ChaChaBurch

Well, thankfully my DH had a vasectomy back in 1999. Don't have to worry about that.

That's perfectly normal! Not only have you gone through MAJOR surgery, you have several weeks ahead of being tired, low energy, and practically no stamina. It's all normal -- from the surgery, to the MUCH lower calories that you're taking in. Just really focus on protein and hydration. Being dehydrated can cause your body to feel really tired too. I would suggest that if you don't see any sort of an increase over the next couple of days, call your doctor. They may need to give you an IV of fluids.

Okay Silver Sleevers - Ladies only please - In 2008 I had a procedure called a Endometrial Ablation. This is where they destroy the uterine lining. I was 46 at the time. I haven't had a period since. However, since the sleeve, I am having hot flashes like there's no tomorrow. I understand that I'm going through menopause, but good greif! Anyone here feel like giving me some input on what you did for this phase of your life? Could the surgery have caused my hormones to go into super-hyper drive? I sure as heck don't want to go on HRT. But I don't know if there's anything else that I can do naturally. BTW - No one in my family ever had to deal with hot flashes (or "power surges" as my DH calls them). Any suggestions, ideas, thoughts would be appreciated.

So glad to hear everything is a GO! Be prepared for the pre-op diet. To me, the first 3 days was the worst of this whole process! If I can do it, anyone can . . . . not easy, but I did it, and it helped set the mindset that I needed to get through the recovery process. Best of luck, and keep us posted!

I'm scheduled to have my band removed and the sleeve done at the same time in 3 days. If you had this done, please tell me about your experience. I don't know how long the surgery will take -- understanding that each case is different. Also, pain experiences, any wisdom you're willing to share, etc., would be greatly appreciated.

I had an IV and they gave me the "happy juice" as I was being wheeled in to the OR. Don't remember a thing afterwards. I've had 6 surgeries and haven't had any issues with the anesthesia. However, for the sleeve, I remember telling them, "Just make sure I don't wake up until AFTER the surgery". I don't remember a thing until the following day, and had a really awful headache. I think the anesthetist gave me a little too much. I would be happy to do it again in order to be sleeved as I am now! Well worth it!!

We did communion at Easter, and I remember prior to receiving it that I was hungry and couldn't wait to get home to eat. After I had communion, I wasn't hungry anymore, but I never thought of it in the way you did. That is funny!

BTW - How's your headache?

Vicki - You are going to be fine! You will go to sleep and wake up sleeved. It's an amazing experience. It's not easy, by any means, but the reward is sooooo worth it! Being scared, anxious, nervous, is very normal. We all felt that way. Yes, there is a small risk with any surgery, but by far, the majority do just fine . . . and I believe you are one of the majority!

@gingersnap - My surgeon was a "General Surgeon" who has been doing just about all kinds of surgeries for over 30 years. He expected there to be quite a bit of scar tissue, and he said that he would remove it all. The surgery lasted a little over 2.5 hours, and he did in fact remove 99% of the scar tissue. He told my DH that he felt there shouldn't be any complications, or issues. And he was right! I think because he does so many other surgeries (cancer, trauma, emergency, etc), that his experience is what made it so successful. In other words, he isn't 100% WLS - he does it all. And he is a top-ranked Surgeon in our State. Love, Love, Love him!!

Also, if you are on facebook, you should look up a group called "Failed Lap-Bands and Realize Bands" - it's a group of folks who either had the band and got the revision, or they currently have the band and are working on getting a revision to another kind of WLS.

I had the band in 2007 - lost about 45lbs in 7 months. Then everything started going downhill. By 2009, I couldn't eat anything without getting stuck - EVERY SINGLE TIME! Soon it was just junk food in order to get something in my tummy. Obviously, I gained it all back. I had the sleeve on 3/22/12, and haven't looked back. The Surgeon said I had a tremendous amount of scar tissue, but he was still able to remove 85% of my stomach - no leaks - and I have never been happier. No more getting stuck, having problems drinking, and back to eating "normal" healthy foods. For me, this was the best thing I've ever done.

Congratulations! Glad to hear you're home. Being home is so much better than having to stay in Hospital.

WOW! - Has it been 6 weeks already??? I remember when my surgery date was finally made, and I thought time would just D-R-A-G! I couldn't wait until my surgery, and that seemed to take forever, and then I blinked, and it was surgery day!! Then it seemed to take FOREVER until I could take in "full liquids", and then it seemed like the wait for "soft/mushees" would NEVER BE OVER!! Now I'm at 6 weeks Post-Op, and I got the thumbs up from my NUT to eat "regular food". Even though I've been slowly adding soft foods over the last 2 weeks, this seems like a huge hurdle that I've finally past. So, now that I'm on "regular food", what have I been eating??? Not a lot. Pretty much the same stuff. That I was eating prior to "regular foods" Why? Because I seem to have lost my ability to cook "regular food". My brain is having trouble putting together meals again! Did they take that part of my brain??? So this next week, I will be focusing on meal planning. I know DH will be happy. He's been so patient and supportive with this whole process, and he deserves a very special meal. Yesterday was his 51st birthday, and he is my "cookie monster". I have never known a grown man to love cookies soooooo much. So yesterday I baked "Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies" and I also added Toffee Bits in them. He gobbled down 6 when he got home! I took a bite of one and it was really good, but I really have no interest in eating many more - WAY DIFFERENT than before the surgery. So, this weekend I will be cooking his ALL TIME favorite meal . . . chicken fried steak with homemade gravy, mashed potatoes and polk salad. Maybe that will get my creative cooking juices flowing. Also, this week I visited my family physician to get an idea of what my bloodwork numbers looked like, and they were really great! He also helped me set a realistic goal on my weight loss. We're shooting for a healthy BMI and so that puts me around the 160 - 165 range. Very doable. When I was doing Weight Watchers, their goal for me was 145lbs, which was ridiculous. I'm not really sure Weight Watchers has a realistic idea of weight. For my DH his goal was 170 and he looked like a refugee from some foreign country. His cheeks were sunken and all his bones stuck out. He looked horrible. I'm so glad he put back on 25lbs. He looks much, much better now. So, now that I've got to start focusing on "regular food" again, I gotta go print out some recipes from "World According to Eggface", and a few others! Have a great and blessed weekend!

Congratulations! Keep up the good work!!!!

Congratulations! Way to go!!!!

Don't know if this is the proper forum or not, but just wanted to share something. If you haven't seen the movie "Supersize Me", I would highly recommend it. It's one man's journey eating nothing but McDonald's for 30 days. His health totally tanks! Not only that, there are conversations with Doctor's, Nutritionist's, etc., discussing the overall effect of fast food. What really struck me was the addictive nature of unhealthy food. It's amazing. Pretty much from the very beginning he became addicted. He would be feeling sick, tired, depressed, and then eat something from McDonald's and suddenly he was feeling great. Amazing. I never really thought about what all that junk was doing to me.

The only fast food I've had since my surgery (6 weeks ago), is some refried beans from Taco Bueno. That was for my pureed/mushy phase. I was so sick of the shakes, drinks, applesauce, etc. I have no plans on going anywhere near a McDonalds, Wendys, Burger King, etc., for quite a long while.

I use eggface's website all the time! She's amazing. I think I'll adopt you as my sister! I've never had one. So Sis, how are you feeling today? I noticed that you were online about as much as me

For some reason, I don't have a problem with eggs in any form. I'm 6 weeks post-op, and started eating scrambled eggs at week 3. It's a good thing too, as I have chickens that I raise specifically for their eggs.

I had the band to sleeve revision on 3/22/12, and am loving it! If you are on facebook, I would recommend the facebook page "Failed Lap-Bands and Realize Bands". It's a fantastic source of information as well, and just about everyone on there has either had a revision, or are trying to get one. I had my band in 2007 and it didn't work well for me. Through various trials and errors, we ended up emptying it in 2009. I was "stuck" and "sliming" every single day! No more!! Since getting the sleeve, life has been so much more enjoyable!

Earlier this week, I gave away 4 trash bags filled with my 24's, 22's, 20's and 18's! I am now in 16's and can't believe it. Just 1 more size down and I'll be shopping in the "normal" area of the Department store. BTW - I hear their fitting rooms are nicer