MzPecanBrown

I am VERY concerned about this. I lost hair a few years ago due to another condition and it FINALLY has some length and fullness back to it. I am said to think about going through that process again. I had to cut my hair short and stop all chemicals. I am now wearing my hair naturally curly instead of using any chemical product to straighten it. I have been taking 5000 mcg of Biotin since my previous bout with hair loss. Hopefully this and lack of stress will help me some. I PRAY it doesn't happen to me or at least is minimal. It grew back very fine the last time.

I've been following your story and am SO glad you are doing better! And your new profile pic is gorgeous! Hopefully, now you can enjoy some shopping to go with that weight loss.

I am on medications that could not be crushed. On day 3 (the day I was released from the hospital), they started me back on 3 of my medications. I didn't have any trouble keeping these down and one of the pills is rather large. I spaced them out about 15 minutes in between. I have thrown up a few times when taking meds or Vitamins too close together or on an empty stomach. Before being sleeved, meds on an empty stomach never bothered me. Now I have to take them with applesauce, yogurt, or a Baybel cheese. I can't take them with my actual meal since we aren't supposed to drink while eating. With the Vitamin additions, I have to carefully balance my pills out. Especially to ensure that the Iron is spaced from the Calcium. I feel like I'm taking something every 2 hours.

Oh my! I'll be praying for you! Please keep us posted!

Looking good, girl!!

I work in a high school. We returned on Jan. 3 from Winter Break. My surgery was scheduled for Jan. 10. I started telling people I would be out for 2 weeks with surgery on the 4th. No one asked, not even my principal and assistant principals. My doctor wrote a note on plain letterhead versus the Weight Loss Surgery Center letterhead, by my request. I didn't need to complete FMLA since it was only 2 weeks. I just used my leave. While I was out, several people texted and emailed with well wishes and asking if they could do anything. When I returned, a few people asked what I had done. I told them that I had a hiatal hernia repaired, which was true. They were mainly glad that I was back and ok. I was really weak that first week back. The first day I overdid it and stayed home the next day. My principal was very supportive and told me I should never have pushed myself so soon. But he's respected my privacy. It's no one's business IMO.

Thanks so much! And AGGIE PRIDE all day long here! I come from a long line of Aggies. Yes, the 12 hour days are long. I work with at-risk students in a low-performing high school. I coordinate an evening academy program at my school. Our students are in class until 8 pm. It's a wonderful program. So many of our students will now be able to graduate on time despite being behind cohort. But it make for tiring days. Teenagers are a trip and four extra hours per day is a double dose of the madness! LOL! I didn't tell people at work either. When people asked, I said that I had a hernia repaired - not a lie because I did. Some have commented about them noticing I've lost weight (40 lbs in 5 weeks). I tell them I've changed my portion sizes tremendously, focus on Protein and Water, very little carbs, no fried foods, sodas, breads or Desserts - not a lie because this is what I'm doing. I'm not ashamed in any way, but it is personal to me. I was very selective in who I told. I may tell one day, may not. We'll see. As for the gallbladder, I had mine removed 10 years ago. At that time, I spent one night in the hospital and my doc asked that I take 2 weeks off. Now, it's outpatient surgery for many, so I don't know if 2 weeks for a gallbladder sounds right. A friend of mine had hers removed in December on a Wednesday, was out shopping by Friday, and returned to work on Monday. That surgery was not bad at all to me.

Congrats! It gets easier as you go along. I am also in NC.

I am not on a CPAP but one lady in my pre-op group was. She was instructed to bring her own machine to the hospital since it was already configured for her. They told her that her surgery would be postponed if she did not have it. Hope this helps.

I had blood drawn on my original consult ( can't remember how many). Then my surgeon's office ordered an EKG, Echo, and a Barium Swallow which I had 2 weeks later. All of the tests came back normal. They found out that I had a VERY small hiatal hernia which was repaired during surgery. I am anemic so my iron was low as well as Vitamin D. I was already on a Vit D supplement but they had me to increase it leading up to surgery. I had a chest Xray and more blood drawn at my hospital pre-op which was 5 days before surgery. That was it for me for pre-op testing.

My surgeon recommended 3 weeks, but I put in for 2. Personally, I needed the 3. The first day I returned, I was burned out by noon. I came home that day and immediately got in the bed. The next day I stayed home. I had no energy. For the remainder of the week, I tried to just stay in my office. Each day I immediately got in the bed after coming home. The next week after was much better. Everyone is different, so I would listen to your body. I didn't have any surgery complications, but I did have an ovarian cyst rupture and the period from hell (sorry to the fellas) within a few days of being sleeved. These things got in the way of my recovery. I am 5 weeks out and still dealing with extreme fatigue. This morning I got dizzy in the shower and had to come out and sit down for a few minutes before getting back in. I also work from 8:30 am - 8:00 pm so I don't get much rest during the week. I would say to pay attention and not push yourself. Focus on fluids, Protein, and walking. Good luck to you!

I see you, diva! You look great! I've also lost 40 but can't really tell. Everyone else seems to notice. I know often we are the last ones to see it. I took pics on the morning of surgery. You've inspired me to take new ones and compare! Keep up the great work!

Congrats to you all! I am with Bedhead. When I woke up in recovery, it was a total 10. My nurse was there, of course. I told her I was hurting SO bad. She put the pain pump in my hand and told me to be sure and use it. I was still hurting by the time I got in the room where my family was waiting. I had a major "what the hell did I do" moment and even vocalized it to my family. But the pump was a tremendous help. My pain was managed from then on. I never met my Water goal during the first 3 weeks. Never. I would get in 40 on a good day. I still struggle at 5 weeks but am doing much better, hitting it more days then not. It often depends on what my work day is like. I had a terrible taste in my mouth constantly and a coated tongue during the first 3 weeks. I would wake up with my mouth and throat completely dry in the middle of the night. I believe I was going through some level of dehydration that entire time but I made it. You'll do great! Please update us!

This always makes me nervous when I fly. I've never had to purchase 2 seats and I've always flown Delta or US Air. I go through a ritual of selecting seats. Some have more leg room. The last time I flew was in August to Los Angeles from NC. My sister and I were traveling together, so we left our shared armrest up to give me more room (she's an average size and doesn't have to worry). But I've flown with strangers and not had a problem with the armrest down. Just wasn't as comfortable. I have always needed a seatbelt extender. I can't WAIT for that NSV!

My hospital is a Center of Excellence, too. But patients with no complications, no serious medical conditions who are walking, breathing and taking fluids in well are often released the next day. I knew I wanted to stay more than 1 night which is why I brought it up at my final consult. But there are many variances I've noticed.

Everyone is so different. I didn't have a pre op diet and had surgery on Jan. 10. I came home 8 lbs heavier than the day of surgery. I lost that plus an additional 35 by my 3 week follow up. I would encourage you to drink and get protein in but I NEVER met my water goal during this time. Rarely met my protein goal. I still struggle with both but I am steadily losing. You had a great loss with your pre op. I would say if your surgeon is happy, you should be happy. :smile1: If there was a concern, I'm sure h/she would let you know. Sounds like you're doing great!

My surgeon and I decided that I would stay 2 nights at my final consult. I had a DVT in 2009 so he took a lot of additional precautions. But the average patient with no concerns, previous issues, or serious medical conditions stays one night on the Bariatric Unit at my hospital. It just depends. I personally wasn't in a rush to go home the next day. I had no complications, but wouldn't have been comfortable going home that next morning. But everyone is different.

I am sorry you are having such a rough time. I was given Oxycodone for pain as well. It definitely knocks you out and just did so so for the pain. I had a variety of issues during my first 2 weeks and visited the ER twice with terrible pains. The ER doc wrote a perscription for Percocet, which is just Oxy and Tylenol together. That worked MUCH better for the pain than the Oxy alone. I know you keep hearing this, but it does get better. My pain went away. I am dealing with extreme fatigue and dizziness now at 5 weeks out. But I am down 40 lbs and SO, SO cute! I am anemic and know that this fatigue too shall pass.... Someone asked about BMI. Mine is high. On the day of surgery it was 63. Today it's 56! :biggrin5:

I'll be 5 weeks tomorrow and have been struggling to get in my Protein and Water. I am doing much better day by day. I've been losing steadily with only a one week stall. The weight is not coming off as fast since I introduced food at 3 weeks. I stayed the same weight for about 4 days but I've lost steadily since then. Today officially put me at 40 lbs lost. Today went like this: Breakfast - Premier Protein shake Mid Morning snack - Laughing cow cheese wedge and a few mini crackers lunch - 3 Jumbo Grilled Shrimp and about 1 oz of pot roast. A couple of spoonfuls of mashed cauliflower. Afternoon Snack - 1/2 cup steamed broccoli dinner - Ground turkey with taco seasoning. A little lowfat cheese, one tsp of Goya Sofrito and 1 tsp of lowfat sour cream. That put me at 750 calories, 73 grams of protein for today, which is the most I've gotten in so far. It doesn't feel like a lot of food, but very protein heavy. I may have a No Sugar Added Applesauce cup in a few, just because it satisfies my sweet tooth.

I'm glad you went in to be checked and thank God there was no leak! It sounds like the hospital is where you need to be right now. I am sure you will come out feeling much better. Keep us posted! Sending healing vibes your way!

I've been having a Baybel Light round everyday, usually before bed. They are delicious! And I'll sprinkle about 1 oz. or so of 2% Cheddar on my egg or ground beef/turkey. I love cheese!

I had REALLY easy insurance. If you meet the BMI requirements, you're good! No months of supervised weight loss program or anything of that sort. My process went like this: October 12 - Initial and NUT Visit October 27 - EKG, Echo, Barium Swallow November 2 - Psych Visit I had to get clearances from 2 specialists that I see which I did within the month of November. December 9 - Received call with surgery date! January 4 - Pre Op Consult with Surgeon January 6 - Pre Op Class and IVC filter placed (I had this due to a previous clot) January 10 - SURGERY!

Prime rib does sound good! I haven't had trouble with any of the meat I've tried and find it very tasty. Especially after 3 weeks of liquids. But, I am worried about carbs. I can eat so little that by the time I get protein in, I can't handle anything else. I've only had a bite of veggies here and there. I am worried about being in this state of ketosis for so long. I went back to drinking a Premier shake everyday (*shaking fist* I vowed to be done with shakes) so that I can get that large dose of protein in at one time. Hoping that maybe I could squeeze in some veggies along the way.

OMG!! Printing this recipe now! This sounds devine! I cannot have bacon yet, but when I can, IT'S ON! I may try the mustard recipe now. I am a sauce girl. Thanks for sharing!

WOW! I am in NC, too. :welcome: I am curious which surgical group you went through as my experience was really wonderful. But I definitely respect your decision not to post it. I'm glad you are doing better and hope that the rest of your recovery goes very smoothly.