pumpkin07

I have found eating anything not cut up is a bad idea bc I take too big of bites.

Best wishes to you and your brand new tummy. Sounds like you are going through the process and taking care of you. Bless you.

Lord please don't let that be any of us. I think focusing on lean protein is a good habit, but I do think my metabolism is trying to slow down making it very hard to lose the remaining lbs. grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr I need to exercise. I want Blackberry's ABS!!!!

No problems except reflux, but a year out it is so much better. I take Prilosec very occasionally and a lot of times I just take 1/2 of one and that seems to work just as well. Walking after meals helps the food go down. I count my blessings, truly. I have heard you can buy complication insurance. You could post it on a separate message and someone could give you the info. I attribute my success to homemade chicken broth and koolaid. It got me through. Nothing is more important than the right doctor in my opinion. I was self pay and did not go through all the classes, big mistake. I should have gone to a bigger clinic here in Houston so I would have more before/after support groups just for the sleeve patients bc I had some problems initially and needed support. In Houston Dr. Robert Davis and Dr. Garth Davis is who I recommend for that reason and because he is a great surgeon and a nice man. I didn't know about him before so I went to a good surgeon, but even though he is a Center of Excellence it is small with minimal support. But he did a good job on my surgery. In Mexico everyone seems to recommend Aceves mostly. But personally, I would find a good doctor in the states, pay the money, and buy the complication insurance because if you have a problem you don't want your doctor in another country. Many times bariatric surgeons do not want to treat patients with complications if it is not their patient. I'm sure you understand why, they probably are highly irritated already that you didn't have surgery here in this country and then if they have to fix you...I would not choose that route unless I had to. But lots of people go to Mexico and do great. It is just a personal thing of knowing I have care in place near my home. My insurance paid for NOTHING, and my surgery was $14k. I have probably saved a lot of that back on food and medicine, so I consider it an investment. Oh I did have one problem...nothing fit anymore from underwear to shoes to bras to t-shirts to jeans to dresses to jewelry (my neck is smaller now). SO I had to do all this shopping over and over again. It was so hard I had to change and not shop at Lane Bryant anymore too, and find new stores. For me it was a great experience. I am having a lot of trouble getting off the last lbs but if I would exercise it would help.

DId you hear of Dr. Robert (or son, Garth) Davis in Houston. They were on that show BIG MEDICINE. Everyone I know that used Robert Davis LOVED him. He is a very skilled surgeon. Their practice is big. My friend had a complication after bypass surgery and he came up to the hospital at 10pm and he knew exactly what to do and calmed her. She was throwing up bright red blood. It happened after they started her blood thinner back or something like that. But he was very calm and available and diligent and she did absolutely fine. My friend adores him. I heard the son, Garth, is excellent but I don't know him. My cousin had Dr. Robert Davis for a revision from band to sleeve and it went great. Dr, Spiegal did her band, and she totally does NOT recommend him.

I think the preparation that many of the larger clinics have for 6 mos is a good idea prior to surgery. Then you will have time to mentally prepare. PLus counseling the first few months. I don't think you will fail, but you will do better with extra support.

Biggest bang for the buck so far with the lease disruption to your long term health.

This was a nice discussion. I had the sleeve bc that was the best I knew of at the time and not a lot of regrets. However, if there is something better for the next person I am so open to that. I am convinced that there will always be more and more surgeries good and bad. I'm still confused if the plication is progress or not, and not I'm not a great researcher...I really appreciate the conversation and debate.

I have one of those Cuisinart blender sticks kind of things. It is so easy to clean!!! Much easier than taking out a blender when you need to puree. Just do it right in the pot! I just don't know what it is called, but it is beautiful!

Oh wow, so how did you know something was wrong? How far out when you had symptoms. I am so glad you are recovering well.......why do you think your recovery is going so smooth??? Did you have surgery near you or far away? How did you get help? So many questions.

Yep, been waiting for this day. I even remember wondering the day of surgery what will it be like in one year and I was scared...would I be alive, feel well, be successful with weight loss, have any hair, etc. After surgery I cried after a few days bc eating less was so foreign. I mourned my tummy in the trash, my friend, my companion, my reliable partner in crime. I was a bit sad, strangely. End of an era. But I must tell you I am alive, I feel really great, I have been successful in losing a huge amount of weight, and I do have hair that I grew out kinda long. Today my health is much better than a year ago. I wear a 30" waist pant now or a size 8Petite or a Small or Medium shirt. A year ago I was wearing a size 20WP and a 2X. I looked so swollen in every way. What is next during the next year? Well...definitely losing the rest, not regaining, firming it up, lasiks eye surgery, and giving the girls a lil lift.

Really???? Plication is a gimic? I've been telling my brother to research it. He probably has 100 lbs to lose. I thought it is better b/c your stomach stays in. I'd like to know more about how it is a gimic. I haven't read anyone unhappy. I'm not being sarcastic, I don't want to spoint bro in the wrong direction. That was my one problem with sleeve is that what if I need my stomach later for some reason and it is gone? I thought the fact that it is reversible is good. I'm very confused now.

Lolli - This will work sweetie..It will. I was wondering how much you have to lose. Also, did you just start working out after surgery or were you working out before. BC we all know muscle weighs more than fat. Just apply COMMON SENSE. You did just get a crap load of stomach cut out of your body, you are eating 600 calories a day, and you are jogging. You are gonna lose the weight, NO DOUBT. But our bodies have a lot of special functions and protections and sometimes it doesn't come off exactly when we want it to. I hope you can cry today, and then tomorrow reinvest in this process. It will work. Maybe your doc was thinking out loud, but there could be a reason the doctor couldn't find in that moment. People seem to lose at different paces and those that have not been able to lose as much usually complain about not having enough restriction which just might mean it was a surgery problem like too much tummy left. And usually people with just a little bit of weight to lose seem to get a slower start, but they still lose about 1/2 of their weight around the 3.5 to 4 month mark. Hang in there girly.

Tomorrow is another day.. Just take a breath, have a good cry...and move on to Plan B. You are worth the effort...you really are. And one thing I learned in life is when you are down, you cannot give up...because you have to love you more than anyone loves you. You deserve the best. Have you ever read any of Joel Osteen's books. He helps me think positive and expect good things. I use those books in these times. Turn it around, get another doctor, and vow to someday BLAST HIM in a letter and let him know just how you did find success in spite of him. I think if your surgery is a successful tool, it should be working, right? Otherwise he should be looking at metabolic issues, etc. Give up for today, but come back fighting tomorrow.

Congrats! I have the cutest NSV related to this ever...if you heard it I apologize. My son is was 2 when I had the surgery last February. A few months later, he might have been 3, he woke up during the night in his room, next door to ours. The house was dark. I found him quivering on our bed, obvious he had been awake for some time but never cried. I was like "Benjamin! What is wrong baby?" My husband jumped up, he was so upset, just shaking and could barely talk. He finally cried and said "I LOST MY FAMILY!". I was like, what? No you didn't baby, we are right here. And he is still quivering and says, "But I couldn't HEAR you.". My husband and I looked at each other like WHAT? and we both realized at the same time it was because I wasn't snoring anymore. I was his sonar in the night I guess...who would know he would find out bed by listening for his momma snoring. I asked him later how he finally found our bed, and he said his nanny (he called her by name) came and got him by the hand and brought him to our bed. She wasn't even there! But I knew then she is his angel, or maybe my grandma was his angel and he thought it was her. But how sweet his guardian angels watch over him while he sleeps. He was very scared.

You got good advice. We are not doctors, of course. The fullness sounds normal, mine was more in my chest for a long time...seemed like with the swelling I could never get the food straight into my stomach I guess it trickled in. The first time my sleeve was actually full it was like OHHHHH there it is. I'm not sure of the soreness. I don't recall having soreness that far out except if I over did it. But everyone heals differently. Plus I had the incision only at my belly button which probably makes a difference.

Welllll...the worst part for me was nausea but I was throwing up brown blood. I slacked off the nausea medication and let it roll...and once it was all out the nausea stopped. Other than that I think I was very typical recovery. I felt like the anesthesia was just too much for me - very groggy. Best thing is sleep it off. Your bowels may be asleep longer than the rest of you...but eventually they perk up. It was not painful exactly to me. It was a bit scarey, but not overwhelming. Just very different as I had not experienced general anesthesia before. You'll do great.

Sue You look so great, and you have a wonderful outlook. Congratulations on your success. Wondering how the road was for you - how long ago, when did you reach goal, etc.

Such great news!!! I wonder if it was there the whole time? Do you think something happened that made you leak so late or it just didn't heal right? I remember my first C-section I had a stable get twisted and it opened up within a few days. Could have been something like that.

You have done such a great job...look at you, almost there. I wish I could say it never happens to me, but it is just a battle. I wonder if we are self sabotaging like we don't deserve to lose these last few lbs? The reason I say that is i lost 2 lbs and ever since I find myself looking toward things I shouldn't have. I'm not at goal, but I act like I am. I sometimes succeed in spite of myself. I am so thankful for the restriction though. And for the fact that if I eat something like a Baby Ruth (did that) I feel sooooo sick like too much sugar/want to vomit. I can nibble, but not gorge on sweets. But I need to stop nibbling too!!! I'm not at goal.

I remember you posting about this before, and yeah it does seem like you are able to eat more than you should be able to. Have you consulted with your doctor, and what is her/his recommendation for you? Seems like there ought to be a warranty, right?

I'm almost at my year, it is Wednesday. To celebrate I bought a workout outfit from the Oprah Store that has the O on it. I could not believe I ordered a MEDIUM and the pants were TOO TOO TOO BIG. I need to return them for a SMALL. What the heck!

So far just us...but don't give up. Others will join in. My husband and I are excited to meet someone that knows their way around in Florida. He actually would like to take a deep sea fishing trip that is really fishing for the blue marlins. Do you know a real fishing trip we could do for a long day? Bc every time we go to the coast and go deep sea fishing it is very touristy and not really fishing for the big stuff like he wants. And I am looking forward to lobster, especially if we can catch it which I heard people do in Florida but I don't know. We're all for staying somewhere very reasonable, so if you decide on a place let me know and I will make reservations. Join in people...it is a good chance to get a start on your summer tan. And I have a feeling that Floriday sun will shrink our skin!!!

I don't know. I would think a small amount would be okay. Like not celery salad, but chicken salad. That would be a shame to never eat celery again. I have a friend that had similar surgery 30 years ago and she drinks bloody marys and chomps celery constantly. I'm sure she never heard of that and since it has been 30 years I didn't mention it to her. But admittedly, I am now scared of it. I'm assuming cooked is okay, like in Soup. But I'm very confused. Never heard any of this and first it sounded minor, but then the one person had late complications from it. I'd err (have no idea if that is correct spelling of that word) on the side of caution until we know more.

That is so true. We are an ant pile of sleeve sister-brother people.