I am brand new here

HEY JENNY!  How do you get your ticker to appear with your email entry.....I have tried everything and mine wont come through.  Thanks

I can't remember exactly how I did it.  I had to ask another member who walked me through it.  From what I remember, you go into "user settings"  (blue writing on the left hand side of this page) and somehow copy and paste the ticker onto that.  When replying to a post, you need to check the "include my signature" box at the bottom before you click "submit" and it will post your ticker in your reply.  Hope that gets you started if not answers your question.  You may want to post that question on the boards and someone more experienced will probably tell you in more detail.

Thanks Jenny, looks like you've done great since surgery!  I have loved everyone at Dr. S's that I have come into contact.  Dolly is a little difficult but seems to warm up after a bit.   Did you have to follow much of a pre op diet?  How soon after your surgery were you able to come home?  I just went to the pre op nutrition class at Rose and have my 'bible' to go through. And I have started shopping for some protein supplements so I can have some on hand. 

Thanks! I just had to be on clear liquids 2 days before surgery.  I thought that was going to be really hard, but it really wasn't.  I think at that point I was so ready to have the surgery that it wasn't a big deal to be on liquids.  I just carried around a thermos of chicken broth and drank some every hour or two.  Something they will give you in the hospital that I wish I had before surgery was called "Isopure".  You get it at GNC and it is a pre-mixed clear protein drink that has 45 grams of protein in it and is really not bad tasting as far as protein drinks go.  (the purple is my favorite)  I can't tolerate the milk-based protein drinks...they are gross to me!  Definately read through the pre-op stuff in the "bible"...I found that some stuff wasn't told to me, I had just read it in the book.  I read the whole book before surgery, so I felt like I was really ready and knew everything I needed.  But I must say that some things I read weren't told to me again by the staff, so I really think they expect their patients to read it for themselves and be ready.  I live 5 hrs. from Denver, so I stayed the night in the hospital and I really recommend doing this.  It is really hard to get out of bed after surgery and those hospital handrails come in very handy!  I stayed an extra 2 days in Denver just in case there was a problem, but I didn't have any.  My 5 hr. ride home was kind of tough, but I just took pain pills and slept most of the way.  After about a week, I started feeling much better, and by 2 weeks, the terrible gas was gone and I felt like myself again.  Just make sure you keep reading that "bible"...it got me through some tough times after surgery when I was hungry and not able to eat yet.  And make sure you write down what you are drinking on the sheets provided...it will give you a really good idea of what and how much you should be getting in every day. Any more questions I would be happy to answer! Good luck!

What is the 'Bible" you refer to in your May 28 entry, and where do we get it? grandma_beckie 

Dear long 2bthin2 I am having the gastric by pass.  I looked into the lap band but it just seems like too much of a hassle in the long run and if I move I may not find another Dr who will touch it.  Many reasons I chose the other.  Anyway,  I am not concerned with what others  may or may not say.  Most people I know are supportive but I do have those that aren't and want to tell me constantly about people who have died or what ever horror story they can come up with at the time.  I just ignore them and go on. Hope you have SOME family support though because that can be very important.

Hi Tonibalony, I do have the support of my immediate family, my kids and husband.  Most others I think will be supportive, not sure about my mom but she's not supportive in anything.  Very negative.  I guess what bugs me is imagining what my SIL and MIL are saying behind my back and why I let that bother me who knows!  Something I need to work on!   Good luck to you. 

Hello, Toni!  Welcome to the CO board.

To reiterate what others have said, just come to any of us at any time.  Don't be too discouraged if you don't get immediate responses on the CO board as it can be a little slow at times.  I will be two years out in August.  You are more than welcome to contact me at any time with any questions/concerns.

Best of luck on your journey,

Crystal

thank you all...I feel grateful that you all are there for me.

J-walker,  I live about 45 minutes from Denver myself so not such a hard ride MAYBE.  Did you get up right away after surgery or did you wait a while?  I would like to get up ASAP to help releive some of that  gas you were talking about.  I have had several stomach surgeries so I know about not being able to get up so well.  Thanks for the input.  I find my classes are invaluable.