StormWarning

I meant no harm or disrespect in my post and I am sorry if it offended anyone or caused a disturbance. No one knows the body like the person who is living inside it. My doctor had no restrictions and its even published in his book. Pg. 86 Question 11. When can I resume having sex? "whenever the patient feels good about it. It is very important that the patient understands that having sex will not cause the sleeve to burst, or a staple to pop, nor will it cause the sleeve to leak. Having sex does not interfere at all with the sleeve. So as soon as the patient feels good about having sex, he or she can resume sexual activity". I just answered the question, I stated ahead of time that my doctor had no restrictions, and it was up to me and how I felt as I will know if I am in pain or not. I fully understand that every doctor is different as you can read from all the other post, I answered just like everyone else. And this may be too much information, but someone mentioned about orgasms, well orgasms do make your abdominal muscles contract and clinch and some may feel pain but was not in my case. I am saddened that one or more people can be bashed or called out from another s' response, and it appears it was my post that caused it cause someone had a problem with what I said. We are all here for advice, friendship, and information. We all have different experiences, information from doctor, and different tummies too. We all know and understand what works for one doesn't necessarily work for others, and of course we all know that we go by what OUR doctors say anyway despite what another was allowed to do or not do.

Dr. Alvarez does the leak test now during surgery, and No he no longer does the 24 hour test. 24 hours after surgery they will start you out on ice chips to suck, not swallow. The day of discharge, 48 hours after surgery you will be given juice and water to drink.

Yes really and there's no shame in it. Some people just have very active sex lives and after 17 years of marriage I am thrilled it's still there for us. Sent from my iPhone using VST

My doc stated as soon as we feel comfortable in doing so that sex does not and will not cause any damage to the stomach or the staples. Being that I couldn't get alone time in the damn hospital I waited until I was home. 2 days after surgery. Have a blast!!

There's no reason to be sarcastic or mean. I understand shorthand type can be frustrating to many people but it is in fact a new language to the younger age especially those using cell phones. My teenage son drives me crazy with it but I also find myself texting shorthand to my hubby. While we may have been taught to not shorten our words I found her comment still understandable and readable. Sent from my iPhone using VST

I think you are doing great. We really need to meet up in the future and visit. Keep your head high. We will figure this out. Sent from my iPhone using VST

I'm curious to see some responses to this Susie as I am sure I will have the same issues from the same doctor. Do you think maybe you should try to supplement 4-5 smaller meals instead of trying to push 3 until we get to where we can get whats needed in a meal? Let me know what you figure out, I am going to need all the tips possible.

My recovery is going great! I could not ask for an easier surgery. Dr. A. truly has some gifted hands. I experienced no pain, and would have thought I didn't have surgery at all if I hadn't lifted my gown to check the incisions. No surgical gas pains, no nausea, no hunger, it was like getting waited on for luxury purposes. However as some know, I also had some dental work done. I had 10 teeth pulled. I can handle tooth extractions but it turned out that the problem wasn't with my gums, that i had deteriorating bones and they had to scrape them and that was excruciating pain. Happened to be the only pain I had from my travels. I am a week out from surgery and things are great. I do get tummy gas every now and then but as long as I continue taking the acid medicine he prescribed as directed I am good. I am down 21lbs total from pre-op until now. I weighed 310 day of surgery, gained up to 318 from fluids and today for weigh in I came in at 301. Sweetsusie is doing fine. I talked to her today as she was checking in on me. She says she still has a hard time believing her restriction..and can barely get down 3 ounces. Of course Dr. A. says its all going to take time.

You are stunning and obviously are working hard to achieve your goal. What a great way of rocking that sleeve. Keep it up!!

You can swim only if you haven't had surgery yet. Every doctor is different but most say no swimming or tub bathing after surgery for 14 days or until all incisions are completely healed.

Well Here I am 4 days post op and I have to say that today is by far my best day. Again no problems with surgery, but I highly recommend not getting teeth done the same time..LOL. its like a double whammy on your body. This morning was the the first that I woke up without that excruciating pain in my jaw, and i was actually able to talk without feeling like my jaw was going to explode. I have shied away from the boards because of this. As far as the surgery, I feel wonderful!. I am unsure how much fluids I am getting down cause I keep forgetting to track it, but I do know it's enough as my urine is running very clear. I have no head hunger, but there are times that my tummy lets me know its time to feed it more fluids. I am very sorry for not updating as soon as I should have been, as I was taking all the time I needed to feel better in my mouth. The weight gain after surgery is horrid. i was down 14lbs before surgery from 322 to 308. The day I left I noticed I was weighing almost 2lbs heavier which I figured was water retention from nerves. Day of surgery i did weigh 310 on doctors scale. Day I got home Wednesday the 8th I weighed 319 lbs. I knew and read over and over about retaining fluids after surgery, but I guess you never really expect it or believe it until you see it. today, day 4 I am finally dropping a few, but I am staying off the scale until my weekly weigh ins. I have not tried too many different drinks so to speak. I am living off water and some gatorade. I did try some watered down apple juice, but in all honesty that gassed me up so bad. I am hesitant to try skim milk yet, but I sure am craving it. Today was the first day that I tried some chicken broth- again had to dilute it. I am not eating any jello as I am worried about jaw pain and not being able to chew very well. Everyday that passes is another day of my journey!

I am still here with Dr. Alvarez. /I will get discharged tomorrow. Dr. A was so gentle and caring, help me in no pain what so ever, in fact things were so good with my surgery that i decided to go downstairs to the dentist and have 10 teeth pulled and am still feeling great. no one has a thing to worry about with Dr. Alvarez.

Well I went and took a hot shower last night before bed. It really soothed the body out. Crawled in bed around 11 and had the alarm set for 530. I wanted time to get things packed back up, straighten/freshen up, and do what I needed on the computer and still be ready by 7:15 for when Rosy comes to pick us up. I have to say I tossed quite a bit last nite. I even ended up on my tummy a few times which is odd. My tummy must know it will be awhile before it can do that. I remember seeing the clock a few times during the night, but I feel rested. I actually woke up at 5:10 and decided wth. So I got up, dressed, and trying to be somewhat quiet since Hubby is still sleeping. I am anxious about today, ready to get this started. What does have me nervous is the pulling of some teeth tomorrow. Now that scares the crap out of me. LOL. But I know everything will go fine. Today I will take my first seat on the loser's bench forever. I asked that my name be permanently engraved there. No more wiping it off from regaining weight.

I too am tomorrow and want to wish you all the best of luck. Our journey is soon to begin.

Thanks Joyce. I am not nervous (YET). I am in the hotel room relaxing for the moment. Waiting for the dentists driver to pick me up later on around 7 for my x-rays and impressions. Then I will come back and sleep for the night or so I hope. I am feeling pretty good, about tomorrow, no worries. I may have nerves or anxiety in the morning, but not fears. This city is crazy, Hubby and I did drive to the casino to try our luck, but that didn't go so well. Thats when you walk out and save the rest of your money. So now we are lounging in the room, he's watching tv, I'm contemplating a nap, and he is waiting on his delivery (pizza hut) to get here. OH BOY, that ought to be fun.. May be the perfect time for a bath if I am not sleeping. I will update here tomorrow as soon as I am able, I have already showed hubby how to update the facebook for me so he can let everyone know that I am out of surgery at least. Thanks for all the well wishes.

Well I am now an hour away from the hotel. Tomorrow is the big day!! I can't wait. Good luck to you as well Emmy! Will see you soon. Sent from my iPhone using VST

I leave in the morning to head for Eagle Pass. I am going to have a very busy schedule as I am having some teeth pulled while I am there. So tomorrow evening, the dentist is sending his driver to pick me up for x-rays and impressions and then surgery on monday with my teeth being pulled on tuesday. I do believe it's going to be a busy schedule for me. Looking forward to everything though. Just 2 days away from the reinvention of myself.

lovenox is given to patients to reduce the risk of blood clots. Some doctors require the patients to do them at home before or after the surgery. and some doctors do heparin shots while your in the hospital under for surgery. It is all a preventative concept.

It appears they have updated the site. I have noticed a few changes in the layout and format of things. I am also having the problems of not being notified of new posts, or even seeing the notifications of the post. This may just be a temporary glitch, or atleast I hope. I want things to be normal again if normalcy even existed.

Congrats. you are looking fabulous and doing a great job. Keep up the hard work.

Glad to hear you are doing so great. I hope your recovery keeps moving smoothly and easily. Welcome to the boards and congratulations on making it to the losers bench.

Yes a card is just fine. The cards are only good for land travels into other countries. Since we were not flying into Mexico we decided to save some money for the time being. You are just fine with your card.

I haven't heard anything yet. Been busy with appointments for my son. I've been checking here and there. Sent from my iPhone using VST

I read a blog the other day on here about an experience with drinking. I sure hope Tmorgan won't mind me sharing it here. She gives her account of her experience. http://www.verticalsleevetalk.com/blog/1376/entry-3999-they-took-my-irish-drinking-crown/