LapGyrl

I was initially looking into DS but feel that RNY may be a safer procedure for me. Sort of kicking myself for not going with it in the first place. I think my sleeve did right by me but I failed it. I lost 60 lbs now the first 2 years then an additional 20 about 5 years out. I think I fell victim to the "I'm good now so I can eat what I want" syndrome. I am now up 50lbs and need help getting back down. I'm in the research phase and haven't made any decisions just yet. Good luck with your surgeries, looking forward to hearing your experience!

No I didn't get it done because my BMI wasn't high enough. I am now around 230 smh. That's a 30lb gain since I started this thread last year. I may qualify now but I haven't looked into it any further but I will update here if I do!

@@Wolfgirl78 Congrats on being so close to goal! Would you mind sharing what you eat in a typical day and if you exercise? You can message me if you want. Thanks!

@@Mooseknuckle Yes, when I was just a year post-op, the weight did just fall off, slowly but surely. When your are as far out as I am, not so much lol. Like I said, when I did a drastic clean eating diet, I lost about 15lb over 2months but I wasn't able to stick to it. I do it clean most of the time which is why I haven't gained an insane amount of weight but will admit to liking my snacks! Hummus and triscuits are my thing right now. I didn't see the post that offended you but hopefully we can continue to encourage each other on this journey to being healthy.

@@SiSSi829 Did you mean to post a link to the video? I don't see anything. It's probably the one from the Apollo company that is posted on Youtube. Let me know what you found. Thanks!

@@LadyK44 Thanks for the encouragement! I also spoke to the bariatric center about a doctor supervised diet so I will discuss that at the appointment as well. I'm just a little frustrated because I've been working out, got a trainer, modified my diet, but haven't seen any real results. I think I am fairly fit as I completed a 5K the other week so I'm not sure how I can get these last 40lbs off. I'm always open for advice!

@@Wolfgirl78 I actually have 40lbs I would like to lose. I was maintaining in the 180s (low 190s on a bad day) for a few years and now I'm averaging 200. I'm seeing a slow increase instead of loss so I want to take action before I gain even more weight. Although I'm considered a success because I lost 80lbs, I never reached my goal so that's what I'm hoping to achieve. I had not heard of this procedure either. I had to youtube and google it but found some good information. The surgeon goes down the esophagus to the stomach to make it more narrow with stitches. I like that there are no incisions and is considered a safer procedure than laproscopy. Some patients can be discharge the same day. Look up Apollo Overstitch to see the video of the sleeve revision. There are several different techniques for the different types of weight loss surgeries.

@@Jesm1029 Yes unfortunately I did start eating carbs and sugar again. About a year ago I started clean eating (which cuts out a lot of carbs and sugar) and I lost 15lbs. I wasn't able to stick to it strictly but I believe changing my diet is why I haven't gained back a ton of weight. I use splenda as a lower calorie option.

@@chele367 When I was newly post op as you are, I followed the instructions of my doctor and nutritionist. As the years passed, I was not so strict. At about 3 or 4 years post op I stopped waiting the appropriate time to drink before and after meals. I now drink with meals as I did pre op. I mainly eat chicken and seafood. I always keep Protein powder in pantry but do not drink one daily. Those are some of the main changes. I can eat more now than I could newly post op but not nearly as much as before surgery. I feel that my pouch has stretched in that aspect but with a little more restriction, I may be able to get a handle on portion control again. Hope I answered all your questions! Good luck and congrats on your success thus far. Hang in there. Weight loss may be slow but it adds up. Trust me lol.

Hi all! I haven't been on in forever. I was sleeved on 7/28/10 so I'm almost 6 years out. I have lost a total of 95lbs and just within the past year gained back 15-20. Lowest weight was 180 and now fluctuate in the high 190s. I have an appt in two weeks to discuss the Overstitch procedure. I had never heard of it until I requested a referral to a bariatric center to discuss a revision to my sleeve. I'm not finding a lot of information so I'm reaching out to see if anyone has this procedure and what their experience has been. I have about 40 more lbs to lose to reach a healthy weight. I absolutely love my sleeve and have had no complications. Feel free to ask any questions or leave feedback about the Overstitch procedure. Thanks!!

Hey Everyone! It's been a while since I've posted here. Glad to see everyone is doing well for the most part. I have been a slow loser but I am losing so I can't complain! I actually gained weight this week for the first time. 1.6 lbs I think. That kicked my butt into gear and I joined a gym. I am already 4lbs down since Wednesday so inactivity was definitely my problem. I've lost about 22 lbs since surg which was a little over 7 weeks ago. I just wanted to check in with you all. Hopefully school will take it easy on me so that I can find more time for VST! Probably not though lol. Take care!

Wishing you the best

Wow, I told myself I would be his first leak too lol. And I wasn't! It's only natural to think the worse but try to focus on all the benefits you will reap. Be sure to take the ativan so you won't freak out tomorrow night. I wish you the best :-)

I'm sorry you are having such a tough time post-op . I really hope you get better and have a great journey with the sleeve.

When I was pre-op I only told 3 close friends and the family I work with because I wouldn't be able to lift my client for a few weeks. Since I've had surgery I've told a few more people. I'm not keeping it a secret but I also don't feel the need to post it on Facebook either! If it comes up in conversation I'm fine with telling how I lost the weight. I haven't lost a lot so not many people have said anything yet.

Glad I found this thread. I have only gone once since I left the hospital 10 days ago. I didn't even realize I haven't been going until yesterday when I started feeling uncomfortable. I will be getting some Miralax first thing tomorrow morning!

I also had trouble urinating. It was so weird because I knew I had to go but couldn't. The nurse gave me something in my IV and I went instantly. I was just a few hours post op and little loopy so I didn't think to ask what it was. I usually always ask what the med is before I accept it.

I saw this on your site and I can't wait to try it! There was another recipe I saw that I thought was good but can't remember what it is. I'm just now going to full liquids so I have some time before I can try it. Thanks!

Hey Donna! I will be sure to check out your site as I am a newbie, 5 days post-op. Thanks so much.

I'M HOME!!!!!! It felt so good to sleep in my own bed last night (and on my belly woohoo!) Traveling yesterday was long but I upgraded to first class so I was more comfortable. I was mad I couldn't eat the short ribs, chicken chowder, cheesecake, steak and pasta they served. I just sipped my tea and was glad that I at least wasn't hunger because that would have been torture. I must admit I was going to get a bowl of soup and just sip the liquid but when I saw the other passengers bowl I knew it was too thick and didn't want to get sick on a plane. I took a pain pill last night when I got home at midnight and a friend stayed over so I wouldn't spend my first night alone. I hope I won't need anymore of those. I am feeling great today. I had to by antibacterial soap (Dial) to wash with because the wound where the drain was is open and I had to get gauze to change the dressing. I already had skin tape. I have to take the dressing off before my shower and put a new one on after drying off. Well, I guess this is my last entry to this thread. I can now post my weekly updates in the Post-Op forum! :-) Thank you all for being there for me. Any questions please let me know and I will answer them privately or on here, which ever you prefer!

Hey all! I didn't mean to freak anyone out about the anesthesia part. If the Versed had worked for me I wouldn't have remembered any of it. Now that I'm on the other side, it wasn't that bad. The person I am here with doesn't even remember being wheeled from her room to the OR so that goes to show that everyone's experience is different! Well yesterday evening I started getting some bad gas pain. My IV was hurting and I just overall wasn't feeling well. My temp was slightly elevated as well. I must admit I was having a bit of "what did I just do to myself" anxiety. I was given supradol which is a pain med and one more IV med to bring down my temp. Then they took my IV out since it was irritating me. Dr. Aceves and Dr. Campos came to see me last night and saw that I wasn't feeling to well. They assured me this was normal for the day after surgery and that I would feel better today. Guess what? They were right. I slept well last night and this morning I woke with a burst of energy and absolutely no pain. I am a little sore where the drain is but that is coming out after they do the last leak test in a little bit. I am sipping on water and walking around a lot. The only thing is my room is so cold. I keep asking for blankets and for the them to turn down the AC. It's really hot here so I guess they want to make sure I'm comfortable. I just took a walk outside and that felt good. My voice is still hoarse. I love the staff but I can't wait to go home tomorrow! :-)

1 Day Post-Op Today Dr. Aceves came to see me about 630am and gave me some water. Yesterday wasn't so bad with not drinking because I got to rinse out my mouth frequently and the IV kept me hydrated. About 30mins ago a nurse bought me 4medicine cups of dark liquid (looks and tastes a bit like unsweetened grapejuice). I got just a little nauseaus after the first cup. Nothing came up but my mouth got real watery so I just spit that out. Starting on the second cup now. This is the second leak test. I have a drain and I keep checking it to see if any blue/purple stuff comes out! Nothing so far. I still haven't needed any pain meds but I did feel a little gas moving around. I think this drain is allowing it to escape as well. All is good today. :-)

Well I'm post op!!! I am feeling just fine. Sleepy of course but no pain. I have a million thoughts running through my head so bear with me! I don't remember what time they came to get me but 20min before that, they gave me Versed with 2 tablespoons of water (in the little medicine cup and i savored every drop lol). So they wheel me back and start my IV. They asked had the Versed started working and it really hadn't. Now let me sidetrack. I had posted that I didn't want the spinal but after talking to Dr. Garcia I opted in. He told me that there would not be a catheter. Just a one time shot to my spine of Morphine. He also said I would already be asleep when he did this. So this morning another Dr. came in and said he would be working with Garcia with my spinal. He said he liked to do it while the pt is awake and that I wouldn't feel/remember it. Wrong! I felt it and obviously I remember it. I know that I kept flinching and he was telling me not to move but is was a reflex. I could't help it. But he finally got it in. Then they ace wrapped my legs and gave me something that really burned going into my IV put the mask on and at first I told them I couldn't breathe but I could feel my self drifting already from the IV med (scary because I didn't know if they heard me). They quickly took the mask off hit a button, replaced it and I didn't even have to countdown because I was already waking up asking if everything was ok (in a very raspy voice). It was just that quick. Everyone assured me I was ok and just to breathe normally. I couldn't move my legs at first. I could wiggle my toes but I was like they were asleep. The nurse in me was breaking my neck to see the monitor to look at my stats. I could see that my BP was low (I think it was 88/64) and my oxygen kept fluctuating so that made me take deep breaths. I keep looking and everytime it got down to 92, I was on it. They took vitals every 15 mins and kept asking me to bend my knees. About 30 min later I was able to bend my right knee and 15 after that the left decided to cooperate. They then returned me to my room and I scooted over to my bed. BP was high after this 173 over something and temp was a little low. I relaxed, did some breathing exercises and next time they checked BP and temp was normal. Within the hour I had to use the bathroom but couldn't go. They gave me some med in my IV that stung just a bit and a few minutes later I had my personal Niagra Falls going on lol! Since I was up I took the opportunity to use the Colgate wisps. Felt good to have something in that dry desert called my mouth. At that point Dr. Aceves came to check on my and said everything went well during surgery. No surprises. Laid back down for a little bit then nurse got me up for first official walk down the hall. Came back took a swig of water to rinse my mouth. I REALLY wanted to swallow it but of course I couldn't! The rest of the day I have been watching t.v., doing breathing exercises and took one more walk. I meet Patti's husband and he took me to her room and we chatted for a bit. Great person. We shared our experience and I was able to ask some questions as well. I then went to check on my buddy that rode here with me but she had just gotten back so I didn't stay. She was doing ok with her band to sleeve revision. I think I've captured my entire day in a nutshell (sort of lol). I must mention that this entire time I haven't had any pain. Tomorrow I may experience some because the spinal will have worn off but I'm praying for the best! PS. I so excited my phone is within range and I don't need to pay roaming charges!

Yes I am sleeved and resting comfortably! I went for 2 walks so far and chatted with some people. I hope to catch everyone in the chat room tomorrow. I'll have to remember there is a 3 hr time difference. Take care.

Thank you so much everyone. I appreciate your well wishes. I look to you all as support because I haven't told anyone I'm having it done here. A few friends know where I am but not my family...yet. Will tell them when I get back and they can see that I'm doing just fine. I am here in the hospital room waiting for them to take me back. Nerves get crazy about every 10mins or so but for the most part I am okay. I had a minor freakout last night but I took an Ativan and was able to calm down and sleep. My next post should be post op in a few hours but I'll keep it in this thread.