PamelaAM

You have done amazingly well!!! Congrats!

I was really concerned about the water too. Not just before surgery but the whole thing with no being able to drink water an hour before and after you eat etc. You see, when I had thyroid cancer 7 years ago, the radiation that I had to have all but destroyed my salivary glands so I have very little saliva in my mouth. I have to sip on water constantly to even be able to continue talking. It's pretty inconvenient but being cancer free is worth it! I talked to my surgeon about this and he said to not even worry about it that I can continue to take sips when I need them. I am going to try hard to not drink too much water before surgery though.

Thanks everyone! I think this board is just fabulous! It's so nice to know that there are others that you can bond with that are and will be, going through the very same thing. I'd love to keep in touch with everyone! Please "friend" me :-)

I have been patiently waiting for the phone call. It came just a little while ago and Iwas so excited that they are able to fit me in, in September because otherwise I would have had to wait until December or January. Got assigned to Dr. Gary Belzberg at Kaiser - Harbor City. He and Dr. Zane are both great! Anyone have experience with Dr. Belzberg? So excited!:001_smile:

Hi there! I will be having my surgery at Kaiser Harbor City, hopefully in September, with Dr. Zane. I was in the first 12 week class when they made the transition from the longer classes. But there is still alot of waiting time involved. I have learned SO much from this site. . .more than I ever learned in the classes! mb20mom - looks like you are doing great after surgery with Dr. Zane!

I haven't heard yet about my surgery date but I am hoping for September. I'll post as soon as I know :-)

I am so glad that people like you are on this board! Solving the mysteries of life. . .so brilliant! Thank you!

Thanks again everyone! I'm sure I'll be fine :tongue_smilie:

Good luck with your surgery! I know that the night before can be a bit unnerving but know that you are doing something really fabulous for your self! Can't wait til it's MY "night before"! Keep us updated!

Wow! You are quite an inspiration! Can't wait to be sleeved!

Thanks everyone. The one medication that I am most concerned about is the Levethroid. I take two very tiny pills that have to be taken on an empty stomach (so can't be crushed into food etc) and I normally take them in the middle of the night (habit) to make sure that the effect is not compromised with food. I can't imagine that I won't be able to swallow those two tiny pills.

I know that with regards to vitamins, we are told that we have to take chewable vitamins. What about other medications? I had my thyroid removed due to thyroid cancer and have to take pills every day to replace my thyroid function. Also, I have really bad spinal stenosis that causes horrific sciatica pain so I take both Ibuprofen and another pain pill three times a day to keep that pain under control. Also I take pills for chronic nausea, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and acid reflux etc. I know the need for most of those will go away once I have the surgery but I need to know if I am going to be able to ingest my thyroid meds and the pain pills for the sciatica.:thumbup:

Your posts are so inspirational! I know this has been quite a journey for you but please know that your posts mean the world to all of us who are looking forward to surgery!

http://www.northwestobesitysurgery.com/pdf/sleeve-gastrectomy-diet.pdf This is one of the best documents that I have found that clearly explains all that you need to know. Hope it helps others as much as it helped me.

Tiffykins, thank you so much. You seem to be such an incredible source of information and inspiration on this board. Thank you for being there for all of the rest of us. It means alot.

A huge thank you to ALL of you for your responses! You have no idea how good it felt to know that you are all out there. I know it is the best thing for me to do. And I really like the idea of "divorcing" my stomach. . .LOL! This board is amazing and I truly appreciate all of you taking the time to respond. I'm sure I will be back and a part of this fabulous group :-)

I am so glad to have found this forum. I am waiting for my surgical consult and still feel like I am not 100% sure that I can do this. I know I want to, I guess just afraid that I won't be able to cap my emotional eating and that scares me. I am so strong in every other aspect of my life. Wish I could convert that strength to this and convince myself that this CAN work for me and that I CAN get through it.

I have finished my classes and am waiting for my surgical consult. As much as I would like to be 100% certain that I am going to do the surgery, in reality I'm not. I am such an emotional eater I am struggling with whether I can truly go through with this. I know I need to do something drastic because I have about 100 lbs to lose. I have tried it on my own and have never been successful. How did you all get to the point that you were truly ready to make the final decision? For the first couple of weeks after surgery, when you are on "clear liquids", what all is that comprised of? Thanks in advance for your help. This is such a hard decision for me :-(

I keep seeing messages here about it and realize that apparently there are different sizes but not sure exactly what it is. It has never been brought up in my classes. Is it something I should ask about with the surgeon when that time comes?

I just looked it up. I guess it is near Torrance so it is the same place. You are doing amazing with your weight loss. How was the recovery time for you? I know it's different for everyone but I just feel like I have to keep asking :confused1:

Thanks so much to all of you who responded. It has really put my mind at ease! Maura, I am looking at Kaiser in Torrance. Is that the same place where you had yours done?

I had thyroid cancer about 6 1/2 years ago. I only mention this because during the radiation, my salivary glands were damaged and will never get better. Because I don't manufacture as much saliva now it is necessary for me to drink while I eat. I have been told that you cannot do this with the full gastric bypass and am wondering if it is possible with the sleeve. I am more proned to look at the sleeve anyway just because it seems safer to me all the way around. I have about 85 lbs to lose and have been fighting weight all my life. So my questions are: 1. While I know it is not encouraged, would one be able to sip Water while eating with a sleeve? 2. What exactly does the post op diet consist of and for how long? 3. How long is the actual recovery time? How long in the hospital? How long before you could go back to work? I think those are my basic questions. Thanks in advance for whatever help you all can provide!