chele367

Hi, Due to chronic pain and past opiate/painkiller abuse I am on Suboxone sublingual. The doctors have prescribed liquid hydrocodone post surgery and they know my history. Wondering when you did your pre op taper from Suboxone? For those unfamiliar Suboxone is used in treatment for opiate addiction or withdrawal also a pain reliever. Look it up for more information. Sort of scared of taking hydrocodone again. Hopefully, I will not need much. Figured, I cannot be the only one with prior non food addiction issues out there. Not certain of how many are on opiate pain RX's anyway prior to surgery. Not that I am asking to know. Just mainly the taper from Suboxone. Thanks Sent from my LGLS990 using the BariatricPal App

Yes they will test you. Wait until you are post op and have had the surgery. I I use a vape pen at night but also you will have to watch getting the munchies because your brain does not realize your stomach will be much, much smaller. By the way I live in Napa Valley and am a Kaiser patient they do not play around with THC, Nicotine or any other substances that will be deemed addictive. In fact I picked up my pain meds day before my surgery in 2016. I had to withdraw from Suboxone a week prior due to chronic pain. So my back pain flared so I took a couple swigs of liquid Norco meant for post op. I was so scared at check in when they tested me that it would show but it was okay. They are looking for Nicotine, alcohol, THC and street drugs. Good luck!

Kaiser explained to us that it can cause ulcers in the stomach or your new pouch. That said, I am one year 4 months post op and drink coffee daily. Let me tell you the worst pain I felt before surgery was the fact I did not taper caffeine use. So after I get admitted for surgery a few hours go by then I have surgery the headache from no caffeine was worse than the surgery pain and the heavy painkillers did nothing for the headache. I was lucky that the nurse brought in regular tea w my tray. As hard as it was I sipped that tea and boom headache gone. That is my story. I am not sure how my pouch is holding up because I drink alcohol and coffee. I have lost nearly 150lbs feel great! This just proves if we do not overcome our addictions they stay and manifest in other ways than just eating too much. GO TO SUPPORT GROUPS!!! Our group disbanded and I have to drive 3 hrs to get to a support group in person. Attending really kept me on the straight and narrow. A reason why I am coming back to this site to not forget the journey, its not over. I still weigh everyday follow eating plan mostly but little by little the past sneaks back in like drinking from straws, drinking & eating wrong things. I was hardcore rule follower going into this accept for the giving up caffeine. Anyway that is a long response lol. Good luck! Feel free to ask anything my journey is an open book!

Its the gas from the surgery its not your actual weight. Give yourself a week to stabilize and get the surgical gas out of your system. Walk every two hours to help eliminate it. At least this is the directive from Kaiser where I was sleeved. Just keep sticking to the program you'll be just fine and will be blown away at your new numbers in just a few weeks.

Sorry for the typo's sneaking replying at work!

I vape now but they will test you for nicotine they don't care how you are getting it into your system chew, smoke, vape so if you really want the surgery you have to stop and they tell you not to do it after either. I use my vape for medicinal but waiting post op several months but they do not like it at all. This is suppose to help us all rid ourselves of addictions. I was hard core strick per op and I have lost 150lbs then lightened up on my self after the 100 pound mark but its like playing chicken and it is still dancing with the addiction demons. But if you want the surgery make up your mind that you are and anything that stands in your way kick its ass! Then post you will figure out what you want as your life changes from the weight loss, emotionally, physically anyway. Good luck!

Good! You have the right attitude! It feels like a race in the beginning but it is a journey. In some respects the pre weight loss is harder than the post and you are held more accountable in the beginning because of the weigh in's. I was so scared even on surgery morning because until you are laying on that operating table you think that your chance could be snatched away for any reason. I took some of my liquid pain medication the day before surgery cause I had been tapered off my pain medication and we could not take any OTC because of risk of bleeding. Anyway I took a water pill and some of the liquid Norco my tail bone was hurting so bad not sure why. Oh and I did not give up caffeine either let me tell you the headache from not having caffeine hurt worse than the surgery. Anyway they test you right away when you get admitted for surgery and weigh you. My saving grace was the nurse brought regular tea on my tray rather than herbal lol it was hard but I kept sipping that nasty Lipton tea poof the headache was gone. Not even the high powered pain killers were touching the withdraw headache. In 2007 I tried to get gastric bypass but failed to pass everything, it was way harder then to get accepted. Then the sleeve became a thing so happy I waited. Anyway I am trying to get strict again, slowly being able to eat more and its scary. I still eat 1/2 cup no more than a cup of food per serving. Need to get back to chewing 30xs not drinking, get rid of carbs. Still fight the sugar & carbs. Caught myself drinking from straws, drinking alcohol. So yeah the work continues!!!! Let me know how you are doing. Good luck!

Kaiser Bariatrics will weight you at each and every appointment and they do not play, even surgery morning you get weighed in. So get use to it and make the scale your friend. Kaiser Richmond will not let you take your shoes off to weigh without socks on, so I kept a pair of footie socks like you wear to try shoes on in my purse, or had them on already so I could remove my shoes. Now they used two different scales one in the Bariatric office and one in the surgeon office, the one in the Bariatric office ran two pounds high, the one in the surgery dept ran 2 lbs lower. So when you are working hard to lose weight those two pounds matter. I tried to get my home scale in tune w theirs so there were never any surprises. I still weigh myself every morning. I have lost 145 pounds and jump up two to three pounds then fall back. I am no longer in rapid weight loss so getting that last 10lbs seems harder than the first 20 pounds! Good luck you can do it!!!!! Best thing I ever did.

I had hernia repair too. Trust me you will be fine. I used to pop 13 Norco a day so for me to tell you you will be alright, just do what is asked. We can Tylenol but not Ibuprofen at least not Kaiser. And I take all my vitamins and had perfect levels a year out when they did our blood work. A lot of the fear is in our minds, not physical honestly was shocked how fast I was back up and at it.

your pain receptors are blocked by Suboxone so you have to be in active withdrawal in order for the medication in the hospital to work. Then you have to be back in active withdraw to resume Suboxone. Suboxone has saved my life and I am a big supporter of it. You will be okay just get off the pain meds post off as soon as you are able. My addict brain wanted to ask for more pain med's post but my body didn't need them then I was back on Suboxone. All good.

EVERYTHING! I was super strict pre/post op and lost 45lbs on my own but did not give up caffeine. And I did give up soda, have had a few sips here and there but it really does not taste good. I was a Diet Coke addict so for me to say that. I am fighting again to lose my last 15 lbs. I eat protein first try not to drink w meals, keep my servings to 1/2 cup no more than a cup of whatever I am eating. Shocked that I can eat popcorn but it sort of hurts like my pouch was tumbling rocks. You will find your zone but just remember your brain is not having surgery and it will be the same brain that helped you get fat in the first place. In the beginning you will not be able to cheat much cause you will not feel like it. But remember you can gain your weight back have to remind myself daily of that. Good luck and I am still happy I had VSG! Just got asked out for the first time since losing 145lbs.

I do not think so the most pain is right after surgery and they will keep giving you pain meds until you are comfortable. honestly the headache I had from not giving up caffeine beforehand like I was suppose to do was way worse. Luckily post surgery the nurse messed up brought reg black tea so I sipped on that got rid of it. But you will be just fine. You are right the receptors have changed. Just watch out for alcohol down the road if you struggle with addiction and go to support meetings for bariatrics. I still have to watch sugar, alcohol and as a over a year out can eat more and that is scary. Going to put myself back on soft diet to shrink pouch.

Hi, Yes, I was on and still am taking Suboxone. Two weeks before surgery they tapered me, I am not going to lie my tailbone hurt so bad as I was in a pain flare. And I was scared of taking pain meds again. Anyway I had the pain meds in hospital and liquid Norco for home. They gave me a weeks worth and I took it as directed and never asked for a refill resumed Suboxone after a fews days off from the Norco. I was fine and I used to be a big ol pill popper. Think all the years of Suboxone changed my receptors so it worked. Let me know if you have any other questions or concerns. Post surgery sometimes the Suboxone will make my pouch upset for a few moments then I am fine. Good luck!

As a person a year out from the sleeve which I had at Kaiser, if we gained even an ounce before surgery they would not do it. I built my cheating in and around the dates I knew I had to weight in to provide a cushion to step up the workouts, dial back on calories. Kaiser never recommends the food funeral concept as it means that we have not dealt w our addictions. That said, many of us have been overweight for years that's years of doing it our way. My way never worked. I had to have a VGS to lose my weight. AND after you have surgery go through the rapid weight loss phase, then you begin eating more again you will and can gain weight back. I was 280 now 140 fighting to stay there because now I can eat more. So the more strict you are now the better you will do post op. In fact I ate a chocolate chip cookie today and feel really bad about it. After the first six months of surgery that cookie would have sent me into dumping syndrome so you can retrain yourself to eat like your overweight self. Go to as many support groups as possible, stay close to sites like this where you can talk it out with people who are going through or have had WLS. I still struggle w sugary foods, head hunger. I am getting recommitted to lose this last 10lbs swear it feels harder that the 100lbs. Hang in there, be strong, still the best choice I ever made. You can do it! And you are not alone!

As a person a year out from the sleeve which I had at Kaiser, if we gained even an ounce before surgery they would not do it. I built my cheating in and around the dates I knew I had to weight in to provide a cushion to step up the workouts, dial back on calories. Kaiser never recommends the food funeral concept as it means that we have not dealt w our addictions. That said, many of us have been overweight for years that's years of doing it our way. My way never worked. I had to have a VGS to lose my weight. AND after you have surgery go through the rapid weight loss phase, then you begin eating more again you will and can gain weight back. I was 280 now 140 fighting to stay there because now I can eat more. So the more strict you are now the better you will do post op. In fact I ate a chocolate chip cookie today and feel really bad about it. After the first six months of surgery that cookie would have sent me into dumping syndrome so you can retrain yourself to eat like your overweight self. Go to as many support groups as possible, stay close to sites like this where you can talk it out with people who are going through or have had WLS. I still struggle w sugary foods, head hunger. I am getting recommitted to lose this last 10lbs swear it feels harder that the 100lbs. Hang in there, be strong, still the best choice I ever made. You can do it! And you are not alone!

Hi, I was sleeved June 8th 2016, have lost 140lbs, so far I can drink sliver rum and do okay whereas sparkling wine, wine have a harder time the sugar dumps into system to quickly. Anyway no one anywhere endorses drinking alcohol post surgery but just be smart and for me I waited until I hit major goals to partake. I am on a bocce team plus work in the wine industry so its hard to not be tempted. Now I weigh exactly 140lbs lost 1/2 of my body weight, now maintaining. Again, be smart they do not want us to hurt our new pouches and to get alcohol poisoning or have transfer of addictions. Good luck

Just be prepared and expect to be weighed every time. I even carried socks because they do not let you weight barefooted, even last week for weight in I brought light weight slippers lol. Hopefully you get to have fun before! Girl let me tell you I learned how to trick the scale by splurging then super strict for a couple days. Was still dying to my cheating ways! But fat girl thoughts do not leave your brain just because of surgery. I still battle to want to binge and mindlessly eat like that nervous crunching chips, popcorn. That was one of my last splurges going to movies having popcorn, junk. In fact the first few weeks after surgery I had to get food for my coworkers was sitting there waiting for order and all I could hear were people eating chips & salsa it was really loud to me lol weird but how it was. So your mind will play tricks on you. Anyway day at a time:)

Hi there! Yes, you will be weighed in at Orientation and every time after that. On March 3, 2016 I weighed in at 280lbs and made my mind up that moment that this ends here. Like you I had researched the sleeve as I had no idea it was an option after being rejected for the bypass several years prior. It is now July 25th and I weigh ready!!!!!! 138lbs! I have been pretty strict from the onset because the more you lose ahead of surgery the more you lose post op. I lost 43.00 lbs before my surgery oh my surgery date was June 8th 2016. So from March to June I lost the 43 by doing everything they told me you will get a big binder that will go with you everywhere. They do not play if you gain even 1lb you will have to get on track. Which Kaiser are you going to be attending classes? I attend Richmond. Anyway get your fun times eating in now while you are not chained to the scale. I still weigh myself everyday, just get use to it and it helps stay on track. I only missed a week of work as I have a desk job. But I was fine. The first few days at home afterwards you just want to sleep off all the meds. And I had a hernia repaired during procedure which is common. I am happy everyday that I made this choice. The hardest part was the beginning getting down the diet, weighing foods, drinking water and making lifestyle changes and I just walked 20 min a day, then jogged a bit, just anything you can do to move and what is best for circumstance. Some people have bad knees, health issues but how do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time start slow then work up to it. There are even super cool chair workouts. I did not join a gym or anything fancy. Remember this is for you make that investment for yourself find music, whatever it takes to make you move, celebrate your small goals and big. This is for health not looks, that comes later. I still have loose skin and am still losing. Also taking your vitamins when you get to that place. Just had my labs taken 1 year out and all were great no deficiencies. Anyway believe in yourself, you can do this! Find a support group it really makes the difference to be around others doing this. And I was on this site lots, lots, lots pre op! Contact me anytime! Good luck! I attached a current pic sorry it would not rotate. All the best to you! Michele

Hi, No one can tell you how to feel and it is only natural to doubt. I am 5 months post op sleeve 7lbs away from 100 pound loss. I would not change a thing best choice I ever made. Do not let fear sway you. If you are a person of faith just believe that this is meant to be for better health inshalla. Actually, shocked at how easy the recovery is, of course there are challenges that everyone faces but I was back to work in one weeks time. Feel free to write and ask me anything, no worries. Most of all live into the new life you are creating for yourself!! Last year if someone told me I would be jogging 3 miles like I can now. I would have laughed in their face for I could hardly walk up the street without panting. Keep it simple do not allow all the details to bog you down. Salam, Michele Reynolds Dabwan

Hi, I am an office manager and only took off a week. It worked out well for me. Although the medical community disagrees, they are not paying my rent. So if you can afford it take it off, otherwise plan ahead to make sure you have your Vitamins, liquids, post op diet ready and you will not want to lift anything heavy. One thing that is true is the anesthesia does stay in your body, brain for awhile so pay attention to detailed work and big decision making, Good luck!

Hi, Yes, I will be 12 weeks post op sleeve next week. My surgeon is Dr. Baggs Richmond Kaiser. Once I passed the psych eval it went real quick. Everyone has been great but I have nothing to compare it with accept for others WLS stories. I go to a non Kaiser Bariatric surgery support group in St. Helena so I get to hear what their program is like. I will say that Kaiser sounds more strict compared to others programs. I have not had any complications to speak of really, couple acid reflux moments. I have lost 80lbs since March still working on goal weight. Some days is feels like I should be to goal already but it is a journey not a race. Glad to answer any questions you may have. Very happy I went through with it, feel great, look forward to feeling even better. KP in general were setting the bar really high to get approved, then I heard they had to ease up. Just make sure you have all your medial tests up to date, do whatever they recommend and by all means lose weight before. The more you can lose pre-op the better it will be. I lost 23lbs my first month that is what fast tracked me from March start date to June surgery. Deal with any addictions now, food, drinking, smoking. Caffeine was the hardest by far for me. And I did not listen went cold turkey into surgery with a screaming, horrible headache after recovery. I knew exactly what the headache meant. Even on the pain killers my head hurt. The first nurse messed up brought real tea on my tray, boy was I happy. Although I could only take a few sips it got rid of the headache. And I am back on caffeine so I am a fine one to talk about addiction. I have only tried to drink alcohol one time and that was not fun, just feels gross after feeling so healthy and good. Not worth it. So yeah, great experience all around. Good luck!!!

Hi, Everything is going pretty well accept for occasional acid reflux and it is always in the middle of the night. The reflux occurs in my sleep waking me up gagging with the most horrible hot burning feeling to my throat and sinus. Not sure if it is related to Iron pills, or drinking coffee again. It is not every night but at least once a week. Thinking I am going to begin sleeping with lots of pillows to prop up. So scary and painful. Wondering if any of you have had this happen, what have you done?

Hi, Yes to the PPI 30 min before Breakfast. Also, Carafat (sp) which I forgot about and better put the bottle on the nightstand. I see the surgeon for 12 week post op on, 9/21. And last night I slept propped up and did not have any issues. Thanks BP Fam!

Okay I am 3 months post op from sleeve, the hard cold reality set in for me when my own aunt started to unravel because I chose to get the sleeve. Never in my life did I expect someone whom is also overweight begin to berate me, telling me I better not go around telling everyone how much weight I lost. And you better bring your own food, it is not right to make others accommodate your life style. And at 80lbs gone she is still the only person who has not said a word about my weight loss. Day of surgery a nice nurse put his arm around me and said "people are going to treat you differently and change, you just keep on doing what you have to do". So at first it did not set in but now it is starting. Your friend probably does not want to be over shadowed by your success. Do not let ANYONE sway you from your goal, not the insurance process, the red tape, doctors just keep moving forward. Worry about your own happiness and bring your frustrations here to the chat rooms, it is what helped me. We all understand and are not clouded by personal relationships. Cling tight to this read others posts, respond and build a sense of community here. You do not need anyone's approval besides insurance to approve. Tell who you want in real life, but as you lose more weight people will ask. Anyway never give up and do not listen to anyone who is not on your team!! You deserve this. Message me anytime okay? Glad to support you. Michele

Oh you went the day before me. Doing pretty good. Cheated for first time had some ice cream and trust me I have been hard core all the way through. Dumb idea sick as a dog. Via the bottom end of business. Walking 3-4 miles a day. Feeling good. Weight is coming off 2 lbs a week. How about you? Are you feeling strong? Hope all is well. Michele Sent from my LGLS990 using the BariatricPal App Hey there Michele, doing pretty good, and my first adverse reaction came from adding too much mayo to my tuna! I lost crazy fast for first couple of weeks, now it's down to about 2-3 lbs per week, but at least it's not going up!! Yes, fairly strong, I have my moments but trying to keep the bigger picture in mind.Oh, total of 48 lbs as of yesterday. Although I'm not supposed to be weighing myself Desire' Funny you say that about mayo in tuna. That was my first mistake. Yeah I thought I'd be losing faster but keeping on on track. Walking and probably not eating enough Protein. Losing though. Really excited to shed the next 20 cause I'll be breaking out the 200's!!! Thanks for answering. Stay in touch! Hope you are well. Michele Sent from my LGLS990 using the BariatricPal App