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- GLP-1 medication Zepbound, Wegovy, access, side effects, progress, and support.
- Before surgery Compare procedures, plan ahead, and get honest pre-op answers.
- Post-op Recovery, food stages, symptoms, and support.
- Long-term Regain, labs, habits, and life after the honeymoon.
- Revision Explore revision options, complications, and next steps.
Everything posted by KellyL
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feelin sad :(
I'm sorry you don't have your family there, but you have us!! We're your Sleeve sisters...and brothers!! We will be with you in spirit and waiting to hear how it went. The rules can be overwhelming but most important is getting liquids in and staying hydrated. Then you'll start adding protein as you can. And yes eventually we'll be able to eat pizza. It may take a while to eat a whole slice crust and all. But the weight loss totally makes up for it!!
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What size bougie did they use?
34f then oversewn. I'm going on 3 wks -25 lbs and no problems so far!!
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The best thing I ever bought!!!
Awessome idea!! I have one already so I will be putting it to use! Thanks!
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Lucerna or Recovery House?
You normally get 2 nights at the hotel included in the price. The upgrade to Lucerne is $22 a night so total $44 for 2 nights and they said that would cover 2 people. I had planned on upgrading to Lucerne but it ended up being booked full while we were there. I was a little concerned as to what the other hotel would be like, but I was impressed. There was even security which I never saw a need for. There was a lady actually mopping around the pool lol. And everytime the bellboy saw my sis or me outside looking for something, he was right there. My sis asked about a vending machine, and he was back immediately with 2 cokes for her. There's no vending machine, but it has a tiny little store with stuff. If your facing the hotel it's on the right side entrance. I don't think there was a sign but you can see thru the door window what it is. Oh and when Dr Kelly came to visit us he apologized for the Lucerne being booked up personally. But I enjoyed where we were, and have never had that good of treatment in any hotel. We did start tipping the bellboy after he got the cokes, and then also brought us ice. And we paid him for the price of the cokes of course. Oh and as soon as we arrived 'for the first time and was registering, he brought us all a bottled water which was nice since we had just came from our leak test and had not had anything. I didn't hear Trish ask for this but she may have. Or they knew from past guests brought in with Dr Kelly. The area seemed safe but there was a security guy outside and walking around the parking lot area. Just be careful if you decide to walk to the store across the road cuz they are crazy and speedy drivers lol.
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HUNGRY
I am taking 2 (40 mg) of generic nexium a day. It makes a big difference. I take them on an empty tummy before I get out of bed and wait an hr before I drink or "eat" anything. But if you are still on clear liquid, you may still experience some hunger. Just constantly sip or eat jello and popsicles too. If our tummies go too long without something or get empty, the acid seems to get stirred up, so I try to get some protein in every 2-3 hrs. This seems to help a lot.
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STALL STALL STALL!!!!!!!!! OMG!
I know stalls are frustrating!! I would trade the wheat thins, fruit, and Subway bread for things like string cheese, laughing cow cheese wedges, greek yogurt (with something mixed in it), cottage cheese. You're doing great on your liquids!!
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I am APPROVED !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Yayyyyyyy!! So happy for you! :cheer2:
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worries
Congrats on the 90 lb loss, that is amazing. It's good that you caught the problem at a 10 lb gain! I would first cut out the alcohol and wrong things first. Then if that wasn't enough, go back to basics. That should be all that is necessary. If not maybe basics with protein shakes to replace 1 meal a day. I don't think it's necessary to go too extreme. I also don't think you've stretched out your sleeve. How much dense protein, like chicken, can you eat? That is a good test to see what your sleeves capacity and size is. Everyone even fairly early out can take in a lot of liquid. Try just chicken or meat and I am sure you will find you still have lots of restriction. Good luck!!
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Officially unbanded and sleeved
I'm sorry about the initial problems you were having, but I'm so happy you got your revision and are on the road to recovery!!! Congrats, now you're living the sweet sleeved life! :cheer2:
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It’s been 6 months coming…got my date!
Woohoo!!! Congrats, that's fabulous news!! :cheer2:
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Lucerna or Recovery House?
Congrats on making your deposit and setting your date!!! You will be in great hands! The recovery house option must be new, because that wasn't an option for me. I also did not stay at Lucerne but I hear it's nice. I stayed in the Baja Inn, which was VERY nice! Had a wonderful restaurant with delicious chicken broth. Lucerne is suppose to be an upgrade from where I stayed. Either would be fine probably. Are you going alone or taking a companion? My sis went with me so I was glad for the hotel.
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4 Weeks Out just arrived in ONEderland!
Congrats on Onederland!!! I am not to mushie stage yet but greek yogurt is great added to most anything and ups the protein. Good luck!!
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One Month Post Op
Congrats to ALL your successes, and may you have many many more!! It's great living the sleeved life!!!
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weight loss after vsg
It's frustrating but it will pass. Find a distraction from the scale, and measure inches or sizes. It's not you, stalls are normal and the 3wk one is famous on the wls boards.
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Surgery Complete a few hours ago today.....
Congrats on being sleeved!! I agree the hunger is probably acid. I didnt feel hunger at that point, but they had a PPI in my IV. It's weird how it gives a false hunger feeling. You could ask your dr or a nurse about getting something for it. It's great that you feel good enough to post so soon! I hope you have a speedy recovery!
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I am VERY overwhelmed
I can totally relate and understand your dilemma. It is very overwhelming!! All of it! I have medical problems as well, deformities in my lower lunbar vertebrae, and a tilted hip due to it. Scoliosis. Fibromyalgia, Type 2 diabetes. I had struggled for a while to lose weight on my own to only get 35 lbs off. I had almost a 6 month stall, then I finally was able to have the sleeve. My glucose had improved some from my diet and small weight loss, but I now have normal glucose reading, and this was in the hospital! In all my 7 yrs of research, everything said I would need one of the intestinal rerouting procedures like RNY or DS to get rid of the diabetes, but I read on these boards and noticed a lot of VSG folks diabetes being cured, or "going into remission". I did NOT want to have any other procedure. I cannot explain HOW this happens and haven't found anything online to explain it, but I am happy I did this and thrilled my diabetes may be gone. The advise I would like to give you, is do NOT give up. I had 3 insurance companies deny me for surgery due to exclusions to any weight loss. I do not work, and have bad credit and could not finance. Once it looked like the funds came through for me, but something else of course came up. And I had even scheduled a date. Oh, and another time I was told by my father he would help me with the $ but then changed his mind(out of fear that something would go wrong while I was having it done). I had disappointment after disappointment trying to have this life changing life saving surgery. I went through depression due to this and out of fear of not being able to get it and leaving this world way too soon and leaving my kids without a mother. My health was getting worse, I didn't have diabetes at all when I very first started researching in 04. My mobility was severely affected by my back/hip/weight problem. I spent a LOT of time just locked up in my bedroom cause I couldn't get around without a lot of pain. I was not living. I was holding my family back from living. Well funds just suddenly kinda magically appeared out of nowhere, and was almost exactly what I needed to cover the surgery, flight, and a little extra. I feel like I have another chance at life now. I am so happy I am giddy right now from getting to be sleeved finally and already seeing major changes like my blood glucose and how I feel, and I've already lost 25 lbs just in 2wks+2days. I am so blessed and so amazed! Just keep reading, researching and never give up. If it's meant to be, it will happen!!! I am proof of that. Some state medicaid programs are beginning to cover the VSG, so start now with the dr supervised diet and making them weigh and NOTE it in your files and watch and make sure they do it. Those 6 months go a lot faster than you think. Your state may start covering it or keep a check on which states cover it. And in the meantime, watch for other ways people get to have this done. I have seen loans, inheritances, 401k's, church donations, fund raisers, there is even one Mexico dr that does some inhouse financing but usually requires a chunk of down payment.. I urge you just don't give up!! Oh and start making the changes in eating and cutting portions now, or try, so you won't be so shocked if/when you are able to do it. The worse thing that will happen is you will lose weight, even if its just a little it will help you with both the surgery and your overall goal. I hope you don't mind the advise, and good luck!!!
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The little things
Very touching and inspiring post, thank you for posting this!! What wonderful NSV's those are, keep up the fantastic work! It is great to remember where we've been as well as where we're going! Congrats! :cheer2:
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Before and current pictures
Omigosh! you can definitely see the difference and you do look fabulous! You're rocking that sleeve for sure!! :cheer2:
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My First Post-Op Photo Share
Wow, amazing!! You look so great! I love seeing the side by side shots of the pics.
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I did the Shimmy Shimmy Shake!!!
Haha that sounds like so much fun! I bet it felt great, and giving all the clothes away and getting new ones sounds even more fun!!! Congrats, the sleeve is like a gift to ourselfs that keeps giving! :cheer2:
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I did the Shimmy Shimmy Shake!!!
Haha that sounds like so much fun! I bet it felt great, and giving all the clothes away and getting new ones sounds even more fun!!! Congrats, the sleeve is like a gift to ourselfs that keeps giving! :cheer2:
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Which Dr. and where?
Dr Kelly in Mexico. Excellent medical care and bedside manner. No pain, no nausea, no problem getting liquids in. A little gas the night I was sleeved, but other than that I didn't feel any discomfort, pain was managed very well. Dr Kelly came to the hotel, not just to check on me medically but sat down and had a long conversation with me. Got a hug goodbye from him and Trish. They truly care. I was expecting a good experience, but had an amazing experience!! Hotel was very nice. Have had NO problems or complications. As of 2 wks+2days I've lost 25 lbs!! My blood glucose is normal. All for $5500+ flight!!!!!
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Total cost of surgery - $915
Congrats!!! How old are you and what state? I knew some state medicaid programs were beginning to cover the sleeve but didn't know which ones. Good luck, so excited for you!!! :cheer2:
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Well, HELLO VST!!
:welcome: Hi, welcome to the forum!! You will get lots of info and support here, we have a great group.
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checked in at 5 this morning, officially sleeved
Congrats on being sleeved!!