TexasT

I wasn't hungry for the first couple of weeks after surgery, then it hit me. I'm on an acid reducer, but still get very hungry. I keep a dense (30gram) protein bar at my desk all day and eat a few bites of it in-between meals. I was totally not expecting this, so I'm a bit disappointed.

I also measured before my sleeve surgery in January (I had a band for almost 4 yrs - I don't know my original measurements at my highest weight). I've lost 4.5" on my waist, 3" hips, 2.5" chest, .75" upper arm, 2" thigh. This was with a 25/lb weight loss.

I had to get a pre-op cardiac clearance, but was scheduled in just a couple of weeks after consult.

I had a full hysterectomy at age 41, which really messed up my hormones. Right now, I'm not on any estrogen, but am on a testosterone cream. I finally had a gyno (female at that), who listened to me when I complained about having NO sex drive at all. She gave me a prescription for testosterone cream that my local compounding pharmacy makes for me. You apply it right to the part of your body you're having problems with right now. It will wake the darn thing right up! Plus you'll feel even friskier than you do now. I was so happy with my results I brought flowers to the doc next time I saw her - and I've NEVER done anything like that before. She changed my life for the better - my husband is thrilled that I am now wanting it more than he does! Don't worry about what your doctor will say. If they don't listen go see someone else. I complained to several docs before I found this solution. Don't waste anymore time living like this when there's no reason for it. Sex now is better than ever - you don't have to deal with pregnancy issues or menstruation. I'm about ready for this last kid to get outta the house so we can have it all to ourselves :thumbup1:. I'm looking forward to MANY more years of great sex with my hubby - thanks to the testosterone!

When I was at my highest weight, I had the band and lost quite a bit quickly. Then I was at a 3-yr stall. Now with the sleeve I am almost to goal, though the weight loss is much slower. As for Peanut Butter, I'm also allowed to eat it for Protein, but was advised to use the lower sugar or all natural versions. I don't really like the taste of those, so I just choose to have a bite or two of the regular stuff occasionally. It's not really something I prefer to eat when I need protein. I'd rather have dense protein that will be more filling in my sleeve.

I was diagnosed with severe sleep apnea after a sleep study before WLS and used a C-Pap machine nightly. After losing weight my sleep apnea is completely gone. I don't know any hard and fast facts about it, but I know it worked for me!

I've also read several articles that claim this type of thing is complete nonsense and a waste of money. They said our bodies can handle expelling anything we don't need quite well all without any extra "cleansing". I've had several colonoscopy's in my life and have the seen the photos of my colon made during them. I've never seen anything "stuck" to the walls. After the typical laxatives you take before these procedures, I don't see how anything could be left in there - ha! As someone familiar with holistic health care, I'm very skeptical about some of the claims certain procedures avow. Colon cleansing is not harmful, nor do I find it necessary to be in good health.

Ditto for me too - didn't have it and didn't need it. No gas pain at all.

Congrats on setting your surgery date and getting such a quick and painless approval!

Sam, over 30/lbs in a month is a fantastic start! Don't get discouraged. And don't weigh everyday. Those 1-2/lb variances will drive you crazy if you let them. It's much better to weigh once a week (or longer if you can do it). Then you'll be pleasantly surprised to see the scale move down, even just a little, than to be obsessing over it daily. I've been there, so I know what you're going through. Also remember that our bodies are biologically programmed to conserve fat when deprived of calories. Just keep up with your Protein and exercise and your body will eventually get the message that you won't let it starve to death and it will release those fat cells. Before you know it, you're going to have one of those weeks when you lose 5/lbs and you'll be shocked and excited. You sound like you're doing everything right, so just keep at it. It WILL get better!

It's so wonderful that you are able to do this while your kids are young. My youngest is getting ready to turn 18, so I was overweight his whole life. I huffed and puffed along at Disneyworld, Sea World, and Six Flags; covered up at beach vacations, and watched from a lawn chair during ball practice when I could have been up helping and getting in on the fun. I so wish this had been available 15-20 yrs ago for me. I'm just glad that I've been able to do it though and extend my life expectancy so I can be in great shape when grandkids come along (not any time soon, I hope - ha!). Congrats on your insurance approval and being able to explain it to your kids!

Congratulations on your amazing progress so far - you look great and are giving off a feeling of health and confidence in your photos. Keep up the good work!

I also had my surgeries (band and then revision to sleeve) done by a very experienced doc in the Dallas metroplex - self pay both times. I wish I hadn't wasted all that money on the band, but the sleeve wasn't available when I first started out. Just glad I was able to make the switch. Being a self-pay you should be able to book your date whenever there's an opening, or pick your date if done far enough in advance. Good luck!

I miss eating ice cream a LITTLE bit. I've tried a couple of bites twice since being sleeved and got absolutely nauseated. So no more for me. My husband's family are ice cream junkies (they are all naturally slim too, darn them!), and I begat two of them during childbirth - ha! So we have to have 3-4 kinds of ice cream in my house at all times. Luckily I've found some Protein bars that are like eating a rice crispy treat, so if I want a goodie I'll go grab one of those and feel no guilt. As for pizza, I had my first pizza this past weekend with no problems. I ate one small piece and was fine. It's an ultra thin crust though. I've given up bread because it just expands in my tummy so much and makes me uncomfortable, plus it's just plain carbs which I don't need. I also miss the fat I used to have in my booty - mine is completely flat now! My tailbone starts hurting after sitting awhile. But that comes with the territory and I'll just have to exercise more to firm it back up.

What you feel is absolutely normal. Even after having the band for almost 4 yrs, not to mention several other abdominal surgeries, I almost backed out of my surgery a few days before. You're going through a huge life change and you have every right to be scared. But if you have faith in your surgeon's abilities (and you do because you chose him), you will be fine. Just think about how wonderful being in control of making your body into the healthy specimen God meant it to be will feel! Once that weight starts falling off you won't have any regrets and you'll be so stoked to get on with your life and living it to the fullest. Just focus on the wonderful future you have in front of you, and those fears will melt away. Good luck - I know you'll do great!

Belle, you are so lucky that your insurance will cover this procedure. So many will only cover the band or bypass - and as a former bandster I can attest the band can be a horrible thing. I also had several co-morbidities (depression, sleep apnea, sky-high tryglicerides and cholesteral, joint pain) which I am happy to report are ALL gone now. Having this surgery will most likely save your life, which I'm sure your husband would agree is a GOOD thing! :biggrin2: Best of luck to you in your research and insurance approval!

I was never told to avoid tea - and thank goodnesss, because I'm a tea-aholic!! My favorite is Constant Comment, which I drink hot first thing in the morning with my Vitamins, etc. Regular tea at lunch time is the norm for me, but I've been trying to stick with Water after that. I also keep a bottle of water on the bedside table and drink from it if I wake up at night. I've only had a few bites of Pasta since surgery. I preferred to eat the meat I had fixed with it instead. I tried a small bite of a roll at dinner the other night and felt like I'd eaten a rock. So I'm just going to stay away from bread - as others have said these are just empty calories for us. I'd much rather fill my sleeve with Protein or veggies.

I also found that I could tolerate warm liquids best during those first weeks - tea was my favorite. I also had some protein hot chocolate that I found online that was really tasty.

Ditto what Tiff said. I had a band for 3.5yrs and am so glad it is out of my body!!! My surgeon also said most band patients will have complications 3-5 years after having one. So why do something like that when you know you'll have problems later? Unfortunately, doctors don't always tell you this at their seminars. They know most insurance companies will pay for the band and not the sleeve, so they push the band. Trying to eat with one is nothing but hassles. I couldn't eat anything for Breakfast, a tiny bit for lunch, then sometimes a lot for dinner. food was always getting stuck, even with careful chewing and eating slowly. I could go on and on. I lost all my weight the first few months after surgery, then nothing the next 3 yrs. I was self-pay for both procedures. Basically I only needed to have a cardiac clearance and was good to go. No supervised diet, no psych consult, etc. Each surgeon has their own pre-op diet designed to help shrink your liver - I think mine was around a week the first time around.

Good luck with your insurance issues - I was self-pay as my insurance doesn't cover any of it, but I know it can be a hassle. You will love life without that horrible band in your body. You'll feel like a new person. I'm so glad I had gall bladder problems and went to talk to my surgeon. If I hadn't I never would have realized there was an option that could control my hunger and portion size, and allow me to eat pretty much anything I like. There were so many healthy things (like salads and fruit) that I couldn't get down with the band. Now I eat whatever I want without worrying about eating too much. It's easy living now!!!

I also wake up in the middle of night (still after 3 months post-op), but I keep a bottle of Water on the bedside table and take a few sips whenever I do. Not sure why, but I feel much better after I do this and slip right back asleep. Guess it's my body's way of saying I'm not drinking enough water. Like Tiffy, I also tried Ambien, but unfortunately after a week I had the suicidal thoughts (big time!), so immediately went off it. If you get to a point that insomnia becomes a problem, don't hesitate to talk to your doctor. Like someone else said, your body needs that sleep to heal completely. Don't let it go too long. Hopefully your body will adjust soon though and it will be but a distant memory...

Good luck on your upcoming lifestyle change! You'll be up walking and pushing that IV stand around the hallway before you know it!

These feelings of fear have affected most of us at one point or another. I had a lap band 4 yrs ago, then was revised to a sleeve in January. The week of my revision I almost backed out from fear as I was focused on the thought of cutting out most of my stomach and removing it from my body forever. :cursing: I've had plenty of surgeries before, so that wasn't a concern. Thankfully the idea of having the band removed was the big motivator for me. I really didn't like having all that plastic and tubing as a permanent part of my body. So I'm thrilled that I did it - and don't have any regrets. I'm sure you'll do great - just keep a positive attitude and know that you are saving your life. I started out around the same size as you are now at 5'3", and I'm getting close to my goal weight. You CAN do it girl!!!

My favorite is chips and salsa - the spicier the better. No problems here.

This is exactly what I had done in January. I went to discuss my gall bladder with my band surgeon (he's also a general surgeon), and he told me about the sleeve. Since I had not lost any more weight with the band for 3 yrs, and really hated having it in my body, and also hated the stuck food, etc. I decided to go ahead with the sleeve after doing more research. My insurance paid for the gall bladder removal, and my doc gave me a cash price for the sleeve/band removal. He also found a hiatal hernia during surgery and repaired it too. Not to mention removing tons of adhesions from all my other abdominal surgeries (2 c-sections, hysterectomy, and band). So, yes it can be done. I was thankful to only have one surgery to deal with instead of spreading it all out. And glad I was able have insurance help out.