thinin10

Good luck Kristi-You'll do great! Are you same day surgery?

Travel:What does the biotene mouth spray do?

Kudos sogoesit! You're made of tougher stuff than me.. If I hadn't already called the dr. office weeping before.. I would be calling now to kick some butt on whomever gave me that bad info! If you've got that kind of willpower... you're going to be SO successful!

So how long were most of you out of work and any rough ideas on avg. wt. loss the 1st 2 weeks... say for anybody with 125+ to lose? :mad2:

I didn't have to do an essay per se but did have to do a 1 paragraph blurb like that. I think they just want to make sure your expectations are realistic.... that you don't expect to be a super model,or that the surgery will fix your relationship etc.

I've been to 2 diff. surgeons before having it done (ins. issues) and they are all very different from what I experienced and the postings I've seen.

The only sure common denominator was seeing a bariatric psychologist and I am not sure but think that's always 2-3 sessions with an MMPI to be done. Then the dr's want you to lose wt. to shrink up your liver so various amounts and styles. Mine ultimate surg.office was just to lose it before surg. on my own, no liquid diet but a lot of dr.s will do a liquid diet for a time before surg. to accomplish the same thing. I'd count on 3 months for the whole process. Mine took 9.

I haven't kept it a secret but almost wish I had except for close friends and family. My opinion- it's none of their business. As far as your jealous freinds..again, my opinion but you need to surround yourself with every positive thing to can to achieve success and if they're not going to be part of the solution, then they will part of the ongoing problem. They can still be friends of course... but until you've got your "sea legs", I would try to find more supportive people. Jealous people tend to be the ones that think this is a quick fix and required no personal work or sacrifice.. SO far from the truth!

I like the EAS as well. The myloplex is great-ready made shakes in the store in the lite version and then in powder form as well thru costco or GNC. good flavor and loaded with all the minerals, Vitamins , Fiber and 3 types of complete protien. I compared,shopped and searched a lot before surg. and I like it the best for all reasons.

I had my surg. on 9/2 at 7:30am and was out by 12:30pm. I was sore but ok. They rousted me 1/2 hr.after surg.and had me stand up and I was not ready yet... so onto oxygen for 2 hrs. but then I came around and not saying I felt great. But I had a 1.5 hr. trip home and did it sitting up and alert and did not even need any pain meds or a nap til about 8:00 that nite. I was doing 1/2 hr. on the recumbent bike at the gym on day 8. I was only the 2nd person here to have the surg.same day and the other girl left within 1/2 hr. of me (sooner if you can believe it). I was a bit nervous about leaving after trying to stand up too soon but after that fear receeded, I realized I was fine. The hospital might have protocols that won't allow it though. I walked into the surgery room too and jumped up on that crucifix shaped table.. now THAT was very sureal feeling!

Good Luck. Too me it felt a bit more than a gallbladder surgery- not too bad. Get yourself a pair of nite tight high waisted panties to wear- it helps. I got some Spanx since I was told they were great but they are a bit much for me...I like just a plain pair of tight panties (Not a full girtle- those are brutal to get on and off).

I saw a bariatric psychologist named Janice Maidman and she's in St. Louis Park, off 50th and hwy. 100. She's got her own practice and she was wonderful (I had a bad one before that too that did nothing but talk about who I should vote for!!!

Talk to your doctor about your ability to eat large quantities. Know too that you will be hungry.. I"m hungry all the time and am just getting used to it now.

Try to find something that keeps you occupied and hard to eat doing at the same time. Excersise is optimum but try even quilting or scrapbooking, painting... something that keeps your hands full and your mind occupied.

Good Luck! This tread is not very active either. I have gone onto the main site for this - sans the MN part. I'm trying to get a MN thread going but got on there today and lots of great support and info. from around the country.

Yes,after fast and significant wt. loss it's very common. Mine set my panceas off and it was a nitemare. The surgery though,was a cakewalk. It was outpatient(as my band was as well) and I felt SO much better afterwards. I was out of work 2 weeks and frankly could probably have been back sooner. I am only out 2 weeks for the band though too and that is late this week and I feel ready physically. My work days with commute and work out are 12 hr.days though so I know I'll drop like a stone at night when I get home!

Do any of you swim? How soon before you were back in a pool if so?

HI all. I'm a new bandster from MN. Any other Minnesotan's out there?

Hi Christy! The smoking is a HUGE accomplishment...don't underestimate that!

I got denied a few times so ended up starting my workouts before surg.when frankly I had no intention of doing so til post op. Glad I did. I joined a YMCA, started with Water areobics( I love to swim)and it's painless and you don't noticably sweat! I added about20 mins.of the machines 2 days a week in addition to the pool and quickly-and amazingly,progressed to 10 miles on land and 2 by water 3-4 days per week plus 2-3 days of water aerobics. I have my husband going with me on the weekends. I love it. I think the wonderful retired women I met in class helped. They were warm, welcoming,non judgemental...and I am missed when not there. Try not to set a huge goal. try for 20 minsw. 2-3x per week doing something you enjoy, swimming, dancing OR join a class with your kids if you have them... there are some fun family classes out there. My husbands ins. reimburses us for part of our membership too as an added bonus... something to check into. You know the old adage,... the longest journey begins with the 1st step... sure true for me and have to force myself to get moving each day... I love doing it but I need to push myself to get up and going. It's been way worse since surgery too.

:tongue:HI, I'm in Mn. and banded on 9/2 and I too am very surprised to hear all these long durations of clear liquids. I was only on them the day of surgery - after surgery and then on just liquids with a strick regime of protien shake intake for Calcium and nutrictition and that is hard.. My heart goes out to you. I think the more "solid" liquids have helped me heal up. They did my surg.at 7:30 am.. they woke me up at a bit after 9 and had me up. I was out of the hospital by12:30! I have a "no exceptions" return to work at 2 weeks and was released to work out at day 7 - so by day 8 I was doing 1/2 hour on the bike at the club. My scars are almost all healed up already and getting up and out has helped. I get a bit shaky now even though and can't imagine doing it without Protein and nutrition. I"m doing about 50-60g of protien per day. My new goal is to get my Fiber intake up. I am hungry though and it's a very concerted effort every day not to eat more than the diet allows. I'm averaging about 7-800 calories per day pre excersise and am down a bit over 8# so far.. Not huge wt. loss but steady and I feel good. I am nervous since I know I could eat a lot more if I did not force myself not too.... a bit scared about rtw since my days get long and stressfull... but plan to make myself a priority.