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They gave me one of those at the hospital. It helped with the post-op pain. You might want to ask your dr. if you can get one included in your hospital stay.

My incisions itched at about a week out . . . I took it as a sign that they were healing. I kind of very gently scratched around them, which seemed to help.

My incisions itched at about a week out . . . I took it as a sign that they were healing. I kind of very gently scratched around them, which seemed to help.

They gave me one of those at the hospital. It helped with the post-op pain. You might want to ask your dr. if you can get one included in your hospital stay.

I am 20 months out and feel awesome. Starting weight was 387 I never thought I would see 1?? Anything ever appear on my scale. I look at my pics now and sometimes shead tears on how much of life I missed out on because I didn't feel like doing much because of the weight. It takes work but you can do anything you put your mind to. Hope this inspires someone that is struggling right now it gets better you just have to learn how to use your tool correctly. Top left pic was my start and some pics in between bottom middle is my most current pic (pink pants) I would have never! 😂

Hey, johock, are you drinking anything with your meals? liquids can speed the exit of food from your stomach and make you feel hungry faster.

I had my sleeve done July 25, and so far it's been smooth sailing. Tolerable pain, no nausea, and I've been able to tolerate both clear liquids and full liquids just fine.
The annoying thing is that I came home from the hospital 10 pounds heavier than the day of surgery, and I'm still losing that excess weight. Technically, I'm still three pounds up from the day of surgery. I assume it's Water weight from the IV's. It is slowly going away, which is something. I'm trying to have a sense of humor about it,

I had my sleeve done July 25, and so far it's been smooth sailing. Tolerable pain, no nausea, and I've been able to tolerate both clear liquids and full liquids just fine.
The annoying thing is that I came home from the hospital 10 pounds heavier than the day of surgery, and I'm still losing that excess weight. Technically, I'm still three pounds up from the day of surgery. I assume it's Water weight from the IV's. It is slowly going away, which is something. I'm trying to have a sense of humor about it,

I had my sleeve done July 25, and so far it's been smooth sailing. Tolerable pain, no nausea, and I've been able to tolerate both clear liquids and full liquids just fine.
The annoying thing is that I came home from the hospital 10 pounds heavier than the day of surgery, and I'm still losing that excess weight. Technically, I'm still three pounds up from the day of surgery. I assume it's Water weight from the IV's. It is slowly going away, which is something. I'm trying to have a sense of humor about it,

I had my sleeve done July 25, and so far it's been smooth sailing. Tolerable pain, no nausea, and I've been able to tolerate both clear liquids and full liquids just fine.
The annoying thing is that I came home from the hospital 10 pounds heavier than the day of surgery, and I'm still losing that excess weight. Technically, I'm still three pounds up from the day of surgery. I assume it's Water weight from the IV's. It is slowly going away, which is something. I'm trying to have a sense of humor about it,

I don't have bipolar disorder, but I do have major depression. I also have meds, a psychologist and a psychiatrist. I feel some anxiety too . . . I've been stable for several months, and I really prefer life this way! I worry that post-op the absorption of my meds will change somehow, or that the hormonal changes will send me into a relapse of depression. I'm working on how to prevent these things with my therapist. Hopefully, it'll all end up going smoothly!

Hi, nomoremimes, I'm really sorry that you've had this experience, and that none of the counselors you've seen have helped you. Have you ever read "The Courage to Heal" by Ellen Bass and Laura Davis? There's a workbook that goes with it too, and that can help you work through your feelings. "The Courage to Heal" is heavy-hitting at times, and personally I wouldn't choose to wade through it without having a counselor in my life to help me process the emotions that come up. If you feel like you have no good counseling options, it might still be helpful if you go it alone, though.
As for how to stop using food as a coping mechanism, I have no magic wands there. I weigh about 350 myself, so I'm no role model. I can tell you that my therapist and I have been working on what triggers my emotional desire to eat, and how to substitute healthier coping mechanisms instead. This is kind of an individualized process, so what works for me might not work for you, but one thing I've been working on is finding ways of "treating" myself and celebrating without resorting to unhealthy food. It's hardest when I'm going out to eat with people or if there's a party where people are indulging. (I have a particular weakness for beer and pizza.) It turns out I like crushed ice drinks a lot, and it's okay if the drink is sugar-free. It's the crushed ice that makes it special. It's kind of okay if I bring my own Crystal Light slushie to an event and just munch on the ice while everybody else eats mozzarella sticks and cheesy garlic bread. I'd definitely rather be pigging out, but that's a bad idea for obvious reasons.
Maybe if you went through the same process of finding non-fattening special treats you can have it would help? Obviously there's a lot more to recovering from an eating disorder than that, but if I had easy answers for recovering from an ED, I'd sell them and make a zillion dollars.

I can't answer your question, but wanted to address your comment regarding the stigma of Bipolar disorder. I have been with my husband for 24 years, 10 years ago he was diagnosed as bipolar. I was terrified because of everything I had seen on TV and movies regarding it. We were together 14 years prior to diagnosis and the doctor tells us and all of a sudden I'm scared? I hate how they only portray SEVERE disturbing cases and not the everyday Joe. Truth is that on meds, his behavior is more even keeled and he enjoys his life more. When he is happier, everyone is happier. Thank you for telling your story. We don't keep his illness a secret because we want to be part of destroying the stigma. I hope everything goes well for you and you have a support here, whenever you need it.

Hi, nomoremimes, I'm really sorry that you've had this experience, and that none of the counselors you've seen have helped you. Have you ever read "The Courage to Heal" by Ellen Bass and Laura Davis? There's a workbook that goes with it too, and that can help you work through your feelings. "The Courage to Heal" is heavy-hitting at times, and personally I wouldn't choose to wade through it without having a counselor in my life to help me process the emotions that come up. If you feel like you have no good counseling options, it might still be helpful if you go it alone, though.
As for how to stop using food as a coping mechanism, I have no magic wands there. I weigh about 350 myself, so I'm no role model. I can tell you that my therapist and I have been working on what triggers my emotional desire to eat, and how to substitute healthier coping mechanisms instead. This is kind of an individualized process, so what works for me might not work for you, but one thing I've been working on is finding ways of "treating" myself and celebrating without resorting to unhealthy food. It's hardest when I'm going out to eat with people or if there's a party where people are indulging. (I have a particular weakness for beer and pizza.) It turns out I like crushed ice drinks a lot, and it's okay if the drink is sugar-free. It's the crushed ice that makes it special. It's kind of okay if I bring my own Crystal Light slushie to an event and just munch on the ice while everybody else eats mozzarella sticks and cheesy garlic bread. I'd definitely rather be pigging out, but that's a bad idea for obvious reasons.
Maybe if you went through the same process of finding non-fattening special treats you can have it would help? Obviously there's a lot more to recovering from an eating disorder than that, but if I had easy answers for recovering from an ED, I'd sell them and make a zillion dollars.

Now that you mention it, yes. That abated for me soon enough. Vivid is one thing, but nightmares are another. If you have chronic nightmares, consider mentioning this to your surgical team. Good luck!

Adult coloring books.
Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I make a really simple black bean dish. It's just black Beans (I use canned so I don't have to rehydrate them), cinnamon, chili powder, and salt to taste. You can put a little lime juice in there too, if you like. It takes virtually no time to make and it's really good!

My journey toward gastric sleeve surgery has been frustrating and far from typical. To make a long story semi-short, I have liver disease. A couple of years ago my liver doctor suggested that I get weight loss surgery so I could be put on a transplant list if I needed to be. You need to have a BMI of 35 or less to go on the list. I first went to the Barix Clinic in Ypsilanti, MI, and everything went smoothly up until the day of surgery. I was actually on the gurney with an IV stuck in me when the dr. told me he was backing out--he was worried about my liver. I have no complaints with him saying he was uncomfortable doing the surgery, but I really wish he could have come to that conclusion earlier than the morning of. Anyway, he referred me to the University of Michigan Bariatric Clinic in Ann Arbor. I spent several months going through their program, but in the end I was denied. I got a letter saying that there was too high a risk of complications. They didn't say complications of what, but I'm assuming they were worried about the liver again. (My actual liver doctor sent clearances to both Barix and U of M, but apparently that didn't help.)
In theory, it would make sense just to give up, except for the fact that I might die of liver failure if I don't lose a lot of weight and keep it off permanently. Statistically, people at my weight don't keep the weight off if they just diet and exercise. (Of course I'm aware of the exceptions, but I've never been a terribly exceptional person.) Anyway, I've recently gotten in touch with a new bariatric surgeon, Dr. Hawasli of St. Clair Shores. He says he would be willing to help me if my liver doc sends yet another clearance, and if my liver test scores improve after a 2 week liquid diet.
Right now I'm in the middle of the liquid diet. On the plus side I'm down 13 pounds, although on the not-so-plus side I'm really hating living on Protein shakes and diet drinks. I'm doing it though, because A) who knows if I'll ever find another doctor willing to work with me, and B ) I do actually want this process to be as smooth and safe as possible. I guess the positive aspect of having to try 3 times to get surgery is that I'm very determined, and I feel like I'll follow all the dr's directions, even if the experience sucks.
Hopefully, my test results will be what the doctor wants to see, and he'll be willing to help me!

I hope you are able to get the surgery!
I have probable mild lymphoma so I had to jump through a LOT of hoops and delays before finally having my VSG performed and I know how maddening it can be.

Hi there. Sorry about your hard times just stay strong and everything will be ok. If you don't mind me asking what is the problem with the liver? The good thing about the diet is that will make some of the liver fatty dissapear some. I wish everything goes well for you.Love and Light.
Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

My journey toward gastric sleeve surgery has been frustrating and far from typical. To make a long story semi-short, I have liver disease. A couple of years ago my liver doctor suggested that I get weight loss surgery so I could be put on a transplant list if I needed to be. You need to have a BMI of 35 or less to go on the list. I first went to the Barix Clinic in Ypsilanti, MI, and everything went smoothly up until the day of surgery. I was actually on the gurney with an IV stuck in me when the dr. told me he was backing out--he was worried about my liver. I have no complaints with him saying he was uncomfortable doing the surgery, but I really wish he could have come to that conclusion earlier than the morning of. Anyway, he referred me to the University of Michigan Bariatric Clinic in Ann Arbor. I spent several months going through their program, but in the end I was denied. I got a letter saying that there was too high a risk of complications. They didn't say complications of what, but I'm assuming they were worried about the liver again. (My actual liver doctor sent clearances to both Barix and U of M, but apparently that didn't help.)
In theory, it would make sense just to give up, except for the fact that I might die of liver failure if I don't lose a lot of weight and keep it off permanently. Statistically, people at my weight don't keep the weight off if they just diet and exercise. (Of course I'm aware of the exceptions, but I've never been a terribly exceptional person.) Anyway, I've recently gotten in touch with a new bariatric surgeon, Dr. Hawasli of St. Clair Shores. He says he would be willing to help me if my liver doc sends yet another clearance, and if my liver test scores improve after a 2 week liquid diet.
Right now I'm in the middle of the liquid diet. On the plus side I'm down 13 pounds, although on the not-so-plus side I'm really hating living on Protein shakes and diet drinks. I'm doing it though, because A) who knows if I'll ever find another doctor willing to work with me, and B ) I do actually want this process to be as smooth and safe as possible. I guess the positive aspect of having to try 3 times to get surgery is that I'm very determined, and I feel like I'll follow all the dr's directions, even if the experience sucks.
Hopefully, my test results will be what the doctor wants to see, and he'll be willing to help me!

I'm on the liver-shrinking diet and really struggling. I'm really hungry all the time and it makes me grumpy. My family's not doing anything for Labor Day, but the 3rd was my birthday, and it was hard not to Celebrate with food.

My wife sent this article this morning and I thought I'd share:
http://www.mlive.com/news/muskegon/index.ssf/2016/09/bariatric_surgery_patients_rid.html
Enjoy your Labor Day

I'm on the liver-shrinking diet and really struggling. I'm really hungry all the time and it makes me grumpy. My family's not doing anything for Labor Day, but the 3rd was my birthday, and it was hard not to Celebrate with food.

I'm a vegetarian, so I've been drinking veggie broth. I think it's pretty good, but I also think they mostly use the same spices that are used in chicken broth, so it might not be much of a change for you.