SKCUNNINGHAM

My burping phase has passed, but I think the air has decided to just take the southern route to exit. I would much rather have the burping back. Jasleeve, I couldn't lay flat to sleep for a few months due to burping and acid. I made sure and took a prilosec before I lay down, then I propped up on a couple of pillows to sleep.

I would call my surgeon's office, describe the pain and ask if it was to be expected. I had nothing like that. Any kind of pain that takes my breath away - I'm calling my doc.

Five - the largest on my left side where the stomach was pulled through. One was on the right side where the drain was. There was one close to my navel and two in the center higher than my navel. It is interesting as I have shrunk, the incisions are moving closer together on my stomach. A good visual of how my skin is shrinking as I shrink.

<ul> <li>OTC Acid medication - Prilosec, Pepcid, Tums, etc.</li> <li>liquid Tylenol and regular tylenol (No NSAID's like advil, aspirin or aleve can be taken afterwards)</li> <li>A waist support belt like warehouse workers wear</li> <li>broth (beef, veggie and chicken)</li> <li>flavored waters (propel, etc)</li> <li>Isopure PLUS Protein drink in grape and punch (I ordered it off of Amazon.com)</li> <li>heating pad</li> <li>soft comfy bras</li> <li>PJ's that are lose around the waist or comfy sweats (the prettier the better - to make you smile)</li> <li>A little squishy pillow or two to tuck around you in bed at night.</li> </ul> <p>Get your house clean and the laundry caught up before you go in the hospital. You won't feel like doing much for a few days once you get back.</p> <p> </p> <p>Go to your primary care physican and talk to them about what meds you are on, and how you won't be able to swallow a pill for a while afterwards and how you should take your meds. You may need both a pill cutter and a pill crusher. Some meds can be dispensed in liquid form. Have a plan for this - you don't want to be unprepared.</p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p>

Thanks for all the positive comments. If you don't have a pair of jeans in the size you started, go to a resale shop and buy a pair. It is great motivation when the scale isn't behaving itself to slip into the old pair and physically see the change you have undergone. I will get that other picture snapped soon.

Coops, I'm in too. I really want to get to goal.

This is a very interesting site on how to determine your ideal or goal weight. It talks about how the BMI charts are not good for athletic people (Lil Miss Diva - This is talking about you - you shouldn't even judge your weight by the BMI tables) It also talks about how the Metropolitan Life tables aren't good for tall people (MegInNOLA - this is talking about you.) This really made me stop and think about what I wanted my goal weight to be. I am 5'4" and just turned 55. When I dieted before in my 30's - I wanted to be at the bottom of the Metropolitan Life tables - 118 pounds. Well, after doing Modifast for 9 months, I starved myself down to 118 - and wasn't able to stay there once I started eating food again - even though I lived in the gym. I was bony, and looking back at my pictures, I was a little too thin. Fast forward to my late 40's - I dieted and my goal weight was 125. I struggled with all sorts of diets and managed to get to around 135 pounds. I couldn't stay right there even exercising 6 days a week - because I started packing on muscle - not bulky muscles - just firm muscles. I weighed around 145. So now here I am in my mid 50's. When I started this, I wanted to get back to 125. Not the brighest idea - I quickly realized that was not doable - so I set my goal at 135. That puts me within the normal BMI range (I am not athletic anymore so it should be an OK target). The full process I went through to set my goal weight is documented in a couple of threads I responded to. But now that I am at 145 and look at my body - I really don't want to be any smaller than I am now except right around my midsection. I would love to looze the ~10 pounds from right there. My questions are - will the next ten pounds come from there? I am seriously thinking about seein a surgeon and asking about body sculpting / lipsuction around my midsection and tummy. I don't know what that would do, or if I am would need Lipo and a Tummy Tuck to get smaller there. From the droopy wrinkly middle and the droopy batwings, I bet I have 10 pounds of skin and fat. I don't want to lose everywhere else just to get to a number. I really don't know what to do. My plan is to continue trying to lose until I see my surgeon on 2/22. I plan on visiting with a couple of plastic surgeons before then to get opinions. I would love to hear the opinions of you on this forum. Thanks for any advice in advance. Happy New Year to you all. Sharon http://www.halls.md/ideal-weight/body.htm

I agree with every word. Thanks for the post. Sharon

I can both my legs in one leg of the old jeans - but they have such a taper, it is hard to stand up. I will get my husband to snap a picture that way and post it.

Being WAY smaller than my husband's ex-wife (saw her at a family party). :-) (evil smile)

Being content with eating one small plate of food at each of the holiday celebrations, while all those around me ate to the point they were miserable, Being able to be picky when trying on clothes. Even if something fits, if it isn't flattering, not buying it - instead of buying anything (or the one thing) that halfway fits you at all, Getting to pick from a variety of pretty underwear styles - instead of the granny pants styles. Being able to stand on one foot and raise the other one off of the floor while shaving my legs in the shower. Having my husband put his arm around my waist and move me in front of him in the family pictures this year (instead of me hiding half behind him) <P> </P>

Helen - congratulations! How wonderful for you - I am smiling for you as I read your blog entry. Good luck as you lose those last few pounds!

Attached is a picture showing my beginning jean size (26W) and my current jeans size (10P). I saw a similar picture to this on the forum and thought I would do one, too. There is 108 pounds difference in weight. My waist has dropped from 46.5" to 32". (still TOO BIG) My hips have dropped from 48" to 36". I think I will leave these hanging on the back of the door for inspiration.

I agree with your premise that we are more than stories about our struggles with weight. Here's mine. I am a 55 year old married career woman. I have been married for almost 31 years (next week). My husband and I own a marina and resort with two business partners on a lake about 75 miles east of Dallas Texas. We have owned the business for about 16 years. I do not take an active part in running the business, I have always kept my "day job" as an engineer and manager in corporate America. Just yesterday, I took an early retirement with my company. I currently looking for another position and will be doing this full time starting next week. But since I am "retired" with health benefits, I now have the flexibility to maybe select short term contract positions rather than another permanent position. It is nice to be interviewing as a thin person, rather than someone who is morbidly obese. I am a mother of one grown son and grandmom to two delighful little girls. I enjoy reading - both fiction and non-fiction and antiquing - both buying and reading about different types of antiques. I am addicted to home design magazines and food TV on the satellite.

I agree with Suzannesh - keep the carbs low (I try to stay below 60) and the protein high (60 - 80 grams per day). Exercise as much as you can fit in. That is my plan to get off the last 10 pounds between me and my goal.

I, too am having dry itchy skin - no rash though. Mine is primarily on my legs fromthe knee down. I get in my Protein and Water, and take flax oil supplements - so I am attributing mine to less fat under the skin (my guess). The parts of me that still have too much fat (around my middle) don't itch.

Yes to Tylenol and its generic Acetomenephen. I take the Tylenol Arthritis for headaches and arthritis pain. No to Advil, Ibuprofen (generic Advil), Aleve or it's generic equivalents. These drugs are a group of drugs called NSAID's - non-steroidal anti-inflamatory drugs. They are hard on the stomach (even regular sized ones) and should not be taken regulary by sleeved patients. My surgeon's Physician Assistant told me (after I sprained my ankle) if I wanted to use Advil OCCASIONALLY (not routinely) after a sprain, take TUMS (several) before the Advil, and then a couple of more after the Advil. I was six months out and my incision was healed. So far, I haven't done this - stuck with the Tylenol Arthritis. Aspirin is also an NSAID - my doctor has said No to it like Advil and Aleve. I guess the coated one for occasional use (not routine use) is probably OK once your stomach is totally healed.

Fluffylibra is right - liquids can't be too hot or it breaks down the Protein. Get a cooking thermometer (one for candy making works) and test the liquid to see how hot it is before you put it in the protein. Or, you could test it like we used to test baby formula - put a drop on your wrist. If it is warm like you would give a baby to drink, it should be fine to mix with the Protein Powder. I like the same nectar chocolate protein powder you do. I make smoothies out of it for Breakfast.

RR - you look SO MUCH SMALLER! Congratulations on outstanding results. All your diligence is paying off. Good luck on the rest of the journey.

If you are worried you have damaged your sleeve, go to the doctor and have him do a leak test. STOP EATING SOLID FOODS. PERIOD. It is too early for you to do that. You could get things caught in your staple line and possibly cause an infection or leak. Yes, you have a line of staples the length of your stomach. While that line of staples is healing, you need to be on liquids, then full liquids, then mushies. Nothing you mentioned you are taking bites of is OK. You need to be drinking protein drinks and clear fluids. Maybe some SF jello, or maybe yogurt. Ask your doctor. When I would get hungry(which was acid), I would take a GASX strip and drink either warm broth or warm tea. I would drink my protein drinks and calorie free liquids (Propel, etc). I was prescribed FAMOTIDINE (pepcid) morning and evening and I took a prilosec in the evening. Don't mean to be harsh - I am just worried you are going to hurt yourself. Please take care and let us know how you are doing. Good Luck!

My 9 month post surgery labs cholesterol levels were >200 (after being lowest at 3 months, higher at 6 months but still normal). The total amount is 239. It certainly isn't what I am eating. I eat Protein and veggies and low fat dairy. My family heredity is my issue. I am working to get my cholesterol lower by adding oatmeal, flaxseed, flax oil, and Garlique tablets to my daily regime to see if I can get it lower by my 12 month labs. I am also upping the amount of exercise I do. Pre-surgery I was on a statin, eating anything I wanted, and my numbers were way worse than they are now. (High 300's I think)I'm sure I could get below 200 with a statin - but would like to stay off of them. I will know in February - so I am keeping my fingers crossed.

You look wonderful! Congratulations - you inspire me to get these last 10 pounds off. What an amazing job you have done. Well done!

I am slightly over 10 months post surgery and here are the things I avoid: Too much raw celery - BAD SIDE EFFECTS - my rule is if a garbage disposal has trouble with it, limit the raw food to a very small amount. Cooked celery doesn't bother me. I don't go crazy with raw brocolli, cauliflower or cooked corn on the cob. meat cooked dry (primarily beef). For example - BBQ'd brisket without drowning it in sauce tears me up. Although I can eat beef Jerky, which is wierd. Maybe it is the BBQ process. Makes me sick to my stomach for a couple of days. "Fluffy" bread - I can eat a bite or maybe two - and that's it. Same with pasta's. They feel like the swell up in my stomach and I don't like the feeling. Toast or crispbreads is OK. Carbonated beverages - my sleeve doesn't like bubbles. Period. Heavy, rich sweets - I from one to three bites then stop. Don't want anymore - my stomach doesn't seem to like rich stuff except in small quantities (although my mouth still enjoys it). I am absolutely lactose intolerant for milk and ice cream. I can eat yogurt, cottage cheese and cheese with no problems. I still choose to limit my carbs (Pasta, bread, rice, potatoes) to very little. I still want to lose ten pounds, so I stay more with Protein and veggies. Potatoes and rice don't cause me any problems to digetst, so I am going to eventually add those back in maintenance. Breads and Pasta will be limited forever I guess.

I don't have to worry about birth control, I have had a hysterectomy years ago. BUT, I do warn you your hormone levels are not going to be the same while you are rapidly losing weight. Fat cells store estrogren, and when they release the estrogen into your bloodstream, wierd hormonal stuff can happen. It made me have a couple of crazy puberty-like months. So I would recommend getting on birth control and making sure you are consistent and diligent in following the requirements to ensure you don't get pregnant unexepectedly. Good Luck!

2011 year has been a year of personal shrinking (physical size) and personal growth (understanding myself better). Went to my appointment with Dr. Nick in January and scheduled my surgery. Began the preop diet in early February, and had surgery on 2/22/12. I weighed 253 pounds, wore 24W clothing and 3X tops. Was on BP meds (2) cholesterol meds (2), a CPAP device (I hated it) and had joint pain continuously. My doctor was talking to me about WHEN I would have a heart attack, not IF. Fast forward to now. I am 108 pounds lighter and am now only 10 pounds away from my goal weight. I am wearing size 10 or 12 petite pants, 12P blouses, and size medium tops and pants. I am on NO BP medication, NO cholesterol medication, no longer have sleep apnea and my joints feel 100% better. My doctor is thrilled with the results. Been a great year. I know so much more about myself. I have met many of my demons head-on and they are no longer demons. food is much less important to me. I think I still am an addict, but I am taking it one day at a time. The sleeve is a wonderful tool to help deal with the daily challenges. I am looking forward to 2012. I have taken early retirement from my corporation and will start looking for my next adventure 100% of the time starting Tuesday of next week. Well - almost 100% of the time. I am really going to dedicate my spare time to exercising, to see if I can get the droopy saggy bits of my body to be a lot firmer. It is certainly much nicer to be looking for a job as a size 10/12 than as a size 24. I think my chances of landing a job are much better now. Great topic, Rootman. Thanks for starting it.