Kelly'sChipper

EAS Lite has Milk Protein Concentrate, I can't have milk unless rice milk.

Googling nectar Protein now and Boo :-( it has whey protein too.

_{Do you have a suggestion for low calorie Protein shakes(prefer premixed)or bars that DO NOT contain whey or Milk? I don't like mixing the powders. If you have suggestions on where to buy that would be even more awesome!}

On my 3 week stall now and it has been 3 1/2 weeks.....really needed to hear this today. Thanks for sharing. When you went back to liquids did you stop losing when you went back to solids? I just posted about this earlier today because, like you, I have been scared to death that I'm going to be that person that it doesn't work for.

OMG you've lost 61 lbs already and you're in week THREE! I'm soooo jealous, and very proud of you. THAT'S AWESOME!!!

To answer your question: When I went back to solids... I am still losing weight! I just cut out a lot of the carbs. Plus, once I saw the scale move I got totally motivated again and started working out more. My advice: Don't wait like I did. Eat Less, Exercise More (sucks that it's the same advice I alway heard as a non WLS patient!) but it's so true.

I also realized once I started journaling my calories again that I was eating more than I thought...like 300 calories more/day than I thought. NO WONDER I WAS MAINTAINING, NOT LOSING. You've got to stay true to yourself. It's easy to "graze" on the sleeve and not realize the extra calories you can take in.

Good luck!!

Imagine how I felt when I was JUST sleeved on Feb 28th and already had a stall that lasted 4 weeks!! I put myself back on all liquids for two days and it kick started my weight loss again

Since you have problems with Protein shakes, I would suggest eliminating carbs for a few days and stick to lean Proteins and low sodium Soups. Push yourself to a new exercise level too.

I have already learned EARLY that it is easy to THINK I've only had 900 calories/day but once I started journaling again, I realized I was really eating over 1,200!! It's no wonder I was maintaining as opposed to losing. I would also suggest for YOU to journal your food calories too and be true to yourself.

Funny how the same advice holds true for non WLS peeps too: Eat Less, Exercise More!

You can DO IT!

I thought I was going to be the ONE person The Sleeve didn't work for. My "stall" lasted a whole month so I decided to go BACK on all liquids to try and kick my body back into weight loss mode again. I only had to do that a couple of days and THANKFULLY I am losing again (down 5 new lbs in the last 2 weeks). I still feel someone my size should be slimming quicker but I am staying positive and focused on continued weight loss. I do feel GREAT and loving that I am getting back into some of my old clothes already and enjoying working out.

I was just sleeved on Feb 28th, 2011! Any others have a similar experience so early? I want to hear how YOU overcome stalls.

You're going to have the CUTEST baby bump EVER, wear it proudly!

CONGRATZ!

Your news is SOOOOO encouraging! I am 4 weeks out today and only down 35lbs (15 of which was during my 2 week pre-op). Was your weight loss slow at first?

CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR SUCCESS!

Thanks a MILLION Girlfriend! I think I really have TWO "Dr. Kims"; I remember YOU telling me to take it easy too! You're good for the soul Kim and I'm thrilled to have another Fort Worthian to hang out with.

I have to be honest and say I'm not into all that kumbaya stuff and doubt I will go to any support groups. I'm the type that doesn't want to hear about the pregnancy, just show me the baby (if that makes sense to you). I think I will do better in this type of forum however I'm not ruling it out completely. If you decide to go to one you should call to see if I wan't to ride out there with you! Hopefully you still have my card but you can always find me through www.KellySchipper.com .

Incesion staples out today and it didn't hurt even a little bit!

If you're having second thoughts, DON'T!

Here's how my journey is going so far:

February 28th

3:30AM- Arrive at Forrest Park Medical Center

4:30AM- Weigh in, put gown on, give urine sample

5:30AM- Met with Dr. Kim, Anesthesiologists, got hooked up to IV,and put on compression socks

5:45AM- received small shot for blood thinner, and something for nausea went in IV

6:00AM- got wheeled down the hall, then I don't remember anything else after that.

9:00AM(ish)- I remember feeling cold, nurses talking, then hearing "we're taking you upstairs to your room". (Surgery didn't take that long, I was probably just in recovery until I woke up)

I remember everybody at the hospital being very nice. I was in little pain, but very confused because I thought there was NO WAY they could be done already; I was just flirting with the guy about to give me my happy shot afterall!

I was a SURGERY WARRIOR! I made the best out of every situation. I made sure and get up to walk every couple of hours since you're woken up by nurses coming in and out anyway. (Seems to be a different person every time too! 1 nurse, 1 person checking your breathing, someone else taking your blood pressure and O2 levels, etc).

Only once did I have some gas pain that landed under my diaphram. It made it dificult to take a deep breath and scared me enough that I almost hyperventilated but they calmed me down quickly.

Later that first night I felt nauseous. It terrified me because I thought if I dry heave it's going to hurt! When I leaned into the barf bag just two REAL BIG belly burps came out! I never had gas pains again!

I'm the type of person that demands happiness all around me, so I made sure to stop and talk to just about every other patient, learn their names and hear their stories. Since I was feeling so great, the people pleaser in me was more worried how everyone else was feeling, and was hoping some of my positivity would rub off. It was a win-win though as it made ME feel better making new friends to share our journey together with in the months/years ahead. (I do have a personal favorite though...you know who you are *wink, wink*)

I was "THAT GIRL"...you know the one....smiling all the time, laughing, trying to change the fashion up somewhat the best I could in a hospital gown...I even blew up a hospital glove and tied it to my IV pole!

Since I was feeling so GREAT, very little pain & minimal discomfort you could imagine my surprise when all my new friends passed their UGI swallow; and I DIDN'T! Only a minor mental setback though, I chose to stay positive. I had to stay another night because of my swelling from a hiatal hernia Dr. Kim had repaired during my surgery (which I was unaware I even had hernia).

As soon as they saw I didn't have a leak Wednesday morning and was able to sip liquids without any problems (and I'm talking a 1oz medicine cap size every 15 minutes). I then got my walk'n papers!

Every day gets better & better. I am SO GLAD I did this and have ZERO regrets.

Today I was told to EASE UP a lttle bit. (Apparantly I'm not suppose to get on a treadmill already). I was reminded STRONGLY that I am still a "surgical patient" and I will not "be released" for 6 weeks. (Aye, Aye Captain!)

Good Luck to you all and PLEASE don't be shy to ask any questions.

Hey Friends,

I was told by a nurse that I would gain weight from the IV fluids they pumped into me during my 2 day hospital stay. I've been the perfect patient - walking around, deep breathing, getting nearly all my recommended liquids, Proteins, Vitamins down, etc. I feel better than expected with minimal pain since day one. I have a very positive attitude and ZERO reqrets but can't help that I am disappointed that I am still UP 3lbs of the 10 Fluid pounds I gained in recovery after I've been doing everything "right".

Anybody else with a similar story you can share along with what I have to look forward to in the following week or so?

-Kelly

Thanks for the shout out! (I hope that doesn't count towards my 15 minutes of fame though)- hee hee

I can ditto just about everything you've posted here. I've had a great experience and hope that others reading will be as social too and meet new friends in the hallways as we did. I am very much looking forward to staying connected with you ~ I think you're AWESOME!

I am so happy we met at the hospital and I'm looking forward to being "Sleeve Mates" forever. We are going to be two hot momma's very soon (and you KNOW we'll need to buy at least ONE slutty outfit)! Lets make sure and get together in a few months, share a lunch and go shopping! You've got my number so keep me on your speed dial!

Got it, THANKS A MILLION!

Comfy clothes, blender, CHECK!....heating pad or ice pack?

Comfy clothes, blender, CHECK!....heating pad or ice pack?

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.

What do you mean by "you can out eat your surgery"?

2/28/2011 w/ Dr. David Kim in Colleyville, TX.

I'm more scared of switching to all liquids pre-op than I am the surgery!

-Kelly

My Dr. told me that they (whoever "THEY" are) don't know why, but some people's hunger hormone is in the portion of the stomach that is removed, but for others it is in the bottom part closer to the intestine and there is no way to test for it to see if you will be a lucky one. -Still a risk I am willing to take.

Dr Kim is my surgeon too!! I was told during one of my insurance required classes that the 2 week pre-op liquid diet is to help shrink the fatty liver to make it easier to access the stomach.

I will do my best to stay on the liquid diet but 2 weeks is a long time without food and without the sleeve to help me! My surgery date is Feb 14. Good luck to you!

Since I'm paying cash this is happening very fast. I only have 1 meeting two weeks prior to talk with the nutritionist so I'm getting most of my info on this forum. I'd like to add you as a friend so that I can follow your progress and stay in touch regarding your experience with Dr. Kim.

... Good luck with your decision.

Good luck with YOURS too!

When my surgeon told me to do liquids and shakes only for 2 weeks preop, I knew I wouldn't be able to do it perfectly and I didn't. No complications from surgery so my liver wasn't enlarged. I really need VSG to help me and now I have to make the behavioral changes and I feel I can succeed! Keep on trying.

I read on another post here that it takes MONTHS to shrink the liver and that Dr's just say that to get your head in the game. I'm not looking for an excuse, I'll do the liquid thing pre-op like a good little girl but did your doctor say to shrink the fat around your liver? (honestly, I can't remember if mine actually said anything about the liver or if it's just what I've heard before and it has stuck in my head).

...

ps: did you have a different picture up originally or am i losing my mind in addition to hopefully losing weight???

Thanks for noticing! Yes, I needed to put a more recent picture up since I darkened my hair and got bangs. I needed a mini-makeover, before my major makeover!

I am curious if anybody has/had resorted to a prescription of Phentermine pre-op to help with weight loss?

My surgeon won't perscribe it (probably because he sells the liquids in his office); I can get a perscription from my family doctor though. I want to lose as much fat around my liver as possible pre-surgery and think an appetite suppressant will help.

Thoughts?

Hi there!

I almost picked the same ticker, I thought it was sassy and cute!

My surgery is scheduled for February 28th and I am in FREAK-OUT mode. I'm dieting now and start all liquid on Jan 31st but already mourning my friend, Food; and working on dealing with those emotions sooner rather than later.

Having this forum is already helping me deal with some of my nerves. I'll be following your journey! Good Luck!!

Hello. My surgeon was Dr. David Kim and I had surgery at Forest Park Medical Center at Dallas, Texas. Dr. Kim is fantastic and made the experience so much better than it could have been. He is very experienced and has an extremely good bedside manner. The hospital was state of the art. I would highly recommend surgeon and hospital to anyone.

I'm a Fort Worthian scheduled with Dr. David Kim on February 28th also at Forest park Medical Center. This was music to my ears!! He was recommended by a friend of a friend and then I started seeing his commercials and billboards which made me a bit nervous. After meeting him though, I feel the same about his bedside manner (so far). I'm looking forward to following your journey!

-Kelly