tropicalgal

Mine were finally taken out on the 29th. YAY! My sites continued to hurt but I'm doing sooo much better now. You're right, it was a really weird & painful feeling having them taken out. Especially my right one. It was in further. Hope you are all doing GREAT! Thanks for your responses!

Yay!!!

How are you doing now, JayneD?? My surgery was on Monday & I have 2 drains. They are the source of all my pain which at times is a "10". I'm concerned 'cause many of you said yours didn't hurt! Yes, I do have blood clots coming out and sitting in my "bulbs". My doc said it's good to get them out so the remaining fluid can continue to drain. My doc had a CT scan done on me on Thursday; they did see fluid but no leak. I can't wait to get these things out! I know they're good, but mine are excruciating sometimes. I don't like having to be on narcotics most of the time, but I have to in order to decrease the pain. In answer to your question..."excessive blood amounts?" check with your doc. I was told it would start out red, then slowly turn a yellowish color. My left one has started doing that. My right one kept getting clogged so the NP had to coax some clots out of it to keep the drainage going. Best of luck on the rest of your journey! Someday, we'll be able to "rock our sleeve"!

Angelbaby, 40 lbs! Wonderful! So happy for your weight loss but sorry you're getting burnt out! Will pray you get to switch to one of the ICUs. Your comments about your sleeve made me feel better about mine! I was sleeved on Monday; my doc put drains in because I had my lapband out on Sept. 12. Guess he wanted to make sure any extra fluid gets out of there. It sure has been painful! I had a CAT scan on Thursday & I do have fluid but not a leak. So here I sit, with 2 drains, wishing they were out (have appt tomorrow; I'm doubtful they'll take them out as they are still draining.) & I was feeling better. My sleeve rocking days are beginning slowly but I'm glad I'll be rocking it someday!!! Take care!

Monday was my day as well! Unfortuneatly, I have drains on boths sides of my diaphram, so all most all of my pain is from those. I went from a band to a sleeve, so he wanted to make sure any fluid in there was out! I've been on drugs most of the time because of the pain (TG), but am trying to function without them a little more today. I'll get the drains out on Monday & I know I'll feel soooo much better then. I just keep myself focused on the future weight loss. You're doing GREAT, Donny!!! Keep doin' what you're doin'!

WHOOT-WHOOT! AWESOME job, emlefe! I'm so looking forward to the same things!! My husband is small & it bothers me that I'm bigger than him! My surgery is Monday. I'm a little nervous..... Anyway, just wanted to give you a shout-out for being sucessful on the "loosers bench"!

AWESOME! Looks like you've lost half your weight! Keep it up! I'm scheduled to have my sleeve on Oct. 22. Really looking forward to it! Congratulations on your weight loss!

WHOOT-WHOOT!!

Ditto! Please post later telling us you went to the ER!

I concur, you do look FABULOUS! Thanks for sharing with us! Keep up the great work!!

Good for you Desertmom! Sounds like you're getting your exercie groove going! Keep up the good work!!

I found the info on the Dr. Oz show I was talking about. It's supposed to control your appetite, naturally. The product is "Satiereal Saffron Extract". Google it & you'll see more info. I think I'm going to go to my nearest GNC & purchase some to see if it will help me while I'm waiting for my Sleeve surgery. Will let you know how it's working for me.

I had my band removed on the 12th of Sept. I, too have to wait, but only 1 month for healing. Yes, I found myself piling the food into my mouth about 1 week ago. It's been really difficult to remind myself that a lot of what I'm eating is due to head hunger. I'm really bad at wanting Snacks when I'm watching my favorite tv shows in the evening...That being said, I actually did really well today not answering when my head said, "Hey, there's Oreo Cookies in the pantry; there's chocolate cake on the counter; those Doritos look good!" etc., etc., etc.....(as you can see, my husband & teenage son aren't the best eaters either ). I'm trying to get 40 grams of Protein in per day, drinking lots of fluids & trying to eat protein first. I have to change the way I'm eating now to be able to succeed with the sleeve. I agree that phentermine is probably not the best choice. I don't have the info now, but Dr. Oz had a show that promoted a natural ingrediant that helps suppress hunger. Can't remember the name but I'll get the info & post it here later today. We're all on a journey; each one is different; good for us!!! As to wondering if the docs want more $ by doing 2 surgeries; difficult to say. I do know that I had scar tissue from my band & the doc removed it with the band to prep me for the next surgery. I believe it's better to do 2 steps instead of 1. I think your stomach needs to get back to it's normal shape(?) & heal before doing the sleeve right away. Good luck everyone!!

I'm so sorry! There is a gal on here called "littlemissdiva" (or lilmissdiva) she has some wonderful tips & is very encouraging. She's one year out with her sleeve and doing awesome! She checks in on this site every day. Try connecting with her....I believe you'll be glad you did!

Hawkyhoops, How are you? Looks like you had some major bleeding? Oh my gosh! I hope you're better now!

I can't address many of your questions other than that you will feel week for awhile. At least that's what my NUT & someone I know who had the sleeve done told me. I think the pain depends on the person?? If you're really concerned, please call your Doc. Good luck & I hope you get more answeres to this....I'll pray for you. Hang in there as best you can!

AWESOME kinnymom! You look amazing! Thanks for sharing with us! Keep us updated!!

Thanks for your update, Lash44. It's good to for sleeve want-to-be's & recent sleevers to hear. Congratulations on your sucess! WHOOT-WHOOT!!

Hello WA Sleevers! I realize it's been months since the last post here.....how is everyone doing? My Insurance, Regence Blue Shield (Non-traditional plan) would not pay for Bariatric Surgery in 2010. I was a self-pay LapBander. My husband changed our Regence to the Traditional Plan, & they have now paid for the removal of my Band & have approved LapSleeve surgery. I'm very excited. The Band caused more problems for me than it was worth. I don't have a surgery date yet as I'm waiting for my cpap test results which will be next week. My doc makes you go through a Pulmonary doc before having the sleeve. Hope everyone is doing well & has had good luck!

I haven't had the surgery yet, but I expect to in October. I have a very good Christian friend who is supporting me in this. She had to have breast reduction many years ago for her neck, back & shoulder relief. She says having bariatric surgery is no different. It's medically neccessary for your health. I am so glad she shared this with me as I am sure there are other Christian friends who would support me, but others who would take the stance of that "friend". My surgeon is a Christian; he explained to me that being Obese is a disease. He & his staff are the nicest people I've ever met in a medical facility. I know that he would not be a bariatric surgeon if he felt God disapproved. I think it's no different than any other surgery or medicine God has given us to help us be/get healthy. Your co-worker's Christian(?) friend needs to realize they have no right to judge her for the surgery. It has nothing to do with them. I know there are areas in their own life they need to work on...they shouldn't be "casting the first stone"...

Hang in there RJ! I'm sorry you had such a rough day! Unfortunatly, there will always be ignorance & rudeness in the world. You are absolutely doing what's best for you. Chin up! I have to say I'm confused by the nurse. Sounds like she needs a "bedside manner check". You can always let your doc know about your experience at with the nurse. Will be praying that things go better for you next time.

Sorry for your loss. Thanks for your reminder. They think I have "Mild Sleep apnea" & I have to tell you, I've really been complaining about having to use one! I REALLY hate it (I'm a VERY light sleeper so it's been difficult to adjust to one); however, your post puts it into perspective. I can put aside my hate, for life! Will be praying for you & your friend's family.

I'm 3 days post-op band removal & my pain has not gone above an 8. The "port" area is the most painful. It's starting to itch around the wounds which is driving me crazy but I know that means I'm healing. I'm getting lots of rest, taking my pain meds when needed, not bending or twisting, not lifting anything heavy & staying on the post-op diet my Surgeon prescribed. Yea! On my way to the sleeve & getting healthy!! Hang in there; it's all for a GREAT cause...YOU!

I was banded in 2010. I ended up hating it! I'm 53, had back surgery in 2008 & now have bad knee problems. When banded, I went off my perscription anti-inflammatory & within about 5 months, I'd lost 30 lbs. However, I began exercising 3-4x a week on a treadmill which sent me back into agony knee wise. It was really frustrating as far as eating goes too because sometimes I could eat say toast, and the next time I ate it, I'd be pukeing it up. Read my story on my site to get a clearer picture. Overall, my opinion of the band is not good. My NUT told me that more & more docs are not doing the band because of it's fail rate. Yes, they take out part of your stomach with the sleeve so it's not reversable, but my opinion is the sleeve is still the way to go. I go in next Wed. to have my band removed & then hopefully will schedule the sleeve surgery very soon. Good luck!

Ditto to what everyone's said, Pinktink! You are a beautiful women with your whole life infront of you. He needs to work out his own problems...you concentrate on you. It's tough when you're feeling heartbroken, but this split is probably the second best thing happening to you right now! Hang in there....lot's of people here care!