COsleeveDude

I bought this one from Target before my surgery, I like it: http://www.target.com/p/taylor-biggest-loser-glass-digital-scale-silver-11-2-x-12-5/-/A-13021683 It has a higher weight capacity. I have weighed myself on it immediately after returning from a weighing at the doctor, and it seems to be pretty spot on compared to the clinic scales. Consumer Reports has some ratings here, but I don't know how recent they are: http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/home-garden/beauty-personal-care/scales/scale-ratings/ratings-overview.htm

Three weeks is the high risk period. Stomach is completely healed after four weeks.

The bullseye (2nd pic) reminds me of a spider or tick bite. Don't know about the others, if they don't go away see a dermatologist. A lot of times the primary care docs just say rub some hydrocortisone on it if it doesn't look infected.

The psychologist has a right to their opinion just like the rest of us, but I would listen to the medical doctor and nutritionist before the psychologist. That having been said, the psychologist probably knows that, on average, you probably have a better chance of reaching your goal weight and reaching it faster with bypass. Some of the more recent research suggests that long term results may be comparable, but there's still more data for bypass since it has been performed and studied more often. Even if I don't lose as much weight as I would like, I would still choose sleeve over bypass. I just think that it has a better benefit-risk profile. Good luck.

Sounds like every surgeon and person is different. as far as blood thinners, I got some the day of surgery (obviously), and one shot in the stomach before I was discharged the day after surgery. When I asked why some have to take shots longer and some don't, they said it all depends on the risk factors: age, gender, BMI, medical history, etc. I would still inquire about why if they make you take anything. Make sure you go home with what you need: IMO everyone should go home with written care instructions, prescriptions for liquid painkillers (Lortab or similar), anti-nausea meds, and a PPI/acid reducer. If they don't send you home with those, ask why. If they don't prescribe blood thinners, ask why. These people are busy and human, they make mistakes. Just confirm to your satisfaction.

I lost almost 40 lbs pre-op starting in April up through my July 17 surgery. I've lost about 21 since surgery. I am not really worried about the speed of weight loss, though, because I assume it will be at least a couple of pounds a week no matter what, and will probably be more. If you add that up over a year, that's a lot of weight to drop in a relatively short period of time. I'm actually looking forward to a few weeks out when I can increase my calories past 500. I want to start some weight training, and it is hard to put on any muscle at 500 calories/day. The biggest thing it has done for me, so far, is to help get an initial chunk of weight off, start getting in shape and make some steady progress. The carb, hunger and portion control aspects help A LOT toward those ends. Good luck.

Juice can be empty calories if you drink too much, and it's easy to drink too much. Liquid calories in general should be avoided unless they're supplemental protein.

Put some gauze over it and change it 2x/day. I didn't have any steristrips, just cleaned and dressed it for another week or so until it stopped leaking. Then I switched to bandaids when I was sleeping to keep it from rubbing, and let it air out the rest of the day under my tshirt since it wasn't leaking, just a little red and scabby.

Have them check you out. Could be your gallbladder.

Work out every day until surgery. Walk for at least 30 minutes at a moderate pace. Lose 10-15 lbs or more on your own before surgery, even if it is not required by your program/surgeon. Go on the clear, sugar-free, caffeine free liquid diet for at least 3 days leading into surgery, even if it is not required by your program/surgeon. *If you haven't been working out steadily and haven't lost any weight before surgery, strongly consider the 14-day liver shrinking diet, which is basically two low-carb protein shakes and a low-carb dinner. Strive to follow pre and post-guidance to the letter. You will probably screw up a little somewhere, but don't we all? Choose the right program/surgeon, if you have a choice. That means someone you are comfortable with and that you have researched to your satisfaction. Reduce your stress. Don't worry. I was honestly not worried about the surgery itself, at all. I had my tonsils out last year -- that's a tough recovery as an adult. The surgery isn't what you should worry about, you're in, you're out and you're done. Worry about preparing for surgery so you can have a quick and successful recovery.

My pre and post-op diets excluded carbonated beverages. Pre probably just to get off them, and post because the carbonation may contribute to excess gas and stretching of the stomach.

I was hoping to take it home, fry it up and eat it. Like a placenta.

That's really cool that you went ahead and did that before surgery. I thought about doing that or a BodPod analysis, but didn't because I figure: who cares where I start, really? I mean, not literally because I know how much I weigh now and how I look, but more figuratively: I just want to look and feel better, I don't want to spend my whole life comparing and chasing after specific numbers. For example, if I set a goal of 180 and I get there and look like crap because I don't have enough fat and/or muscle, what's the point? BUT, I was tempted. And I do think body fat, bone and muscle mass is a much better way to view things than just weight and BMI alone. I have thought about a bone density scan in a year or so, just to make sure my bones aren't deteriorating after the surgery due to any deficiencies. And at that point I would probably also ask for the remaining results. Thanks for the post, good one.

I am a big believer in doing things before surgery to help reach an optimal recovery. Here is what I did: Work out every day until surgery. Walk for at least 30 minutes at a moderate pace. Lose 10-15 lbs or more on your own before surgery, even if it is not required by your program/surgeon. Go on the clear, sugar-free, caffeine free liquid diet for at least 3 days leading into surgery, even if it is not required by your program/surgeon. *If you haven't been working out steadily and haven't lost any weight before surgery, strongly consider the 14-day liver shrinking diet, which is basically two low-carb Protein shakes and a low-carb dinner. Strive to follow pre and post-guidance to the letter. You will probably screw up a little somewhere, but don't we all? Choose the right program/surgeon, if you have a choice. That means someone you are comfortable with and that you have researched to your satisfaction. Reduce your stress. Don't worry. I was honestly not worried about the surgery itself, at all. I had my tonsils out last year -- that's a tough recovery as an adult. The surgery isn't what you should worry about, you're in, you're out and you're done. Worry about preparing for surgery so you can have a quick and successful recovery. Good luck. J

My guidance was nothing over 20 lbs for 6 weeks. That might be a bit conservative, but most I've heard are at least 4 weeks with no heavy lifting.

I would suggest everyone read this before meeting your surgeon, and ask him or her if they disagree with any consensus statements. I did this with my surgeon, which reassured me that he was current with best practices. For example: bougie sizes. 87% agree that 32-36F is optimal. My surgeon explained that he prefers 36F because he believes that's the sweet spot for the most restriction with the least complications. Abstract: solid food until 2 wk postoperatively 100

Won't matter pretty soon: A special, temporary program will help adults with preexisting conditions get coverage. It expires in 2014, when the health insurance exchanges—basically big "pools" of businesses and individuals—come on-line. That's when all insurers will have to cover everyone, preexisting condition or not. http://www.motherjones.com/mojo/2012/06/obamacare-supreme-court-regular-americans

I had one, and only one, during my 2nd week. It generally fits the guidelines as long as you make it Tall (12 oz), skinny (no fat milk and sugar-free), and decaf. The bonus is mochas and lattes made like that are only 100-150 calories and have plenty of protein.

Hey folks, I am new here. I was sleeved in CO by Dr. Chae on July 17. I am down 17 lbs since surgery with zero complications. I can barely even tell I had it done, save for the lack of energy, scars and feeling full much faster. I also got in decent cardio shape and lost 38 lbs from April-July before the surgery, which I am very glad I did. I attribute the smooth surgery and recovery to that as well as the experience and skill of my surgeon and the hospital staff. Good luck to everyone pre and post-surgery. J

Since yesterday soft and moist: canned meats in Water, eggs, low-fat cheese, cottage cheese, turkey chili, etc. I'm not really worried about stalls yet. I'm only weighing myself once/week. I figure if a few weeks go by and nothing changes, then it's time to change something up, but after reading a lot of forums on these types of sites people seem to drive themselves nuts with the daily weighing. If you stick to the eating plan and workout something will happen. I am surprised by how many people seem to avoid working out. To me, that's a big part. I'd rather lose a few less pounds and gain some muscle. Seventeen lbs is good for a couple of weeks, just keep at it.

Hey folks, I am new here. I was sleeved in CO by Dr. Chae on July 17. I am down 17 lbs since surgery with zero complications. I can barely even tell I had it done, save for the lack of energy, scars and feeling full much faster. I also got in decent cardio shape and lost 38 lbs from April-July before the surgery, which I am very glad I did. I attribute the smooth surgery and recovery to that as well as the experience and skill of my surgeon and the hospital staff. Good luck to everyone pre and post-surgery. J