CodenameSpivey

Hi guys.. I'm a year out of surgery... lost all the weight I'm going to lose and need to lose and have been maintaining very well. I obviously didn't get the Protein in I needed too, or something because I lost a ton of muscle, especially in my upper body... I'm not weak, but I'm not near as strong as I was 110lbs ago.. My arms are the worst... I need to start adding some lean muscle (don't want to get big) - I've got some Protein Shots, to give me an added boost and to give me some extra protein... but I had some questions like -- when is the best time to take the Protein? I've heard it's best to take 30-45 minutes before a workout.. I need to build up muscle, and fast as the weakness and lack of endurance I have in my arms are starting to effect my work... anybody have a good routine for upper body, and upper arms?

I'm good on all my Vitamins, I take a great multi, and do all my Calcium and other supplements - it's only the protein, and I eat a good amount, but I think it's just the inevitable muscle loss.. but I need it back!

Any advice is greatly appreciated!

Thanks!

I have all sorts of problems, my range is definatly not there, neither is projection or just overall power... I went to band practice and made through less than 2 songs before I was getting raspy.. This is not good.

I'm about 9 months and 100lbs post surgery, a lifelong musician that I put on the back burning during my "fat" days.. I always kept writing, playing guitar and singing, however since surgery my voice, while fine talking, is missing projection and is not near as strong as it once was, I find myself struggling to sing for more than a song or two without starting to feel strain.... I can only assume this is from weakened abdominal muscles or something like that... Anybody else out there that can chime in? It's a unique problem.

Thanks!

Congrats, I'm 8 months post op from Dr. Umbach as well.. couldn't be happier.

Wow.. I had not realized that I haven't updated this in so long...... So, I'm 8 months out from surgery today... well, yesterday... Weighed myself before surgery... and saw the most magical thing... 199.6!

Giving me 106lbs lost.... I still lose a little here and there, I'm not really actively trying to lose anymore as I'm perfectly content where I am now... I wish I had a before picture.. I'm totally a different person, I'm still myself but a better version.. I feel great, I'm just a happier person... Size 44 jeans down to a 32, wearing large shirts versus XXXL... and in only 8 months...

As far as my diet goes, I don't eat a whole lot, I know I'm supposed to eat my 3 meals a day, but I find myself realizing that I don't want to force myself to eat.. if I'm not hungry... so I eat 2-3 small meals.. usually lunch and dinner. I've been doing a mostly vegitarian lifestyle for a while, so I'm getting my Protein via Protein Shots, and I found over the last couple months meat makes me sick a little bit..

I had my 6 month check up and my labs were great.. great blood pressure, no cholesterol issues, everything was perfect!

I'm happy to start the next chapter in my journey.. as last week my wife was sleeved with Dr. Ortiz in Tijuana... I'm so happy and proud of her for taking the step... I love her so much... and I hope this brings her the happiness it's brought me... she's awesome, and deserves this way more than I did...it's another thing we can share and have in common now!

I started taking a phenominal new multi-Vitamin... that Dr. Ortiz's office sells, they're in capsule form and as fast desolving, however, nutritional value off the charts... I was tired of the chewables, and the chalky after taste... they're a little on the pricey side, but if you're looking for a good alternative.. check these out.. which also includes an energy blend (no caffine) and 100% of your daily Biotin... and more.. and 6 servings of fruits and vegtables...

here's a link to the nutritional value..and info...

http://store.obesitycontrolcenter.com/products/espira-the-complete-Multivitamin

Anywho, I'm stoked to see all the success people are having with the sleeve around these parts! I'm trying to take time to support people and help with questions, but this group is so supportive and fast, it's hard to keep up!

Stay Frosty!

Sorry for my slacking on lack of updates... I stay busy these days..

So I'm I think 4 1/2 months out... Started out at 305 - today I'm at 219! 86lbs lost! My goal was 220lbs.. so I'm over my goal weight.. I really need to find some before pictures, I avoided the camera for so long, I just don't know if I have any...

I'd be lying if I said that I'd follow things strictly... I really haven't... I try to eat well, keep my carbs low and my Protein up.. but there are days I just don't.. especially days I'm busy...

I had some issues with my hair, but it's passed - I had pretty long hair as it was, and that made it worse, I cut my hair kind of short when the Hair loss was peaking.. and since then really it's been a non-issue and has pretty much stopped... I feel like I've took the easy way this whole journey.. I haven't been to the gym once, I do walk around, and my job keeps me on my feet the other day... the only areas of fat i have to deal with is some in my abdomen.. I still have a hernia in my mid abdomen, and doing any kind of routine to help eliminate that scares me because I don't know what I can and can't do.

So, recapping my totals.. started at 305lbs - 287 i believe day of surgery.. 219lbs today! 44 size waist, down to a 34... and a XXXL shirt to a L sometimes XL depending on the brand... weirdly it seems like I've went down a tad in shoe size too..

I've got tired of chewable Vitamins, so I've went to every day multi-vitamins once a tad, then a chewable later in the day to kind of not burn myself out on them... that's the one thing I don't slack on, I get my Water and Vitamins everyday.. I do good on Protein, though there are days I know I don't meet my goals, however, I'm always fairly close...

I still find myself frustrated at times when I'm eating, especially if i'm out eating... I sometimes forget i have my sleeve and let my eyes get the best of me, only to find out I can't eat 1/2 of what I put on my plate... I still have problems eating a little too quickly... and I'm sure that leads to me getting full quicker... I still order drinks with meals, and I don't know why, I never drink them...

I can pretty much do whatever I want as far as foods go... some tortilla's I don't agree with.. and some breads... but I pretty much can do whatever... I guess my sleeve has been very kind to me, and I've been very lucky, and almost feel bad, as the weight has fell off almost without effort..

I think I can probably stand to lose maybe another 10lbs... I'm totally happy where I am right now, and I'd never thought I'd get here.... Normally I see a fluctuation of 2-3 lbs a day... I weight myself in the morning before i eat or drink anything, and my goal is to be 220lbs after any flucuation.. so I have a couple more pounds to go.. but I'm getting close... it'd be amazing to see 199... though, I'm a big guy by nature, I have a big build, and that's almost too much... but seeing myself now, maybe I can do it... it's a pipedream, but if it happens, it happens.. otherwise I've never been happier... If I could get rid of this hernia, I'd be excited, because right now I just need to tighten things up, if i do that, i'd be in the best shape i've ever been in..

Anywho, that's my update... I'm there... and in only 4 1/2 months. I feel great, I sleep better, I'm not diabetic anymore... if anything my blood sugar is running a tad low... I'm going to go get labs drawn at 6 months and see how everything is... but I don't expect any problems.. my immune system seems stronger too, I haven't been sick at all.. despite my wife and kids all getting colds... I don't even have those feel like crap days anymore either... which were the majority of my overweight days... next up, my wife getting sleeved and joining me in being happy with themselves...

Hi all!

I'm 3 1/2 months sleeved, I've went from 305lbs down to 225lbs (which is my pre-weight gain weight) .. I'm still losing, but my major problem areas are the love handles mostly, and the stomach fat below my belly button.

I know the normal exercises to get rid of those areas, however I have a hernia from a previous surgery above and to the left of my belly button... a little bigger in circumference than a quarter, right along my zipper scar from my previous surgery... My surgeon didn't want to repair it at time of surgery, and now with my relocating, I don't have insurance yet to get it repaired... what could I do exercise wise to help me get rid of those stubborn areas?

Any ideas? It's really all I have left to do as far as my journey goes, and it's probably going to be the hardest!

Thanks!

Well.. month 2 is over, and it hasn't been near expectations. I feel fine, and great.. I get frustrated very easily these days.. I'm of course on solid foods now, and I'm still having trouble adapting to going out to eat with my family or for work functions. I order food, and usually don't realize that there is no way I'm going to be able to eat it.. then for some reason I get frustrated when I can't eat it.... Is that weird? It still hasn't sunk in to my head I guess that I just can't eat a lot.

Also, I stalled.. hard. Literally the day after my last post, the scale stopped moving.. and it didn't move for a couple weeks.... I went I believe 16 days only fluxuating up or down 1lbs... however, eventually it started moving again. and today I'm down to 238lbs... 305 before pre-op diet, 283 day of surgery, and 238 today, giving me a total loss of 67lbs since June 16th... and 45lbs since surgery, 30 in the first month, 15 the 2nd month. I was really hoping to take out another 5lbs or so before my 2nd month ended.. but that's ok... I'm 18lbs from my goal weight, in just over 2 months... If I can do more, great.. but I'm perfectly content at being 220lbs.. I'm a big guy by nature, and I honestly don't even remember being less than that, when I was skinny before all the weight gain, I remember being about 224.... and that weight suits me just fine.

So I've went from wearing a XXXL shirt, down to an XL, sometimes a L depending on the brand. I've lost 10 inches from my waste, and went from a size 44 jeans, to a 34... so things are going well.. I've haven't started at the gym yet, like I wanted to, this relocation has been hard, and I haven't even started my new job yet, and money is just kind of tight... I start my new job next Monday, and plan to get gym memberships out of my first check.

My main issue, have been beverages... foods haven't been an issue, however, I find myself sometimes drinking high sugar drinks, especially slurpees, lol... usually once a week I'll drink a slurpee, and it's hard to resist drinks like at Sonic and stuff, which is a big favorite for drinks while we're out and about... the diet cherry limeades are good.. but sometimes I just don't want to drink them.... and I'll get a cherry coke or something... Carbonated drinks I've had no problems with, I drink them fairly often, not daily, but at least 2-3 times a week I'll have a diet coke or a coke zero.. and no issues...

Anywho, I'm going to work hard and try to cut these vices and get to my goal weight this month... here's hoping for the best!

I'm in the same boat as well.. I'm just at 6 weeks out.. and I haven't lost a pound since week 4... I lost 17 lbs pre-op, and 33lbs in the first 4 weeks... putting me at 250lbs... and I've been sitting there for the last 2 weeks... I'm getting in all my Protein, liquids, Vitamins, walking regularly... and I haven't seen the scale move in 2 weeks... I'm eating between 600-800 calories, give or take... I'm hoping like everybody else that it'll just start happening again... we'll see.. it's frustrating.

Well... it's been one month now since I was sleeved.. and what a month it's been... I left Tulsa, Oklahoma on June 28th to come to Las Vegas, NV for my surgery... I had my surgery on July 6th, returned back to Tulsa on July 18th, and now it's August 5th, and I've relocated with my family back to Las Vegas... talk about a busy month.

So, as for how I'm doing.. I'm doing good... I weighed in this morning at 253lbs... taking me 30lbs down since surgery.. and a total of 50lbs since pre-op diet. I've been doing solids for a few days, except for the few slips I had in week 3. The drive during the move was hard, once I started on mushies, I slowly started getting an appetite back.. and on the road for 3 days, there's not a lot of options... day 2 of the drive was bad, I found myself probably taking in several hundred calories of empty calories... from random candy, to a late night mountain dew to give me a little kick to finish the last part of the 13 hour drive... except for that 1 day, I've been ok... and done fairly well on my diet...

I've found myself happy, about the weight.. but discouraged in a lot of ways, and saddened a tad by not being able to eat... I still go out for business dinners, and take my family out.. and even ordering small portions, I can't finish them, and usually after a few bites, I'm done... also having problems not drinking with meals, I've always been a big drinker at meals, now I can't.. yet, I order drinks anyways... I just don't drink them...

I'm not even 100% what I'm supposed to be doing for diet now.. I assume once I'm on to solids, I can pretty much eat whatever my body tolerates... My body isn't tolerating dairy too well, tortillas aren't doing well either... though I only tried it once. My bathroom habits are rather odd.. I find myself having to #2 really only after I eat.. that's one weird thing.. if i start to eat something my body doesn't agree with, or maybe it does, and it's just odd timing.. I'll eat.. and 5 minutes later, I have to go to the bathroom...

I also had a pretty bad bout of reflux one day, not sure what brought it on.. but it was a one time thing...

Anywho, that's my update.. I'm hoping for another strong 2nd month... as weirdly enough, I'm well over half way to my goal... I'm naturally a big guy, wasn't always overweight, but I have a big build, even at my skinniest, I was still considered overweight though I didn't look it... I need to lose another 30 lbs or so, and I'll be at my goal, and I'm hoping..(maybe hoping too much) to get that off by the end of month 3.... in a couple of weeks, I'll be start a workout routine, and really going in to "bring it" mode.. I'm down from a size 42 waist.. to a 36, and a XXXL shirt, to a XL..... I've never been in anything smaller than a large shirt since my teenage years.. so getting back to a large shirt is my goal for now.. with my build I don't think I'll ever get smaller than that... but I'm 6'1.. and built like a football player...

Anywho, good things are coming.. I feel good and ready for another good month!

It's been getting rough the last couple of days... transitioning to mushy foods has brought my appetite back, which I haven't had an appetite since before my surgery 3 weeks ago... and I'm not liking it... I've cheated a tad with solids, and I feel worried about it.. I'm not in any pain, no fever, or feeling bad.. just guilt, and my appetite is making me struggle with my decision of getting sleeved.. because not that my appetite is back, everything sounds good... and I want to eat..

My mushy lists says I can have soft veggies, ground meats, and whatnot... I ate some refried Beans the other day, didn't go over too well... When I eat some things I get a little discomfort in my stomach, that passes pretty quickly... and I only get that on somethings.... I've been eating a lot of Soup this week, vegetable Soup (no meat), wonton and egg drop soup are great too.. I even had some chicken tortilla soup the other night from Taco Bueno... a cup of it is only 60 calories, if you don't eat the strips.. It went down ok, but gave me a little acid reflux... So, what I've cheated with, has been a healthy choice meal.... which was sliced turkey/mashed potatoes/green beans... actually had no problems with them.. and I made sure to chew up the turkey really well... since it wasn't ground.. it was pretty low calorie (220 for the meal, with 19 grams of protein) but I felt bad about the turkey... today, I had 3 chicken nuggets from Chik Fil A... I gotta stop, it's only 1 week till I'm on solids, I look at my stomach the same way I look at my outside scars, my outside scars are pretty much healed... so I'm hoping I didn't do too much damage... it's got harder.. and I feel better the little bit I have ate actually makes me feel better through out the day.. as I've been a tad weak, and get lightheaded a lot...

Anywho, that's my update, and will probably be my last for a bit as we're leaving for our move to Las Vegas on Saturday...

But I'll update on my 1 month... i'm anxious to see what my weight is.

Wow, that's awesome!! Sounds like I'm in the same boat as far as the comorbidities go. My date is August 29th, and I'm getting the prelaunch jitters.

I was terrified... totally.. but you know, i've went a month now, no diabetes, my blood pressure is down, resting heart rate is down, cholesterol and whatnot almost normal.. not to mention I've went from 283, to 255 in under 3 weeks.... I went 2 1/2 weeks with no hunger at all, now that i'm reintroducing food i'm getting somewhat of an appetite.

It's not an easy process and it's a lifestyle change, I live in a town right now, that all there is to do is go to the movies, or go out to eat... and we used to go out to eat all the time, mostly just to get out of the house, and it's hard not getting to... it's about will power, and using the tools you have to better yourself and your life...

You guys are really exciting me! I can't imagine dropping 30lbs a month after surgery but you all have given me hope that it is completely possible and even LIKELY. Do you understand I haven't weighed below 250 for YEARS? And after being sleeved (not until 8/9/11) I could weigh less than 250 in about a month???? Thank you, thank you, thank you for this hope.

I didn't think I'd ever get under 250 either... The thinnest I remember being in the last 10 years, is 245lbs.. and that was 8 years ago.. I'm less than 10lbs from being that, and at my lightest weight in a decade... it's really crazy...

Congrats!

Did they fix your hernia at the same time?

He actually didn't.. I requested that he would, but he said until I loss some weight I'd be at higher risk of not being successful. So sadly, it didn't get fixed... gonna have to go in and get that fixed in a few months, as I'm scared to do any kind of abdominal exercise with it right in the middle of my abdomen.

It's been an adventure so far that's for sure... I tried mushy foods, the first day or so didn't go too well, a good bit of discomfort, I tried refried Beans, that was bad... scrambled eggs were better, but still bad... I'm still eating Soup, and some random stuff.. each day the discomfort seems to be better... I'm about at 3 weeks out, I've been back in Oklahoma for a week now, not sure how my weight is as I actually don't own a scale... we're prepping for a move back to Las Vegas this weekend, so on my 1 month, I'll weigh in and see how I'm doing.. no point in doing it every day despite it being tempting..

I do know this though...

Pre-Op I was in a size 42 jeans..

I'm in a 38 now, and even those are starting to get loose.

I'm down from a XXXL shirt, to a comfortable XXL, and depending on the brand, I can get into an XL.

Excited is an understatement... it hasn't even been 3 weeks yet.

What should I expect when I visit the cardiologist? I'm in the midst of scheduling all these different appointments, and I'm pretty clear on what the Gastroenterologist, Psychiatrist, and Nutritionist visits will entail. When ever I think of a cardiologist I get visions of an episode of The Cosby Show when Cliff had to run on a treadmill. It started off slow and he was showboating, and as the speed increased he lost his composure and could hardly breathe at the end. LOL I hope I dont have to do that.

Due to my diabetes my PCP made me see a cardiologist - he put me through the ringer pretty much I had an EKG, an echo, a normal treadmill test, then a treadmill test with the injections, I don't even know what it's called... I hear most get an EKG, with some having to do a stress test as well.

My mom (who is an ICU RN) thinks that my potassium may be low.. the palpitations have stopped for now, and I think it may very well be anxiety. I just got back from Las Vegas two nights ago(where i had my surgery) - and i've been lacking sleep readjusting to my old schedule... on top of preparing for a move back to Las Vegas next weekend... I'll go to the dr. if it keeps up, and i'm gonna go eat a banana on my break... I haven't had any problems with the Protein Shots go, i take several a day and haven't had any adverse side effects from that.. the only other time i've noticed it is when i ate those refried Beans yesterday, but from what i've read a lot of people have issues going into new food stages, yesterday being first day of mushy foods for me.

Hey all,

I'm 2 weeks out from my sleeve, and this morning since I've got to work I've noticed some fairly strong heart palpitations, mostly in my carotid... I haven't ate anything, I did drink a Protein shot on my way to work this morning, and took my normal morning Vitamins... I attempted mushy foods yesterday, and it didn't go to well, and there was slight temporary discomfort, I had 2 bites of scrambled eggs yesterday morning, and 3-4 bites of refried Beans last night... didn't notice the palpitations when I woke up this morning, just since I've been at work... no fever, or pain, or swelling or anything else... think it's any cause for worry? I did get them randomly before surgery as well... but since I'm only 2 weeks out, I'm paying more attention to everything..... my heartrate is not elevated, it's ranging between 85-90, which is normal for me....

4 days, here. No problems at all. You have to listen to your body, as with most things.

4 days here too... Dr. Umbach gets us going quickly.. lol

I'm sure some of you read my other threads about my journey to having my sleeve, but I decided to combine it all in one post.

So I started my journey on accident actually... A couple years back, I had some stomach problems.. it required surgery, and 4 weeks in the hospital. It also brought on diabetes due to insult on my pancreas from the whole issue. Fast forward to Christmas time of last year, I was 305lbs, and in an attempt to get myself in shape I started hitting the gym. The day after my first trip I found a hernia the popped up literally overnight in my abdomen to the side of my scar from previous surgery (it ended up being emergency surgery, so I was opened up the hard way, straight down the middle)

I got a referral to go see a surgeon about fixing it, and the surgeon denied me the surgery, because as he put it, overweight people tend to have poor results with hernia repair, and requested I lose 40-50lbs and then come back to see him. That wasn't going to happen, even with diet, I just couldn't do it without being active, and this huge hernia wasn't helping. It was at that time that I started considering bariatric surgery. I had been feeling like total crap for the better part of the last year, and I knew I wasn't in a good spot as far as my health goes.. I have 2 young daughters, and the thought of not being here for them was enough to make me do the surgery.

Originally in Tulsa, Oklahoma where I am currently residing (for another 2 weeks), I found a great surgeon by the name of Luis Gorospe. He has performed thousands upon thousands of baratric procedures. It was at his seminar I was introduced to the sleeve. I followed up with him, and was on my way to doing pre-op insurance stuff I needed to do. I did my two psych evaluations, 2 sleep studies, and a 90 day physician supervised diet and lifestyle program. All went off without a hitch.. and 90 days later, it was time to submit to Aetna.

I got a call from Aetna, saying they were unable to approve me for the surgery, because my surgeon didn't operate out of an Aetna Institute of Quality. There were other surgeons in Tulsa, but no surgeons in Tulsa that operated at that hospital did the sleeve. So, that wasn't going to work out. I turned then to Las Vegas.. I had just moved from Las Vegas, and had researched the surgery in Vegas before the move, so I knew a few surgeons I was interested in.

I decided on Dr. Thomas Umbach, who operates out of Las Vegas, at Desert Springs Hospital. He was an Aetna approved surgeon, who operated out of an Institute of Quality and Bariatric Center of Excellence. In face, he is the head of the Valley Health System Bariatric Department here in Las Vegas, which is a chain of I believe 5-7 hospitals. I called Aetna back and asked to switch everything over to Dr. Umbach, and just like that.. 2 hours later I had a surgery date.

Over the next week I did more research on Dr. Umbach, and I found a rather scary story that I'm sure we've all read, granted it was the only bad incident I found regarding him, it was scary.. but in the end, I found that it was just the same people associated with said person, that were bashing Dr. Umbach everywhere and understandably so. I however also talked to several people that had surgery with Dr. Umbach, all with positive things to say. So I decided to stay on course.

2 weeks before surgery, I went in for my labs and EKG. EKG was ok, borderline, but ok, and labs were just awful. Tryglicerides were over 4000... Cholesterol was 666, and my PCP said he wouldn't clear me for surgery. I started my pre-op diet that same day, and went to Vegas as planned despite not being cleared. 8 days later, after being on my pre-op diet, and working out, I had lost almost 10lbs, and we redid everything.. this time EKG was perfect, and my labs came back Tryglicerides down from over 4000 to 500, and cholesterol down to 215 from 666, in just 8 days. Even with those improvements, my PCP here sent me over to get full cardiac clearance mostly because of my diabetes. I had another EKG, an echo, and stress test. All passed and I got a low risk clearance.

The day before my surgery, I finally met Dr. Umbach, I could tell he knew what he was talking about, even though I got kind of a cocky vibe from him, but I know a lot of surgeons, and some of the best surgeons in the world are also the biggest assholes. Not saying Dr. Umbach is an a*****e by any means, but he was kind of cocky with me, and tried to talk me out of the sleeve briefly in lieu of the band because of my previous surgery, and he was worried about it being difficult due to scar tissue and such. I told him I had no interest in the band, and while I had a little bit of bad taste in my mouth personally regarding him, I trusted in his abilities and his reputation in Vegas (both my PCP and cardiologist recommended him)...

The next morning was my surgery. I checked in at Desert Springs Hospital at 8:30am, for a 10am surgery.. My nurses and other people from the bariatric program there at the hospital came in to cheer me on, a couple of them even operated on by Dr. Umbach... I got on my gown, and took some pain meds, and just like that it was go time. I was in the pre-op area where I was met by the man who would be putting me under, and Dr. Umbach... he seemed a lot nicer and personable that day than he did the day before.

They wheeled me in to the Operating room, and told me they'd slowly be putting me under... I barely remember finishing that conversation and the next thing I knew surgery was over... and I was in recovery. Dr. Umbach was nice enough to come and talk to my wife and mother who were there waiting for me, he came to see me as well, but I was still out of it, and I may have scared him off. My first thought after waking up, was "WTF did I just do!?" I had serious gas pain, as well as overall soreness... and wasn't a happy camper.. after sitting there in recovery for about 2 hours, they wheeled me up, had me get up and walk off some of the gas pain, and then go pee.. then it was time to go home.

My first day home, I won't lie, I felt like ****, and I wasn't so sure about my choice... The gas pain passed with the help of Gas-X and the soreness was helped with the lortab. I woke up the next morning feeling bad but better.. no more gas pain, but was really sore... the next day was better, and by day 4, I was painfree and back to normal.

Today is one week since I got my sleeve. I call him Pedro. I've lost 17lbs in the last week, and 34lbs overall since the start of my pre-op diet. I had my doubts at first, but since the pre-op diet, I haven't had to take any insulin at all.. I've been sleeping better, feel overall like a million bucks, and am just already feeling like a totally new person. It was a hard choice finally admitting that I needed some assistance in losing weight, it's a total lifestyle change, but not really a bad one.. It's one that was needed, and so far has been welcomed.

I'd do it again in a heartbeat, I feel that it's saved my life, I feel like the old me again, and I'm loving every minute.

Thanks guys! day two has been better than day one.. that's for sure.. the gas pain is gone, but now i'm pretty sore... which the soreness is way more tolerable than the gas pain was.. the lortab helps, but keeps me kind of groggy... I decided to hang out in Vegas another week before going back to my boring existance in Oklahoma, thanks to Dr. Umbach filling out my short term disability papers saying I can't go back to work till the 18th.. I was considering trying to go back to work Monday, but I think it's best to take it easy a little bit longer.. plus, I don't wanna go back... Going to have a follow up with Dr. Umbach on Monday, and probably take my pain ball out this weekend... we'll see how i'm feeling tomorrow... overall though, i feel pretty good.. I wasn't able to get in all my fluids today, but I got close, I got in 2 bottles of Dasani and a glass of Crystal Light... and 50g of Protein.. so it's a good start to day 2 I think.. I only see it getting better...

Anywho, good luck to everybody with upcoming surgeries.. I felt great going into surgery, but when I woke up I was like.. wtf did i just do? but a day removed, and a lot less pain later, I'm excited for the future!

Hey guys,

Just had my sleeve yesterday.. overall.. I'm feeling ok.. not great.. but ok. I've slept a lot and what's everybody else see as the best way to sleep? at least for minimal pain?

My first nap, I slept on my side, and was ok... and then when going to bed last night I slept on my side, and ended up on my back... both fine, but then I went back to my side.. and had some discomfort...

Also, I came home with this On Q pain buster ball, that's providing numbing medication on my incision on my stomach I assume... I know in order for that to be there it needs to have a small opening.. but I didn't really look at it well enough right after surgery, and it looks a little too open to me, but it's not big by any means, maybe a millimeter at the most.. anybody else have issues with theirs? I didn't know about this thing until I woke up from surgery.. lol...

Hey all,

I appreciate the positive vibes sent my way. Surgery went off without a hitch.... Met with Dr. Umbach roughly 10 minutes before surgery, he came in to double check to see if I had any questions.. They took me in, and the guy that was going to put me under came in to talk to me and was awesome... a quick trip to the OR, and the next thing I knew it was over... right after I woke up I was pretty nauseous and had some pretty severe gas pain on my left side... they rolled me up to recovery after about an hour because the pain was so bad, it took a tad longer... then after I went to the bathroom, they let me go home... I have one of those little balls, that feeds medicine onto the wound...

I went and got my pain meds (liquid loratab) and paced the house for a bit trying to get the gas to pass, cuz it was bad.. probably a 7 out of 10.. once I took the loratab, i went and laid down for a couple hours in the fetal position, and when I woke up (15 minutes ago) - i felt 100x better.. still some minor gas pain, but nowhere near as bad... I had a couple big burps while I was laying down, or maybe it's still there and the loratab is just doing a good job.. but overall, I feel good... I took some gasx strips as well.. seemed to help.

Dr. Umbach came out and talked to my mom and wife, and let them know things went great... he came to see me by I was groggy and had a hard time staying awake... my mom and wife said he was a lot more personable today than yesterday, maybe he was just having a bad day...

Overall.. as far as Dr. Umbach goes I'm going to say at this moment, that he's legit good guy, and a very skilled surgeon, despite the one horror story... I'd recommend him, and my wife is considering going to him in the near future... His office was great the whole time, i'm drinking Water fine, haven't tried much else yet.. think i'm going to chill for the moment and stick on Water the rest of the day..

I feel that my journey has completed phase 1, and now it's time to reap the benefits... I went in surgery weighing 283, losing a total of 17lbs from the diet... and a high weight of 305... I'm excited for a future of no diabetes, and being healthy...

Thanks for letting me share my story!

Well.. I'm about 15 minutes from leaving for the hospital. I met with Dr. Umbach yesterday, he was nice and easy to talk.. but I found him a tad cocky (not always a bad thing). Overall I was impressed with him, despite the fact that he really, despite a couple weeks of communication, didn't know anything about me. He asked me to take a nutrition class that I had already taken. I mentioned my insurance 90 day program, and his response was "what 90 day program?" - but he spent ample time with me, answered all my questions and concerns, and I feel ok going into this.

I did have my labs redrawn last week (8 days after original bad labs that started this whole thing) - the 2 issues in question.. my cholesterol and triglycerides were 100x better.. my triglycerides went from 4056 to 501 and my cholesterol went from 666 to 215.... not great numbers, but keep in mind I dropped those numbers in 8 days... kind of makes me think the original labs were incorrect, that's a pretty severe drop for 8 days.

I'm just rambling to kill time, I got about 5 minutes to go... surgery in less than 3 hours.

Wish me luck!

Well, it's Tuesday morning.. surgery in 24 hours (give or take) .. I'm nervous, and can't sleep.. up until today I had been pretty excited about things and ready to take it on, today I woke up nervous, and worried... it's coming and going in waves.. I've been through such a battle getting this approved, and I feel like if I don't go through with it everybody will think I wasted this great opportunity, I know it as well.. All I can think about are my kids, and family... and it's rough.. because I'm the only income for our household, and I worry if something happens to me, what will they do? but then I think.. I'm in bad shape, I'm pretty overweight.. my cholesterol and tryglicerides are through the roof.. To say I'm doing this surgery just for me is a lie.. I personally.. don't care about losing the weight.. I can live with myself either way... it's about clearing up my medical issues with me.. the diabetes, the high blood pressure, the cholesterol and tryglicerides... the weight loss is an added bonus... i'm sure everybody thinks like this, in fact, i've read several other posts this morning on people being nervous... and I'm more just using this to type my feelings in hopes of just getting it out of my system, so I apologize for the rant... I have a 1pm appointment with my surgeon to go over the game plan... hopefully the consult will set my mind at ease.