ardelia

My surgeon told me I cannot have aspirin or caffeine, and both are in Excedrin. It is a shame because Excedrin was my headache medicine of choice. No biggie...I'll just use Tylenol. Also, I was told NEVER to use any kind of extended release product.

If you are a chocolate freak (like I am), then I suggest Adora calcium supplements. They are calcium carbonate (with Vitamin D), so that means that the calcium is best absorbed when taken with food. I take two after my lunch and I consider them a lovely treat.

Since I have had my surgery (10Nov10) I have not lost a staggering amount of weight, but I have lost over 30 pounds so far in total. (I am very happy with my progress, having lost about 10 pounds since surgery.) Yesterday I was looking for something casual to wear to my sister's house and I found a pair of jeans that were really tight when I bought them. When I put them on, I looked like a total schlub because they were hanging off my body. They were so loose, in fact, that I was able to pull them down without undoing the zipper and button. I looked like a total slob, but I was a thinner version than before!! There goes another piece of clothing in the "do not wear" pile.

Thanks and the same to you! It really is weird, but I'll take looking like a thinner slob any day! Have a great trip to Hawaii.

I use PB2 in my occasional protein shakes. It is powdered peanut butter and there is also a chocolate version available. It has 45 calories, 1 gram of fat, and 4 grams of protein in two tablespoons. Delish!!!

Congratulations on your surgery date! I can only address the first question. I also have many piercings, most of which I cannot remove. I simply took out the ones that were no problem and told the intake nurse about all the other ones. They put tape on the ones that they could and left the others as-is. The "others" are on body parts that, um, are not routinely visible. I had no problems even though they told me beforehand that ALL piercings have to come out. Everything is negotiable, but be honest with them. If they have a problem during the surgery, they might freak having to deal with a surprise piercing.

Consider checking out state.gov. That is the US Department of State and you can look up any advisories they might have for any location you want to visit. Plus, you would be able to find contact information for the US Embassies for the country you visit -- just in case.

Yummy! I can't wait to try it!

I received my hospital bill today. It isn't really a bill, it says, but it is a schedule of the charges. It was over $33K. I surely hope that the insurance doesn't dick around with it!!! I cannot believe how much surgery and the associated costs are.

You might be able to get an expedited passport if you can go to a local passport office (make an appointment!!) and show proof of an upcoming trip (within two weeks, typically). YOU WILL NOT BE PERMITTED TO LEAVE THE US FOR Mexico WITHOUT A PASSPORT. Don't even try it. The won't even let you get a boarding pass at the airport without the passport. Good luck!!! Frankly, I would stay out of Juarez. If you do go, be careful!!!

I hate the new format and I especially do not like that you cannot preview posts. You used to be able to mouse over a post title and see some of the post, but now? NOTHING. I find the new format SUCKY and slow. SSSSLLLLLOOOOOWWWWW. It is vexing.

I am sick of everyone and everything associated with reality television. I hate all of you and NONE of you are special or talented people. Go play in traffic. I'd watch THAT.

I fell pretty lucky that I didn't have to use the FMLA. I was able to use short term disability.

Change is bad. Bring back the old format! The mobile setting sucks, too.

I have been hungry since right after surgery. Whatever. It is a means to an end and I'll get there. I have even lost weight in the week after surgery.

That is why I love PA! There is no weight on our drivers licenses.

Hmmm...I have a sample of that which came with my order from them. I forgot about it. I will check it out now and consider an order. calcium citrate plus D in a chewable form is a PIA to find in grocery stores.

I am shocked that you are permitted to take any kind of time-release pill (sustained release, etc.)!!! In no uncertain terms, I have been told NEVER to take any pills of this nature after my banding. It affects the absorption of the medication. You should talk to your pharmacist and doctor about this. It could be dangerous if you are getting more or less of the medication than you think you are getting.

Frankly, if I were in your shoes, I'd postpone the surgery and talk to a trained mental health professional. If something is worth doing, it is worth waiting for.

Dang! I don't find out my time until the afternoon before!! :smile2:

I don't know about your insurance coverage. My surgeon told me that if I gained even one pound from the time of my very first visit with him that he would NOT do the surgery. He said that if I couldn't control myself before being banded, there would be no way he'd feel comfortable "ethically and morally" doing the surgery on me. YMMV.

Approval for me came in under 24 hours from the time that the doctor's office submitted it to KHPE. :eek:

A few things about my psych visit... It took about an hour and then I took the Millon Behavioral Medicine Diagnostic Test. It was one of those fill-in-the-ovals-completely-with-a-number-2 pencil tests. I learned something as well. If you plan to tell no or only a few people (and not sing it from the rooftop to everyone in the world), be prepared to hear that your psych might not feel you are a good candidate for surgery. The "lack of support" thing is critical. I can talk my way around or out of anything, but if you don't think that you can, think carefully about the things that you say about your support system post-surgery. I am not advocating lying at all....just be thoughtful about what you say. This applies to anyone you speak to throughout your pre-op process (PCP, surgeon, office staff, nutritionist, etc.).

The other day the surgeon told me that I could "cheat" on my pre-op diet. He said that I wasn't really as big as most of his patients. Also, since I have lost 20 pounds on my own since my first visit with him in July, losing any additional weight is not necessary. Um. Thanks? The thoughts of a spring roll and some sesame chicken haunted me for a little while. Then I had a delicious (seriously!) SF CIB and all was well. The pre-op part is easier than I had thought it would be. This is our last weekend as non-banded peeps! How are the rest of y'all doing??

I am not a praying kind of a gal, but just realize that if you have any infection, you really don't want to have surgery. A healthy, uninfected body will fare MUCH better during and after surgery. To quote Hannibal Lecter, "All good things to those who wait." Don't freak out and just realize that your doc doesn't want you sick during a surgery. It will come.