Idlewood4

When I click on the links Bariatric Pal sends to my email, I get this message. It's very frustrating, especially when they are topics I want to contribute to. How can I resolve this. I am logged in to Bariatric Pal. Links from my email always return this message. Sorry, we couldn't find that! [#10340]You do not have permission to view this topic. Need Help? Our help documentation Contact the community administrator

Awesome. Love those victories. Isn't it weird knowing you need less physical space? Still trying to adapt to that! Keep up the fantastic job.

Let us know how it goes. Good luck

I struggled with my band too. At my psych appt, she decided I needed some behavior modification. I went to 3 sessions and the psych cleared me for the surgery. when you have your appointment, focus on the positive changes you have made, and why this time is different. Good luck, let us know how it goes.

Excellent article timed perfectly for my personal situation. I'm 10 weeks out, and am relying heavily on my support groups, and tools to keep me on track. It would be so easy to fall back into old patterns. Once I stopped logging (justified of course by I'm eating the same things anyway), I stopped weighing and measuring, sneaking in occasional crap..... It's a dark path, and so easy to fall back into the old patterns. If it wasn't for my support team, it would be another failed attempt.... With the team, I'm logging and accountable, and mindful. I can't say enough how mindful helps me. I hear my nutritionist's voice in my head, "dense Protein first, veggies next, fruit/whole grains if any room left. My nurse's voice, "exercise, Vitamins... ". My psych's voice, "why am I doing this to myself? What do I want" And finally my own voice, in how proud I am of the weight I have lost, and how I don't want to stop here, I want to keep moving in the right direction, for me, my family, my friends........

My personal experience is to avoid the bad carbs. As soon as I started to add them back in, all I wanted to do was eat white toast with lots of butter, and other useless foods. It's a struggle now to stick with the veggies, fruits and whole grains. Those bad carbs have my name all over them. It's so easy to go back down the bad path. Every day I wake up determined not to give in to those cravings. I'm only 10 weeks out, and wish I'd never had that first bite of non whole grain Pasta. It starts the cycle....... Again, this is only my personal experience, but it scares the crap out of me how easy it is to fall back into bad patterns.

My program through Salem Hospital, Salem MA has a $400. program fee. It wasn't covered by insurance either. I had to pay it before my first visit with the nurse and nutritionist. It covers all their visits, a 4 week pre surgery program, a 4 week post surgery program and monthly support groups. I've see the nurse and nutritionist monthly since July, had my surgery in December. We can go back to the post surgery program anytime we like (I'm still going, it helps keep me on track. It also includes a 3 month membership at the hospital gym. The hours of the gym are very limited though. They are open 8-7 Monday thru Friday and Saturday mornings 7-10. I haven't been able to take advantage of it because of my job. Although it was painful paying the $400. up front, it was well worth it to help keep me on track.

Stephg, praying for you. I got sleeved 12/9/13. Surgeon said the number 1 reason people are readmitted is dehydration and to keep the Water flowing. We're told not to use straws. I had my post op followup at 10 days. Surgeon said I could move to soft foods. I had a 1/2 scrambled egg and it was delicious. I never knew an egg could taste so good. At 3 weeks nut appointment she said we could eat anything nutritional. Get Protein and veggies and fruit in that order. No coffee, caffeine tea, alcohol. soda, carbonation. No liquids 1/2 hour before or after foods. It's full time job keeping track of it all once the Vitamins are added in. Sugarfree popsicles are my salvation. Hang in there, and let us know how you are doing. Keep that water going.

Mine took about 3 weeks. Had the surgery 12/9/13. Haven't had any in the last month. Hang in there, you'll get through it.

Awesome! A lot of hard work on your part, and it's paying off. Did your shoe size change? Mine went from 8 1/2 Wide to 7 1/2 Regular. I never even knew my feet were fat!

I had a band in 2007 because I needed colon surgery and the surgeon said it was too risky unless I lost weight. I went from 308 to 237. Fast forward one year, the port flipped, I had to have surgery to fix it. Got a major infection that wouldn't heal. Not good. Finally got over that, and they couldn't fill the band. Port problem again. They did another surgery, and they did one fill, but I was unable to swallow anything. Eventually I had a slip and the band was removed in April 13. I did research and decided on a sleeve. I love my sleeve. I had the surgery 12/9/13. I'd gone back up to 257 when the band wasn't working. I weighed myself today and I'm at 219! My pants have changed from a 24-26 to a 16-18. My shoes went from an 8 1/2 wide to a 7 1/2 regular. It's amazing. With the band I couldn't swallow pills, had to crush them. With the sleeve, I have no problem swallowing the pills. No matter what option you choose, the surgery is just another tool to help you succeed. It's tough to do the liquid diet, it's tough to give up coffee, and it's tough to meet all the insurance requirements. But it's worth every bit of effort. Good luck to you whatever you decide, and let us know how you are doing.

Awesome. Keep up the great work. I got my sleeve 12/9, down 30 pounds and currently in my stall, but.... Have gone from size 24-26 to size 16-18 pants. So I know somethings happening! I love my sleeve, soooooooo much better than the band..... .

I got my sleeve 12/9/13. It's one of the best things I've ever done for myself. I had a lap band in 2007, and had lots of complications. It got me from 307 high weight to 247, but then I had 2 port replacements, and they were unable to fill it. I had a slip and couldn't swallow much and still didn't lose weight. They took out the lap band in 4/13, and I had to wait for inflammation to settle down. Started my sleeve program in 7/13, and had to go thru all the insurance requirements for the sleeve. I started the sleeve program at 257 pounds. Surgery weight was 240, and I'm now 222. I've been at a stall for the last 10 days, but I also went from size 26-28 pants to --------wait for it-------- today I put on a pair of size 16 pants. Of course I'm all gut still, I look like a basketball on stilts. Anyway, enough rambling, bottom line, I absolutely love my sleeve!!!!! It's not easy, but worth it.

Idlewood4 checking in, SW pre band 307 (2007) band loss 50 pounds kept off post band 257 (4/2013) - sleeve starting weight pre sleeve surgery 240 (2/9/13) 17 pounds lost post op nutritionist appointment 222 (12/31/2013) 35 total pounds lost -sleeve

Going to google adora calcium disks. Never heard of them. I'm doing a chewable. Just got the PB2 today in the mail. Can't wait to try it.

My package just arrived in today's mail, and I was trying to figure out how I'd use it..... Thanks for the tips, I'll make sure not to get it too hot. I've been heating my carnation instant Breakfast in the morning, and if I make it too hot the scoop of Protein powder I add in gets clumpy and disgusting. I need to get it to kind of luke warm, not boiling. Sounds like the cheese sauce will be the same way. Maybe I'll try some on the next scrambled egg I make!

Just wanted to check in and wish all my fellow December sleevers a very Happy New Year. Had my 3 week post op visits with my nutritionist and nurse today. They went well, and I have clearance to eat anything I want as long as it's healthy, eat a small portion, and chew chew chew. Protein first, veggies next, fruit, then whole grains. They said I was right on target. I start their 8 week post op program next Wednesday, and I start my 3 month exercise program on Monday. (They encourage us to do it longer than 3 months, but 3 months is included in the bariatric surgery package.) Saw my endocrinologist yesterday, and my A1C is lower than it's been since 2009. I am so thrilled I had the sleeve. I hope you all are doing well, and are meeting the New Year with better health and happiness! No caffeine, alcohol, carbonated beverages. No decaf for 6 months. That makes me sad, but the weight loss progress is worth it.

Lovely momma, I'm a revision too. I found the sleeve surgery much easier than my band and the port revisions I had. It was also easier than the band removal. The post and pre diet was not easy, but it does give some great results.

RJ and McB, I value your posts, you are both invaluable sources of inspiration and motivation. Thanks for sharing!

Warrenwife, I see you just joined today. Welcome! Check out the band to sleeve revisions group, and the December 2013 sleevers group. They are both full of useful information and support. I have the same waves of pain in my abdomen. They were much worse for the first 2 weeks post op. My surgeon said it was very normal, and not to worry about it. I do take Omeprezole every day. I'm 3 weeks out now, and they are a lot less common. I couldn't find any reason as to when they'd happen, but think it was just my tummy adjusting. Good luck. I was worried about a leak too, but the surgeon said I'd know it. I had a list like a stop light, red call right away - any one of these symptoms: constant vomiting, blood in stools or urine, temp of 101, not being able to keep down fluids. I had my postop nutrition and nurse appointments today and got the ok to move to any healthy food. Just small portions and chew, chew chew. No liquid with meals.

I do a lot of socializing with friends by eating out. When I had my band, I got used to asking for a takeout container when my meal came, and I'd put 1/2 or 2/3 into the container before I ate. Now with the sleeve, I will do the same thing. We drove to Cape Cod last weekend, and stopped at a Subway. I was trying to figure it out, and ended up with the 3 inch flatbread egg, ham and cheese. I had them add spinach and onion. I ate 1/3 of it, and it was 2 more meals for me. It tasted great, and they serve it all day long, not just at Breakfast. The hardest for me is not drinking while I'm eating. Tough, tough habit to break.

Just checking in to wish everyone a Happy New Year. Several people were getting sleeves yesterday or today. Wishing you all the best, and check in with us when you can.

Howdy. I got my sleeve on 12/9, and it is one of the best decisions I've ever made. I love it! Check out the December 2013 sleevers log, It's full of great people who have gotten their sleeves in December. Lots of great information on there. I had my 3 week post op nutrition and nurse appointment today, and they said I'm right on target. I'm cleared to eat any healthy food I want, just much smaller portions. Small bites, and chew, chew, chew!!! My post op has gone very smoothly, and I even returned to work part time when I was 8 days out. Love my sleeve!

Sending you all good wishes. Good luck tomorrow! Come join us on the loser's bench.

I can't speak to the bypass, and have only had the sleeve for 2 weeks, and I love it. What ever you decide will be a good decision. My band hadn't been filled for a while either, kept having port problems. I got to 256 pounds with the band, the latest loss is the preop and post sleeve. I feel great! Best of luck to you, and keep in touch!