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recreatingcate

Gastric Sleeve Patients
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Everything posted by recreatingcate

  1. recreatingcate

    Leave denial from work?

    Yes, I'm with @smg - I work a desk job with driving and court appearances required and was back to work in six days. Surgery was on a Wednesday (2/22) and I was back on Tuesday (2/28). You may need less time then you think, thus making it easier to get the time you need.
  2. recreatingcate

    Night before surgery dinner

    You can do it!! Get some rest, if you can! This time tomorrow, you'll be on the loser's bench!
  3. It kinda seems like you're getting answers on two different procedures.. The Upper GI (UGI Xray) is when you go in, drink a milkshake consistency like liquid with barium in it, and the tech takes different pictures of you swallowing to make sure everything is normal. They might even take some pictures of everything floating around in your tummy to check that out, too. You'll be awake, and it should only take about twenty minutes. The endoscopy (EGD) is when you go in and get put to sleep with anesthesia so that the doctor can put a camera down your throat and take pictures of the inside of your esophagus/tummy, and typically look for a hernia. You will need a ride home from the hospital because you're being put out, so they usually won't let you drive. It's a good nap, you're sleeping for about an hour. Hope this is helpful! Good luck on your journey!
  4. recreatingcate

    Real Good Pizza Co

    This is so encouraging! I'm two weeks post-op, and I'm telling you, the night before surgery, I dreamt about pizza! It's the one thing I miss the most.. oh well! One day down the line, I'll have to try this!
  5. recreatingcate

    Dealing with Work and Time Off

    For HR purposes, I got a note from my doctor that I was there at such and such date and time. That way, it could be put into my file that I wasn't just skipping work to skip work. I also told my boss that I was having my gallbladder out because it was a new job and I didn't want to deal with the questions and judgements. HR is not allowed to disclose what kind of surgery you're having to anyone else, including your immediate supervisor? What kind of work do you do? I work a desk job with lots of traveling/driving (social caseworker for at risk youth), and I was out of work for less than a week. Only five "work days." My surgery went very, very well and was on a Wednesday (2/22). I was back to work the following Tuesday (2/28), and my doctor approved this. You might not have to take as much time off as you think.
  6. recreatingcate

    Approved!!!!!!!!!

    Congrats! It's the best feeling to be approved!!
  7. Two weeks post op today! Down twenty pounds from my surgery date! Woo hoo! Did anyone come out of surgery with a white tongue? Like a film on the tongue? I've had it since I woke up, and I thought it was because I might be dehydrated. They now think it's thrush, and now I have this crazy, hot, painful rash on my shoulders and it's spreading up my neck! Has anyone else experienced this? Gonna check in with my doc tomorrow.
  8. recreatingcate

    How did you feel when you woke up?

    My surgery was at noon and I was in recovery by 1:30pm, and in my room by 3pm. I was a real brat in recovery LOL. I told them I was in pain (don't remember being in pain at all, but okay) and the nurse told me she would go get some meds. So then I pulled my cannula out and she put it back. And when she walked away, I did it again. And then the nurse yelled at me. I also kept putting my arms above my head because that's how I sleep and she kept yelling at me for that, too. She put my hands at my sides and i remember looking her in the eye and her being like, "STOP!" I was up and moving around by 4pm. I walked three laps at a time, and then got back in bed and sipped on my ounce, and napped. When I woke up, same thing. Outside of whatever they gave me in recovery, I didn't have any narcotic pain meds, because I didn't feel that I needed them. I had Tylenol only. Honestly, I felt great for someone who had major surgery. I had no nausea or vomiting, I had minimal pain. By the next day, when they discharged me, it was really just soreness. I think I got really lucky, and I feel like I'm in the minority with having minimal pain. The poor lady in the room with me in the next bed over couldn't get her nausea under control and kept vomiting. I felt awful for her. Good luck to all you guys pre-op still! Don't get too caught up in the pain you may or may not be in, just remember what your goals are and why you're doing this!!
  9. Feeling very sore and sleepy, but getting my fluids and steps in. Gas has settled in my right shoulder/neck, so I'll walk that out soon. So happy to be on the loser's bench! Can't wait to see where this journey takes me! Here we go..
  10. I'm five days post op, and I don't have anymore pain. My incisions, however, are sore and itchy. Has anyone used ice or heat to get rid of incision soreness? Open to suggestions! TIA!
  11. Feeling great so far! My gas pains come and go every once and awhile, but I have been off anything for pain since the day after surgery! Everything has gone great. My only issue has started today - I woke up feeling extremely lightheaded and dizzy. Will have to dedicate my day to my fluid intake. Getting fluids in is tough. I don't start protein until tomorrow so hopefully that'll give me an energy boost. Good luck with your surgery!!
  12. I'm on clear liquids until Monday and had surgery on the 22nd. On Monday, I can start with protein shakes/drinks.
  13. Day three post op today. Struggling to find a balance between napping and sipping. I'm noticing that my mouth is dry and trying to stay hydrated but it is a struggle today. Haven't needed anything for pain since last night, and even then, it was just one Tylenol. Just gotta keep sipping..
  14. I had surgery yesterday, and I'm on my way home now! Everything went really, really well, and I have very minimal pain. There's a lot of gas, and I'm keeping up with my stepping and my sipping, but overall, I feel wonderful! Much better than I thought I would for someone who just had 85% of their stomach cut out haha!!
  15. recreatingcate

    Pre Op Binge

    I was doing really well until this past week. My surgery is this Wednesday, 2/22. My friends and I have a brunch planned tomorrow morning and outside of that, I just HAVE TO buckle down and properly prepare. I know I can do it, I just need to get my mind on board! It's a mental battle and we CAN DO IT!
  16. recreatingcate

    Information Session

    It's super interesting to me how different insurance company requirements are, and how different all bariatric practices are from each other. I went to one surgeon five years ago with Empire BCBS. Requirements were an info seminar, blood work, PCP clearance, cardio clearance, psych clearance, and and UGI X-ray OR endoscopy. No six month diet required by my insurance company. (A friend is going to this surgeon now and the requirements are the same but her insurance requires a six month supervised diet.) Now, at the practice I'm have surgery at this week, with CDPHP insurance, their requirements are much more comprehensive and to be honest, I feel much more prepared. I had to do an info seminar, two support groups, blood work, cardio clearance, psych clearance, PCP clearance, pulmonary clearance if I had any past lung/sleep apnea issues, a UGI AND and endoscopy, two meet and greets with the surgeon (one at the beginning and one after all other requirements were met), and monthly check ins with the office NUT until surgery was scheduled. No six month insurance supervisors diet thingy. It took about five months to get everything done, and that was with me taking my time. Neither of the surgeons I've seen have required a pre-op diet, other then clear liquids 24 hours prior to surgery. My friend who I talked about above with the required six month diet? She was told to go to her PCP and ask her to sign the monthly paperwork because my friend did a work sponsored program for four months to lose weight and that counted towards four months. The doc signed off on an extra month before and after to bring it to six. So, there are ways to get things done that the insurance company asks you to do! The bottom line is - check with your insurance company. If you call them, they will tell you what they require based on your insurance. Write everything down, and stay organized! This will help you! And lastly, stay positive! It WILL happen when it is supposed to happen, as do most things. Lean on the people you trust, and find your supports in life! You will do just fine. Good luck, and welcome to the journey! [emoji258][emoji169]
  17. Congrats!! You're the day after me! [emoji322][emoji322]
  18. I'm the 22nd!! [emoji322][emoji322]
  19. Date twins!! So excited! It's coming so fast!
  20. recreatingcate

    Ridiculous question but...

    Haha no I'm not concerned about the religious aspect too much (my father might have a coronary though [emoji23][emoji849]). It was just something I never thought about and was curious. Thanks for your answers!
  21. I forgot to ask during my pre-op appointment and my surgery is next Wednesday. I'm Catholic, and I'll be attending services the Sunday following services. I'll still be on a full liquid diet, also I can't receive the host, but what about after? It's not even something I thought about until my dad asked.. Anyone have any experience with this? LOL It feels like a silly question but I'm still curious.
  22. recreatingcate

    February 20, 2017

    February 22nd! One week from tomorrow ahhhhh!! [emoji322][emoji322]
  23. recreatingcate

    On my way to surgery!

    Good luck today! Hope all goes well for you! I followed you on Instagram, also! Sam username as here. Fingers crossed for you!
  24. I'm the day after you both on the 22nd!! [emoji322][emoji322] Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App
  25. Keep up the great work! You look wonderful!

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