traceyc

1 month ago today I was sleeved and have had a great experience. Thank you to everyone on here for sharing questions and answers. I don't know what I would do without this board. I hit my 3 week stall a little early and still seem to be in a stall for weight loss. I am not concerned since the pants I just wore last week are sort off falling down today so I know I am losing inches. woohoo! I was wondering how long your first stall lasted?

Have a great time and enjoy the carnival rides! Those funnel cakes and tater twisters are hard to resist, but I know you will do great. I grew up in Houston, but haven't been to the rodeo in many, many years. I would love to see a picture of your steampunk vest!

I agree this is the likely cause. I have had the same off and on since surgery and in the past with low carb diets and it does get better when I drink more water. If it gets worse or unbearable, certainly something to ask your doctor about. Extremely bad breath can be a symptom of many things.

When I went to my surgeon for the first time I had my mind set on bypass and wasn't familiar with the sleeve at all. After she looked at my medical history and saw I had been on anit-inflammatory off and on for a year she suggested the sleeve. There is a high risk for an ulcer at the point where the intestines are reconnected to the stomach with the bypass, the same for DS, if you take certain medications. After I researched I was so glad she suggested the sleeve. I was most worried about the malabsorption with bypass and the sleeve seemed perfect for me. I personally will not be able to do the DS later, but I do like that is an option to do later when you are sleeved. From what I read, most lose enough to be happy with just the sleeve.

I am 3 weeks post op and just wanted to share this item that is helping me through the liquid and pureed part of the post op diet. Texas grocery store HEB has a milk brand Mootopia that had 12g of protein, 40% less sugar than regular milk per 8 oz and is lactose and fat free. I was really struggling to get my protein in right after surgery and using this in my protein shakes, soups and hot cereal really helps up the protein content. I also drink on its own when I just can't stomach anything else.

I am 3 weeks post op and still have some pain in the belly button area near the largest incision when I bend down or move a certain way. It seems to be when my stomach pulls down on the incision area. liquid Tylenol (I use CVS brand) seems to control the pain well. I take it once or twice a day. It is getting better so I am not concerned. It was a couple months before I felt completely better after my gallbladder removal.

Thanks for sharing! It is great to get that visualization.

I agree with the others, sounds like acid reflux. When I would forget to take my PPI I would wake up to choking on acid sometimes. If you are taking a PPI already, you could try a different one or maybe see if you need to up the dose. There were some that didn't work well for me.

Lip moisturizer and my pillow where the two things I could not do without. I wished I had brought a robe and my own shampoo and conditioner.

They told me I would need to be awake before they could take the tube out, but that I might not remember it happened. I don't remember them removing the tube at all!

Love it! I think the stitch line or a band-aid on the forehead would be a nice touch to show it is a healing stomach.

I told my work I was having my hiatal hernia repaired only. My hernia was repaired at the same time they did my sleeve. I am not very close with my coworkers and didn't think I needed to share every detail. I believe the recovery time is about 1 to 2 weeks, more like 4 weeks if you have to lift at your work. Plus if you get a hiatal hernia repaired you have to chew your food really well and take small bites, so sort of fits with the sleeve.

I was sleeved on 2/7 and I have been doing great. I was also very nervous about the procedure, but I just kept reminding myself it is worth it to go through to be healthy. The nurse warned me that the first shot they gave me right before surgery causes anxiety and I am so glad she did or I would have thought I was having second thoughts. I was pretty nervous once I was in the operating room but had an awesome nurse who held my hand and comforted me until I was asleep. No matter how nervous you get just remember you have a whole team of people caring for you and keep thinking about the great benefits after you are healed. The days before my surgery, whenever I would get nervous, I would come on this forum and read some of the success stories. I can't tell you how much it helps to see people months or years down the road happy and healthy. I am 11 days out and I am doing great getting in my liquids and Protein. I still have soreness at the largest incision, but I get around great and walk at least 1 mile every day. I can already say this was the right thing for me to do to help me get my life and body back on track. Best of luck to you in your journey!

I had my gallbladder removed in 1998 and I started experiencing what you are saying within a month of surgery along with cramping. There is going to be sometime for your body to adjust to the change in your digestion without your gallbladder. I tried to keep track of what foods triggered it. Greasy foods of course, but I had trouble with uncooked veggies at first too and sometimes it seems to happen randomly. It gets much better as time goes by. I was sleeved on 2/7 and so far have not experienced anything like it.

Reading through some of the posts on here I have seen several people have given up caffeine either before or after getting sleeved. I am curious if you did give up caffeine if this was requested from your doctor and what the reasons were? My doctor and nutritionist did not say caffeine was off limits, but I am curious if there are known or suspected complications.

This is what I have also heard. My nutritionist said that fatty or tough meats like ground beef might be hard to digest after the sleeve and to stick to leaner meats.

Good luck everyone! I am scheduled 2/7 and getting excited. Having my surgery in Austin, TX.

I am doing a 2 week pre-op diet but it is low carb/high protein. No more than 30 carbs a day and at least 70 grams of protein. I think it is the doctor that decides what they prefer not necessarily the patient's weight.

Thanks for the inspiring pics! Congrats, you look great!

Oops, meant 2/7/12 for my surgery date!

My surgery is schedule for 2/7/11. My pre-op diet started today, low carb, high protein. I am getting excited and nervous all at the same time. I am so glad I found this site. This is the first time I am posting, but I have been reading all the great information provided. Thanks for sharing your stories and tips. This looks like such a great added support system.