windycitymom

I am 4 1/2 mo post op and I can eat more than most. I eat .5 cups of non fat cottage cheese or 2 hard boiled eggs or an apple in one sitting. I eat 900-1500 cal per day, I think that is too high though that's what my body calls for.

I had surgery in Mexico about 4.5 months ago. I am headed back in August for my upper giant blood work to make sure all is going well. Also, my pcp here in the states knows that I had surgery in Mexico so he has been terribly supportive. I went to him to ask questions about 1 month out and he was helpful coupled with emailing my surgeon with regular updates. I take thyroid medication, so I've been going in for my blood work to determine my new dosage ages since losing 45 pounds, but that's about it. I have really had no major needs or problems. I look forward to hearing from others. Great question!

I'm in the city. Traveled to mexico for surgery though. Best of luck to you!

Great suggestions, thanks!

I was getting faint as well. What is your carb intake like? If it is low you may want to up your carb intake as well as your sodium. My doctor had me do this in order to mininmize the almost fainting feeling. I have it much less now due to the increase in Carbs and sodium. I am trying now to find a happy medium so that I can still lose but also not faint. Good luck and keep us posted!

I'd say that I was a little nervous once I arrived at the hospital since it was sunday and there was barely anybody there. Then I got nervous the night before however I made friends online via vst with someone who had the surgery night before (with Dr. A) and she skyped me and chatted with me especially since I was all alone and noone knew I was going, I couldnt' really talk to anyone else. I left my hubby and 2 small kids to do this so there was alot riding on it. After the surgery I had so many friends from the woman who spoke to me the night before to the new patients that were getting sleeved on the same day. I told them I was nervous so they took me first. Honestly, after that night in the hotel, I never really felt alone again! and honestly, I knew that even though I chatted with dh a bit I was really enjoying getting to know my new sleeve sisters We all took care of each other mentally and physically (not that the hospital didn't but you know what I mean, we made each other walked and waiting for each other and asked questions), and the doctors came to visit me 1-2/ day. I had a slight complication in that my lungs weren't filling up with air properly. This was "almost" scary except that I had my sisters there with me and the doctor took excellent care of me. I insisted on extra leak test just to be sure since VST friends were telling me online that I need to do that before leaving teh hospital. The Doctor said that it wasn't a leak and that I shouldn't worry however that he felt that it might make me "feel" better knowing that we did a leak test and sure enough he did it, also allowed me to stay an extra day until I was feeling better even though I was up on my feet walking around the hospital like I owned. Dr. A and his team were oustanding and made me feel good and didn't dismiss my concerns even though he knew. BTW, I was BMI=30 before surgery and I really appreciated the talk with Dr. A that I had before he admitted me, he was honest and sincere and genuine. SOrry for the broken email I have two kids yelling and screaming in my ear as I type this but I wanted to reach out to let you know that it was the best decision I've made and I am thrilled that I chose Dr. A. I will be going back to Mexacali in August to get my check up and can't wait to see them (and a also a little bit to show off how much weight I've lost) ) Best of luck to you and keep us posted. Feel free to message me if you'd like to chat further, I'm also happy to give you my phone number. You are a strong women for even considering this. Why not give yourself this gift, you deserve I'm sure otherwise you wouldn't be here on this site!!

Do you have to tell insurance you had the sleeve? what if you had the surgery done outside of the country?

Really great question! I wonder if it matters if you were sleeved in the states or outside the states too...

This is a really a state of mind and not a state of how much we weigh. It is a very personal decision and as long as we "weigh" the pros/risks. We've all made a personal decision based upon what we were trying to accomplish and what we wanted to gain (whether it is a physical condition like diabetes or heart condition or an emotional condition like emotional eating or compulsive overeating or a mixture of both physical and emotional). As with all things in life, we need to decide what the goal s worth to us. Congratulations to all of us, I thought that since I started out a lower weight it would be so easy for me but NOT SO, it is actually hard work and I am working on both emotional and physical issues. Now how could someone tell all that just from the fact that I weighed under 200 lbs??? or I wore a size 14 (although it was super tight and probably should have been a 16). I think like a 400 lb woman and have alot of the same issues. To each his own. Let others say what they want and take pride in knowing that we have made a very serious and well thought out decision to make the rest of our lives healthier and better than they were before. You are all very brave and strong women and men and I applaud you all! Don't worry what others think, focus on yourself and what you need to live a long and healthy life!!

Sleeve, you have touched almost everyone on this site in an inspirational way and give us all hope since you are almost 2years out. I want to tHank you for your brutal honesty and your warm wonderful support. I think we can all agree that you were beautiful before and even more beautiful after. Do you feel that your spirit, attitude and kindness has also changed with your journey or have you always had this inspirational and kind spirit about you?

I traveled to Mexico alone and had surgery with Dr. Aceves. He and his team were outstading! Don't worry. Feel free to message me if you'd like more info.

Thanks all for your input. Ivy, I really like the idea of crock pot cooking option to make life easier. As a side note, I have no preminitions for what amount of calories I will be able to intake in 12-24 months. I am learning this process just like anyone else and I am scared but now it sounds like others have been in this spot without problems so maybe I neeedn't be scared. The truth is that I didn't get fat by one day deciding to eat crap so I can't imagine that in one day I will be able to eat perfectly healthy. It's about the learning process. I am trying to learn new tools so that I can make the most of my experience. I also don't know any other human being who has had sleeve done (except for my awesome sleeve sisters) so I like to learn from others on this site. My huge underlying fear is that I won't be able to do "the work" that is required to make this a long term lifestyle commitment and right now I have as much help as possible with the restriction of the sleeve to help me push myself. I don't really know how much I should be intaking. Surgeon said 600-800 cal and my internist stated 1000-1200 cal/day. I am just so scared of failure and also so excited about how far I've come, I think I am waiting for the other shoe to drop. Yet, I know that focusing on that will bring me that.... maybe I'm in a funk.

thanks for all of your input! I feel like I am always eating or drinking at all times until I go to bed. From eyeballing MFP. Here is my rough average input: 1000-1200 caloris/day 25-40 g fat 70-85g Protein 25-110g carbs 70-100 g water/fluid Seems like I'm high in fat and carbs but not sure what to do about it. Does anyone have a good resource for finding a bariatric NUT? I had surgery in MX so tough to find a dietician. I don't cook alot at all. I eat what my family eats and don't have much prep time with kids and a more than full time job.

I am worried because I am regularly getting in 1000-1400 cal/day. I am getting in more than enough water and protein. Is this normal? I am worried that my sleeve is not small enough adn that I will put the weight back on in 12-24 months. How many calories will I be able to take in 12-18 mo post op when the honeymoon phase is over??? HELP Has anyone had this experience who is further out and what has your experience been?

Thanks all fo ryour insights!! I am now focusing on: 30 min between eating and drinking not eating too fast stopping before feeling super full I haven't slimed since I wrote this so thank you

I've had a couple days where in the afternoon I have to spit out saliva and I have a tightness in my chest/ribs. Is that "sliming"? what causes this?

Congratulations you have come very far on your journey! What a fabulous gift. You look amazing!

I'm about 50% of the way there and I still can't believe it. I am really frightened that I will gain it all back. I am trying to excercise but havne't found a routine yet so my loss is mostly based upon decreased calories. What are you going to lose the weight?

I am in my third month post op and have had my period for almost 3 weeks. I didn't have an irregular cycle prior to surgery. Anyone every have this happen? What does it mean? what should I do?

What kind of multi do you use? Is there really a big difference between a regular and baritric multi? What's your opinion? and why?

What kind of multi do you use? Is there really a big difference between a regular and baritric multi? What's your opinion? and why?

just do the best you can. You can put in .1 or .05 servings. You'll have to wing it weight it. IF you can weight the food before you eat it that is best. Don't worry about the amount of weight you have to lose, soon enough you'll be able to eat half portions and enough to keep better track after you get offl liquids/mushees.

Congrats on both of your massive accomplishments! Nice to see a woman in the HVAC industry. I was in it for 10 yrs then left to sell real estate. Best of luck to you in both of our new ventures. The business and wonderland !

Great idea but I am swamped with work and kids and taking care of my disabled mother. I am already so busy that I think that is some of the problem...

I'm having a hard time "holding it all together" today. Has anyone every had this? I am also wanting to graze magnificently throughout the day but can't. Last night, I bought a pint of Ben and Jerrys and had about 20% of it and then had a terrible stomach ache... I guess I learned my lesson. however I don't know what to do with all this angered that is rearing it's ugly head. HELP!