pnw218

I got mine due to back pain and I think I bought it at a sporting goods store for about $20. Walmart or Target might even carry them. I forgot that I did wear mine a few times after surgery. If I knew I was going to be doing alot of walking or something. It was good for a little extra support. It is about 12" wide and a few feet long. It has velcro on the edges. You wrap it snuggly around your abdomen. It is a type of stretchy rubber (?) type material. It is quite comfy. When my back is having an attack, I wear it day and night. [ame=http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000G65LHK/ref=pd_lpo_k2_dp_sr_2?pf_rd_p=486539851&pf_rd_s=lpo-top-stripe-1&pf_rd_t=201&pf_rd_i=B000RZOS42&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=0WF84KTE4RWV6NR8MBTQ][/ame]

Stacey, I followed the Cornell University guideline the entire time. I stumbled upon it when I was searching food plans before surgery. I loved it. I certainly wouldn't eat anything crunchy or with little pieces that might get stuck in your seam, however, if you take a little bite or two, wait a while and your tummy feels ok, then proceed cautiously. The mushy foods really helped me to feel better. I could not do the liquid thing and function.

Hi Tiff : ) Marsha just emailed to tell me that she made it home! Said she is doing well. She asked about you. Told her that you were going back to TJ for the eye candy. LOL I always made sure to have something in my stomach, and still do. Even if it is just a few drinks of milk and then I also take the med with milk. By 6 days tho, I was already into the potato Soup, cottage cheese and yogurt. And canned beef stew. I followed the Cornell University plan tho from day 1. If you need more ideas, let us know!

I am sorry mini ~ I don't have an exact measurement, I just dump it in. I would guess maybe a cup for every pound of meat? I stir it and smell it, and when it passes those two tests, it goes into the oven : ) Most of the time I made a mound on a rack on a baking sheet. If I am in a hurry to get it done, then I might make small loaves, about a handful of meat per loaf. It does cook faster. I don't eat spicy food so I don't overdo it. It is very tasty tho!

I certainly didn't feel like I had lost any weight when I got home after surgery, and was totally amazed to see that the number was lower. I thought for sure there would be Water retention from the surgery and iv's. I weigh every morning - sometimes it is up, sometimes it is down - some days it is exactly the same! My obsession tho is wanting to weigh immediately after the poop shoot empties, since I don't go very often. I am always just positive that the scale should show a half pound or full pound less. So far, it hasn't. LOL It will happen! Just a little more patience : )

congrats on your date!! I also had offices that didn't reply for a week or longer. It was crazy! you will be so happy! the sleeve is an amazing tool : )

I agree with everyone else. Don't be so hard on yourself. One bad habit down, the other one will take care of itself very soon. I bought my largest size of jeans ever in my life in December. It was very depressing. After only two months, I am now in 3 sizes smaller. Jeans I haven't had on me since December 2006. It feels amazing!! I was so glad that I didn't have a pre-op diet because I was too busy literally crying over foods as I ate them for the last time. Mentally it is still a challenge but physically, it is great! Go to a thrift store, buy a few things and then eat what you want, unless the dr has advised you differently. You can only control so many aspects of your life at one time. In a month or two, you will be very happy!

Any other surgeons available who are on your insurance list???? Sounds like someone needs to get with the program and become part of the real world. Don't give up! Suppose you could tell him that if you miss the coverage due to layoffs and have to pay for it yourself, that you will have no other choice but to go to Mexico or Costa Rica for surgery ..... might at least show him that you are serious.

yahoo!! great news on a Monday morning!! especially after having insomnia last night, being awake until almost 4am and then sleeping until 1015! LOL The 12's are gone!!!! I tried on 10's this am and they fit perfectly! One pair, Levi's, are a bit snug but should be fine in a few days. Seriously?? I was in a pair of 16's 2 months, 1 week and 1 day ago ... and now, 31 lbs later - am back in 10's. My goal before considering surgery, was just to be back in single digit jeans. I am sooooo close!!! The last time I had the Levi's on was December 2006 when I went to Belgium with my sister. The Incredible Shrinking Woman!!! haha!! :smile1: ok. gotta go to work now. I am about 4 hours behind schedule. heehee

How about a note from your doctor?? OK, elective to an extent, but do you have any related medical issues that could worsen if you wait?? And how much more weight will you gain?? Being in the medical field, one would expect people to be more supportive. Do you lift at work? If not, call in sick the day of surgery and then get a doctor's note saying you need a week off. Your boss really doesn't need to know why you are off. I'm thinking there is a medical privacy law in this country ..... I would tell your boss, ok - I understand. I will wait until the fall to request the time off. And then get "sick" : ) I went back to work 4 days after surgery - but I am mainly at a desk unless I am out walking property.

That is awesome news Mini! LOL I have had a few sips and it is getting better. I was told that I can have popcorn now, which really surprised me, but I can't eat the popcorn without the pop!

I really need to remember to make meatloaf! I just dump a bunch of salsa into the meat, mix it up and throw it in the oven. It is really nummy and would last a week! :tongue_smilie:

you are a real trooper! good for you! in the end, it will be worth it. no pain, no gain - and this is the perfect example! : ) but then I have always been a rebel and rules are made to be broken. lol

good post Nikki! that photo really brings it all to life! and you are right, Celebrate what you have accomplished. your weight loss is amazing!! congrats!!

I am so sorry to hear that Rose! I realize it is all about profits, but they also have to be realistic when dealing with health issues. Do they really want you to gain all of your weight back and have a zillion health problems???? I remember when insurance would not cover the birth control pill. Seriously?? They were $20 a month back then and lots cheaper than a pregnancy! I would also think that due to the complications, you would be able to appeal. Its not like you purposefully ate candy 24/7 and gained back the weight. Big business amazes me. They often use very little common sense.

wow! According to that guideline, I was a very very bad girl! I would never have made it : ( I think the perfect word there tho is "guideline", not law. LOL

One of the main reasons I didn't tell anyone before the surgery is because I didn't want anyone to worry and I didn't want any negative comments. For most people, I waited until I was down about 20 pounds and had positive news to share. Also, they could see that I was upright and still breathing! LOL

Your first post is great! Look forward to following you!

Good luck to you!! Waking up after surgery is often not the most pleasant part, however you also won't remember much of it either because of the after effects of the anesthesia. Love your bucket of protein! Sounds like somewhere I should go now! Would probably feed me for a week! : )

For traveling, I would also suggest the tuna packets if you can tolerate fish. I also bought those little Underwood ham and chicken spread cans. They are a pop top and don't have to be refrigerated until after you open them. If your hotel doesn't have a fridge, you could always just put them on ice in the ice bucket.

sheesh! 18 surgeries! I thought I had alot with 9! LOL Maybe that is why I have a high pain tolerance tho :tongue_smilie: You are a pro and I am not surprised that this surgery was easy for you. I have had at least two that were much worse.

I don't always crave sweet but when I do, I have a little. It seems to go away quickly, and then I am craving ice Water to "clean" my mouth. LOL Especially at the beginning, if I couldn't stomach a flavored tea, I would just add a packet of fake sugar to my hot water. I always add a packet to my diet ice teas.

good grief breezy! totally ridiculous responses and I totally understand, sadly. My 24 year old daughter has accused me of lying to her - not because she asked me what I was doing on my birthday and I didn't tell her, but because I didn't tell her before I went to Mexico and had surgery. Ya know, she doesn't tell me what she is doing every single day. Of course, she also thinks it was a crazy choice - both the surgery itself and going to Mexico. And even tho I am losing weight and getting healthier, she has not responded to a single one of my emails congratulating me or said anything positive when she has seen me in person. That lack of communication with her right now is the source of much of my stress and it is breaking my heart. The rest of my family and friends has been mostly supportive, or at least to my face, LOL. We have chosen not to tell anyone in my husband's family, we don't see them often and I am really not very close to any of them, except one adopted niece. My mother in law - has dementia, has had her right leg amputated and is living in an assisted care facility. She really wouldn't grasp it. I still stand by that I did what I needed to do. Hopefully someday your family will come around, as will mine.

I would guess just normal post-op soreness and it should be gone very soon. Good for you to be active!

For me at 2 months, the gurgling is pretty much limited to trying new foods. I do still burp like crazy sometimes when I get full. Where are you sore? If you have moved wrong or lifted something heavy, that might increase any pain. I don't remember much soreness at all - so it couldn't have lasted very long. Overall, you should continue to feel better every day and I would guess any soreness would be gone in a few days. The only lasting pain I have ever had past a week, was from my tummy tuck surgery. Good luck with your recovery!