Well so far we have 5 members! Sounds like a good group to me! But I hope some others will see the group and join us. How's everyone feeling today? I have been doing some things around the house and personal care in preparation. The other day I cleaned out my dresser drawers and closet. Then I did the bathroom cupboards. Yesterday I cleaned the frig top to bottom. Yuck, something had spilled in there that wasn't pleasant but it's sparkling now. I've done a pedicure and facial. My daughter gave me a haircut. Actually she chopped it. I asked for a trim from a person who has never cut any hair so I guess I got what I deserved... Yikes it's chin length and not so nice right now. Thank goodness it will grow (unless I lose it all from this surgery, lol). Today I'm going to Walmart for some postop shopping and things for others. Tomorrow I have to work from 8a to 4p but I'm glad cuz that will take up a good part of the day. I'll be off work for 2 weeks after surgery. My surgery is at 7:30 am and I have to be there at 5:30.

It's almost here everyone!! I'm not feeling nervous, a little excited and mostly just want to get it done and over. We are gonna be on the loser's bench soon. Oh, on this preop diet, my starting weight was 212, and today it is 203.5, so a loss of 8.5 lbs. Not bad, my liver better look like a little shrunken prune for that surgeon after all this suffering! How's everyone else doing today?

It horrible about that fire. Praying for everyones safety.

Joni, my dr cleared me for diet coke at 6 weeks. Sadly it seems to be the only liquid that does not give me raging heartburn and reflux! Crazy huh? When I told him at my last post op that I knew he was gona think I was crazy but Water (plain or flavored) was giving me terrible reflux, he said it was actually fairly common. I dont drink my diet coke straight out of a bottle or can, I only have it over ice, seems to dissapate the carbonation some. When I tried it from a can I got an air bubble in my tummy and it didn't feel to good.

Kellie, What a shame about the heartburn and reflux. I didn't know water could cause it. I'm surprised about the diet coke, but it's wonderful you found something that doesn't cause you pain.

I have battled heartburn and reflux for years. When I was pregnant with my oldest I craved Water but could barely drink it because it made the heartburn so bad.. All these years I have thought it was either in my head or I was just looney, but I finally asked the dr about it, totally expecting him to laugh at me. Needless to say, Im glad its not unheard of. In the last 5-8 years I have really battled heartburn and reflux, ulcers, bleeding unlcers, etc. I was really hoping this surgery would cure it but apparently not. I am up to 2 prevacids a day 1x am and 1x pm plus a pepcid in the afternoon to keep it under control. I love sf koolaid but cannot drink it. But hey, it this is the only negative Im good. I have never had vomiting, dumping, extreme pain, sliming etc. I have been lucky!

BTW, I made it halfway to my goal this am! WooHoooooooo!!!!

How is everyone doing in this heat? I find it hard to get any exercise except swimming!

Although I knew I would need to buy some more clothes as I dropped weight, I had been putting it off. Today my smallest pair of jeans fell down when I was gardening in the front yard. I don't believe anyone was around to see it and I find it hilarious, but tomorrow I am off to the stores.

Well, tomorrow is my birthday and yesterday I have officially lost 60 pounds. I weigh 182 and wear a

Loose 16 pant and XL shirt. I have been an inspiration to some of my coworkers and now get picked on due to my extremely healthy eating habits (junk foods literally make me fell sick to my stomach for an hour or so and quite frankly not worth the hassle). I have been slacking on the excersize as well due to the extremely hot temperatures here in Virginia. Think I will go and get a membership to my employers gym. My snack foods consist of Colby jack cheese slices, cucumber slices, seedless green grapes, Strawberries, and cottage cheese. I'm loving life a do not regret my dicision to have the surgery one bit. Eating healthy is really not that difficult anymore and I get full and satisfied faster and stay that way longer. Hope everyone is doing well and enjoying their weight loss and summer as well.

Happy birthday, Sheila, and congratulations on the weight loss. I've found my tastes in foods have changed, too. No more junk stuff for me.

Happy Birthday Sheila!!!

I don't know if anyone saw my post on postop forum but I started having a bit of a complication. Dr thought I had stricture but testing showed hiatal hernia and ulcers starting back up. He changed my ppi on friday and I see him today. Wish me luck, this hernia is no laughing matter!

Kellie, Sorry about your complications. They sound serious. Please let us know what happens today.

Kellie did you have that hernia when you had sleeve surgery? I had a big one that was repaired. Good luck and keep us posted.

I too like to choose healthy Snacks, BUT, I find I am craving carbs often and junk food too so it is a struggle for me.

notime do you remember the song from american idol - pants on the ground? Too funny!

Happy Birthday Sheila - you ARE an inspiration!

Kellie, How did it go with the doctor? Please let us know.

The upper GI showed a small hernia, Dr says he did not see one when he was doing surgery so it is either very small or new since surgery. Also showed reflux (duh I didn't need a test for that, LOL) But my reflux is SEVERE and he said as Im down 55 lbs and only 45 lbs from a healthy weight it should be getting better, not worse. Makes sense to me. anyway, I have to go for a gallbladder ultrasound followed by a hida scan at 10 am tomorrow morning. When I went monday to get my upper gi results he palpated my abdomanal area and some areas where very tender to the touch. Although I haven't had any "classic" gallbladder attacks, both surgeon and my primary care Dr are leaning towards gallbladder problems causing all this. Both parents and both brothers have had their gallbladders removed, my youngest brother at 17yo. I am the only one remaining with an intact gallbladder. However, over the years I have had countless gallbladder ultrasounds and they always turn up negative, so these symptoms I have seem to come and go over the years. I am scheduled for surgery Aug 6, if the gallbladder testing is negative, he is going to do a scope into my tummy to get a better view of whats going on. If gallbladder testing shows something, he will take it out. If he cannot get to the root of whats going on he said the only thing that would decrease the stomach acids other than the meds I am on is to convert to bypass. And yes, he saw the look of horror on my face!!! So I guess at this point its all still up in the air. On aug 6, I will either have my gallbladder removed or a scope done, that is the only thing I know for sure at this point.

Kellie, what's the latest? Did your test results help diagnose the problem?

I think I know why I have been having trouble losing the weight. Blood work that was done for my primary care physician showed an extremely low thyroid function. That might explain the weight situation and my constant tiredness. I see the pcp and my bariatric surgeon on Wednesday and I should have some answers. I want weight loss and energy.

Hi everyone, Kellie so sorry to hear about the issues with your reflux and hoping they get you back to normal soon. Happy Belated birthday Sheila

I just got out of being in the hospital for 2 nights and have surgery scheduled July 30th to have my gallbladder removed. I had a lot of pain Thursday night so went from working in the ER to being a patient only to find out that I had Pancreatitis due to a gallstone passing.....I had a gallbladder ultrasound prior to bariatric surgery and it was perfectly clean without a single stone, well now my gallbladder is full of stones. Not looking forward to another surgery already but don't ever want to go thru the pain of passing another one.