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I'm sorry you're not sleeping. That is so frustrating. That happened to me when I had my lap band surgery years ago and I was in tears because I was so tired but I was unable to sleep. I was fortunately able to sleep with this surgery. I think things will improve for you very soon.

With mine, I had my surgery to put in the IVC filter a week before my surgery. It went in through an incision in my groin. I was put under anesthesia in a surgical suite for that procedure, but just the kind that they inject into your veins, no tube down your throat and all that. The removal was through my neck in a radiology suite. Well, the attempted removal was through my neck. They put in the contrast to look at the filter and found a clot in it...so now I have to wait until the clot is dissolved by meds to have another removal attempt. I was just under a relaxer and painkiller for that one. Other than the lidocain (sp?) shot to numb the area it was basically painless. You have to be awake so that you can hold your breath when they put in the contrast to get a clear picture. The worst part was trying to get my fat ass from the stretcher onto that tiny operating table slab...lol.

I can't believe it's already been a month since my surgery. I've had my ups and downs, but I'm trying to stay positive. My surgery itself was fantastic. It went so smoothly and I was so impressed with my surgeon, the nurses and the hospital. I was very fortunate to have no gas pain, and honestly I felt so much better than I expected to. My weight loss was fantastic in the beginning, but as soon as I hit week three, I hit the notorious week three stall. I have to say that despite having read about it, I wasn't expecting it. I weigh nearly 400 pounds, and I'm losing one pound a week eating 400 calories a day? SERIOUSLY???? Stupid body. lol. Week four I managed to lose two pounds, but still I'm finding it very disappointing, but I'm not exercising (blood clot), so that's part of it. I hit something unexpected and found out I had a blood clot when they went to remove my IVC filter. Crap. I'm self-pay so in addition to being worried about that, I also know this means I'm going to have an additional $20,000 or so of medical expenses. And then I had to call my boss and tell him that I'm going to be out of work for another two weeks. Stress city. I'm not happy. BUT...that's all there is. I can't do anything about things out of my control. I'm trying to stay positive and keep myself busy. In a month or so this will all be a memory and I'll be onto something else. Month One Stats: Surgery Weight: 416 One Month Later: 389 Pounds Lost: 27 NSVs: None yet

I like the idea of a gym that "caters" to plus-size people. For one, I'd love to work with trainers that are familiar with the physical limitations that some obese people have and trainers that want to work with the obese. That said, reverse discrimination isn't really the solution. I think it's fine that they are very clear about their mission and their target clientele, but if a skinny gal comes in, looks over the gym, is told that the gym "specializes" in working with the obese and still wants to join? Well then, join they should. And Butterthebean, I'd love a list of bikes that would work for the very large. I'm close to 400 and didn't think bike riding was an option. I'd love to when I'm cleared to exercise (I'm currently on "rest" due to a blood clot). I have bad knees and lots of walking isn't working for me.

What goes in comes out, unfortunately, and you're on all liquids. The high protein stuff affects some people that way as well. I had the same issue for several weeks. Well, I had the problem until I got on soft food really. Now I have the opposite problem sometimes. This too shall pass.

I made this for the first time last night and did them in muffin pans. I got six 1/4 cup portion muffins. Perfect. And man, this was delicious.

Thank you Lissa. Did they take out your filter even with the clots in it? They just aborted my retrieval procedure and said they could't remove the filter without dislodging the clot and sending it to my heart or lungs. I'll definitely do what the doc says...to the letter.

Awww, that sucks, but concentrate on the company and you'll get through it. That must be so hard.

Well, today I went in to get my IVC filter removed (it was placed a week prior to my surgery) and they found a gigantic blood clot "hanging on" to the IVC filter. Sooooooo...yikes. I'm back home and tomorrow I go in to see my surgeon. I guess we'll discuss what to do at that time. I've never had a blood clot so I'm not sure what the next steps will be. I do know that they scared the crap out of me when I asked if I could still do my walking (I was referring to my nightly "exercise" walk) and they told me that it "should" be okay for me to walk to the bathroom, but to try to avoid bending over because the clot could dislodge. *gulp* Yesterday I was zipping around like normal. I guess I'm happy I have the filter because it at least prevented the blood clot from heading to my heart or lungs. So...fingers crossed. I'm self-pay and this is going to cost me a fortune, but I'm still kicking.

I wouldn't let the drain be the deciding factor. Some surgeons use them; some don't. The surgeon's complication rates, number of surgeries they've performed, etc. are much more important. My surgeon usually uses a drain (but removes it before you leave the hospital), but he didn't think I needed one, so I didn't get a drain.

I'd contact your surgeon at this point. In the beginning it does hurt a bit to take a full breath because of the incisions, but at this point you should be able to take a normal deep breath without pain, I would think. They will want to make sure that you're not developing pneumonia or have a pulmonary clot.

I've been having lower back pain as well. For me, it comes from walking. I'm big and I have a huge pannus and I think it's just pulling on my back. I'm rather frustrated because I deserpately need to exercise, but virtually everytime I do I pull something. My second week I pulled my right groin muscle and right lower back. Once that was feeling better, I pulled something in my left lower back. And no, I'm not walking an excessive amount. I'm doing 10-15 minute walks. I think I need to lose another 50 pounds and then I should be "small" enough to fit in the largest-sized compression garmets. Hopefully that will help me.

I'd be honest and tell them you're considering WLS. But I sure as heck would go and see if you make it further. ETA: Oh, you've already had the surgery? Well if so, they won't take you unless it hasn't "worked"...so no need to go.

:D :D Congratulations!!!!

Are your Protein shakes chocolate? What goes in must come out. I had black stool entirely throughout my preop diet.

I second calling your surgeon on the labored breathing. Are you running a fever? That isn't something to mess with. And please follow your surgeon's instructions on what you should be eating. You have a brand-new stomach that is not healed. Giving it food it is not ready for is a recipe for a leak. Please tell them that what you ate. You may very well need a leak test.

I would discuss this with your surgeon. I have knee problems and one of the reasons I chose the sleeve over the rny is that my doctor said that anti-inflammatories can usually eventually be used with a sleeve, whereas that is not a possibility at all with a rny. That said, he said the sleeve would have to be completely healed and that it is something that needs to be closely monitored. I think only your doc can answer this one.

I've seen it. Well, he called out Super Size Me (his point about the supposed calorie totals not being possible was very interesting to me). Basically, he kept his calories under 2000 a day and ate at McDonald's every day for 30 days. Plus he exercised. He didn't drink sugary sodas, etc. I'm a huge believer in the damage that a really high-carb diet can do. So, on that front I believe a lot of what he said. The Gary Taubes books are excellent, and he did mention them.

Nothing for me. I had my surgery on 5/22 and had my annual eye appointment last week and there was no change in my prescription.

I used to love those. I'll go back even further. I have Reach on my computer and I still love it. I can't wait to be released to exercise so I can do it. lol.

I'm taking just a bit under 3 weeks. I probably could have gone back at two weeks, but I pulled a groin muscle (owie) and I'm still very tired and sleeping ten hours a day.

I think you can sleep however you like as soon as you feel comfortable. It was a good week before I tried sleeping in a bed, though. Moving around and getting into/from the side position was not comfortable at all. I slept in a recliner.

I didn't need/want anyone to stay overnight, but I sure did want someone there when I woke up and went to my room. After I was settled in I guess I could have one without someone.

I did a three-week pre-op diet (two high-Protein shakes, one Protein Bar, and one "sensible meal"). I wouldn't say I had a pain-free experience, but I was expecting so much worse. I was a bit sore in the beginning, but I had zero gas pain (none!) and--considering my size--my recovery process has been way easier than I expected. I will also note that my surgery went really well. I had a revision from band to sleeve, which we expected to take about three hours. My doc finished my surgery in an hour and a half and said it went really smoothly.

Mine was well above 60. My surgeon wasn't concerned about my size since I don't have diabetes or heart issues. His main concern was my getting up and about as quickly as possible to reduce to possibility of blood clots. I did have an IVC filter placed before my surgery (and it will be coming out June 19th) to reduce the risk of life-threatening blood clots. I have had a very smooth recovery so far and I was fortunate not to even have the gas pain that a lot of sleevers get.