HaddocksEyes

I am seriously loving the freedom that this surgery has given to me. I was a big food addict prior to having the gastric sleeve. Like, to the point if I told myself I couldn't have what I wanted to eat, I would actually get mad at myself for telling myself no and then eat the food anyway. How crazy is that? I loved Pasta, Desserts, pastries and cheesy, starchy casseroles and well, anything "comfort" food I was there. It was beyond me how anyone could say they were hungry and then just grab a banana or an apple to eat instead of a sandwich and chips, or Cookies for that matter. Fruit and veggies by themselves? How boring! The old me that thought this way is now gone. Yeah, I still love pizza. I haven't had a slice since before the surgery and, you know, I am so okay with that. This must be how (I hate to say this but I can't think of another word to describe) "skinny" people feel about food. They like to eat certain things and enjoy their food but it's not the end-all-be-all of their existence. It's a sense of freedom that I have never before experienced - not to be tied up and limited by overwhelming cravings and desires for food. And portions? I always wanted a large dose of whatever it was I was eating - no demure portions on my plate. Now, I am okay with just eating a little bit of this or that (of course, abiding by my current restrictions as I heal). I'm not upset that I can't have heaps of what I like to eat. It's become more about enjoying the world around me rather than seeing how much I can eat at one sitting. And I think that is pretty cool.

I've been stalled for the last two weeks as well (as of today it is two weeks). In fact, the scale went up one pound this morning. I just remind myself that I have to lose weight - it is impossible not to. I eat anywhere from 600-750 calories per day. Most days, my carbs are under 50 grams and my protein is anywhere from 70-80 grams.

I'm five weeks out as well, as of today. I've lost 20 pounds so far. The doctor would like me to be down another 10-15 pounds by my eight week visit. Stalls suck!

I'm 5 weeks out and sugar doesn't make me sick in the least. But surprisngly, I find that I don't really want it or miss it so I'm like, meh. LOL!

@@HaddocksEyes I wish I felt full.. Since coming home I've been able to get 64oz of Water and 80gr of Protein in each day no issue which is great considering...The issue is I can literally sit and eat a whole 4oz bowl of Soup and not get a sense of fullness, Yes it takes me forever to eat it but at the end I'm still hungry. I'm on full liquids now and yogurt was included in that on my nutrition packet so I did almost a full cup of Greek yogurt today and that actually helped hold me over for a longer period of time then any of the cream Soups did, So I plan on eating that for a while. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ YAY! Glad to hear that the yogurt puts off the hunger pangs for a longer period of time.

Wow, I can only imagine what you were going through. I am so happy that he made it through that. Thank you for sharing a very stressful and scary time in your life. I sincerely hope that you are approved for the sleeve. I have a feeling Aetna will have to give in eventually. My husband said watching me go through surgery has inspired him to be healthier too. If that indeed is the case, I would be over the moon with happiness. It is my fear that he too may suffer a serious complication as a result of his habits. I don't want to get that call at work that he has suffered a major heart attack at his desk and has passed on. We all have to be fighters to make life better. Going through the trial is the hardest part..getting to the other side of success is the reward.

I have to agree with previous responses, there has to be something more than just his smoking that is causing you to react so severely at this time. (17 year later) I think that once a couple is with each other so long they forget to listen to what the other is trying to tell them, I too used to smoke and my male friend also smoked....when I decided to go on this Gastric Sleeve journey which was my choice..the choice to stop smoking was a requirement...so I either had to quit..or I was not elgible for the surgery...it was a choice...and since my male friend is being so supportive of my choice to get healthy and lose weight, knowing that as long as he smokes around me..it's not encouraging helping me...so he quit too...which eliminated the beer he usually drank 2 or 3 times a week. Granted he works out in the hot sun all day, and if he wants a cold beer..he is entitled..but his 4 or 5 beers turned into a 12 pack..and I just told him...I don't like the person he becomes after 6 beers and I won't tell him to stop..but I will leave and go stay with friends if he wants to drink more than what I can tolorate...so guess what...he hasn't had more than 5 beers in over 6 weeks...I didn't order him to stop, I simply told him what "I" would do if he went too far. With that being said, for your husband to quit smoking for his own well-being may not be a choice is prepared to make right now, a person has to want it...it's just like food, you want it..you eat it.. regardless of the consequences but it was a choice to eat it that was made by you. The best advise I can give you is to sit down with him, discuss what axactly is troubling you, and perhaps you are doing something that is troubling him..clear the air and then listen...listen to what he says...listen to how your heart feels about the situation because the ultimate choice is yours...do you..or will you stay with him if he continues to smoke? If you give him ultimatums he might except it for now..but will resent you later, although you are trying to watch out for his health as well..he won't see it that way..he will see it as you trying to babysit or be his mother. Marriage and divorce is too easy these days...people forget they made vows to each other and don't stand up for those vows...the fire that brought them together gets blown away by the slightest of winds, but all is not lost...think about how you were with each other when you first met, or when you first got married or the happiness you shared when your first child was born...try to reignite the flame, put little notes in his lunch or in the bathroom for him to see in the morning...bring back the romance that has slipped through the cracks in the years you've just taken it for granted....you can get comfortable in a relationship/marriage and that's ok, but keep the LOVE alive. Sorry for rambling, perhaps even a little piece of what I said might help!! Good Luck ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Thank you so much for your words. Yes, divorce is too easy nowadays..sometimes it is necessary, however. But in our case I simply love him so much that I can't imagine being without him. Which is why it is so hard to watch him smoke, because it is slowly taking him away from me, piece by piece. I have suggested that when he is ready to quit, he undertake a wholly immersive strategy - chantix, counseling by a medical professional trained in addictions and support groups..whatever is offered, he should take advantage of it. I've posted this elsewhere on the thread but once you get over a certain amount of pages, it can be lost in all of the responses. We did have a serious talk about what happened and came to an understanding of what both of us were thinking and feeling. Things are better now then they were before.

I'm thinking maybe you posted this on the wrong thread? We weren't considering relationships outside of our marriage. We love each other too much for that!

Thank you so much for your thoughtful words. I think we each need to look for a life partner, or a partner, depending on a person's goals for a relationship, that suits us. No one should judge you because you are looking for someone who is a healthy weight non-smoker. We've talked through our issues and got to the root of the problem..so we're doing very well. In fact, I would say we're doing better than ever. His smoking still bothers me but it is my hope that as he sees me become more healthy, he will want to follow along and keep up. At the end of the day, it is his decision.

Seriously I don't want to complain about this surgery, It's what I wanted and did it for a very good reason. I'm 5 day's out and on full liquids I feel like thing's are falling apart and I'm just trying my best to hold it all together. I'M STARVING!!..I've gotten in all 64oz of Water and 80grams of Protein and I'm so hungry I'm about to crack! It doesn't help that my husband decided it would be an awesome idea to bring 2 large pizza's into the house for himself and my small 4 year old daughter that will only eat 1 slice, But yet he thought it was necessary to get two after I told him to get one..This isn't head hunger. It's not acid reflux or the need to drink more water, this is stomach eating hunger.. Taking my pain pills and wrapping up in a blanket for a long night's sleep, At least I won't feel hungry then. Hopefully.. Hi there Baby...I've been reading your posts for a while now. Please don't be discouraged. I too get hungry and it has been that way since about the 5th day post-op. In fact, I broke the rules on the 6th day post-op and had yogurt and cottage cheese and refried Beans with melted cheese. Not saying you (or anyone else) shoud necessarily do that, only that the hunger is real and I feel you. There have been many times over the past 4 weeks that the rest of the family has been eating something really good..like hamburgers and french fries and yes, PIZZA! These were formerly two of my favorite meals. It's hard to sit there and smell it and want to have it, especially when you are truly hungry. I would sit down with my low-fat pot pie Soup and eat that. When I would become full fast, it would remind me that even if I wanted what they were eating, there was no way in heck I could even get down a portion of any of it. Other than that, I had to just walk away. They asked for chocolate chips Cookies the other day and I was going to make it for them. But after some thought I knew if I did, there was no way I could stop myself from sampling some cookies. So I just didn't go there at all. As my mother always likes to to say, this too shall pass. Good luck to you!! I know you will be successful with each pasing day.

LOL - I did the same thing, down to power of attorney, advance directives and a will and all of that. Wanted to make sure that if I wasn't around, my husband would have an easier time making necessary decisions (I have two boys and a very special doggy). I was super scared to have this surgery as well. I managed not to think about it too much due to the demands of work and home, but on the day of surgery, I freaked out and almost left the hospital. The one thing I kept thinking about was if I didn't have the surgery, I would be fat the rest of my whole life and then, diabetic, then high blood pressure, nerve damage and all the rest. I have had high resting blood sugar test results for the past 7 years. It runs in my family as well. So, it wasn't an issue of "if" I would develop severe co-morbidities as a result of my weight, it was an issue of "when". I've watched family members go down that road and I don't want any part of it. As far as the surgery goes, I had an excellent surgeon. I was in pain for the first week, most notably the first 4 days. I have had two c-sections and the pain was no worse than both of them - tolerable with pain meds. i could not sleep on my side or my stomach, which are the only two ways I can really sleep well. My incisions hurt and I was sore. i did not have nausea (most common complication according to my doctor), but I was fully prepared to deal with it so I was surprised when I didn't have it. I did think however, why in the world did I allow the doctor to cut out part of a perfectly good organ that has been with me my whole life? But I am glad that I did this, honest. Drinking was hard for the first 6 days, and then it got better. It has gotten better with each day that passes. I have been out of work for 4 weeks and will be returning on Monday, the 15th (I have a desk job). I am now dealing with the dreaded constipation, but with the wonderful selection of medications to make that part of my life easier, I am not suffering too much. Other than being fat, I was (and am) in excellent health. I did not and still do not smoke or drink. I did not have any co-morbidities going into surgery, so I really do think that helped with the recorvery as well.. I hope this helps you in your path to making a decision.

Yup, my incisions leaked like that too...enough to make a stain on whatever I was wearing. I did not have a cough so I cannot comment on that. However, I had a dry throat (sounded like I had a bad cold) for about 4 days after surgery because of the intubation during surgery. Good luck!

Hi! Same for me...took a bit for the gas to go away and the bloating. It will get better for you as each day passes. Good luck and happy recovery!

You are right about feeling better as each day goes by. You will be able to take in more fluids as you go along. Good luck to you in your recovery!!! (I am almost 5 weeks out)

I am responding to the original post because someone else might gain a benefit from my response. Dr. Ali (UCD) did my sleeve and I cannot say enough nice things about him. He is very skilled and very personable. I've seen a lot of doctors over the years and I can truly say he is one of the best. Because UCD is a teaching hosptial, they are always looking to improve their technique and procedures, which I think makes a difference. I have Blue Shield of Califiornia HMO and they paid 100% of the cost of the procedure. I am responsible for paying for co-pays for both the office visits and the prescriptions. I do not have a deductible.

I had my surgery on the 18th. I really appreciated the posts detailing negative experiences. I really wanted to know the good and the bad. i didn't back out because I knew if I didn't do this, I would be setting myself up for a life of obese misery. Yes, I was scared right before they did the surgery. i wanted to jump off the table and run out of there! I am now going into my fourth week and I feel really good. The amount of food I can tolerate increases a bit each week. The worst issue I have is with two of my inciisions not healing quite the way the other ones have. I also still have heartburn and acid reflux at times, but it is no worse than it was prior to surgery.

Hey giirlie - yeah, I get that feeling too when I take in liquids. Gas-X is wonderful and works in seconds. I will be moving on to purees in another week too. I think you[re a couple of days ahead of me in regards to when your surgery was done.

PLEASE don't feel that way! Everyone reacts differently to pain and that is just the way it is. Dr, Cirangle sounds familar - I think he is in Sacramento or the Bay Area? He should be extra kind to you during this time as you are weak and vunerable because of the pain and the trauma of surgery. I had surgery on Monday (18th) and I had severe sharp pains in my abdominal area at the top of my breastbone, where the drain was. Today it is no longer sharp but rather a dull pain. I also think that is the exact path they used to pull out my stomach because the incision is larger than all of the other ones. So, it makes sense that it hurts the most. When I first stand up, it's hard to completely straighten up. After I have been standing for a while, then I can straighten up all the way. I have faith you will feel better as time goes on.

I'm home now. They released me on Wednesday afternoon. Taking in water has been a full time job and the most I have been able to drink is about 36 ounces, which includes protein shakes. I'm glad to see that you are in the same boat with me. I was feeling bad about not making 56 ounces of water. I have been getting major gas pains...man you're right about when they hit they are brutal. Starts in my middle back and then spreads outwards and upwards. Ouch! The gas-x strips are great. They work almost instantly. I haven't taken pain meds since Wednesday and took off my scopomine patch Friday morning. I have not had any nausea which really surprises me. I fully expected and was prepared to experience it. I have five incisions that have been stapled. The staples dig a bit here and there when I move in certain ways. My stomach is swollen and mishapen, if that makes any sense. Hope you are feeling better each and every day that passes.

Thanks guys for your kind responses. I noticed a lot of typos in my post - I'm trying to type with an IV stuck in each hand. Oy Vey!! I will try something other than Water. They only have broth and water around here so I will have to stick with this until i get home. I have not thrown up but I feel like crap-got a scopomine patch behind my ear and earlier they gave me zofran. And yes, I am wondering what the hell I have done to myself. Knew I would be saying that. I've got like five different kinds of protien at home, including the dissolvable "clear" kind. I've figured out at this pont my stomach does NOT like anything thick. It rebels when I try to eat Gelatin (the gave me gelatin in the hospital). To anyone else who is strugging with a recent sleeve operation, I feel you!

I was so scared - an oprerating room is a scary place. The anesthesiologist gently chided me because I asked so many questions it delayed the surgery. But, it's my life and if we start late, it's better than going thru with somethng when you have questions and concerns. I just kept telling myself that I really don't have much of a choice - if I didn't go through with it, I'd either stay the way I am or get bigger. That was really the deciding factor. Pain wasn't all that bad yesterday unril about midnight. The morphine stopped working and I was so dizzy I couldn't wallk like I was supposed to. It's better today but it hurts the worse where the drain in. The early monrning was not fun at all. This monring's leak test went well so now i am here in my hospital bed, sipping on Water. Can't tell if I am hungry or not. Haven't eaten anything since Fridy night. I defintely still have gas and that is uncomfortable. My stomach is a bit pissed off as it feels sore. Still on anI IV and may have to stay another night if I can't drink my water.

Welcome! How are you feeling? Did everything go okay? My surgery is Monday - I'm totally freaking out right now. I'm supposed to be working, but I cannot motivate myself to do it. LOL.

I can totally understand why you would be hesitant. Here's my take on all of this, including the responses you have been given so far. My background is in the area of law - I have not passed the bar but I have a J.D. and experience working with many lawyers as a result. Doctors are usually sued under the theory of negligence. This means that they had a duty to do something or not do something and they breached that duty which, in turn, caused harm to the patient. Often, it is easy to prove that there was a duty and that harm was caused. What is problematic is proving that what was done (or not done) caused the harm. In this day and age, it is easier (and cheaper) for the doctor to simply settle out of court rather than fight. Many of my brethren are anxious to take advantage of a situation like this because it means a fast paycheck. I hate to say that because there are many, many good and honest lawyers out there, but this is the reality. Because of this, a low percentage of cases actually make it to the court setting. Also, because there are risks to this surgery, the doctor can do everything right and complications can still arise. The key (for medical professionals) to avoiding most lawsuits is informed consent. However, some people feel adamant that the doctor was in the wrong (and in some cases the doctor WAS negligent) and insist on retaining a lawyer and suing. As such, even the best doctors are subject to lawsuits simply because they practice medicine, regardless of whether they were negligent or not. I am glad to see that you intend to speak to him about this. Tell him that in your research, you came across the information about him and it has you worried. He may or may not want to talk about it. My hope is that he is straight-forward with you. He won't talk about the details of the settlement (assuming there is one) but if there is one, he can mention that fact. I am hoping he will be willing to talk about his side of things, at the very least. I think you will be able to tell a lot from this conversation. It will either make you feel better or convince you to go to someone else.

Hi everyone! So yeah, I am freaking out a bit about having surgery next Monday but trying to keep busy at work for the time being. I go in for my pre-op tomorrow so i can ask more detailed questions of my doctor (will I have a drain? uggg!) I've decided that after surgery I will not weigh myself - lol, well, at least that's the plan. I am going to take measurements ONLY. As soon as I am given clearance, I am going to go to the gym and start weight training. I plan to do little to no cardio (Boooooring! I HATE cardio in the gym - riding a bike outside, playing sports and walking - LOVE those things). I will be doing supersets so I will get a cardio benefit from that. So we'll see how it goes - I hope for little to no complications. I think my worst enemy will be nausea. The doctor said that it is common after surgery and I have seen quite a few of you suffer from it. My hope is that if I have to have it, it only lasts a day or two. But he has been very upfront that it could last for weeks. I will have limited access to internet after my surgery (live in the boondocks), but I will try and come back to update everyone on how I am doing. To everyone that is about to go into surgery, good luck! To all of you that have had your surgery, I hope you are feeling well and healthy!

Hey Misty! Glad to see you are feeling good and improving each day. Keep up the good work!