ChavaBling

@@Sharon C. Darling, you are gorgeous. I am wayyyy into Fat Acceptance and body positivity- but that doesn't mean that people can be healthy at any weight. I don't want to just tear into your "friend" here, but...I can hear the jealousy and the selfishness coming from your friend's post, although it doesn't seem like she's doing it knowingly. It seems like she is projecting a lot of internalized fear onto you. In addition to being completely unsupportive, she has taken your private information and used it as blog fodder. That is reprehensible. My mom died at age 53 after a lifetime of being super-morbidly-obese. I'm not going out like that. I have made a commitment to total health, and that has included a food, exercise, and therapy program that I have been following for 5 months. Your friend sounds so angry and uneducated about this- that we need to adopt a radical change in our lifestyles for this "tool" to work. One more kvetch- your friend knows that insurance doesn't cover cosmetic surgery right? And if it did? Who is she to judge? The truth is, the system that churns out obese people is what needs systemic change. The fact that we're the first generation of Americans (millenials) that has a shorter life expectancy since we started keeping track- that is not our fault, but we're made to suffer the consequences. And so, we do what we need to do to get back to a place of health. I say "get back", but I've been overweight my entire life. I was the 4 yr old that didnt want to wear a bathing suit in front of my friends, because I already knew I was fat. And I have NO SHAME now, because I'm proud of my choice to get healthy. I wish you peace & blessings, & complete healing of mind, body, and spirit. Please don't forget that it is ok to mourn a loss, no matter how crappy the circumstances of that loss are.

@@cushy I am wondering if bougie size is playing a bigger part in this than we realize! It makes sense that it would. I asked my surgeon what size she was going to use and she said "Oh...I don't know". What a weird answer! I'm definitely going to ask her again at my f/u appt on Wed. Side note: Does anyone have some good ideas for non-dairy protein sources during full liquids phase? My sleeve sister is struggling and I'm trying to help her figure out some things to get in other than non-lactose milk. She can't have whey.

Hi! I'm 2 days out and I can only drink the Premier Protein shake if it is very "watered down" with soy milk and even then, it takes me 45 min to get in 3 oz. I tried to drink it straight yesterday & though I was gonna hurl.

you guys are the best!! thank you for setting me straight & sharing your knowledge!

Hi guys. This is my third day after the sleeve and my second day home from the hospital. I was sleeved on Friday and I came home yesterday afternoon. I have been up today for about five hours, and I have only consumed 18 ounces of liquid, Including A few ounces of Premier Protein shake and a few ounces of Kefir. Can ANYONE get to their goals at first (64 oz liquid, 60 g protein for me)?? I also wanted to mention that I've never tried kefir before but it tastes good and is sitting really well in my tummy. Sorry if this question is repetitive. my brain seems to be working very slowly these days LOL

Congrats!! I was sleeved on Friday, as well! Taking things day by day (or really, hour by hour). I am still taking Reglan & hydrocodone every 4 hours. It's working! I feel pretty good & I'm just trying to stay hydrated. I haven't felt hungry once, I forced myself to drink 6 oz of protein shake yesterday. One weird thing- the hospital wouldn't let me plug in my heating pad because its plug was two pronged with no grounding. They said it was a risk because there's oxygen on the room. They said it would've been ok if I had a power strip to plug it into, like anyone would just have one if those in their purse or something, LOL.

@@joatsaint your videos are funny! Frankensleeve!

Thank you for sharing!! I'm sure those complications were very scary & I'm so glad you're feeling better now! May sleevers unite!

Ok, y'all. I just got home a few hours ago after 30 hours at ValleyCare Medical Center in Pleasanton, CA. Most of my stomach is missing, but I think the surgeon might have left a bulldog puppy inside me, because why does my stomach sound like it's snoring?!?! Seriously...there are some extremely weird noises coming from that region. So, a little info about my surgery, in case it can help anyone else out. NIGHT BEFORE: I have been on a clear liquid diet for 2 days. The night before the surgery I put the scopolamine patch behind my ear. I didn't drink anything after midnight, knowing that my surgery was at 10 AM the next day. At 7:00 AM Friday, I took "Emend", a crazy, miniature pill that stops nausea in chemotherapy patients. Guys, I have not yet had nausea- I don't know why all docs don't rx this, but I will let you know that ONE PILL cost $99, and my ins only covered $49- my cost was $50. However, between the scop patch, the Emend, & IV administered reglan AND zofran, I did not once heave or feel like I was going to retch. I took all of my regular meds before bed on thursday. Day of: 1. It took 2 tries by an inexperienced nurse in my right hand to get the IV in- didn't work. 1 try by an experienced nurse, and it went in the left hand no problem. This was one of the most stressful parts for me, because I hate needles & stuff. So, my right hand is one big bruise, left hand is fine. They said I came in dehydrated and must have given my 10 bags of saline in 30 hours. 2. The doctor made 5 incisions, 3 tiny and 2 larger. The large one just above my bely button to the right (my right) is the one that she pulled my stomach out of. Gross. I have no stitches, just a bunch of glue. I've been told numerous times to leave the glue alone and don't rub it! Just pat it dry gently after a shower or use the blow dryer on a cool setting to dry them. 3. I was wheeled to the OR and then got myself on the table. Last thing I remember is the anesthesiologist telling me, you're going to go to sleep now. The next moment (I thought), I woke up in the recovery room. The only thing I could say was "pain!" and they hooked me up to a PCA pump with dilaudid. Dilaudid is a pretty hardcore narcotic. I was allowed to push the button every 10 minutes, and I did, almost all night. 4. My amazing fiancee slept on a chair, because he wanted to. He wouldn't leave me, and I am so blessed to be with someone so wonderful. I was up and walking as soon as they would let me, and Brian always came with me for support. I walked several times last night and this morning, and a few since getting home. 5. I was freaking delirious all last night- between no food or Water, the general anesthesia, and the IV drugs, MAN OH MAN, I was trying to text people and I kept typing gibberish or falling asleep in the middle of the text. Eventually, my partner took my phone away. I was saying crazy stuff and felt so darn good, I was sure they HADN'T done the surgery (they did though). I was extremely lucky to have a private room, as well. Things just kept working out for me! 6. I had to have several injections between last night and this morning, including antibiotics & blood thinners. The used the tiniest needles and even I, a huge wuss, didn't think that they hurt. I guess more or less, it was a textbook case. Easy & fast (for my surgeon) Oddly enough, my CNA for the night was my surgeon's very first sleeve procedure several years ago. She told me she started out at 400# and is now 183, 2 years later. She looked fab. That was encouraging! Now, I am at home. I don't know what to do with myself. I am supposed to be on full liquids, but none of them taste right to me. I've been sipping on some decaf tea. I know I'm not going to be able to get in 60 grams of Protein a day for a while. I am trying, but I think I only consumed about 300 cals today. I tried my beloved Premier Protein shakes, and they were SO GROSS to me!! Shoot! Gotta find something else. I'm kind of listless- really tired but can't lay down ANY MORE. I've been laying on my back for 2 days almost! I'm not hungry at all, but I do feel really thirsty. I'm dreaming of a nice tall glass of iced tea with lemon....in due time, I'll have that! Just not today. So, thanks for reading if you made it to the end. I'm pretty out of it still, I hope this all makes sense. I feel very lucky to not be in agony or nauseous. Prayers for healing are accepted!! All questions will be answered, esp. if you PM me.

Awesome job!! That must feel great!

LOL, luckily the Bay Area is quite delicious in July/Aug. It's actually sometimes the hottest in Sept/Oct, so HHD's can be rough...I don't know how our cantor does it!! By Neilah he can sound quite croaky!

Awww you guys thank you so much for the encouragement! I am trying to be as positive as possible! It's getting close and I am trying not to let the nerves take over

Hey sleever friends! I am 2 days, 18 hours away from my surgery. I just had all of my pre-op appointments & admissions stuff yesterday (I was at the hospital for 5 hours. At least now I know where everything is, LOL) So... my surgery is at 10 AM on Friday. The last sip of Water I will take is at 7 AM, when I take 1 dose of Emend (anti-nausea) and a Xanax (because). My doctor has ordered nothing by mouth (NPO) until 6 am the following day (Saturday). No water, no juice, no cough drops for the sore throat, NO ICE CHIPS! NADA! I know that I won't get physically dehydrated, because of IV fluids, but I know I'm going to be nauseous and 24 hours just seems excessive (I'm Jewish and I can't even get through the whole day on Yom Kippur without water). She's my doctor, and I've committed to 100% compliance with what she orders, but...it is just hard when I hear about so many different surgeons allowing people to at least SUCK ON A DING DANG ICE CHIP! Does anyone/has anyone else had the same orders and how did you deal? My options in the hospital post-op are glycerin swabs and SF gum. That's kind of funny too, because my first surgeon (Dr. Baggs at Kaiser Richmond) said, "No gum, ever again", but my current surgeon has no problem whatsoever with gum. Is this, like, not an exact science? Why so many different rules from different doctors? Thanks for listening.

sorry, accidentally posted twice.

Thanks for the tip. Acid reflux does some very strange things to people, and it can effect us all in varying ways.

YAY, single digit sizes!! That is a HUGE NSV that I am aiming for as well! (currently size 20/22) Keep up the good work!

@@ladymare I know that there are many therapists in SoCal that will work with you on a sliding scale, if TriCare won't cover you. Everyone can benefit from therapy, sometimes in ways we couldn't have imagined. My therapist is currently helping me work on guided relaxation & guided imagery. It's really helping me relax about my hospital stay, and I'm grateful for that. 3 days 'til I'm sleeved.

Duuuude......that kind of sounds discriminatory. WTF? I'm sorry you had that experience, but then again, maybe it is for the best that he cut you loose, so to speak.

I shop at the costco in Concord, CA and last week, they had the Prem Protein shakes on sale- 18 pack for $19.99. I bought 3 cases. Usually they're $24.

As Christina Aguilera would say, "Tell 'em to get in line, and KISS YOUR @**"!

THIS. YES!

The classic Speedo racerback is very supportive and made for hard core swimmers. Also, you might want to look into a "rashguard", which is a fancy word for a surfer shirt- it's got long sleeves (sun protection!) and it's made for spending all day in the Water. Also, HydroChic makes awesome modest swimwear that is pretty high quality: http://hydrochic.com

How about it, veteran sleevers? Any words of wisdom on feeling super hungry a few days out? I'd like to hear!

You have always been beautiful, but your happiness is radiating from your smile. You're an inspiration!

yeah, gurl! get it done! that must feel amazing. It's so great when we start to see it!! I am down 29 lbs, but i'm still wearing a 22 and they're definitely looser. I don't see it in the mirror, but my DH2B says he can tell.