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Sleeved by Dr. Kelly in Mexico
 

Hotel (And Money)Part 3

For those wondering I paid approximately $500 for my flight round trip from Savannah to San Diego (probably closer to $486 but I am checking my bag on my return flight and that will cost an extra $25). I paid $5,500 for the surgery and used money from a Roth IRA I had set up YEARS ago. I was able to access without penalty or fees (Yay Ron Clark for that idea). Dr. Kelly didn't require a deposit so I gave him a cashiers check when I arrived. I am suppose to get receipts for everything for tax purposes before I leave (already talked to Ana about that). I am not sure if we qualify for a medical tax deduction but I want to have all the paperwork just in case.   Leah and her friend left the hotel at 6 a.m. this morning. Apparently that is normal as it takes awhile to get through customs. I am waiting on her post to let me know just how long it took them to get through. There flights are noon'ish (so is mine on Monday putting my return flight in at an ungodly hour).   Leah changed her flight to today. She was suppose to leave tomorrow but she was feeling well and her friend was going back today. Dr. Kelly gave her the "all clear" and she looks really good. I am staying the full time. Apparently there is another person who will be at the hotel today and leaving on Monday with me. I checked in on her at Florence Hospital before we left for the hotel and she seemed to be doing well although she reported some gas pain in her shoulder.   I got up and went to the store that Leah and her friend told me about. It is right across from the hotel and I want to say it is called "Extra?" or something like that. It looks like a corner gas station but without the gas pumps;. I got over there early because our hotel sits on the "corner" or a roundabout and the traffic is a bit insane. I figured the earlier I went the better chance I had of not playing "frogger" with the traffic   I got a Gatorade and razor for my nasty legs. Total cost? $2/american. Then I saw the Popsicle selection. Whoo Hoo! I got a mandarin flavored Popsicle for 10 pesos (she had given me my change in pesos). I was equally excited about both the razor and the Popsicle   I ate the Popsicle while walking up to one corner past the hotel...turned around...and walked around to the other corner. I finished it while doing laps around the pool deck. Total walking time about 10-15 minutes. I ate slowly. My stomach was still gurgling but not as bad as yesterday (Progress!). I took my antibiotic this morning with water without any problems as well so that makes me hopeful about taking pills when I get back. I haven't started my Gatorade yet but will soon.   Now I am on the balcony surrounded by trees enjoying the brisk morning waiting on Ana's teeth whitening call. I hope it is earlier rather then later because I book my hair appointment for 2 p.m.   I am assuming not much open here on Sunday so that will be my day to just chill and repack.
mrsteacher

mrsteacher

0
Sleeved by Dr. Kelly in Mexico
 

Hotel Part 2

I experienced a lot of stomach gurgling yesterday. Leah, who got sleeved at the same time as me, said she did not which is another indication that everyone experiences everything differently. She experienced lots of gurgling the day before on ice chips.   I was too chicken to take my drugs last night with my stomach acting out of sorts. We got a few pain pills, which I don't need but I am keeping "just in case" (the gurgling was uncomfortable but not painful and was only accompanied with liquids I was trying to ingest). Antibiotics and something for my stomach which I believe is acid reducer. I'll try the drugs today.   Not sure why my stomach was all gurgling. Could be that I took the nasty leak test, followed by a popsicle, followed later by some broth, followed later by some super sweet apple juice (all in little amounts but my tummy was letting it all be heard).   I was pretty active yesterday once we hit the hotel. I sat by the pool just to get some sunshine and enjoy the beautiful weather (too cold for pool but nice for sitting). Then I took a cab and went to a place to get a pedicure that the hotel bell hop recommended that was close by called Soleil. It was super close to the hotel and I could have walked but because I was unfamiliar with the area I thought it best to take a cab. I'm going back today and I will most likely walk. While I was there I had my eyebrows waxed and upper legs waxed. All three things cost approximately $50 total american. Totally worth it. You get a 10% discount if you mention you are from the hotel. Leah and her friend braved the traffic walking and went to a Starbucks and a convenience store where she got some Gatorade (I'll go get some this morning at some point).   I am also getting my teeth whitened today. It is something I've always wanted to do. I'll post about that when I am finished.   I tried to be on a semi normal sleep schedule that first night just to get my body back into the routine. I went to bed at 8:30 p.m. which is a little short of my normal 10 p.m. bedtime. I am up at 5 a.m. so I would consider that pretty normal (normally I am up by 6 a.m. at home). I slept in all different positions last night without any problem. Normally I sleep on my side but I woke up in the middle of the night on my stomach. The main incision on my left is hurting a bit but nothing too horrible.   The beds don't have a fitted bottom sheet (it has a flat bottom sheet) so with all my tossing and turning at night (which is normal for me) I managed to rip off the bottom sheet and expose the mattress. That is annoying.   I wish I had thought to bring compression socks with me for the flight home. I am worried about blood clots the most. I think I would add that to any packing list people are making from this point on. Also I would have had my larger bills broken up into smaller ones. I've been running into some problems trying to make change or not having small bills for tipping.   I could have lived without a robe. The night nurse at the Florence Hospital gave me a second gown that I would use as a robe while I was there. Since I don't wear robes at home I might leave the one I purchased here at the hotel and save some packing space.   As I think of more stuff I will post.
mrsteacher

mrsteacher

1
meltingcoco's Blog
 

Hello All!

WOW its been a long time since I have added to this blog. A lot has happened since. I am employed, I lost a nice amount of weight and I am getting used to the fabulosity of it all LOL!!   Anyway, I have finally started to excercise and I am really into ZUMBA! now omg its the best!!! Here are some recent pics I took the red dress was my 45th birthday yea I am old LOL the second is me at work   I just want to say thank you for all of your support and positive comments           xoxoxoxo Coco
meltingcoco

meltingcoco

2
On My Weigh Down
 

Lost Another 2Lbs

Nothing much to report this week... bit depressed sometimes... don't know why. Slowly but surely coming along... another 2lbs gone this week! A grand total of 46lbs so far... People are really starting to notice the weightloss now, even sitting in my car I receive compliments.lol Earlier this week a friend of mine who saw me about two weeks ago excitedly asked "Where did the rest of you go?". lol And of course the inevitable question of "How are you doing it?!!!" came. I matter-of-factly replied "Eat less and move more"! I continue on my weigh down....
ovahkummer

ovahkummer

2
carlamcgrath's Blog
 

What To Eat

Ok It's been 2 1/2 weeks since my surgery. I've lost 16 lbs. But I did gain two pounds and then lost them again(not sure how cause I hardly eat anything). Anyways I've heard alot of different people talking about what to eat. They differ like night and day. I have always preffered carbohydrates to protein. Not a real big meat eater. So this low carbohydrate high protein diet is killing me. Help!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
carlamcgrath

carlamcgrath

1
Sleeved by Dr. Kelly in Mexico
 

Leak Test And Hotel

It took us forever to get out of the hospital this morning. We thought we would be gone by 11 a.m. but it was closer to 2 p.m. Which meant some more reading and sleeping for me. I did get in a shower this morning which made me feel good. I liked the night nurse Sarah a lot and I made sure to take a shower on her shift so she could change my stomach bandages.   I told her that I had heard crying in the night and apparently a family from Russia had come in to treat their mother who had severe lung cancer and she passed away. It was a rough night for the staff and the family.   We went to the Hospital Angelos for the leak test (that was a new modern hospital!). My sleeve sister and I were happy to be out in the fresh air. Our leak tests went well. I was dreading the solution but it was only about a quarter of a cup of clear liquid which tasted like really bad cough syrup. The hotel Lucerna is very nice and we got Popsicle right away (should have had the orange one!). I have a nice room with a balcony facing the pool which is great considering I am going to be here for a few days. It is too chilly to get in the pool but it is a nice day - cool but sunny. I am trying to establish a regular sleep pattern for these next few days since I have been oversleeping the past few days (resulting in nightmares...which is typically for me when oversleeping and trying to force more sleep).   I opened up a bottle of water and been practicing sipping but I think I will go down and explore the hotel a bit. Treating the rest of the trip like a mini vacation. Dr. Kelly's assistant Ana is making teeth whitening reservations for me and I think I might hit the spa close to the hotel for a pedicure.   Overall feel good and I think getting out of the hospital and the sunshine helped lift my spirits tremendously.
mrsteacher

mrsteacher

5
J. Fabulous' Blog
 

The Fat Kid

As I lose weight, I remember back to the last time I was at that weight. It brings up emotions and pain that I was experiencing during that time. My fear is, if I lose enough weight, I’ll go back … Continue reading →
Jack Fabulous

Jack Fabulous

1
Sandra_Baby87's Blog
 

The Date Has Been Set, But I Have Soo Many Questions!

To anyone who'd like to hear about me....here goes! My name is Sandra. I just got my approval/authorization on Tuesday 3/27/12 for Gastric Sleeve Surgery. I had started the process last year with o-band going through the psychologist requirements, having an endoscopy and consultation with the surgeon. I was doing all that until I found out they weren't in my insurance network and my out-of-pocket would be expensive...so i stopped pursuing it. That is until, This past January (2012), I decided I was tired of being in denial that i loved myself no matter what and was happy. I wasnt. I weigh 300lbs and i am 5'9. I've always been bigger then the other girls around me. I am always being told you have such a pretty face. It takes me so long to get ready in the morning because my wardrobe consists of leggings (I havent worn a pair of jeans in YEARS!!!) and loose fitting tops that i try to use to hide everything that bulges out. I plan out where Im going to go according to if i feel ill fit in the chairs...just sad. I hate the fact that im not living the life God blessed me with! I am: Diabetic type 2. Have PCOS. Sleep Apnea. and dont have periods on my own EVER! (it takes progestrone shots and all that other stuff just to get it to happen)   I went through St. Josephs hospital bariatric program (Orange, CA) and begand the program. I had to attend to support group meeting, a nutrional evaluation, a psychologist evaluation. I completed all that within 2 months. I went ahead and had my primary doctor write a letter of medical neccesity for the surgery and included my sleep study diagnosis from the sleep study i had done at Hoag Hospital in Newport Beach. St. Jospehs submitted it all to my insurance on March 14th. Got my approval 13 days later on the 27th.   Ive scheduled my surgery date for May 10th. 8am. My pre-op work will include: EKG, blood work and chest x-ray. I need to be on a week liquid protein diet prior to surgery.   My questions! 1. If ill be strictly on liquids before surgery is there an amount everyday drs expect you to drink? 2. How long does an EKG last? 3. Has anyone out there had surgery through st. Josephs as well? how was your experience? 4. How soon are you to begin exercising? 5. how long will the surgery last?   i have so many more but i cant understand why i blanked out! lol. any advice is welcome and very much appreciated!! thank you!
Sandra_Baby87

Sandra_Baby87

4
Justijna Ferreira's Blog
 

Step 2 To 4

I had my first intake appointment. The nurse was nice and asked a lot of questions. She said a Lap-band would be best for my situation. Today was the nutritionist so I have had 2 out of the 4 meetings before they agree to belt/band me. The next two are a therapist and surgeon.   In two weeks is a large meeting from the hospital where they explain all the different types of weight-loss surgeries with Q&A afterward.
Justijna Ferreira

Justijna Ferreira

0
ShapeShifter's Blog
 

Moving Forward...

I am grateful to report that while the inital response from my insurance was that the sleeve was not covered, it turned out they just mis-read the policy. It is covered. Now, begins the hoop-jumping. The traditional 6-month, doctor assisted weight loss program is required, and since I had already started such a thing with my chiropractor (an herbal cleanse that helped take off a whopping 12 lbs and then stalled) in January, I believe that June or July would reach the 6 month mark. She has already offered her full support, and will provide the necessary check-ins and documentation to support my endeavor. I've been with my chiropractor for nearly 20 years, and she has witnessed my struggle. She told me she was proud of me for taking the necessary action to improve my health. I keep expecting those I tell to exclaim their horror at my choice, and not a single person has done so.   Today, I saw my Internist for severe body aches I've been suffering (turns out it may be caused by the antibiotic I've been on for an upper respiratory infection), and I also received her full support and enthusiasm. I wonder how my Neurologist, whom I see for my severe sleep apnea, will respond when I see him next week. We check in every few months so he can read my CPAP card and ensure that I am truly breathing through the night. Since I still suffer from fatigue, I often wonder if I'm not holding my breath while I sleep.   I dedicated 2011 to resolving my fatigue issues, and decided that since even Provigil (made for Narcolepsy) couldn't keep me awake, I would be open to any form of healing that is presented. So, this week, I sat down for BioMeridian testing, and it determined that I have issues with my digestive and endocrine systems (duh), and so I'm now taking supplements to support them. I'm not absorbing protein well, which is actually backed up by blood work that consistently shows low protein. If it turns out not to be just a bunch of hooey... then my body should be in very good shape for surgery down the road. I was also introduced to something called Cell Food, which are oxygenated drops of minerals and amino acids that are supposed to conquer fatigue and inflammation. I tend to be a skeptic, and so I reserve my opinion on said healing effects for some time down the road, when my body ceasing this aching and my head is clear of fog.   I met a woman in a WLS support group I've joined, who is using a FITBIT, which is sort of like a super-fancy pedometer, but it also tracks your sleep, not just your movement. So... I ordered one. I figured that I need to start adding more movement into my life, and I am fascinated by the sleep monitor. I feel like I sleep pretty well with my CPAP machine, though some nights it seems I am adjusting the mask all night long. I'm curious to learn, of the 8 hours I'm in bed, how long I'm actually asleep.   In summary, I am 43 years old... and I hurt like I'm 83. I dream of feeling well. I am not fantasizing about being a size 2 (which wouldn't be possible, anyway)... I am yearning to be free of back pain, knee pain, foot pain, ankle swelling, and suffocating in my sleep. I am on a path toward healing and wholeness. Because... I'm worth it.
ShapeShifter

ShapeShifter

0
desertmom's Blog
 

When Life Gets In The Way Of Eating

It ia just such a new thing for me to have to focus on protein drinks,food and fluids.Before we went to church this morning I had to have a cup of tea,make a protein drink,pack some water and some mushy lunch as we were going out directly after.   I just cant wait to start eating so I can have a protein bar instead of the drink and better even,to eat 65g of protein per day.   I have 4 more days of mushy food then a few weeks of soft foods.Just the fact that I will know how much I am ingesting is so much better than guessing how many cals my liquids actually have.   Must say,I am starting to love this smaller stomach,I ate a little sweetpotato today (mushed not liquidized) and I really felt full after 3 teaspoons full.I also notice I have less restriction at night than during the day...weird!
desertmom

desertmom

1
I-wanna-be-a-loser's Blog
 

Fill #4

Yesterday I got fill #4. Went from 5.3cc to 5.7cc. This morning I had 3/4 an egg and 1.5 pieces of turkey bacon. STUFFED! I hope I am in the green zone now!   Down 31 pounds since surgery Nov 30th, 2011   Just thought I would check in - now I am off for a jog while my little man is asleep.
I-wanna-be-a-loser

I-wanna-be-a-loser

0
zil's Blog
 

Can Anyone Out There Give Me Some Advice???? Please

OK, here goes. I was banded 8/19/2011 and had a wonderful 5 months...lost 75 pounds without really putting much effort into it. At least, I did not think it was much effort...I followed the eating plan and exercised - mostly bike riding.   Now I have found that I am stalled...really stalled. I can't move this weight for anything. I am so close, yet so far away. Since January, I have lost about 8 to 10 pounds, and it has been a real struggle.   I also have seasonal alergies which have been really flaring up the past couple of weeks. I am wondering if it is the meds because they are making me so tired (I quit taking them and went back to the old ones).   Is cardio my answer? Is having a cheat day one a week my answer? Does anyone have any ideas for me.   Zil
zil

zil

7
phatkatblue's blog
 

First Fill...mini Update

i had my first fill this morning under fluro...it took all of 15 minutes and i was a nervous wreck prior...it proved to be all for nothing. the worst part was having to have all my piercings taken out prior to the procedure! here's what went down...   i laid on a table and had a pic taken of my belly that showed up on a small screen beside my bed   i saw my port and the how it was attached to my abdominal wall with hooks (that was weird)   i saw my band which is nowhere near the port and in between all sorts of other inside stuffs!   i was given a shot of lidocaine to the numb the area-it burned a little like the heparin shots   the NP stuck a needle in my port area and felt for the pockets on the band (which i did not feel but could seen on the screen) the needle was attached to some tubing but i could not see what was in the end of it...   the bed was placed in a standing position and i was given a cup of contrast that i watched flow freely down my esophagus   she injected some saline i think about 1 cc and i drank some more contrast...the flow was a littler slower   she injected another cc and i drank some more contrast...the flow was slower still...   she injected another cc and i drank some more contrast...i felt like it was going to come up...   she removed a 1/2 cc and i drank some more contrast...i felt like i had to burp...   she removed another 1/2 cc and i drank some more contrast and then some water...and i felt ok...   so i got a 2 cc fill today on top of the one from surgery...so 3 total in my 10cc band   i felt like a had a lump in my throat for the first hour afterward, but i feel better now...   i am now back to mushies for two days...she said it appears i am tighter in the morning and i should try to drink a shake or yogurt in the mornings...   that's it:) now the fun begins...i must remember to chew...
phatkatblue

phatkatblue

3
ChaChaBurch's Blog
 

1St Day On Pureed/blended Soft Diet

I felt like a kid on their first day at school today! Excited AND nervous. I started my Pureed/Blended Soft Diet. This morning I had 1 super soft scrambled egg, and for lunch I blended tuna (in water) with low-fat Mayo. Both went down easily, since I was eating teeny weeny bites, and chewing, chewing, chewing. Both tasted wonderful! But the most interesting thing to me, is that I am not the least bit hungry. After I got up this morning, it was still about 3 hours before I cooked the egg. Either I'm no longer able to tell when I'm hungry (which would be a good thing), or I've never really known what TRUE hunger is (probably a true fact anyway). I don't know if it's because my sleeve is still new and in the healing phase, or if it will stay. But if I had my choice, I would choose that it stayed this way.   Still sipping water, and protein shake in between the meals -- still have to get all that in.   SLEEP -- I can't sleep more than 4 hours at night, and then NONE during the day. I'm getting really, really tired, and would love nothing else than to lay down and have a nice long nap, but alas, the sleep just won't come. Prior to surgery, I could nap at the drop of a hat. If I'm still not sleeping better by next week, then I am DEFINITELY calling the Doc.   WARNING - TMI Coming up - Okay, I've been wondering this, and I haven't seen it anywhere on the boards, so I thought I would put it on here -- My pee has been super concentrated since the surgery, but today it wasn't. I have to say I'm relieved. I was beginning to worry about it, and didn't think to ask the Surgeon about it.
ChaChaBurch

ChaChaBurch

1
Phoenix Rising's Blog
 

Ladies And Gentlemen, I Have An Announcement

Hi Everyone,   I can hardly believe I am going to say this...so listen very carefully I shall say this only once..........I weigh under 300 lbs for the first time in 25 years!!!!!!!!!!   I decided to take some measurements to compare from last June, boy was I amazed to find that I have lost 24 and 3/4 inches. Yea me. That of course is spread all over my body, but on my main areas bust, waist and hips I have lost 4, 3 and 1/4 and 7 inches respectively. Woohoo, I can hardly believe it. Well of course, once I saw that I just had to weigh myself didn't I. Again, I could hardly believe my eyes 299.5 Woohoo.   Ok, I know it is barely under the 300, but when you have been this big for sooooooo long you never really believe you'll ever get under that number again. I have been dancing around the room like a whirling dervish, and wouldn't you know it, there is no one at home to tell. I shan't be able to tell my husband until he gets in later tonight. So I had no option I had to come on here and announce it straight away. If I didn't I would probably have burst something!   So, for anyone thinking that the sleeve won't work for them, rubbish, it is obviously working for me. I am just so happy and delighted I can't wipe this smile from my dial. Love to all Phoenix
Phoenix Rising

Phoenix Rising

5
jennifer1's Blog
 

Finally!!!!!!!!!

Ok i'm probably gonna be late for work but who cares. I FINALLY HIT ONEDERLAND!! i thought i did yesterday but wanted to make sure today and yep 199!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! it was a long haul, but now i'm here. i believe i can make my goal in1.5 months!!!!! thanks for all the encourgement guys...ok gotta get to work!
jennifer1

jennifer1

6
lifebegins2012's Blog
 

Yesterday Was My B'day And All Went Well

HI All. I expected to be really emotional yesterday but since I wasn't due to go to the hospital until midday I busied myself with washing the car, hoovering etc. An hours journey passed fast and I was told to shower straight away once shown to my room. I walked to theatre, had the anaesthetist tell me a joke, I told him one back. I had read that if you suffer travel sickness, you will probably have more nausea on waking so I mentioned this and was told they would dose me up good and proper. I went to theatre at 1.30pm and was back in my room before 3pm. I could not keep my eyes open. My parents were about but I only saw them briefly about 4pm as I was trying really hard to stay awake but couldnt and told them to go home. By about 10pm I'd only been awake in total for about an hour since surgery( and that was due to my door being opened again and again for my post op obs). What a fabulous sleep!!The kind of really deep sleep you have when exhausted but with absolutely no headache from being overtired. After yet another sleep, I woke at 1.30am this morning and did have some discomfort in my collarbone, mostly right side. The nurse brought me some tramadol as I wasn't due the next dose of paracetamol. It did the trick but I haven't been tired enough to sleep since. I watched tv through the night and read some of my book. I've had no nausea at all and by 6pm yesterday was drinking orange juice as well as water. The more I talked, the sorer/drier my throat was and by the end of the night i was down to a whisper. It's normal today.I had cranberry juice in the evening and this morning had 3 cups of tea and a breakfast smoothie. I was discharged after 10am. I'm just amazed how normal I feel. I had a cushion in the car but didn't wince at all when we went over the potholes. My surgeon has put 4mls into my 10ml band so should feel restriction when I move onto mushies then solids.   My only gripe is a small one and that was just admission and discharge times.I was told I would be in at midday and out at midday on the phone 2 days prior to surgery but the ward staff told me they had expected me in earlier and I found out late last night that I would be discharged 2hours earlier than planned. Not a problem for me but I had to rearrange my lift home. l in all I'd consider it to be a great experience.The staff were all lovely and obliging. I hadn't realised until late last night that I was in room 13( I am a tad superstitious) but here I am sat at home on my sofa in normal clothes feeling, well normal! The nurse said my recovery was probably helped because I was very active in the 2 weeks prior to surgery( I had a good clear out in garden and house). I did move about alot in my room at the hospital and wil continue to do so now I'm home to help myself with the windpains. Now it's confession time..... My pre-op diet was a calorie count of 1,000-1,200 calories a day. I went slightly over one day and 7days ago had a greedy day and consumed nearly 2,000 but to top it all, the day before surgery I had a 200cal ww meal for lunch with a smal apple for pudding then dinner was chocolate. Yes lovely CHOCOLATE!! lol Smarties and Cadbury's Caramel and yummy it was too!! I even had a cheeseburger for supper!! Overall I did lose 9lb in 2 weeks so don't really feel any guilt
lifebegins2012

lifebegins2012

0
mstraci's Blog
 

24 Hours Down

I was banded on Wednesday 03/28 and I am still feeling icky.....I have a lot of pain in my chest and shoulder. My incisions are not hurting as bad as my chest. I also had a hernia repaired while I was under yesterday, so I guess that may be adding to the pain.. Hoping tomorrow is a better day......
mstraci

mstraci

3
gottagetfit's Blog
 

Any Regrets?

I just signed up to attend a 2 hour seminar for having a Lap Band procedure done. I'm 38 years old and have 2 kids. I guess what got me interested in the Lap Band are the studies done that show how it can reverse Diabetes. I was diagnosed with type 2 during and after my 2nd pregnancy. I also have severe sleep apnea as well as other medical issues. I feel I'm way to young to have all these problems! I have been struggling to lose weight for the past 6 years and being on Insulin isn't helping. Has anyone on this site regretted the decision to having the Lap Band done?
gottagetfit

gottagetfit

3
For my family and myself
 

Day 2

I had the band put in on Tuesday and OMG I feel so awful!!!! Pain meds only help for a very short time. I feel like I cant breathe. I have so much air in my body that I cant drink but an once every few hours!!! I know it is only up hill from here but right now I feel like I have been ran over!!!! Praying for a super fast recovery.
Eviees mommy

Eviees mommy

8

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