Shells

Tips- keep drinking Water, keeps you hydrated and flushes out toxins, keep up with Protein shakes, walk till your tired and remember- one pound gone is still gone from your body.
I check every Wednesday after the bathroom and I take what I can get- it keeps me from going crazy lol
GL!

Awwww Jaz!!! You are very welcome!!! That was the closest thing to being there physically for you that I could think of!!!! I pray that today begins your healing inside and out... Always remember that there are people hoping, praying and thanking God for you and your recovery!!!!
Keep your head up Sis!!! I believe it's getting better..

I have mixed feelings about your post.
On one hand, yes, you're falling into old habits. You're trying to eat like you're a pre-op person and you're not. You're repeating the habits that helped you gain the weight in the first place.
Knowing that and admitting it here is a big step, and I applaud that.
You need to figure out your new limits. It's natural to test boundaries and see how far we can push ourselves. With the sleeve, you'll find the answer is, "Not very far!"
I'd start examining what helped make you gain weight in the first place. Are you an emotional eater? Do you overeat? I think a lot of us are totally in denial about our food issues until we're forced to face them post op. I was convinced my issues were purely medical and while to some extent that was true, I discovered post op that I had a real problem using food to cope, to comfort and to hide myself.
The part of your post that I don't like is the idea that you've done "BAD" or that eating certain foods is naughty or not allowed.
I know I'm in the minority but I've been on this journey for nineteen months and feel I'm in a good place both mentally and physically. In my opinion, telling yourself that you're never allowed to eat those foods again, that you have to stay low-carb for the rest of your life, that there's only one acceptable way to eat - well, I think those are all more manifestations of the unhealthy relationship with food that got us fat in the first place. I respect that we want to change for good and use the sleeve as a tool to help us live those healthier lives we dreamed of. But I think that the notion that healthy eating is an all-or-nothing equation is silly AND dangerous. It makes falling off the wagon into self pity binges a bigger risk, just like yo-yo dieting does.
I can only tell you what I did. I started out eating like a carb Nazi. And within three months I was unhappy, depressed, had low energy and felt like I was on...gasp! A DIET.
I'd had VSG to AVOID diets and now I was subjecting myself to one for life!!
I had to stop. I started eating like a normal person. You know, someone without an overeating addiction or food issues. And guess what? Normal people use smart food choices about 90% of the time, but they do indulge occasionally. They don't binge and purge. It's not all-or-nothing...it's just FOOD. It doesn't control them or make them feel guilty or disgusting or out of control.
So I think that all of us need to find that middle ground. We need to teach ourselves to eat in moderation. We need to learn to be responsible, healthy eaters - and not just eating health foods but learning how to have a healthy relationship with all foods.
Because one day you'll reach goal. And then you'll need to eat more than 800-900 calories a day, and you'll realize that it's not easy when you sliced 85% of your stomach out. You'll need to increase your intake without binges on junk food or giving up those healthy habits you learned in the first few months post op. You'll want to have a slice of birthday cake with your family instead of feeling left out. You'll want to be NORMAL.
So pick yourself up, shake it off and keep going. You can do this. You need to do some exploration of yourself and your eating habits to figure out what's going on and fix it.
~Cheri

Congrats!!! Currently on ceramic braces, they come off December 6th and I will be a whole new me! This year is our year family!!!!! :Banane59:

Hey sleeve sister my kaiser book it said less than 10 grams per serving. I don't follow that yet because we eat so little now I know I'm getting less than 10 grams of fat per meal but will focus after my one month surgiversary.

Enjoy!!!!
Fresh berry Boost smoothie
1 Premier Protein® vanilla shake
1/2 cup Acai juice
1 cup Raspberries
1/2 cup Blueberries
Approx. 6 ice cubes
Directions: Combine all ingredients in a blender and blend on high until smooth. Pour into glass and start your day with a boost!
Cafe Vienna Shake
1 Premier Protein chocolate Shake
1 serving Cafe Vienna instant coffee
1 cup ice cubes
Directions: Add all ingredients into a blender and mix on high until blended. Pour and enjoy!
High Protein Peppermint Mocha
1 Premier Protein chocolate Shake
3 tsp sugar free Chocolate Syrup or topping
1 serving instant coffee
1/2 tsp peppermint extract, more or less to taste
(optional) 1 dollop of sugar free whip cream
Directions: Pour Premier Protein Chocolate shake and Sugar Free Chocolate syrup or topping into a large microwave safe mug and microwave on high for approximately 45 seconds. Note, do not bring to a boil. Remove from microwave and add instant coffee and peppermint extract. Stir to combine. Optional topping, add a dollop of sugar free whip cream. Enjoy!
Iced Mocha fusion
3/4 cup skim milk
1 tsp vanilla extract
2 scoops Premier Protein 100% whey Protein Isolate Chocolate Milkshake
1 serving mocha flavored instant coffee mix
1 cup crushed ice
Directions: In a blender, combine milk, vanilla, instant coffee mix and crushed ice. Blend until smooth. Pour into glass and serve.
Chocolate Peanut Butter Cookie Shake
1/2 cup rolled oats
1-1/2 cup skim milk
1 Tbsp Peanut Butter
2 scoops Premier Protein 100% whey Isolate Chocolate Milkshake
1 tsp cinnamon
1 cup crushed ice
Directions: In a blender, crush rolled oats until they become a fine powder consistency. Combine milk, peanut butter, Premier Protein 100% whey isolate Chocolate Milkshake, cinnamon and crushed ice. Blend until smooth and serve.
Muscle Monkey Frosty
1 banana peeled and frozen
1 Premier Protein Chocolate Shake
3 Tbsp Peanut Butter
Ice for volume
Directions: Break frozen banana into pieces, combine all ingredients in a blender and blend on high until lightly chunky. Scoop into large cup and serve with a spoon.
Protein pancakes
1-1/2 cups whole wheat flour
3-1/2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp salt
1 Premier Protein Vanilla Shake
1/2 cup skim milk
1 egg
2 Tbsp melted butter
Directions: In a large bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, salt and sugar. Make a well in the center and pour in the milk, egg and melted butter, mix until smooth. Heat a lightly oiled griddle or frying pan over medium high heat. Pour or scoop the batter into the griddle, using approximately ¼ cup for each pancake. Brown on both sides and serve hot.
High Protein Eggnog
2 Premier Protein Vanilla shakes
1/2 cup egg substitute
2 Tbsp sugar substitute like Stevia, more or less to taste
2 tsp rum extract
1 tsp vanilla extract
1/2 tsp + pinch nutmeg, ground
2 pinches cinnamon, ground
Directions: In a medium saucepan heat on medium to medium high the Premier Protein Shake, egg substitute and sweetener. Stir continuously until the mixture thickens slightly, usually a few minutes. Note, do not bring to a boil. Stir in the vanilla, rum, ½ tsp nutmeg & pinch of cinnamon.
Remove from heat and pour into a heat resistant container, cover and refrigerate until the eggnog has cooled (at least 3 hours).
Just prior to serving, ladle your yummy high protein eggnog into glasses, and garnish each with an extra little sprinkle of ground nutmeg & ground cinnamon.
Blended Peach Pie a la Mode
1 Premier Protein Vanilla Shake
1 cup unsweetened frozen peaches
2 tsp sugar substitute like Stevia, more or less to taste
1/8 tsp ground cinnamon
Pinch ground nutmeg
Pinch ground ginger
Ice for volume
Directions: Combine all ingredients in a blender and blend on high until creamy smooth. Pour into a dessert cup and savor this mid-afternoon treat!
Blended Apple Pie a la Mode
1 Premier Protein Vanilla Shake
1 cup Apple Sauce, Unsweetened
1 tsp Cinnamon
Ice for volume
Directions: Combine all ingredients in a blender and blend on medium until mixed thoroughly. Pour into a cup and eat with a spoon or sip.

Hi everyone! I've just passed my 1 year anniversary and have been weighing the highs and lows of this past year. It was very hard in the beginning. I had a hard time managing my pain, was exhausted all the time, couldn't walk more than 5 mintues without wanting to stop, couldn't drink more than a tiny sip at a time, and felt like maybe I had made a terrible ( and vain) choice. Somehow everything has come so far this past year and now all that is just a vague memory. I can eat anything I want (in moderation), can drink liquid like I did pre op, can exercise without feeling like my legs are Jello, and am no longer dwelling on the thoughts that I might have made a mistake. I look at myself sometimes and don't recognize myself. But my mind still hasn't caught up to the changes, to the point that I went to an amusement park a few weeks ago and was slightly worried that I wouldn't fit on the rides (some old habits die hard). I know that is an irrational fear, that most of my pants are 2/4 and my shirts are small, just I couldn't shake that little voice in my head. The thing is, now I know that the ends justified the means. 9 months ago, I might have said 'no' if someone asked if I would do this all over again. I couldn't see a light at the end of the tunnel yet. Now my body aches less, I look decent in clothes, I can eat a regular meal, and I don't struggle to walk up a few flights of strairs. IT was all worth it. To everyone in the early stages, one day you WILL get to this point.
NO BODY EVER SAID IT WOULD BE EASY, THEY JUST SAID IT WOULD BE WORTH IT!

That is so awesome!!! I got braces 2 months before I was sleeved. I CAN NOT WAIT TO get these things OFF LOL!

LOL! I love the "working on me stuff" too. I plan on getting acrylic nails & keratin hair treatment in the next few months. I bought Shapewear recently. Good luck with the Invisalign.

I started Oct 20th and my surgery was Jan 25th so three months, I'm a Kaiser baby and I did a lot of things quickly and kept in touch with my surgeon.

Hey Melissa, although I am a newbie (sleeved on Jan 25th) I DO feel like my sleeve is successful because without it I would be eating TONS more calories and continue gaining weight. It causes restriction, reminds me to eat mindfully, CHEW and actually enjoy my food, feel full from 2-4oz of food and that's why I give it a 10! I learned what head hunger is and how it controlled me and now I can enjoy the smell of food without feeling hungry! I love it I don't regret a thing and so far it's been good, hope I helped.

try Protein bars...I cut a bar into four pieces and it thru the day. If my stomach growls i eat a piece and it satisfys my hunger. They are kind of heavy so it stays with you better then a shake. I hope this helps.

Made these for dinner tonight- 1 was more than enough for me (plus salad). The other adults in my family each ate 2. We all voted this is a definite do again!!!! Portion controlled.
Lasagna Cupcakes
2 cup marinara sauce (I just used 1 jar)
3/4 pound ground beef or turkey
24 wonton wrappers
8 ounces shredded mozzarella
3 ounces Parmesan cheese
4 ounces Ricotta cheese
(optional) basil for garnish
Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Spray muffin tin (12) with cooking spray.
Brown beef and season with salt and pepper. Drain. Add sauce. Mix.
Begin with a wonton wrapper and press it into the bottom of each muffin tin.
Spread with a small spoonful of Ricotta cheese.
Top with a little meat sauce then some parmesan and mozzarella.
Use around 2 teaspoons of all the ingredients depending on your personal preference.
Repeat layers ending with cheese.
Bake for 18-20 minutes or until edges are brown. Remove from oven and let cool for 5 minutes. To remove use a knife to loosen the edges then pop each lasagna out. Garnish with basil (if desired) and serve.

I think every body is different and we all experience similar things but not at the same time. I wish someone was there to tell me more the first few weeks but this forum has helped TREMENDOUSLY It was hard the first 3-4 days. The first week is rough in general because of lack of food but mentally starving and not feeling hungry LOL. I'll be two weeks on Weds. and I walk everyday- almost half a mile or less and I feel tired. I don't know how others can work out right away, more power to them! I don't like car rides- I feel every bump, can't wait to heal. Little things like that I would have liked to hear. Overall, yes it would of helped but if I had any questions I know I can ask our family here

Lacie, I'm so touched by the fact that you could articulate this whole mental process and that you did it here, in public. You know why you wanted to binge and you stopped yourself rather than relying on the sleeve to do it. Yeah, the sleeve told you "Nope", but you could have found a way. Instead, you listened to it. I'm proud of you, not in a condescending way but in a "You go girl" way!!!
The head work is the toughest part of this surgery. You sound like you have a good handle on things, but I'm still going to encourage you to see a therapist if you can. As you get further out from surgery, your capacity will increase. A therapist can help you work through the issues before you get to a point where you're having a tough time...or a tougher time.
Great job on not giving in to the binge!!!

I need to get this out...
I came home today exhausted from work. Nothing really major happened, but it wasn’t a calm day either. My boss is interviewing candidates to backfill our open position. I was not asked to participate in the interview, however my Level 3 co-worker was. I am a level 4 and this new person will be my direct partner. I spent a lot of time today pretending like this doesn’t bother the f*** out of me. My level 3 co-worker is acting superior and that makes me want to punch her in the face…and eat! I was at my desk just searching for something to put in my mouth. I pulled out my vegi-sticks (little chip like things) and ate four really slowly. I know this is giving into the head hunger. I get it…but I wanted to chew. I could say in the past I would have gone to the vending machine and bought packs of M&Ms and Skittles and ate both packages. Four vegi-sticks is an improvement in calories, however…the reason I ate is the same.
I came home and immediately went to my room to lie down. My husband asked what’s wrong, and I really couldn’t come up with a convincing story of why I was so mentally drained. I just wanted to sleep. I took a long nap and was woken by 9 year old son who brought me a cup of coffee. He told me Dad was taking him to get a haircut and my first thought upon waking was “EAT!” My second thought was “Da** VSG”. I thought to myself “I am not hungry” but I was not willing to give up an opportunity to eat by myself. My heart started to race with the anticipation of eating alone.
A Binger has a sort of pre-binge check-list and mine was racing through my head. I headed to the bathroom and stripped naked. I weighed myself for reference tomorrow morning. I needed to know how much damage I was about to do to myself. My weight was 224.4. I would use that number tomorrow morning to beat myself up. I already know that if I weigh even 224.5 I will call myself disgusting and tell myself the VSG will never work for me. That one or two ounces will be my proof of what a failure I am, that I will be the one person on the planet this surgery will never, ever possibly work for. I change into to my binge pants or what I call my “comfy pants.”
I head upstairs; I already know what I am going to eat. 1 wedge of Laughing Cow cheese and two slices of lean deli-sliced turkey. I know this is not a Binge in the typical sense of the word, this is not a 3,000 calorie food fest. This is my dinner. The problem is I was not hungry. I was turning my dinner into a binge for the thrill and excitement…for the old feelings. I missed binging. I pulled out exactly two pieces of lunchmeat and laid them out on the plate. I pulled out a single wedge and found the little red string to open the cheese. My heart was racing…I was preparing my food. I took out my fancy cheese knife and I spread the cheese and rolled up the tiny little turkey slices. I threw all the evidence away- even hiding the tiny laughing cow wrapper like the old days. I took my little plate to the sofa- the end spot next to the fireplace- my favorite binge location. I took one tiny bite and chewed and chewed. I swallowed. It was delicious and I was back.
Then I stopped. I woke up. There was a pain in my stomach. I was not hungry- my stomach could not take any food. It was as if waking from a dream…”What the hell was I doing?” I gave the remaining roll-ups to the dog and just sat there in silence. I stared at my tiny little empty plate and celebrated this victory. This was the absolute first time in my life that I have ever stopped a binge in process. I will not beat myself up tomorrow, there will be no guilt. I will go to sleep proud tonight.
Again, the binge was not the quantity of food, it was my mental state. This is my first Non-scale Victory. Thank God for the VSG...and Thank God this will no longer be my life.

Hmm good question I was wondering the same- I'll be going to my two week post op on Weds and will ask my dr.

Ok so Tues Jan 24th I was on Clear liquids only-had Water and chicken broth throughout the day. I was so excited and felt prepared mentally and physically. I’m a Kaiser baby and my doctor didn’t require a 2 week liquid diet- just clears the night before 10oz of magnesium citrate. Around 6pm I took that and it tasted awful but whatevs. Around 11pm I went to go take a shower and scrub with the antibacterial scrub the bariatric team provided and I remember I had a quick urge to release and couldn’t. I went back in the shower and the Water felt so good from straining and I couldn’t wait to fall asleep. I raised my head to wash my face and closed my eyes…and woke up on the floor of the tub with my mom shaking me up (my brother heard me fall and woke up my parents), she’s talking and I can’t hear her or the shower. I was like-I fell asleep? I realized I fainted. The water was warm and I just felt so tired. I wanted to sleep there to be honest. I got up and told her I must have dozed off and needed to use the scrub before I get out (I can’t believe I still wanted to scrub lol) so I got up reached for the scrub and fainted again!! Mom caught me and slowly brought me down. I woke up and this time was worried, mom dressed me and my brother called 911.
I was freezing and my dad was holding me keeping me warm. Paramedics said my blood pressure was very low and I was dehydrated, the put an IV in me and drove to Kaiser ER where I had 4 bags of Fluid before I could go home. My dad did not want me to get the surgery after this but I was like if I’m not getting it tomorrow, I’m never going to put myself through this again I won’t get the surgery. Got home at 3a, slept till 7 then headed to Kaiser by 8:30. Greeted with more fluids! I was definitely not dehydrated anymore lol. Mom stayed with me till the ‘end’ of my old self. Surgery was scheduled at 11 but surgeon was concerned and kept me on fluids till almost 1, I was going crazy waiting!! My mom- she is my angel and rock. She kept me calm, patient and relaxed. Kaiser surgeon team- super friendly, polite and to the point. I felt ready and prepared…until 5 mins before surgery…Slowly I started feeling anxious, then worried, then panicky. The nurse dropped a bag of IV Fluid and for some reason I thought they would make a mistake on me and I was going to die! I started crying and shaking and I don’t fully understand why I got scared-I just did. I kept wondering-is this a mistake? Am I going to not wake up? My mom was trying so hard to help without her crying too because she wanted to ease my fear. The team came in one by one and introduced themselves and were very kind. Two of the girls walked me into the op room, held my hand and were extremely nice and honest- yes there is 1 in 100 chance of leaks but the surgeon has had none with his patients. The surgeon talked to me and said that there is no pressure, they want me to feel safe and know they will take care of me, they want me to be comfy, most of all they want me not to feel forced. They made me feel like I was not crazy and I appreciated that. I woke up in my hospital room and didn’t feel much pain, just sore like a truck ran over me. Didn’t really talk much at the hospital. Mom and dad were there and let me relax, slept the first day. Kept waking up nauseous and only slept every 2-3 hours or so, waking up to dry heave. At night the nurses had me walk and I did a lap, go back to bed and press the pain med button only after every walk. Other than that I didn’t need it. Went home the next night. Really sore, tender, it was a struggle to walk but gets easier.
Every day gets better. I do not regret this AT ALL super happy and ready for my journey. It’s been a crazy beginning but I learned that if I can do this, I can do anything I set my mind and heart to. I’m journaling my wl through youtube and recording my inches. I hope of your thinking of this, I would recommend the sleeve and if you have any questions I’m happy to help, let’s be friends!

You are totally amazing! You did it! It's done, and now it's time to heal, learn to eat with your sleeve and watch the inches just melt away! Yeah I love this. CONGRATS!

You story is amazing. I am so glad that you recovered enough from being dehydrated to be able to procede with your surgery. Mag citrate is some nasty stuff and I am amazed that they did not have you do liquids for at least a couple of days. I know that every surgeon is different and I was on the liquids for 2 weeks like many on the forums. I certainly hope that things start to improve for you and that soon all that happened will be a bad memory that fades fast.
Best wishes on your success and new life.

Ok so Tues Jan 24th I was on Clear liquids only-had Water and chicken broth throughout the day. I was so excited and felt prepared mentally and physically. I’m a Kaiser baby and my doctor didn’t require a 2 week liquid diet- just clears the night before 10oz of magnesium citrate. Around 6pm I took that and it tasted awful but whatevs. Around 11pm I went to go take a shower and scrub with the antibacterial scrub the bariatric team provided and I remember I had a quick urge to release and couldn’t. I went back in the shower and the Water felt so good from straining and I couldn’t wait to fall asleep. I raised my head to wash my face and closed my eyes…and woke up on the floor of the tub with my mom shaking me up (my brother heard me fall and woke up my parents), she’s talking and I can’t hear her or the shower. I was like-I fell asleep? I realized I fainted. The water was warm and I just felt so tired. I wanted to sleep there to be honest. I got up and told her I must have dozed off and needed to use the scrub before I get out (I can’t believe I still wanted to scrub lol) so I got up reached for the scrub and fainted again!! Mom caught me and slowly brought me down. I woke up and this time was worried, mom dressed me and my brother called 911.
I was freezing and my dad was holding me keeping me warm. Paramedics said my blood pressure was very low and I was dehydrated, the put an IV in me and drove to Kaiser ER where I had 4 bags of Fluid before I could go home. My dad did not want me to get the surgery after this but I was like if I’m not getting it tomorrow, I’m never going to put myself through this again I won’t get the surgery. Got home at 3a, slept till 7 then headed to Kaiser by 8:30. Greeted with more fluids! I was definitely not dehydrated anymore lol. Mom stayed with me till the ‘end’ of my old self. Surgery was scheduled at 11 but surgeon was concerned and kept me on fluids till almost 1, I was going crazy waiting!! My mom- she is my angel and rock. She kept me calm, patient and relaxed. Kaiser surgeon team- super friendly, polite and to the point. I felt ready and prepared…until 5 mins before surgery…Slowly I started feeling anxious, then worried, then panicky. The nurse dropped a bag of IV Fluid and for some reason I thought they would make a mistake on me and I was going to die! I started crying and shaking and I don’t fully understand why I got scared-I just did. I kept wondering-is this a mistake? Am I going to not wake up? My mom was trying so hard to help without her crying too because she wanted to ease my fear. The team came in one by one and introduced themselves and were very kind. Two of the girls walked me into the op room, held my hand and were extremely nice and honest- yes there is 1 in 100 chance of leaks but the surgeon has had none with his patients. The surgeon talked to me and said that there is no pressure, they want me to feel safe and know they will take care of me, they want me to be comfy, most of all they want me not to feel forced. They made me feel like I was not crazy and I appreciated that. I woke up in my hospital room and didn’t feel much pain, just sore like a truck ran over me. Didn’t really talk much at the hospital. Mom and dad were there and let me relax, slept the first day. Kept waking up nauseous and only slept every 2-3 hours or so, waking up to dry heave. At night the nurses had me walk and I did a lap, go back to bed and press the pain med button only after every walk. Other than that I didn’t need it. Went home the next night. Really sore, tender, it was a struggle to walk but gets easier.
Every day gets better. I do not regret this AT ALL super happy and ready for my journey. It’s been a crazy beginning but I learned that if I can do this, I can do anything I set my mind and heart to. I’m journaling my wl through youtube and recording my inches. I hope of your thinking of this, I would recommend the sleeve and if you have any questions I’m happy to help, let’s be friends!

Wow that sounded really scary! Falling in the shower is dangerous enough.
You're a tough chick! Congrats on your new Sleevie!! And welcome to the Losers Bench. Yeahhh!!! It only gets better from here.

You are so brave for going ahead with the surgery in spite of all that craziness the night before! So glad all went well for you. Also, what a good thing your brother heard you fall.
lovePink, I am sure you will be just fine. Don't be afraid of the anesthesia. I have been under quite a few times and it is really a pleasant thing. You go to sleep and wake up in what seems (to you) like a few seconds. Of course it could be hours later!
Over a year ago, I had a breast reduction which took eight hours. It seems like a few minutes to me! Or course my poor husband had to wait around in the waiting room in "realtime."
When I need surgery I can't wait to get the show on the road. lol. The time spent in pre-op is so miserable, I welcome the anesthesia.

YAY im glad everything went fine in the end and that u dont regret it.... i'm also super nervous and worried.. MY SURGERY IS TOMORROW! the only thing that is really scaring me is going under general anesthesia... i've never been under before and i am scared of not waking up. Everything else im fine with... im not worried about the pain or food or anything.. just the anesthesia.
i cannot wait to get on the other side and start losing.. im going to subscribe to ur youtube channel!!

Ok so Tues Jan 24th I was on Clear liquids only-had Water and chicken broth throughout the day. I was so excited and felt prepared mentally and physically. I’m a Kaiser baby and my doctor didn’t require a 2 week liquid diet- just clears the night before 10oz of magnesium citrate. Around 6pm I took that and it tasted awful but whatevs. Around 11pm I went to go take a shower and scrub with the antibacterial scrub the bariatric team provided and I remember I had a quick urge to release and couldn’t. I went back in the shower and the Water felt so good from straining and I couldn’t wait to fall asleep. I raised my head to wash my face and closed my eyes…and woke up on the floor of the tub with my mom shaking me up (my brother heard me fall and woke up my parents), she’s talking and I can’t hear her or the shower. I was like-I fell asleep? I realized I fainted. The water was warm and I just felt so tired. I wanted to sleep there to be honest. I got up and told her I must have dozed off and needed to use the scrub before I get out (I can’t believe I still wanted to scrub lol) so I got up reached for the scrub and fainted again!! Mom caught me and slowly brought me down. I woke up and this time was worried, mom dressed me and my brother called 911.
I was freezing and my dad was holding me keeping me warm. Paramedics said my blood pressure was very low and I was dehydrated, the put an IV in me and drove to Kaiser ER where I had 4 bags of Fluid before I could go home. My dad did not want me to get the surgery after this but I was like if I’m not getting it tomorrow, I’m never going to put myself through this again I won’t get the surgery. Got home at 3a, slept till 7 then headed to Kaiser by 8:30. Greeted with more fluids! I was definitely not dehydrated anymore lol. Mom stayed with me till the ‘end’ of my old self. Surgery was scheduled at 11 but surgeon was concerned and kept me on fluids till almost 1, I was going crazy waiting!! My mom- she is my angel and rock. She kept me calm, patient and relaxed. Kaiser surgeon team- super friendly, polite and to the point. I felt ready and prepared…until 5 mins before surgery…Slowly I started feeling anxious, then worried, then panicky. The nurse dropped a bag of IV Fluid and for some reason I thought they would make a mistake on me and I was going to die! I started crying and shaking and I don’t fully understand why I got scared-I just did. I kept wondering-is this a mistake? Am I going to not wake up? My mom was trying so hard to help without her crying too because she wanted to ease my fear. The team came in one by one and introduced themselves and were very kind. Two of the girls walked me into the op room, held my hand and were extremely nice and honest- yes there is 1 in 100 chance of leaks but the surgeon has had none with his patients. The surgeon talked to me and said that there is no pressure, they want me to feel safe and know they will take care of me, they want me to be comfy, most of all they want me not to feel forced. They made me feel like I was not crazy and I appreciated that. I woke up in my hospital room and didn’t feel much pain, just sore like a truck ran over me. Didn’t really talk much at the hospital. Mom and dad were there and let me relax, slept the first day. Kept waking up nauseous and only slept every 2-3 hours or so, waking up to dry heave. At night the nurses had me walk and I did a lap, go back to bed and press the pain med button only after every walk. Other than that I didn’t need it. Went home the next night. Really sore, tender, it was a struggle to walk but gets easier.
Every day gets better. I do not regret this AT ALL super happy and ready for my journey. It’s been a crazy beginning but I learned that if I can do this, I can do anything I set my mind and heart to. I’m journaling my wl through youtube and recording my inches. I hope of your thinking of this, I would recommend the sleeve and if you have any questions I’m happy to help, let’s be friends!