stomlin75

The reason for the BMI requirement has to do with the risks vs. benefits of surgery. At a BMI of 40, regardless of comorbidities, the benefit outweighs the risks of having surgery. Below a BMI of 40, this is not the case (according to current scientific literature) unless you have a comorbidity. Insurance companies, while I agree are evil in many ways, are not really saving money by denying the procedure. Those who are at high risk save the insurance company money down the road by having the surgery because they cost less with other health problems. I do clinical health research in academia so I am completely impartial to who benefits financially but I did do a substantial amount of background research on this for well over a year before having this surgery. With that said, there is still much to learn about the risks and benefits of having this surgery. None of us here know the long term outcomes of the sleeve and we are the cohort that will inform future generations of its pros and cons.

So, I have a sever issue with nausea and vomiting - had hyper emesis in my last pregnancy and I throw up immediately after my sleeve surgery. They gave me zofran, which I still take daily, and also a patch worn behind my ear. I can't remember what it was but it really helped while I was in the hospital. I did manage to keep everything down as long as I had the zofran regularly. Hopefully they are giving you something. Good luck. It will be over soon.

I gained 5 pounds right after my surgery because of the fluids. This took a few days to resolve and then the pounds started coming off. I did hit a stall though at 2 weeks and now the weight loss is super slow.

Enjoy!!! I had my surgery Dec. 7 and had 1/2 of a greek yogurt for christmas dinner. The good thing as that I wasn't hungry!!!! Wishing all the best in the new year!!!

Did you do a pre-op diet? If so, how long and was it just liquids?

I was sleeved on the 7th and mine are not even scabbed anymore. I just have scars and there is no pain at all. Yellow discharge is cause for a call to the doctor.

I had a catheter but it was put in once I was already knocked out and taken out before I woke up. They had to make sure I would get up to pee though or they were going to put it back in. I had no problem getting up and to the bathroom. Don't worry though. Catheters are not that bad.

I felt the same way. I tried so many other programs and diets, including organic/vegetarian as well. At the end of the day, I didn't stick to it and went back to old behaviors. I had my sleeve surgery done pretty recently and have no regrets. The weight will come off. I honestly don't feel hunger, sometimes in my head but it doesn't really matter because I can't really eat anyway. So, to answer your question, it works. However, my understanding is that you do have to adjust your lifestyle and make some lifelong decisions about nutrition and exercise in order to maintain the loss. I've seen others post here that they gained their weight back but I've also seen so many more success stories. One of my main concerns was addiction transfer. I made a conscious decision that after the surgery, alcohol would no longer be consumed by me. I haven't ever really been into booze beforehand but know that many patients do turn to alcohol and I don't want to be one of them. I also spent over 6 months in counseling to make sure I knew what I was in for mentally and had an established relationship with someone for after the surgery as well. Hope that helps!!

My bariatric surgeon, nurse coordinator and nutritionist all say flinstones are fine. With that said, I take the chewable french vanilla bariatric advantage vitamins and have no problem at all. I was surprised by this because I had so much trouble taking prenatals during my pregnancies in the past. If the vitamins are making you sick, then you may be less likely to take them at all which would be worse. I suggest you try another brand or maybe get a second opinion from another bariatric surgery center to see if they feel the same way.

Wow, you are a busy mom. 6 kids!!! I have 3 and thought I was going nuts. Good for you!! I think the treadmill is your best option. At least once they are all asleep, you can do your thing and not have to go somewhere. I rarely actually make it to the gym except once in a while on my lunch break and even then it's a drive. I'm thinking about trying to take up winter walking/running - at least if it's above 25 out. I'm in New Hampshire though and the cold is just about to set in.

Ok, it's been 2 1/2 weeks now of full liquids and I am seriously sick of it. I want to chew something with substance. I want to eat some fish. I want to eat an egg. I can't beleive the nurse coordinator for the program I am in makes all patients wait 3 weeks before we can even have something pureed. I have read so many other people's regimens that allow purees by the second week, some even earlier. I don't understand why there are such wide variations in post op diets. I am a health researcher, specializing in quality improvement, I feel like I have a great next area to study. I mean, seriously, this is ridiculous. Clearly, I am not a happy camper right now, sorry. I am stalled out, not really hungry but also not really satiated either. It's such a blah feeling and sometimes I just wish I could have 1 day of normal, just 1. I know this is what I signed up for and I need to suck it up. This first month is a b***h.

It gets easier and easier. I actualy remember the 3rd day being the hardest and then after that things went upwards and onwards. Just keep trying to move around. Sometimes that pain is gas and you just have to move around even though that is the last thing you want to do. Congrats on the next chapter of your life!!!

I understand we are supposed to be eating high protein and very low carb (<20 g per day). However, my program pushes us to drink milk by adding it to protein shakes, soups, etc... The milk is putting me well over 20 g per day in carbs. Since I have been stalled for about 1 week, I am wondering if that could be the problem. I've also had some greek yogurts that contain the fruit mix and soups like Butternut Squash that are higher in carbs as well. My calories are still very very low because I can't eat much. But, I am wondering if this could be the problem?

As a new person at this, I am very interested in knowing and understanding how this happens. My understanding is that you can only take in so much but I can definitely see eating more frequently to potentially make up calories. I guess I thought this couldn't really happen though until at least 9 months to 1 year out. What kinds of foods or behaviors lead down the slippery slope? I think this is a very important topic for people to talk about because we are all at risk for this. Sarah, I am sorry you are going through this. I lost 100 pounds 6 years ago, moved, and put all and then some back on. I have avoided my friends since then because of the shame. Making up excuses as to why I couldn't visit was sad. I am guessing that trying to make a come back after having the surgery is quite a challenge. What I really respect you for is that you were brutally honest about the how and why this happened. That seems to be the biggest obstacle of all - admitting the truth. Good for you. I don't know what the best next action is since I am still so new to this. However, I hope you know that you have a support system here. I know you can overcome this and turn things around if you put your mind to it.

I wonder if this is because your stomach has shrunk due to being ill and not taking much in. I've read in some other forums about people who intentionally go back on liquids only (protein shakes) to reshrink their stomach after starting to gain again. I am still so new at this that I have no real advice on this though. I do hope you feel better soon and everything goes back to normal. Maybe just 1 day at a time and a call to the nurse?

I haven't had a period yet but I am not due until next week. However, I felt compelled to tell you (just in case), that when I became pregnant for my last child (I have 3), I had a "period" like that. It was actually blood from the egg implanting. Not trying to rattle your cage at all but thought it was worth a mention just in case so you can look into that if there is a possibility.

Yep, move around as much as you can and burp.

I did milk of magnesia. Worked like a charm!!

You guys are so friendly!!! Your surgeries are going to be just fine. I went home the next day (surgery was Dec. 7) and felt so ready. Some people stay on a little longer but I can't stand being in a different bed. One thing that was unexpetced was that they made sure I was on "stage 2" foods before I left the hospital. They brought me a puree of chicken and rice. I was nervous about that because my post op diet was supposed to be liquids and purees were not supposed to start until week 4. But, I had no problem keeping it down. The worst part of the hospital stay is the lovanox (spelling?) shots in the stomach. I don't know if this is standard protocol but they are supposed to help prevent blood clots by thinning your blood. So, that was the worst part for me.

I've been stalled for a while now. Don't worry. I've heard this is common.

I did the same thing. I did not start my Vitamins until afetr surgery. I also didn't touch the Protein powders either and that was a huge mistake. If could go back and change anything, I would find a Protein powder I could deal with. I have tried a ton and not been a huge fan. I just ordered the unjury chicken Soup upon the recommendation of so many people here. You will need the protein supplmentation and knowing what you do/don't like beforehand, will make things so much easier. Jitters are totally normal. I felt like I wasn't sure I should get the surgery if I was doing fine on the pre-op diet. But then I would reality check myself and I knew that deep down, I couldn't last. The surgery really isn't too bad and the recovery is fast. I think the hardest part is the first week trying to get used to how you eat (well, drink) and knowing what is normal. Best advice someone gave me here is to follow what your doctor recommends for the pre/post op diet, no matter what.

You are looking beautiful!!! Nice job. Can't wait to get to that 1 month mark too.

I've seen all of your posts over the last week. So sorry you are dealing with all of this. I really hope this gets resolved ASAP for you. I remember having gallstones before finally having it removed. They hurt really bad. Once that thing is out, you will feel so much better. I also think they surgery is pretty easy. I didn't think the sleeve was too bad but the gall bladder was even easier than the sleeve.

I had thre opposite - constipation. But, I have heard diarrhea is common. I take zofran for nausea. I highly recomment this. It pretty much prevents all nausea for me.