Shontel

Tiff, its really crazy sometimes I guess, I'm learning everyday things I could eat before that ain't happening now. Take for instance last night, a nice cup of dark hot chocolate...milk has never bothered me, I was thinking since the mix had milk in it also then I combined it with milk, just too much..I made my little path to the bathroom all evening...lesson learned!

WARNING: might be TMI for some...read at your own risk. So, in an effort to gage how my abscess is healing, I made my fiance' while changing my packing, stick the q-tip down as far as it would go....ok, so I knew that the CT scan showed that it was like 3.5" deep. (ok, lemme take a step back and breathe a sec) So its been 10 days since the drainage. The q-tip went in half way!!!! I almost started crying!! I was thinking it should be so much further on in the healing process! All this packing, this open gash...its just so ughhhhhhhhh!!!! OK, sorry for the mini meltdown, I'm feeling better but this is keeping me from exercising, from doing anything really strenuous...gah! And I'm scared of getting an infection (yeah, I'm a germ-a-phobe at times) So, I sit and wait....tick tock tick tock...till my body heals....talk about a lesson in patience!!! :thumbup:

I went to mexico. Here's my answer to your questions: How long was surgery? About and hour, I had a lot of adhesions. Private Room? Yes, very nice room How many days did you stay? 4 days. But I had a special case, I had my lap band removed when I had my VSG, the area where the lap band was removed swoll shut for 3 days. so I was dry heaving that entire time, so they didn't let me go until I could take liquids by mouth. Pain scale? I didn't notice that much pain because I was dry-heaving for 3 days..lol What kind of painkillers? Morphine. yes, it worked. What did you do to pass the time? Mostly walked. I felt like a person in a mental institution, Connected to and IV and a drain, I walked so much, it helped my naseua. I had to sleep upright. There were a couple of US channels, watched a lot of sitcoms. (they actually watched me more than I watched them) I brought a book, but wasn't interested in reading. What did you pack? what would you leave at home? I would have bought washcloths, maybe some DVD's. I really didn't wanna do anything except leave. I felt crummy, but knew it was necessary in my healing process. Hope this helped!

Thanks deedee...I know it will get better

I'm officially 6 weeks out today, and down to 200! That's 35 pounds off, yay! Also, I'm feeling alive again! I still have my wound packet (grrrrrrr) but its healing and I'm finding my energy slowly but surley. My diet is progressing too. I have to remind myself sometimes that I'm sleeved! I made a yummy Jambalaya with Brussel Sprouts last night...it was delicious!! I'm looking forward to walking as soon as this wound heals. So glad to get to feeling normal again! Yay!

I had a lap band to sleeve revision and dry heaved for the first 3 days afterwards (stayed in the hospital to keep hydrated) the area of my stomach where my lap band was removed was swollen shut, it was a nightmare. I suspect you have some swelling as well, definitely get with your doc, it will get better SOON!

So today was the big day to have my packing removed & changed. The first time since it was drained last tuesday. OK, can I just say that when she begins to remove this ribbon type of packing, I thought it would NEVER end...a Tapeworm comes to mind!! Needless to say I was amazed. It hurt a little...pressure, stinging, very uncomfortable...ewwwww....so then, the nurse shows me and my fiance' how to do it ourselves...by this time, I'm just feeling faint. But she showed us and said that when it got to the point that it wouldn't 'pack' anymore its healed. Next week we have to go in so she can check it again. I'm not squeamish at all, I worked in surgery before, but I don't know what it is, its like, I just want this to be OVER!! I'm tired of hurting, tired of being weak, tired of being tired, tired of not feeling good...(big sigh) Well, ok, I'm done whining I'm sure I'll be better tomorrow...

Tomorrow I will finally get my packing changed/removed (probably just changed...grrrr) So in an effort to make myself feel better, of course I decided to cook something (some old habits ya just can't break) I wanted something comforting, something creamy and warm. Chicken & Dumplings!! I love this dish, but don't love the time it takes, so I used Sandra Lee's recipe that I make my own...its YUMMY!! and EASY! So I made a big pot, rented some movies & fluffed up my couch pillows...what more could I ask for? Oh yeah, that pain pill I needed, but hey other than that, I'm making the best of this situation. I am still getting tired after little effort, don't want to do much of anything, and have residual pain. Last night while changing my 4 x4 gauze I think I accidentally pulled a little of the packing, and before I knew it, it was like a horror movie! Blood everywhere! I went through 3 4x4's before it got it to stop! The insanity of it all!! Can't wait till 1:30 tomorrow to get an update of all this...Its funny how we take our health and everyday wellbeing for granted. I have always been super healthy (even though I was overweight but this weakness and no energy thing has gotta go, I feel so frail! grrrrrrr.....stay tuned, hopefully tomorrow will be better! :thumbup:

I'm only a month out here, but I'm a 'pro' dieter like I guess most of us are. I think its important to say everyone is different, and its moderation that's important. I mean we have no choice as to amount of food we eat, but for me at least, I eat what I like. I've never been successful when I didn't eat what tasted good. If I eat a 1/4 cup of this dish and feel satisfied then great. I think sometimes we get caught up in this "oh you can't have that, its got carbs, or fat or whatever" I like the eggface lady's philosophy..she makes food that tastes good of course just eats very little of it. I have no plans to give up the foods I love. Full fat dairy products oh my! A few bites won't hurt me, it will give me the satisfaction I need to move on. OK sorry if that was a rant...really didn't mean it to be!! Love this open forum where we can share our random thoughts!

This recipe sounds delicious! Will try soon, its similar to my tuna casserole recipe. High in protien too! Yum!

Marci- My mom and sis both had gastric bypass, and that is the reason I didn't get it. I actually had the lap band first (for 3 years) and after the battle with that, and a regain of over 30 pounds, I had it removed and the sleeve done. Haven't regretted a minute since. I've lost 31 pounds in 35 days...I know you will be successful if you put your mind to it! Feel free to private message me if you have any other questions! I'm only a little over a month out, but will answer any questions you might have! Good Luck and keep us posted!

I had the band also and it was the same. I never drink while I'm eating, and its just a habit now. I will drink up until I begin eating, but after that, I seldom take a sip (did this with the band for 3 years and now with the sleeve) Not really all that hard when you know your stomach will be full quickly, I wanna eat to feel full, not drink :thumbup:

talk to your doc about this, he might want you to take a stool softner.

I had one for 4 days, my doc (and I think they all do) stitches it in place with a small stitch. Did not hurt at all, and a lot of blood drained in those 4 days, It has to have some place to go, hence the drain. Removal didn't hurt.

I've been coming along since my 'drainage incident' lol. I still have the packing which will be changed on Monday. In the meantime, the common cold has made a home in my nasal passages. Oh, its just lovely. I'm on these mega antibiotics, but of course the viral cold just laughs at this. (sigh) So aside from hacking and sniffling, I'm beginning to feel better. On a high note, got on the scale this a.m. and I'm at 204...kewl..31 pounds in 35 days, not too shabby. I'm seriously needing to get back on track with my protien & vitamin schedules. It's been hit & miss through all this. I'm praying for a new attitude with this new year. Slight changes, that will add up to a new me. Can't wait to see where I am at this time next year! YaY Me!!

sami: I had the lap band for 3 years. I had to go 3 hours to have fills, and in the end, it wouldn't fill or empty, they thought it was erroded into my stomach. (not to mention the 30 plus pounds I gained back out of the 60 I lost) I did a lot of research, I wanted something that was maintenance free...I found it! I have only had it a month, but I can tell you, compared to the band...no sliming, no pb'ing, no walking around to 'wait' for the food to go through...you just eat a little and THAT'S it. I WISH I WOULD HAVE DONE THIS FROM THE VERY BEGINNING (would have saved thousands, lol self-pay) but more than that, I think those of us who are revisions already have our tricks for eating. I know I pay more attention to how I eat, slowly, chewing everything to a pulp. This was just common for me, and it has helped me alot having the sleeve. Feel free to Private Message me if you have any questions! Hope this helped a little!

carolyn24seven: I'm very happy with my sleeve. It has not given me an ounce of trouble. (although I did overeat once, and it taught me a painful lesson. Lesson Learned!!) As for today, I'm feeling good, changing the bandages 2 x's a day, taking my antibiotic, sip sip sipping on fluids, taking an occasional pain pill (love ya pain pills, lol) getting stronger everyday. I missed my weigh in last Friday since I was in the ER, and haven't cared about getting on the scale, but tomorrow I'm going to get on it and see if I've lost anymore since 2 weeks ago...hopefully I lost something, I can't see how I didn't! Thanks to everyone for your onoging support and comments!!