SeattleSue

Hey mamma, I am praying for you...you are going to be great and you are going to have a wonderfully full life with your kids! Touch base as soon as you are able... (((HUGS)))

Happy Birthday TO YOU...what a great day to start a new life. It's perfect!

OMG Boots1, that is awesome. I LOVE the picture that brings to mind.... I think I need to name my inner skinny girl somthing tough so she can fight the internal fat! My dad used to tell me I couldn't fight my way out of a wet paper-bag (he was a Brit with an odd sense of humor), but I bet you with my Super Sleeve I can fight my way out of a fat-trap! lol

Congrats..."truly happy" LOVE IT

I just read something today about the "why not" to drink during eating! I'll paraphrase because I can't get my hands on the article, but it went something like this: If you eat during mealtime, you increase the chance of forcefully enlarging the opening between the stomach and the intestines, allowing food to pass quickly, thereby lowing the rate of satiation. Boy, that was a better reason than "it might wash the food out of your little stomach."

I hardly have any experience yet, but so far...being 2 1/2 weeks post-op my advice is this: Find a Protein shake(s) that you can live with because you are going to become best friends. This is your go-to staple for some time and don't be afraid to experiment with adding flavors, etc. It is a fundamental thing that there is NO getting around. You must have protein.

Ahh, KayyBee. You are indeed good for my ego! (Writing is much cheaper than therapy... )

Well, look who's figured out that BLOG pretty much means voicing the ongoing commentary in my head?! Who knew! The conservative part of my say's, "Oh...this could be dangerous." While the reckless side of me often say's, "You know everyone else is thinking the same thing!" It's like the picture of the puppy with the angel on one shoulder saying, "Scratch on the door!" On his other shoulder is the devil urging, "Pee on the floor!" Ok, maybe not exactly...I promise I'll NEVER advise you to pee on the floor. Well, probably not ever and while we're on the subject (of advise, not peeing) I'm not qualified to advise you on anything. I'm just another voice with my own take on things. This is the part where the little disclaimer voice comes on and say's something like, These statements have not been reviewed by the FDA...or Side effects could include severe cramping, diarhea, complications with breathing...or even, Please check with your physician before starting ANY weight loss plan. I received an email from a fellow forum member kindly asking me how I was doing since I haven't "blogged" about my experience since my super long and garbled post: "New Name; Sleeved in Seattle." I admit I was taken-aback that she cared enough to ask. In fact, I am downright humbled. As a fat lady in an all male household of teenagers and hubby, I often feel like nobody ever listens to me. Good grief...how many times have I said, "I told you...?" Can I get an amen? So, when I received Reb's email, and she gently reminded me on how hungry for information I was when I was Pre-Op, I realized what an honor it would be to shed a little salt and light with my personal observations, experiences, musings and discoveries along this "thin and narrow road". While I give thought to the insightful questions Reb asked me about since my play-by-play post on surgery in Mexico, I thought I would link to my initial post for posterity sake, push the reset button and start my Blog off in linear fashion. My play-by-play experience of being sleeved in Mexico on July 7, 2011, by Dr. Ramos Kelly. Read it here Thanks for listening, Susan

KayyyBeee, you are TOO funny. Seriously, "...probably lower than my weight, or equivalent to my BMI..." That's is really clever, woman. I had to stop and let my mind process that and I'll probably STILL be giggling in an hour or two!

WOOT WOOT, shout it from the chandelier baby!!!

How do you spell relief? hahahaha I had mine out in 2 days...Doc said, "take a deep breath..." Then I heard this weird suctioning noise and voila, no more irritation in my upper left quadrant. "Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhh"

That's terrific!!! Two thumbs up...I bet it feels amazing.

Oh boy...I can only imagine how eager you are to be done and move on with rocking your new sleeve! I pray things go well and your recovery is speedy. Take care, Susan

Welcome E.K. Here's to you and a brighter, fuller future!! Welcome to the forum. Susan

Congrats! It will be here before you know it! Best of luck, Susan

WOW Ali, what a difference. Good stradegy to remind yourself. You can do it...just LOOK how far you've come!! You look amazing. Susan

OMG Melissa don't say that!! I totally plan on eating bread and tortilla again...I just plan on planning it into a meaningful small (sleeve friendly) meal and making every bite count! One day I'm going to make myself a Bleu & Bacon Slider Burger...you bet. I may have just ONE steak fry with it, but girl...it is going to be served up with some killer thin sliced red onion... mmmm mmmm mmmmmmmmmm And then you know what? I will push away with a bite left on my plate, smile, thank the Lord for my sleeve and be satisfied! Don't think of this as the end of all those things. Think of this as the thing that will make all those things a delight and not one of a thousand slow cuts! God has a little saying...when he blesses, He adds NO sorrow to it! Believe it! We are going to ROCK this thing Melissa! Count on it. Chin-up girl...it's gonna be great. Susan

My Post-Op diet specifically stated that if I felt fatigued, to start Protein. I did, and so I did. Same things you've described. I also figured out that my blood pressured dropped dramatically and in 2 1/2 weeks post-op (from 142/85ish to 97/70!!), I'm at just above 50% of my original dosage. So...that is something to consider. Low BP will totally make you feel lifeless and if you have dizziness when you change 'elevation' (i.e., from squat to stand) and get dizzy, that would be my guess. It's also dangerous. I was resistant to the idea that it would drop so fast until it dawned on me that I'd not had much sodium to speak of in 4 weeks!! THAT was a HUGE revelation to me... Best of luck, Susan

Price (at least low-bidder) was never a consideration in my look for a surgeon, so I'd be surpised to hear he is the least. I paid $6,100 because of my BMI/additional testing and an extra night (which was my choice to arrive the night prior). Anyway, I would do it all again and infact, think I may be travelling with a girlfriend in August so that she can also be sleeved. This is sort of "new" to her, so I am encouraging her to do her research for herself.

Sounds like you are passing gall stones (definately can affect your bm's...if these to issues are related). When I was passing Gallstones, it was intense wave like contractions that I had to breathe through...they left me shaky and weak. You need to get this taken care of immediately, because you can get a stone lodged in the duct. I urge you to take care of this ASAP as it can be serious. It is very common to have Gallbladder issues with rapid weight loss. Susan

Wooohoooo! I'm so glad to hear this! Hallelujah!

Just started my 3rd week...I'm doing great also. Yes and no on the hunger...I get that empty feeling and sometimes a little hunger "naw". Don't know how to describe it, but I know I need to eat. I'd love to hear some of your fav puree recipes. Just the thought of it cuts my appetite. lol Nice to hear from you. Keep up the good work! Susan p.s., lived in Aussie from 1968 - 1979...was just a kid; still have a brother, sister, and neices and nephews there

Welcome to the other side! (did anyone get the license plate of that truck?)

Welcome!