Navigating the Wilderness

Yeah, it depends on the surgeon, I never knew some would break it up into multiple surgeries, but apparently quite a few do. I had it done in one surgery and it was fine.

Eh, this is America. The last time I checked no one was forced to do any surgery on a date they did not agree with. Seriously though, the doctor and the hospital will work with you once approved for a date that fits your needs. In my case the Dr. had to give the insurance a firm date, but as long as it was within a certain period of the originally approved date, I believe it was 30 days, they had flexibility to reschedule. How do I know this? I was checking my insurance online to see if the surgery was approved and noticed the surgery was scheduled for that day! Was confused so I called the Dr. and received the info I stated above.

Drinking from a straw and swallowing will increase the amount of gas you have in your pouch, which will both limit the amount of food or water you can have in your pouch at any given time, or may simply cause you to throw up if you over-do it. Having said that, I, like @Berry78 said, have found that if you just pull the liquid into your mouth, then open your mouth and release the air, it works fine. I will caution though that I have a sleeve and I rarely use straws.

I do not think losing 55 pounds in 2 weeks is healthy unless you are somewhere in the high 500 to 600 pound range or above. I also do not see it as a realistic goal. I was 400 pounds and lost 25 pounds in 2 weeks on a liquid diet without cheating. Some lose quicker, some slower, but 55 is an awful lot to ask.

No bariatric surgery will cure emotional eating, that is something you will have to find other ways to overcome.

You should know that most hospitals will require that you have someone pick you up after surgery or they will not discharge you. As for the pre-op liquids, it is determined by each surgeon based on their comfort level. In my opinion, the more experienced seem to be fine with a one day liquid pre-op diet. You can find the Premier Protein drinks at any Walmart, this includes caramel. Being nervous is perfectly normal. Find something to take your mind off it. In my case boobs worked really well. 😄

Ditto @kins117. I did not need anything other than my cpap. I felt pretty crappy that first night, and really didn't care about anything other than ice chips and sleep. Essential home tip, have some liquid Tylenol available. The opiates they gave me made me sick, so the liquid Tylenol came in very handy.

I would not worry about it. Generally they ask you to bring it because they assume you will use it when you stay overnight. Instead I would spend the next day worrying about how awesome you are for making positive life choices!!

Yes, I was a sugar addict. Have not had any desire for sweets after the sleeve, but have had cravings for salt which I never had before. I will caution that I am only 10 weeks out. In addition I was an abstainer before with lap band which never worked, now I can have some and walk away, though I admit I have not tried having much sugar. Just not interested.

Yeah, more water definitely worked for me.

Cool, if that is the case, go for it!

What does your surgeon/NUT think?

Awesome!!!

Yes, happened to me as well. Doc said it was my diaphragm spasming. It got better in week 3 and finally went away entirely.

I had random spasms for 2 weeks after surgery. My surgeon said it was actually the diaphragm that was spamming. He said it would stop, and it did!

Ok, how many sewing machines do you own?

I gotta ask, how the hell will the psych know how many steps you really took? Expecting a wheelchair bound person to walk that much is psychotic. I am against dishonesty, but if there ever was a good time to lie about something...

It wouldn't be bald per say because women never lose the hairline like me. But yes it could get very thin. That being said, everything I have read regarding it is the hair comes back after while. My wife suffers from 2 different autoimmune diseases and her hair is getting to the point she needs a wig, so I hear ya. Keep up a positive attitude!

0 calorie way to enjoy peeps. Nicccceeee!!!!

I get what you are saying @blizair09, but of all the people who should put up exercise goals, the absolute last should be the psych. The only job they should serve is to make sure the patient is mentally stable enough for surgery and understands all the pros and cons that go along with it. Walking 5000 steps per day accomplishes neither of those goals. If the patients need someone to ride their asses about exercise, they can hire a personal trainer. In my opinion the Psych should play 0 role in that. If the person needs some guidance and emotional support before/after the surgery, then that is fine, but mandatory exercise should not play any role in determining the mental fitness of a person to undergo any WLS procedure. Let's agree here that the end result is pretty much 100% on the patient to make the right choices. Forcing them to exercise probably will not play much of a role in that. In fact if they are forced to exercise I would be willing to bet there would be a subconscious negative feeling toward exercising in the future. Last note @blizair09, this of course in not directed in anyway toward you buddy, I find your stories to be amazing and truly enjoy your insight.

Two words: f**k That Seriously, I had horrible back problems before surgery, there is no way I could have even done a tenth of a mile every day. Having the surgery has allowed me lose weight to the point where walking a mile is no problem, and even fun. I think it is a stupid arbitrary number. I never exercised before surgery. That WAS the point of surgery! If I could walk 2.5 miles a day I would not have had to look at surgical options to begin with. Please tell the psych that some random dude on this site thinks she is a f**king idiot. It especially bothers me when you know dam well the psych has never had to go through what we do.

Those two, plus you are the only ones that truly matter in your journey.

What do you expect? We're all hungry and cranky! Just kidding, were people really criticizing you or just offering some hard advice? Last post I saw you said you had some Peeps. Aside from atrocious taste in Easter candy , I don't see why anyone would criticize you.

Haha, ok, ok. I can't imagine finding a women I desired less attractive because they have a couple scars on their stomach. Heck, my wife has equivalent scars from gallbladder surgery, and I couldn't care less. Truthfully I am more interested in what is located north and south of her stomach.

Why?