keepaloozen

Hi There, If you weren't freaking out, I would think that there is something wrong with you. We all freaked out. After all, you are having surgery, and then afterwards, your relationship with food will forever be changed. THAT IS A GOOD THING. I am a little over 2 most post op, and I am so glad I had this done. If you wish, write the letter. Of course, you will tear it up when you get back home and know that you are doing fine, but for the time being, if that helps, do it. Good luck. By the way, I enjoyed a nice glass of wine today as well.

At the end of the tube is a an egg shaped ball that collects the fluid. You have to empty it a few times a day. There is no pain involved. Just annoying. When I went out, I would put the bulb in my bra, and forget about it.

Hi There, At 6 days out I thougnt I was starving all the time. Someone recommended that I begin using an acid reducer such as Prilosec because this acid gas can mirror hunger. Well, I was skeptical, but I tried it, and sure enough, it helped! The hunger toned down alot. Also, when you are on liquids you are never really full. I was lucky enough to be permitted to eat yogurt, and cottage cheese, which helped. Try an acid reducer, and see if this helps at all. Good luck.

Thanks for the encouragement! You're right! At least I am still losing. Sloooow and steady.

[Thanks for sharing! I'll give it a try!!

I know that we all lose at different rates, but I'm almost 2 mos. post op, and this last month I have lost a total of 6 pounds! ): I have never lost weight quickly, but I was hoping for a bit more than this. I know that I shouldn't be whining, and 6 lbs. is better than nothing. I was just wondering if anyone else has experienced this slow weight loss, and did it speed up later on? I guess on the positive side, I never had a problem with any food. I seem to be able to tolerate just about anything that I've tried. (I haven't tried bread though) Just needed to vent a bit. Thanks for listening. Linda

My doctor hadn't perfomed many band to sleeve procedures. I spoke to him at length, and checked out his credentials. He had a great background, and I decided that I would place my trust in his abilities. It's been 5 weeks postop and I'm doing great.

Hi, I had a drain for a week after surgery. I had to measure the output and keep a log. There was no pain involved. It is a tube with an egg shaped bulb at the end that collects the Fluid. The doctor gave me a gizmo to wear around my neck that I could attach the bulb part to. I wore that for awhile, and then I began just sticking the bulb part in my bra cup. It was easier. When I went into the hospital, I brought a large safety pin with me so that I could pin the drain to my hospital gown. Someone on this link had recommended it. I'm so glad that I did. I used it.

You know, its funny, but you and I are almost at the exact same stage post op. I am 6 weeks out, and I have been at a stall for about 3 weeks. I am not as diligent about counting calories as you, but I watch what I eat. The more I read, the more I see that there are alot of people like you and me. This stall thing is obviously very common, although no less frustrating. I also am having a hard time with exercise, but in my case its because of my bad knees. You seem to be doing everything right. I think that I am too. I know my body, and it doesn't like to give up anything, including fat. Sooner or later its got to happen. Truly, we can't be eating this way and not lose weight, right? It's good to know that you aren't alone in this journey. Sometimes when I read what others have lost, it makes me dizzy. You and I are probably going to lose at a slower pace, but we will lose. Just keep doing what you are doing. I will too. Let's hope we break this stall together.

I was wondering if anyone here can clarify as to whether or not diabetes can slow weight loss. If so, what have you tried to keep moving down on the scale? Thanks so much for any help you can give.

Hi Gloria, Well, I never equated having reflux and mucus with the band, but thinking back on it, maybe it did play a part. Sorry that I can't be more help to you about that. All I know is that I am glad to have the band out of me. Nothing worse than the pain when food got stuck. I did alot of vomiting with it. As far as the head hunger, I was plagued with it the first few weeks after I had the sleeve done. I was always hungry. Then someone suggested that it could be gas pains, that my brain interpreted as hunger. I began taking previcid, and sure enough the constant hunger went away. Now it is much easier to control the hunger. Sure you get hungry sometimes. I'm happy about it because I enjoy looking forward to my meal. However, I get full much, much faster, on much less food. You will too. When I had the band, food got stuck all the time, and so I never really ate well. I was always hungry, and would eat junk food which went down nice and easily. Do I still get cravings for chips, cheetos, etc? If I think about them long enough I do. But not like before. The hunger doesn't back up the cravings. It's easier to substitute something more healthy. Hope this helped. Good luck.

I'm with you. I've lost a total of 1 lb. in 2 weeks. This is disgusting for sure. I really don't count calories. I just try to eat the right stuff. I have to keep remembering that this is a common occurance, and this too shall pass. (it better) I'm going to try to exercise more even though my knees are killing me. I really need to break this stall.

Wow, just received my hospital bill and I almost fell over! I have insurance, but I knew that I would have to pay a percentage. My hospital bill, (everything includ. surgery room, etc.) was $66,000 ! That's right! It is so hard to believe. I was in the hospital overnight, and left the next afternoon. I realize that it is an expensive propostion, but really? I think that I will owe less than $4,000, but I wonder how the insurance companies will continue to ok this type of procedure, when the cost is so high. Am I just naive, or is this rediculously high?

How about dying your hair? I hope that we can still do that.