zoelifechick

Thank you. It is the best decision I ever made!!

Well, my one year anniversary was on Sept. 27, 2012, and I am down 86lbs. I am very excited & blessed to have come thus far without any issues or problems. I am down from a size 26 to a 14W, from 296lbs to 210lbs. I am so close to "onederland"!! I am continuing on my journey with about 50lbs to goal. I will post pictures soon. It has been an amazing journey. Before surgery, I had diabetes, high blood pressure, acid reflux, and lots of swelling. All diseases are gone, but still dealing with some acid reflux. I feel so much better physically and confidence level has skyrocketed. I am excited about continuing my journey in the coming months.

That is so exciting, congratulations!!

What a great achievement. What are you eating? I had surgery on 9/27/11 and have lost 40lbs as of 12/2/11.

Congratulations -- wonderful!!

My nutrionist told me without the protein and vitamins, that I would feel exhausted. I went without my vitamins 1 days and the next day, I thought I would pass out. It took me a couple days to get myself together and feeling good again. Start your vitamins!!

You can also try Muscle Milk, which is lactose free from Walmart, CVS, GNC, Vitamin Shoppe, and some grocery stores.

Congratulations!! That is wonderful.

Way to go Chevelle69!! Yes, Dr. Halmi was great!

Just remember the first week, you are not expected to get 64oz. down, because of the swelling. So, take it easy and get down what you can. As the days go by, add in more liquid. Best wishes!

Don't worry, the scale will begin to move, once the swelling and gas goes down. I didn't weight until two weeks after surgery, because I was swollen, but could tell in my clothes that I was shrinking down. You will see the progress soon!!

Congratulations on a successful surgery. I had the same issue the first week after surgery, with the gas and swelling, my doctor said to get down what I could, but it was normal not to get down much the first 4-5 days. It does get better. Walk around as much as possible to help with the gas and it keeps you from getting too stiff.

I am 9 days post op and decided to try on a few dresses that I bought back in the Spring that had gotten to small, not even able to zip up. I put them on today and they dropped on me without even unzipping with room left over. WOW! This sleeve is working,,,,

Hi Jason: I wish you the best tomorrow. I was sleeved on 9/27 and things are going great.

[Thank you. Yes, I can have yogurt, and plan to get some for my return to work. ] Congratulations! I was sleeved the day after you. Like you I had no pain either -- yeah the gas, but not really that bad. I'm back home an fixing meals for my husband and am stunned that I'm not even tempted to taste. Nice you have the cream of wheat option -- not included in my hospital's regime. Can you have yogurt?a little goes a long way. Good luck to you

Hello everyone, Well, as of today, I have been sleeved for six days and I have been amazed. I will take you through my journey for the last 6 days and try not to make this too long. On day 1, we (my husband, Mom, and Aunt) arrived at the hospital and up to this point, I never felt afraid, but a peace that I almost didn't understand, but I knew God was with me. I went to Potomac Hospital in Dale City, VA, my surgery scheduled at 2:30pm with Dr. Halmi, they took me directly to the surgical department and went directly to the OR waiting room. They took me to my room and began the pre-op stuff before surgery. After surgery, I remember waking up in my room and my family around me and looking under the sheet at my scars, saying, "Wow those look good". I thanked them and asked that they go home, because I wanted to just sleep. It was amazing, because I didn't feel any pain (the doctor attached a pain line in my stomach, which really eliminated pain). The nurses got me settled in for the night and I slept and ate a few ice chips. I did get up and go to the bathroom that night, which was pretty easy, except the bladder was still sleeping. The only issue was gas pains (they were rough at times).On day 2, I was up and down during the day, and still amazed, that I didn't have any pain, but I was a little sore. I ordered breakfast (chicken broth/tea/water/jello), but wasn't able to really take a sip of anything without feeling the fullness pain. I walked the halls 2 times, which really did help with the gas and stiffness. They did the x-ray to make sure I had no leaks, and all clear. I moved to full liquids, but still couldn't get much in.On day 3, Now today was really interesting, I still felt no pain, little gas and was moving around pretty good, finally had a bowel movement. I ordered breakfast (cream of wheat/hot tea/water/jello). The order came and I was looking forward to a big bowl of cream of wheat and this is when the reality of my surgery came about, I lifted the top off the plate and their was my cream of wheat (A LITTLE CUP, LIKE YOU WOULD GET WHEN YOU HAVE KETCHUP TO GO) -- I was shocked, from that point, I knew (the reality) that my life would never be the same. Guess what, I couldn't get all of it down.On day 4, I was scheduled to go home, still no pain, which was great and I walked the halls 4 times and felt good. I rested most of the day until my husband and 7 year old son picked me up. Still not able to eat much, because my stomach was still swollen. Good day.HOME: At home, I still had no pain, but just some soreness and moving around really good. The first couple days, I couldn't really get that much liquid down, but on day 5 (Sunday), I could really get more liquid down (16 oz of water; 20 grams of protein; and chicken soup broth)--exciting. I have been taking all my vitamins. I have felt some burning around sore sights, but I know that is a sign of healing. I fixed dinner for my guys and that went well, because I was drinking all day, I felt totally full all day and didn't want to eat. I am very thankful and look forward to the days ahead. I am not going to weigh until my 1st doctor visit on Friday, October 14. I will let you know what the stats are. Thank you all for your support through this site and the prayers that went up!!

I am with you tomorrow, my surgery is at 2:00pm, no food/drink after midnight tonight. For some reason, I am not nervous, but feel pretty much at peace. I will keep you in my prayers. See you on other side.

Wow!! You look amazing. Keep up the good work.

Welcome to the board: I pray everything went well. I will join you on the "Loser's Bench" on Sept. 27.

You can do it, keep up the good work.

I wish you the best and will keep you in my prayers. See you on the "Loser's Bench"!

Turtlegirl: I am so excited to hear from you!! I have been thinking about you since our last class, praying that you get approval and a date. You have a date, congratulations, so exciting. I am a little nervous, but it hasn't hit me yet. I am excited and glad when the surgery is over, so I can begin a new journey. I started my liquid diet on Sept. 14, this pre-op liquid diet sucks, but I have lost 8lbs so far! I have messed up here or there, but mainly stayed on path. I had a food funeral a couple weeks ago, I went to my two favorite restaurants, once I did that, I began changing my way of eating. Thank you for your prayers and I will call you after surgery and let you know how things went. Blessings to you!!

Nysha, I understand, I am on the pre-op diet and it is hell! I keep messing up, but I get right back on it. Like the others said, it prepares us for the post-op way of eating. My surgery is on 9/27, so I am with you on this one.

Thanks ladies!

JUST AMAZING!! Thanks for posting photos, really encouraging.