JeanZ_RN

No drain, 1-night stay. I think it's odd that a surgeon would never (or always) use a drain. Seems to me more logical to have that be a case-by-case decision. But then I'm a nurse, not a surgeon.

I've been a registered nurse for 30+ years, and I've never heard of IV Tylenol either. There's always something new coming down the pike!

I just took the survey. I don't cook because I don't enjoy it, and it's a bother.

12.5 cm - Wow! As you probably know, you are lucky to be alive! Congratulations on your perseverance! You got this going, now, so I know you WILL get to your goal.

WOW you look terRIFic! Congratulations! I am so envious!

I also have bad knees, and I haven't even considered running. What made you decide it was worth a try? I'm afraid of my worse one giving way, and then I'd fall, get all banged up, maybe even hurt the knee more. Any words of wisdom?

I was impatient at first but after hearing the following several times, I got to a place of more patience with the process.

(1) the weight didn't get there overnight and it's not going to disappear overnight;

(2) slow weight loss (2-3 lbs a week) is safer and healthier

(3) slow weight loss will minimize saggy skin

It probably helps that I'm 60 years old, 'cause if there's one thing that life has impressed upon me (beaten into me) it is that there's no point getting antsy about something that you can't really affect. It's gonna get here when it gets here, no matter if I agitate about it or not. The only difference is that if I fuss and fume, it's going to SEEM like it's taking LONGER.

So now I go about my business and relegate the weight loss to a secondary position in my life. I do still talk about it a lot with my close friends, and I get excited about the milestones (like BMI under 30 a few days ago), but I'm able to work and enjoy life day by day too.

There's a wise saying that I don't remember exactly, but it's something about we can't always control what happens to us, but we CAN control how we react to it. Best wishes!

I've also had many surgeries and I agree that Lovenox is pretty standard post-op. I did once a day for 10 days once home from the hospital, and I took every one of them.

How could they NOT be pleased?? You are doin' GREAT!

What team? And how come you haven't seen them in almost a year?

I tried several kinds, pre-made and powder, and the only ones I liked were Premier Protein chocolate. They make a vanilla one as well but to me those had a grainy feel.

And the way I liked the Premier Protein pre-made ones was to keep them in the coldest part of the fridge, and when the need for one came up I'd shake it well then put it in the freezer for 30 minutes (freezer at home) or 55 minutes (freezer at work). The result was still liquid, but had ice shards in it. That's the way they tasted best to me. Sometimes I had to shake it a more than once after it came out of the freezer to get it to flow smoothly.

Keep on keepin' on - you can do this!

Some people on here have said post-op hunger can be reduced or remedied by an acid reducer (prilosec or similar). If you're not one one, you may benefit from it. And if you're already on one, you may benefit from an increased dosage. Ask your surgeon.

I've heard NSV = non scale victory. That is, one not directly related to the number of pounds lost.

I went back to my desk job at one week post op, but would have done well to take one more week off. Not for pain or fatigue, but because I just couldn't get my mind on work at that stage. All I was thinking about was when I should stop drinking so I could eat 30 min later, what to eat and how much, etc. And for a job that involves keeping track of several pre-schoolers, and wondering if one of them will run into you full tilt... my advice is, take at least 2 weeks off.

The only thing I really miss is my diet Barq's root beer. And that's only once in a while. Eventually I'm going to give in and have a sip, but I'm trying to put that off as long as possible because I understand it will most likely cause me discomfort.

Yes, I did have food funerals. Several of them. The thing is, I can't remember now what foods they were.

Many people on this site refer to it as their surgiversary.

Sip, sip sip sip sip, pee, walk sip sip sip. We NEED the water!!

As for talking to someone who has been there - read the posts on this site. They are FULL of wisdom!

Follow the rules and it will happen.

Wow, those look fanTAStic! Thanks! I'm going to add that info to my ever-expanding "WLS wisdom" file.

For now I'm trying to stay as low carb as possible, but when I get near my goal weight I'll definitely try them.

Fiddleman, what is an energy square?

NO, don't erase. Your comments are always enlightening. My heart goes out to you for all you've been through and I admire the person I've gotten to know a bit through this site. You go, girl!!

It does give me a twinge every time I read "Sorry, I shouldn't say this but..." in your posts -- I wish you could accept that your feelings are your feelings and you are entitled to them no matter what!! And that some of us want to hear them!!

I was sleeved in November, not a revision. I take Prilosec every day and have no problems with heart burn or acid reflux. I have some hunger, but nothing like the intensity I had for years before surgery, and now I can either ignore it (which I could rarely do pre-op) or I can satisfy it with significantly less food. And since I'm now in the habit of dense-protein-first, I'm a whole lot more likely to make wise food choices. I've had no stomach spasms, and once my incisions stopped bothering me (which was about a week after surgery) I haven't had any other pain whatsoever.

The best part, though, is the safety net aspect of the sleeve: When I eventually do give in to a craving and eat until I'm stuffed -- and I'm sure it will happen eventually -- my sleeve will limit the damage I can do in one sitting. I won't be ABLE to eat the entire package of Oreos at one go, ever again! Yippeeee!

Then there are the NSVs: I'm off insulin, not taking any meds for my type II diabetes now. I'm off my BP med. I no longer need a daily NSAID for my OA and it's not because I'm just putting up with the discomfort - it is GONE! I'm no longer too warm all the time; I've changed the thermostat in my house from 70 to 73 degrees. I could go on re smaller clothes, etc., but you get the idea.

I Love My Sleeve! And I love the suport I get on this forum! Thank you one and all.

I have not heard of Program Fees either, and I agree they sound bogus to me.

Wow! There really IS hope... !! Thanks for posting!

I decided I needed, and had to, carry a note pad that I could use to write things down. My family and coworkers initially thought I was crazy and too consumed with losing the weight but I am determined to do it, after all, isn't that why I had the sleeve done? YES!!!!

I found a site online that I could get nutritional facts about any and all foods (that I have looked up) on it.

I hope that I can be an inspiration to help get others in my same boat.

About me, I work as a Registered Nurse full time (3 shifts) a week, mother of 5, graduate school student full time, and help my husbands and son's with their business, trying to get it up and going. Yes, busy to say the least. But I have learned, if you want something bad and long enough, you CAN do it.

Good luck==Tracy

So they thought you were crazy? Fffffpt. Let them think whatever they want. Your dedication to the goal is wonderful to see - yes, an inspiration!

What is the web site you found? (I don't have a smart phone, so I need different resources.)

I'm a registered nurse too! I work in administration - quality, to be specific - so my work is not as physically demanding and my hours are different (8-10 hrs a day, 5 days a week). And I don't have HALF the stuff going on outside work that you do. Wow!, and hats off to you for managing all that and still having the energy to tackle the weight loss journey. You ARE an inspiration!

I hope I look anywhere NEAR that good when I get to 8 mos post-op! BTW, my start and goal weights are very similar to yours, and I'm 5'3" tall ... but I think you're a we-e-e-e-e bit younger than my 60 years.

And you're even in the DFW area - another thing in common! Who did your surgery? Dr. Jeffrey Henke did my sleeve at Medical City Dallas Hospital.

VSGAnn2014 said it perfectly: You should NOT worry about your family's lack of support. They get to decide what they think. But the good news is that YOU get to decide what you think. And do. And (to some extent) feel.

You and your daughter can be a 2-person support group! Best wishes.