ladyluna22

Im so hungry. Day one almost over hope tomorrow is better

Tomorrow is my surgery date. I am ready. I've been ready almost since I've started this process. I am sick of huffing up the stairs, having trouble with socks and shoes. Had my first elevated A1C a couple of months ago but all fasting blood sugars are still ok. Had my first elevated cholesterol level several months ago. My knees have been bothering me progressively worse over the past year. I learned that my stress incontinence is as bad as it is because of my weight. My husband says I snore. Yes I am ready! I am doing this for my health, for my life. The nice side effect will be the loss of weight and nicer clothes but not my reason for doing it. Have found myself to be a little tearful the past couple of days. I'm not afraid of surgery. I think it's just the major change coming. Could be the pre-op liquid diet. LOL. 0800 tomorrow morning my life will begin to change for the better.

I got sleeved the 8th fun fun liquids for 3more weeks yaya. I have had pain but am pretty much ok. How is everyone else. Tell me when do you all get mushy foods. Not really hungry but curious lol. I like that I have somewhere to vent my emotions other than telling everyone in Facebook land look at me I got sleeved. Good luck to you all and stay in touch hugs. Can't wait to hear your stories in months to come when you hit some great goals in weightloss.

Great idea!
Feeling good....getting my liquids and Protein in! No nausea, no vomiting. Still a bit tired, but hey, it's only been a week. Even had a normal BM (never thought I would be so proud of poo - ha ha).
I've even lost 5 lbs from surgery day to today....yes, 5 lbs in ONE WEEK! It still seems too good to be true. This may be the best thing I have ever done for myself.

Thought we could all convene here after our Feb sx so we could stay in touch....

2 weeks until the big sleeve day!!! Started the liquid diet today...man oh man dont know how im going to make it 2 weeks

Hello everyone. I am on day 4 of the 7 day liquid diet. I did pig out. I didn't do too much damage, but I did eat what I wanted. Actually the liquid diet isn't too bad. I am drinking the Bariatric Essentials, a lot of Crystal Light/Water, and sugar free popsicles. I could not stomach the broth. Ugh! My surgery is on Thursday, 2/14/2013 (Valentine's Day). I have lost 10lbs in 3 1/2 days. I have dogs and I have to walk them. Also, I love music and like to dance. I also like to clean so the constant sweating I think has helped with me losing so fast. I would tell you all to keep yourselves positively occupied. By day 3-4, it becomes quite normal. I am on a 800 calorie restriction, therefore, I try not to overdo it in the cardio department but as you lose it makes you feel better and better. I am more concerned with the liver shrinking aspect of all of this which is why I made my mind to not cheat and follow the doctors directions to the T. Good luck to you all.

I am married to a man with an Adonis body. He is so fit and so freaking hot. Everyday for the past 21 years of marriage he has made me feel beautiful. He is the reason I have had a high sex drive, even at my highest!

I pray your stomach and mind treats you well... Protein shakes and water is a bit harsh... I swear..I should have started this long ago to prepare for today.
And I fully understand the food relationship. I feel like a little kid who is seeking affection from a parent and being rejected. I can either A) scream and fuss (like Im doing) about how its not fair and continue to do bad things to get any attention, or I can deal with it and find something else that will fill the void positively...
I have started walked 9 flights of stairs a day until surgery. Best I can do to take my mind off it..
Best of luck to you. I am here with you~~~~~~~~~

Rock climbing, a bunch of sexual positions...like my husband to pick me up and give it to me against the wall!

Ladies, I want to ride my husband like a wild horse without getting out of breath and stopping to change position because I feel a heart attack coming ...lol would love to take Pole dance,belly dance,salsa classes....so much more!Sorry if its TMI.

Pole dancing. I've always wanted to take the classes but knew I was too big for the pole. I heard it is a phenomenal exercise, it may look easy but it isn't.

New position for us: He picked me up, pinned me against the wall rocked my world.
New position for us: He picked me up and bounced me up and down on his thighs.
Love this whole cave man thing with him picking me up and tossing me around. That wasn't going to happen when I was fat nomatter how comfortable I was with the extra padding.

Thats right...
Out with the fat - in with "all that"!!!
(yes, a little corny..)
We all have our insecurities - but as long as me being naked doesn't negatively affect his erection, its all good.
I cannot wait for my sleeve.. I am hoping for increased flexibility and even more confidence!!

The day of my surgery, I weight 279lbs. My husband looked at the two other women having surgery the same day as me, and each of them weighed around 200lbs. He had to remind himself that he did not know their story. At 180lbs, so many are still 50-60lbs overweight. Carrying around an extra 60lbs puts people at a great risk for diabetes and heart disease as well as knee and back pain. Those that weigh 180 are still struggling and are probably getting their weight under control before they ever reach 279lbs.

Hi I found this idea online the jar on the left says pounds lost and the jar on the right says pounds to go... Obviously I have a long way to go! Lol I I color coordinated the marbles green for the morbid obesity bmi, blue for obesity, purple for overweight and pink hearts for my healthy weight range. I like it good visual! It's pretty too!

Thanks for sharing this. For me, I have no regrets. I decided to get the sleeve once and for all, after watching my 67 year old mother-in-law chasing my 3 kiddos around my house. That was something I could not do. At 8 weeks out, now I am chasing my kiddos, and not panting while doing it. At only 8 weeks out, I can only imagine all the things I will be able to do a year from now:) I am so happy and full of hope!

I have seen a lot of posts from newbies who are skeptical about this life changing surgery I found something that talks about advantages and disadvantages please share your experience good and bad also how it change your life. I think it will be very helpful for newbies
In this procedure, the bariatric (weight loss) surgeon will remove approximately 60 to 80% of the stomach along the greater curvature, leaving only a small tube, or 'sleeve' for the new stomach pouch that extends from the natural stomach opening to the natural stomach outlet (pyloric valve). The procedure helps limit eating by reducing the overall size of the stomach and helps control hunger by removing the part of the stomach that produces the hunger-stimulating hormone Ghrelin.
The cut-away part of the stomach is removed from the body and not left in place, therefore the stomach reduction is permanent and the gastric sleeve procedure is not reversible. Overall, it is a less complicated operation than gastric bypass surgery, since the pyloric valve and small intestine are left intact. Also, the gastric sleeve does not involve implanting a medical device into the body in order to restrict eating as with adjustable gastric banding surgery.
Advantages of the gastric sleeve
The advantages of gastric sleeve surgery for obese patients are manifold. The greatest of these is safety: the likelihood of complications from the less-complicated gastric sleeve procedure is lower than that of gastric bypass surgery, which is more complex surgical operation.
The second big advantage of the gastric sleeve is its convenience: the patient doesn't have to schedule frequent follow-up office visits, as is the case with patients who undergo Lap-Band surgery and need to see their doctor several times in the first year to have the band adjusted. Current data also indicates that the gastric sleeve results in quicker weight loss than gastric banding.
In addition, the gastric sleeve procedure doesn't require as much active follow-up participation on the part of patients. Patients can get back to normal life that much faster.
Gastric sleeve patients experience fewer restrictions on the types of food that they can eat. The possibility of overeating is itself greatly lessened as well, since the part of the stomach which produces hormones responsible for stimulating hunger is removed from the digestive system during a gastric sleeve operation. This is seen by many patients as being one of the great advantages of the gastric sleeve. Although the procedure reduces the size of the stomach and the amount of food that can be eaten, the stomach otherwise functions normally. And, since the pylorus (the 'valve' that allows only measured amounts of food to pass from the stomach into the bowel) is retained during gastric sleeve surgery.
Of course, no form of surgery is foolproof, and the gastric sleeve procedure is no exception. As with all forms of bariatric surgery, the patient must want success and work for success in order for the operation to succeed as a treatment for curing Type 2 diabetes.
Gastric sleeve surgery can be the best option for many obese people with Type 2 diabetes, but only as a part of a total lifestyle change. A common-sense program of diet and exercise, along with daily Vitamin supplements and routine check-ups, are vital if the surgery is to succeed. If you're considering bariatric surgery to cure Type 2 diabetes or obesity, this surgery is for you.
LAPAROSCOPIC SURGERY
Laparoscopic surgery, also referred to as minimally invasive surgery, describes the performance of surgical procedures with the assistance of a video camera and several thin instruments. During the surgical procedure, small incisions of up to half an inch are made and plastic tubes called ports are placed through these incisions. The camera and the instruments are then introduced through the ports which allow access to the inside of the patient.
The camera transmits an image of the organs inside the abdomen onto a television monitor. The surgeon is not able to see directly into the patient without the traditional large incision. The video camera becomes a surgeon's eyes in laparoscopy surgery, since the surgeon uses the image from the video camera positioned inside the patient's body to perform the procedure.
The benefits of minimally invasive or laparoscopic procedures are:
less post-operative discomfort since the incisions are much smaller
quicker recovery times
shorter hospital stays
earlier return to full activities
much smaller scars
there may be less internal scarring when the procedures are performed in a minimally invasive fashion compared to standard open surgery
GASTRIC SLEEVE AT A GLANCE
Approach: Restrictive
Limits amount of food that can be eaten
Reduces hunger sensations
Anatomy Changes: Stomach
Reduces stomach size by removing 60% to 80% of the stomach along the greater curvature, leaving only a narrow tube or 'sleeve'
Surgery Method:
Laparoscopic
Operating Time:
One hour
Hospital Stay:
Usually 1 day
Adjustable:
No
Reversible:
No
Medical Implant:
No
Success Rate:
90% succesful in curing Type 2 diabetes
Surgery Benefits and Advantages:
Does not require a medical device implant into body
Pyloric valve and small intestine are kept intact
Reduces hunger (the portion of stomach that produces Ghrelin, the hunger stimulating hormone, is removed)
Few food intolerances
Low malnutrition risk
May be converted to gastric bypass or duodenal switch for additional weight loss
Revision option for patients who have had previous gastric band surgery
Time Off Work:
One week
Recovery Time:
One week
Dietary Guidelines:
600 to 800 calories per day during weight loss period (1-2 years, if weight loss is also a goal)
1,000-1,200 calories per day, once goal weight is achieved
eat protein-rich foods
avoid high fat and high calorie foods
avoid carbonated drinks and coffee
Eating Habits:
eat five small meals a day
avoid snacking
do not eat and drink at same time
chew food thoroughly
Nutritional supplements (optional):
Multivitamins
Calcium
Vitamin B12
Weight Loss (obese patients):
Quick rate of weight loss
Short term results primarily favorable, especially in low BMI patients
Expected weight loss 60% to 70% of excess weight at two years in morbidly obese patients
Low malnutrition risk
Disadvantages:
General surgical risks
Not reversible
Requires patient effort (changing diet and eating habits) for initial recovery and weight loss
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I'm glad I'm not the only one who has kept quiet! I had a frank discussion with my mom about the surgery again and she said I'd be throwing away my degree (almost done my masters degree - wont be affected by the surgery) because ill have the same complications as 3/4 of her friends had when they had RNY's. She said if I went for surgery that she'd take my car out of her name (I can't get affordable insurance) which would make me unable to drive to school (I live 30 mins away) and this unable to finish my degree... I don't understand :S she wants me to finish my degree but will stop me from finishing if I do something to better my health! Urgh...
And she recently told me that she doesn't know why I don't tell her things :S hahaha!
Little does she know I already had the surgery and recovered fine!
I'm so surprised at how little support there is for wls.
On the bright side, I told my family doc and she said I was "an incredible young lady" and that she's proud I spent my money on my health. I was very pleased at her reaction!

Who did you tell about your surgery and why?
How did you explain your recovery/eating to those you didn't tell?
Ill start...
I'm 25 started out 31-ish BMI
5'4" close to 195 starting weight, 185 by surgery time.
Now 175
Sleeved on December 18 2012
I told my best friend. That's it. I went alone. She was very concerned (more concerned than judge-y, but I think it's hard for a 5'5" 115 pound waif not to judge). I gave her my just-in-case letters. She couldn't afford the flight to Mexico.
I didn't tell my parents or any family members.
My parents wouldn't have approved (mentioned it to my mom who forbade it, and with a much stricter father I didn't even mention it to him). Some family members would have been understanding, but they've been known to tattle on me when they were concerned about something, so I didn't want to risk it!
During my recovery (holidays at home) I told everyone I had been in a horseback riding accident where the horse crushed me and they had to repair some internal organs (mainly the stomach - hence the diet restrictions).
Why did I keep it a secret?
Aside from the fact that my parents would have murdered me, I also won't tell strangers because people have an easy-way-out mentality when it comes to wls, and I want the credit for my weight loss! I don't want people to have the attitude that I got surgery and a year later I was a lot skinner (fingers crossed!)... People don't understand that it's not like that. Especially thin people who have never had weight problems which bothers me because they obviously don't understand what we go through.
As a completely unrelated tangent: I have an MSc and plan on getting a PhD on obesity work and I'd love for it to make a difference in the perceptions of the general population about the PHYSIOLOGICAL causes of obesity. I find too much media (biggest loser, dr. Phil, dr. Oz, etc) focus on the PSYCHOLOGICAL... "It's all in your head" kinda perception. Which is why 98% of those people gain their weight back and those who don't gain back need to maintain abnormally active lifestyles with uncomfortably limited portions because they treated their symptoms (the fat) not the cause (the physiological problem; hormones, etc).

They say that age and size are the biggest factors. If you have less than 100lbs to lose you are less likely to have issues. If you are young, you again have less, and then the last factor is how long you've carried the weight. I am (gasp) nearly 50 but only had 70 to lose. I noticed a bit of lose skin under my chin as I lost weight in my face quickly and was worried I was going to have to resort to the Joan Rivers treatment, but my neck has firmed back up and it's fine. I don't notice issues with my arms aside from the fact that I need to exercise them more I was heavy for about 7 years if you count my pregnancy.
I think that given you're on the cusp of the 100lb mark and you're young and the weight is recent...you will find you'll have pretty good luck firming back up in the next two years (which is how much time you should give it after the surgery).

So I start my liquid diet Monday. Surgery Feb 6th! Omg it is so close! I am freaking out but so excited! My wife is Seven days out from her sleeve surgery and down 25lbs from the day of surgery. Some Water weight, but doing so awesome! I am so proud of her!
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Ladies -
I'm seeing that a huge percentage of our pregnant ladies are ones that were using the IUD as their primary form of birth control. But what I haven't seen is someone taking the time to say, "Hey, this is a possible issue and be aware of it BEFORE surgery."
The IUD can shift and/or fall out with a drastic change in weight. I wish more surgeons were discussing this possibility with their patients, because I'm getting the feeling that they aren't always doing so and that many women are unaware that this can happen.
Please be sure to address your choice of the IUD with your doctor so that you can decide if it's the right choice for you while you're in the initial loss phase.
I've seen a large number of surprise pregnancies lately and almost every one of them was an IUD user. We all love babies, but it's nice to be more in control of the process and not be surprised with a pregnancy while eating a drastically reduced diet and learning your sleeve. And the early months are emotional enough without complicating matters.
So, just my official suggestion that even if your surgeon or PCP does not bring this up (and particularly if you're self-pay and won't be seeing a regular team of doctors) that you bring it up yourself if you're currently using this type of birth control and not trying to get pregnant.
~Cheri