katybelle7

I just turned in the last of my requirements to the Dr. today. Now I'm getting nervous instead of excited. The doctor intends to remove my band, do the sleeve, and repair a hernia all in one fell swoop. I'm concerned about pain, but I'm more concerned now that I won't be able to stick to the strictness of the diet plan. I've had many problems with my band over the last seven years, slippage, port pain, and now the hernia. I originally lost 60 pounds, but have gained it all back. I know I can lose it again with this surgery, but can I keep it off is my worry. Although my doctor tells me my new stomach won't stretch, I've read some stories here of some who regained all their weight, which I can't understand with such a small stomach. I don't eat sweets and treats all day, but I like them sometimes. Will I be able to ever indulge in a treat and still keep my weight down? Will I be able to ever eat a small popcorn at the movies, or eat out with friends? I'm feeling very insecure now. Any encouraging words out there? I'm really needing them now. My surgery will be around September 1.

Looking for someone who can relate to a 67 yo grandma in Chicagoland area. Band to sleeve with hernia surgery in one fell swoop and feeling a little apprehensive.

Oh, darn! Gotta shop elsewhere!

Hmmm, maybe your doc and I said the same thing? He wasn't being flip. Those of us with "metabolic syndrome" just can't get that set point to drop permanently...well, I think the stats say something like 2% can, the rest of us need help I had to go thru the supervised diet by my doc...I lost 5 #. She gave encouraging words, but I was determined to have surgery and to keep the weight on. But I also had to keep the insurance people happy. They turned me down (as they like to do), she wrote a letter listing my co morbidities, elevated bp, cholesterol, depression, and a sleep study said I needed a cpap. My bmi was 35. Investigate what the co morbids are, and see if you qualify. And recheck your height! I doubt you grew an inch...3 different people can measure you 3 different ways! The supervised diet with my doctor wasn't so bad. I learned her husband had mental issues, her daughter was going off to college leaving an empty nest at home, and her mother needed placement in a nursing home. 6 months of chats of eat less/exercise more got boring for both of us, so we really became acquainted! Be patient, do your homework, and good luck!

For my chewing pleasure, I'm chewing ice. I need the crunch. SF popcicles do about the same thing. I can have fruit juice (diluted with some water), just not citrus. For extra protein I prepare SF pudding with 2 c of FF milk, adding in 1/2 c dry milk. (It's all allowable in my plan.). The pudding really helps my protein needs. Also can have SF yogurt. I mentioned earlier I make my own broths with simple spices; I crave that savory flavor, get tired of sweets. I just can't/won't drink the protein shakes sold by the docs and GNC anymore. It just tastes like chemicals to me. I hope you can find something to satisfy your cravings. You've lost more than I have, I'm only at 12#, 7 days after surgery. No wonder you're hungry for protein! But we can do this! I know we can. We've paid a heavy price for what we're going thru, so hang in there. I can a light at the end of the tunnel!

Woo hoo. Happy dance!!

I went thru those symptoms about two years after gallbladder removed. Had ERCP. Symptoms disappeared. Stone going thru duct caused the problem, gone before it showed on CT. 2 -3 years later same problem, stone going thru duct blocked duct, causing "sludge" to back up (their medical term, not mine), causing pancreatitis. Had another ERCP to widen main duct even more to let sludge pass thru and any more strange stones left behind. Don't know if I'm still forming stones, but no more problems after second ERCP. Very few of us continue to form stones, but a few of us evidently do. Hope you find answers soon. I remember the pain.. Initially thought it was a heart attack it was so intense! Best of luck. Be sure to share your findings!

It did hurt, I didn't know what to expect. When it was out, I asked the doc how the heck long was that sucker? He said up to my tonsils. Felt like it during the pull. Hurt for about 15 seconds. Then meh.

History of the sleeve: http://bariatrictimes.com/the-history-of-sleeve-gastrectomy/

I had my lap band for 7 years. I too felt restriction but no less hunger (except for the first few months). It took me 3 years to lose 60 pounds, which I kept off for about 3 mo. I think most of the loss occurred from vomiting, because I was still over eating with a too tight fill. As someone else once wrote, I became an involuntary bulimic. I think most unsuccessful lap banders are. After finally losing my excess weight I came down with an unknown allergy and was put on prednisone. I gained 20 pounds in a month, after only losing weight. It was such a shock and a disappointment. Within a year I had finally gotten my allergy under control with steroids, and gained back everything I'd lost. That was three years ago..and put me into three years of mentally chastising myself. Last year I was finally finished with the steroids, and decided to address my weight issue again. That's when I decided on the sleeve. My doctor has been doing sleeves for over 10 years. Some folks believe the sleeve is new in the last 4-5 years, but it's been around much longer...maybe 20 years? It was first (and still is) used on some exceptionally obese folks as a first surgery, preparing them for RNY. For some it worked so well, they skipped the RNY and just used the sleeve! I didn't want to try something "in vogue" I wanted something that would work for a lifetime, and I'm hoping (after only one week out from surgery) this is it. Your hunger hormone is mostly removed with that portion of your stomach, but will probably return within 6-18 months. So, within that first year of weight loss your metabolic set point will have been reset, you will have learned new, healthier eating habits, and you'll be exercising..Right? Like everyone says, it's a tool, but it's a second chance to do it right. Good luck in your choice.

Had sleeve 1week ago today. Glad to hear you're walking. I couldn't get up for 24 hrs, and I think that set me back. Any gas pain in shoulders?

@vanessa. 55 pounds since June is fantastic. You really stuck with your program. Congrats! Now the fun begins...I hope!

Hang in there kiddo! Remember how you used to look forward to Christmas or a birthday party and time seemed to stand still? Well, now you're grown up, but going thru those pains again. The preop diet is crappy, the post surgery diet is crappy, but this too shall pass! Think of your shiny new bicycle waiting for you as your prize! (Or in this case, your shiny new body) It's worth the wait and the craziness the experts put us thru! No one here will tell you not to follow your doctor's orders, but I think a phone call to the doctors office might be in order if that's what it takes to keep you on track. Maybe your NUT can give you some suggestions. I switched from New Direction drinks they suggested to me, to Unjury which wasn't nearly as awful. So there are always alternatives if your body can't tolerate something. And instead of protein drinks/shakes afterwards, I've been making my own homemade broth and straining it. It tastes like Real food, not a pouch full of chemicals. That plus sf popcicles keep me going. Because of your special medical needs you should check with the pros though. And keep pushing those liquids! Pee out those free radicals, no more free rides for them! Just try to keep positive thoughts running thru your head. Once Old Man Doubt finds his way in, it's hard to kick him out. And post often. Folks here can offer other helpful ideas how to cope. After all, you're worth it!!

@@pindoctor They gave you puréed food while you were still in hospital?? So many of us are on liquids only for 2 weeks after surgery, some start puréed a week after, but this is this first time I heard anyone having puréed while still in hospital. My doctor said he wasn't worried about protein these two weeks after, but wanted me to keep my liquids up to avoid dehydration. I'm curious what types of puréed foods you're allowed. I thought I was breaking the mold when I stopped all the processed protein shakes, soups, by making my own homemade broths and straining them. Between sf popcicles, broth and water I'm running to the bathroom every 15 minutes!

@Skuper. I am amazed how flawlessly things went for you. I'm truly not a high pain whiner, but things took twice as long for me! I'm so glad you had a good surgical experience. I think mine was so poor because I couldn't get up for over 24 hrs before my first walk. Why, I'll never know. I kept telling them I thought I should be getting up. Then coming off the pain meds at home made me weepy. However, today I finally lost my first pound (plus the 10# the IV put back into me), so down a total of 11. That's making me feel great! @ Vanessa. How did you lose 55# already if your surgery was last week? I'm excited and happy for you, but want to know your secret!

Oh, that should have been @toler, not Patsy..sorry. It's good you're loading up on as much information as possible before surgery. I'm sure you'll do fine! ps. When I had my stress test, I was told to go to the bathroom before they started the meds and I did. In the last minute or so of the test (peak of exertion) I wet my pants. I mean I flooded the floor. They ended the test, said I passed. Is peeing the winning factor?

@@Patsy I'm doing injections for 2weeks...they don't want blood clots to form in our aging systems. I'm finding it very easy to do, and the needle is teeny tiny! I also had a drain. Doc removed it just before I was released. Piece of cake, if you'll pardon the expression. After such major surgery, a drain and a few injections are nothing to worry about!

Hello, I'm 67 and was sleeved on 9/3. This week has sure been an up and down ride! Had lap band removed, large hiatal hernia repaired at the same time. Have another small abdominal hernia to be repaired later. I did a no no when I got home from the hospital...I weighed myself! Please don't make that mistake after surgery! I regained the 10# I'd lost in the two weeks before surgery thanks to a nonstop IV and inactivity. 6 days later now, I'm wiser and 11# lighter, but it was a major shock at the time. Also, going off the pain meds brought one day of weeping and a major pity party. However, after I realized what was causing it I was able to lose myself in a good book. My poor hubby spent that day in the garage working on the lawnmower, and taking 4 hours to mow the grass! We have a large lawn, but...! I'm glad I'm finally at the end of that first week, because I'm finally able to get in and out of chairs, bed, the car with very little pain. And, best of all, I'm not constantly thinking about myself and my health, but able to take interest in outside activities again. My quilting group starts their new year next Monday and I'm raring to go! Best of luck to all of you anticipating your upcoming WLS! That first week isn't a bed of roses, but the flowers are starting to smell sweet again!

A drain is a piece of rubber tubing inserted in your abdomen to allow accumulated fluid from surgery to leave your body. There is a little rubber cup on the outside of your body attached to it; your nurse (or you) empties it a few times a day. It is no big deal. If you don't have one it's because your doctor is letting your body absorb the fluid to eliminate it that way. Surgery is wet and messy, not dry and tidy. If you end up with a drain don't have a hissyfit. It only lasts a few days then comes out. After going thru such major abdominal surgery, a drain will seem like a miniscule problem!

Lopez1628 I was kinda turned off by the reply you got also, but I'm just 6 days out of surgery so maybe I'm too sensitive too. We don't need horror stories right now, we need encouragement and advice! You mentioned your temptation with regular food during this liquid phase. I hope I'm not shot down for what I've been doing, but since it works for me I thought I'd share. Tired of the sweetened, artificial flavor of the shakes, and of store-bought broth, so have been (twice now) adding ground beef and a few spices to the beef broth, and ground chicken to the chicken broth. Then I strain the meat out and drink the broth. They taste like heaven compared to the processed stuff. My hubby handles the leftovers ☺️ My doctor told me when I left the hospital he was less worried about my protein intake right now but wanted to make sure I was well hydrated. On day 4 I was crying because I couldn't face another cold yucky shake, and plain water was making me vomit. Like I said, I may be out of line suggesting this, but it's kept me from cheating. Best of luck as you proceed thru your weight loss experience. I wish you only the best!

That's an interesting statistic. Certainly true in my life. Thx for sharing.

Your body has a metabolic set point. The more you weigh, the happier your body is that your set point is high, so you won't die in the imaginary famine we might have. You can lose 20#, keep it off for a bit, but that nasty set point will rear its ugly head and do everything possible to reach that high number again. It's very rude! When you go thru WLS your metabolism becomes very confused. Because you're eating very little and losing, losing weight as well as outsmarting your tummy's hunger hormone (for about a year), you can finally create a new set point. This year of losing is called the honeymoon period because you're losing and keeping it off without feeling like you're starving. That's why it's so important to create new good eating habits during this time, because your hunger will kick in again eventually. Please don't be so hard on yourself for your weight. Remember, you're a good and worthy person, and deserve respect...from yourself! You just can't lose the way someone else might. This forum will share your fears, your joys and your achievements. Post often;-)

Ozzie, get back on the horse if you've fallen off. If you've been sticking to your diet/exercise program perhaps you're losing at a different rate than someone else might, and not doing anything wrong. There's nothing in writing that says you have to lose all your weight within one year. Also, who decided on what your ideal weight should be? You, your doctor, the BMI chart? No one told me my ideal weight, I just picked my own. You can do this, you know you can because you've already made headway. Keep your eye on the prize and keep posting here. Others will offer encouragement and ideas to help. Best of luck????