carolnphx

My coordinator has scheduled my dtr's revision from band to sleeve with a Dr Juan Arellano. We are having issues trying to find/get info on this surgeon. We would feel much better if we had info that would allow us to make a more informed decision.We would greatly appreciate anything any of you could tell us. This is too serious not to go into the surgery informed. Thank you so much. A concerned/nervous mom & dtr.

Hey all. I realized I posted over1.5 year ago and never updated. At that time, I made it clear that I mostly regretted the surgery, which I had in May 2009. I looked back and my weight at the time was 260. It is now about 275. I had the surgery at 322 (my highest weight was 365 I think). So, from my surgery, I am down 47 pounds. Not so great. And it's all my fault. I'm not going to blame this surgery. I still can't eat very much. And I am still eating when I'm not full instead of when I'm actually hungry (big, big difference). I am anemic and still have awful acid reflux. I take my Vitamins but not regularly. I'm a screw-up. I know what is right to do, but don't do it.

I have been under a lot of stress the last two years. Beginning in May 2010, I started a Masters in Physician Assistant Studies. I am less than 2 weeks from being done. I would have been done May 2012, but I was blessed with my second child in April, a sweet little guy who is the best baby I could ever ask for. Other than chronic anemia, hypoglycemia, fatigue and some issues at the end (I ended up with a rare condition called cholestasis of pregnancy), my pregnancy was pretty healthy. He still measured large the entire way, just like my daughter. And born at 38 weeks, he was 7#13oz. My doctor couldn't believe that I only gained 10 pounds (gained nothing until 32 weeks) and still measured large the entire way, which is what happened. I guess I just have big babies. He's healthy, which is what matters. Not even a week after the birth of my baby, I was re-admitted to the hospital for sepsis, a life-threatening condition. Thankfully it was caught in time, but my bone marrow had already shut down and I was weak for months after. I'm just now starting to feel human again.

In any event, here I am again. Faced with a huge career change on the horizon. I was so embarrassed that I had to buy a larger suit in a size 24 for interviews because, even though I haven't gained a ton of weight, it has shifted and I'm just plain fatter. I wore my new suit proudly to an interview for a very exclusive PA position at an excellent hospital, and thought I looked great; but the whole time wondered what the surgeons and PAs interviewing me thought of this morbidly obese woman who wanted to be a PA in their group. It is clear that I am intelligent by even being accepted to PA school, and by graduating, and by the way I speak; yet, I wondered if my weight would preclude me from getting a dream job. In the back of my head, I feel like this fat girl doesn't deserve it like the thin girl. How dumb, I know.

This is all about self-sabotage in my case. I still drink coffee and eat grains -- both of which give me severe acid reflux. I took my prenatals religiously during pregnancy, yet now that it's over, and I am not breastfeeding anymore, I don't. My doc says I'm mildly anemic by my hemoglobin (11.4), but my ferritin is in the gutter (7). I know that if I could quit coffee and grains, and possibly get off the PPI (or lower the dose), I would probably absorb more Iron. It's a vicious circle. Fatigue==>coffee drinking==>reflux==>more antacids==>anemia==>fatigue==>. And even when I take Iron, it isn't always well absorbed for me. I take Hema-Plex now, which is the best I've tried so far (and I've tried a lot).

In any event, I think I have finally come to terms with this. I am wondering if some other nice people from here can post what you eat (2-3 years out from the surgery), so I know what a normal day looks like for veteran sleevers. I've had my babies, recovered from sepsis, and am finally able to accept this surgery. Now I finally have to work with it instead of against it.

Thanks for listening.

Shannon

Hi, I am back on the forum after being totally away for over 2 yrs. I was sleeved April 2009. I had a very normal journey. It was very hard but "I followed the rules" . It was NOT easy but I have had no complications. My start wt was 332 and I have held/maintained my wt at 180# with in 5 # until Dec of 2011. I have gained 10-15 # and not having success at getting it off. Decided I had to get my mind more centered so I came back to the forum. I have not seen any posters that I recognize but I'm sure there are some around from 3 yrs ago.

I am now able to eat more and guess what? I obviously am. I can eat most things.

I will share what I am eating as a veteran sleever.For Breakfast I have the chocolate costco Premier Protein drink in 8 oz of coffee. It makes it a coffee mocha type drink. I have 1/4- 1/2 slice of toast. I don't like crusts so I cut the crusts off. I have cold steamed veggies or cheese stick and 5 rice crackers mid morning. lunch is 2-4 oz of Protein & 1/2 cup veggies. dinner same type meal. I have something crunchy for snack at night. I eat 6 times a day. I don't get hungry but I get light headed if I don't eat every 2-3 hrs.

I agree with what has been posted. First off congrats on ALL your achievements. You have done great. I also suggest you start over with the 5 Day Pouch Diet and then follow your original dr's guidelines. That is kinda what I plan to do. I WANT my 180 # mark on scale again. This gain has to stop.

Good luck to you. Hope to see you post your steps to success. I would love to hear from other veteran sleevers. Carolnphx.

See, age is an issue for me also, I am now 63:thumbup1: a very cool 63 thank you, but, I was worried about the "senior" thing.

I have been out of town for a few weeks and have not posted so you might not recognise me. I was 63 when I had my sleeve in April. I now have lost 98#'s and am doing super. All my blood work is now in normal range and I am able to do so much more than before. My breathing is good and I haven't used my inhaler in months. You will be so glad you have made this decision. Good luck on your journey.

Just got home to Canada today, had a nap and now feel raring to go!...

So glad you are home and doing well. Take care of yourself and keep us posted. carol

I was 63 when I had my surgery 4 months ago. I had/have absolutely no problems. I have lost 77# as of today and 12 pre surgery. I feel great. B/P down, cholesterol down and today I went shopping and got size 16-18 tops instead of the 3-4 X's that I was wearing before surgery.

We are not too old. We just needed the second chance. WLS is it. Do your research and definetely have the surgery. Everybody deserves to have a slimmer life. We have all missed out on so much for way too long.

Definitely go to have gone to Dr anyway. Will help with documentation for TT.

I was on Atkins type diet for a week as recommended by Dr Aceves group. I lost 12 # pre surgery.

I too sip Water with my meals. I was always a 3-4 glass drinker with meals pre surgery. I might have 1-2 oz max at meals now. My glass might be 1/2 to 3/4 inches down at end of meal at the most.

As far as regular drinking I cannot do cold drinks. I can only put 1 maybe 2 ice cubes in a 16 oz glass. If more I get spasms. Is not worth it. Hurts too bad.

Well, I just spent the day shopping for my trip next week to my banded dtr's in KS. I was a 3-4X top and 26-28 bottom before WLS. Let me tell you. I bought 16-18 tops and a 16-18 sweat outfit with a "hoodie" mind you. I was flying high. People thought I was crazy. I was turning in circles and "Yahooing" all over the place. (not quietly either) My husbsand just stood there and laughed at me. Was really fun. I didn't buy much because I still have 35-40# to go yet but what a nice feeling. Makes all the effort worth while. What a nice NSV.

ADNK, bummer, I am so sorry to hear this. At least you got in and got it checked and are getting care and treatment. Lots of luck to you in your recovery.

My dear beautiful friend,

...If by chance you see him again, have a wonderful statement ready for him and do not get angry...simply smile and say..."Nice. Thank you for your kindness and support." Don't let him know he can get to you....

Oh, that is super. How fun it would be to say that. I might still have end with "asshole" under my breath. Well, maybe in a soft whisper. :thumbup1:

Whiterice, I am so sorry. That would be infuriating. However, I agree with AJW. Down the way a dab you will be georgous and he will still be an ass. You can have a nice smirk about that every time you walk by his house. What a sence of satisfaction that will be. As you said too bad the kids were with you but now that you will have had time to think about it you will have "an appropriate reply" if the situation comes up again.

Oh my word. I think I would die on the spot. I think I will be a foot tapper and and hand clapper on the side lines. Would be a hoot. I think my age is showing...-

Hi everyone. My name is Daniel, and I am writing you from Stockolm, Sweden.

Hi, Daniel. Welcome to the forum. You have done fantastic. I looked at your pics and I would not recognize you. So much difference. You have to be really proud of your success. Thank you for sharing your story and pics.

Hope to see you here again soon.

Oh my word, Chancie, what awesome pics. You look absolutely marvelous. I am so happy for you. Thanks for sharing the pictures.

You also might try room temperature Water. Sometimes warm things go down better than cold at first.

I agree about trying warmer liquids. I still cannot do cold liquids. I get discomfort/spasms when I drink cold liquids. I can only tolerate 1 ice cube if any in a 16 oz glass and I am 4 months post surgery.

Keep trying different things. You will find what works for you.

. And, yes, Constipation issue on Monday. Picture a bowling ball going through a garden hose. That is how I felt. Damn near blew a vein in my neck on that deuce. But more Water was the answer. Good luck.

Bob, we can always count on you for a laugh concerning our bodily functions. I lol and then read to my husband. He just shakes your head.

Tuna will work for you again. When I first moved off liquids, I could only eat about 3-4 bites of anything no matter what it was.

I agree. I could only eat 3 or 4 small bites also when I moved into mushies. I wondered what I had done to myself. It does get better but that is very normal, I think.

Even now 4 1/2 months out from surgery the volume of food is very small. It is amazing how little I can eat but that is OK.

I eat my Protein 1st to make sure I get the 60 grams minimun in. I work hard to keep my Protein level up. It takes planning because our stomachs are so small.

Lan2k, Does your Mother by any chance use the computer? If so, what I found helpful when I was gathereing info and wanted to educate my husband on WLS was I copied and sent him things that people on this site had written. I told him ahead of time that I wanted to share the info I was finding with him. I e-mailed him the things I thought would ease his mind. He could read at his own time...usually in middle of night.... and then we would discuss later. It helped him allot and he then had informed questions that we could work through. He was a firm supporter when my time for surgery came. Just a thought.

I haven't had greens in years. I am going to fix some this week end. Thanks for the idea.

Hi Tiffy, I just got on here and saw your success story. Wow...That is awesome and your pics are super. I agree the facial shots are unbelievable. Way to go...!!

YaHoo....on your scale movement. It is so hard to wait for our body to kick in. Fingers crossed for a big loss.

Kromrider, I am so glad hear your surgery went well. I am sorry you had the pain but glad they got the meds set up for you.

Good luck on your recovery and your WL journey. Take it easy and keep us posted. You are going to be so pleased with your decision for WLS.

Good for you. I am glad it went so well.

That's brilliant Tiffy. It's a bit like avoiding those chairs in the doc's waiting room - the ones that attach themselves to your behind and and refuse to budge when you get up! ...

I know/knew about the chairs in dr's waiting room too. I would try to get to the office close to appointment time and then I would walk around looking at all the paintings, checking magazines...anything to hopefully not have to try to sit in the stupid skiny chairs. Ha, I fit in them fine now. Feels good.