longer-life

Gulp! Love the idea. Not ready to commit yet. Maybe next Saturday? lol

WOW!!!!!!! Two HUGE accomplishments! No wonder it is one of the best years of your life and you got to share it with family! Awesome! Congratulations!!!!!!!!

Hello everyone, Please go check this forum and post your experiences if you like. It will help us all! http://www.verticalsleevetalk.com/topic/28360-november-sleevers-2011-roll-call-shoutouts/

Hi there! I was sleeved 11/16 and have lost 22 pounds after surgery. I stroll around my neighborhood to get some needed sunlight and stretch out and plan on going back to the gym in January. My pain levels have been non existent (after an esophageal spasm attack at the hospital) . I only have one incision through my belly button and it has healed nicely. I put lotion on my whole belly because it itches sometimes. I was one of the fortunate ones to be able to meet my Protein requirements early on, so I felt GREAT on my first 3 weeks. Shockingly great actually. Finding a balance between eating enough and still meeting my Fluid requirements has been a little challenging though. Foods go down well, but I can only eat 1/2 ounce at a time, which is too little at this stage. I am now mildly dehydrated and not eating the 1000 calories my nut wants. I consume 735 at most. This, or the changing of my PPI due to mild reflux is causing mild nausea since Monday. On Sunday I was doing great with my Protein shakes but since nausea hit, I can't even LOOK at them! Having said all this, I still feel good. The nausea is mild and doesn't last all day long. (It was not mild on one occasion actually). I am pushing liquids as much as I can to avoid further dehydration and fall into a vicious circle. On the emotional side of things, I have been fortunate. I do get hungry, which does not worry me because a tiny bit satisfies it but, I haven't missed food. This might not always be the case, but so far so good. All in all, I can't complain and have no regrets. In a few months I think it will all fall into place and I can settle into my new normal.

LOL YES!!!!

Today I poached my first egg and it turned out very well. My sleeve liked 3/4 of it. My Basset Hound enjoyed the rest. I used the first video (Traditional method). It was easy. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/11/30/how-to-poach-an-egg_n_1121836.html?icid=maing-grid7%7Cmain5%7Cdl4%7Csec3_lnk2%7C116101

I don't feel the same way. I think you are referring to a thread where you stated something about the plication surgery and a lady that had the plication done disagreed with you. You felt attacked and in all honesty, I think she was very respectful. Unfortunately we can't see peoples faces and it is hard sometimes to interpret how the words are intended. I hope you don't stop coming. Everyone here brings something different and that makes it better. If we all have the same personality and all we do is "ra ra ra" ourselves, it would be dishonest and boring. I agree it should be VERY friendly and supportive, but we don't all have to sound the same. Having said all that, I am sorry you are feeling this way. They are your feelings and I respect them. I just don't see this forum the same way you are. Please don't stop coming. We need you here.

Thinoneday is correct. Eating constantly is one of the major pitfalls. So watch for that, since you feel out of control a bit. However, my surgeon does recommend snacking right now (4 weeks out), but not 15 minutes later. I can only eat 1/2 ounce of dense Protein, so it makes sense to get hungry a while later. There is no way I would meet my protein requirements if I didn't snack or supplement with a shake. Are you meeting your Fluid requirements? To this day I still sip ALL DAY LONG. That should tie you over until your next snack or meal. Consider logging all your foods (myfitnesspal.com) and contacting your NUT. Take care!

Congrats!

I have to tell you that when I read your post I unknowingly I put my right hand on my heart and inhaled deeply. It touched me. How awesome!!!!!!!! I am dancing with ya!

This goes to show how our tummies heal differently. I was sleeved one day after sleevedrealtor and 3/4 of an egg is too much for me. Minaleigh I also feel hunger soon after eating but it takes just a little food to satisfy it (1/2- 1 ounce), so at the end of the day I eat only 600-750 calories a day. Try myfitnesspal.com or other website to log your foods, if you are not doing it already, it will put you at ease. Also when you find something to sip on (tea, Powerade Zero, no calorie Sobe & homemade broth for me), you will be less hungry. I have not drank Water since surgery. Best wishes!

Thinoneday is right, but you have reminded me of something. When on Weight Watchers I would have 1 or 2 Lean Cuisines in my freezer for "emergencies". You know those times you are too hungry to cook & have nothing frozen or simply can't decide what to eat? I would eat at most 1 a month, so it worked out great. I will try that again and see how it goes. Perhaps you can consider that. How are you feeling?

You have arrived mentally and physically! WOW!!!!! You are wonderful inside and out! I'm a hugger, so here it goes.

You will get more replies if you post this on the Post OP forum. Hope you feel better soon!

Some people post that they are sad because nobody is noticing their weight loss. Others are asked and they answer rudely.

Liliana.....a little tough love going your way here. What you are doing "wrong" is letting the scale have control over you and not managing your expectations. You have lost a TON of weight, not losing for one week is hard, but expected! I am actually shocked I haven't stalled yet. Probably because I didn't have a pre-op diet or just pure luck. I am waiting for it though. I know it will come and most likely more than once in this journey. Be kind to yourself! Breathe in.......breathe out....slowly.

Yes, Dr. Marema is at Flagler Hospital in St. Augustine. Flagler Hospital is a hospital of Excellence. In my opinion, the key for you is finding a surgeon that has tons of experience with revisions, so if I was you I would go to a few seminars, as previously suggested. At the end of the seminar you will probably be able to approach these surgeons and ask them questions specifically about your case. If not, give them a call before even going to the first appointment. That is what I would do anyway. Oh, one more thing. Call before you go to the seminars and make sure the doctor that will be present is the one you want to meet. (I made that mistake once. lol). Good luck and don't get nervous. It is awesome that you will probably have a few to pick from!

I don't want to feel sick and I want to know how much Protein I am consuming, so I weigh everything. Right now I am able to consume .5 of an ounce comfortably. If the dense protein is in a Soup, I can eat 1 ounce. I dared increasing it because I noticed I was able to sip bigger amounts of liquids which must mean the swelling is going down. I am 4 weeks out and as you can see it is less food than bikerchick519. We are all different, so I started slowly. It's not hard if you supplement your protein intake with shakes ( or whatever other way you want). That way there is no pressure and you can increase the real food when your sleeve is ready. Hope this helps.

Interesting! I thought we had to have some food with it or it would cause nausea or something. Thanks for sharing.

Yep. I started with Famotidine and it wasn't strong enough. I had mild reflux. I am testing Protonix now. I had mild reflux for a few weeks before surgery.

Thanks Lissa for the update! You are the best!

FYI: Dr. Cywes is the only surgeon of excellence among the 3. Another possible option is my surgeon. See his information on my signature. I know he takes tough cases, not sure about revisions. Might be worth a call. Best wishes!

I also had food funerals after being approved. I was a volume eater and had no desire to be hungry and tortured by dieting. I was selective though. I ate some junk foods but mostly went to nice restaurants. I gained 4 pounds and have no regrets whatsoever! We are all different. I knew I was going to fully commit and have no regrets, so I did it. I didn't have a pre-op diet either, thank GOD! Do what is best for you. Only you know yourself well.

Heading to the rant section.