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Hi Sleevers. I had surgery 6 weeks ago today, Jan 8. I thought I would do an update which might be helpful for those who haven't had surgery yet. I consider myself a "low BMI'er." My highest BMI was 36, and I had surgery at a 33. Even as a low BMI'er, I have experienced plenty of discrimination and unhappiness due to my obesity. I only reference the low BMI to put into perspective the rate of my weight loss. It might be slower than average, but I am thrilled. My hypertension has disappeared, and I've stopped taking my meds. I've lost 36 lbs since I started the pre-op diet on Dec 26. Surgery was a breeze with the exception of a 48-hour period of nausea and gagging that did not begin until 18 hours after surgery. I've only had one vomiting "incident" and that was last week when I had a virus yet still made the decision to eat two of my grandmother's meatballs. (OMG they are so good...but not coming up). Other than that, this whole process has been relatively easy. I've had no moments of depression and only a few moments of "I want to stuff my face with food and what have I done to my body." Those few moments quickly passed and reminded me of my previous misuse of food. My first post-op period just ended and my PMS rage was a bit elevated lol. I started working out today, and the only thing I have noticed is that exercise still makes my appetite spike. I am feeling very hungry right now. It started on the way home from the gym, and it's not head hunger. I guess some things don't change, but I can handle it. How are all of the other early-January sleevers doing? Shannon

I'm starving, and it doesn't feel like head hunger. Today seems worse than yesterday as far as hunger goes. I'm 4 weeks out today. I've tried to let myself "experience" the hunger and understand that it is ok to be hungry sometimes. It is still not as bad as pre-op. My doc has me on Pepcid twice per day. I am wondering if anyone has used Pepcid and had the same issues. I have a message into his office to ask if I can take a PPI instead or in addition to the Pepcid. Does anyone have any experience with Pepcid alone? Did it help or were you hungry like me? Shannon

I am four weeks today, and I have been quite hungry lately. It is different than my pre-op hunger though, not that urgent feeling I used to get. I've been trying to be "mindful" of my current hunger and tell myself to experience the feeling and listen to my body. Don't get me wrong-I wish I was one whose hunger disappeared with surgery! Hang in there. You are not alone.

Dr nicholson in Dallas, and I was a 33 on surgery day. He told me that 30 and above would qualify for his self pay program. LOVE HIM!

I had 48 hours of dry heaving that did not begin until about 18 hours of surgery. It began when they took away the pain pump and gave me lortab. It sucked! I would call the doc and get an anti nausea med. good luck.

Hello January 8th-ers! It has been an amazing 2.5 weeks. After suffering from nausea from 18 hours after surgery until 3 days post-op, I am now feeling great! I have noticed that I get dizzy when I stand up sometimes. My surgeon requires 3 weeks of full liquids, so I am ready to chew my arm off. If I never have another cup of strained creamed soup again, I will be happy. And I should include the Protein shakes as well. I get to start soft foods on Tuesday, and that lasts for a 3-week period. I went shopping yesterday and bought the usual suspects--eggs, cottage cheese, fish, canned tuna, string cheese, canned chicken. Everything sounds good right now. I am missing chewing and flavor. I think starting solids is going to be an eye-opening experience. Let the restriction begin! I've lost 14 lbs since survey, and an additional 12 on the pre-op diet. I am loving the results so far, but I have been in a stall for a week. I will not let myself stress over it. I am a low-BMI'er and have accepted that this will be the reality. I do admit I have not been physically tracking my full liquids, but I will start on MFP on Tuesday when solids begin. I look forward to everyone's updates and progress! Shannon

I had a friend who didn't want me to have the surgery. She told me she had a "vision" that I would die from surgery. She is no longer my friend. I don't need to be terrorized by a friend. She can now view my progress when I run into her.

Sleeved Jan 8th...lost 14 pounds post-surgery. I

Hello sleevers. Does anyone know how many weeks it takes for the staple line to heal? How about how long it takes for the internal swelling to end? I am also curious about when the risk for leaks drops.

I had pain, but not horrible pain. The worst for me was the nausea and dry-heaving. I guess I wasn't prepared for it. It lasted two days only. I realize now that the nausea seems normal for this surgery, and I don't think it's from the anesthesia (sp?). I've had lots of surgery and never had nausea. I'm sorry that some people had bad experiences. Hopefully it's like childbirth and we soon forget the pain.

You are beautiful! How many sizes have you dropped? I think it takes longer for us tall girls to drop the sizes. Keep up the good work. The change is dramatic.

Hi Jeff. We had surgery on the same day. I am like you--no problems getting Fluid down. I haven't felt dehydrated at all. This is good because I have a history of kidney stones and would like to avoid them again. But I too am concerned. I feel like the doc might not have taken enough of my stomach out. One thing I am trying to remember is that many people have posted on the boards that we won't feel real restriction until we start solids. I am on 3 weeks of full liquids, so I am praying I will feel full restriction when that ends. Shannon

My doc only prescribed Pepcid, not a PPI. I am not having acid problems though. If I begin to have problems, I will ask him if I can add a PPI to the Pepcid (not sure if you can do both at one time). Are you having acid problems? Shannon

Hi sleevers. I am one week post op and am having no trouble at all getting in 60 grams Protein and all the necessary fluids. Should I be concerned that i am not feeling restriction? I think I remember reading over the past year that the restriction will be felt once I move to solids. I am getting in the requirements by starting the day with a Premier Protein shake (30 grams protein), and then sipping a Cytomax whey Protein Drink (32 ounces of protein). I finish the day with another protein shake and/or Water with MIO. I feel like my sleeve might be too big. Shannon

I am 6 DPO and have the same thing. It has subsided today though.

Hi there! How was your hospital experience? Mine was good. I was glad to be there for 2 nights. The next two nights in a hotel were rough because I was so nauseous. I'm back home now and feel much better.

Hi everyone. I'm 5 days post op and feeling so much better. I know how you feel about being concerned about how much you can drink. I feel hydrated but wonder if I'm taking in too much fluid. I'm also having weird pain over my upper abdomen. It's rolling pain, like labor, but not as painful. Is anyone having diahreah? Shannon

Hi sleevers. I was sleeved on Tues (Jan 8). I did very well for the first 18 hours after surgery. At that point, they took me off of the patient-controlled IV pain meds and offered me Lortab. What a huge mistake! I had a terrible reaction to the Lortab--even hallucinations. I was talking to my husband like he was my mom. And then the worst--12 hours of dry heaving! I am so scared I could have disturbed my staple line, but the nurses are assuring me I haven't. I am only now feeling better, but in pain becuase I can't even manage to swallow liquid tylenol for fear of puking. Aside from the Lortab incident, I had a decent experience. Did anyone out there dry-heave for the first few days post-op?

How are you doing Keya? I was sleeved yesterday and am doing well. I'll be in hospital until Thursday afternoon which I really appreciate. I am able to sip crystal light and isopure. Keep us updated, and happy healing! Shannon

Good luck!

Congrats Jeff! I had surgery at 2pm today, and I am doing great. They are letting me sip 1 oz of water, crystal lite, or isopure every 15 minutes. It is helping.

Hi everyone. It is 9:30 am on the day of surgery, and I don't report until 12. I'm dying for water but of course I can't have it. I posted earlier about getting my period. I have some terrible cramps this morning, bad timing. I'll try to post tonight. See you on the loser's bench! Shannon

Hi sleevers. This question is for the ladies. Surgery is tomorrow afternoon, and I got my period today. The surgeon's office told me it is not a problem, but how do they deal with it during surgery? Am I allowed to wear a tampon during surgery? I will be asking that question tomorrow, of course, but wondering what others' experiences have been. My periods aren't "light" if you know what I mean (there's an ablation in my future). At least the pain meds will take away the horrible cramps I'm having right now and will probably have tomorrow. Shannon

Good luck to all of the January 8th-ers tomorrow!!!