courtines

MIne was pretty fast once she generated her report. She faxed it right over to my surgeon's office. I did have to wait for a while for the test that she had me take come back.

I still have some cravings. Sugar makes me nauseated and I have had two episodes where I decided that I could never do that again (notice that it took me twice and not just once). I have given in and had a couple pretzels or a couple crackers, but too many make me nauseated and once I have had a couple the craving is pretty much over. There may be some better options for salty snacks (and probably are), but part of why I wanted the sleeve was that I would have the opportunity to eat everything as long as I kept it to a reasonable amount.

I was sleeved at St John Oakland Hospital by Dr. Mushabir Sabir. I have nothing but wonderful things to say about him and his office. They continue to be freaking amazing.

Some surgeons require it and some don't. I am an ultrasound tech and I actually learned about the surgery from someone who was doing pre-op testing. I think that a lot of surgeons decided that if you have any sort of gallbladder disease, even if it isn't bothering you, that it is easier to take it out at the time of the sleeve surgery. A lot of people who lose a large amount of weight end up having problems with their gallbladders eventually, so I think it is to prevent you having to have more surgery in the future. My understanding is that if your gallbladder is fine, that they leave it alone.

I had more problems with my PCPs office than I did with my surgeon's office, however my process was extremely fast. I would wait until after you talk with your surgeon and insurance coordinator before I made any decisions to go elsewhere. I am also a fan of instant gratification, but my process went so quickly that I felt like I didn't have time to change my mind! There are a lot of differences in insurance requirements, but I would think that your large amount of comorbidities will work in your favor. Hang in there. Ask lots of questions and get your insurance coordinator to give you a list of what you need to do for them to be able to send your case to insurance for approval. I actually left my initial consultation appointment and made my appointments with my PCP and the psychologist before I left the parking lot at the surgeons office.

You look great! You can tell how much happier and more willing you are to pose for pictures in the second set.

I couldn't tolerate the isopure, it just grossed me out too much. I will admit to having a terrible time with clear liquids and I know I was only getting enough protein in when I moved on to full liquids. I wouldn't worry too much about eating a whole popsicle. They had me doing that before I even left the hospital. I found these awesome sugar free italian ices that were acceptable with my clear liquids and that helped me out a lot. They kinda felt like I was actually eating something of substance. Good luck! You will get there.

I only felt the need to take two weeks off. My job is only a little bit physical. I work in a medical center but am very rarely required to do any lifting or anything like that. There are only two other people on my shift and they were really great and supportive about helping me get patients and making sure that I didn't push any wheelchairs or anything for the first week or so back. I have been back for a month and I occasionally still have people ask me if I should be doing something, but physically I feel better than I did before surgery. I also only work four hours a day, usually, but by my second week back at work I was covering 12 hour shifts and not breaking too much of a sweat. I felt really great after surgery, but I do think it is important to listen to what your body tells you. Your surgeon will take their cues from you as to what you can handle with regard to going back.

I had lots of doubts and fears, even after the day of my surgery. I hadn't ever had surgery before and the idea scared me half to death. I remember when I woke up after the surgery, in my groggy state, I still thought I could back out. I was also nervous about scars until someone showed me theirs and they were really minimal. I remember telling my brother that I would have five little scars and him telling me that the scars wouldn't matter because I was going to feel so much better (and he was totally right). You will be able to eat. The first few weeks were a bummer, but eventually you can start to eat like a normal person again, but you have to make the choice to eat like a normal person and not an obese person. That is the part that is more challenging. If you aren't ready, don't do it, but if you just have cold feet, don't let it stop you. Everybody has fears and this is a drastic step to take. It isn't a decision to take lightly. Good luck to you. I have every faith that you will make the right decision for you!

Don't be afraid! I had never mentioned it to my primary care doctor until I showed up and asked for her to fill out the approval papers. She hasn't ever given me any grief about my weight, but was supportive in me making a move that would positively impact my health. I wouldn't recommend that, but my doctor was extremely supportive and actually asked me for some information about VSG, because most people in my area are still getting Lap Bands. She told me that she thought I would be really happy with my decision. If you have had the same doctor for a long while, he is going to know that you have struggled for a while. If he isn't supportive, you are fully within your right to find a new physician who will help you get approved.

Luckily the clears phase wasn't too long for me and it included some things that I didn't really think of. I was allowed jello, Popsicles, broth, decaf tea. I also found these sugar free italian ice things that were the best thing ever. It was dairy free and it made me feel like I was eating ice cream. Just remember that you will only be in this phase for a short time and full liquids is so much better than clear liquids. You can get through this!!

My doctor's office was more concerned that I hadn't gained weight before surgery. My losses were fairly small and I was actually pretty annoyed, because I had given up several things that the nutritionist had requested and had still only managed to lose 3 pounds in a month. She told me that I was doing well and that the changes I had made would just make things easier for me after. I don't know what your pre-op diet entails of, but mine was mostly liquid for the week before and that added 7 or more pounds to my loss. If you are concerned, I would definitely contact your nutritionist and see what they say. I was weighed the day of my surgery, but they didn't make a big deal about it. However I have heard of people being canceled for gaining weight before surgery. Hang in there and don't give up hope. Use your surgeon's office if you have questions, that is what they are there for.

I will be 4 weeks out on Monday and am doing pretty well. I am having a stall this week, which is making me completely bonkers, but I am just trying to avoid the scale until my appointed time. I am struggling with getting my liquids in, but I keep trying. Water has never been my thing, so I have a purse full of crystal lite packets so I have no excuses. It is just hard. I was a hardcore soda drinker until about a month before my surgery and sometimes the crystal lite doesn't cut it. Trying to give myself lots of options though. I still need to work on my exercise and energy level, but I have been bad about taking my Vitamins and am making that a new goal, along with my Protein and water. I had a pretty awesome NSV the other night, when a coworker told me that my scrub shirt (that I wore all the time pre-op) looked like a dress on me. So glad to see that everyone is doing well. You guys are awesome!

I don't think that anyone goes into this without some fears or doubts. I was scared and had doubts up until the minute they put me on the operating table. When I woke up, I was groggy enough to think that I could still change my mind! One of my biggest ones was that I would be the only person on the planet that it didn't work for. The decision to have surgery isn't really the big question. It is about the decision to make a MAJOR life change for the rest of your life.

Congrats! I think you will find that it is all worth it. The first couple weeks on your diet will be the tough one, but they will also be motivating, because you should see a lot of progress with shakes only. Hang in there, it won't be long before you can advance. I have been really impatient, but it has come more quickly than I expected. I kinda feel nervous moving on to "real" food.

I am obsessed with eggface! I think it is great that there are so many recipes and even Desserts listed on there. I can't wait to get off mushies and soft foods so that I can attempt to cook for my very picky family. I would pay good money for an eggface cookbook. Shelly rocks.

Part of my surgeon's program is no red meat for 6 months. They claim that it can be hard to tolerate in the beginning. It may be that specific thing just didn't agree with you. Don't give up! Keep trying things that work for you and maybe you will be able to revisit the beef in a little while. I don't think it has to be all or nothing, but rather what will work for you.

I have some and I couldn't get past the texture. I thought they felt really gritty in my mouth. I never tried the watering it down thing though, maybe that would be helpful.

I am doing fine with pretty much all liquids that are not protein shakes. My body is just over them. I am trying to sneak the powder into other things like smoothies to make it more tolerable. Have you tried any drink additives? I have crystal lite packets stashed in my purse and I feel like it offers me a better option than just plan water. Before surgery, I was able to drink things at room temperature, but now everything has to be ice cold or I can't handle it. I am constantly swapping my drinks in and out of the fridge.

There are a lot of medications that can affect your liver. Pain meds can definitely send things out of whack. Another common culprit (medication-wise) is cholesterol medication. Even things that seem as innocent as Tylenol can affect your liver. When they removed your gallbladder, did you have stones? An ultrasound may not find these things, unless there is a blockage of some nature. Are you experiencing jaundice? Have they suggested an ERCP? I hope they figure something out for you.

I am not quite three weeks out and I have definitely had my moments where I wondered what I had done to myself. My first couple days home from the hospital were pretty rough. However, I am a little more than 25 lbs down (including my 1 week preop diet) and I know in my heart that I would not have been able to do that without the surgery. There is a period of adjustment, but it is necessary. If you know in your heart that you want to do this, don't let anyone stop you. Keep a response in your back pocket to be able to quickly respond to those who are negative. I had to tell someone that I wouldn't let someone cut the majority of my stomach out just because I am lazy. Some people don't get it and aren't going to get it, regardless of what you tell them.

I think it is a really personal decision as to how much to tell people. I do not regret being really open about it. There was one negative reaction to my face, but I had so many people calling, texting and facebooking after my surgery. It was really a blessing to have so many people checking on me and asking how I was doing. I also feel like it is a good motivator to stick to my program. I don't think there should be any problem just telling your boss that you need to have some time off for surgery. I know my doctors office will fill out paperwork with the very vague "abdominal surgery."

I was more nervous about the catheter than I was about the surgery! I believe in most cases they don't place it until you are already under anesthesia. I had been told that I might have to have it in for a little while after, but the nurse in recovery took it out shortly after I woke up. I was still groggy, but I am pretty sure I told her that she was my favorite person in the world. I didn't feel anything, but I was dealing with heavy duty pain meds.

For me, I did this FOR my young daughter. I want to be able to see her graduate from college and dance at her wedding. I felt like that might not happen if I continued to live at 100+ lbs overweight. One thing I have learned in the past couple weeks since my surgery, is that it doesn't take too long to find out who your friends are. People that I considered "work friends" called and texted me and checked in on me. Almost everyone who was important to me has been extremely supportive. I don't think that there is anything that you would have been able to say to your friend to change her mind, and that's okay. If she is really your friend, she will be there for you after. If she isn't, it is truly her loss. Don't freak out. If you are sure about your reasons for having the surgery, this risk is really small. I was freaked out that I wouldn't wake up from surgery and here I am. Take some deep breaths and remember why you are doing this in the first place.

Aretha hasn't ever copped to it. She keeps saying that she eats better and exercises.