youknowit

You got it! Good luck on your sleeve journey! :smile:

I used those Whey Protein vials (a few of them) as well. They were far too sweet, which is why I cut them with Water. But I could choke it down, so that worked out. :smile:

This was in the New York Times the other day... nothing we don't already know, but it's good to hear someone with an international readership discussing the issue. Interesting, and wanted to share. (Please be warned, some of the "comments" are kind of rude... to be expected, I guess.) Best to all! :thumbup: Essay - For Obese People, Prejudice in Plain Sight - NYTimes.com The Stigma of Being ‘Fat’ - Well Blog - NYTimes.com

You won't be too tired, I'm 8 weeks out. HOWEVER, you could cause a hernia, with heavy lifting in the first 3 months. I'd lay off of too much weight until you're out of that window... Of course, we can get a hernia at any time in the future, but early on it's much more likely. Hope this helps!

Are you taking anything, like Nexium, Prevacid, Prilosec? I remember reading on another thread a while back that your doc didn't require this? I'm not sure... but it might help. I think over production of acid definitely keeps our tummies swollen longer (if we don't take something for it), and that would create discomfort and pain. Best!

Hang in there, sister! I've been through things like this too here and there, especially back when I worked retail, hotel/restaurant type of jobs... Now, for me, I work in a more "progressive" career field, so fat, thin, ugly, usually our skills and abilities supersede. However, in my profession, being "pretty and smart" does sometimes have a negative affect on people's perceptions... Being "cute" and blonde, regardless of "fat" doesn't help much either, so I've experienced that at times... it's just dumb, all around! And, on another note, can I just say how insanely MEAN and just downright terrorizing some of the comments were on that article? I could barely make it through the first page of comments, and I was so pissed, I had to close the page. :thumbup:

If you're not going to Cuidad Juarez or Nogales, you should be fine. Even if you were going to those cities, it's very unlikely you would personally have a problem. I'm a single, 30-something woman, and have been to Tijuana MANY times alone (driving over and walking over), and have been to Mexicali twice alone, as have been to Mazatlan with family. Similar to what Bernadette said, I felt that Mazatlan was far "scarier" and more sketchy than TJ. I will say Mexicali is nicer, cleaner, and more decent than some of the neighborhoods here in Vegas, for sure... You'll be "escorted" across the border, to and from your locations, so it won't be any problem at all. If you were indeed on your own, didn't speak Spanish, and didn't know the culture... I'd say that might be a problem. AND -- I have witnessed actual violent (shooting, etc) here in the U.S. Never saw that in MX, which doesn't mean it doesn't exist... but I must say I felt safer in Mexico than I do in the neighborhood where I work, many days... Best to you! :thumbup:

I'm not sure if there is a "technical" term for this, but many of use have experienced it. I call is "last supper syndrome"... I believe this happens to some of us because we think "oh my god, I'll never be able to eat EVER AGAIN!"... so we go bonkers before surgery. I must say, I did this before getting my band removed (was supposed to revise to sleeve), but before my sleeve this year, I had it much more under control, I felt pretty calm and collected. This too will pass, you're ok... and normal. BUT, if you're supposed to be on any kind of pre-op diet, clearly, this might be a problem. And now for my "answers" to your questions: Will I be able to stay hydrated? I don't drink enough now! You're going to have to do what you have to do to get in as much water as you can. This is serious. I got severely dehydrated after my band surgery, had to go to the urgent care and get two full IV Fluid drips. It was no joke. You can't chug, you'll just need to carry liquid with you and sip sip sip (as many say). Will I feel sick and my stomach feel tight and uncomfortable after surgery? Um, yes. You may feel sick... you may feel nausea. You will need to stay on top of this and let your doc/nurses know, so they can give you the right meds to keep you from vomiting. I was ok for the first few hours after surgery, but by the evening and day two, I had nausea. Threw up a couple times, but they gave me good meds, and it all calmed down. Haven't had any problems after the initial phases with vomiting, etc. Will I be able to drive home from the airport on Thursday evening? Yes. I drove myself to the airport, and back home from the airport, all three surgeries I've had in Mexico. You should be fine. If you aren't sure, make sure to have a backup driver, cab, or shuttle... My questions to you: Who is your surgeon? When exactly are you going? And, do you have anyone going with you? Are you telling people about your surgery (family/friends)? For some people bringing someone and/or telling others is helpful, for some people, it's not... either way, it's good to think through your plans, so I think it's good that you're asking questions. Best to you! :thumbup::001_smile:

I too was given one with my band, but didn't get one after the sleeve... Often, because none of my friends (minus the one) know I had the sleeve, I just order an app, or small plate, or sometimes just ask for the kids menu and am really sweet about it. All of these seem to work fine. No matter what I order, I either leave a TON of food behind, or end up taking a LOT home. :thumbup: BEST!

If you can get hold of this book, I HIGHLY recommend it. Talks about the issues around emotions, weight, surgery, etc. I got a copy relatively cheap on Half.com however, it is hard to get hold of on Amazon, and is quite expensive. Hopefully you find this helpful: [ame=http://www.amazon.com/Emotional-First-Aid-Kit-Practical/dp/0976852659]Amazon.com: The Emotional First + Aid Kit: A Practical Guide to Life After Bariatric Surgery, Second Edition (9780976852650): Cynthia L. Alexander: Books[/ame]

Yep, I was up walking the same day as my surgery, and though I will admit I am a big slacker at times, I have been out and about a few days a week, walking for 45-60 minutes at a time. A brisk clip, not lolly-gagging. I think I felt "ok" to really start doing this after the incision for my drain healed. My last surgery, the drain incision didn't heal quickly (or easily - due to health reasons, not the surgeon, etc), and I was worried about this happening again. This time, like many have said... I was up walking right away. Of course, in the hospital you can't walk far, nor go too fast, but just moving is the point. It REALLY helps. As for from this point on, I'm going on 8 weeks out, and I feel like I could do anything. I have started doing push ups and situps at home. I plan to get my booty to the gym more now, working on the motivation, and getting back into my Zumba (dance) classes. Hope this helps! You'll be amazed at how much more energy you have, each and every day, as you lose the weight and just feel so much better! :thumbup:

Hey Tesha, So it's March now... did you get your sleeve? I LOVED READING YOUR POST! Get it, girl! I hope you're doing great, and are on the sleeved side! xxoo :thumbup:

Hey all... So I had an inkling to check to see if Dr. A has a Facebook page, and low and behold, he does! Thought some of you might be interested: Alberto Aceves | Facebook :thumbup:

Man, I gotta say it's it sooooooo odd how we all find each of these things to be so different. I tried the Isopure BIG bottles (with the 40gs of protein) and that stuff was so horrible, it made me gag. Left a film of gunk in my mouth, I was pissed that I bought more than one bottle, as they were like $4+ per bottle. AH! The bullets weren't my fav either, but the Water helped me get through it... Best to all of us in trying to find what works! :smile:

You're cracking me up! Love it... Sounds like you've figured out how to speed up the process, and I'm excited for you! Keep me posted, and don't hesitate to ask all of us questions. I know I'm happy to help, as are so many here. This website is a god-send (to me at least)! :001_rolleyes:

Did you mean the rest of the ladies said: get the sleeve? Sounds like the bandsters aren't necessarily happy with their situations... AND, the people who seem to be happy with the band are those who have YET to have a problem, IMHO. :001_rolleyes:

All of my incisions are well above the belly button. For my sleeve, they did four incisions, across the center of my abdomen, they are all less than one inch wide (less than 1/2 an inch actually), with exception for the one where they do most of the work and remove the stomach from, etc. This is the same incision area where I had my port for the band as well. My scars are healing very nicely this time, and are very clean... I know years from now, I'll barely be able to see them. Good for you that you have great insurance that will help to pay! Mine is terrible, and I wanted the best treatment and the best doctor, so I went to Dr. Aceves in Mexicali. By far the BEST medical experience I've ever had, here, there, or anywhere. I would go back to them again in a heartbeat, and it just makes me sad to think how terrible my treatment and experiences have been here in Las Vegas, compared to Mexico... When will you be getting surgery?

What she said! Yeppers!

I never had heartburn as an everyday problem before the band, with the band, without it, before the sleeve, nor really now... I have some tummy discomfort sometimes, and I do take Prevacid every day, but that is prescribed by my doctor for healing purposes, which is good I think. One thing I do have, which has nothing to do with the sleeve or the band, is H. Pylori, which in a lot of people CAN cause ulcers and possibly heartburn, which is another reason I am taking the Prevacid, and will be for a while. Some people on here do comment that they have or have had GERD or heartburn issues... I personally can't really speak to much of that. :001_rolleyes: I'm happy to help in any way I can, as are so many other people here... Will you be seeking surgery here in the states or elsewhere? best! - a

Oh, where to begin... there are quite a few of us on here who had the band, then either lost it (like I did, it sprung a leak and severely eroded into my tummy), or who didn't have a good experience with the band, and then got a revision to the sleeve. I now have the sleeve after a very long story with the band - let me be brief: got the band in Oct 05, never had any real "issues", until it totally failed in March 2008. Gained and gained, went in to have my band removed and revision to a sleeve, March 2009. My band was VERY severely eroded, they had to cut it out of my stomach in 4 places... could NOT do the sleeve because of the severe damage. Recovered, and over the next year gained almost all the way back up to my pre-band weight. Feb 1, 2010, got my sleeve. The experience has truly been a good one, much better healing, feeling and losing than the band. I'm about 7 weeks out and am very happy with my choice to move forward with the sleeve. I can't tell you what "to-do" but if I have my little bit of input, I'd say forget the band, and go for the sleeve. If I had known then what I know now, I would have NEVER even messed with the band... As I said before, I never had any real issues with the band, until I had a MASSIVE issue... if you know what I mean. They can't fix a leak in a band, and clearly it was for the best that I got that leak or I might never have known about my erosion until I was seriously ill (or dead). Best to you in your journey, and here's to your journey. - :001_rolleyes: PS -- The "upkeep" with the band is THE major hassle/nightmare of it (at least it was for me). Fill, unfill... PB'ing, things getting "stuck", all of that... it was SO annoying. AND, may I say (as a self-payer) it was VERY expensive. All-in-all, not the experience I was looking for... glad it's over and I'm a new and improved sleevster! :wink:

You won't have to do ALL of this liquid-only protein stuff forever, just keep reminding yourself of that. Some days I do have a hard time choking down a shake, but I just tell myself "that's what I have to do to get skinny AND keep my hair!" LOL. The protein really is important... do try mixing it with water, it really helps. :001_rolleyes:

That's a good idea... My only problem is, having been down to 150ish (with the band) and going back up, now going down... I kept my "skinny" clothes, so I have about 35 lbs to go before I'll actually "need" anything "new" in my wardrobe. :wink: Though, going out and buying one item here and there wouldn't hurt, right? :001_rolleyes: I'll keep you posted...

Ditto to what Tiff said! Hang in there, and keep coming back to update us on your progress. We're here to listen and talk, if you need it! :001_rolleyes:

That is incredible, Bernadette! What a great story, and you're so lucky! And across the street. I just love it! :thumbup: