chicagochic

My surgery was 5.5 hours due to other scar tissue from previous surgeries. My doctor knew ahead of time that it might be a lengthy procedure so had a second surgeon on had with him. I can't believe how good I feel compared to how much work needed to happen.

I had surgery on December 8th and am also struggling with the gas pain. I was off pain meds for about two days but would take it if I felt it would work against the gas. Otherwise, I'm sipping broth, flavored water and frozen sugar free pops which taste amazing. I'm not getting all my Protein or liquids yet but I'm working on it.

My Surgery Is December 8,2015

I'm Excited And Nervous

Start my Clear liquid diet 2 Days Before My Surgery

My surgery is the same day, December 8, 2015 in Tijuana, MX, with Dr. Lopez. I start my diet 3 days before and it is a pretty cool one. I have a shake for Breakfast and dinner and a salad for lunch. I'm super excited to have this procedure done.

That's so exciting. I can hear the excitement in your writing. Congrats!

Yes. I have to start it 3 days prior to procedure. Protein Shakes for Breakfast and dinner, salad for lunch. It's an awesome diet. Not as bad as I thought it would be.

I am scheduling to be sleeve a month for today and am looking forward to my next journey.

I was sleeved on May 30th. I'm almost 4 months out and just over 40 pounds down. I am in my second stall. The first one lasted exactly one month. This one is so far a week. I don't mind the ups and downs. I'm losing slowly compared to other May sleevers but I'm so happy with my progress. I can tolerate most anything in small amounts and have a healthy relationship with food. Except dairy! It is no longer my friend. But I don't mind at all.

The picture are before, two months and four months. Can't wait to see what six months and 1 year look like!

Wow that's a long stall. Today I am 11 days postop and have maybe lost 1 1/2 pounds. I have stared at the scale so many times I'm confused. Did your dr explain the long stall? So happy you're seeing some movement. <img src='http://www.bariatricpal.com/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.png' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='' />

I talked to my nutritionist about it. She said it was normal and not to worry. People stall anywhere from 3days to 3months.

I was two weeks out and hit a stall for exactly 31 days. Very frustrating! It broke 6 days ago and I have been losing a pound a day. I'm so enjoying this and hope it lasts as long as the stall did. I went from a size 20-22 on surgery date to a size 16 in two months. I love it!

Hey Erika and Fran! I'm also in Chicago. I live in the downtown area. I am two months post opp and down 30 lbs. I consider myself a slow loser but I'm not going to complain. I had a 5 week stall. I'm so glad it just broke!

Anyway ladies, let's stay in contact!

I was in a stall for one month exactly! I'm only two months out now so it was more than frustrating. It was scary. I've been averaging a half pound a day since then so just stick to your diet.

I had a Greek salad with mixed greens at about 7 weeks out. Came right back up! Maybe I will try iceberg lettuce next time. I absolutely hated iceberg pre-op but I will take it over no lettuce at all.

I had the single incision done through my belly button. I had no pain at all. It healed really quickly and I have no signs that I even had a procedure done.

I'm so sorry you seem to be struggling here. I would suggest you seeing another therapist and getting back on the anti-depressants. Especially since we can no longer use food to give us that temporary lift.

I am exactly two months out and just got back from my first vacation post-op. It was so tough because I realized just how much good food was part of my enjoyment on vacations. Part of the excitement is trying new cuisines and overindulging a bit. I found myself feeling very regretful, but only briefly. I realized that I had been walking so much and had clocked about 10k steps in just half a day! And I never even had to sit down or stop to catch my breath or pretend I was interested in going into a store just so I could take a break from walking. So it's a trade off and I will take being able to enjoy activities all day over enjoying a calorie-rich meal anytime!

I have heard this from numerous people when I tell them I am having a vertical sleeve gastrectomy.

"So if you know you will only be able to eat half a hamburger for the rest of your life' date=' why don't you do just that?"

How do you respond to this question????

I know that I probably only should eat the half of the hamburger but it never stops me from eating the whole thing. What are your responses to people who are so very skeptical of the procedure and try to convince you it isn't the right thing to do?

Need some advice...

Thanks![/quote']

I would just say that this surgery helps me not feel deprived when I stop at only half. That is the hardest part about dieting and why long term success rates are so low so this surgery gives me the extra assistance that I need to eat less and not feel like I am starving myself.

And to mom I would say that I am just not as comfortable as you are being this size! Passive-aggressive at its best.

I'm so thankful that my insurance is through my husband's work, because I'm laid off from my job today..and btw I work in healthcare! I'm so worried about approval and now this! I'm worried about my out of pocket expenses! Because I was depending on a mileage reimbursment drom work to pay them...don't know what I'm gonna do...say a prayer for me.

I'm so sorry for your job loss. I hope that you are able to get something soon! I would contact my doc and insurance company to find out about the out of pocket expenses. I had a lot but did not have to pay any up front. I also set up payment arrangements so that they are managable. I know it's tough but stay on track and hope for the best!

Saying a prayer for you!

I saw Lisa Lampanelli sneaking out of my surgeon's office! Obviously' date=' she's not out about her surgery![/quote']

She is out. She was on a talk show. That chic with the skinny girl cocktails. I don't recall her name.

I had chili on the puréed diet with no problem! Just put a few teaspoons in my bullet and it was so yummy!

I am near 7 weeks and get my Protein in but always struggle with Water. It feels like I am always either eating or drinking something or taking a vitamin! I try to drink a bottle of water at 9, noon, 3 and 6pm but sometimes I am still working on the earlier one when it's time for another so I am usually around 50-55 oz.. I used to be able to chug a water bottle in a few minutes before surgery. It just takes time.

Yes. This has happened to me. Can not tolerate lactose at all. I get very bloated almost instantly. My nutritionist said it is common. Also, foods like yogurt and cheese tend to be low in lactose itself (while they are drairy) so I can tolerant those a lot better.

I had a small bowl of butter pecan ice cream at about 4 weeks out. Big mistake! It was so damn good going down but my sleeve wholeheartedly rejected every ounce of it after about 3 minutes. Let me tell you, butter pecan is not as good coming back up! I now realize that I am lactose intolerant and that I can not and should not do anything that rich and sugar-filled ever.

I finally have gotten some relief from the reflux today' date=' but for the last 3-4 days I feel like my food takes forever to digest. I go o dink 30-45 min after I eat and end up throwing up bc I'm too full. WTH?? I'm 3.5 weeks out.[/quote']

I have the same issue. It is common according to my NUT. She said that it will change as we get further out, but some people just have to wait up to an hour after eating dense and/or fibrous foods. And of course it's a shorter time after eating something like yogurt or softer carbs.

It gets better. I've learned to just listen to my sleeve. If she doesn't like it then I hate it!

I would imagine that if you are lactose intolerant you should know by now. I tried some ice cream and it was not a good choice. For many reasons.

It's should not scare you. We are not taking in as much food, Fiber and Water as we did prior to sugery so you will not have the same "schedule". My doc says to take something to assist if you are feeling uncomfortable or having to strain to go.

Sounds like you already know what you should and should not be doing. It may be worth seeing a nutritionist to get an idea of a good meal plan for you. Also, use my fitness pal to track your eating. Nothing like seeing how many calories you are consuming.

As far as the gym; I'm with you! I hate to go. I do like classes though. But I can not get into just jumping on the machines and working out. So I am taking 3 classes at the gym. One aerobic, one aqua fit (my fav) and one belly dancing which is pretty tough. That's at least three days that I work out. Plus if it's outside I just I for a walk. You can do it!

The best thing about the sleeve is that it does take some time to completely screw things up so you can get back in track! I'm not sure what city you are in but if you want to keep I contact we can.

Best wishes!