Malaika

Congrats Chandra - keep the faith!

Barbara - Dr. Aceves does not use sutures. He uses glue - and then the incisions are covered with surgical tape and you just leave them on - washing with anti-bacterial soap when you shower until they fall off - generally by the time they do fall off the incisions are healed or close thereto. I had my surgery with Dr. Aceves on 6/12 and my fiance had his on 7/11 - both our incisons healed nicely and are beginning to fade. You're having your surgery on my birthday! If you have any more questions about Dr. Aceves, feel free to PM me.

Brad - WOW - had to reread your post - down from a 5XL to an XXL - that is so totally awesome. Keep up the GREAT work!

Shawna - welcome to the forum, we hope you find what you are looking for here and if we can help you out, just ask.

I agree with Tiffy. I was on the same pre-op diet. If you buy fat-free products, and take the time to compare them to normal products, you will see that the fat-free products have more sugar the the regular - that is because they have to do something to improve the flavor when they remove the fat. I used EAS before my surgery - loved it - couldn't/can't stand it since my surgery - it's too sweet. Don't stock up on too much stuff before your surgery as you may find, as many of us have, that after the surgery your tastes have changed significantly.

I have a desk job - I had my surgery on Friday and returned to work the following Friday - I was fine, tired by the end of the day; other than that did fine. If you're only working PT and don't have a strenuous job, I would think if you took 1 week you'd be fine.

KARA thank you for posting your story and your advice. Glad you are doing better now and hope you continue to progress. Also, welcome to the forum, we're happy to have you join us.

Where are you having your surgery? If you have it done by Dr. Aceves in Mexico there are no stitches to be removed - the incisions are covered with surgical tape and you just wash the area with antibacterial soap until they fall off and then was the incisions the same way until they are totally healed.

Luckily, I have really nice firm legs, but figured if they helped tone the muscle, what the heck ... I don't need new sneaks yet, but when I do, I'll check them out - they at least look like they give you good support which I definitely need.

I didn't start losing my hair until 5 months out - I'll add in the Co-Q10 - I have that and was taking it before surgery -- it's a big capsule, so hope i can get it down. I'll try anything at this point to help slow down or stop the hair loss.

hypn -- How are you doing with getting your food in????

Lan - Sounds like you are doing much better - that is quite a variety you can eat and I understand your hesitancy to try new things - I sometimes get "stuck in a rut" because I know what goes down easy, etc. Try adding in one new thing a month. However, I think you've got a great variety going on and certain enough options to get good protein from.

Chandra - If you're on mushies you can take your chewables - just chew them really well. From what I have read and have been told, yes, the hair does grow back once the hairloss stops. I don't take fish oil, I am taking Hair Skin & Nails that has Biotin in it, along with Evening Primrose Oil and multi-Vitamins, so can't help you out on the "aftertaste" - but if you have chewables, that issue should be resolved.

I told my my fiance and one good friend before I had the surgery. Afterwards, I told 2 other good friends, a couple friend of ours, and another friend who's husband is getting the band (wont' even go there). I did not tell ANYONE at work as I keep my private life private and people there love to gossip. I also did not tell anyone in my family as they are the worst for judging. None of them live near me and I don't see any of them on a regular basis, so I figured it wasn't any of their business. It's a personal matter and there is no right or wrong answer in my opinion. Do what makes you feel the most comfortable. I've addressed the weight loss issue with everyone at work by the fact that I had a hiatal hernia repaired (not a lie) and had to follow a post-op diet (again, not a lie) and now I am just eating healthier and a lot less (again, not a lie).

YAY Linda - congratulations girl!

Hey Tiff - you're right, she hasn't been online since 12/3 -- I thought she posted something on FB though since then - will have to double check. I know she was going to Arizona sometime, but I'm pretty certain it wasn't before Christmas. I'll text her to see if all is well and advise.

Slim - welcome to the boards, we are happy to have you here. Congrats on selecting Dr. Aceves - he is totally awesome. Sorry for your prior experience with the other doctor - that is definitely a crime. Wasabubblebutt doesn't post on this site any longer; however, her prior posts contain a wealth of information, especially on researcing a surgeon.

Megan Dr. Aceves will look more at your labs, EKG and chest xray than at your weight -- if you weren't overweight, you wouldn't be seeing him in the first place, so don't stress out about gaining a few pounds - DO focus on his pre-op diet of high protein/low carbs (under 30) as that will help to shrink your liver - and that is what the goal of the pre-op diet is, not to make you lose weight -- I think I might have lost 3 lbs on my pre-op? That could have just been water weight too - so don't stress about it!

I take an 2 adult chewable multi-vitamins and 2500 mcg B-12 every morning. I don't take any calcium or iron supplements - my labs showed all those levels were well within the normal range. Should that change, then I will add those supplements in as well. I know there are vitamins available (from Baritatric Advantage, I think) specifically geared toward those who have had WLS. I'm sure others will have more ideas for you as well.

I know what you mean - when I say I have 50 more to go they say "you'll be too skinny" "you'll look emaciated" "a strong wind will blow you away" ... LOL .. they have no idea how much I weighted when I started this journey and have never seen me at a healthy weight ... I intend to see it through to goal ... then we'll see what they have to say!

I want those new sneaks that say they make your butt and legs look better - something to do with tightening up everything when you walk ... those are the magical sneaks I want!

AJW - you look GREAT - what a difference in your face. I love the outfit. Congrats and keep up the good work!

well we can have a real conversation if you want to jump into the chat room. You can do that and still check posts - just right click on chat and select open in new window...

No, you should be fine with that Joon being 14 days out - just be sure to chew them into smaller pieces before swallowing.

and if you don't know or like your neighbors, you could take the recipe for two and divide it in half - it will probably still be too much for you; however, it would probably only be enough for 2 meals, so you could eat it for dinner one night and lunch the next day and be done with it - not too repetitive. Luckily, it takes more than 2 meals for me to get tired of something and Bearded is the same way, so whatever leftovers we have, we both eat for lunch the next day and if there is still something left after that, we'll have it for dinner that night. I've gotten pretty good at downsizing my recipes so generally leftovers only last 1 day. That's pretty good for me, since I come from a family of 9 and when I first got married, that was the only way I knew how to cook and my (ex)husband wouldn't eat leftovers!