SqueakyWheel&Ethyl

You are on Day 4 and ate pulled pork? Did your Dr/Nutritionist give you a strict food plan? I'm on Day 21 and just now transitioning from full liquids to purée. Pulled pork wouldn't be "legal" for me until the middle of June. I was told our bodies need at least three weeks for the sutures to knit strong enough to adequately support anything more than thin liquids. Just be very careful.

Thanks for this input. I didn't know that! I've only done that 3-4 times, but I won't anymore!

This is a wonderful post! Thank you. I hope a lot of newbies get a chance to read it.

I'm on Day 20 and have cheated because I wanted to be able to chew on REAL food. But, I felt awful after even one bite. Not guilty-awful. SICK-awful! So, now, if I think I HAVE to chew, I do... I chew.... Then spit it out. I satisfy my urge, and enjoy the flavor, but I refuse to feel the burning in my chest two minutes after I swallow it. And, the emotional roller coaster! I had a couple of days of crying and ranting about how much I'm sacrificing. Then, I thought about my goal to feel better.... Get my health back... And, I read posts here... And, I know I can do it. Not meaning ANY disrespect towards amputees and what they endure, but I think this is a little like Phantom-Limb Syndrome. Psychologically, we think we are hungry when we see a sizzling steak blown up on the 60" TV screen. But, marketing experts already understand about what happens subconsciously when our eyes send the signal to the brain. When I find myself falling for their hypnosis, I jolt myself back and say, "the BRAIN being hungry doesn't mean the body really IS hungry." We have to re-BRAINWASH ourselves...reprogram... Even give our brains a "warm boot" to change the subconscious paths we automatically go to. No one said this would be easy. But, everyone here is saying it GETS easier. And I can tell you today is a LOT easier than a week ago was for me! Just hold on.... Ride it out. And, buzz me if you need to chat! I'm on a lot in the evenings. YOU CAN DO THIS! And, you are going to be happier. I promise.

I teared up when I read the part about being politely ushered out of the plus size area of the store! I feel pride for you, like a momma watching her daughter blossom into a woman. And, you are inspiring me to stay on track, too! Congratulations on this mile marker!

You are our hero, too. Cuz you're one of us.

How much time has passed from the first time you thought you might want to do this? How much did you read on it? Do you have faith in that person inside you that did all the pre-op footwork to get you to this day? Then, sit back and TRUST yourself! And, for the record, this isn't a crutch. Its an appetite suppressant. And, it's the most effective product available on any weight-loss product shelf. You don't have to set a timer to remind yourself to ingest a chemical daily. You don't have drug side effects. And, it's the SMARTEST weight-loss tool anyone can choose. Trust yourself and all you did to get here. And, be proud of yourself for changing your path. Tomorrow will be your new birthday! ((HUGS))

ACUPUNCTURE WORKS! If you want to be head pain free, DO IT!

You can get by with ONE nail exposed. Like the earlier post, it's to monitor oxygen levels and your natural nail bed says a lot.

I didn't see anything that was putting you down. Just bewilderment as to why you would considering subjecting yourself to a permanent commitment to a lifestyle change if you are already content with your weight and appearance. I, too, did it for health reasons, but, the only body image problems I've heard of is self-loathing and not being able to see oneself as thinner. I was content with my appearance before, but with the energy surges I've experienced the past week, I can already tell that I'm feeling better! I'm extending my life and feeling generally better. I figure if a byproduct of this is that my husband will have arm candy, then great! He deserves that. If you are choosing this to improve your health, good! You will be successful.

I know it's different for everyone. I had a C-section and a hysterectomy, so I remember the comfort of holding a pillow against my stomach the first time I stood up. Honestly, I didn't even think about it. Standing up didn't cause pain. I just felt really wobbly, thanks to the anesthesia and pain meds. Standing, walking, etc didn't make me long for support for my tummy at all. I encourage you to get someone you trust to stay with you, all night, too. Not bashing hospitals, but it is just WISE to have someone completely lucid to watch over you and take care of you. My husband held onto my cell phone and charger. I made an overnight bag with clothes to wear home (including my biggest undies so they wouldn't bind). My feet get cold easy, so I brought socks. I like mine better than hospital issue. Headband and brush for my hair. No hassle styling after surgery. Oh! If the hospital doesn't include this as their standard protocol, ask for a scopalomine patch (also known as a 'Scope Patch'). It's a little circle patch that is great in eliminating nausea and you wear it for 3 days. Wonderful!

I didn't have a drain. I see lots of people had one, though. Which side? The one that they pulled the stomach out of (my left side)?

WOO HOO!!! What was your starting weight and height? We are all anonymous friends here. Otherwise, I wouldn't be so open to share this info. It's a part of our "group therapy."

I'm post-op Day 18. I took a Correctol two days ago with minimal results. Before surgery, one of those little pink pills kept me camped out by a bathroom for an entire day. I'm reluctant to take another. I hate liquid meds, but am considering MoM. After all the healing is complete, should I expect constipation to be a permanent situation I must build a bowel program around?

I'm on day 18. I feel tenderness on my left side when I lay on it. Just started last night, but no burning sensation. It might be the healing process for you, or it might be an infection brewing (inflammation from what?). I concur. Call your surgeon. Err to caution.

You just love dangling carrots, don't you. Fill out your profile, woman! Let us share in your celebration! We all want to compare notes, as you surely already know! Congratulations on your blue ribbon! Now, let us have something to aspire to!

Of my five sibs, only one brother knows. If my parents were still alive, they would have been worried and resistant at first, but I know they both would have been supportive, since my doctors recommended it. My other sibs probably would be okay with it, but I don't want the "she took the easy way out" attitude. Since your family already knows, I recommend you stay strong in your resolve that YOU, unlike most of the overweight people around you, chose an appetite suppressant THAT ACTUALLY WORKS and never stops working. Personally, I believe that choosing a product with close to 100% success rate over a product with less than 20% success rate is a pretty SMART choice. Don't you think? Let the naysayers be. And be an example to them. I bet they will have more respect and admiration for you when they see how much better you feel and how much happier you are.

Be mindful that you are amped about all of this. You are doing great, and might think you feel like doing stuff you probably shouldn't. So, pace yourself. And, EXPECT to hit emotional lows and will need to have a pity-party. If you feel that way, I'll come to your pity-party. . It will be a short party. And, you will be happy again. Its a roller coaster of joy, frustration, thrilled to do it, and maybe wondering if you should have. You will be strong and energetic, and an hour later, weak as a kitten. But it won't always be this way. This is just recovery. Today is my Day 17. I power-walked 2 1/2 miles this morning in 45 minutes! I've NEVER been able to do that! Now, I'm resting on the sofa, worn out. But, I'm happy! Be your own best friend and tell yourself what you would tell your best friend, if you watched her go through all of this. And, congratulations on your new life!

Try Almond or Rice Milk, too.

I'm April 17 too. I didn't have a hernia, but it sounds like your rough time has more to do with the hernia repair than anything else. And "just 20 lbs?" That's great! My doc said we've lost more than average at two weeks. I've lost 21 according to my scales. 15 according to his. I really believe your hernia is the cause for not being able to keep fluids down. 60 gms of protein at this point is right on track! My doc has me on Full Liquid diet for three weeks because the surgical site needs this much time to "knit" securely (heal) and he doesn't want anything but liquids in there. Just keep doing what you are doing. Keeping up with kids... Going shopping... That's tough!!! You had TWO major surgeries at once! TWO! We are supposed to feel physically weak and wobbly still. Pace yourself. Don't run yourself into the ground. If you have a support system around you, let THEM take the kids out and let them do the shopping. I'd say give yourself another 2 weeks, at least, to start feeling normal again.

We ALL felt all those mixed emotions at the start of our journeys,, too. ALL of them! The great thing in all of this is that FIRST STEP. It took me a year to decide to go for it. I took another 2 months to get my insurance company to ADMIT they would cover me (they tried so hard to keep it a secret from the employees where I work)! And, another 6 months (insurance requirements) before it was finally approved. When they wheeled my gurney into the Operating Room with the silly paper hat on my head, I felt ZERO fear, anxiety, trepidation... I made a fist in the air, and yelled out, "YES," as I pulled my fist down to my chest, as a celebratory cheer that broke everyone in the OR out in laughter. I was FINALLY in the room I worked SO HARD to get in! When we make the decision to alter our bodies and our way of nourishing ourselves for the rest of our lives, we usually make peace with it all by the time the Surgery Date arrives. Just make sure you do that. Once you are totally on board, DON'T second-guess yourself and never look back. That is a life in your past. Look forward to your new life! Ever dream about what you would do with all that money if you won the lottery? The sleeve is your health lottery! Start dreaming about what you would do if .... The bikini.... The skin toning.... The ENERGY! The complimentary smiles and comments from strangers. One by one, the medications go away! A new wardrobe... A new hairstyle.... SHOES!!! Being able to sit comfortably in an airline seat. The list goes on and on! Start DREAMING NOW, because everything you really want out of this can and will happen if you strengthen your resolve. You can do this! How do I know that? Look around you here. Everyone is doing it! If they can, WE CAN, TOO!

If I shave my head, I can brag that NONE of my hair fell out, right? AND, it will be a bigger novelty to gossip about than my sleeve! .....hey..... I'm onto something ....

I'd take it as good. If they are seeking more info, they are not just rubber-stamping "NO" on your case. I bet you get approval. I'd call the ins co pre certification office and ask them specifically what they still need and offer to run interference to get them the data ASAP.

Acid is tuff. I have no desire for OJ. Tomato soup is acidic and tuff enough on me. Sorry, I can't answer your question. Just can't imagine ever wanting OJ again.

I planned this surgery for a year. I dreamed about it for a lot longer than that. So, when my surgery finally got approved and scheduled, I immediately hid it from almost everyone close to me. No one at my office knows I was sleeved. Only my husband, best friend, 2nd Mom (my mom's best friend.... She stands in for my Mom), and one brother (of five siblings). Everyone else knows the "vague truth" story.... A procedure done to remove some of the fat in my liver and "roto-rooting" to discourage more fat build-up in my otherwise compromised liver. Still.... Sort of the truth. So, what's the big deal? Why am I hesitant to just say, "yeah, I got sleeved to lose weight?" Why is there shame around that? Is it because John Q Public who has always been height-weight proportionate is quick to judge it? It's the easy way out, right? More admiration and respect goes to those who lose weight on their own and keep it off. Right? Somehow, this is cheating? It's cheating to sacrifice 80% of a vital organ for the REST of my LIFE? It's the easy way out to never get to enjoy a big Thanksgiving meal with my family EVER again? I'm taking a short cut by undergoing general anesthesia and getting punctured - not once - but five times in the gut? It's just a vacation for me knowing my hair is going to fall out and I can only hope it grows back? Right. Still, I feel the social stigma of the shame that goes with. Today, I've been reflecting on this. And this is the peace I'm making with it. Society says they admire a person who loses weight "on their own." This includes people using appetite suppressants. An appetite suppressant is just a tool to prop them up, but THEY are the ones doing the HARD work. THEY are having to change their eating habits and choices. They couldn't do it without the appetite suppressant. It is a needed tool to accomplish their ultimate goal - lose weight. The sleeve IS AN APPETITE SUPPRESSANT. The difference is, IT actually WORKS, and works for the long-term FAR FAR FAR better than any prescription drug that is swallowed. And, I'm not adding chemicals to my body. I'm not forgetting to take it, or changing my mind about taking it, or dealing with unpleasant side effects. I have an appetite suppressant THAT REALLY WORKS! And, after the weight comes off, I won't rebound like most people do who "do it themselves" (according to John Q Public). So, I am thinking that we Sleevers have a responsibility to TEACH others. We have every right to hold our heads up with pride for being COURAGEOUS ENOUGH to make this lifelong commitment to change a lifelong brainwashing about healthy-eating and healthy-living. I refuse to accept any snide remarks from anyone. I will communicate pity to them for their ignorance and lack of evolving. And, I'll certainly offer to enlighten them on how one should think about their health going into the 21st Century. Sleeving isn't just giving me my life back. It is SAVING my life. I'm not ashamed of myself. I'm PROUD of me! I found a RELIABLE tool to use to lose weight. The most reliable tool available. This is the hardest work I've ever loved!