ribearty

Fluffnomore, I used to live in Southern Illinois and we always felt that Chicago seemed to be the only area that mattered in the state of Illinois. I have now moved to Missouri right across the river. You might check out the sites and find people close to you for support also.

Some of these threads are older and have not had activity in more than a year.

Hi Alex, Would it be possible to have a forum topic for each state and then move the threads into the appropriate state? If so, can you provide instructions on how to set up the main forum topic? Also, here is an example when someone was asking about support groups in Illinois. There appear to be several for the Chicago area. Can or should they all be merged? http://www.bariatric...one-in-chicago/ http://www.bariatric...-chicago-burbs/ http://www.bariatric...ago-area-group/ http://www.bariatric...llinous-anyone/ http://www.bariatric...-area-sleevers/ http://www.bariatric...icago-sleevers/ http://www.bariatric...rbs-of-chicago/ http://www.bariatric...0-chicago-subs/ http://www.bariatric...-pretty-please/ http://www.bariatric...nachicago-area/ http://www.bariatric...cago-southland/ Please let me know what you think about this suggestion.

Here a few links that may help you find someone from Illinois. http://www.bariatricpal.com/topic/210834-anyone-in-chicago/ http://www.bariatricpal.com/topic/261910-chicago-burbs/ http://www.bariatricpal.com/topic/265931-is-there-an-illinois-non-chicago-area-group/ http://www.bariatricpal.com/topic/251717-herrin-illinous-anyone/ http://www.bariatricpal.com/topic/235361-chicago-area-sleevers/ http://www.bariatricpal.com/topic/247562-any-chicago-sleevers/ http://www.bariatricpal.com/topic/238202-northwest-suburbs-of-chicago/ http://www.bariatricpal.com/topic/229370-chicago-subs/ http://www.bariatricpal.com/topic/203959-chicago-anyone-please-pretty-please/ http://www.bariatricpal.com/topic/212896-northwest-indianachicago-area/ http://www.bariatricpal.com/topic/190874-sleevers-in-chicago-southland/ Depending on where you live in Illinois, you might also check nearby border states.

Hi, you may be able to find someone here. It is the forum devoted to January 2014 sleeve surgery members. http://www.bariatricpal.com/forum/998-january-2014-sleevers/

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Hi, I wanted to make you aware of a forum many of you many be interested in since it is devoted to people having their sleeve surgery in December 2013. http://www.bariatricpal.com/forum/679-december-2013-sleevers/ Thanks, ribearty

I certainly hope you find some relief. That has to be awful. This early out you have to be more careful about becoming dehydrated. I hope you are able to move up your appointment to an earlier date as the 20ths is a long way away with all the problems you are experiencing. As mentioned earlier in this thread, another person had this and it did get better. Please keep us posted.

Hi, congratulations on making a decision to have weight loss surgery. When you meet with your doctor, they will examine you and ask you what surgery you are thinking about and then give you their opinion of what surgery they believe is the best surgery for you. I am a revision patient from a lap band to the sleeve. I had my band in July '07. At that time the band was the only surgery I qualified for at a BMI of 35. By lap band standards I was a success because I lost 50% of my excess weight loss. I never found the "sweet spot". I wound up having my band overfilled to get restriction. In the beginning my doctor did not have the equipment to do fluoroscopy to see if it was too tight. This resulted in me throwing up a lot due to tightness. I also started to eat more slider foods, which don't fill you up, because I knew I could tolerate them. I then began to have major heartburn and was on prescription medicines for them for over three years. I was in graduate school and working full time so didn't have time to give this the attention it needed. When I saw my lapband doctor, he told me that my band was in the proper position etc. Earlier this year, I asked him about a different surgery, and he referred me to my sleeve surgeon. My sleeve surgeon performed an EGD and found my band had prolapsed. Additional tests revealed it was causing problems with how my esophagus was functioning. Since I have had my sleeve. I have had no heartburn. I am 7 weeks out from having my band removed and the sleeve performed. I feel so much better now. I have not thrown up since my surgery and have not encountered any food which I am allowed that has not agreed with me.

RJ, I am so sorry to read this latest setback for you. I have had costochondritis (inflammation of the rib cage cartilage) and it is quite painful. You don't realize how often you use your ribs until you have pain in them. Things you do every day without thinking such as breathing can cause pain. Driving when I would have a flare was almost impossible. I am keeping you in my thoughts and hoping things get better for you and your bad times will soon be a distant memory.

Here is a thread that lists several things you might need. http://www.bariatricpal.com/topic/181994-the-official-what-you-will-need-for-your-gastric-sleeve-surgery-thread/ One thing I found very helpful was a lip balm. I had to wait 24 hours after surgery before I was given anything to drink. This was due to having my leak test the next day after surgery. I blended my soups when I was able to have them. It depends on what you like. I was fortunate my tastes did not change, but have seen others post that things they liked pre-surgery they no longer liked how they taste. Good luck with your upcoming surgery.

Mistysj, Great idea.

If you had surgical tape in any of the areas, that can cause an allergic reaction which sometimes does not show up until a few days later.

Here is the link to the powder room. http://www.bariatricpal.com/forum/432-powder-room-ladies-gone-wild/ I will ask the BariatricPal host who is in charge of the powder room to move your post to that section. Your post has now been moved to the powder room area.

I was fortunate I felt great from day 3 and was off pain medicine by day 4. I saw three doctors the first week post surgery and two were amazed at how well I was moving and doing so soon after surgery. I tend to overdo things and have been accused more than once of burning the candle on both ends. I had another surgery on 11/4 which was 10 days after sleeve surgery. I then started to work 4 hours days from 11/5 to 11/8. I don't know if it was the combination of the second surgery, the anesthesia that close to another surgery, but that week I was dragging big time. I returned to work full time on 11/11 and came down with a cold three days later. That also took its toll. I finally felt like I had all my energy back around the 5th week. I still find myself sometimes not as focused as I used to be prior to surgery. One of my doctors said it takes awhile for all the effects of the anesthesia to leave your body. This is major surgery and it takes time for your body to heal.

Do you feel now that it is working you have to tell them? I know I was open about my surgery to people I worked with and friends. Now, that I have most foods back in my life, I will see some coworkers checking to see what I am eating. Sometimes they'll ask me if I am allowed to have a certain type of food. It's a blessing and a curse at the same time. I feel I am under the microscope and don't want to let them or myself down, but also feel a bit uncomfortable under their scrutiny. I know the road will be filled with challenges along the way and want to enjoy the trip there. This lifestyle may at sometime become automatic, but I feel also if I don't watch it, old eating habits could easily sneak in and I won't reach the finish line.

Are you on pain medicine? If so, itching can be a side effect from drugs. As your incisions start to heal, you may also experience some itching. It would be too soon for that at this stage.

I am in my 50s, had the sleeve with 70 pounds to lose to my goal. If I went by my doctor's goal. I had the surgery with 50 pounds to lose and a starting BMI of 35. I wanted this to be permanent and I knew I couldn't do it on my own with my past history. I also wanted a better quality of life and to enjoy the years I have left. I truly believe it is worth it. Good luck with your weight loss journey.

I agree chat is much slower than it used to be. It was a great way to pop in and ask a question if you were in a hurry. I have also met some very nice people and formed friendships with people I have met there.

SouthernSoul, You look marvelous, and are such an inspiration to me. I am glad I met you on this forum. Congratulation on your journey so far. I know you'll be crossing the finish line in the future. You have such a positive outlook on life which is wonderful and refreshing. Exciting news about not renewing your handicap tag.

I had my band unfilled on 8/5/13 and had my sleeve surgery on 10/25/13. I was able to maintain my weight within 2 pounds until my pre-op diet. I didn't try to lose weight during this time. I do agree though it was nice to not have to worry about food getting stuck and the visits to the bathroom to dislodge stuck food. I am 7 weeks out and down almost 25 pounds since surgery. I started out at a BMI of 35 so expect to lose slower since I don't have as much weight to lose.

I thought this was an interesting article. I hope I posted it to the correct area. If not, please move to the appropriate forum. It discusses how people with higher BMIs have aversions to bitter foods, which happen to be the area where a lot of fruits and vegetables land. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/12/13/body-mass-index-bitter-food_n_4428370.html?utm_hp_ref=healthy-living

So far I have not questioned why I had my surgery. Yesterday was 7 weeks out for me. One thing I did do in case I did get a case of "buyer's remorse" is to write down exactly why I chose to have the surgery. I was very specific and listed all the reasons of why and why not. I plan to review it if I ever get into this situation or if down the road I get off track with my eating habits. I believe it will get easier for you down the road. I was very fortunate in my healing process. Keep your eyes on long term goals.

Good luck with your upcoming surgery. Hormones taken once post menopausal can give some strange blood results. My copper and zinc levels are high from them.

You'll be fine hang in there. The pre-op was the hardest. I had 3 days for my sleeve and one week when I had my band. I remember it did get easier after day 3 or 4. After surgery, you won't be as hungry.