It's amazing how we can deny how obese we are. I always thought I looked basically okay, just "a little" overweight. Now I look at my "before" pants and have to say that these were not the pants worn by a healthy woman. 

Let me add a resounding vote for the advice you have received here to check insurance requirements carefully. Talk to someone. Get the FULL list of requirements. My insurance journey was the hardest part of the entire surgical process - it felt as if they kept pulling something new out of the hat. If you have a full list of everything they will want/need - you can set up apointments and just start clicking things off. 

Best of luck to you!

I agree - my bet is that you will be cleared at 6 weeks. I was able to do water aerobics at 3 weeks, and a regular studio workout class at 6 weeks.

 

Yoga is different, though. I'd start very gently because of the focus on the core. But you can still get a great workout with the reward of savasana at the end!

Tastes are unique, and I found that a powder that I loved early out didn't taste good forever. And what a friend recommended might not suit my tastes at all. That said....

I've used GNC Amp protein powder often, in the chocolate flavor. This is a less sweet chocolate, with a richer taste.

A second favorite is Pure Protein from WalMart. The chocolate is not as rich as GNC. The vanilla is a great add in to a smoothie made with fresh fruit and veggies. 

Both of these are easy easy to purchase, and not terribly expensive. Get the GNC protein when they have buy one/get one 1/2 off sale. In the long run (I'm close to 4 years out), ease of purchase and cost has meant a lot to me. I still have a shake for breakfast, simply because it front loads my protein for the day and is simple with a busy schedule. 

Many, many options are available. You can dress up the basic protein shake with sugar free syrups for variety. Check out Bariatric Foodie for a lot of good ideas!

Depends on your shopping list! No ice cream bars. 

I am a regular Costco shopper and get lots of produce there: oranges, fresh spinach, asparagus, berries, hearts of romaine, baby carrots, lemons for hot lemon water....other things dependng on the assortment.

Other things I love to get at Costco: Salsa, tilapia, salmon, roasted chicken, ****tail shrimp ring, deli style turkey (although I am not fond of the sodium content in this one), frozen salmon burgers. 

I'm also fighting regain after nearly 4 years out. Costco is one way I am sure to have enough of the right foods in the house, and gives hgih quality at reasonable prices. 

I do have an occasional hot dog, but it's not a regular stop for me. 

 

Sugar alcohols can have side effects - including a laxative effect and (for us) a generally yucky feeling.

However, be very careful about "testing" sugar tolerance. If you dump, you'll regret it. And if you don't, you've opened a dangerous Pandora's box. 

Jus****ch nutrition labels carefully and limit the sugar alcohols to a level that you are comfortable with. I do well with Pure Protein bars or Quest bars (no sugar alcohols at all). But....a serving of no sugar added ice cream can make me feel queasy for the entire evening. 

That left side pain is due to incisions that go through the muscle wall. I had those twinges (enough to make me catch my breath) for up to 6 weeks post op. 

 

 www.medicalert.com

This is the best service because they maintain an ongoing medical record for you. Your record # is on the bracelet also. If changes occur you update online. Far better than relying on a phone number! But I commend ALL who use medical alert jewelry - my son is a paramedic and absolutely says that in cases of real emergency they DO check for the jewelry but CANNOT always check a purse or wallet (or even find those items). 

 Kim, I shared details of my surgery with only a few trusted people. Not with co-workers, for a variety of reasons.

I viewed this as an extremely personal medical decision. If I had other medical procedures done, I would be equally private about those. In fact, one of my pet peeves is hearing people rant on and on publicly about this or that medical condition, medication, or horrible labor and childbirth. 

My work situation at the time was unique. I telecommuted, worked with different groups of people every week as I was on the road, and saw my direct co-workers only once a month. Did they notice I had lost weight? Yes, but we were not "chummy" in that office, so the question only came up a time or two.

Others who asked how I was losing weight lost interest when I told them that I was working closely with my doctor and nutritionist, that I had a personal trainer, that I ddn't eat refined carbs, sugar, or caffeine....honestly? They would have been fascinated if I had said I ordered HCG drops from the Internet but not so much based on what I told them. 

I don't view this is being dishonest (and I know that spin comes up every so often with this question...and it irritates me every time). I view it as simply keeping medical issues personal. And I think that each of us has to make that decision for ourselves. 

 Let's see...

...Travel light to the hospital. I did find that a pair of Crocs was terrific. Walks on those very hard floors made my legs ache. Supportive shoes were a great help, even though it was just a couple of days. I laugh now looking back on some reading I did in my pre op days...one poster even said she was taking her scrapbooking supplies to the hospital! Yikes! Imagine the creative urge that comes with pain medication!

....Cook ahead for family. You won't have to worry about them and their meals if they can pop something out of the freezer.

....Clean your house ahead and (better yet!) arrange to have help with cleaning post op. Even ONE cleaning session with a cleaning lady is a gift you can give yourself post op. And again, you need not feel guilty if you can't or don't do it yourself.

....Vitamins were something my doc discussed at the pre-admission testing. I was given a list of what I would need. Ask for this list so you can shop for your vitamins. CVS has a buy-one-get-one-free sale going on this week in fact!

...Get sample packs or inexpensive containers of protein powder. Smaller size containers are available at GNC (the AMP protein has good stats) and you can order various samples on line. Like many, I made the mistake of over buying protein powder that I didn't really care for later on. 

---Your grocery shopping should include herbal teas (I liked ginger and mint, both of which are good for the digestive system), various crystal light flavors, and broth. But here again, take it easy. It's been 3 years for me and I think we just now used the last of my costco-pack of chicken broth. I didn't like it post op. Shouldn't have bought a case of the stuff!

...Wrap your mind around the basic truth that you will come home pumped full of fluids and with some swelling in the belly area. You'll be in sweats and PJ's for a few days at least. The swelling took 2 weeks to go down for me.

---Don't make plans for your recovery. No entertaining, no travel, no trips to family reunions or amusement parks or mountain climbing expeditions. Your incisions will be small, but the work done on the inside is HUGE and SIGNIFICANT. You will need to put yourself FIRST. Everything you do must be aimed at healing!

 Marian, I think that many RNY patients underestimate the impact of their actual surgery.

Our incisions may be small (for laparoscopic surgery at least!) but the work done inside is BIG. So when I hear someone approaching their surgery wondering if they can take a vacation, go to an amusement park, host a family reunion, or some such thing within 10 days of their surgery, I want to jump in and shout TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF FIRST!!!

If they've kept you in the hospital, you're right where you need to be. Take care!

 A lot depends on your home responsibilities - if you have children, you will definitely need more help.

Otherwise, you may be okay after a few days to be on your own. Personally I rested better when I was at home on my own. I cooked ahead for hubby, and cleaned the house thoroughly so I knew I was prepared.

In general, your first week you can expect....
...to need a lot of rest. 
....to have swelling in your belly and abdomen. You will want to wear PJ's or sweats
....to be somewhat bloated from the fluids in your IV's - takes a few days to get this out of your system (which means that you may come home with a few ADDED pounds immediately after surgery)
...to spend a lot of time sipping your protein and water. It is a full time job, even 2 oz. at a time. Don't aim to get it all in the first day. Just aim to make each day a bit better than the one before.
....to walk at regular intervals thru the day. I started around our cul de sac a few times a day, then to the corner, and so on. 

Plan to have some tylenol junior meltaways on hand. You may not need prescription pain meds for too long, but the tylenol helps. Just bear in mind that the dosage is lower than we are used to - it takes about 8 meltaways to equal 2 extra strength tylenol.

Keep your doc's number handy to ask questions or if you are too uncomfortable.

And be sure to check in on the forum!

 I missed your recipe but went out to Allrecipes.com and found something that is GREAT!!! And I had all the ingredients in the house, so guess what is for dinner tonight?