kathywithakay

It's been 11 months since I was sleeved. I have lost a total of 148 pounds since the pre op diet and although I am thrilled with the weight loss, I am not happy with my appearance. I have an appointment to see a plastic surgeon in November and am hoping someone can suggest questions I should ask him. I have so much excess skin, I'm pretty certain I will need a body lift. If anyone has been nthrough this and can suggest things I should be thinking about, I would appreciate any input and thanks:)

Ade7870, I chose Dr. Watkins after researching sleeve surgery for 2 years. I have not one regret. West Chester Hospital and Dr. W's office had everything so perfectly coordinated that the day of my surgery, everything was in order and all I had to do was show up. I had very little post op pain-just a slight feeling like I had been doing sit-ups. No incision pain and I required no pain meds-ever. In fact, I was able to drive myself home the next day, a 45 minute drive. If you have any specific questions, please feel free to PM me. I know you will do great! I was tired for about a week post surgery and they recommend no heavy lifting. Other than that, I went back to my normal activities. I took 1 week off work, just in case. The pre op diet was the hardest part for me but it was all worth the effort.

Andrea, I was sleeved September 23, 2014 at West Chester Hospital! The best decision I have ever made. I have lost 142 pounds and now looking for information and recommendations for surgeons who take care of excess skin. I am in the Cincinnati area.

I was sleeved 9/23/13. No post surgery problems and I have lost weight consistently. For quite a while, probably even before the sleeve, I have had horrible pain in the right side of my back-so painful that it takes my breath away. I attributed this to back issues because of my weight. Well, I have lost 130 pounds and the pain remains. I had an MRI that showed a lower lumbar bulging disc but also, possible gall stones or sludge so I am scheduled for an ultra sound. Has anyone heard that gallbladder issues can sometimes cause back pain? I hate the thought of another surgery but if the gallbladder is causing this pain, then I'll go for it ASAP! Thanks

Surgery was September 23, 2013 and I am down 132 pounds-that includes 3 month pre op diet. I have been losing steadily until June, then only 2 pounds! I carefully monitor my food, calorie and carb intake on Myfitnesspal.com. So what is happening??? The only thing that has changed is that I have getting a little more exercise since I adopted a dog on May 31. The new dog requires a lot of attention and potty training is a 24/7 job. Could the extra exercise be causing the stall? I am feeling very down about this set back. Has anyone else experienced a stall at 9 months? I am so afraid I am stuck and will not lose any more weight

Speaking of caloric intake…I am 3 months out, lost 50 pounds since 9/23/13 sleeve surgery, a total of 75 pounds since pre-op diet and now I am stalled. So, at this point does anyone have any advice about how many calories and how much Protein I should be getting daily? Thanks

Sleeved on September 23 and down 25 pounds. I have had several long stalls and it is so frustrating! I read success stories where sleevers lose 30 pounds a month and I wonder what I am doing wrong!

I love pureed lo fat cottage cheese with a scoop of vanilla protein powder. It sort of tastes like cheese cake:) My other favorite is black beans, 1 scoop of Unjury Chicken Soup protein powder,1/2 cup water and baked chicken breast pureed in the Vitamix. Then top with a bit of Greek Organic Yogurt. I have just begun the pureed stage and will be doing it for a month so I would also love to hear what others are eating through this phase.

My surgery was 9/23 and I just began pureed foods this week. Refried beans, chicken, cottage cheese with a scoop of vanilla protein powder (tastes like cheesecake) and homemade applesauce have all worked well. The problem is, I lost 20 pounds pretty quickly and have been stalled since October 10th. I was hoping the switch to pureed foods might help get the scale moving but no such luck. I know I am getting enough protein but maybe too many carbs?

I was sleeved on 9/23 and the scale hasn't moved since 10/2. I saw the surgeon yesterday and he said this often happens and not to worry. Easy for him to say but I know it's true. A bit discouraging-but true. The weight will come off.

My surgery was September 23 and the next evening, I drove myself home-45 minute drive. My surgery went well and I did not require any pain meds. My surgeon said that as long as I was "legal" to drive, he had no problem with it. It might have been a different story if I had required pain meds. You should discuss it with your surgeon.

Has anyone tried Miracle Noodles (Shirataki) post op and if so, how long after surgery? I lost a good bit of weight pre op cooking them with veggies and chicken and they have 0 calories/carbs.

Is anyone else starting their 2 week pre-op diet today for September 23 surgery?

I began my 2 week pre-op diet yesterday and it wasn't so bad. I am drinking Love & Peas powder protein drink and had a small mostly lettuce and carrot salad for supper. When I mix the protein drink with ice cubes in my Vitamix, it is just like ice cream so I felt like I was having a treat. The hardest thing for me has been giving up pop. What protein drink are you using?

Can anyone recommend a protein powder that does not contain soy or soy lecithin? Thanks

I have just begun the process after reading every bit of information I could find on pros and cons of WLS. I have chosen a surgeon, submitted the paperwork but not had a consultation yet. I have scheduled a sleep study because it has been 8 years since the last one and scheduled an appointment with my PCP for a physical. My insurance company said I can complete the 3 month required nut counseling with my PCP so I hope to begin that on June 4th. Besides the psych, are there other medical test requirements or does that vary from patient to patient? I’m just trying to get an idea so everything goes smoothly and there are no surprises. I’m sure I will know a lot more after the consultation but I have read posts about barium swallows, EKGs, Stress Tests and ECHOs. Are these tests typical? I am really nervous about the initial consultation and am afraid I might back out although I know this will be a life saving surgery for me. I can't turn back, now.

I actually began considering WLS 18 months ago and started out Googling "complications as a result of WLS" and OMG! There is a lot of information out there. It's a chance we all have to take if we want to prolong our lives. Of course, I am praying everything goes smoothly, I understand the possibility of setbacks.

Thank you so very much! Everything I need to know is right there

I am just beginning the process and also have Federal BC/BS. Do they require 3 months supervised nutritional counseling? Do you know if the psych eval is just one visit? I would be very interested to know how long it takes for approval and if you know what their requirements are besides what is in the handbook. Thanks and good luck! I wish I was as far along as you are!

I’m so sorry to hear that you had complications and you are absolutely correct. Thanks for the reality check. I have read about some of the complications and I am going into this open minded but trusting the judgment of the surgeon. I am at the point if I don’t have the surgery, obesity will kill me…soon. Like most, I am going to follow the pre op instructions, no matter how difficult, hoping this will in some way, help the possibility that I will make it through without too many setbacks. Even with your complication, you are a successful sleever. You must feel so good about yourself! If you could give one piece of advice to a newbie, what would it be?

Thanks so very much, ShrinkyDink! That all seems very logical and it’s reassuring to know that they take such precautions prior to approving this type of major surgery. For some reason, I am stressing over the tests and not so much the surgery. I’ve had a sleep study before so I know what to expect and my PCP routinely does blood work so I don’t know why I’m making such a big deal of this. If I did not have help from this awesome forum, I don’t think I would have even considered WLS. All of the good information, positive input, support and amazing results made me realize this can work for me. And btw, congrats on your weight loss!!! WOW!

Actually, I use a Bi-Pap and love, love, love it! I know that is a different machine from a C-Pap but essentially, they both perform the same function…keeping us alive when we are asleep. It took a bit of getting used to but I even use mine when I am reading or watching TV before bed. I actually find it comforting and freak out if we have bad weather and power outages. They probably have battery back-ups so I need to check on that. I had my initial study 8 years ago but have never had a follow-up. And since then, I have not had a consultation with a pulmo. I’m so glad you posted this because I am going to schedule another sleep study ASAP. One of my biggest fears about the surgery is anesthetic and sleep apnea. I had no idea there was a computer card in the machine but I am going to take a look. Mine has a menu option that shows total hours used so there probably is a way they can confirm daily use. Thanks so much for posting!

After much research, I have made the decision. I have selected a surgeon and am waiting for an appointment. My question is about sleep apnea. I have been using a C-Pap for about 8 years. Could you explain what a compliance report is? Also, do you use oxygen with your machine? I do not and have not been for a sleep study since the initial study. Thanks