RickMG

I just wanted to give a very short report on my surgery experience. I'm in St. Louis and used Dr. Morales at De Paul Hospital. Check-in and pre-op was great, and entertaining as the nurses were really great and fun. The anesthesiologist came in, asked a bunch of questions and went over what he was going to do. Another great guy. Stated I'm going to be out before I leave the little pre-surgery room and I was.
Dr. Morales came in and described the surgery again and answered any questions I had. I woke up in recovery in no pain, feeling only bad heart burn. They said that was normal and that it would go away with walking but they were going to give me Pepsid which they did and helped much but didn't take it entirely away. After they got me to the room and took an order for me for "my lunch" and hooked me up to everything, I tried sleeping but they come in so much to take vitals that was kind of a waste. I got up and took a walk and couldn't believe how much nothing hurt, how much energy I had walking and how easy it was to walk normal speed. Walked quite a distance too.
Back in the room again I tried sleeping again and did get a little in. Went walking again and walked pretty far this time and didn't even feel like I was doing anything out of the ordinary (walking is out of the ordinary for me).
Just a quick note on the diet too. I started a week ago today on my clear liquid diet and honestly never felt hungry. To anyone looking for a good Protein drink I got the Premier Protein chocolate and it, to me and another guy at work who I gave one too, is fabulous. Taste exactly like chocolate milk in the dairy section. I get mine at Sams but he got some at costco and said they were about 20 cents each cheaper at costco. The vanilla tasted exactly like the Chocolate with a little taste of powder inside so I won't be choosing that one. They have 30 grams of Protein and 160 calories, 1 gram of fat in each carton.
So, I hope this continues but thought this might ease some folks fears so wanted to get it on here.

Well, came home today. I had a horrible night last night but nothing to do with the surgery. I got a cold and was coughing all night. It's bad enough that you never get sleep after the surgery because they are checking on you and give you medication what seems like every hour so along with being super tired I was hurting from the coughing.
That seemed to go away by mid morning and by noon we were out the door. First thing I did was go home and hit my bed and slept for about six hours. Feel great and cannot say enough how great everyone at the hospital, nurses, staff, radiologist, everyone was. I'm going back to work Monday (desk job so no big deal). Again, I feel great. Just got the second of my Premier Protein shake down so one more. Just have to remember to drink slowly but even the pain of drinking fast is not that bad but it does remind you of not taking that second drink fast.
My nurse had the sleeve in March and she's down 85 pounds and wouldn't change a thing. She loves it. I did weigh 4 pounds more today when I got home than when I left for the hospital from all the fluids they pump in you because I barely ate anything the entire time in the hospital.

Just had my chest ex-ray and everything was perfect, no leaks or anything. Best news is I have had absolutely no pain whatsoever. Now they do give you pain medicine plus the 3 day Novocaine whatever that is. Like said by others I'm sure I will but I can take pain, I just was worried about the nausea and keeping things down or which I've had no problems. Honestly, I could've went to work today I feel that good.

Well, came home today. I had a horrible night last night but nothing to do with the surgery. I got a cold and was coughing all night. It's bad enough that you never get sleep after the surgery because they are checking on you and give you medication what seems like every hour so along with being super tired I was hurting from the coughing.
That seemed to go away by mid morning and by noon we were out the door. First thing I did was go home and hit my bed and slept for about six hours. Feel great and cannot say enough how great everyone at the hospital, nurses, staff, radiologist, everyone was. I'm going back to work Monday (desk job so no big deal). Again, I feel great. Just got the second of my Premier Protein shake down so one more. Just have to remember to drink slowly but even the pain of drinking fast is not that bad but it does remind you of not taking that second drink fast.
My nurse had the sleeve in March and she's down 85 pounds and wouldn't change a thing. She loves it. I did weigh 4 pounds more today when I got home than when I left for the hospital from all the fluids they pump in you because I barely ate anything the entire time in the hospital.

I just wanted to give a very short report on my surgery experience. I'm in St. Louis and used Dr. Morales at De Paul Hospital. Check-in and pre-op was great, and entertaining as the nurses were really great and fun. The anesthesiologist came in, asked a bunch of questions and went over what he was going to do. Another great guy. Stated I'm going to be out before I leave the little pre-surgery room and I was.
Dr. Morales came in and described the surgery again and answered any questions I had. I woke up in recovery in no pain, feeling only bad heart burn. They said that was normal and that it would go away with walking but they were going to give me Pepsid which they did and helped much but didn't take it entirely away. After they got me to the room and took an order for me for "my lunch" and hooked me up to everything, I tried sleeping but they come in so much to take vitals that was kind of a waste. I got up and took a walk and couldn't believe how much nothing hurt, how much energy I had walking and how easy it was to walk normal speed. Walked quite a distance too.
Back in the room again I tried sleeping again and did get a little in. Went walking again and walked pretty far this time and didn't even feel like I was doing anything out of the ordinary (walking is out of the ordinary for me).
Just a quick note on the diet too. I started a week ago today on my clear liquid diet and honestly never felt hungry. To anyone looking for a good Protein drink I got the Premier Protein chocolate and it, to me and another guy at work who I gave one too, is fabulous. Taste exactly like chocolate milk in the dairy section. I get mine at Sams but he got some at costco and said they were about 20 cents each cheaper at costco. The vanilla tasted exactly like the Chocolate with a little taste of powder inside so I won't be choosing that one. They have 30 grams of Protein and 160 calories, 1 gram of fat in each carton.
So, I hope this continues but thought this might ease some folks fears so wanted to get it on here.

Getting close to goal!!
  
A few more added to my Gallery as well.

So my goal for 2013 was to lose a 100 lbs and I did it! I realize that this post is about 12 days late, but I reached my goal in October and everything else is just icing!
I've gone from a size 22 to a size 12. I wear a Medium instead of an XXL. To Celebrate I'm going on a cruise in 18 days and I can't believe I'm actually excited to wear a bathing suit!
You can see how big my pants were because my best friend and I both fit in them!

When I saw the title of this post I thought it's amazing because I made that statement yesterday and I'm over three months out. I, thank goodness, have never had any problems that have made me feel like I was ever operated on with the exception of eating that last bite that was one bite too much.

But it's what I am quoting you on that bothered me and I did have a huge problem on the first day I was going back to work and had to stay home. I was just five days out and I got so constipated that I thought I was going to end up going to an emergency room. The old joke of the different body parts saying to each other which is the most important turned out to be true. I shut down and was ready to die.

If you were a week out before you went you might want to do something before what happened to me happens to you. Here's what the nurse practitioner told me to do from then on until I was sure it wouldn't happen again.

First, get a bottle of Benefiber and use it once a day. Then, if you don't go everyday, take Miralax the next day (keep up the Benefiber). Both of these are powders and you dissolve in a little milk or any drink. You'll never know they are there. Also, I used the Equate brand as it's much cheaper than the name brands.

If you don't go in three days, take a swig of Milk of Magnesia. That works within a half hour to an hour so don't take it unless you know you'll be close to a bathroom then.

I'm telling you, I've heard that a lot of sleeve people have this problem as it's hard to stay hydrated. Please know, I don't want anyone to go thru what I did as I've never had such pain. Other than that, good luck.

When I saw the title of this post I thought it's amazing because I made that statement yesterday and I'm over three months out. I, thank goodness, have never had any problems that have made me feel like I was ever operated on with the exception of eating that last bite that was one bite too much.

But it's what I am quoting you on that bothered me and I did have a huge problem on the first day I was going back to work and had to stay home. I was just five days out and I got so constipated that I thought I was going to end up going to an emergency room. The old joke of the different body parts saying to each other which is the most important turned out to be true. I shut down and was ready to die.

If you were a week out before you went you might want to do something before what happened to me happens to you. Here's what the nurse practitioner told me to do from then on until I was sure it wouldn't happen again.

First, get a bottle of Benefiber and use it once a day. Then, if you don't go everyday, take Miralax the next day (keep up the Benefiber). Both of these are powders and you dissolve in a little milk or any drink. You'll never know they are there. Also, I used the Equate brand as it's much cheaper than the name brands.

If you don't go in three days, take a swig of Milk of Magnesia. That works within a half hour to an hour so don't take it unless you know you'll be close to a bathroom then.

I'm telling you, I've heard that a lot of sleeve people have this problem as it's hard to stay hydrated. Please know, I don't want anyone to go thru what I did as I've never had such pain. Other than that, good luck.

When I saw the title of this post I thought it's amazing because I made that statement yesterday and I'm over three months out. I, thank goodness, have never had any problems that have made me feel like I was ever operated on with the exception of eating that last bite that was one bite too much.

But it's what I am quoting you on that bothered me and I did have a huge problem on the first day I was going back to work and had to stay home. I was just five days out and I got so constipated that I thought I was going to end up going to an emergency room. The old joke of the different body parts saying to each other which is the most important turned out to be true. I shut down and was ready to die.

If you were a week out before you went you might want to do something before what happened to me happens to you. Here's what the nurse practitioner told me to do from then on until I was sure it wouldn't happen again.

First, get a bottle of Benefiber and use it once a day. Then, if you don't go everyday, take Miralax the next day (keep up the Benefiber). Both of these are powders and you dissolve in a little milk or any drink. You'll never know they are there. Also, I used the Equate brand as it's much cheaper than the name brands.

If you don't go in three days, take a swig of Milk of Magnesia. That works within a half hour to an hour so don't take it unless you know you'll be close to a bathroom then.

I'm telling you, I've heard that a lot of sleeve people have this problem as it's hard to stay hydrated. Please know, I don't want anyone to go thru what I did as I've never had such pain. Other than that, good luck.

So I've been getting a few requests to post some updated pics. I had surgery on 9/10/13 and I took this pic tonight.
Best decision of my life. I'd probably still be that guy on the left, in total denial about how obese I really was.

HW 342
SW 258
CW 158
Surgery Feb 25 2013
5'7

The test came back negative.... Thank god!!!

I got mine on Wednesday, probably the same day as you. I have a few bruises around my belt line and the area around my navel is getting redish looking and is tender to the touch but other than that I feel great. Went to a BBQ competition today where my daughter and son-in-law had a booth and walked all around and had a great time. Have not been the least bit hungry since starting the clear liquid diet a week before surgery so been VERY lucky there.
I was able to sleep on either side easily last night but because of the tenderness on my belly I avoided it when going from one side to the next. It doesn't hurt unless I push in or rub on it. For some reason the night after the surgery I could lay on my right side but it hurt if I laid on my left side for any length of time so I didn't. I can't imagine the pain not going away very soon. Glad that's all you're having problems with.

I was sore for about the first week. I'm a side sleeper so I used pillows as like a barricade to stop my stomach from hurting (or at least that's what worked for me!). The gas pains honestly went away around day 3 or 4 for me, but I walked A LOT. I still get gas pains when I sip something like my Protein Shake or Water too close together. But the second week, you definitely feel a lot more like yourself! Good luck!

Wow I'm siked I have lost a total of 71 pounds including pre op weight loss of 32 pounds for my 2 month mark. I pray that I keep loosing and reach my goal of 200 lbs in the next 4 months. I haven't been able to get in the gym but my diet must be right I'm loosing about 3 pounds a week so far.... Praising the lord and my surgeon. I love my sleeve..... The 29th of this month will make exactly the 2 month mark . I had my surgery on July 29th of 2013 . Just wanted to post some postieve news about my loss. My starting weight was 316 so I have come a long way.... God is good at all times

Hey guys. I was sleeved on 9/19 as well! All good so far. Not too sore. Was able to walk almost a mile this evening. Didn't want to over do though with not much Protein on board since I'm still on Clear Liquids. So far so good, good luck to everyone!

Yes I am already home went home the next day...I only live an hour away.... I am eating or drinking as best as I can ... I haven't had any nausea or the problems I expected to. :-)

Hello everyone
I haven't posted in quite awhile. I've achieved my goal and wanted to say a few things to anyone out there who needs a boost.
Was it worth it?
Absolutely. I paid for my surgery myself and its the best money I have ever spent. I had my surgery on 12/26/2012. A christmas present to myself. I'm 9 months out and have lost 101 pounds. People are now telling me that I am "too thin" and need to stop losing. I've never had that problem before. I personally think I look fine - I'm happy where I'm at and really don't mind the 2 pounds up and down that still happen.
Did I have any complications?
I developed some seriously painful acid reflux in about month 7. Did everything the Dr. told me to and still had issues. A friend suggested eating a couple of crackers before bed and that finally worked. My crackers travel with me if I'm going anywhere overnight. Other than that - I haven't had any issues whatsoever.
hair loss
I took Biotin faithfully and doubled up on the doses. I used Biotin/Collagen Shampoo. It may have slowed it down but I still lost hair. I'm not bald - but definitely had some thin hair. No one noticed but me and my hairdresser.
How did I lose 101 pounds?
I followed the plan. If I had an off day I shrugged it off and started over the next day. The weight came off - sometimes 3 pounds a week and sometimes 1/2 a pound in two weeks. I weighed myself every Friday morning. That was my incentive to not go crazy over the weekend. I set reasonable goals for myself and when I got to them - I rewarded myself with a new pair of workout pants or new tennis shoes.
Stalls?
Oh yes - lots of them. longest one was 8 weeks. I stressed, I exercised more, I drank more Water, I amped the carbs, I upped my calories, I reduced my calories, stood on my head ....... still had stalls. I finally learned to keep doing what I was doing and eventually the weight starting coming off again.
How have I changed?
I went from a size 24 to a size 8. From a XXL top to a medium. Size 9 shoes to size 8 (that was surprising to me!) Everything else got smaller too. I have lots of energy and go up and down 4 flights of stairs without getting winded. I can walk 5 miles and still have enough energy to walk 5 more. My skin is a bit flabby but I'm working on that. The walking is helping to tone my legs. I hadn't planned on wearing any bikini's so I'm ok with my stomach being flabby. It actually isn't as bad as I thought it would be. My chicken wings are the worst. I'm just going to have to live with them. I have no regrets and I'd rather be flabby thin than overweight puffy.
If anyone is having second thoughts - I can tell you it's worth it. Your life will change - but in the best way possible.
Good luck to everyone and if you have any questions I'd be happy to answer what I can.

I went shopping today for work clothes long overdue and I couldn't believe it I'm a size 12! Yay!! I haven't been this small in over 10 years!
30 pounds left to goal weight!

This was awesome Rick.. hearing that positive feedback will definitely help others. . is sure helping me. Congrats and God bless! #Lovethisone

I just wanted to give a very short report on my surgery experience. I'm in St. Louis and used Dr. Morales at De Paul Hospital. Check-in and pre-op was great, and entertaining as the nurses were really great and fun. The anesthesiologist came in, asked a bunch of questions and went over what he was going to do. Another great guy. Stated I'm going to be out before I leave the little pre-surgery room and I was.
Dr. Morales came in and described the surgery again and answered any questions I had. I woke up in recovery in no pain, feeling only bad heart burn. They said that was normal and that it would go away with walking but they were going to give me Pepsid which they did and helped much but didn't take it entirely away. After they got me to the room and took an order for me for "my lunch" and hooked me up to everything, I tried sleeping but they come in so much to take vitals that was kind of a waste. I got up and took a walk and couldn't believe how much nothing hurt, how much energy I had walking and how easy it was to walk normal speed. Walked quite a distance too.
Back in the room again I tried sleeping again and did get a little in. Went walking again and walked pretty far this time and didn't even feel like I was doing anything out of the ordinary (walking is out of the ordinary for me).
Just a quick note on the diet too. I started a week ago today on my clear liquid diet and honestly never felt hungry. To anyone looking for a good Protein drink I got the Premier Protein chocolate and it, to me and another guy at work who I gave one too, is fabulous. Taste exactly like chocolate milk in the dairy section. I get mine at Sams but he got some at costco and said they were about 20 cents each cheaper at costco. The vanilla tasted exactly like the Chocolate with a little taste of powder inside so I won't be choosing that one. They have 30 grams of Protein and 160 calories, 1 gram of fat in each carton.
So, I hope this continues but thought this might ease some folks fears so wanted to get it on here.

I just wanted to give a very short report on my surgery experience. I'm in St. Louis and used Dr. Morales at De Paul Hospital. Check-in and pre-op was great, and entertaining as the nurses were really great and fun. The anesthesiologist came in, asked a bunch of questions and went over what he was going to do. Another great guy. Stated I'm going to be out before I leave the little pre-surgery room and I was.
Dr. Morales came in and described the surgery again and answered any questions I had. I woke up in recovery in no pain, feeling only bad heart burn. They said that was normal and that it would go away with walking but they were going to give me Pepsid which they did and helped much but didn't take it entirely away. After they got me to the room and took an order for me for "my lunch" and hooked me up to everything, I tried sleeping but they come in so much to take vitals that was kind of a waste. I got up and took a walk and couldn't believe how much nothing hurt, how much energy I had walking and how easy it was to walk normal speed. Walked quite a distance too.
Back in the room again I tried sleeping again and did get a little in. Went walking again and walked pretty far this time and didn't even feel like I was doing anything out of the ordinary (walking is out of the ordinary for me).
Just a quick note on the diet too. I started a week ago today on my clear liquid diet and honestly never felt hungry. To anyone looking for a good Protein drink I got the Premier Protein chocolate and it, to me and another guy at work who I gave one too, is fabulous. Taste exactly like chocolate milk in the dairy section. I get mine at Sams but he got some at costco and said they were about 20 cents each cheaper at costco. The vanilla tasted exactly like the Chocolate with a little taste of powder inside so I won't be choosing that one. They have 30 grams of Protein and 160 calories, 1 gram of fat in each carton.
So, I hope this continues but thought this might ease some folks fears so wanted to get it on here.

I just wanted to give a very short report on my surgery experience. I'm in St. Louis and used Dr. Morales at De Paul Hospital. Check-in and pre-op was great, and entertaining as the nurses were really great and fun. The anesthesiologist came in, asked a bunch of questions and went over what he was going to do. Another great guy. Stated I'm going to be out before I leave the little pre-surgery room and I was.
Dr. Morales came in and described the surgery again and answered any questions I had. I woke up in recovery in no pain, feeling only bad heart burn. They said that was normal and that it would go away with walking but they were going to give me Pepsid which they did and helped much but didn't take it entirely away. After they got me to the room and took an order for me for "my lunch" and hooked me up to everything, I tried sleeping but they come in so much to take vitals that was kind of a waste. I got up and took a walk and couldn't believe how much nothing hurt, how much energy I had walking and how easy it was to walk normal speed. Walked quite a distance too.
Back in the room again I tried sleeping again and did get a little in. Went walking again and walked pretty far this time and didn't even feel like I was doing anything out of the ordinary (walking is out of the ordinary for me).
Just a quick note on the diet too. I started a week ago today on my clear liquid diet and honestly never felt hungry. To anyone looking for a good Protein drink I got the Premier Protein chocolate and it, to me and another guy at work who I gave one too, is fabulous. Taste exactly like chocolate milk in the dairy section. I get mine at Sams but he got some at costco and said they were about 20 cents each cheaper at costco. The vanilla tasted exactly like the Chocolate with a little taste of powder inside so I won't be choosing that one. They have 30 grams of Protein and 160 calories, 1 gram of fat in each carton.
So, I hope this continues but thought this might ease some folks fears so wanted to get it on here.