Elisabethsew

I guess we all have to learn that our eyes really are bigger than our bellies. I had a quiet 4th and have learned to just stop eating when I feel full. Taking that one more bite makes me too uncomfortable. When I'm with others who are eating, I find sipping crystal lite lemonaide satisfies me and keeps me away from all the food.

My band had 8.6 cc in it and I did a pre-op diet for a week before having a revision to the VSG as my BMI was > 40. The band was taken out at the same time the VSG was done.

Congratulations! You're on your way!

The ability to drink depends on the amount of swelling you have. Some people can drink with no problem. I had a lot of swelling and had some difficulty but was doing better by 6-7 days post-op. The best way to know if you're drinking enough is to look at the color of your unine... you want to see a light amber color. If it's dark, drink more. The first day or so you only take small sips but then gradually take more as long as you're able to. Since the suture line is healing, chugging or rapidly drinking is discouraged for a few weeks. Keep sipping water all day and you'll do fine.

Your new life is just a few hours away. I'll say a prayer for you and look forward to your next post. You're in great hands so no worry.

I hope that helps!

Obesity is such a complex disease and I doubt that miracle pill will be developed in my time. I second your "bummer".

Welcome! Congratulations on the successful weight loss. We love having experienced sleevers here.

Read the stories that others have posted and post whatever questions you have. Happy 4th and welcome!

Very interesting article. Can you post it in the research section as well?

Don't bother checking in here... we're not going anywhere. Time with your son is precious so enjoy!

I agree with WasA. Leaks can cause infection and the first thing that happens with infection is your heart rate (pulse) goes up. You can buy a wrist B/P machine that gives you a reading of your B/P and HR. Nausea can be another symptom as well as lethargy, weakness, and fever. You can have one or two symptoms and be fine but a group of symptoms at the same time is a cause for concern. The best way to prevent complications is to follow the post-op diet and instructions. Ask your MD for alternatives to Protonix such as Aciphex, Tagamet, Pepcid, and Zantac. Some of these you can buy over the counter but if you buy it this way, you need to double the dose to have it equal Rx strength.

Read the sticky that WasA posted on researching mexican surgeons. I'm sure others will offer their experiences with the surgeons they chose. Thank you for posting and welcome to the board.

You could also ask for another prep such as half-litely.

I like when I have to weigh on the traditional MD scale and can move the big weight. When I lost the first 100 pounds and hit 340, my brother sent me a dozen roses. LOL. My desire now is to get that big weight off the 250 and on the 200 and that will happen very soon since I'm a few pounds from it.

I look forward to riding a bike but that can't happen until after the knees are replace (1st week in Sept). I only have 90 degree bend in the left knee and less than that in the right knee so there is no way I can get the pedals to move now.

Dr. Aceves requires a pre-op diet for anyone with a BMI of > 40. You can have unlimited protein, low fat, and 30 grams of protein a day. This diet is required to be followed for one week prior to surgery. The night before surgery, you are permitted to eat ANYTHING you desire.

There sure is. Here's a tip for coffee. Take 1/4 packet of SF hot chocolate and add it to the hot coffee. I so missed the pre-op taste of coffee but now the taste and smell and coffee is back... almost to normal. Ahhhhhhhh.

I'm sure the dermatologist will Rx something. You can try ice packs to reduce the pain and itch and also take over the counter benadryl to help the histamine reaction.

I experienced taste changes but the worst was smell. I love coffee and the smell of it made me sick. Thankfully, this went back to normal but it lasted a little over 2 months.

Welcome and thank you for posting. You'll find a lot of support here.

Congratulations on getting a date and welcome!

Have a safe trip home and keep us updated.

I agree with WasA and would ask you to look at my signature. You'll see that I once weighed 20 pounds more than your top weight and that I had a band and never felt restriction. What I did develop was awful acid reflux that made sleeping in bed a rare treat. I did everything I could to make the band work for me and the band failed me. Exactly 3 months ago today, I revised to the VSG and don't regret a thing. I am down 29.6 pounds and FINALLY know what restriction is. I simply can't eat a lot. Here's an example from last night when I went out to eat with friends to celebrate a retirement. Prior to the VSG and WITH the band, I ate several pieces of bread/rolls with butter, an appetizer, the main course with all the potato and sides, and dessert. Last night, I had a 4" x 1" crust of bread with 1/2 tsp butter, no appetizer, no dessert, and could only eat 3/4 of the sea bass filet. I wanted to eat more but I began to feel uncomfortable and knew "one more bite" and I would regret it. WasA answered all your questions. I have not vomited since before surgery but I DO feel nauseaus if I eat past the "I'm full" stage. I consider the sleeve to be a band that works. With the sleeve, it's like having a straw (instead of a wide tube) that leads down to your pouch or reduced stomach. That straw fills up quickly so you feel full with a small amount of food. Do all the research you can but I advise everyone I know to go for the sleeve as opposed to the band or RNY. Every single person I know who had RNY gained the wieght back after a year and the surgeons where I work (I'm an RN) call it the golden year before the fat piles back on. Welcome and feel free to keep asking whatever you want to.

It's hard but you need to decide what is head hunger and what is actual hunger. The liquid phase is boring but it DOES end and you will transition to real foods soon. Is there anything you like to do that would keep your hands busy (I do counted cross stitch)? Maybe you could find a craft store and start a new hobby? When you see the pounds coming off, you'll be motivated to keep eating healthy.