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Congratulations on your weight loss and the pregnancy and condolences for the losses you've experienced. Wishing you loads of luck!

We had no pre-op diet. By 'we', I mean those in my group at the obesity clinic. I was the only one to have the sleeve surgery. Everyone else went for the bypass. My only direction beforehand was to try and lose 10kilos before surgery time (about 5 months). We were also directed differently than most for after the surgery. Clear liquids while in-patient, then 2-3 days of fluids (soup/puddings), 2-3 days soft/pureed, then to regular (super-small portions) food by week 2 Good luck!!

They should approve it, since it was approved previously. The surgeon didn't feel it was safe at the time. You may have to do additional paperwork though, because of it being in the new year--possible new guidelines, etc. Good luck!

Thank you, kczar and *Dean*, I appreciate the responses!

Years ago, I knew someone who had gastric bypass. She started at 400+ and said her personal goal was around 130 lbs. When I knew her, she was already down to around 180 lbs and still trying hard to get lower, but her surgeon told her she had between 30-35 lbs of loose skin to be removed. So my question is--when we're considering our goal weight, are we to consider that possible excess skin weight? Now, I get that we won't really know how much excess skin we'll have until we get way closer to goal (I'm no where near that), but say I wish to get down to 160 lbs someday, would it be more reasonable for me to shoot for 180? I guess it goes more to those smaller framed people who aim for and reach 130s....so with skin removal they could be down to 110? Or maybe them being that small is because they have hardly any excess skin? Hope this makes some kind of sense...lol

I sure hope so, cause I miss it! I used to drink a few gallons of tap Water per day--by choice. I preferred it to sodas, coffees or teas, but now, I can only get in my fluids each day with tea--and just regular tea. I really wanted to like fruit teas, but they just don't do it for me. I'm almost 4-months out now and plain water causes my stomach to cramp. I have tried the mio drops and the taste just isn't good to me either. Good luck to you!

I've been using a bipap (nose mask) for nearly 10 years and it's been 8 years since my last sleep study. I took it with me to the hospital and was in the ICU the first night after the surgery because of my severe OSA diagnosis from that 8yo sleep study. I didn't use it in the ICU and they said my episodes were within the 'normal' range. Now I didn't sleep much that first night, or didn't feel like I did, because I was hooked up to a bp machine--and every hour that stupid thing would inflate and pinch like a motherhummer and I'd wake up. I haven't used my machine since my surgery. I was always told that I sounded like a buzzsaw and a leafblower combined, but my husband sleeps fine with me not using the machine. I'm not quite ready to return the machine yet, just in case, but I think I'll look into getting another sleep study between 4-6 months out. It is weird not having the mask on after so many years of using it. Hubs has no idea what I sounded like before, because I've used it since he's known me.

You're doing great! I was sleeved 2 days later than you and not losing nearly as quickly. Good on you! Congratulations and wishing you continued success!

I was diagnosed with severe osa 10 years ago and have used a bipap all that time. My current settings are 13/8. I was told to bring my machine to the hospital and was in ICU for the first night after the surgery because they were worried about the apnea. However, I didn't use the machine while in the hospital. I was monitored and they said my episodes were within normal ranges! Ok, could've been because I was sleeping on my back, being still and head/shoulders elevated, but it worked. I'm 6weeks out from my surgery and haven't used my machine at all. I'm not saying the apnea is gone, but I've not noticed being more tired than before when using it every night. Plus, from what I've been told, I would snore like mad--like the house is crumbling around you from the vibrations, bad--and hubs says it's not so bad that he can't sleep now, so something has improved. Though I'll admit to not having had a proper sleep study since 2003--so loads of things may have changed. I just didn't think the changes would be for the better. I'm not giving up my machine though (it's rented through the insurance company) until I know I'm in the clear. Truly, just hate the idea of doing another study.

I'm trying to use MFP to track my calories and protein. Really unfamiliar with it all, but giving it a go. StrayWildcat is my nickname on there.

I was sleeved on Sept.28 and I can't handle plain Water. I've tried different temps and doesn't seem to make a difference, it feels like my stomach is clinching/cramping when I try it. Thank goodness for warm/hot tea--cause it's about the only thing I can drink--and being from the south (super sweet-tea), this was a big change for me..lol I do use sweetner in my tea though, plain is just fowl to me. I'm hoping it gets better, because for years, water is all I drank, now my fluids are strictly tea and Protein shakes. The upside--I'm brushing my teeth more often (trying to avoid tea-stained teeth).

Happened to me today for the first time! I was eating leftover (microwaved) chicken fajita strips, so they were tougher than the first go-around and was feeling uncomfortable--ate too much (though wasn't much) or too fast and my mouth started watering like I'd vomit...went to the sink and heaved and up came this big slimy blob---then some (all?) of the chicken I'd had. Gross as it sounds--I ate strips and looked like cream-of-chicken is what came back out--so seemed to be well chewed..lol. The coming back up didn't hurt really, but felt LOADS better afterwards. Now sipping some warm tea (since Water doesn't work for me yet) and hoping to comfort my sleeve a bit. Guess I'll take it easy tonight with something soft and shakes to get my Protein in. The only other time I've vomited since being sleeved was in the hospital with the blue (acid) drink.

Hi Everyone, As of tomorrow, I'm 1month out from surgery (9kilos lost since the surgery). I've been twice to the clinic for a check-up since being released from the hospital (most recently today) and both times, my blood pressure was up. I didn't take any medication before the surgery, but today was told that I should contact my family DR to have them keep an eye on it or to possibly prescribe something. Isn't this unusual? Doesn't it usually work that people's blood pressure goes down after the surgery? I HATE those stupid bp cuffs, I find them crazy-painful, but I'm kinda wishing I had one here at home to monitor a bit.

I'll be 4weeks out on Friday and am down only 9kgs/19.8lbs since the surgery. Glad my weight is going down, but sincerely expected more within the first few weeks/month.

Tamara, I was sleeved the 28th and am no where near the 16lbs down that you are. You're doing great!! You've slipped up and you know it--let it go and move on. Good luck with keeping on track and sincerely, huge congrats with the loss so far!!

The excess skin is a big concern I have. I'm not super worried about what I'll look like in public, clothed and all, but worried that my sweetheart husband won't find me attractive. Not saying he won't of doesn't love me, but to be attracted to me. He's always loved my plush-ness, and to be true, I like the way I feel (to the touch)--the softness, not so much with the aching knees/legs. I can't see me (or him) feeling the same way when I feel and look like a hairless shar-pei with poking bones.

My surg is scheduled for next Friday---and we have a vacation planned in December--including two flights of 10hrs/5hr layover/3hrs.... I was told they advise no major travel for 6 weeks, so 2 months out should be fine. Enjoy your cruise!!

I've found the nectar fuzzy navel protein powder in greek yogurt to be really good. The bacteria in the yogurt is supposed to help with digestion too, so even being intolerant, it could work for you.

Apologies, but what is BC?

Same thing here. In figuring my BMI, I knew it would be high, but was higher than I expected because, apparently, I'm shorter than I thought I was. wth? .... Ever heard the saying 'as broad as she is long" ? Well, I'm there: ~160kilos/160cms

For those who have to or are choosing to do the protein shakes pre-op--what size are the shakes? I've found some that are 500 grams, 55 grams of protein, almost 300 calories, 14 grams of carbs.... I've asked about the pre-op liquids and the clinic said they don't ask for that, but it's up to me. I'm just not sure of how much. These full shakes x 3 per day just seems like a lot. Maybe 2 x plus a meal? If a regular normal meal-shake is 200 grams or something, then one bottle per day could be enough with 1 regular meal. I'd LOVE to lose about 25 lbs before the surgery. Of course, not knowing when the surgery is makes it tough to plan, so I'm trying to get ahead of the game.

Thanks, FemmeFatale! Looking at your profile (stats), looks like it worked out great for you! Congrats on your success!

Thank you, SleevenChica! Best of luck to you too!

Hi Everyone, I'm Fiona and I live in Europe. I'm from the U.S. but relocated years ago after meeting my husband while on vacation. I'm 44 and, well, fat. I started seriously looking into having wls early this year, then with referrals and waiting to hear from insurance, I'm looking at having the procedure before the end of the year. I'm crazy-nervous, but not exactly about the surgery itself--more about life-after-surgery. A few years ago, my gall bladder had to be removed and because it was so deteriorated, it had to be done via open surgery. So, I'm thinking that after all of that, simply removing part of my stomach should be like a piece of cake--or sugar free pie--or something. Anyways, I'm now sporting a rather large scar and a hernia on top. I'm currently going through the 'program' for a few more months to get ready for the procedure. It's a little difficult for me because of the language difference. I speak conversational Dutch, but medical terms and the likes, I get a bit lost. Because most of this is done in a group setting with native Dutch speakers, the option for all English isn't available. My confusion isn't so bad that I gain nothing from the conversations, but at times, I have to ask for a translation of certain words. When one-on-one, the providers speak English, so that's not an issue. I was originally referred for and they recommended the gastric bypass, but because of my high BMI (and I think the previous scar tissue and hernia had something to do with it too), the surgeon has agreed with me on having the sleeve instead. Thank goodness, because the bypass scares the crap out of me! I'm not diss-ing that procedure--it's worked for many people and some whom I know in real-life. However, I also know some whom have had GB and things haven't gone so well. I know no one personally who has had the sleeve, so the experiences discussed here and on other sites mean a great deal to me. I've been poking around the forum for a few months. There's so much info, questions and answers. Please know that you efforts to help out those considering the procedure(s) and continued input is much appreciated. Take care, F.