NewBeginning2016

After reading the last two posts I decided to share my experience. I had my sleeve done on Wednesday April 20th. I was in the hospital one night and released the next day. Yes, those two days were bad (but thanks to drugs I don't really remember them!) and there were a few ouchie days but by Monday, I was feeling fine. In fact.... I feel better than I have in years!!! I have this incredible surge of energy and no hunger. I asked my doctor yesterday at our follow up and he said it may be hormonal. Whatever it is, I hope it lasts! I almost feel like it's a dream. Every morning I wake up I feel so fortunate to have had this done because it's giving me so much control of my life. I have been running errands, working in the garden, attending swim meets for my daughter and taking care of my bees (yep I keep bees ) However I am realistic. I KNOW I may hit bumps and will have stalls- I've learned this from the wonderful veterans how share here. That being said I know there is this forum I can turn to for help and guidance in those dark days and that is a great feeling. My kids and hubby are so supportive and love seeing me this happy. I'm not kidding... I kinda feel like I got a do over. My heart hurts for those who are having such a hard time... Honest to god I wish so much that things get better. I just wanted to share my experience for those that are considering surgery... Everyone has a different experience. I wish everyone the very best. - Jen.
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I think you should call your doctor. It's not supposed to feel that way if you're following the post-op instructions. I'm 12 days post-op and I feel fine. I'm never hungry and I'm excited because the weight is falling off. I pray you find relief and start being happy again so you can enjoy your new body and your life ahead. Sending you a hug*
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You guys realize what you're going through is all temporary, right? That what you're going through now will be different in a week, a month, a year? It will get better, I promise. Just hang in there.

Exactly what are you regretting about it-- post op discomfort? Temporary food limitations? What? Expound, please.

Love my Fitbit Charge HR. Keeps track of my heart rate consistently throughout the day for a better understanding of how many calories I burn. I also love the sleep tracker. Fitbit App is super user friendly.
My only wish is that it was completely waterproof.
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I recently got a Fitbit charge and I really like it. I love that it also tracks my sleep and how much awake and restless time I have during the night. I'm really trying to improve my sleep habits, so that's a nice feature for me. I also like the app, and that's where I track all of my steps, Fluid, and food.
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I know people who offer serve as coaches for issues like this that affect people's professional opportunities / outcomes.
Honestly, the only way to change that stuff is to change very specific behaviors -- like making eye contact, smiling, saying hello and nodding to folks in the hallway, standing up straighter, leading with your chin (not your forehead) -- the list of these behaviors is long. It's sort of like athletic practice / coaching.
Admittedly, introverts and extroverts do NOT enjoy the same kinds of interpersonal connections with other people. I am definitely an extrovert. You might be an introvert. If you are, you'd probably rather go to work, do your job, go home and never have to have to stand up and make a presentation EVER while you're there.
On the other hand, there are plenty of introverts who've learned how to behave like fake-extroverts.
I'm certainly not saying you should be something that you're not and don't want to be. Also, please don't let some random co-worker tell you how you should behave. Yeah, that's ridiculous.
But if you think there are changes YOU would like to make, feel free to be specific with yourself about what those changes are. And then experiment -- just try 'em out.
For instance, I wore something this morning in public that would have been VERY far out of my comfort zone before I lost 100 pounds -- and nobody died. (I'll keep the details to myself for now. )

So I started at 240 lbs, am 5 ft 4 inch, 26 yrs old and down to 189 lbs. The loose skin isn't that bad, I feel i notice it more than others. Its just around my underarms, stomach and thighs. But I have been going to the gym every day, taking my Vitamins, drinking lots of Water, and also applying skin firming lotion (like jergens or nivea) with a few drops of Vitamin E oil a couple times of week after the shower. Doing all of these things for me has definitely helped (i remember a few years back I had lost weight and my skin wasn't as tight as it is now). There is really no way to completely avoid it, but you can do these things to make it better. I have another 40 pounds to go, after that I will decide whether or not skin removal surgery is necessary, which is always an option.

@@LA_lady
Have you ever watched skin tight on TLC? They have people on there that lost weight without surgery slowly, and their skin is still a disater. Fast or slow it doesn't matter your skin is going to do what it wants. At 230lbs you will probably snapback without much issue. Take @@OKCPirate and I will add that body peels, exfoliation and high quality moisturizers don't hurt.

Water, Protein and good genes are the most important. Minimize sun, stay out of tanning beds. Also no hot tubbing and keep the temp down on showers and baths for the period of rapid weight loss. There aren't any magic lotions, but I do use a moisturizer to keep my skin as healthy as possible. Your skin is your largest organ, so make it happy anyway.

So 7 months of gym work and I'm starting to see the differences.

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I am so honored and so appreciative of your support and encouragement, my friends. Thank you. This form has helped me so much, especially before surgery and the months right after surgery, and I am really grateful. Thank you.

Hi
I am 2 weeks from my surgery date. Pre op appt tommorrow.
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Congratulations!!!! You look like you always had spunk and full of life. The surgery made it all the more better. You go girl!
VSG 6/17/2016

Dr. Macik was my surgeon too! I go see him tomorrow for my two weeks post op. He's awesome!
Pre-op is just low carb/high Protein diet and no alcohol. One thing I also like about Dr Macik that a lot of other surgeons don't do, is he have the nurses put a binder on you before you go home. It's really great for the stomach swelling and makes you feel better all around. I had surgery 7a.m. and was in the hospital two nights.
Best wishes!
VSG 6/17/2016

Call your insurance company first and find out what they cover regarding bariatric surgery and you shouldn't have any problems down the line.
VSG 6/17/2016

I'm two weeks out on Saturday. That first week I felt dizzy too. Would get light headed doing very little. I was wondering how can I get out and walk like this? Didn't hear of anyone else having this problem. Called my bariatric support person and she said it was the low calories. To stay hydrated and rest. This second week, I'm not light headed anymore, but I get tired very easily. I have my two week post op appt tomorrow. I know with increased calories I'll feel better.
VSG 6/17/2016

@@illailla
You are not consuming that many calories and with the heat and probably minimal Water intake, feel dizzy is pretty normal. Make sure you keep your Water intake up. your body is using most of its energy to try and heal, so make sure you don't over do it. this is still major surgery.

Down 140lbs sleeved August 26, 2014

Hi All!

I wanted to start a thread for African-American sleevers (no worries I HEART all sleevers from the rainbow). I just thought, no scientific proof, that African-American sleevers may respond to the surgery different than our lovely non-African American sleeved sisters and brothers. I wanted to know if we had the same skin issue, hair problems, and other surgery related issues. Also, how to deal with the culture shock. African-American "soul food" may be something of the past... or not. So I was just looking for a space to voice culture related issues and concens.

PS- I TRULY :heart: ALL SLEEVERS.

That same thing happened to me with Protein shakes. My doctor told me to try carnation instant Breakfast the sugar free or lite one with skim milk and that did the trick.
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I am down 39 pounds (including my two-week pre-op diet). I am off my blood pressure meds, much less pain in my knees, and people are starting to notice the weight loss. I feel good! I put on a pair of dress pants today that I haven't worn in a few years, and they were a little baggy!
I've followed my surgeon's and dietician's instructions to the letter. That really is the key. I have had few problems since leaving the hospital. This is the best decision I could have made for my health. I only wish I had done it sooner!
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Face to face comparison!!
Left picture: 244
Right picture: 275
Just the beginning of my journey but some weight can really bring out someone's jawline
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It's not reflux, it's called sliming. I slimed horrible for a year and still do from time to time.
Slow down when you eat, take smaller bites and eat smaller portions. Journal what makes you slime and avoid it for a few months before trying again.
I used baby spoons and waited a full minute between bites. This helped tremendously!

@@traceygirl I'm still pre-op but at 1 month out - my plan says 2-4ozs of purees every 3 hours. If your eating real food - be sure to chew until it's apple sauce consistency.