Cheri B

Dr. Callery. He did my surgery on 2/3/11 and I have lost 105 lbs. He is an incredible surgeon. Please see his website at thinnertimes.com.

I have no shame in getting this done. I want the whole world to know that i'm doing something for myself to make me healthier , happier, and a better mother to my children. I don't necessarily care if someone has a problem with it because after all, it is my body and my heath that's at risk. I've had nothing but good responses, everyone understands and is supportive for the most part. my fiance is a little worried about it and doesn't want me to have it done but oh well, i doing it anyways. I say BE PROUD! It doesn't matter what anyone else thinks. this is for you, don't let negativity ruin it for you. own it and love it. if you are anything like me, this is the best decision you ever made for your health! you might even inspire someone else to look into it when all other options have failed. good luck with everything

Couldn't have said it better myself;-)

I have thin hair to start with but I didn't lose any (that I or anyone else noticed) and I am 9 months out.

Thank you so much for all the nice comments!

I made it! I had my surgery on 2/3/11 and actually dropped below my original goal in October. I am maintaining right around 151lbs which is perfect for me.

I made the mistake of buying size 12 clothes when I hit 158 because I wanted to stay there but my body had other ideas. So as I moved into a size10, I bought some more clothes and now I'm between an 8 and a 10 so skirts work best for me right now. I'm going to wait a couple more months and see where I am at the year mark. If I've managed to stay at this weight, then at that time, I will buy some more clothes that fit better.

This is the most fabulous time of my life! I feel fantastic and my nutritional stats are perfect! I recently saw my nutritionist for a check up and everything is great! I donated blood recently and my blood pressure was 100/59 and my Iron was 15!

I've finally posted my before and after pics in the Before and After album so if you get a minute, check them out. I think I look pretty good for a 52 year old grandma;-)

Anyway, I wanted to thank everyone who ever posted anything on this forum. I may not have posted much but I read it all and every story helped me on my journey.

I'm so happy to have arrived on the other side;-)

Blessings,

Cheri

Really, that's it. Can we take tums, because I could really use some??? Thanks in advance.

You should check with your doctor but mine said I could take one with meals.

Cheri

So I had my surgery at 7am on 2/3, spent two days in the hospitaland got home on Saturday night.

The doctor left a Blake Drain in my left abdomen. This morning the tube was trying to push itself out and was pulling on the stitches. Anyone else have this issue? Have a call in to the doctor but he's in surgery so it's likely to be awhile before I hear from him.

I read one post where the person said that it didn't even feel asif she had surgery. Well, I did! OMG! I was in so much pain. I'm doing better now though I am having a little stomach acid problem. Almost makes me feel like I'm hungry without the sick feeling that hungerbrings. It, also, is better today.

I weighed myself yesterday. I wasn't sure if I wanted to,I didn't want to be disappointed but when it read a 9lb loss, I was thrilled

I'll continue on Clear liquids until Tuesday and then move to thefull liquids but I'm in no hurry as I don't seem to miss or crave any foods. My hubby toasted a bagel this morning and just smelling it was amazingly satisfying. Weird.

Anyway, thanks for everyones support.

Take care,

Cheri

Thank you, everyone! It means so much to have so much support and well wishes!

I'll post when I'm on the other side;-)

Take care,

Cheri

Well, my surgery is tomorrow. I have to be at the hospital (an hour away from where I live) at 5:30am! Ugh!

I am so excited and also so nervous. Every time I think about it I get butterflies in my tummy.

I woke up from a funny dream night before last. I dreamt that I had had half my stomach removed and woke up thinking "OMG! Why in the world would I do that?" Then remembered why. Hmmmm.........Aren't dreams odd things?

Anyway, I would appreciate any good thoughts and prayers sent my way.

Cheri

I would love a copy! My email is cbbuchan@fastmail.fm

Thank you so much!

Cheri

It seems to be pretty much anything I eat or drink.....the Protein shakes, Soups, etc. I've ventured into some soft foods and the same thing. The food journal is a good idea. Thanks!

Dr. Guillermo Alvarez's book Successful Weight Loss With The Gastric Sleeve addresses this issue. He notes that this condition is often seen in Gastric Sleeve patients and if it is problematic you should notify your doctor so he can prescribe something. He also notes that you can take Kaopectate but not Immodium unless your doctor okays it.

Hope this helps;-)

Cheri

February 3 at Sharp Grossmont in La Mesa, CA

Can't wait!

I just came back from my check-up and I have lost little weight, so the “program” isn’t working for me. I left the doctor’s office crying after trying to explain about my IBS issues and why I cannot eat in the mornings. Right away the doctor wanted to blame me and he picked me apart in his office until I broke down and laughed at me. I asked him to help work the program around me rather than me for the program since not everyone is the same. I was humiliated and now I just don’t care anymore. I cannot get a physician to help with my nerve pain from a previous surgery that a doctor messed up on so I can exercise and I am tired of buying the expensive food, Vitamins, emotional; stress, and other BS this surgery has brought. I was told/accused of eating over what I should, which is BS, and that I must be responsible somehow, maybe the program should re-evaluate how patients are different, I was put on a high Protein and low calorie diet by the WL program and hit the floor as a result! I’ve held my chin up and made enormous changes to my life, but all that doesn’t matter-enough is enough, I just can’t keep letting this lifestyle drain me physically and emotional, I give up.

Have you tried going to a Pain Management doctor regarding your nerve pain? I suffer from chronic pain and was absolutely miserable until I found Dr. Huntley and his team. I am currently waiting for insurance approval to have a Precision Plus neuro-spinal stimulator implanted in my back. I did a trial using the device and it was the first time in 9 years that I wasn't in pain.

Please don't give up. Find another doctor. There are so many people on this site that will listen and try to help. Maybe you can find someone in your area that loves there doctor and you can switch. Be strong and whatever you decide, good luck.

OK......I am having the same problem. Hungry every 2-3 hours. I am already on sub-lingual prevacid so why would adding Gaviscon help your hunger??? I would also love to know the name of that book too.

The name of the Book is "Successful Weight Loss With The Gastric Sleeve" by Dr. Guillermo Alvarez. I found the book very informative.

I'm 51 (52 March 1) and getting sleeved on 2/3/11.

Hi All -

I'm having my sleeve done on 2/3/11 at Sharp Grossmont Hospital in La Mesa, CA. Dr. Charles Callery (gotta love that name;-) is my surgeon.

Cheri

So Monday is my day!!! I am sooo excited but very nervous. I guess my major concern is complications. I have a 3 yr old son and he is my entire life. If anything happens I do not have family to take him in. I am doing this to get healthy so I can be there for him for years to come, It is exhausting just playing with him and I want to cherish these moments with him. But the thought of never seeing him again scares me. My mom died when I was 3 so it just brings up a lot of issues. My other concern is failing. I have about 150 lbs to lose. I have been very open about this surgery to just about anyone who will listen lol. I especially like to bring up tiffykins posts and replies when someone smarts off to me about surgery or just has a question. But I fail what will they think. I have never been small. When I was 14 I was in a size 22. I have gotten down to 160 when I was 16 but I never thought I was small. My goal is 150. I am big bones (yes I really am..not an excuse...I just know Ill never be 120 because Im not built like that) but I want try maybe 140. I would really love any advice people on here can give me in regards to losing and what worked for you. I know exercise is very important and will be doing as much of it as I can. I know that I can lose weight very quickly when motivated but I have always gained it back but can you tell me your weight loss stats at about say 5 months out? I have a wedding in June and I know that I most likely will not have lost all I have to lose but I hope to at least make a pretty good dent in it. I understand everyone is different but Im just curious.

I'm so excited for you!

I'm thinking good thoughts and sending them your way;-)

Please post as soon as you can after your surgery to let us know how you're doing.

Best wishes,

Cheri

I just wanted to say hello to everybody and say how very excited I am to be here. I have been thinking about weight loss surgery for years, and I have made up my mind to do it. I have researched a lot and attended a seminar for the program in which I am going to participate. No longer nervous or hesitant, just READY! My insurance will not pay for weight loss surgery, so I have been saving up and with my upcoming tax return and a little luck, I will have what I need to move ahead with it. I chose the Sleeve because I want a permanent healthy solution to the weight problem that has followed me my entire life and has affected every aspect of my life. I have never been sedentary, don't eat more than anybody else, the weight just stays with me. I was a Cub Scout and Boy Scout leader for several years; did all the hiking and camping despite carry this extra weight around with me. I love to ride our motorcycle with my boyfriend and entertain and have our friends over. My daughter is an Irish dancer and we do all of the parades and events, and I am always running with my kids. I guess it hit me around Christmas this year when I was in the mall with my daughter and I was having trouble just walking around the mall that now is the time. My feet hurt, my back hurt, I was huffing and puffing; I have never let my weight stop me from doing the things I wanted, but at 45 I guess it is catching up to me. I have sleep apnea, and although I'm not yet a diabetic, it runs rampant in my family so I know if I continue down this path it will happen. My boyfriend is great - he loves me for who I am, but I want to do this for him and my children too. He worries about my health and is supportive of my decision. I have enrolled in a local program and have done all the pre-requisites, just waiting on the financial piece to fall into place. I am hoping to be able to get the surgery scheduled next month. I look forward to sharing my journey will all of you, and am glad to have found this site where I will hopefully find extra support along the way.

Hi and Welcome -

I new here also and have found this site to be a wealth of information.

Just a quick question, have you tried to appeal your insurances decision not to cover wls? I had a friend whose insurance did not routinely cover the surgery but when she went through the appeal process and presented her medical records that contained numerous weight related issues (sleep apnea, high blood pressure and a family history of diabetes) the insurance company agreed that the procedure was medically necessary and covered the cost.

Just a thought. Anyway, good luck!

Cheri

There really isn't enough long term (over 3 years) data on how the sleeve compares to the bypass. But there is enough data out there that made the decision to go with the sleeve the right one for me.

You don't have malabsorption issues with the sleeve like you do with the bypass. If you're on any medications, that can be a problem. I have read about many people who are not able to take certain medications and the ones they do take don't last as long as they did before the bypass.

With the shortened intestine of the bypass you will absorb less calories initially but for many people, the body tries to mend itself and grows more cilia to enable itself to absorb the calories. The malabsorption of the Vitamins and minerals is forever. As you age, you are likely to need B12 injections. You also face a lifetime of fighting Iron deficiency.

The sleeve removes 85% of the stretchy part of the stomach and with it most of the glands that produce ghrelin, the "hunger" hormone.

There are less complications with the sleeve than the bypass.

As with any wls surgery, you can out eat your surgery. You may want to seek counseling to help you find out why you overeat and support you while you find healthy ways to overcome those urges.

Good luck.

I'll tell anyone who asks, or even before they ask;-)

I'm so excited about finally taking this step that I really don't care what anyone else thinks.

People are going to know anyway. Their either going to think you had weight loss surgery or have cancer. People do not lose weight this rapidly on a regular diet program. I know a couple of people who insist that they are just on a good diet plan, uh-huh. Okay, maybe they found the miracle diet plan but realistically I doubt it.

Don't let anyone tell you what to do or make you feel bad about your decision. Why anyone else thinks that they have the right disparage you and your decision is beyond me.

It's really is a very personal decision to tell or not to tell. Whatever your decision is, be strong and good luck!

Hi!

Cheri here. My VGS will be done on 2/3 at Sharp Grossmont in La Mesa, CA. The AWESOME Dr. Charles Callery is my surgeon. I don't have to go on any type of liquid diet prior to my surgery so I'm just trying not to eat everything on the planet Excited and scared at the same time. Good luck to all of us!

Breakfast- Poached with cheese or greek yogurt and some deli meat, or leftovers from the previous night's dinner

early lunch - deli meat(3-5 slices depending on the texture, brand, and thickness) with cream cheese, or 3oz of tuna or chicken with greek yogurt

lunch- repeat from above, or some ground meat with refried Beans and taco sauce, the prepared chicken deli meat strips, or the fajita seasoned chicken and steak strips that you can find in the meat department.

late afternoon meal- chicken or tuna or even crab with more greek yogurt, or mayo, cheese chunks, beef Jerky and Pork rinds

dinner - was the meat portion of whatever my family was having with a few tbsp of green veggies typically green Beans, spinach or broccoli and more cheese

My menu was very boring during my losing stage. I ate tons of refried beans, ground beef/turkey with Pasta sauce, tuna or chicken salad, tons of 2% milk cheese chunks, laughing cow cheese wedges, loads and loads of greek yogurt. I'd take a romaine lettuce heart, cut it in half and roll up some thin sliced deli meat and cream cheese (garden veggie was my favorite), or a wedge of laughing cow cheese. I would occasion bake a tilapia or mahi mahi frozen filet with lemon-pepper seasoning and could eat about 4ounces. That pre-cooked bacon was a good option to roll up in deli meat too. I could microwave it to make it extra crispy. I'd make the "cheese crisp chips" and top with tuna or chicken salad for some texture.

Mornings were my biggest struggle. My sleeve restriction was tightest in the morning so foods had to be soft/mushy.

Thank you! This will be soooooo helpful!

I was to do 4 meals per day with a minimum of 15gr of Protein per meal. This ensured Protein goals were met. I didn't have room for Snacks, and didn't bother with protein drinks since I was able to get my protein from food sources. It's amazing what the body can do when it starts burning fat for energy, and utilizing all the stores we have built up in our bodies.

The no snacking thing is to help stop grazing. It's an ugly habit, and the further out you get, the more you can eat, plus, it's mindless, head hunger eating that leads to slow weight loss. I struggle with grazing now that I'm further out so I rely on my "losing stage" habits to keep me in check. Having a few things here and there adds up, and over the course of the next few months, you'll find that you can fit more in. The focus early out is to maximize weight loss. Some decide to snack and have zero issue with losing, but for me, it's a mental thing, and I had to nip snacking completely.

Of course at 19 months out, it's a lot easier to eat more. Around 6-7 months out(I was at goal), I had zero issues eating plenty of veggies. I'm not a fruit eater, never have been so it's not something I worry too much about.

Can you post a sample of what your meals consisted of? I know a lot of us pre-sleevers are worried about what we can eat and how to get all our protein in without resorting to shakes if possible. Thanks! Cheri

I'm scheduled for February 3 with Dr. Callery (gotta love that name;-)

I'm nervous and excited at the same time.

Only 17 days to go!

Hi,

My name is Cheri and I just got approved for my sleeve surgery!

I have struggled with my weight for most of my life. I would lose 70 lbs then gain 80 over and over again. The one exercise that I found that I loved was weight lifting. I did that for a couple of years and was able to keep the weight off. I looked and felt great.

I had just turned 42 when one day, my back hurt so bad, I couldn't get out of bed. Turns out I have adult onset of idiopathic roto-scoliosis, degenerative disc disease and spinal stenosis. All non curable and progressive. I've had 2 lumbar fusions, one failed and one cervical fusion with no pain relief. Needless to say, I was no longer able to lift weights and as time went by, even walking became a painful process.

Over the last 9 years I have gained over 100 pounds.

After A LOT of research, I decided on the sleeve. One of the primary reasons is I suffer from chronic pain due to a failed spinal fusion and numerous spinal diseases and was concerned about the absorption of pain medication. On top of that is the mal-absorption issue in general.

I had heard that insurance companies (mine is Pacificare through Sharp Community) were still hesitant about approving this procedure so was all prepared for a fight when the day after my doc submitted the authorization request, it was approved. Yay!

I am so looking forward to this new phase of my life. I hope that I get some pain relief, that I won't feel this gnawing hunger any longer and that I get healthy enough to enjoy going on vacation with my husband.

Current stats - 5'6" - Weight 256 lbs - Surgery date 2/3/11

Hope I haven't bored you to death

Here's to getting skinny - Cheers!