Finally!

Three times in the last 2 months, I've ended up with HORRIBLY PAINFUL stomach pains that last for hours - that I'm almost 100% sure are the result of trapped air. The other two times, I drank and ate too close together. Last night, I think it was because I had a chug of juice and then a slice of apple about 5 minutes later. I was on the ground with horrific pains all night. I tried all the usual gas remedies - and I could feel air in my gut area that was incredibly tender to push on - but nothing worked to relieve it. Walking made me burp a lot so I'm pretty sure it was trapped air. I tried gas-x but it did nothing. I think it was NOT the result of poor digestion - but literally air somehow moving through my system. Finally at 5 am, it settled down and I could rest. There was no bad-smelling gas or anything. I'm over a year out from my surgery, at goal weight (135, down from 212), and haven't had many other problems. I'm just wondering if I should be worried about this or if I just REALLY need to watch my Fluid intake timing against my food intake. Please post if you have any ideas about what this might be. THANKS!

Driver - who was your doctor?

Sleeved by Aceves, July 09. AMAZING. LOVE LOVE LOVE him and the whole staff. My brother and best friend have both gone to him and love him as well. HIGHLY recommend. Mine was $8750, too. (On special for that month.) ps - I'm a happy patient - not a paid flunky. :blushing:

How was Dr. Marquez? Do you know how many sleeves she's done? I'm trying to help my mom find someone in Austin for her sleeve surgery. I had mine done by Aceves in Mexico but Mom has insurance that might cover hers stateside. Any help would be much appreciated!

Awww! I remember your DH from Mexicali. What a sweet guy! CONGRATULATIONS JENN!!! All those days of yucky liquids and gagging on eggs is WORTH IT FOR A SIZE 8!! I'm in a 10 but anxious to try an 8. None of my clothes fit at all. I'm down to wearing loose gym shorts. (And freezing, even if it's San Diego.)

Would absolutely do it again. My first two months were hell - but I'd never want to go back to that kind of hopelessness and constant trying of the past. Happy I had it done, and have sent my brother & my best friend to Dr. Aceves. I'm down 50 pounds and can focus on something besides my weight!

New whey bullets are pretty good - as someone said. They have 42 grams of Protein in 3 ozs. Forget the way they taste and just drink the measly three ozs. You'll feel better. Also in the beginning, I would add 2 scoops of Protein powder to my shakes. It didn't really change the taste and it would give me about 40 grams in one drink. (Just be SURE to get protein in ALL day and not just in the morning.) Here's another trick that I use to make myself feel better in the mornings - I take a few sips of chocolate or vanilla Muscle Milk before I go to bed. Then I don't wake up shaky. And I DEFINITELY sympathize with trying to get protein and liquids in. It's not easy.

Hey Jeff- Loved reading your story. Congrats on everything you're doing. Tell your mom I think she's amazing for submitting your story - a supportive family is so important. Give her an extra hug for all of us. Keep us all posted. Are you taking a laptop with you? I think it would be amazing if you would start a blog or something to document your progress and the emotional journey you're on. You could give hope to a lot of people and you'd probably receive a lot of love & support back from people you share your story with. Best, ID

Jenn, hey sleeve sister! I was just about the write to you and tell you to try chicken salad and then I saw this! I've been having hit or miss days. I've been eating wheat crackers (entertainers go down easily) with sliced turkey - it goes down well, gives me a crunch, some Protein - and not too many calories to really worry about it. The other thing that I find helps me enormously is better whey of life yogurt. If I can start my day with a good hit of protein, I'm much better later in the day. I've tried other things for Breakfast and they just don't work for me. (Believe me, I KEEP trying bacon and it just makes me feel gross.) My weight loss is sporadic at this point but seems to be going down. I'm not tracking it too closely - just knowing that I'm not eating enough calories to NOT lose weight. Otherwise still trying to get enough Water in. Not great with that. I do find more often than not that after I eat just about anything I'm just uncomfortable and really really antsy (kinda vagus nervy feeling) - even if I'm not overeating. I'd be curious to hear what MacMadame thinks about it.

I've heard two things: 1) It fills up your stomach and you need the room for nutrition. 2) It washes the food through, making you eat more. Okay, which is it??

Penny, I'm on mushies - just one more day until solid food - and I'll say this: the hardest days were the earliest. After a while, the food just didn't seem appealing. In the beginning of the clears, EVERYTHING smelled sooo good. But then I adjusted and really didn't care about the food. You've been through a surgery and emotions are bound to come up. Just remember - less than 30 days and you'll be back on normal food. You can do anything for 30 days. xo

I've heard about the foamies - but what is that exactly??

Thanks, MacMadame. You always have good advice. How was it for you when you made the transition off mushies? Any tips? I know there are a few of us about to make that shift in the next week.

That's so funny that you should write that - I just found a can of cream of chicken soup in my pantry and thought "well, i could try this tonight." and then i read your post! cream of chicken...it's what's for dinner. i go to "normal" food in a few days. i can't imagine being able to get anything down. anyone out there willing to lend your experience on the transition time from mushies to normal food??

I went alone and honestly wish I had someone with me. I'm by no means a wimp (I work in war zones and travel alone to the far corners of the earth with no problem) but it helps so much just to have someone you know to simply encourage you to take a drink or walk down the hall. When Dr. Aceves put his hand on my arm, I almost cried because I realized I was just craving someone to comfort me after the surgery. It's not hugely painful or anything but it is a fairly major surgery to take a big part of your stomach out - and I think your body and mind knows that. If you can take a girlfriend or a sister or someone else close (if your husband is staying with your little one) - I would recommend it. Other people zipped down there alone, had the surgery, went home and started back to work immediately. It's been a longer road for me. Still wouldn't change it - I'm VERY grateful I had it.