loveelaura

Before surgery, I was a diehard member of the "will never tell a soul besides family" club. I am immensely private person! When I was asked for the first time what I was doing to lose weight, I thought about it- tell the truth or omit the truth. I opted to tell the truth. At the end of the day, I'm so proud of myself for how far I've come in such a short time. The people who are asking about my weight loss are all people who are genuinely interested in hearing about my progress. While I'm also not hounded for specific numbers by people, I am okay in sharing my stats of weight lost so far. My hope is that my co-workers and customers share my success story with someone who might benefit from this surgery. If I can help inspire even 1 person, that's just icing on my proverbial cake (Surgery 1/21/14. HW 290, CW 207, GW 175, 5'9", 24 years old)

Dense Proteins at each meal and limit yourself to 3 meals a day- no Snacks. Take 20-30 mins for each meal to take small bites and chew like crazy. Cottage cheese is packed with a ton of Protein but it will not stay in your stomach as long as a dense protein like chicken or fish will. The longer it stays in your stomach, the more full you will feel. Drink at least 64 oz of Water a day as well. If you're not well hydrated, things inside slow down! Good luck!

When you start eating solids you will be pleasantly surprised at how little you really can eat!

Sounds like you might be doing too much. Your body is still recovering from a big surgery! Maybe stick with walking for now? Good luck

Easy! You don't. Hydration should be your number one concern. Water and Powerade zero for the first few days. Depending on your surgeon, you can probably have Protein shakes shortly after if you need them. sugar free Popsicles were my saving grace for the first few days after surgery! So important-- if it's a choice, always choose water over food!!

You look great!

Welcome! Congrats on making this decision to a healthier life! May will seriously be here before you know it! I started my process in August and was shocked when January came around and it was my turn! Definitely stick around the boards-- you'll learn tons!

I don't live in Oklahoma BUT I did travel out to Edmond for my surgery. I read online easily hundreds of reviews on Dr Gregory Walton and not one negative thing was said about him. I flew out 1/19/14, had pre-op 1/20 and surgery on 1/21. I had a very easy surgery and recovery. I did not suffer from any gas pains. I was released on 1/22 on good behavior (able to drink 4 water bottles from after surgery til the next morning and was up walking every hour). I have only great things to say about WeightWise, everyone who works there and the surgery center- summit medical center. Would definitely recommend them to in staters and out of staters!

I everyone! I warn you that this may be long. I'm a typer lol So everything for me starts back in July of 2013. I saw my brother's serious girlfriend for the first time since she had lap band surgery. I was amazed at how healthy she looked-- she glowed! After our vacation, I texted her a tonnnn of questions asking about surgery and everything. I ended up researching it like crazy but found out I have a bariatric exception in my insurance policy so I stopped researching for a couple days. I started looking into self pay band and was turned off bc of having to pay at each fill plus the surgery. I also did not like the idea of having a foreign object in me for life and read tons of posts about people who had bands slipped and removed. I gave up until I saw something called the VSG pop up on my internet page. I had never heard of such a thing before and started researching that. Once I learned they remove 85% of your stomach, i wrote it off as too extreme and stopped looking. After thinking about it though, I realized that the band procedure was essentially the same thing just not as permanent as the sleeve. I needed something permanent so why was it bothering me ?? I found this forum and read hundreds of posts before signing up to start asking questions of my own. I started looking at self pay rates around me and was blown away at the cost! I'm in the Chicagoland and the cost was about 25k. I'm 24 with a mortgage, I don't have access to that kind of dough! I started researching lower options in the USA and narrowed it down to a place in Vegas, Oklahoma City and one of the Carolina's. I switched my gears to researching every surgeon at each place and their statistics. The Carolina place I eliminated bc of them requiring a 2nd person come with you. I wasn't sure if I was going to share my news with anyone at this point. The Vegas place I dq-ed due to reviews online. So that left WeightWise in Edmond, OK. I searched for over a week I'd say on each surgeon and the facility itself. There are hundreds if reviews and I think I read each one . Every single one was positive and grateful or gushing. I sent an email to inquire about their out of state program and rates. The rest is history ! I set up my first appt with dr. Walton at the end of August. He sent me a bunch of labs and tests to do at my primary care doctor in Illinois that ended up being faxed to his office. Things like blood work, EKG, sleep study.. Each month I had a phone consult with him, a dietician and an exercise physiologist . I started out at 281, went up to 290 when my metabolism had to be kicked and then got down to 256 the day of surgery . I am. 5'9" I just had surgery yesterday afternoon 1/21/14 about 1pm. My veins were stubborn so I had to be stuck 5 times before they were able to get an iv into me. After that I had tons of people coming in to introduce themselves before surgery and ask the same questions -/ my name, age , procedure , do I have all my teeth lol. I was given a shot of heparin in my stomach and then carted off to the OR. They had me move tables, center myself on it, covered me with a heated blanket and bam! I was out like a light. I woke up groggy in recovery but remember talking with the nurses, hearing two argue and then saying something about having their own tv show for the drama lol . I remember the nurses saying what a young sweet thing I was... Being rolled into my room, cute orderly bringing me flowers from my cousin and saying that somebody loved me! The nurse I had at first was kind of a letdown-- she kept forgetting to get my mom and sister from the waiting room so they didn't come back for about 35 mins. I was in and out of consciousness anyways. I had a dull throbbing pain in my side, stomach and core. I asked for some pain meds about an hour and half after I was in my room. My nurse was shocked I didn't ask sooner bc apparently they didn't give me anything after the surgery. Oops! So they gave me dillatell ( sp) in my iv and the pain went away. The cute orderly got me up and walking about an hour after that. I got very light headed and nauseous upon arrival back into my room. He brought me a tray of drinks and broths// tea packets , crystal light, hot Water , broth , propel zero , and a bottle of cold and room temp water. He told me to start sipping every 5 mins-- maybe half a shot glass size full. I asked for anti nausea meds and almost vomited while waiting for the zofran to kick in. Once it did, it was night and day diff. Had no problems getting up to walk every hour and sip like crazy. I asked for the iv pain med about every 4-5 hours. I realized that I had no gas pains whatsoever so I am one of the blessed ones in that aspect! The only pain I've had is the largest incision. Today it just feels very tender. My throat has been sore as well from the tubes and such being down there but nothing horrible. Slept for a couple hours early this morning. Of course had to wake up to tinkle. Got myself out of bed and unhooked from my compression socks only to be clothes lined by my oxygen line lol. My mom rescued me luckily. I've had 2 bags of antibiotics and fluids since yesterday afternoon. Had some blood drawn this morning to check my blood hemo levels, potassium and something else. Was given liquid pain meds this morning to ensure I can tolerate them before getting released! Eww they're so gross!! I have to drink 4 bottles of water before getting released. Just finished the 3rd. Going to go tinkle and head out for a lap and then come back to keep sipping!! It's crazy that I've joined the land of the sleeved !!

I ended up being able to wear a tampon since I didn't have a catheter! Awesome!

Time4change- definitely look into self pay! I wonder if your insurance dropped the bariatric coverage January 1st when Obama care began? You've already taken soooo many steps to prepare yourself and out of pocket costs for surgery. Def ask about self pay! I'd suggest home equity loan, personal loan, borrow from 401-k, care credit... I will think wonderful thoughts for you!! What a disappointment for you but it's not over!!

I'll join you guys about 1pm today! It's crazy that it's finally here for us! January 21st-- the start of our new lives! Sorry I didn't respond for a few days-- with travel and then pre op appts for 4 hours yesterday, haven't logged on here! I travelled with my Mom and sister, both who are very supportive! I'm not nervous yet but my stomach is growling and my stomach is crampy (I'm on my period. I know, how lucky am I!!) See you guys on the other side!

Flying out to OKC this afternoon! Pre-op appts all day tomorrow. Clear liquids only. Surgery on Tuesday about midday! Holy smokes the nerves have hit! It's finally happening!! Feels like I just started looking into this surgery yesterday (in August!!)

Soooo I have surgery on Tuesday. Just woke up and started my period. Blehh. How is this going to work during and after surgery? I've read you're only allowed to wear the gown into surgery.. Tampon? Will I be able to take care of that after surgery with no issues and pain?

Surgery for me is Tuesday..! Ahhh I can't believe it's almost here! I'm excited and nervous