docbree

I'm sure I must have posted in this thread already cos I am getting notifications. But just thought I'd chime in again...
I'm nearly four years post-op now and have still not had any problems. Never had much pain, could eat anything at all, still can. Still have restriction, things still mostly going well. I've acquired a B-12 deficiency, but that just requires 4x yearly injections to supplement, all other labs are good. I take my Vitamins etc religiously. I don't have much of a stomach acid or reflux problem, so I just take my PPI as needed, maybe 2-3 times per week 20 mg, depending on what I've eaten.
I HAVE gained back six kg over the past year, mostly due to stress and a major lifestyle change, but I've started to get back on the 5:2 horse and have already lost a kg again. So I'll get back down to my goal weight again, though I had a new goal of 65 kg, so I'd really like to lose 10kg from here...
I'm babbling. TL;DR: I have had a h3ll of an easy time of it, from the very start. I have always recommended the sleeve highly.

@@James McDonald
raisig my hand, jumping up and down
screaming "I did, I did"
never had gas, vomitting issues
no problems with drinking or sipping Water
when i came home, went to sit down,..........oh,oh - first prob
my stiches hurt when i tried to sit
had to maneurver alot til i could get "somewhat" comfortable
sleeping was hard too because i only can sleep on my side, and it hurt
within 2-3 days, both problems got better
i was slightly tired for the first week
no noise or kids around so i was able to rest frequently
and this time - my hubby took care of/helped ME
(there is always a 1rst time)
people post their recovery stories, good and bad
its the "bad" stories that usually stick out in peoples mind
the good stories aren't told as often cuz they are normal fine recoveries - borrrring
basically my recovery went smoothly
you look like a smart cookie
I'm sure you will make the wise decision to have the sleeve
am alittle biased, but i think the sleeve is the best surgery
do your research about differen types of WLS too
sleeve "stores" give me $50.00 everytime i promote the sleeve
best of luck
speedy healthy recovery
good luck
Kathy

I will answer your picture with a picture.

This is something I've pondered over and over. I've been in so many conversations where people have said things like:
"She's getting fat"
"I'm so fat"
"My son and nephew brought home two girls and I was just hoping my son wasn't dating the fat girl"
"Don't eat that or you'll get fat"
I'm not saying I like being fat. But it certainly isn't the worse thing about me.

My post op diet was a little less restrictive than yours, but still, it was pretty restrictive. I also had to go on a two week liquid pre-op diet, so by the time I was 4 months post op, I was really sick of eating the things I could have! It was a total chore, and not worth it most of the time. I kept my calories around 600 -800 for the first 6 months or so. I tried not to be short-sighted about it, and to follow the program to the letter. I really was hard, but I knew that it would pass. I felt like it was worth it, though, because I had a lot of weight to lose, and it came off better than it ever has. I'm happy I did that, because after the first year, my weight loss slowed, and now it's a total struggle to get any off at all. I know everyone has a different diet, different body, and different outcomes, so we each have to find our own way.
My best advice it to just hang in there, do the best you can with it, and this too, shall pass. It really is only a very short time!

My surgeon requires each patient to lose 10% of their weight prior to surgery. In fact, if someone shows up for surgery and hasn't done so, he has been known to send them home.
In most cases (depending on your insurance) this pre-op weight loss will not keep you from getting approved - in fact, it shows them than you can stick with a weight loss plan.
Weight loss before surgery is very important, primarily to shrink your liver. This makes the surgery quicker and less risky.
Exercise isn't an efficient way to lose weight. Decreasing calories is the only way to lose weight quickly. I think a trial of the pre-op diet is a great idea. I still have about 10 pounds to lose before my surgery - and I'm completely stuck. I'm going to try the pre-op diet for a week or so myself.
Good luck!

RJ'S/beginning, Sending you a {[(hug)]}.
Of all the people on the site, you are the person who deserves better health. I sure hope it finds you soon.
As for the idiot doctor--words completely escape me in describing my disgust for him. My mother told me never to wish bad on other people, because it will come back at you twice as hard.
That being said, I'd like to be a fly on the wall if he ever got beotch slapped by karma.
May you find better health soon,
Kathleen

I recently went to a weightloss seminar and they said divorce rates are high after WLS. Something to do with the person having more confidence. But I personally don't think that's it. I've noticed that a lot of obese people will settle on partners that they know isn't right for them, just for the sake of having someone. It's not until they lose weight that they realize they can do better.

i told all my family/friends &co workers so if i do wrong they can remind me of my past weight &they dont offer me things i dont need & so far so good they all help me along with my journey & im very thankful & blessed for this kind of help/support.

The doctor would have to make an incision in your abdomen and then into the unused portion of your stomach to examine the area if necessary. It would be done laparoscopically. This was one of the options offered to me earlier this year when I was hospitalized with abdominal pain with no apparent cause after routine testing. So it is possible it's just more invasive than a normal upper endoscopy.

Keep me posted, too . I plan on taking 3-4 weeks off afterward, as well. Good luck!

I completely agree with you. I felt that if I was ashamed of it, i shouldn't do it. Ive told people about it and also educate them at the same time. Most people have no clue. And what's funny to me is, I get more negativity from overweight people. My friends that are healthy are excited for me and support me. I NEED a support system, and keeping my surgery a secret would not create that.

Lol!! It's part of the omentum. Fat that's already there in the abdominal cavity. Not all surgeons use that technique, so you're lucky. You sound like a smart lady. Keep trusting yourself, don't ignore symptoms at all. Are you on med(s) for reflux? A lot of people with nausea are cured with a different or stronger PPI medication.

"Odd organ" was your pancreas. The attachment to a fatty piece prevents twisting of the sleeve. It's a technigue they use to anchor the sleeve in place since they remove the heavier, hanging, stretchy part. Anchoring also helps prevent reflux! Pretty cool, huh?!
Congratulations on your surgery and good luck with your weight loss.

I am on day 50 post op and about 55lbs down.
I have been struggling with finding foods that I can eat and it was for a while causing me stress and confusion!
My doctor is extrememly patient and reminded me that everyone is different and sometimes you have to extend yourself outside your comfort zone to make it work!
I'm day by day shortly coming to terms with things and working through it.
Yesterday, for my check in Doc walks in and says while handing me a CD is a video copy of your surgery!
I thought WTH I had no idea he did that or how I would feel about it. When I got home I couldn't wait to turn it on and watch what happened. My family on the other hand couldn't watch it as easily or even at all.
I have to admit there were a few times blood went gushing and I was mortified and the poking and pulling and sticking OMG that was hard to watch! NO WONDER you hurt afterwards!
Seeing my crazy huge healthy liver was fun and you could see my heart pumping in the background. There was also some odd organ atop that I couldn't quite make out what that was I look forward to asking him about that.
I also do not know why when he cut off my stomach he attached it to this fatty piece I don't get why he did that I will have to ask him next visit.
Life Changing Push.... OH GOD when I feel like I'm going no where or I'm sad or down or food has me down I will have to watch that video it will be my inspiration! The camera was mostly focused on the upper part of my chest and my organs were surrounded by LOTS and LOTS of FAT it make me extremely sad that I had that much fat in my upper chest area. I was litterally smoothering my organs! How incredibly sad is that! It brought me to tears seeing that around my healthy organs trying to do what they are required to do slowly smoothering I'm sure until the point they would of just quit is horrific.
I really needed to see that video!
Last night I setup my lunchbox bento style for the day...I'm going to attempt to eat all my foods today and sip on Water and get up and walk! I have to get rid of that yucky nasty fat all around my BODY not just in my chest!

Well, actually, 39.9! My BMI is now under 40. This was the first goal I set. I am officially out of the morbidly obese classification! I lost so slowly the first 6 weeks, but things are picking up now. I've also upped the exercise from 3 days a week at the gym to 5 (1 session with the exercise physiologist trainer and 4 times on my own). Today, after my session with the trainer, I am shopping for a non-morbid outfit! No more scary non-stylish things for me!
Have a wonderful day,
Ellen

Thank you all for your replies to my question. When the nurse told me 850 questions i just couldn't believe it but definitely wanted to know what to expect. Y'all have calmed my nerves down a lot lol. Thank you all again so much. Hope you all have a blessed evening.

Not sure what you are eating that you think will stretch your sleeve? I was sleeved on Sept 19th and am doing great. Yes, I miss real food and am trying to slowly introduce real food. Have you been on Pinterest? There are many great recipes on there for Gastric Sleeve. Try things that are good for you until you find something you like and that is good for you.
I used to love watching the food channel and reading cookbooks. DO NOT DO THIS! It is too hard now.
Keep the faith and keep working what you have been taught and get sugar free Popsicles. They are great and I eat 8 a day at least. Really curbs my appetite.
Good luck. I wish you the best! Attaching a great Cookbook you should try.

All I can tell you is at three months out, I'm still following my plan....exactly. The truth is I'm too scared not to. I feel complications can still occur. I'm also the lowest weight I have been since 1984. I NEVER EVER want to see those numbers again. This tool is my last chance and the only thing that has worked in 30 yrs. That's my motivation to follow the rules. All the best on this not so easy journey.

December 30 for me! I'll be having it done at the Bariatric center in Kansas City with Dr. Hamilton. I'm very excited!

I've read some research that indicates that a very low carb diet can contribute to depression

For me, I realized that I was ready for a real and permanent solution. I had dieted so many times for so long, since the age of 15. Lost and regained probably hundreds of pounds over the years. I just couldn't do another "diet" and I couldn't stay the weight I was and continue to gain. My health was starting to suffer.
Three years ago I briefly thought about surgery. I remember googling it and seeing a diagram explaining the gastric sleeve. I took one look and was like Yikes! No way! and that was that. Turns out I wasn't ready then. Now I was.
Monday I'll be 7 weeks out. So far doing great and haven't regretted it for even a minute.

@@docbree great! Thanks for updating! I'm glad to hear everything went well you put me at ease about mine to since you have some mental health element as do I. I was concerned that that could hinder me but I'm glad to see it didn't seem to hinder you! Congrats! One step closer!

Thanks Isereno.
Docbree.....Im terrified to go off my RA meds. I KNOW that i'll be in pain. But surgeon also said I can be put out of work for a month if I wanted to. I figured, since being off RA meds,that may be the way to go.
I hear ya about the plaquenil and sulfasalazine. not as helpful without the Enbrel, humira, etc.
Keep me posted how things are going for you.

I wasn't there, but I would suspect he was being dry and sarcastic. Most doctors have a very dark, dry sense of humor. There's NO WAY someone couldn't be impressed with your weight loss numbers!