thesuse2000

I had my band surgery with Dr. Ariel Ortiz. While the band didn't work out for me (it wasn't the fault of the surgeon) my experience there at the Obesity Control Center (OCC) was really great. Felt safe and cared for the whole time. And I did call them after I got home with a concern and got a call back within about a half hour from one of the surgeons - and he spent about 20 minutes on the phone with me talking about my concerns and offering helpful suggestions. I'd never get that level of attention from a US doctor!

The sleeve is a bigger surgery, and I would be nervous about doing that away from home. If possible, I would recommend that you have someone come with you - just to advocate for you as needed and help out after surgery. And help with luggage and stuff for the trip home.

It just started doing that to me this week too! I agree that it's a bummer. I liked seeing that 5-week projection - even if it may not have been accurate it was a nice way to reinforce that I'd had a good day. I wonder if that starts in after a certain period of logging low calories? I wish I could reset it... alas. we will indeed be even more wonderful and beautiful 5 weeks from now!

That is odd that they didn't give you detailed instructions. Just have to ask - did they give you detailed instructions for your post-op diet? Because that's the most important. Normally the pre-op diet is an overall low calorie diet that's very low carb/high Protein. 1000 cals a day or so. But some surgeons don't require it, and your start weight is an important factor in how important it is. I would follow up and ask for more info - daily calorie goals, and guidance for protein, carbs and fat. I wish you the best with your surgery!

Thanks! It's fun to feel like a bit of a success already! I really think the sleeve helps with the hunger/cravings so much better than the band did. For me anyway... it hasn't been too hard to stick to the rules.

You do have a lower BMI to start, so you may lose a little slower, but I'm sure you'll do great overall!

My sister and I got banded at the same time back in 2008. It was wonderful to be able to share the experience together, even though we live on opposite coasts, we would talk all the time. We had very different experiences which was surprising. I lost more at first, but then I developed complications and gained it all back. She lost about half her excess weight and has kept it off. We need to be mindful of competition, but for the most part we're happy for eachother's successes so we deal with it. Wishing you both the best!

Hi there - I lost about 20 pounds pre-op (most, 15, in the 2-week pre-op diet) and then lost 26 in the first two months after surgery. I had gained back all the weight I lost with the band - plus a few. So I guess I'm somewhat similar to a virgin sleever. My surgeon said she would use a slightly larger bougie for me - she planned for a 38, but said she would make the final decision based on level of scarring. I never found out exactly what size she used, but assume it was 38 since she said the scarring wasn't too bad.

At 3 months out I can eat more than other sleevers I think. No problem eating 2-4 oz Protein plus a half cup of veggies and maybe a little carb. But overall I'm satisfied with small healthy meals and have lost those crazy cravings. I'm still a little anxious about how things will change after the honeymoon period is over. But cautiously optimistic that I'll be able to maintain a healthier weight longterm.

Good for you for being honest with yourself and taking a closer look at your habits. That's the biggest step. You will figure it out from here and get yourself back on track. Thanks for sharing your experience.

I've been using Miralax to stay regular - about half the recommended dose almost every day. I skip about every third day. I've wondered how long I'll need this too, not sure. But it helps for now. Hopefully I can slowly wean off.

Interesting thread! I'll just add my two cents to say that all evidence suggests that marijuana has WAY less side effects than a lot of pharmaceuticals - especially vs the benzodiazapine class that are the usual alternative for anxiety. Longterm use of benzos can really take a toll. MJ is such a better option. Glad you got approval from your medical team!

Today: 208

Thanks!

I'm not sure if you have to, but I did - a few years ago. At the time I was having major issues with the band and was actually hoping to find something that would provide a rationale for the insurance company to cover a revision.

As above poster mentioned - it's really not bad. You sleep through it all. They did insist that I get a ride home afterwards. I think I took off the rest of the day just cause I was feeling a little woozy, but many people go right back to work.

Thank you Susan for taking over!

SW: 211

GW: 191

I was married to an abuser 4 hard years of my life. I understand this. He ridiculed me, sneered at the way I looked, Sometimes a few words like this bring it back. Emotional and verbal abuse is worse than physical, I was told. I am laughing now, but it took a long time of healing. I hope you have healed and are laughing now thesuse2000. God Bless.

Thank you Linda! I'm glad you got out of that relationship! I am mostly healed, but there will always be scars. But they are part of who I am today, and I like me, so that works

Love it! Yeah I got willy wonka too (does this mean I'm old?!)

It really is a life-changing opportunity we've gotten. I'm so grateful.

Although I wish I'd gotten some of that don't give a crap med! I was totally weepy as they wheeled me into the OR. But haven't shed a tear since! You'll do great. Congrats to you all and wishing you quick/smooth recoveries.

My mother's husband would refer to my sister and I as "the hippos" - ugh... just scratching the surface of the emotional abuse from him.

That's annoying that you have to sit there all day, rather than just relaxing at home or elsewhere... My surgery was at about 5pm and I thought that was late! Anyway - you will get through this day. Wishing you the best!

I haven't had a Protein drink since I was on liquids/purees. I just don't like drinking them - I prefer to eat real food, and my understanding is that that's the best way to go (so many chemicals in most of them). I just focus on Protein on every meal - mostly chicken and fish, so I don't have a problem hitting my protein goals without the drinks.

Many people have trouble getting in enough protein without them though... I'd say don't stock up more than you'll need for the first month or so, and then you can determine if you still need them once on solids.

I was away and missed the last couple weigh-ins, but final weight is 214.

Missed my goal by 3.... alas... thanks for managing this gomekast!

Happens to me too. The good news, for me anyway, is that once my period starts my hunger goes lower than usual. So I do eat a little more before, but a little less during, so it evens out.

Hi there - I participated in a 9 week mindful eating group just prior to my band to sleeve surgery. Mindful eating is just like it sounds, learning to be truly mindful of our experience while eating. This means slowing down (a lot), eliminating distractions like TV and paying close attention to each bite we eat - really thinking about the tastes and sensations, appreciating where that food came from and how it got to us, and observing how our hunger, satiety, and fullness changes with each bite.

Honestly it's not something I actively practice for the most part, but working on it for a few months really connected me with that feeling of satisfaction/satiety more than ever. I would recommend that you try a version of mindful eating. At least the part where you ask yourself after each bite how your hunger, satiety and fullness has changed. Satiety and fullness are not always on the same track. For me, usually I first notice that I'm no longer hungry - usually after just three bites. Then either satiety or fullness comes next. Usually I feel satisfied before full, but occasionally not. But if not, that means what I'm eating isn't really what my body wants. Sometimes I'll just change my mind and eat something else if what I'm eating doesn't seem to satisfying me.

Hope this helps some. It's really about slowing down and paying close attention to the whole experience of eating. I find it helps me enjoy food more and feel much more appreciation of all the foods available to me.

So glad to hear that things are slowly improving!

Thinking good thoughts for you!

Hi there - I'm an anxious sort myself and have many anxieties about the sleeve. I can tell you that it does get better the further I get from surgery though. I felt a huge relief after the stress of anticipating surgery, but the fear of failure has not gone away. But as I continue to lose it slowly gets better. I'm actually in a stall right now, and it's driving me a bit batty, but I'm hanging in.

Take care and keep posting about your particular anxieties. It should help

Good for you! That has been hard for me too, but I've also learned to throw things away. I like to think of it as - I'm not a garbage disposal. If I eat more than I need to and have that extra food get processed through my body - it's no less wasteful than if I threw it away. It just went through me first.

holy moly! You look so different! Would love to know what your numbers are if you're willing to share. Congrats!