Margaret

If you're on blood pressure medicine you may need to keep closer tabs on it-----it'll zap you if you are taking it and don't need to anymore. I was so tired I could barely function.

Thank you for your replies! I will definately work on my carbs and liquids!

Way to go! That is fantastic!

So I weigh in this morning thinking I have another pound or so to go to get below the magic BMI level of 30 when the scale surprises me with a weight of 220.8. I plug it into my ticker and the BMI is . . . 29.9! I check 4 times just to be sure and it reads the same each time.

WooHoo! I am no longer obese and officially just "over weight".

Maybe I ought to Celebrate and go out to diner tonight - DOH! - NO! That's hat got me into this mess in the first place. I think I'll go to the gym instead.

I like the coupon book for little special things. How about a day of pampering and filling her wishlist. A picnic at a special spot----no phones allowed---and a nice bottle of wine or champagne, fruit, cheeses ---I think, would be special for any woman. Love notes left around the house might be nice. If you're near a National Park, head on over! If you're near an ocean, you have it made in my book. Happy Anniversary!

Our wedding anniversary is coming up in a couple of weeks and every year we Celebrate by going to a very nice restaurant. We also usually take our annual vacation over this time too. Since I just had the surgery and it also exhausted all of our extra money she is getting no vacation and no nice dinner, I want to do something special for my wife. Any ideas She has been really supportive and I know she was very reluctant for me to do this. Since it is done and over she has done everything to help me out.

sip and walk and sip and walk. Get some Protein Shakes in and allow yourself to heal. It's only been 5 days!

So I had surgery on the 26th of July and today I'm so tired all I want to do is sleep and lay around. I try to do things but when I get up I feel so weak that I just need to sit down. Also since surgery I have had this really sharp pain in the middle of my abdomen it comes and goes all day, it is kind Of like a gas pain but worse. Has anyone else experienced this? I was up all night with this pain.

I'm so glad you're feeling better! I had blood pressure ups and downs at your stage, and I was so tired I could barely function on some days. The real Protein and MORE of it helped me a lot. And if you're really sweating, etc, drink a little Gatorade and it will help you. It's odd for us weightloss patients to ever hear, "Eat more and you'll feel better", but it is true, I believe!

Thank you all, ladies. It made me feel so much better just to know you're here and ready to be there for me. I hope I can repay you the favor sometime.

AND… miracle of miracles… I woke up today 5lbs lighter. Yes, overnight! (Or over 2 nights, since I didn't weigh yesterday.) Maybe I should complain more often!! Obviously it must be mostly Water, but still, that Water was hanging on for dear life until now, so that's a good sign and I'll take it.

I'm 277 now, which is a number I haven't seen since I got sick with mono (which triggered CFS) almost 2 years ago exactly. That's just a few (7) lbs more than I weighed when I got married 3 years ago. I'm happy about it.

And my face is still swollen so there must be more water ready to come off.

Thanks to your advice, I'm getting back on the mega-protein wagon (fell off a bit in Italy) and drinking MORE water.

KellyL, thank you so much. I had almost forgotten about taking vits. I was into all sorts of supplements for my fatigue/fibro pre-op, had to quit taking them 3 weeks in advance to prepare, and never got back on the bandwagon somehow. I will attack it again with that dedication.

And I also realized that I must be at least a little dehydrated, cuz I have to breathe thru my mouth all night and I wake up with super crackly dry-mouth. I must lose a LOT of water that way. So I've turned on the humidifier and upped my fluids -- my surgeon says 2L/day, so I started doing 2.5-3L when I wrote this post, and I do feel a bit better already.

Nurse Elisa, you might be right. Most post-op recommendations (from the major universities etc) seem to be in the 600-800 range, my surgeon said 1000, but I've been trying to do 900. Some days I feel sick and don't want to eat tho. (THAT never happened before surgery, heh.) If I stall again, I will definitely try upping calories. I felt fine on 900 for weeks -- but maybe now that is contributing to my fatigue.

About every month I can throw out big clothes and not have to save them because I will NEVER need or wear them again! Lovely!

It's Feel Good Friday: Tell me... What is the single more prolific thing in your life that you can now do, that you could not at your heaviest weight?

For me it is plain and simply running. I found it even so difficult to trot for more than a few steps and I'd be out of breath and having an asthma attack. Now I can run/jog for an hour straight with no issues.

would you consider going to Dr. Aceves in Mexico? I have two friends who did that and had wonderful luck and no hassle of dealing with insurance regulations and ridiculous hoops to jump through!

Soooo, I got denied for my insurance because basically, Im fat, but not fat enough and Im "too" healthy. I have a BMI of 38 and at the time of my weigh in weighed 248lbs and my height was at 5'7 1/2 (i slouched a little lol) and I am NOW (about a month later) weighing in at 253lbs but it hasnt been documented. My insurance is (empire BCBS) telling me that I either need to have a BMI of 41 or higher or I need to have a co-morbidity with my current BMI and I dont. Im very healthy, Im just fat. But apparently not fat enough.

So i guess my question is, would it be ethical to gain 12-15 more pounds just to get this insurance approval? Because when push comes to shove, without it, Im not getting this surgery. I just cant.

So any advice on how to gain a quick 12 to 15lbs? or advice on what to do at all?

Thanks

<3

Caitlyn

Sending positive vibes your way! You'll be fine. The hoops keep you focused and further ones commitment to making life better for you and your body. I learned a lot along the way and although they can be a nuisance, they are required by some insurance companies and so it goes. Good luck!

Hi I'm Michele. I'm new to the site and starting KP insurance on Monday Aug 1, and have a doctor's appointment at 9am that day. I can hardly wait to to get this process going. The fear of being rejected is haunting me. I'm right on the 40 BMI border and the other only other issues I have are really painful joints and mild arthritis. I'm grateful for my low BP and no diabetes, I just hope qualify for the surgery. I'll be 51 on Aug 27 and have been a prisoner of my weight for as long as I can remember. I'm so tired of trying and failing, my heart is set on this surgery. I'm not looking forward to jumping through all the previously mentioned hoops but if I don't get turned away I'll tackle them all one at a time. I'm seeing a primary doctor in Mission Hills that referred my friend for surgery and my friend even emailed her (The doctor) and asked her to take me as a patient and she did. Then I will be (I'm guessing) doing the Options stuff through Panorama City. Please send me some good energy that I get accepted. Thanks everyone and I look forward to knowing you and hearing your stories.

Michele

Just scrape the gushy cheese and Tomato stuff off the pizza and don't worry with the crust. It works. I can eat several small thin crust pieces at 3 months out.

I'm 9 weeks out and eating regular foods. Well, I should say that I am slowly adding in regular foods (haven't done raw veggies, tomato sauce, nuts, etc. yet), but havent' had to many problems. I'm with my family on the beach and tonight they want to go to a pizza place for dinner on our way to an amusement park.

If you've had pizza, does the bread just fill you up immediately? I'm definitely sensitive to the breads. I'm toying w/ just bringing a Protein shake or bar so I don't have to stress.

Any thoughts or helpful hints on what I should eat?

Thanks!

Robin

Appeal that----get a nurse who'll weigh you several times. That's ridiculous! You will surely come out head on this one in the long run. Good luck!

Ahhhhh after 9 months of following every instruction I was given.......today at my pre-op I was told they had to reschedule. I was up 1/2 lb from my last appt. I was schedule for August 2nd. I exceeded the 10% weight loss requirement. I am devastated. Now they are telling me I have to go back and complete the Options program again and basically start all over. All over 1/2 lb!!!!!! The only answer I received was Kaiser is really cracking down on the weight loss. I lost 45 lbs and only needed to lose 25 lb. I am sad and wont be trying anymore. Good luck everyone and if you are going through Kaiser make sure you lose lose lose and do not gain anything back once you have lost it.

I'm 60 and 3 months out and down 35 lbs. I had a BMI of 38 and expected to lose a bit slower than some. My thyroid hasn't changed a bit---it was regulated with one pill and has stayed exactly the same. Diets didn't work. Exercise was good for me but didn't get any pounds off, and the sleeve has been the answer! good luck to you!

Hi all! I'm "Trixie." I'm 44 y.o., female, 5'6" and 250 lbs. I'm a business lawyer in Orlando, FL (no stress there!), on BP and cholesterol meds. I don't yet have a surgery date, but it should be in 1-2 months now that I have completed all my clearances.

I am just finishing up the 6-months physician supervised diet whereby I was able to maintain my weight, but I didn't lose a pound. This is mostly due to an out-of-whack thyroid. I'm just hoping for better results from the surgery. Honestly, if I just lose enough to get off the medications I will be happy.

Has anyone else out there got hypothyroidism? How did the surgery work for you? Did it help you get your thyroid levels in balance? Thanks in advance for your answers!

You have to get in more calories and much more water! Make yourself drink Protein Shakes if you have to, and drink Water all day long. I know you'll feel better once you can get some true Protein and lots more water!

Rootman is soooooo correct! I know a person who just had emergency surgery to get that band out of there. It looks to me like a flea collar in your stomach and some call it "bariatric bulemia." Don't do the band. The sleeve is the most wonderful tool to permanently get you on track to live a healthier life. I wouldn't trade the results for anything. It has not been hard. I was ready and educated about it. But the band? NO WAY. Good luck----your very own decision about your very own body. Once you totally make up your mind, you will, I hope, feel happiness abound in your mind as I did!

I am to be sleeved in Sept. but I am getting so anxsious that I am considering changing to the band. My husband is neutral an is supporting what ever I do, but my sisters and my kids are not on board at all, My one sister is very informed in health matters and is sort of holistic and not always trusting of Drs, my kids tell me it is a cop out and why would I take such a risk. This just adds on to the anxiety I have about the surgery and the life style change. Can others relate to this situation and help put my mind to ease

that is simply fantastic----less stress time! You're ready. You'll be so pleased this happened. Way to go!

I was orginially scheduled for surgery on August 2 then it was changed to August 5. So I received a call from the surgeon's office this morning, and it has been changed yet again. This time I was presented with 2 options, the first being next Friday, July 22 and August 19. Well August 19 is absolutely out of the question. I would need to push back to the October, if that was the case. So, I will be having my surgery at 12:45 pm on July 22.

Oh lord, am I really ready for this? So, my initial dilemma has been solved, which was my husband being out-of-town. He is going to adjust his schedule. So my next dilemma is work and telling my boss that I will be out of office starting next Friday. I had planned to be out of the office for two weeks after surgery in August and then work from home the next week or so.

At least now I will be able to return to work sooner, mid-August, so that is actually a good thing.

But am I ready?

You'll be fine, and when in doubt, I think your sense of humor will save your life! Good luck to you!

So I had some stuff to do at work this morning and I passed by Starbucks and every single parking spot was open. Man, what even a sip of a nonfat iced chai latte would have done for my day...

Anyway, I can't believe this day is finally here! In January when I started this process I was sure it never would and now it's just all so surreal. Last week I was at the beach and Friday I left Myrtle at 5 a.m., got home by 2 p.m., ran in to the office for 3 hours, unpacked and repacked the car and drove to Pittsburgh (another 5+ hours) and spent my 2 days of Clear Liquids at the softball fields. Don't think I didn't contemplate whether watered down nacho cheese or cheeseburger grease was a "clear liquid". At one point I saw goldfish on the ground and made a mental note in case it got really bad. Seriously, though I'm hungry but it's not debilitating. I had unjury chicken Soup both days, lots of Water and some sugar free Jell-O. After I walked like a bajilliondy miles around the touristy part of P-Burgh Saturday night my hubby ran in to Applebee's by our hotel and bought me a french onion soup (sans bread and cheese) which I strained for dinner. Of course, that meant I sat in the car with a bag full of Taco Bell takeout on my lap while he was in there for 20 minutes. Oh well, it just made it taste that much better.

So anyway, I will post later when I get out of surgery. My surgeon requires me to stay in the hospital until Wednesday but my hubby refuses to let me take a laptop until he thinks I can "handle it responsibly" (too much work on vacation I guess). At any rate, I'll have my phone so I'll let you all know what's up. I covet all of your prayers today for myself and the other 5 (that I know of) who are getting sleeved today. I need to close for now so I can leave the office and get to the hospital. Thanks for everything, guys. You're the best!

DarGar27's advice is the same as mine. The sleeve is a fabulous TOOL for helping change one's life for the better! I battled weight most of my life and until I turned 50 was never really obese at all. I had my surgery this year at age 60, and if there is any regret it's that I wasn't able to have this done 10 years ago when the weight started packing on with thyroid problems. I had about 5 weeks of lack of much energy but I never was sick at all, never regretted this, and have only totally enjoyed MORE energy and the happy effects of looking better and feeling better. I love sizing down in clothes and knowing I won't even save them in case I ever need them again! I have a wonderful support group monthly and it's really a great way to get tips on foods to try, etc., as well as help others coming along behind us!

I'm considering this surgery after researching all the bariatric surgery options. It seems it has the least amount of side effects, a great initial weight loss, and a decent long term weight loss. It all sounds really great, but I need to hear the "dark side" of it all, before I make the decision. I need to know the worst of the worst before I move forward with this plan.

A little about me, I'm 31, 5'10", 280lbs. my BMI is 40. I've just had my second child 4 months ago, and my post-baby weight is the same as my pre-baby weight...which, as it happens, is the weight I've been for the last 6 years. I've always been an athletically built girl...never super skinny...but at my best shape, I was a size 10 and weighed 170. I also didn't have 2 kids, a husband, and a career, so it was a little easier to take care of myself. Weight problems run in the family; my mom and younger sister are both morbidly obese, as are all the women on my mom's side of the family. No one really sticks to a diet or exercise program, they just like to complain and blame their lots in life on their weight. I'd like to break the cycle while I'm still young, and can enjoy an active lifestyle with my family, etc. I feel like the surgery could give me the boost I need to lead a healthy, active, confident lifestyle I so desperately want.

BUT, I'm concerned about the post-op world I'll live in. Here are some questions I have:

1. since you can't eat much, is your energy really low? I have to take care of 2 kids, so low energy is not too appealing

2. will you ALWAYS only be able to eat small amounts? Or, will your stomach stretch back to normal size eventually?

3. once you get past the first few weeks of liquid and soft foods, what dietary restrictions are there in your normal, day-to-day life?

4. I've heard you can throw up if you eat too much, what other physical side-effects can I expect post-op?

5. any regrets???

Thanks in advance for all your feedback. Some days I think this is the best idea ever, and other days, I think I'm crazy to consider it... just looking for answers either way at this point.

Emergency rooms were created for just these EMERGENCIES! Don't put this off ----you can have your diagnosis today and the ER doctor can also notify your surgeon to its severity. It's YOUR health and body! If your surgeon isn't worried, ask him for a recommendation of another. You need to get very assertive at this point. I'm 13 weeks out and I haven't had one single hour since surgery such as what you are reporting. Life should be splendid by now! Good luck to you and keep us posted on your situation.

Hi all!

I am having a very difficult day! I am 4 mo postop, my sleeve gast was on mar 3, 2011. I have lost 95 lbs and that part is great! The not so great part is the whole other package! I am nauseaus every day, and have to take an expensive pill to keep from feeling sick. liquids are fine, but the minute i ingest a solid, i feel a huge lump in my stomach. I have chronic heartburn and fits of gastric acid and bile reflux that sometimes comes out of my nose! The doc said he fixed my hiatel hernia, but I have never been so acidic! About a few weeks post op, i got very sick, like I had food poisoning! I was throwing up and pooing at the same time, if you can imagine that! This went on all night! Then i was ok and then it happened again last night! I woke up very nauseated and started dry heaving then I kept moving my bowels! I am still extremely nauseaus and I have to miss work tonight, which I really cant afford to do! I really could use some advise!

I had pudding, yogurt, Tomato Soup with melted cheese in it, and lots of Protein Shakes. I mixed Peanut Butter in them sometimes. I liked potato Soup a lot. Memories!

I wish I could have pureed foods....that sounds yummy :-(

My doctor approved my having one on day 6 and I ate a few bites and it was fine. I scrambled it like crazy but had no problems with it at all.

When were you able to eat a scrambled egg?

My instructions say pureed scrambled eggs starting the 5th week! And what the heck is a pureed egg? LOL Yuck

Just curious....

Quit for good while you're ahead and you're fairly used to it all. Break one more bad habit!

Hello there,

This site is awesome, I was 485 when I started my pre-op diet. Was 451 the day of surgery 4/13 and I am 419 today. Doing good, I have not thrown up once, I can drink way more than 4oz of fluids an hour. I have by mistake 2 times ate more than 4oz of food, very slowly though. here is my question and please not looking to be bashed,

When can I smoke? I am not talking ci's I am talking about Mary Jane, do not want to do it daily, but do want to know when I can have few hits off a joint. Please let me know what you guys think , and any personal expereince with smoking anything after surgery. Thank you.

sounds all good to me! I was able to start in to things besides Jello also very early. Just keep up the good work and sip and walk and sip and walk! I didn't start Vitamins for a couple of weeks. sounds as if you are most fortunate!

I'm 3 days post sleeve and feeling TONS better! I'm so happy to be sleeved, but I feel so confused. So many capsules and vitamins to take, supplements to drink, fluids and proteins! It's a little overwhelming. My first thought was to just stay hydrated. I've not drunk 48 oz, but I definitely feel good about my intake. I ate a WHOLE yogurt a little while ago (6 oz) and then I thought was that too much!?! Should I have been physically able to do that? I've read of people only taking in 3-6 tablespoons, and I ate the whole thing! I ate a whole sf jello this morning too. I'm sipping all day..water, ice chips, Protein Shake, Tomato Soup. How do you know if it's too much? I know I've read it all before, but then I can't remember where or what I've read. The dr gave me some guidelines, but I don't feel like it answers everything.

I have 8 more pounds until that wonderful celebration! congrats to you!

Ok, even though I'm only like 2 lbs under 200, I am finally in the 100's!!! Soooo happy!!! Hope it continues this way I'm so thankful that I've had a great recovery. Still dealing with head hunger, but doing my best to follow the rules! I haven't been able to lose weight like this in forever. Thanks for listening!

when did it begin thinning out? I'm 12 weeks out and have noticed no difference but I do get everything in that I'm supposed to. I'll pick back up on the Biotin after reading this post! good luck to you!

Hello everyone! i was sleeved Feb. 28th, and my Hair loss is making me stress! i have so little hair now! the thickness of maybe 4 pencils put together....i used to have tons and would get it thinned out...omg! now i wish i had that hair! im now taking Biotin but don't know how long it takes to work...anyone else has this same problem? and do you take Biotin too?

Very interestin! I'll go with his results and averages rather than wrecking a Breakfast with the test! Thanks for posting!

I came across this article and thought it was interesting. I'm barely more than 2 weeks out from surgery, so need to do a test like this- but thought I would share for others who want to know what the size of their stomach is who might be further out from surgery.

http://www.bsciresou...ail.php?prod=A4

HUH? I drove 5 days out and that was for my doctor's visit about 45 minutes away. I didn't drive much at all, but it wasn't a problem in the least.

I'd been told that I should be able to return to work within 1 -2 weeks after my operation, however when being released from the hospital, they told me I wouldn't be able to drive for six weeks. I was horrified. I have to drive to work - there is no suitable alternative. A girl in the room opposite who'd had the gastric bypass was told she had to have six weeks off work and couldn't drive for two weeks.

I was just wondering what length of time others couldn't drive for - as I just can't imagine being off work for a whole six weeks.