smkeller

This surgery is a BIG shock to the body. Your body knows that something serious has been done. Plus your energy levels are different, kertosis (fat burning) is taking place - which can make you kind of smelly - I hate to tell you - so bathe really well and wear underarm deoderant and stuff. Once my wife got up, went into the bathroom and returned with the deoderant, - shish. I think it takes about 3 to 6 months to get back to feeling somewhat normal. I agree with the people who say go through the motions to encourage the feelings to start up again, but don't force it. You are made to have the feelings, still have all the same glands, etc., it just the body wants to not get riled up, but I think that you are about ready to start that engine again. Just the fact that you are talking about it means there is some movement already. When you lose a little more and the definition of your body begins to asset itself thruough all the fat again, trust me, you will be REARING to go.

Lol, wow, I never thought that the suggestions of a Protein 'shot' would creat a firestorm. They seemed to have worked well for me as an occasional supplement, but I am NOT a expert in these things, and have found that there is always more that can be learned about them, so I would concur with reading up on the differences of protein liquids. I got an education on Calcium supplements when I was informed and then verified it myself that only a certain form of calcium, calcium citrate, is actually absorbed by people with sleeves; the other forms are useless and a waste of money.

I had bad reflux before surgery, requiring 1 omeprazole 20 per day. Afer sugery this was not enough. So now I take two a day and I am just fine. This is slight overkill, but if I forget, the punishment is coughing up acid in the middle of the night - really, REALLY unpleasant. I make sure that I keep a few in the car. Just an interesting fact: it has been determined that at least ONE Egyptian Pharaoh lived and died with excoriating reflux problems; aren't we lucky today?

Yes, he is, the hospital is, the staff is, the attention is. He was voted one of the TWENTY-FIVE BEST bariatric surgeons IN THE WORLD, by his PEERS, other doctors. His fees for all this are VERY reasonable. His success rate is phenomenal. I had to borrow the money, fly four thousand miles, spent 10 days and 10,000, and I'd do it again in a heartbeat. I was almost 64, had an enlarged liver, HBP, VERY high cholesterol, and had to go to my ER for chest pains a week before going. He had some difficulties during surgery with my heart beat, took his time and did it right. If I had gone to one of those Tijuana mills, I could very well have been just another statistic, for half the price, but what would THAT matter? Better than 98% of American doctors and half the price, what more could you ask for? Well, he doesn't have much a a sense of humor that I saw, but hey, you know...

I agree with the other member who say be more concerned with liquids than Protein right now. And don't stay completely way from fats like 2% or whole milk, etc. after you get away from Clear Liquids. Your body needs some fats to burn the weight off. chicken broth, lived on that for a long while and unjury protein products. Some of those store bought things are just inedable. Sixteen months out now and and am living on cottage cheese with peaches or blueberries, sliced cheese, chicken breasts, and almonds, etc. Down 90 lbs to a BMI of 25.3. I don't eat meals, I eat when I am hungry and stop the second that I feel full, even if it's after just three bites. But, I digress. Just get your liquids in and as much protien as you can. I have discovered a GREAT product that I get at Walmart called 'Super PROTEIN ultimate recoevery fuel' by BODY FORTRESS, little 2.9 fl oz tubes of Fruit Punch, 26 GRAMS of PROTEIN!, Box of six only $10.00, one of those in the morning and you have half your protein already. But sip, sip. sip is what your body needs to heal. Good luck, Steve

Well, if she or they don't baby sit for you or otherwise help you out, I would consider bringing out a big gun (figuratively, of course) and tell her that if you hear ONE MORE negative comment about your surgery, then she won't be seeing her grandchild for three months. That should do the trick.

Yes, of course it is bad for you, healing and otherwise. We are human, though, and can't always do the right thing at the right time. I smoked for twenty-seven years, sometimes getting so sick that my lungs made me hack like an old man, and I had to sleep sitting up. We, my wife and I, both quit when we had our first child. We just couldn't stand the idea of submitting our newborn to the awful smell that would permeate the house, car and clothes. It was tough, though, maybe the hardest thing that I have ever done. I do hope that you will be able to lick it though; they say that nicotine is even more addictive than heroin, so it ain’t no cakewalk believe me. Your face will become so beautiful, though, if you do, trust me.

Dr. Morris seems like a very experienced and qualified doctor to do this procedure. The aftercare complication insurance makes it extremely attractive. The hospital also seems to be an excellent facility. With a price of 8,000 dollars, this deal seems too good to be true, so is it? Well, hard to tell. The $8,000 price had an asterik by it, but I couldn't find the note that it referred to. The main drawback, at least in my view, and one that is NOT stated openly in the advertsment, is that it is an OUTPATIENT procedure, with no hospital stay time. This in my opinion is a no no. Some people have, however, had successful WLS as an outpatient, but this is MAJOR surgery with real risks, and for me at least, two nights in a REAL hospital (not a Jerulsalem CLINIC) is an absolute must.Hope this helps.

Dr. Kelly is a cut-rate Tijuana surgeon with now at least two hospitals that will no longer have him working at their facilities for safety issues. He has been proven to have caused complications, first denying and then lying about what caused them. These experiences have been reported by reputable people on these boards. What do you expect? His low, cut-rate price means that he is going to have cut services somewhere: proper staffing, the best equipment and good surgical procedures at the very least to make a profit. He recently had a death, not THAT uncommon among extremely obese patients, but he LIED about the cause of death to try and escape any responsibility for it. For all those indignant women who didn't have a bad experience, and I can see you now with your nostrils flaring, realize that even a BAD surgeon in a BAD facility with get it right 94 to 95 percent of the time. But a really GOOD surgeon at a GOOD facility will get it right 99.75 percent of the time. So, is it worth saving the extra four or five thousand bucks if you wind up in the losing 5 percent? You decide.

Good luck Tenna, somehow, seeing that picture, I think that you will manage to make it work.

I don't know if I would be that harsh. There is a lot more competition between people than is generally realized. We have elected to undergo a profound and unusual change in our lives. This gives us a perspective on how others see and treat us that is pretty unique. I wouldn't use the new knowledge as a weapon, though, as we might act the same way were positions reversed.

You're perfect, stop worrying.

Bonnie, so nice to have company - I was 63 when I was sleeved six months ago. It was definitly one of the best things that I have ever done. I did, however, research (doctors and facilities) for a year and listen to a lot of experienced advice which I wish everyone would do before launching themselves off into this serious surgery. I had all the things (except the knees, well one knee), and all is better now. Still have sleep apnea, but not as serious as before, but no fatty liver, HBP, or Type II diabetes. Best of luck with your recovery. You are a brave girl, and I know that you will be rewarded for it.

Congrats. What worked for me was lots and lots of Gas-X, strips, pills (I found out that you can chew these), liquids(chicken broth - yummy)some pain pills (small) and a light tranquillizer to help sleep, and antacids. What didn't work the first ten days was solid food of any type, Vitamin pills, Protein powders, and citric acids. Hydration was absolutely critical, and walking around the room. Nourishment was not so important as giving my tummy a little time to heal.

Wise, Brat. One can't assume that complications from surgury won't occur as well. Bad luck can run in packs.Good luck on all this adversity!

The first month was the worst for me. Chicken broth was (and is) a great comfort. You MUST take antacids every day. I have to take two omeprozole 20 mgs every day or I pay big time. It will get better and better. Sip, sip, sip until you are sick of sipping, and then sip some more. This is a MAJOR adjustment for your body, so just let it adjust. It will, and you will be happy.

My wife didn't like me being 90 pounds overweight. She has NEVER had a weight problem and eats like a bird. She didn't want the added debt even with my argument that I would live longer - I was 63, and thus contribute all the expense (10K total in Mexicali) plus more back to the family. So, I just made plans, packed up and went. She didn't speak to me for about two weeks afterwards - talk about lack of support! Now at six months I am down around 70 pounds, look better, feel better and she loves it. Sometimes you just have to do what you have to do. I feel lucky that it has all worked out. Pick your doctor wisely, though, that can make all the difference. They are all NOT the same, and it is easy to get sucked into being 'penny wise and pound foolish.'

Don't be silly, Dr. Acheves is one of the top bariactric surgeons in the world, selected by his own peers. Dr. Kelly is a cut-rate Tiajuana surgeon with a recent death and several horror stories about complications and lying about them. Do more research if you can or email me. That five thousand isn't much if you have to pay for lots of pain and hospital bills afterwards.

Kimmr, I think that you are very wise to be researching your options and getting the benefit of the experiences of others. I hope that you will be as diligent in selecting a good doctor as well. I never had the Band, but was going to until I read about the sleeve. It was a little terrifying to think that 4/5's of my stomach was going to be permanently gone This procedure, however, has been around for about 75 years, just not exclusively for weight loss, so there is a lot of medical litterature about it for other problems. It is the Lapband that has a shaky history. To answer your question about BMI, I was a 35, but at 63 years old and permanently gaining at least ten pounds a year with HBP, type two diabetes, extreme sleep apnia, etc. etc., the future was very dim. This is not even including personal relationship problems. So, I went self-pay to Mexico over my wife's objections, and now she and I couldn't be happier that I am down 70 pounds at six months with NO HBP or developing diabetes - and a MUCH better sex life, let me tell you.

Yes, Veterans Day, a good thing to remember. I would drink as much as you want all the way up to your surgery, because afterwards you will have to let it go for at least three or four months and very little then. I would take the suggestion of Lissa to switch to decaffeinated the last week though, you won't need the headaches on top of every thing else.

An accurate reading is 'compulsive weighing'. Is misrepresenting what you disagree with 'normal' for you too?

I am three months and one week out. Have lost about 65 pounds since first doctor's visit. I am 6' 1 '' tall and started at 277, so I imagine that I burn more calories during a normal day. I also take an antidepressant (Wellbuton) and a stimulant for focusing. I think that both of these curb my appetite and thus my food intake. I don't exercise at all really and eat when I feel the need, I just don't eat meals. I also drink whiskey and wine and partake of chocolate and cookies.I am probably a perfect example of what NOT to do, but still the thing works!

I can only offer my own experience on this: I am three months and one week out. I very early in my research for WLS became acquainted with the daily (or more!) compulsive weighing and measuring that the obese become addicted to. Haven't we all seen the poor souls that measure every part of their body and then publish these infinitesimal changes like they actually mean something? It is as if the weighing itself is a necessary part of the process, and no weight loss will occur without it. Well, it isn't, and nothing could be farther from the truth.The accounting for every change in our body's weight and size is obsessive, narcissistic and unhealthy. It is part of the sickness of obesity. We have begun a process, with surgery and diet, that almost ensures that we will pare ourselves down to our proper weight levels if we follow, even imperfectly, the regimen we have been given. I was determined to NOT weigh myself for one whole month after my surgery, and I didn't. I just looked in the mirror - was the face and body that I saw what I wanted to see... no, so more dedication to the process, NOT more weighing. I still only weigh myself once a week at the most. I am down a little over sixty pounds. I encourage you to concentrate on the program; you know what it is and what you have to do. You KNOW that it works, 100% per cent of the time from the research that you have done. I encourage you to STOP compulsive weighing, it just uses up your emotional energy and doesn't help your program one iota. Good luck.

What hatred? What nonsense. I greatly admire ANY surgeon for sticking it out in all the schooling, and putting himself on the line to help other people. My criticisms are very specific, and ALL of my criticisms stem from actual incidents where doctors and their sales people (coordinators) turned their back on patients who developed serious complications, lied about it, and/or forced forums to remove the posts about these incidents, and/or threatened legal action if they weren't. And if I ever find out that Dr. Aceves has done that, believe me, he' ll join that list too. You seem to be one of those people that think these stories aren't real, that they aren't the stories of people just like you. You seem to be content with the ridiculous notion that people have the time and inclination to just make them up for some nefarious reason of their own that makes no sense at all. You seem to be one of those people that is completely willing to believe whatever a coordinator tells you because the price is right. A coordinator is a SALES person who's livelihood depends on getting you to believe anything they say. So I'm happy for you; you got yours, and you obviously don't care anything about the ones who didn't get theirs.

Eliv, I wish you the best for your surgery and weight loss AND clear sailing afterwards too. I went alone to Mexico, it is a little scary, but people really step up to help you out. I'm sure that you will be OK. I just hope that I am wrong in my fears about this procedure. I looked at it hard before deciding on the sleeve, but just couldn't get convinced from the evidence available at the time.