Sherrie Scharbrough

I can say this, if I was you I would ask for a wheelchair. My hubby had a Sleeve done and we traveled home on his 3 day. He didn't need it due to pain (he had hardly any pain at all) but he was kind of weak. The Airport was really a huge one and of course our flight was way way far away. With the wheelchair you get to load first and go to the front of the line. Those lines are long!! As far as the Protein I would defintly call ahead, we had to throw ours away. Even our Water bottles I had to throw away to get thru Customs. Of course trying to find something after we went thru Customs wasn't the easiest to get ahold of. We both needed our protein, I had a RNY 3 and 1/2 years ago. You can get water but you will pay the price for it too. So make sure you phone ahead to get it all cleared. Good Luck

I am at my goal weight and I do obsess about weighing. I use my clthes as a indicator and only weigh at my Dr. appointments. If I feel like it, otherwise I skip them once in awhile. As long as I stay within 125 to 129 I am happy!! I know of lots of people that weigh everyday 2 to 3 times. It drives me crazy I have ANXIETY Issues about enough other stuff I really really HATE those Damn Scales!!! I have even canceled DR appointments because I get physically sick to my stomach. I know it all stems from the years of going to the DR for one thing and it being said if you lose weight that such and such would be better!! Sick and wrong!!

I had my RNY July 2, 2013. I have always been very open about my surgery!! If someone wants to talk about it I will give the good bad and ugly about it!! This WLS is one of the very BEST decisions I have made in my 60years. I feel if I can just help one person to have WLS and start their new JOURNEY then I will be ecstatic. The negative stuff that people have is mostly because of early on WLS's. I know of close family that had their RNY 20 some odd years ago. Even they have some ill feelings about it. I think that the Weight Loss Community has made so many improvements with WLS that people really need to be reducated. There is so much negative that people just over look the positive sometimes. I had checked into WLS back when my friend had her RNY over 25years ago. I didn't have insureance that would cover it so of course we were still raising our family and didn't have the money at all. But...hind site I am so very HAPPY that I didn't have it at that time. I defintly was NOT ready for everything that comes with WLS!! Maybe, someone was looking out for me. You have to be physically ready plus mental ready and at that time I wasn't at the bottom of my weight's barrel. I can say it is a personal thing to tell or not to tell!! Each and everyone of us have to do what is best for us!!

Now my hubby and I flew from Portland, Oregon to Juarez Mexico. We stayed 1 extra night before his surgery because we wanted to make sure everything went smoothly. After he had the Sleeve done he was released the very next day but we stayed an extra night in the motel just to be sure. Now the Airport was huge and going thru Customs on the way there was no big deal, but after was a different story. Luckily we had a wheelchair that I requested before we were ever dropped off at the Airport. It was a good thing because you are kind of weak afterwards but as far as pain NOPE!! He could have dne it all by himself. I had my RNY 2 hours from where we live. The Dr has his out of towners stay a week in the Motel before he releases you. I couldn't have done it all by myself because I was real weak. I walked everyday 2 to 3 times. Just to try to gain my strength back. But that is the difference in the surgery's. He wasn't as weak as I was. I would really prefer if it was me that I had someone with me. You are a BRAVE PERSON> I am such a chicken. LOL GOOD LUCK

Your focus should be the Protein first but some other things that usually are allowed are broth, which I bought and stil do because it is the very best taste that I have found is "BETTER THAN BOUILLON" it might cost a little more but you don't need to use as much as others. It comes in chicken OR BEEF. You can also buy a CHICKEN NOODLE Soup that has prtein added to it, BariatricPal Store sells it. When I had my surgery 3 and 1/2 years ago I had to do 2 weeks of liquids before and 4 weeks after my WLS. Believe me that Broth really taste good when you are just getting Protein Drinks that are cold. Good luck and may I ask what the MINI SLEEVE IS?

They pretty much kept me busy after my RNY. I didn't have time to get bored after I went home. I had to sip Water and sip Protein every 15 minutes so I was very busy. Yes I did sleep quite a bit after my surgery but it is different for each of us. Time is spent on learning our new journey. I can bet you are getting nervous and excited about everything. You might want to have someone else do the food prep for awhile. Your body needs to be able to adjust to your new way of life!! Just think this is something that you will be so happy about, it sure fills my heart and I know that I was given the second chance to get my weight off and be able to keep it off this time!! BTW I am over 3 and 1/2 years out. I have been at my goal weight for 3 years!! I went from 249#'s to 117#'s in 6 months. I did gain back 8#'s but just that amount helped me to feel so much better. The lowest weight wasn't good for me at all. So enjoy your time and keep getting excited for your new life!! And KEEP ON KEEPING ON!!

LauriDj,

I know that one too!! LOL My hubby had what they call a THROMBOSED HEMROID plus Fistula's internanally!! He went thru quite a time. It all started when we lived in Nevada and I made a killer pot of Chilibeans. The next day I filled his thermos with them. The top had popped up on it but he didn't think anything about it. Well let me tell you what MY POOR HUBBY went thru hell with them. It was so baad that he had to go to a Dr that we found out was a DR for the WHORES!!! It was terrible to say the least. Since then he had 2 or 3 more bouts with it. One time he was in so much pain and I told him let me take a look, I looked at his bottom and I just told him he needed to go the DR right now!!! The hemmie was outside and was the size of a softball!! I kid you not!! I was so scared, I didn't tell him what I seen because I didn't want him to panic!! Terrible stuff!! My MIL had hemmie surgery and she told me it was like pooping a pineapple upside down after her surgery. Scared me to death. Hey I have em but I am like you I will just deal with em!!

Hi, I had my RNY on July 2, 2013. In 6 months I went to my lowest weight of 117#'s. I averaged 20#'s per month. I started out at 249#'s (this time because I managed to lose down from 285#'s). I had 1 stall I guess that was what you would call it. I weighed in the morning and it said I was up 3#'s!! I thought what the hell!! But the next day I was down 4#'s. I had the 8# gain up to 125#'s and have maintained that weight for 3 years. My health is pretty darn great. I use to take 12 different medications. Insulin 2 times a day with 2 500mg of Metformin 2 times a day. I now take 4 precriptions with 3 being for my Blood Pressure and 1 for my thyroid. I am able to walk 4 miles 3 to 4 times a week. Hubby (who also had WLS June 2016) are joining a Health Club in May!!! I am realy excited about this one because hubby has never had any interest in exercising!! Good Luck with your journey. You are kickin your wt to the curb!! KEEP ON KEEPING ON!!

When I had my RNY my hubby was very well versed. LOL He had a Lap Band for 13 years. But the biggest thing that I feel helped him was I had Back Surgery 10 years ago. The VERY WORST SURGERY imagined. I actly had wished they would have let me die on the table. He was a trooper for sure!! He had to help me and his sick Mother who lived accross town from us. I loved him even more after I got thru my 3 months of hell!! I think he is well prepared for anything that may come. As I am for him. He had a failed revision from his Band to a RNY. The band had eroded into his liver. He was sick for 9 months with abcesses and 3 of them he doesn't remember even to this day. That was Sept 2013, jus 2 months after my RNY. I think we are both well prepared for whatever comes our way now!! Our marriage has survived for 43 years with each having their turn of caring for the other. It seemed to make our journey together even stronger. Good Luck with your journey!!

I have found the best unflavored Protein powder!! It is called GENEPRO!!! Mind you I am over 3 and 1/2 years out and I have tried sooo many different bars and drinks. For premade drinks I loved Atkins. For Protein Bars I love PowerCrunch bars. I wish I could have found GENEPRO sooner. You can mix it in anything. I use it everyday in my Espresso coffee. It has 30grams of protein in one tablespoon. For jmyself it is a WIN WIN because I would drink my coffee any way. To add it to hot stuff, I put a little warmish (not boiling) add the protein and whisk it up before adding it to your drink. You can add it to lots of food. Just remember that our bodies can only absorbe 30grams of protein at a time. Or at least that is what my Surgeon told me. Good Luck and have a great day!!

Please be careful!! I know others said the same thing above but....in order to be safe and healthy going thru your journey YOU must follow your Surgeon's guidelines!! It would be so sad if something happened to you after eating off program. All I can say is they may have different guidelines but it is pretty certain that you shouldn't be eating chili this soon. Hang tight you have GOT this!!

That would be ME!! I have a metal taste inn my mouth or a bitterness. Also, I always had a great sense of smell but since my surgery it is way way over the top. I loved garlic and onions before my WLS. Now I am over 3 and 1/2 years out and it just has changed to where I can handle those smells and even the taste. Good Luck it can be real hard to adjust to it for sure. Take care and Congrates on your new life and journey.

I don't have any suggestions for which to choose but I can tell you where not to use!! First let me explain how we got to where we went. My hubby had a Lap Band for 13 years, he did lose 100#'s. But he still weighed over 400#'s (in fact 465#'s) So it malfunctioned, so he needed to see another Surgeon. So they were going to remove his Band and revise him to a RNY. Once they got in there the band had eroded into his liver. They removed his band and his Gallbladder but couldn't do his revision. That was 2013. He got so sick (he almost died) he was sick for 9 months and 3 of them he doesn't even remember. After he was well he decided to presue his WLS. But he had his diabetes out of control. So OREGON HEALTH AND SCIENCE UNIVERSITY and they wanted him to lose 20#'s and get his A1C down to a 7. He could lose the weight but then his blood sugar would jump up, or he could get his blood sugar down but not his weight. He found out that he has Cancer in his kidney. Time was going by fast. So off to Juarez Mexico. He went thru the BELITE WEIGHT LOSS. DON'T GO THRU THEM!!! It isn't like they advertise!! First off they tell you to bring your own washclothes. We were told that we would have a SUITE, not I slept on a hard window ledge. The nurses didn't wash their hands ever only one nurse used hand santizer. They didn't wear gloves ever. When they got into his surgery, they couldn't do his RNY because his whole right side was solid scar tissue. So they did a SLEEVE. So the cost was less for the Sleeve and when they gave us a refund they said because of his surgery being diffcult they didn't give us back near amount of the money. We didn't get discharge papers and when I ask for the follow up papers she told me that the RNY and the Sleeve had the same guidelines. I had a RNY and they are similar but not the same. Our experence wasn't the best for sure. Now I'm not saying the Surgeon wasn't good but he started early in the morning and came into see my husband around 9pm. Just beware. That site is NOT the one to go thru.

Just now, Sherrie Scharbrough said:

Now I don't want to come accross as a know it all but...here goes. Yes I have heard that Protein drinks can be covered by insureance but I have heard that they sock it to you by charging your insureance super high money. They also want to sell you scar cream at a high price but it says it is free for you. I have heard many times that is how they make their money. Just be careful and read everything before you do it.

Also I forgot this part. Some insureance have a cap on how much they will cover and then it comes out of your pocket.

Now I don't want to come accross as a know it all but...here goes. Yes I have heard that Protein Drinks can be covered by insureance but I have heard that they sock it to you by charging your insureance super high money. They also want to sell you scar cream at a high price but it says it is free for you. I have heard many times that is how they make their money. Just be careful and read everything before you do it.

Try PROTI brand chicken NOODLE Soup. It's actually pretty good. After my WLS I would strain the noodles out. But later on I ate them. I'm not sure if they would have been ok but I wasn't taking any chances. It also has 15grams of Protein.

18 hours ago, ChaosUnlimited said:

I'm almost finished with my requirements for my surgery center, and I have an appointment Monday so I will also ask then, but the nutritionist said that after surgery you can only take dissolvable Vitamins, no pills at all for (I think) a couple months while you heal. But what about current meds like thyroid supplements and blood pressure pills? Do they make an exception for that, or do you have to get prescriptions for some type of liquid replacement?

Thanks for sharing your experience!

I was told that I could swallow anything that was the size of a eraser tip. Or if they were bigger they would give me a liquid precription. In fact my Potassium was a huge pill, and my PCP ordered a liquid but beleiive me it was horrible and I just told them that I would wait to take it for awhile. It all worked out because I got rid of so many meds after my RNY. I used to tae 12 different meds, now I take 4 plus my Vitamins. I take 3 different meds for mym High Blood Pressure and 1 for my Thyroid. So much better than being on insulin 2 times a day, Cholestrial meds and Meteformin for my diabetes. Which I have been off since right after my RNY.

3 hours ago, sc101071 said:

I eat the same things all of the time. chicken tenderloins and steamed broccoli. Dannon fit and lite. I make a great vegetarian chili. Sometimes I will eats whatever at a restaurant if we go out but just lost interest in food when I had the surgery.

Oh how well I can relate!! I am almost 4 years out and food just doesn't excite me!! I'm not complaining because THAT has helped me reach my goal weight. In fact I went below my goal weight. I weighed 117#'s but gained back 8#'s, which I have maintained for over 3 years. Life is great!! But for myself I would rather drink my coffee than eat any food. Unless it was junk food. LOL

I agree with the unfavored Protein Powder!! I love GENEPRO!! It defintly has no taste. I add it to my Espresso everyday. It has 30grams of protein in one tablespoon. I consider this a WIN WIN thing. I would drink my coffee any way so its great for me. The only thing is I just wish I would have found it 3 years ago. Give it a try. It cost some but it last forever.

On 4/1/2017 at 4:04 PM, Sherrie Scharbrough said:

I know i had posted earlier about my dilemma finding a GOOD BRA that does all of my hiding of loose skin. Well, my new best friend came in the mail Thrusday!! I know it cost quite a bit more than I want to pay but...ladies let me tell you about this awesome new bra!! I have back fat that I haven't been able to hide also my under arms. The skin on my boobs that used to be ok. Well I have found THE MOST COMFORTABLE BRA ever!! It is called SHAPEEEZZ!! Let me tell you it has everything that I need in a bra. I did pay quite a high price but it is so worth it to hide stuff that shouldn't be here and have my back look smooth again. I really can't say enough good about it. So LADIES if you want something that fits and gets all of your bells and whistles taken care of this is the one!!

I just went back into SHAPEEEZ site and ordered another bra!!! I went with a long one. The ultimate. Love Love them. I know they are expensive but...when you have skin and deflated boobs I will pay it. LOL

Hi I got the MINI TANK, I love it still. You know when you put something on and it feels great and then in a couple of days it isn't as good as you thought? I LOVE IT!!! I am thinking on ordering the long line tank. They even tell you how to measure exactly. I haven't had much luck with the old stand by measuring. They have you measure accross the top of your boobs and then from your nip to under your arm for the cup size. I can't wait to try the long tank. Good luck let me know if you like what you get.

Like was said above you need to be 100% sure this is what you want. It will help you lose the weight but let me tell you the MAINTANCE is the hardest. Mentally you will have so MUCH to figure out on your journey. It will not be easy!! For myself I had tried every diet known to mankind practically. I could loose some of my weight but lost my motivation some where along the way. I got really sick with my Fibromylgia had to leave a job that I had worked at for 10 years!! I hated what my body did to me. I lost so much of my joy because I was sick all the time. At that time I did lose 135#'s. But it didn't take me to long to gain it all back plus. THAT was a push toward my WLS. I had contacted a Surgeon in Eugene, Oregon. He wanted to do the Lap Band on me. I refused because my hubby had his Band for 13years of course he lost 100#'s but never got to his goal weight. So I just figured I would be heavy for the rest of my life!! Fast forward, hubby's Band had to be removed. While he was in his Dr's office the nurse and I were chatting and I mentioned that I only wish I could have WLS. When she asked me why I coudn't I told her of the other DR. Of course I made a appointment and I was ready to have my RNY even before my hubby's and removal of his Band. The rest is history. I lost 132#'s in 6 months but I did have a 8# gain. But I have maintained my 125#'s for 3 years now. But it is totally a fight to keep my mind from making me think that I can't keep doing this!! I swear my biggest fear is being a statistic and gaining my weight back. I even have nightmares that I have to weigh in front of my family and I had gained everything back plus. I still see the heavy Sherrie. Some days I feel so FAT and then some days I am ok. Total MIND STUFF!! Good luck in whichever you decide to do!!

I wasn't implying that you wanted to eat eat. I just wanted to say what an AMAZING tool we have!! I'm sorry if my statement made you think I was being mean or that I thought you just wanted to go on a binge. I also want to say I am so sorry about what you had to go thru. Again Good Luck and KEEP ON KEEPING ON!!

I'm 3 and 1/2 years out and I am still amazed at how little I can eat and be satisfied. Your tummy does allow you to eat more as time goes by. But isn't that one of the GREAT PERKS of WLS? To be able to eat less and be satisfied is TOTALLY AMAZING!!!

When we got married 43years ago I weighed 135#'s. I gained weight much like everyone else. I got PG 2 months after we got married and thru the years with one more child coming I kept gaining until I weighed 285#'s. I can't blame it all on having babies. The one BIG thing we had was we both loved food. Every year on our Anniversary what did we do? We went out for Chinese food. Even our kids ate like we did. On July 2, 2013 I had my RNY. My stats are as follows: HW 249 SW 232 LW 117 CW 125#'s. Do I feel ok with my new body well...as far as my health, being thin YES I DO!! But...now here comes my but....hubby has loved me at all of my weights, and beleive me I have went up and down all of the time. Does hubby like me skinny? NOPE he has always said he preferred his women "THICKER" does it make me comfortable when he wants to be intimate NO!!!! I know we had a standing joe about banging bones. So knowing what I know of his preferance in sized up women it makes it hard to do all of the good stuff we had in our marriage. Up until 4 years ago we had sex at least 2 to 3 times a week. I don't know how to fix my problems because even tho he says and acts like he wants me I just keep flashing back to his THICKER WOMEN. I know that he loves me and still desires me but... So you see there are LOTS of men out there that like and enjoy bigger women. Hang in there. Who knows your PRINCE CHARMING could be waiting for you!! Good Luck