emily_0192010

I asked my surgeon this... he said that he tries to find a good middle ground in each patient. He said the trend is to go as small as possible but he finds that this makes patients much more sick at the beginning and that they have trouble getting down anything, which can lead to vomiting which then leads to leaks. So, he said that the stomach was about the size of his index finger. Also, everyone on here talks about surgeons using bougies. I know that my doctor uses an endoscope instead... and that helps him look for leaks before the surgery is over.

Hello! First off, congrats on the weight loss! I can't wait to be there myself . I just wanted to say, the best way to exercise is to find something you enjoy doing! I noticed you said that you have kids... do you have a wii? If you do, I *highly* recommend wii fit. If you don't want to pay for it, then I highly recommend this one game, that can be used with or without the board. It is actually the Wii Fit Nickelodeon for kids game... but it is really fun! My mom (she is 41, but don't tell her I blabbed) even has fun with it. I know I still have all my weight to lose, but one thing I am good at is figuring out how to exercise without hitting the gym So, at least to start off with I would find something that doesn't feel like "exercise" to you and then gradually start in with real exercise time focusing on cardio and weights.. cause if you try to go straight into an exercise program without guidance first... you won't keep it up. I found that after a little while I actually started to enjoy how I felt after my workouts. If you had told me that at the beginning I would have laughed at you... in fact I did laugh when the guide told me that but he ended up being right . Good luck!

Wow!! That is quite a list! Thanks for keeping track of all of this and sharing I luckily don't have to do the two-week liquid diet pre-op but I will be on liquids for at least two weeks after so I am definitely going to be trying some of these out!

Until recently I would have told you that I was content where I was. I have been overweight my entire life... I am only 20 and I cannot remember ever being at a normal weight. I was a "chubby" kid and then an overweight pre-teen and then an obese teen and now I have a BMI close to 50... I don't have any pain, I can sleep on my stomach, I can play with my 5 year old sister for long periods of time, I have never been a shopper so shopping for clothes is neutral for me, I have never been bullied because of my weight, I am a confident person, and I like who I am. I can also truly say that I did not notice how big I was getting until a year or so ago. My weight gain was gradual and steady and I didn't notice the 5 pounds here and then the 5 pounds there. I saw someone's reflection in the window at the mall and I was honestly shocked when I realized it was me. At that point I went to my PCP and asked for help. I found out then that I am borderline diabetic but other than that I have no issues. I just couldn't lose the weight. Until that point when I quite literally shocked myself out my bubble I was very happy and content with being a fat person. Not all fat people have physical problems and I also think that the majority of fat people who are "happy" are in a state of denial. I know that a large majority of fat people are also in the lower socio-economical bracket. Those people do not go to doctors, heck they might not even have one. They struggle to keep their heads up on a day-to-day basis and the extra expanse of doctor bills is going to be enough of a deterrent to prevent them from being checked out. Those people will never know that they have high blood pressure, or diabetes, or any of the other issues until there is an emergency. That is what I mean by denial. Also, can anybody truly say they have no problems with how they are? Whether they are fat/average/skinny/anorexic... everybody has something they don't like or wish they could change. That doesn't mean that they are not happy though. If you asked a skinny person if they were happy to be skinny they would probably say yes... and then go complain about how bony their shoulders are or how much they hate the diet they are on. I guess it is just all about perspective and each individual's definition of happy.

Thank you for posting this... i think it is a good idea to write down our reasons why so that we can remember them in the future. Maybe I will go and do the same thing now I saw that your surgery was today... I hope you are doing great and have an easy recovery!

Congrats on your weight loss!! I am glad to hear that you had a good experience I am still pre-sleeve but my surgeon is very strict about only 3 meals per day... but from what I've read it seems like 6 is almost necessary for sleevers to get in all of their requirements. I, too, am very interested in reading what some of the sleeve guru's on here have to say.

Thank you so much for posting this! I am just like you I read and read and read and research until I am blue in the face to get all of the facts. I like to know what I am getting myself into, the good, the bad and the ugly. I am so glad to hear that you are doing well! Is it possible for someone (I don't know how or who to ask) to start a thread and pin it where everyone posts their surgery experiences? There is something very similar on the lapband forum and it is very informational! I have searched through all of the boards for these type of stories and they do pop up but they are very hard to find unless you have the time to go through all of the past posts. Just an idea for other people like me who like to get in all of their facts.

Thanks for sharing!! It does sound like an awesome week! I can't wait to be where you are now!

My surgeon told me the same thing when I asked him about leaks. He did not mention the purple dye thing but likes his patients to have the drain for a week. He also said that he is always overly careful with his patients and likes to take all pre-cautions that he can to avoid problems. So, I wouldn't worry about the drain or not. From what I've heard and read they are not a big deal.

Good luck on your journey!! I too am very inspired by the wonderful people on this forum... made me much more comfortable with my decision and excited to get the ball rolling!

That is amazing Whenever I read these type of posts I just grin and think "that'll be me soon"!! Thanks for sharing

My mom and I decided that we didn't want to tell anyone (specifically my grandma) simply because we consider it to be a private thing and not really anyones business (like if I had any other surgery for any other reason). But... the hospital sent me a info packet and for some reason (our mail is really messed up right now) it was forwarded to my grandma's... and of course my grandma "accidentally" opens it and is all like "did you attend a seminar? are you getting surgery? you know bypass is the best because these people had it" blah blah blah. I ended up spending 45 minutes telling her why I was NOT doing the bypass and everything else. So, our "keeping it a secret" lasted for all of a few days lol! I am not too surprised that someone asked straight out. Bariatric surgery in general, especially by-pass, is something that everyone has heard about at some point. Match that with the general lack of brain-to-mouth filters that most people have and well... you get bluntness! Congrats on your weight loss already!! I can't wait to be where you are right now

I had a very similar experience this week except with my little sister... I walked down to the school with her to pick up her registration papers for my mom since she works all day and during the walk back all I could think about was how I wanted to be a better role model and how important it is to me to be an active part of her life Just more motivation to kick my butt into gear and get started!

A neighbor recently moved out and gave us a bunch of dishes (plus a lot of junk :/) that she didn't want anymore... I was over-the-moon because she brought a bunch of tiny bowls that will be perfect post-sleeve I have already started to look through our cabinet to see what we are going to need.. and I don't even have a date yet!

Thanks for posting your sorry! I feel horrible that you had to go through all of that! I think it is a good thing that you posted this because there are people reading these boards who are deciding on this surgery (like me ) and we need to read the good the bad and the ugly. With all the success that this surgery has it is hard to remember sometimes that this is a serious surgery and is not always going to be flowers and sunshine. I hope everything starts to look up for you

This is awesome information!! Thanks for posting, I am definitely adding this to my bookmarks.

When I was deciding between the band and the sleeve I read the study results that that article quotes... definitely changed my decision!! It just makes sense to me... you put something into your body that is not meant to be there and eventually you are going to get problems! Even though the sleeve hasn't been around for that long, and so there aren't many long-term stats, people have had gastrectomies for other reasons for years! For example people with stomach cancer... and those patients live long healthy uncomplicated lives. So even though it is new for bariatric surgery that type of procedure is not new at all. I found that that comforted me and helped me make my decision. Thanks for posting that link!

Wow, your aunt sounds *exactly* like my grandmother... and I *hate* it. There are times when I just want to tell her to shut her trap or to follow her own "advice" but she's my grandmother and I think it would give her a heart attack if her generally quiet, easy going, oldest granddaughter told her to shove it where the sun don't shine lol. I distinctly remember one time when I was still in middle school. I found a pair of jeans that were a 14 and looked really great on me. I was happy. She said "well next time lets aim for a twelve"... UGH. And I didn't realize until I was older how horribly wrong that was for her to say. I think there are just some people who need to learn to use their inner filters. I have no problem with people who speak their mind but there is a line between voicing your opinion and just being rude. Thanks for sharing!

I am not entirely sure what is "pro-sleeve" because I am not there yet... but when it comes to bringing food into the theatre if you say that have food allergies and cannot safely eat their food then they have to let you bring it in. Another thing, say you bring in something that says "sugar-free" just say you are diabetic. One of my really good friends is type 1 and had a really difficult time eating from the concession... so she always brought home-made goodies (sugar free cookies) or sugar-free candies/chocolates. They checked our bags once and she was just like "i'm diabetic, i can't eat there, you can't make me throw it out" and they didn't argue with her at all.... So, if you do decide to bring your own food if they do check your bag just tell them you can't eat their food. If they try to push it pull the ADA (American's with Disability Act) card on them... i don't know if it actually covers that situation.. but chances are the person checking the bags in the first place won't know either and won't want to fight ! Have fun!

It is very mild, i guess similar to mozzarella cheese. Without anything added in it is not sweet, sour or tangy. It is very neutral which is why some people like it paired with fruit and jellies or jams, while other people (me!) like it with salty stuff like crackers. Now, unlike cream cheese or yogurt it is not a smooth texture but I really like it that way. Just try it! If you don't like it then you know

I love cottage cheese It has a very mild taste. I don't compare it to regular cheese though... its in its own class for me. I personally do not like it with fruit but I love it either straight or mixed with triscuit thin crisps... I haven't had surgery yet though so I'm not sure if the thin crisps are a good idea or not. But, I definitely think it is at least worth a try. At most grocery stores they sell cottage cheese in 4 packs for a couple of dollars. Just be careful to watch the expiration date, they don't last very long. As for greek yogurt I have never had the plain kind and I don't mind it. It is not my favorite though because I always get a bad case of dry mouth after eating it. It is very creamy and smooth though, and many people like it a lot. I know the plain kind is often used in cooking. I used the vanilla kind in smoothies. Again, its worth a try though. You can buy single serve sizes just to try.

That is awesome!! I haven't met Dr. Cywes yet and I just made my appointment with Dr. Pinnar for next wednesday. Did they give you any trouble with choosing the sleeve over the band? Also, what is your three-month diet? I might have too I have to admit I am really excited to have met someone using the same office and in the same age group!

I am most likely going to go with Dr. Pinnar. He works with Dr. Cywes but has a ton of experience and actually teaches other doctors how to do these surgeries. I met him at the seminar and he seemed really caring and easily approachable. My mom is doing this with me as well and she liked him as well. I have not yet had my first appointment but hopefully it will be soon. I am hoping to avoid the 3 month diet as my insurance has an "or" option that I would be doing anyways, so maybe . Who is your surgeon?

I asked myself a very similar question before deciding to have surgery (and I have not yet... but I am in the process). I kept thinking that if all the sleeve did was restrict how much I ate, then I might as well not bother and just cut down on my food on my own. But then I remember all of the times that I have tried to do that on my own... and the constant hunger was agony and inevitably I ate more and gained whatever I had lost back. I see this sleeve as a tool that will give me the time to change my habits by allowing me to focus on what i'm eating... instead of focusing on what i'm not. I am also seriously considering talking to a therapist to help change my habits and my relationship with food. As for your fear of surgery I think it helps to know the facts. I have not had surgery before, but both my mother and grandfather were in and out of the hospital having *major* surgeries so I grew up around it. The greatest risk with this procedure is the anesthesia. But anesthesia has come so far along that as long as you are frank about your medical history/habits they will be able to keep you safe. When you have your consultation tell your surgeon your fears and maybe even schedule a meeting with the anesthesiologist that will be working with your surgeon. Your surgeon has decided to specialize in bariatrics for a reason. They care. They have learned how to operate on obese people and will do so on you in the safest way possible. Ask them questions, ask them about all of the risks and what they do to prevent it. One of the reasons people have such long pre-op diets is to help shrink the liver. This is something surgeons have learned and now it makes the operation much safer. It struck me really hard that I am more likely to die from being obese than I am of this surgery.

First I want to say thank you for posting this. I can relate to your post in so many ways. Maybe not the specifics... since I am only 20 and have never been married... but about the life sucking part? Yeah, I get that. I have always said that in my life there is not such thing as the "second shoe"... for me it was always the entire closet avalanching over my head. One thing would go "right" and inevitably a storm of bad luck and disasters swept it right from under my feet. I stumbled upon a quote a long, long time ago and it stuck and by keeping it in my mind it has helped me "fight like hell". "Success is not final, failure is not fatal; it is the courage to continue that counts". Thanks to you I think I just added in "Fine. But i'm not going to be fat" right there with it. I don't think I am ever going to forget that line. The fact that you have already pushed through a "deep dark place" proves just how strong and courageous you are... and I think everybody can learn something from reading your post. Thank you for being strong enough to post it and I hope with all my heart that you continue to fight like hell.