Kimo.

Single in Northern part of L.A. County. Anyone in Calif.?

So to get the topics rolling...

I was talking to someone recently, who is a sleeve patient, and they said that they would never date a "non-sleever" because they don't know what it's like.

Thoughts?!

I see it being more convenient in the beginning while one is learning how to eat and learning their new lifestyle... But I'm not going to count other people out.

Personally, I'd prefer a sleeved female, but normal is fine too.

I'm 2 weeks post op and was wondering if it was too soon to start working out?

Hi I started recumbent bike and treadmill walking at 9 days out. Nothing strenuous just kept myself moving. I walked around block several times a day on like 4th or 5th day. Did laps in hospital, they couldn't keep me in the bed. I'd say nothing to hard on your stomach area for at least a month.

I was told no RAW veggies for 6 months, but cooked veggies and fruits are OK. I was not having any issues, so I started having salads at around 5 months.

Was told same thing, but i prefer raw better. I haven't had any raw.

I eat them. I missed them most early on and cheated with steamed broccoli and cauliflower, imagine that, broccoli a cheat! Yesterday for a snack I had cottage cheese and peaches. I can't wait for summer produce!

Oh I hear ya. I love veggies n fruit. Prefer raw, but soft is better than none. If fast food joints didn't exist I'd never have gained so much weight.

Who's eating them and how are they working?

Sleeved Feb. 4, 2013 and I am eating dried fruit, drained peaches & pears, very soft broccoli, cauliflower, squash, carrots, and green Beans. I no longer have Constipation issues and feel good.However, I was told at group meetings i shouldn't have veggies till 9 months. My Dr. said cooked so very soft veggies are good along with soft, soaked and drained fruits or veggies.

I'm 8 months out and believe I may be struggling with it. I have a bowel movement once or twice a week, and when I do, I have a horrific stomach ache that starts a an hour before and gets worse as I'm going. It is extremely difficult to go and feels harder than a normal movement. Has anyone encountered this problem and if so what can I do to make it better? A fiber supplement possibly? I'd like a long-term solution so laxatives and softeners are not what I'm looking for. Or do you think this is something greater than Constipation? Help :/

Be very careful with Fiber supplements....reason they expand. Which once in stomach could cause pain, vomiting and so forth.

I would eat prunes everyday, they are a natural laxative and will definitely help. I have suffered with Constipation for years

I eat them with my mixed dried fruit. Love them!!! Important thing is remember to chew very well

I can't tolerate straight Water, it hits my tummy like a rock and makes me extremely nauseous :/

I had this problem in beginning. Water is heavy, 8.3 pounds per gallon. So sip, sip, sip. It gets better. I can drink 8oz bottle in 5-10 minutes. Bare in mind nothing else fits till it gets outta my stomach.

First of all....drink more water! This helps so much! Only going 1-2 times a week is very unhealthy. The more hydrated you are the easier it is to poop. Also having lots of Water helps your skin stay moist...as well as you to flush fat easier.

I forgot to mention water. You're absolutely right! Water is very important!!!

I am only 7 weeks out and this problem. I countered it with soft veggies. Cook them until soft. Add a little cheese. Too much cheese will bind you up. I also eat drained peaches, pears etc. all soft. Two weeks now and I go daily with ease.

Ex of veggies I eat....broccoli, cauliflower, green Beans, carrots, squash. I also eat su-ripened mixed fruit.......remember to chew chew chew......

For the record I'm down 58 lbs and not having any problems at all.

Another benefits paid bill came in. 2,222.00 billed and 1,196.00 paid. so it's at about 22 or 23,000.00 paid. and 65 or 66,000.00 billed.

I'm on a Powerade and saltine diet......nausea since late night of March 8th. It just won't go away. No desire to eat or drink.

Surg. Feb 4th and for a week now I have had so much nuasea I've resorted to taking pills. Under my tongue. ondansetron odt tab 4mg.

To make the before and after pics together... I have them on my phone so I'd like to do it that way if possible.

They're prolly using an app.

Omg these prices is out if this world. I had my surgery last Monday on the 4th. I'm still waiting to get a copy of the bill my insurance had to pay. My out of pocket to was 100.00 25.00 for the initial consultation and 75.00 for the psyc visit.

The figures I posted above do not account for consults, Psych eval. I'll never know the true 100% cost because Kaiser only shows bills for stuff outside Kaiser.

I'm having my surgery on Monday 3/18 in Newport Beach, Ca. Self pay cash price $17k

Hello Melinda, your date is fast approaching. I wish you est of luck!!

Thank you to everyone above.

I just received another benefits bill, $7,500.00 charged and 3,600.00 paid. So far that puts total paid by Kaiser at over 20k and roughly 62,000.00 charged. WOW!!!

I was sleeved on Feb. 4th 2013. Just received the surgery and hospital stay bill paid by Kaiser. It states, 54,871.00. Kaiser settled for 16,974.00 + 192.00 due to contract they have with Dr. and hospital. Luckily my insurance paid every cent....no copay!!

Bare in mind these figures do not included 3 months of classes, blood work, EKG, several Dr. visits, etc. So this figure would be much higher.

55k is FAR more than what I have read on this site and internet.

What has everyone else paid?????

Ok I am kind of worried, we got back from the store and I sat on the couch and started having a pain in my abdomin, it hurts to the touch right by my belly button! Has anyone had this happen! I am 3 weeks out and have had no complications so far! So a random pain worries me! Not trying to ask medical advice just want to know if anyone else has experienced this or something like it! It doesn't hurt all the time just when I try to get up or if I touch the area or bend over!

I had pain couple weeks afterward just to left of button. Come to find out it was my heparin site of injection. Nasty bruise. Other than that nothing.

I am only required to do an overnight stay. I'm going to be able to be a lot more comfortable at home since I'm pretty independent anyway. No swabs for me but I am trying to sip. However I can only get in 3 before my stomach cramps.

My BFF is helping me on Tuesday and I have various other people stopping by during the week.

Who helped you when you were home?

My hospital stay was nearly 3 days, so when I went home I was good. I'm very independent like you. lol. I didn't want anyone coming over. People were constantly calling asking if needed anything etc. The first week I slept sitting/propped up in Bed. I used my walking stick for few days because I couldn't fully stand straight upright. I was out walking like mad, I just couldn't sit/lay anymore.

i am one week out still on full liquids got Soup from a thai restaurant it came out spice, can i still eat it, or will it hurt my stomach. Does anyone now?

Not a doctor and don't claim to know everything, but spices too soon can cause ulcers. Having had had an ulcer for last 20 years....trust me you do not want one!

Glad to hear/read your up and doing good. As for dry mouth, they gave me a cup of Water and swab. I swabbed lips n inside my mouth every chance I got.

Wow, you're going home quick. My stay was Monday, tuesday

And went home Wednesday around 10pm.

Will, do you have help at home??

Thanks for checking in Kimo. The procedure went well... No complications. Waking up from anesthesia was a rough experience for me this time around. My procedure was around 10 and I made it into my room at 1. I was really groggy for the first few hours.

The pressure and discomfort is the worse. It's not really a pain... Just uncomfortable.

I got up and walked around 2 and have been doing it every hour. I have dry mouth SUPER BAD!! Bad enough that it literally made me throw up when I walked. I've been trying to sip as much as possible. Luke warm Water goes down easiest.

I just won't up from an hour of dilaudid induced nap so I'm sipping and doing my spirometer.

Hopefully I can go home tomorrow. I honestly don't see why I wouldn't be able to!

How is everyone else??

Glad to hear/read your up and doing good. As for dry mouth, they gave me a cup of Water and swab. I swabbed lips n inside my mouth every chance I got.

Wow, you're going home quick. My stay was Monday, tuesday

How are you feeling?!

Good thank you.