ellie123

@Tssiemer1 Yay! We should probably start a November chain and huddle

I think having trepidation and concern is VERY normal and to be expected. Lord knows I have my own. The kid within wants to ran and eat a you name it, but the Adult within is trying to overwrite that logic with what we know must be done if we are to increase our changes of having a long productive life on Gods Green Earth. A tall order indeed, but so worth the gain. Hang in there, fellow November Sleever!

Fatty McFatster, your date is November as well looks like!!! When in November? We can journey together!

So sorry you are experiencing this But that is why I'm having my Gallbladder removed and the sleeve performed in the same procedure. My gallbladder has only acted up twice, BUT, following rapid weight loss, it's bound to act up. I wish you could have had yours removed back during surgery. But congratulations on all that weight loss. Bravo!

Thank you Desert Girl 24, It's awesome this worked out so well for you. how are you doing? Were you able to loose all your weight? I see a surgery date of Nov 1999 for you?

So I was scheduled to have my Lapband Removal/Gastric Sleeve/ Gallbladder removal surgery on Sept 29th, but yesterday during the pre-op visit, it came to light that my surgeon, Dr. Fox, will be leaving for a month long vacation 2 days after my surgery! Given that he’s doing so much, he thought it unfair to leave and not be here should by chance I have any kind of complication. My logical side concurs, but I was so close to getting this done!!! I guess it was not meant to be…. So now I’ve been pushed back to November 2nd. I guess I was more prepared for this than I gave myself credit for, because I feel disappointed, empty, and a little purposeless…much like a deflated balloon. Another 6 weeks to wait!!! *Sigh*. It was like hurry up and then brick wall. I’d made all these arrangements and had visions of a much smaller me on Thanksgiving… Brooding, Ellie

Kaysunshine, thank you so much for the insight. That makes me feel MUCH better about the hospital choice. I'm very sorry you experienced so much pain That sounds horrid! There are no statistics on your profile, but i sincerely hope your weight is melting off, and that that is making up for some of that pain

Emma4884, thank you so much for sharing your experience and I'm so sorry you had complications. Sounds very scary. But with almost 60lbs gone in a month, you are doing so awesome, i hope it all feels very worth it for you. The thought of loosing that much weight is totally music to my ears Blessings to you dear.

BlerdGirl, I'm afraid not, he's the only one in the practice but thank you so much for the thought! ELONDE, congratulations on your remarkable weight loss!!!! OMG, amazing! You are a total inspiration. Our height and starting weight is the same, so the fact that you are down to 164 is SOOOOO encouraging to me!!!

Sept 29th group, I'm afraid I will not be joining you for surgery on the 29th after all In case you did not see my post, I'm putting it here below, and wishing all you wonderful people, a smooth, painfree, complication free experience on the 29th! Go forth and loose!!! Not Happening After all … So I was scheduled to have my Lapband Removal/Gastric Sleeve/ Gallbladder removal surgery on Sept 29th, but yesterday during the pre-op visit, it came to light that my surgeon, Dr. Fox, will be leaving for a month long vacation 2 days after my surgery! Given that he’s doing so much, he thought it unfair to leave and not be here should by chance I have any kind of complication. My logical side concurs, but I was so close to getting this done!!! I guess it was not meant to be…. So now I’ve been pushed back to November 2nd. I guess I was more prepared for this than I gave myself credit for, because I feel disappointed, empty, and a little purposeless…much like a deflated balloon. Another 6 weeks to wait!!! *Sigh*. It was like hurry up and then brick wall. I’d made all these arrangements and had visions of a much smaller me on Thanksgiving… Brooding, Ellie

I know huh! The Scheduler told me the doc was not thrilled with her for this, as he thought he made it clear he does not want to leave his patients in those first few critical weeks...:/

:)

Thank you I will try! Since finding out yesterday I have not broken it. The only thing I miss on the SouthBeach Supercharged Phase 1 diet that I miss is fruit. I've never restricted myself in fruit :\

thank you both so much, I appreciate the support more than you know

Oh wow, thank you for the information! It's Dallas Medical City for me.

I’m going for my pre-op this afternoon. Surgery in a week!!! In a moment of semi-serious weakness, at my last appointment, I asked my surgeon if I could have my sleeve slightly bigger than a banana (due to the fear of never being able to eat much of anything). To my surprise, he answered “Yes! I can give you the French something something (don’t recall the name), don’t worry, you’ll still loose weight”. Woa? I did not realize there were different sizes. Can anyone shed light on this an the pros and cons. Also, my mind is racing, I’ve tried to put together a list of things to ask the surgeon. Any ideas of what I need to ask?? Your thoughts will be very much appreciated!

Hello, Does anyone know of a good Sleeve Support group that meets physically in the DFW area? I work in Fort Worth, but live in the Trophy Club area. It would be great to meet with some folks and go out for 2 ounces together Need support ellie

And here is another insightful answer I found very helpful: Answer: It is called "bougie" and it is a topic of much discussion on these forums. Do a search and you will find at least 100 threads on it. I am unconvinced of how relevant it is though - I had one of the "larger" ones at a 38 and I have been maintaining a 150# weight loss for a few years. what does appear to be a factor (although you should check with current research) that really tight/small sleeves are more prone to chronic reflux. I don't actually know if this is true - but that was what I was told in 2011.

I’m going for my pre-op this afternoon. Surgery in a week!!! In a moment of semi-serious weakness, at my last appointment, I asked my surgeon if I could have my sleeve slightly bigger than a banana (due to the fear of never being able to eat much of anything). To my surprise, he answered “Yes! I can give you the French something something (don’t recall the name), don’t worry, you’ll still loose weight”. Woa? I did not realize there were different sizes. Can anyone shed light on this an the pros and cons. Also, my mind is racing, I’ve tried to put together a list of things to ask the surgeon. Any ideas of what I need to ask?? Your thoughts will be very much appreciated!

Oh good!! Well, below is a great answer to my question that I would like to share with you and others. This was new info to me! Answer: The instrument he uses to measure the size of your sleeve is called a bougie, and it's size is measured in FR. The typical bougie size is 36 fr, but they generally fall between 32-40 fr. Personally, I had a 38. My surgeon said that he has seen the best results with a 38, despite the fact that that is not the smallest available. There are very good reasons to want a bigger sleeve, as long it is small enough to eliminate most of your ghrelin cells and to create the satiety benefit after a small meal. After that, the differences are negligible, and indigestion is more likely than additional weight loss. Anything higher than 40, however, runs the risk of not getting the full benefit of ghrelin elimination, which is the key benefit of this surgery (restriction can be had at similar levels by all the other surgeries). Be sure to ask him how your diet progression will go afterwards, as I have seen some variation. I only had to do Clear liquids for 3 days, but some need to do it for 3-4 weeks before moving onto purees. I am now seven weeks out and I am able to eat everything (with nutritionists' approval).

Pr pitbullgrl, The answer to your question is of course I have had an Eval. I do not think that any reputable doctor will perform this kind of surgery on anyone who has not. My feelings of trepidation are very normal and to be expected in cases such as these and I believe this website is supposed to be a haven for people to express such feelings. I have already had bariatric surgery in the past with a two year prep program, so I am very much aware of what a restriction feels like and what kinds of lifestyle changes are expected. The fact that you are thrilled to not being able to eat a lot does not make you anymore or any less prepared for this surgery than others. Everyone processes this experience differently. But the one thing we all share in common is that we are all overweight and unable to control it on our own or we would not be here. Also, by you saying "I did not want to be the one to say this..." , I believe that you are insinuating that you represent the view of the majority which I really don't think is the case. I posted this same question in this same format on many other forums, and I got some very insightful, educated compassionate, and helpful responses. Good-luck to you on your journey.

Awesome and insightful response Sleevie! Thank you so much! Your results are impressive indeed! I hope you are feeling awesome on your journey

I’m going for my pre-op this afternoon. Surgery in a week!!! In a moment of semi-serious weakness, at my last appointment, I asked my surgeon if I could have my sleeve slightly bigger than a banana (due to the fear of never being able to eat much of anything). To my surprise, he answered “Yes! I can give you the French something something (don’t recall the name), don’t worry, you’ll still loose weight”. Woa? I did not realize there were different sizes. Can anyone shed light on this an the pros and cons. Also, my mind is racing, I’ve tried to put together a list of things to ask the surgeon. Any ideas of what I need to ask?? Your thoughts will be very much appreciated!

Whitney1968, hang in there. My friend/coworker just had hers under 2 weeks ago and she's here at work doing great, but...we all are so different. My experiences is that I'm very often like you, the Anomaly who experiences things other people don't. They say keeping your eyes on the prize helps. Praying for you.

CowgirlJane, you ROCK! Congratulations on your sleeve and weight loss and for being such a prolific and informed writer! Folks like you are so giving to keep coming back for us newbies. Thank you!