sherrifm2012

Sleeves on 9/11. Down 44 since surgery and 64 overall (20 prior). Feels great. Still have 84 to go though ????

If you aren't already join My Fitness Pal and friend me there. Sherrifm2012. Will support each other in getting there!

My surgeon had me do Dulcolax for the same issue. Comes in powder hat can be dissolved in Water. Nearly tasteless. But I have to add some crystal light. Won't work that day but by next 1 or 2 should. Also I'm 5 weeks out and if I'm not diligent about water intake I still get constipated.

Hi ! I'm a month out tomorrow and am still having a hard time getting enough fluids too. Not that they won't go down or they hurt' date=' but the problem is WANTING to drink. At 6 days out, the #1 thing is fluids. At 30 days out, fluids are just as important. Without Protein, you lose muscle, but without Fluid you lose way more so Protein is secondary in my book. Muscle can be rebuilt. Dehydration will make you very sick and feel even worse ! A trip to the hospital for an IV isn't something anybody wants. The first couple weeks really were the hardest. Your body is still in "what the hell happened" mode and it's trying to decide how to deal with such a huge change. Most of us were told to never use a straw, but I've found that I take in less air (which makes things a little more comfy) using one. It's all about what works best for you. Please hang in there and try not to get discouraged. It really does get better <img src='http://www.bariatricpal.com/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.png' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='' />[/quote']

I 'm right w Liz. 5 weeks post as of yesterday. 1st week was tough. Fortunately my dr and nut just told me to concentrate on getting Water down and healing for first week. During that time I decided pain killers were the best invention ever. :-). I went of pain meds by about day 7 and by day 10 felt much better and was sipping Protein shakes. One I started those back had some of my energy return. Like Liz I found I do less air with a straw and am more likely to sip vs forgetting and taking a big gulp of Water.

Now at 5 weeks out I feel great. Only discomfort I feel is when I eat something like dry like chicken and don't chew long enough. Get a pretty darn uncomfortable 'stuck' pressure feeling. I've lost about 29 lbs since surgery. And that is pretty darn thrilling.

So hang in there. Every day gets better. Keep sipping water or any fluids (bullion, Jello, Popsicles,...) that you can do.

That is awesome. Excited for you and your visit next week! And, January will be here b4 you know it!

I can so feel your pain on the caffeine. I cut mine way back to just 1 cup of coffee in the morning starting in July. That cup of coffee was the thing I missed the most the two week prior to surgery. My Dr and Nut had me do two weeks of liquids and 'mush' (think sugar free applesauce) prior to surgery with zero caffeine. I REALLY missed my morning coffee. At this point I've been without it long enough that I'm used to it.

As far as the timeline. I had some travel for work, a family vacation, and kids starting back to school that all together probably added a month or more to my time. Really depends on the rules of your insurance. But suspect I could have focused on each appt as quickly as possible vs fitting into a schedule, I might have compressed it to 6 months.

Good luck to you! I know if you're like me 6-8 months probably seems like forever. I think it's so cool you already found this site. I really wish I had prior to surgery. Lot's of good information and support out here!

Hi Kathy, All in it took me about 8 months from the time I picked up the phone to set a meeting with a surgeon who was part of my insurance plan. (Jan 2012)(about 3 weeks of that was getting on his calendar). That was followed by 4 meetings with him, 5 or 6 with the nutritionalist, several other test (blood, lungs, heart, gastric exam, psychiatrist, sleep study) etc. All this to get insurance approval...at least that's why I started it. But, at least some most of it frankly should do whether insurance requires or not. Get's you prepared and time to really think through getting the surgery and learn that it's just a tool. A bit of a reset. But, success will depend completely on the work I'm willing to put in now and later.

Btw, some more timeline stuff...since that's what you asked.

* Feb 1st Dr meeting

* March to July - lots of appts (see above)

* August - approved by Ins (Yipee!!!!)

* Sept 11th surgery

Hope this helps. Best of luck to you.

Hi all, I'm in the DFW area. Flower Mound for those of you who know the area. I was just sleeved 3 weeks ago on 9/11 at Grapevine Medical with Dr. Swanson. Would love to have some friends from around town. I work a lot so online support is so much easier for me then meetings. So excited about this journey for all of us.

Just started following this post. I'm 3 weeks post op and very concerned about the hair loss...since I have really thin hair to begin with. Hope you don't mind me 'stalking' just really interested in what you hear from others.

GOOD LUCK!