5DoxieMom

I just put a deposit down for an extended TT with Dr. Carmina Cardenas in TJ, MX. I'm looking for anyone who has any knowledge or opinions, good or bad. Please PM me, if necessary. I guess I should have asked this before I booked my date for Sept. Thanks in advance for any info

At 15 months out, I've lost 67% of my weight. I haven't gained any weight back, but can see that it could easily happen, with poor food choices.

I was sleeved March 2012. I needed to lose 85-90 lbs. I am still trying to lose the last 25 lbs. I don't know if I ever will, but I am not giving up. Even if I never lose another pound, I don't regret having the sleeve, at all. I just hope that I never gain any weight back. One thing that I was told by my surgeon's nurse, is that it becomes more difficult to lose weight after the first 4 to 6 months. For me, it became harder after 3 months. So, definitely take advantage of that "honeymoon period". At right around the one year mark, I noticed that I have way less restriction, so I have to be real careful to measure food, and not over eat. Best of luck to you.

MamaB, Some docs remove the stomach on the left, others on the right. Mine was on the left, and I had pain for almost 3 weeks, due to the deep internal sutures. I remember I had a lifting weight limit for 6 weeks, but don't remember how much it was. So, be careful!

You probably won't sleep much tonight. I agree with Cristin....the first couple days stink. I hope you have a heating pad, that helped my pain more than anything else. Best of luck to you....you'll do great. see ya on the loser's bench!

The first couple days I drank isopure ready to drink. Some people say its gross, but its the only one I could choke down at first. Premier shakes from Costco have always been my favorite. Wonderslim pudding/shakes are good. Just don't buy too much, because your tastes will change. And you'll be up and around in no time, able to go out and get whatever you need. Don't fill your pantry with tons of crap you'll never use (like I did).

For me it lasted about 8 weeks. Just crazy out of my mind, some say its the hormones released in stored fat. Whatever the reason, it was real for me. Be very careful and don't say anthing to people that you'll regret! And don't make any big decisions....I did and was real sorry. Good luck.

Have you tried putting a heating pad on your belly? I had horrible left side pain, and that was the only thing that helps. I was almost 3 weeks out when I woke up one morning and realized that pain gone. Good luck, hang in there.

As long as your insurance covers it, consider yourself lucky to have help available to help you deal with whatever issues you have. I wish that I had therapy that was paid for. I could use some help getting to the root of my eating problem/obcession with food. But, my deductible (5K) is so high that it is not feasible for me to have short or long term therapy. Take advantage of it, learn what you can, have an open mind and benefit from this!

3 months, still in it.

You look really cute. You'd think you could get a better lookin' guy. haha.

I remember having that feeling at the beginning. It was then that I thought an abdominal binder would help, but never got one.

B12 cannot be absorbed by your stomach as well anymore. It is one of the few vitamins that is absorbed in the stomach, as opposed to the gut. It is related to so much of the stomach being removed and the production of intrinsic factor produced in the stomach (intrinsic factor is necessary for B12 absorption). So B12 must be taken sublingually or by injection. So, to answer your question...separately

I think that pain may be air. It's almost impossible to sip without getting some air. From my understanding, due to swelling, the opening to the stomach is smaller than the esophagus, and may account for the pain. I had that in the beginning as well. I can't remember when it went away, maybe by 5 or 6 weeks.

I drove 3 days later, no problems. As long as you're off pain meds...

I was the same way. Looking back, I realize that I was not in my right mind! I was better by 7 weeks or so. Be careful, don't say or do anything that you'll regret (I did).

I had mine in a surgery center as an outpatient. Checked in at 0700, surgery at 0900, walked out the door at 1430. A little tough getting in the car. No problems, was glad to be in my own bed with my doggies!

Here's the number to order nectar samples 866-333-7403 x. 803. $15 for 14 samples. no shipping.

The syntrax website sells samples. When I ordered it, it seems like it was about 15 dollars for 12 samples. They make about 15 flavors of 'nectar'.

Mufasa'a mom....another aspect of your feeling bad....the surgery itself. I remember for the first 6 or 7 weeks after surgery, I was terribly depressed and angry. Some say its hormones being released from the fat. Whatever the reason, I remember it being terrible, It felt like the end of the world. Mine was not related to the amount of weight I lost, but rather with a family member, and my general outlook on life. I didn't really realize what was going on. This may be partially (or totally) what you're dealing with. Please hang in there,15 lbs in a little over a month is great, when was the last time you did that? You will do great.

Emily, If you feel its not right for you, then you should not have the surgery. I don't think anyone would argue that with you. I think that TBrendon makes some valid points. For me, I had no other choice. I am older, and this was my last ditch effort to get my weight under control. I have not lost as much as I'd like, but it's under control, after decades of lossess and gains through traditional methods. I sincerely wish you the best of luck, you have youth and determination on your side!

Happy Birthday, hang in there. Buy yourself a scale that does BMI, %water, % fat etc. around $30. Enjoy the company, bingo, fire. Less emphasis on the food.....that's what I keep telling myself anyway, hope someday I'll listen.

I just know my old 'normal' isn't where I'd ever want to go again.

I drank isopure ready to drink from GNC when I was on clears post op. Some people think its too nasty to drink, but I thought it was kind of like koolaid. Syntrax nectar mixes up semi-clear, the juice flavored ones at least...

And the sensitivity to smell and taste may get worse post op.....sorry. But if you keep trying, you'll find a protein shake that you can tolerate. Best of luck to you.