Bacon-n-Limes

Interesting development...

I was sleeved on 1 Dec 2015. I'm down about 75 lbs today at almost 6 months.

Dealt with hair loss that started suddenly at the beginning of March and (mostly) stopped around the middle of May.

Now it's June and hot outside. I work a weekend job that has me walking in a large parking lot for 6-7 hours on Saturday and Sunday. I used to put away a couple of gallons of water/Gatorade easily.

Now I have a capacity problem. My sleeve lets me take in about 5 ounces at a time. I can tell I'm getting dehydrated, but I don't know what to do about it. I wear a Camelbak and alternate Water and diet Gatorade, but I'm still getting the headache and stupid feeling that warn me that I need more fluids.

I didn't anticipate this.

In case anyone wanders by here and has the same concern...

My doc gave me a depo shot and everything has been fine since. I laughed when she said it could cause weight gain.

1: Pay attention to the limited carbs rule. I don't think this was stressed enough before surgery. I don't mean in the liquid/mushee stages, but after that.

2: Remember this is a marathon, you may feel it is a sprint in the first few months, but it is important to pace yourself and keep your eyes up on the long term prize rather than down on the scale.

3: hair loss will happen for most. Be prepared and don't panic!

4: Stalls are part of the process. As others have said, embraces them and focus on how you look rather than the numbers.

5: listen to your body. Everyone is different. Turns out it is possible to get too much Protein (at least for me). Some people can do 100g/day. Anything over 80 for me and my kidneys get unhappy.

I was sleeved in December 2015 and MzB nailed it. Especially about the Hair loss.

I was accepted, but I don't know how my sleep apnea was presented to insurance. I was prescribed a CPAP, couldn't tolerate it, and ended up with a dental device.

All the prep I did at home was NOT helpful. I bought some Soup, but only ate one can because I didn't enjoy how salty everything tasted. (The low-sodium broth was better, but I didn't need a whole carton of it.)

Popsicles were my staple - I made my own out of Kool-aid powder and Splenda. I slso got too much Jell-o and never touched the boxes of pudding I bought.

The liquid phase, while it seemed like forever, really went by quickly. If I had it to do over, I'd get two cans of Soup, two boxes of Jell-o, two boxes of pudding... Just two of whatever is on your list that you'll like, and then wait to get the rest. You're going to want to get out of the house and trip to the store for a few things is sufficiently tiring. Plus one can of soup is like 6 meals.

Tip: I stocked up on those little 4-oz. condiment-sized containers that Rubbermaid and Glad make and portioned everything out into those when I made something. I write what it is on freezer tape.

This has been helpful. I grab a Breakfast and a lunch from the fridge and toss them in my bag for work. No guessing on size and the prep is already done. It's helped me get an idea of what 1/4 cup looks like.

By the way, if you slip up and eat something not on your list, it's not the end of the world. Some people get upset that they "cheated." I needed to eat a cocktail weenie with barbecue sauce at my company holiday party. I chewed it well and enjoyed it thoroughly. The world did not end, the Bariatric Police didn't raid my home, I didn't get sick from it, and it has more Protein than the ambrosia salad that I would have loaded up on presurgery. (French fries might be something to avoid for a while, just sayin'.)

My point is that you don't benefit from beating yourself up for testing your sleeve. If you eat something you shouldn't, it'll be okay. It will either be a nonevent, or you'll feel really crappy for several hours and you probably won't do that again.

I'm starting soft foods tomorrow and will share how that goes.

The staples were external on the incisions and were surprisingly big and scary looking. They cut them in half with a nipper and pulled the halves out with a twist and a rug.

I'm pretty sure the surgeon said that there were also staples inside that they left in. I'll have to ask.

It's been almost 4 weeks and the scarring is very minimal. One just looks like a little scratch.

Rethink that Nissen!! Seriously.

Did your surgeon talk to you about the Torax Linx? It was FDA approved a few years ago and is a game changer.

I wasn't willing to deal with the side effects of a Nissen wrap, and this was a perfect solution. Plus it doesn't require any rerouting and won't impede a sleeve.

Wait...

First follow up today. Everything looks good.

The hiccups are most likely a signal to stop eating or drinking.

Milk is probably causing the gas pains. (Once lactose intolerant, always lactose intolerant.)

My inability to swallow the foul concoction the hospital sent home with me for reflux isn't a dealbreaker -- if I can swallow a pill, I can take that route.

And yes it's 100% true: NEVER trust a fart.

Update

I accidentally discovered something today that might make your ride home more comfortable.

I live in MN, so weather is a real consideration when planning outdoor activities. We've had a run of 40-something degree days that are apparently about to end, so I decided that I really need to get my bike home from the shop today or I'd very likely get stuck paying for winter storage. It's less than 20 miles, so I risked it.

The ride was chilly but uneventful. My biggest worry was that bouncing would be really uncomfortable, because it still is when I'm in the car, and this is a dirtbike, so the seat it like riding a cinder block. No need to worry -- the position I was in while riding made it perfectly comfortable, bumps and everything. It's more like being on a bicycle and leaning forward than sitting straight up on a chair.

I can't drive in that position, but as a passenger later on, it worked.

Just an idea...

Thanks for sharing your experience. You mentioned you were able to shower while there. I was curious if I would be allowed to shower because of the IV? At what point did your IV get removed?

I did have the IV removed right before, but they told me the day before that I could take one anytime. I just didn't feel like dealing with wet hair, so I waited.

I reckon you'd want to ask your nurse, but I can't see why it would be a problem.

Hey everyone,

I'm a week out today (Dec 1) and damn, I feel good!

I wrote a post in the pre-op section called "What to expect at the hospital" about my experience with the U of M (and Fairview). If anyone comes here looking for recommendations, I'd give two thumbs up to the team over there.

I started at Park Nic and felt that something wasn't right. They wanted me to go to treatment for a binge eating disorder that no one else in my healthcare corral has ever seen evidence of. There were some other things that put me off, too, but that was the biggest one.

I really didn't want to start over, but I felt more strongly that I needed to feel confident about my team. Things got a little sketchy right at the end, but it all worked out and now I'm sipping Crystal Light with the other Losers.

The surgery wasn't anywhere nearly as awful as I thought it would be. I expected to be laid up for weeks and dependent on other people. I'm going to pick up my bike at the shop tomorrow - 8 days out!

You! You're awesome! This'll be a piece of cake. Er, pie... Um... PROTEIN!

Hi all,

I was sleeved on Dec 1.

I realize that everyone's experience is going to be different, but I hope that by sharing my own observations, maybe I can lessen some of the anxiety for someone else.

I did a lot of research on the sleeve right up until the day before I got it. Even with all that, I felt unprepared and pretty nervous about what was going to be a permanent change.

My friend dropped me off at the front of the hospital for my pre-op check-in. My family all lives out of town and I didn't tell a ton of people what I was up to. So I texted a few well-wishers from the waiting room and then the party started.

There were a lot of questions, a fancy air-warmed paper gown and skidproof socks to change into, and some vitals and blood taken. So far, so good.

I didn't get really, really nervous until the anesthetist showed up during the prep and I think it was because that was the first time I'd been left alone since arriving, so I had time to consider what I was about to do. I was dialing my friend to ask him to come back and take me home, but then the team swept in, being all efficient and professional, and I just kind of let it go. You know, I'm kind of ashamed to admit that I wanted to go home so I could eat. I was THAT hungry.

I don't remember much after the IV was started. I think I was transferred from the surgical gurney to my bed on an inflatable mattress, but I could have been imagining that.

I didn't have much pain at all -- more discomfort than anything. I intended to stay one night, but ended up staying two because the air from the procedure wouldn't er... move out. They said that's common. I also wasn't getting enough fluids in -- also very common.

I packed according to lists I found on here.

• The clothes I wore to the hospital (t shirt, loose jacket, fleece pants, underclothes, warm socks, boots that I could just slide on)
• Phone charger with a looong cord
• An electric throw (this was GREAT!)
• A comb, face soap, deodorant, toothbrush, toothpaste, and hand lotion
• Aquaphor (or Chapstick)
• A copy of my healthcare directive

I braided my hair while it was damp the day I left for the hospital because it tends to tangle a lot. The band was fabric, so they let me keep it in and it held the mess together pretty well for a full day.

I didn't touch the magazines or the washcloth I'd brought along. I was given an inspirometer the week before my procedure and I brought it with me as instructed. After surgery, they gave me another one, so I just left the first one in my bag.

I also brought a heating pad on the advice of a friend who'd previously had the surgery, but I ditched it for the cozy throw. Plus the throw was nice to use in place of a pillow for the ride home. I left a bottle of Water in the car for the ride home as well. This provided a good distraction from the bumps and turns.

I wish I'd brought along

• an extra set of underwear, pants, and socks
• shampoo and conditioner
• something to keep all the paperwork in
• an MP3 player -- my roommate was inconsiderate
• my FitBit to track my steps

I wore the fleece pants to cover up my bottom while I trucked around the halls, but I was strongly urged to keep the hospital gown on because of the IV.

I had a couple of friends visit later on the day of the surgery and can't recall much about the time except that they brought me a sign calling me a loser and some shakes and I was really, really tired. I remember the surgeon stopping by, and a LOT of other people checking in. (I was at a university hospital, so I expect I had a few residents inspecting the surgeon's work.) It's all kind of fuzzy and I just have an impression of people popping in to ask a few questions and look at my belly.

The staples came out the day after the procedure. It hurt a little bit, but not unbearably and it was over quickly.

I was allowed to shower after that and they only gave me a couple of trial-size bottles of Johnson's, which doubles as a body wash. So it took a bit of work and a lot of energy to get my hair combed out afterward.

I had a lot of choices for "meals": vegetarian, chicken, or beef broth (all too salty); juice; Gatorade; lemonade; oatmeal; yogurt; popsicles; teas; coffees; and sherbet. I fixated on the sherbet and popsicles because for some reason, cold felt better than hot. I noticed right away that the artificial sweetener chemical aftertaste lingered and lingered and lingered. Through several cups of Water and Gatorade. The lemonade kind of helped, but I couldn't drink enough to get rid of it completely. I sucked on ice chips whenever I had them handy.

I was encouraged to walk as much as possible, and I got in a few laps. I had to pee in a bowl that fit under the toilet seat to monitor my input/output. That was kind of weird. But when you're drugged up, you get a little less self conscious.

Since this is about the hospital, I won't detail the liquid phase or any of that stuff here. I will say that I came home, put a pillow under my knees and an extra one under my melon and I slept like a frickin' princess. (I'm a week out and just now able to start sleeping on my side again.)

I'm sure I'm forgetting something, but hopefully this will give you some idea of what to expect when you go. I don't think I was well prepared by me surgical team as far as what to expect after the surgery and I plan on sharing that feedback with them. But I was prepared enough and always felt like I was in competent hands.

Welcome to the adventure, you Losers!

Hi

Have you heard of Isopure? It is a flavored clear liquid that has a lot of Protein in it. I have read many sleepers use it to get their Protein in. I'm getting my sleeve Tuesday & am getting super scared.

You can also get Isopure at the Vitamin Shoppe. It's pricey -- and frankly, I found it to be the wors thing I've tried to drink in my life (until I took the liquid pantoprazole the hospital sent home with me).

But some people tolerate it, so maybe buy a couple of flavors and see?

HydroGirl,

That's a delicious list. I'm so bored with liquids, I'd eat a tree right now.

So what did you do and how did it go?

Cat

For the record, some slushy drinks are carbonated (the Coke Icee, or Circle K's Cherry Froster, for example). Others, like the Crystal Lite flavored should be fine.

I need to go pick mine up from the shop before the snow starts flying. Drive tomorrow, ride by Friday?

Okay, all is well now.

I'm still not sure what happened and the doctor's office hasn't been especially forthcoming, but it's all figured out now. I go in at 0900 on Dec 1.

I'm a little bit nervous, but mostly just want to get on with it. After hoping for a May surgery, then September, October, and November, I'm finally doing it.

I've been researching what I need at the hospital and what I should have on hand for my first week at home (I won't have anyone I can send out for supplies).

I donated all of my unacceptable pantry food to Second Harvest and am considering just chucking the stuff in the freezer and fridge.

Tomorrow I'm having calcium citrate for Breakfast. I guess I'd better make tonight's dinner really count! :-)

I. Am. So. Pissed!

My surgery was scheduled for next Tuesday. Today I got a call saying that insurance denied the claim. The doctor's office said that they can't see a reason why.

Dammit! Dammit!

Dr Leslie and I have a date in a little over a week.

After fighting my wide ass to squish it into a pair of pants today (and finally giving up in defeat), I am SO ready to do this!

Cat

Nov 17th is my big day - I'm getting nervous and excited.

Yay!

jobillandjosh,

You. Rock.

Just sayin'...