KristeyK

I definitely do NOT eat like I should. Plus, I am JUST getting over strep throat, so it's not like I could swallow anything for a few days there anyway. LOL. I'm THIS CLOSE to being done with nursing school, and I am scared because I know exactly what my lack of eating is doing to me. I've just got this I'm used to being hungry thing going on, along with the thought of "eating is what got you to 324lbs in the first place fatty!" running in my head. I truly think I need to seek professional help for that part of it. (However- the times I DO think that I am truly hungry are times I really cannot eat without getting kicked out of class for the day! YIKES!) I just need to take some responsibility and at least grab a shake in the mornings on my way out the door...

So I've been thinking about my issues with food, and I still have MANY of them. However, something new that popped into my head earlier today was different to me. I got my lap band in May 2008, then had my revision in August 2011. I had that thing for so long, and had so many issues with it, that I just learned to deal with being hungry almost ALL the time. Now that I am sleeved, I don't really recognize when I am truly hungry, so I hardly eat. (Seriously, most days I have to remind myself to have more than a bite or two of cheese!) Is this something anyone else went through? If so- any recommendations? I would just set an alarm on my phone, but my schedule is so whacked until I graduate from school that it's not something I can do yet.

I had FAR less pain with my revision than I did getting the band in. (Especially the incision where the port was inserted originally. It healed a lot faster this time.) I will say this though...I did use my pain pump a couple times, but if I was awake, I kept an ice pack across my belly to help with the swelling. It was WONDERFUL!

Isopure...GAG. Someone today told me she calls it Isopuke, and it is a VERY fitting name. I had my surgery in August, and I still drink the Syntrax Nectars in the morning to help me get my protein in. They have several different flavors, and best of all- not all of them are sweet!!! (Serious bonus...I was so worn out on sweet tasting junk.) Cappuccino is my favorite, but I am a MAJOR coffee drinker, and it allowed me to feed my Starbucks habit, while sticking to my regimen. (Just don't ask me about the fuzzy navel flavor. I love REAL peaches, but not peach flavored anything.)

UGH! Where was this article two semesters ago when I could have used it for my class presentation? LOL. Hopefully, they'll be able to prove this works. Currently the "gold standard" of treatment for C- Diff is to perform a fecal transplant. (Yup...exactly what it sounds like, only not as gross as you may think.) I'll have to pass it along to my Microbiology instructor. I know she'd like to read it. Thanks!

Going through this surgery is like other things. You can read EVERYTHING there is to read about it. Know EVERYTHING there is to know about it, and you still won't be fully prepared. I knew it would be a challenge, especially during the first few weeks. I went to support group meetings prior to surgery, I watched my sister go through this. As a nursing student, I took care of patients the first couple days out of this surgery. I thought I knew what to expect, and the emotions still hit me like a ton of bricks. (ESPECIALLY after a few days...) It didn't get much better until I got to where I could have something other than another *#**** protein drink. I am almost three months out, and I still have an occasional day, but it is 1,000% better now than it was two months ago. Along with the other suggestions...you may want to try writing in a journal. I have one that I keep hidden so that I know no one else will read what I really and truly think and feel. (I'm not always 100% honest with myself, especially if I think others can read what I'm writing. Same goes with talking to a therapist.) Journaling is a very therapeutic thing to do. (And one of the first things we were taught to have our patients do as a coping mechanism.) Good luck!!!

That is so awesome! You've done great! Now make me doubly jealous...were y'all installing a pond? (I ask because it looks like a pond liner there and I DEARLY want to put one in on my little acre lot. LOL)

I haven't heard anything, but deaths aren't unheard of. There are countless numbers of complications that can occur with this, or ANY, surgery. It's important to do research and see what the risks are and weigh them against the benefits. So many people take it for granted that they will come out of surgical procedures just fine, only to have discovered complications. I've read stories here where people have almost died. Anything from a reaction to anesthesia, to an infection, to not eating properly can cause tragic results. If anyone finds out any info on this, I'd sure like to read it. (I'm a nursing student, and I like reading about procedures and the causes of complications.)

While I have changed a COUPLE of clothing sizes, I haven't changed as much as my sister who also went through this surgery. I'm hoping that it's due to the fact that I had a LOT more weight to lose than she did and my 58lbs aren't going to make the same dent HERS did. KWIM???

Keep in mind that I am five weeks out from surgery. That being said: THIS IS SO MUCH BETTER!!!! I am down 41 lbs, POST-OP! That's more than I lost with that stupid band. It's been rough at times, but it has been a Godsend so far.

Hi y'all!!! I'm Kristey, and yes, I currently reside in Tucson, AZ- but my hubby and I are hoping his temporary assignment there in San Antonio becomes permanent. WOOT! (We dearly want to get back to the great state of TEXAS! I miss it there!!!) In the meantime, I am planning on spending a week with him over Thanksgiving. He's staying in a hotel near the Riverview Center. (I think that's the name of the mall there on the Riverwalk.) So...I NEED YOUR HELP! Are there ANY sleeve friendly restaurants near there? As much as I want to go pig out on some good ole Texas BBQ, I need to be realistic about how much weight I will gain if I do that. LOL. Thanks for your help!!! (And please send out some good thoughts about this Texas girl being able to move back! )

Don't be mad at me for saying this...but even mild apnea has the possibility of killing you. Now...why they want you on a machine rather than teaching you to keep your head elevated, I don't know. That was all I did after the tech told me I had it. (Imagine my surprise when I started waking up feeling refreshed! LOL ) Sorry they are making it such a drawn out process for you!

If you bought chewable vitamins, they really do need to be chewed prior to swallowing. I know what you mean though...I about choke everyday while taking my calcium pill. It's HORRID. However, I only have about two weeks left to get through, then I can get something I actually like.

They should all be fine. If you were talking about anything on breast tissue or your belly, well.... that's a different story. LOL

My hunger went on for a couple weeks. I was so desperate at times I CRIED. I am now almost four weeks out, and 99.9% of the time I have to remind myself to have something to eat. I think it finally stopped either LATE in week 2 or early week 3. And for anyone else reading this who may be wondering: Stomach acid does NOT produce hunger. It just digestive juices and helps produce some gurgling noises.

There is NOTHING like our children to get us motivated, is there? I want to be able to horse around with my boy and play some football with him- I HAD to do this because I surely couldn't on my own. Best of luck to your success!!!!

I was also on all the acid reducers. It's not the acid that makes you hungry anyway. They put you on those for healing purposes. I went through the SAME THING. I'm almost three weeks out and MAGICALLY, about 7 or 8 days ago, the hunger stopped. YAY!!!!!!!!! Now I have to try to REMEMBER to drink my protein shake and eat my tee tiny little "meal." It's WONDERFUL now. If you're like my sister and I, you'll be ABSOLUTELY MISERABLE for a few more days, but hang with it...it'll go away.

Honestly? I'd start calling and hounding the surgeon's office to find out for sure if you HAVE to see all these people in order to start the six month clock rolling. My insurance didn't require all that additional stuff, just a seminar and a NUT meeting before sending off for approval. Best of luck to you! I can tell you, only 2.5 weeks out, that even if I had to jump through all of those hoops, it'd be well worth it!!!

You could still be dehydrated. Also, are you taking your iron and calcium at the same time, or within a couple hours of each other? If so, that could be a MAJOR culprit. (They should be take about 4 hours apart. I take my Ca in the morning and my Iron at night, just makes it easier. ) It could also be low potassium. (Still trying to figure out how to up that since I can't eat sweet potatoes or bananas yet myself.) If it's none one of those, call your Dr. Could be an electrolyte imbalance. (Which is relatively easy to fix.)

THAT is some excellent advice you gave! I am heartily jealous over you tubing the Guadalupe! MAN I miss doing that! (Well, I assume the Guadalupe, that's where we always went.)

I know how you're feeling. I broke down today and nibbled on half a baby Bel light, just to feel full! One thing I keep forgetting though, and I hope it helps us both.... We felt hunger when we're really just thirsty. Try drinking a little more. In the meantime- no failure!!! It's a mind game, and one that we can win!!!

I hear you! I'm 11 days out and still not allowed cream soups! To think I used to reallllly like the taste of chicken broth. LOL Keep up the good work! If you can, put an ice pack on your abdomen, it really helped me with my pain. (Helps with the swelling some.)

I know where you're coming from. My PCP was a little different though...he was supportive of my having the lap band when I got it in 2008, but I failed MISERABLY on it. Since I failed with that, he thought that I wouldn't do well on the VSG either. I had to follow up with him on something else a few days later, so I brought in a list of pros and cons, and reasons I thought I needed it. After reading it, he hesitantly got on board with me. Luckily, I didn't need him for a referral, or even approval, but I still wanted him to write a letter stating I was a good candidate for the revision to increase my chances of insurance approval. I've been sleeved for two weeks now and am already down 19lbs. I cannot WAIT to go get my flu shot in a week and see him. HA! (Well, the real HA moment will be in several months when I am MUCH closer to my goal weight. LOL) So, to make my short story long, DO NOT GIVE UP!!!!

My sister, who was sleeved in April, STRUGGLED greatly until she was able to progress to solids. She said she could have eaten all day if she had allowed herself to do so. I'm also 11 days out and have a VERY hard time. I did sneak in a little soup for the first time today, and it did the trick. (Otherwise, I'm ONLY allowed Protein shakes. I am SO SICK of anything sweet I could scream.) Part of what kept me on my Protein Shakes, and what will continue to make me do so, is that scale. It has moved quite nicely over the past 11 days, and I very much want to keep it that way. Good luck!

Protein shakes and water.