I got a pleasant surprise today! I was down another 3.4 lbs! Total lost since 11/3 is 28.2 lbs! Yay! People are starting to notice and I feel great! Just thought I'd share the good news and wish everyone a happy holiday. I'm off till 1/2!!!!! Hugs, Sheri

Your nutritionist should really be helping you with this. When you first get home you will be on clear liquids for 2 days (at least I was). Then you can have milk based liquids. I used carnation instant breakfast. You don't have to worry about protein grams till after you are one week post op. I ordered my protein powder online but not everyone likes it so you can try samples from bariatriceating or anywhey.com. You will not start purees till after your first week post op check up and the nutritionist should give you what you need. Why don't you call the office tomorrow and ask questions. My nutritionist visited me in the hospital and went over my instructions. Don't buy alot of anything as you may not like it. I made that mistake and now have lots of stuff I hate- it was a waste of $$$. Good luck!

Hi Elaine! If the doctor you consulted with would not do the surgery because your BMI wasn't 40 it's probably because you have no other co-morbitities. I know many people who have had wls and they were perfectly healthy but had BMI's of 40 or over. Sometimes you could qualify for lapband if you didn't qualify for RNY. I had a BMI of just under 40 but sleep apnea and diabetes and I was approved immediately through BCBC. I am 5+ weeks out and doing fine! My starting weight was 223. My doctor was wonderful too but I really think you need to find out why you cannot have surgery with a BMI of 38.5.

Hi Roberta! I too could have gone back after 2 weeks but I went back after 2 1/2, I was so bored at home and couldn't wait to get back...I had no trouble. I told very few people at work about what kind of surgery I had and so I didn't have those questions asked of me. If people say they would never do that, just reply that it's a personal choice and not for everyone. It's not the easy way out either, it's a "tool" and you have a lot of work that goes with the tool. You are still healing too! Remember you can't lift anything over 15 lbs so you are still in the healing phase! Good luck!

I would love to attend but it's so far from me...I'm exit 135 on the parkway. Too bad we couldn't car pool from up here.

Kim (gypsylady) asked me to post after her surgery. I tried calling her but she didn't answer her cell, however, her fiance left me a message that she was out of surgery and doing well. I guess I will find out more when she calls me back. Thanks to everyone who prayed for her!

Good Luck Ray! I'm sure everything will be fine. I had the same feelings as you that I may not wake up but I did and the feeling was glorious when I opened my eyes for a brief time in the recovery room! If you trust your doctor and his staff, you know you will be on the loser's bench in less than 24 hours!

Kim! You will be fine, I am sure of it....remember, you have a great doctor and a fabulous surgical team behind you. I know it's scary but I told you exactly what is going to happen. Weigh yourself tomorrow (sunday) before starting the liquids. By Weds morning when you weigh yourself again and see the weight already coming off you will be so happy! It is normal to fear the unknown. when you get to the hospital you will be treated like a queen! And in a week or so when you are feeling good after surgery, you will feel silly for being so scared and nervous! I am 16 days post op and feel so fabulous!!!! You will be amazed at what this surgery is going to do for you and how great you will feel afterwards...I was pleasantly surprised. Just listen to Dr. JB, Kathy, Dr. Dan and all of the nurses. Follow Judy's diet to the T, and call me if you need anything! I will post on the NJ boards on Weds and let everyone know how great you did! We're rooting for you! Hugs, Sheri.

Hi Anne! I just noticed that you live in Westfield...perhaps we know each other????? I don't see a profile on you. How are you doing so far with your weight loss?

I have POS, I was approved in about 2 days, nothing required except the psych and nut. evaluation and a letter of necessity from my surgeon! I am sure BCBS figured I was a no brainer with my diabetes and sleep apnea!

What helped me was my own homemade chicken broth. I didn't like the canned ones because they had no staying power! I bought dark meat chicken and boiled together with a pot of water...skimmed the crap from the top while it was boiling. You can add a few carrots, celery, garlic, onion, turnup, parsley if you want...I added a can of broth too for flavor. Let it simmer for about 2 hours. After it cooled, I strained it well and set aside the chicken. I put the broth in the fridge in smaller containers and when it was cold, the fat came to the top so I took that off...the end result is pure clear broth with lots of protein! I pureed the chicken with broth and mayo and froze it. I found the broth was my savior during the first week. It is also wonderful for adding moisture to your foods when you are on purees like tuna, salmon and chicken. It only keeps in the fridge a few days so freeze it. You can put it into ice cube trays and defrost as necessary too!. I took the sf ice pops off the stick and blended them with 2 oz. of water...it was like slushy! Don't buy too much, you won't need it. S

Flintstones and Centrum are not good vitamins. They do not contain enough of what we need. I researched vitamins intensively and decided on the Tropical Oasis that Susan Maria Leech recommended. The liquid absorbs the best and the vitamins taste like OJ! They are quite yummy! I ordered them from Vitacost.com for $17 a bottle. They seem to contain everything we need. I never knew that there was such a difference in vitamins until I started doing research! I don't mind spending more on good quality vitamins as this is my health we are talking about!

Hi! I want to sell some bottle of Protein Twist that I purchased and can't drink now post op. I have two flavors, kiwi and apple. It's similar to isopure, comes in plastic bottles and has 40 grams of protein, 170 calories, no sugar or carbs. I would be willing to drive 10 miles from Westfield to deliver it or meet you someplace. I would sell it in units of 6 for $12.00. Let me know if you are interested.