Summer Rain

Today marks just one week from surgery and what a week it has been...
Overall I can say that the first 2 days were pretty grim as I was woozy with the anaesthetic and cranky because I was struggling to get fluids in, but on the plus side I've had no gas pain, nausea or abdomen pain since coming out of recovery.
The past 5 days I have been getting in increasing amounts if Fluid and am now at a stage where my 2 litres and Fluid and 2 Protein drinks are easy, but I'm starting to yearn for something with a little some more structure - Jello just doesn't cut it!
Since starting my pre-op diet, 2 weeks prior to surgery, I have lost 43 lbs (I have to keep looking at that number, Yikes!)
Since this time last week I have lost 14 lbs.
My first Post-Op visit to the doctor today went extremely well. I have almost no discomfort now and he has now removed all of by medication for hypertension as my unmedicated blood pressure remains within safe limits. So, I've gone from a situation where my blood pressure was a constant concern to being fully off medication in 3 weeks straight.
Am I looking forward to the weeks ahead - waddayouthink??

Thanks @@nprcowboy I also spoke to a lady at my Dr. office and said they do not test for nicotine. Still am quitting but takes pressure off a bit. PHEW!!!

Now I know BMI is basically BS...but I am still a little giddy that, for the first time ever, I am now a "normal" BMI...not obese, not overweight....but Normal.
This is all still so crazy to me! Normal!! Never thought I would see it!

So my first day and a half was ok in the hospital. I was on some really good pain meds so I slept most of the time, well, except when the nurses had to come give me more meds every 2 hours or the CNA had come take my blood pressure & temp. LOL I had wraps around my legs that massaged them to prevent blood clots since I wasn't able to get up much due to the pain meds causing me to sleep. Prepping me for surgery was fun (insert sarcasm)! It took two ER nurses to find a vein for my IV. This, after the first ER nurse botched the first stick leaving me with a nice bruise on my right forearm. The second nurse finally found one but the IV went in on an awkward angle. Everything was very fast paced once the IV was in place.
Had my surgery first thing Wednesday morning. By that night I felt ok to get up out of bed. I wanted to at least pace around my room but nausea kicked in not long after I started walking so I had to lay back down. Later on in the night I was able to change out of the hospital gown and into my nightgown and underwear on my own. That made me feel so much better!
On Thursday I felt ok but still sleepy from the pain meds but this time I was able to get up and walk to the bathroom with no nausea or any other problems. I went for my Upper GI test that showed no leaks so I was then able to drink my first clear fluid; apple juice. I sipped the 2 oz with no problems then I had to wait 3 hours and have another 2 oz. They just had to make sure I kept everything down. I was discharged around 5:30 pm and was in some pain when I left. DH went to get my scripts and the pain meds could not come soon enough. I am not going to lie; last night at home I was miserable. I was so uncomfortable and in pain. I literally said out loud, "what the hell did I just do to myself?" I was able to finally find some comfort laying on my left side with a king size pillow to lean on. I was able to sleep off and on and I have been taking my pain meds every 4 hours religiously!
Today, Friday, the morning was a little rough. I feel comfortable sitting in the recliner but I'm also feeling antsy but I can't do much so when I get up I just pace around the house. I decided to take a shower finally and it was the best thing I could have done!!! I felt so much better getting out of my hospital clothes and washing my hair and myself. I have felt more upbeat since then also. I'm currently sipping my Water and about to get on my treadmill for a little bit. I'm also waiting for an in-home healthcare nurse to come because one of my meds is an injectable blood thinner I have to take for 7 days. She's coming to show me how to give them to myself as well as go over all of my other meds and discharge instructions.
My tips:
Don't wait until you absolutely need your pain meds to take them! Even if you feel mild pain, if the nurse says you are clear for another dose, take it. Don't wait until pain worsens to take it!
Of all the things most people said to make sure to bring to the hospital was Gas-X strips, I didn't need them. But, bring it anyway because everybody is different! Just because I didn't need them doesn't mean you won't.
Take a shower as soon as you feel up to it. It will make you feel better!
If you have sleep apnea, don't forget to bring your C-PAP to the hospital! (My surgeon would have canceled my surgery if I forgot to bring it!)
Follow your doctors instructions! His/her word is final. If the nurse told you not to take your chewable multi-Vitamin the first week but your surgeon instructs you to take it, take it. Your doctor's word is the one you should listen to!

I have officially met my original goal of 142 pounds lost as of today, I started at 352 lbs and now weigh in at 210... Had my surgery last Dec 13 (On a Friday)... I know, Crazy.. But this decision saved my life and career, I am now going back to the hospital to start giving talks at new classes after first of next year. I was needing total knee replacements and have already had a spinal fusion so I was pretty desperate, Not to mention surviving a massive pulmonary embolism after the back surgery.. But I was so successful with the sleeve by following the directions verbatim, No arguing or rationlizing why I had to do what they said to do.. Once I got past the mental hurdle about 6 to 8 weeks out and the weight was falling off I became totally dedicated to success, I think also that I had to pay out of pocket 16,000 bucks helped keep me dedicated (Like an Investment).. I have had several people reach out to me for their decision whether to do this or not and I am careful about telling people yes they HAVE to do this... Everybody has to become MENTALLY PREPARED for this journey and for me it worked out great and continues to work out great. Walking 5 miles a day now and bought a great elliptical machine.. Anybody that has doubts and needs more information message me and I will try to help..
Jerry.

VSG was the best thig I ever did for myself!!!! PS is the 2nd LOL I will post pics and give an honest opinion of my journey into plastics. My arm lift has done amazing and am thrilled with the results so far. Thanks all!

Beautiful

In a few hours it will all be done... Yesterday was pre op... And towards the end....I lost it, tears welling up... Not sure why--or maybe I am? Maybe it's time I wanted my life back, or even a life. To finally take care of myself..to finally love myself to make a change, it's my time.. And I am not coming down... !

I am a little over four months postop. I have lost 78.1 pounds. Before the surgery I was 274 pounds now I am 195.1. I can't even explain how awesome I feel getting out of the 200s I started off 315 pounds in October of last year. I lost weight to 274 preop andnow I am 195.1!!! I have been dying to see the numbers under 200 I went through about a month of no weight-loss I was up and down 5 pounds all month. Finally I have again lost weight and is continually going down I am in a size 12 are used to be a size 24. I am just so excited this is happening I can't even believe it I just wanted to share with you guys because I feel so proud of myself! I'm gonna post up
Some before and afters )   

My surgeon *and* Nutritionist said to wait 30 to 60 minutes after I eat. That way, the food has time to work it's way through the band on it's own and I benefit from feeling full for a longer period of time.

5 weeks I'm off for a Tummy Tuck and breast augmentation. Can't wait and will post lots of pics throughout the process! Scared, excited and ready to get my body back I'm 165 lbs and just wonder what I'll end up after all this skin is gone. 

I like the idea of a healthy granny group. That close to the reasons I want to be healthy and line ling. My grandson ins 14 I plan on dancing at his wedding and seeing my great grand child.

Congrstulations! That must feel truly awesome

Totally shocked and thrilled. I ordered a pair of size 12 jeans and they arrived this afternoon.

I was wearing 14's that I got just a few weeks ago. Figured picking up the next size down (same brand) would be a motivator.

I tried them on and they fit!!

Guess I'll need to get a 10 to hang on the back of the door, heh.

Not dropping a lot of pounds, but my size is shrinking :-)
To think I was a size 20 when I started this journey the end of April. THANK YOU MS. SLEEVE!!

Today I put up a full length mirror. The first time I had one in 10 years.

Thanks @@Summer Rain

@@docbree congratulations! You will do great losing your 10% I hope they get back with you quickly with your approval so you can get your surgery date!!!
Good Luck!
Summer

Just found out today that I passed my psych eval, which was the last step in a long process. The information was submitted to my insurance this afternoon (to get approval for sleeve) and they said I should hear back within a week!
I'm really excited - it's starting to seem like this is really going to happen. I first logged onto bariatric pal January 2013 - it's been a long road with many ups and downs.
Now I just have to lost those last 12/13 pounds off to get 10% of my weight off. In some ways, it seems like my appetite has gone up a lot. I'm not sure if it's stress about the upcoming challenges, other things that are going on in my life - or some weird self-defeating behavior. I really hope I can get this back under control in time to get the rest of the required weight off. Any advice on this last part very appreciated .

@@gowalking congratulations on your success(es)! Thank you for the words of encouragement. I am trying to become a strong and capable woman
I really like this analogy! Thanks
I hope I can help a person or two to know they are not alone. I am taking small steps now but small steps are better than no steps
@@VSGAnn2014 Thank you!

@@gowalking congratulations on your success(es)! Thank you for the words of encouragement. I am trying to become a strong and capable woman
I really like this analogy! Thanks
I hope I can help a person or two to know they are not alone. I am taking small steps now but small steps are better than no steps
@@VSGAnn2014 Thank you!

@@gowalking congratulations on your success(es)! Thank you for the words of encouragement. I am trying to become a strong and capable woman
I really like this analogy! Thanks
I hope I can help a person or two to know they are not alone. I am taking small steps now but small steps are better than no steps
@@VSGAnn2014 Thank you!

I'm so sorry. I lost my brother in February and we were very close. His passing made me realize that I needed to make this change in my life and to live. I'm so sorry that you have to go thru this. Just keep focusing on your children and yourself. I know it feels like nothing will ever make you happy again but you'll get there. We all are always here if you need to talk. Take care.

Thank you
I do feel a bit better. Some kind words helped. I will put one foot in front of the other. This site does help me and I am grateful

@@VSGAnn2014, "In your shoes, I'd start a bloody fantasy document of *everything* in the world you want to be different. Keep it private. Make it honest. Be as outrageous as you want. Pretty soon you will realize that the sky is the limit. "
Exactly what I needed to read today.

Thanks for the update Summer. You're original post was amazing for it's honesty. I bet alot of people can identify with what you wrote including myself. The bigger I got, the more I tried to be invisible. Sounds stupid when you think about it but there it is. I'm almost two years out of surgery and down more than 140 lbs. It's only recently that I walk with my head up instead of on the ground and that I feel much more comfortable just interacting with people again.
When I see someone out and about who is large, my heart hurts because I remember all too well how unhappy I was back then. No...my life is far from perfect. Losing weight is not a magic cure for all one's ills. It is however, a great way to find yourself again or even for the first time.
I bet that you find that job faster than you expected. Earning your own money is empowering for sure. Sorry that the family stuff is still an issue but again...nothing is perfect. You sound like a strong and capable woman and I know you will be able to deal with whatever life throws at you.
Good luck on the upcoming surgery. I know you'll do great.