart's too big for you to understand me

Please understand me

When I close my eyes

I dream in color

My life's in black and white

But it'll get better

I'm not monochromatic

Nobody's monochromatic

Nobody's monochromatic

I'm not monochromatic

"Monochromatic" - Mary Lambert

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Love my Fitbit Charge HR. Keeps track of my heart rate consistently throughout the day for a better understanding of how many calories I burn. I also love the sleep tracker. Fitbit App is super user friendly.

My only wish is that it was completely waterproof.

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We were at Disney World last year. Your stats fit more in line with my wife at 5'4 and 325lbs. She was able to fit on every ride we tried. You may have some issues with the roller coaster type rides, like space mountain or the Snow White mine ride. We didn't try those because of size issues we read about online. Other than those you'll be fine. Enjoy yourself!

If you're making a trip over to Universal, that's a whole other story.

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I was wondering if there are any couples out there that went through the process together and were sleeved around the same time? My wife and I are taking this journey together. I'm still trying to decide if this is a great idea, or a terrible one. Would love to hear from anyone who has traveled down this path and could give us advice. Thanks.

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Congrats on your WL so far!

Thank you for the encouragement. I'm just starting my weight loss journey and I'm a bit terrified. You give me hope that someday in the near future I can get back to the activities I once loved, which includes white Water kayaking. My weight has kept me from doing things I once loved for far too long. Have fun on the Colorado River! Enjoy every moment of it.

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