DrmBig4Evr

Ice is working for me and Gas X strips! So sorry for the complications!

No I didn't misspell! I am my own experiment and I am sharing with you my experience. Today is day 4 post-op. Odd day? Yes, but I am attempting to go back to work tomorrow and I do not count my surgery day in that. So presurgery I had a low carb diet in which I didn't lose a darn pound because I had been dieting for 6 months prior out of want not necessity. Day of Surgery I was down overall since my first surgical visit to 201.5. For low BMI people there is discrimination from everyone on why you chose this procedure and I know I do not have to explain myself, but for purposes of this blog I will bullet a list of reasons why I chose this surgery. The nurse who did my shot of heparin knew I had been overweight and lost a significant amount due to my panni and my stretch marks, but I've gotten good at hiding it to the naked eye by not being naked Why I had this surgery: **** 2 years ago my back surgeon approached me after I had 2 back surgeries and looking at a fusion and said... "You have two options you can get a bi-level fusion which I cannot guarantee OR you can lose a SIGNIFICANT amount of weight." That took me back a little, I knew I was overweight, that I struggled with yo-yo dieting. I asked one simple question, how much is a "SIGNIFICANT" amount of weight. He said at least 60 lbs, but in addition you will need to maintain it for the rest of your life and strengthen your core to do the job your spine is trying to do alone. I have several other reasons like osteoarthritis, my children, diabetes prevention (family history), heart disease, etc. but the above was the main reason I looked to WLS. Hence my experiement, can I avoid a back fusion, type II diabetes, and improve my osteoarthritis?? Time will tell Now fast forward to 2 weeks prior to my surgery. I have two boys 11 & 18. My son was there when I got my approval letter and I was crying with joy, he was crying because he was scared of changes in me and surgery itself. He also had a nightmare of me dying so I chose not to tell him when the surgery was scheduled. Because of this I went to the hospital alone, went through the surgery alone and was alone until discharge. My ex-husband and son picked me up and I was ok with that. The emotional grieveing with food I did mostly pre-op, I expect some post op...but not as bad, only time will tell. I forgot my side effect from anesthesia and morphine is not being able to read for days so bringing my tablet, ipod and phone was pointless. Drove me crazy I couldn't read text messages The night of surgery was the hardest not being able to drink anything. Kudos to those who recommended chapstick! I was very nauseous and went for my upper GI the following morning. Before my upper GI I saw my surgeon who was joking with me because I wrote SLEEVE across my belly with a smiley face which he left in tact. He is a general surgeon who does alot of lapbands so I wanted to make sure he didn't confuse me with someone else My surgeon informed me that I had a "huge" hiatal hernia, bigger than what he even expected and that the surgery went well. He gave me a photo of the hernia and of my stomach which is really cool. I slept mostly Friday the 8th, Saturday the 9th and walked when I could and often. On Sunday the 10th I got out of the house and walked and did some shopping, got a chocolate fudge cake for my sons birthday. Didn't even think twice about eating it. Monday the 11th was my sons golden birthday he just turned 11 yesterday. I ended up ordering 2 pizzas for his friend and my neighbors came over and we had the cake. I was not tempted, it was the strangest thing. Its like looking into an old friends eyes and saying we just weren't meant to be friends anymore but I respect you and that you are wanted by others...lol! I did overdo it last night and was laughing and getting up without protecting my muscles so I was swollen and in alot of pain. Late last night and all this morning I am in bed trying to recoup so I can go in and work tomorrow. I'm sure I can, but if not I'll just do a half day. Weight the day after surgery... 205 (gained 3 from fluids/gas) Weght today day 4...196 Oh and gas pains are worse day 3&4 for me. Gas X is my friend! Good luck everyone and I'll follow up in a week or so!

Well my children are older now 11 & 18 so I told them about it. My 11 year old had a nightmare two weeks before my surgery about me dying and it was so real he woke up crying so I opted not to tell him when it was scheduled. He was ok with it when he picked me up from the hospital. Now when I had back surgery he was 5 and it was very traumatic for him. So much so he drew pictures at school of me lying down and blood coming out of me. He is sooo scared of death and losing his mom. So my advice is to keep it quiet until after then have a talk with them about being gentle with you, but I would keep the procedure to yourself right now if you can.

Update, I was sleeved on the 8th! Feeling much better now. I will post a blog later today and give details of my experience! Good luck to all March Sleevers the ones already sleeved and the ones yet to be sleeved!!!

You look great! Keep it up!

Based on this information and the clay colored stools, I'd call your doc today! It sounds just like when I had my gallbladder surgery! Good luck!

My doc said I can do what I can tolerate, but no more than 15lbs in 15 days. So I have been doing some light weights for my arms, but as for pilates, yoga, or anything that will use the resistance of my body I'm waiting about 4 weeks. I walk daily.

Its normal, your body is adjusting. You can never compare your results with someone else. You've had the surgery. Do what your doctor instructs you to do and you will lose. There is always a stall in the first few weeks to a month or so. Getting off your meds is the best news I hear! It really is a life saver and tells you that your body is on the right track!

Alot of people like water with a fresh squeezed lemmon (small amount) and add stevia.

Call your doctor, stupid I know, but I am not having that issue and since you can't get the protein in then I'd call, its been too long.

Congrats on your graduation!

I stay away from the negative talk...I'm still on here...don't let it bother me

http://www.verticalsleevetalk.com/topic/22264-official-my-fitness-pal-friend-add-thread/ Here is the "Official Thread"

BigDrm21

My name is BigDrm21...you can also search for MFP or My FItness Pal in the search bar to get many other peoples names too!

My story is almost exactly the same! Good to have a reference! Hope each day get better!

Good luck! You will do wonderful! Get your rest at the hospital!

I can't have caffine for at least 6 weeks, haven't asked beyond that point. I can have coffee or tea, but decaf.

I did mine alone in the states, if I had to do it over again I would pick going it alone. I was able to sleep when I wanted, get up and walk etc

you will sleep plenty afterwards...good luck!

I am very exhausted, I was just sleeved on Friday. I get up and walk around as much as possible. I figure I'll give it at least 5 days for it to subside.

I agree, you must rename your name to your old one then add a number or letter so we know, lol

Awesome job!

I'd start the 6 months and then appeal at the same time. An appeal usually takes about 15-30 days depending upon their turn around time.

Keep notes of whom you spoke with, dates and there is always a reference number generated. That way if they do deny you will have references that they can look up in an appeal. Requirements differ from policy to policy. I didn't need one for BCBS NJ, but I did need one for UHC a few years ago. The one I did need for BCBS is a "listing" of my weight loss attempts and failures and they accepted it.