Booandfrida

Dr Dietrick in Tampa. Paid $14,500 for the sleeve. He has a payment plan for his portion of the fee (about $5k) but I paid all at once. Stayed in the hospital one night. I was able to get my insurance to cover the pre-op bloodwork and the EKG though by visiting my primary care doc and having her order them. She made sure not to say they were for pre-op (we were worried insurance would deny it then). Surgeon was excellent. My surgery got cancelled because of the hurricane but he cancelled his vacation the following week so he could take care of the patients like me who had missed their dates. I am 5 months out and had to get my post op bloodwork two months ago. Tried to fool insurance again but since the tests were all for vitamin deficiencies it was pretty obvious it was for post bariatric surgery testing. It was all denied. Ended up costing me $1200. That was a cost the doctor did not prepare me for. Luckily I don't have to get tested again since my levels were all ok.

Quorn is vegetarian, at least the ones sold in the US. Some products do contain milk and egg. But all products are safe for vegetarians. The vegan products have even been accredited by the Vegan Society.

I was the same way with liquids. I felt like I could just keep going. That will change once you start solids. I am full after one scrambled egg now. So be patient, that hunger goes away once you can eat “real” food.

I was still bloated from gas at one week. Give yourself a few more days. It will come off!

I had terrible shoulder and chest pain the first week too. Doc said it was gas related and I had to walk more. I don’t know if walking helped but I did it and the pain subsided after the first week.

Eating too fast? Are you eating too soon after drinking?

On puréed, they say you should eat every 4 hours. So you’re doing good! I was really hungry on liquids too but then I started adding sugar free popsicles and the bariatric brand protein soup. I don’t understand people who say they are full on just shakes either!

Are you eating enough? How about walking? Do you still feel bloated from gas?

Oh my gosh! You have been through so much. I'm glad you finally got your surgery (and also hoping your mom is doing much better and your house is ok). Who would have thought anemia would be the clincher? Ugh. LOL about being a wisp. Yes, if only! I ended up being on the pre-op diet for 3 weeks. But I got the surgery and all is well now.

Soft food by day 3? I am so jealous! Good for you!

Swiss Miss light hot chocolate, low sodium v 8, Campbell's tomato soup at hand (soup at hand has less sugar than regular tomato soup and is more watery). Juice that has been diluted by half has been helping me, I've been so weak and mentally foggy. These are all on my docs list for the first 2 week stage.

You should try Quorn products. Soy free and gluten free vegetarian sources of protein. They are mushroom based protein - but they don't taste like mushrooms I swear! The Turk'y roast is my favorite - beats a tofurkey any day. I even got my meat eating father to eat it more than once. The Turk'y roast has 100 calories, 13 gr protein and 0.5 gr sugar per serving. And the serving is larger than you would think.

I am 3 days post op too and having the same problem! I am going to try upping my liquid intake since I know I don't get enough there. I also have some vitamin chews...maybe having something to chew would help you. Can you freeze your protein shake and eat it like ice cream?

Hmm, could you say you are working with a nutritionist and walking? Both are probably true.

I am keeping mine private as well. If someone asks you point blank why you are taking time off, you could just say you've been working a lot and need a break. Or say that you expect the rest of the year to be very busy so you're taking some time now. Now if they find out it's surgery and want to know what kind, just say "I'd rather not say, but nothing to worry about." People 'should' know that means back the hell off.