emily_0192010

I did not have one, and if I did it was in and out in the surgical suite cause it definitely did not come out in recovery or after... so I am assuming I did not have one. I was fine to get up when I got back to my room except that I was dizzy, but that was because of the pain meds not the surgery. Luckily with my mom there to help me they didn't find it necessary to confine me to the bed. I was also very worried that I would have to deal with this. Not because of how it would feel but because I am an extremely modest person. Not for any religious reasons or anything, it is just how I am. I have luckily been allowed to avoid seeing the ob/gyn for another year (since I am 20... said I could wait until 21...). I was so worried about this that the actual surgery felt like a breeze to me. I was completely awake and didn't have any drugs in me when they brought me into the OR and I found it really interesting. I wasn't nervous at all once I found out I wouldn't have one.

I used carecredit for my co-pays, but I didn't go to Mexico so I'm not sure. It is definitely legit though and I have found it very easy and straightforward to use.

I'm so happy for you! Congrats on your beautiful family

I was completely awake when I was brought into the operating room. I still remember the conversation I had with the anesthesiologist beforehand. I shifted myself over and then scooted around until I was in the right place. I woke up in recovery, in a completely different bed. I figured they moved me somehow, I even laughed at myself imaging a large crane-like thing being used to shift me LOL (i was post anesthesia...). But I didn't have any bruises or marks and I know that they deal with patients of my size or bigger everyday. I didn't dwell on it and at this point I really don't care. I wondered about it, but it was one of those things that i didn't really want to know the answer to just in case I didn't like it!

I really like how the "like this" button is way more obvious! It took me months before I knew what the original ones were for and I know i've seen a couple posts where other people ask about it as well!

Very inspiring!!!! I spent a long time researching how people who had gastrectomies lived afterwards before deciding on the VSG. People like this chef are amazing and I knew if they could do it, then I would be fine long-term as well.

Congrats!!!! I had a few of those "really want to wear but never could" clothes, but on a whim a couple years ago (BEFORE college) I decided if I couldn't wear it, and wasn't anywhere close, then I wasn't going to keep it and I donated about 5 bags of clothes. I would love to be able to try on some of those now!

I am very glad for her that this helped! And I agree that when you are only a few pounds off it is mightly tempting to gain those pounds. I just wonder when they are going to stop, where is the limit? Next people who are just "overweight" are going to start seeking surgical options and it makes me wonder at what point it will stop. The band and the sleeve may be less drastic than the by-pass or DS, BUT they are still drastic measures to lose weight and they are serious surgeries. It almost feels like they are diminishing the severity of the choice to have weight loss surgery.

Hey! So I am losing inches quicker than I had expected and I went from a 22/24 at my highest and I am starting to wear some 14's. Does anybody in or close to Jacksonville have any 12p's?? One of my mom's good friends gave me a bag of 10's, and I can probably get away with the two pairs of 14's I have, but I'll have to buy 12's and I am really really tight right now. Luckily I probably have another few weeks before I really need them, but I figured it was worth it to ask now. Thanks!

I'm not quite sure why you are on a powder... I am 5 weeks out and i've been on a prescription since day one. It is a tiny little pill and i've never had problems with it. Good luck, and if it is that bad I wouldn't wait until you next appointment. You could try calling your surgeon and ask for something different or for some suggestions.

The first thing I thought was "WOW"... you look amazing, and in 8 months?? Incredible! I understand a bit what you mean about not seeing the difference. I am down about 60 now, and I still can't really see the difference. I've looked at my before and my current and... nothing. I am planning on doing something similar to you, with a side-by-side from my highest but I want to wait until I lose a bit more first. I think we can't see the overall because we see it little-by-little day-by-day, so we grow used to the new without realizing it. Congrats!

Welcome to VST!!!!! And congrats on making the decision to be sleeved! This is an awesome place for support and questions/answers. I would even suggest you have your husband spend some time browsing and asking questions and I bet it would help ease his mind a bit. Before you know it you are going to be running around with those grandkids!

Hello Well to start I did not have the band, but I can tell you that at 5 weeks out I am starting to eat slightly larger bites now. At first, they were tiny. But that was because my sleeve was swollen and still healing. I still take small bites and I try to use a dessert fork instead of a normal one because it makes it easier to remember. But the size of my pink nail? Definitely NOT that little. At this point nothing gets stuck, but before if I had too big of a bite it would be really uncomfortable, but again that was because I was still swollen and learning how to eat again. At first your food is limited, but my surgeon told me there really isn't anything I can't eat (not like with the by-pass) but I have heard that some people are told they can't eat popcorn and to avoid soda's. My surgeon told me that soda is fine, but it is individual. Some people just can't tolerate it afterwards but others have no problems Good luck and I wish you the best!

Definitely a good thing to remember!!!! Thanks for sharing

Thanks for sharing!! You look awesome!

I met my Halloween goal yesterday!!!! I am in ONDERLAND! WOOT WOOT! I won't update my official long-term ticker until I weigh in at my surgeon's office, but unofficially i've lost 63 pounds overall now.

I'm in too! I have no idea what would be realistic, but if I could hit 162, which is a loss of 38 pounds I would be ecstatic! It would be my 100 pounds down mark, so I'm going to aim for it. If I don't hit it I'll still be happy. But since I am still a new sleever I'm thinking it might be possible. SW-200..........GW-162............CW-200.........lb's to goal- 38

One of the reasons why I got this surgery was so that I don't have to diet anymore. I always do protein first, and since I am only 5 weeks out that is generally all I can get in. But on my sister's b-day yesterday, guess what I shared a mini cupcake with her... it was great and I don't feel guilty over it at all. I got this surgery to be "normal", and normal people will eat a piece of cake without feeling guilty. The difference is that I don't eat the whole cake anymore. I don't eat the entire tub of ice cream. It is great and I feel amazing!

I'm glad I helped! I was not required to do clears before the diet, but I was required to do two days of clears before the surgery.

I am 5 weeks out today and I can take quite a big gulp... the only difference is that I can only take one and I can't down the entire bottle anymore. However, each day gets easier and easier to drink. At the beginning you have to sip sip sip, and eventually you get used to it. As long as you stay hydrated you won't necessarily feel the need to take huge gulps anymore.

I am a bit confused, it sounds to me that he wrote you a prescription to have blood work done. All surgeon's require this (at least as far as I know) and I've never heard of them doing it themselves or having it done in the office. I'm not sure where you are but I had mine done at the hospital (it was considered pre-op) and the other times I've had to have blood work done I've gone to an outside lab called Quest. I'm sure if you asked them they would suggest where to go to get it done. May I ask why you are upset with your doctor? If you feel uncomfortable with him/her that's different, but maybe it was just misunderstood?

Hey!! Congrats on taking the first step, you will be on the "loser's bench" before you know it! Our stats are very similar. I am 5'2 at started at 262 with a BMI of 47. It is totally worth it! As for your family, you might want to try making or finding a brochure of the facts about the sleeve versus RNY. Maybe even get your sister on board. They are very, very, very different and the sleeve is one of the least drastic things you could chose to have done. Our sleeves work exactly the same way as our old stomach's, just smaller! Anyways, you have come to the right place. This board is an amazing place for support and information. i don't know what I would've done without it!

It could be your body's way of saying it isn't ready for puree's yet. I was on liquids (Water and Protein shakes pretty much) for a full two weeks before I transitioned and I found that I pushed it a couple more days. Maybe do a day of liquids and see how you feel afterwards. Or make your puree's more liquidy than you normally would. I would also call your surgeon's office, just to make sure everything is okay. Good luck and it does get better!

I was told I can drive as long as I'm not on my pain meds. I do know they want someone else to drive you home (probably because you will be on pain meds). I drove the first time 3 days after I was released and I was fine. My doctor didn't get me any restrictions about driving.

Not everyone completely loses their hunger. Actually from what i've read it seems like most people still get hungry, they just get full a heck of a lot faster! I am only a month out and I am very lucky that I have NO hunger at all. I have to remind myself to eat. Also from what i've read it seems like most people who didn't have hunger start to get more of an appetite at the 6 month mark.