steveelea

Chez, Bee is right about the endone......my doc didn't want to write me up a script for it so when the head nurse went down to the chemist to get my other scripts filled he rang my room and said, is it ok with you if I get a dr to write up a script for endone for when you get home and of course i said "Hell Yeah" haha I didn't even need it much and it was just for night time when I was the most uncomfortable but it sure is wise to ask for it....why should we feel any discomfort at all and endone is a wonder drug I tell you!! Bee I waited about 6 weeks I think before I had my first drink....maybe a bit less than that?? I know I was almost 8 weeks post op at Easter and we went away camping and boating and I drank every night I have had to change what I drink as I said I can't drink bubbles yet so no scotch and coke or Champers BUT i am starting to love vodka and cranberry or oj so thats ok but just not my favorite drink. Mind you I think your tastes change a lot. As for food I can eat almost anything...except I have trouble when I eat things that are gassy foods like colslaw or cabbage/onions too because I get bad gas pains in my upper stomach under my ribs and it goes to my shoulder. I assume that will settle with healing as I swell so easily, I even get stiches in my upper tummy if I have done a lot of driving or wear firm pants around my stomach....it just feels like a stitch from running too much?? I am a sweller though and it was the same with each op just different places depending on where they operated. The other food I try to avoid is fresh bread.....becasue it fills me up too fast and I can't fit anything else in. They told me after a year I will be able to eat a small entre' size (like the size of the lapband plate not sure if they showed you that or if you have one) so I assume I will be able to eat like half a sandwich then?? Anyway it's no big deal I just have toast or crackers and thats my carbs.....or even a mini wrap they are yum too and the wrap bread is ok if I only have half a mini wrap haha My weight has stayed the same for about a week but my clothes feel bigger so I think it's just shifting around?? One thing that I have noticed is that the more often I eat the more weight I lose, but if I eat hardly anything because I forget to eat when I am busy or just not hungry, I don't lose weight. I am starting to think that eating more often works for me and hardly eating at all makes my body think that I have gone into starvation and switches to that mode so it stores everything.....not too sure but it sort of makes sense seeing as we can hardly eat anything now???? Glad your lovin your sleeve......me too. Its one of the best decisions I have ever made!!!!! So much better than the lapbad as I am not restriced to certain foods....I can eat what I want and it doesn't get stuck!! That's an amazing feeling I am still trying to get used to....FREEDOM

Bee its so good to get the staples out isn't it....It all feels so much better after that I remember that feeling ) And you weightloss is fantastic!! Well done, it's falling off you! Hey Chez I am not back at the surgeons for another 4 weeks yet so I will find out then. I think I would be ok to do very light weights and walking but anything more I will just wait I don't want to stuff anything up. Even though I feel great, I can still feel that things are healing inside and maybe I am being paranoid, but after having 5 operations with the lapband, I want to be extra cautious with this one and make sure everything is perfect before I push myself. 3 weeks not long now.....enjoy this last week of eating full meals A friend of mine has just told me that she wants to get the sleeve done and she is booking in for June for the op with Chris Hensman (same as you Bee) She has told me she is going to her favorite places to eat what she wants before it's done. I never did that but I don't really miss it anyway. Went out for dinner on Saturday night with family and friends and then to watch my dad and brother play (they are in a band) and it was the first time I have gone out to dinner since having the sleeve. I just ordered Soup caus it looked so good and I managed 5 spoon fulls. Then I had a little bit of hubbys pork ribs and a a couple of chips and it tasted amazing. I said oh I am cheap to feed now hey....and he turned to our friends and said "Yeah but she makes up for it with her drinks" Haha guess thats a bonus that I get more money to spend on my drinks.....but I miss my scotch and coke because the bubble still bloat me and make me feel uncomfortable, so I have to drink like vodka and cranberry or oj, or wine. Tell you what wine hits me hard when you don't have a lot in your stomach its feels a little like drinking on an empty stomach......guess I'm a cheap drunk now too haha

Hey Bee UNBELIEVABLE!!!!! Your amount of walking astounds me....Way to go, but just remember don't over do things will you. You obviously feel fine with the walking?? You Go Girl!! As for the puree, how long ago did you start it?? After I was tolerating things like pureed fruits and vege's, I went on to pureed meals like spag bol and thicker Soups. I was told as long as they had no lumps it was all good and as you progress you can make it a little thicker.....just can't remember exactly when in the second week of puree I did that. I made a spag bol with a bechamel sauce, pureed it and poured the bechamel sauce over the top and that was yum. Once I was tolerating things like that I had tuna and avo but made the tuna mushy with mayo (the nurse at lap surgery game me that idea) and she also said runny poached eggs but no scrambled as that can be too lumpy. Also another fantastic idea was to cook up a crumbed fish fillet and then peel off the crumbs and eat the inside of the fish, maybe mash it with mayo or tartar sauce or even just a milky mash potato or pumpkin. (again from the nurse at lap surgery) From memory all of this was in the second week of puree I think.....what week are you on?? I know how you feel you long to just have something tasty but something that I found was that my tastebuds were wrecked for some time. I have been addicted to coffee for about 10 years now and after surgery I just couldn't tolerate the smell let alone drink it. I became severely lactose intolerant and couldn't have milk or cheese without feeling very sick. Apparently this is normal and will pass, and it did. I even had trouble with avocado's as they are high in fat and they too made me feel sick but again, all is good now. I am better with it all now and one day about 5/6 weeks post op i smelled my husband making a coffee and said.....wow that smells fantastic I would love one, and since then I am back to my morning coffee and maybe an afternoon one but not often. Oh how I missed my coffee haha. Are you finding things any different?? Have your tastes changed?? If you are wanting to try something different and you are not too sure about it, you could always call the nurses and ask (I did that several times and they are always great) or call or email Alexandria... When do you have your post op check??

Hey Chez I was the same about the crying bit.....its a massive decision but you will wonder what the fuss was about soon after your done believe me....also made a list and the Sleeve won!! The only worry I have now is weather or not I am eating too much as I still get hungry before my period....like i get the constant munchies...BUT...compared to what I used to be like when I really look at it it's nothing and the rest of the time I am not fussed about food. Keeping busy for me is the biggest thing that keeps my mind off of food.....it's not a physical hunger it's a mental one and when I am busy I forget to eat (which isn't good either) but it proves that its head hunger from boredom. I really need to go back to work....I have been home with the kids for so long (I have a 20yr old boy, 17 almost 18 year old girl and a 3 yr old boy) and after my lap band I was like as soon as I get healthy I am going back to work.....that was 4 years ago and it never happened. I need to keep busy and its so hard starting back in the workforce at 40 when you haven't worked for so long.....anyway enough about me. Wow Queen BeeBee "4km".....WHAT THE???????? Well Done!!!! How come you have been crappy what's up??

Thats a great idea Chez to catch up with mates and enjoy yourself and surround your life with positive things.....I did all of that and I was the same as you....teary and I also worried all the time, but there was a turning point after I spoke to my surgeon and I was like....LETS DO THIS!!!! In a few months time you will look back and wonder what all the worry and tears were for. I was tired of being tired too....I fully understand!!!! Just think how fantastic this summer will be I can't wait to go through a Summer where the heat wont make me melt and not cope and I can get out and enjoy life. My aim is to be in the double figures by mid Spring.......hope I can do it. ((in kg that is not pounds)) Just waiting on the all clear to go to the gym. Hopefully I will get that on my 4 month post check up. I know I can walk etc now but I want to get back into the heavy stuff to help it come off more I need to learn patience haha xox

Hey Chez.....Oh I can understand how you feel I just wanted it all over with, and done so I could start my new life. It will come around fast believe me!! A few weeks out I was feeling good.....I was told that it was a harder operation than the lap band to have done and to recover from, but i found it easier to cope with and recover from than the band. Even now I just have to remind myself that I have had major surgery and to take things easier than I used to but really, as long as you listen to your body and take it easy and DO NOT LIFT....you will be fine. I felt like I could do more, but did what I was told and its worth it for sure!! Just relax and recover and you will do fine....let others wait on you for a change and take advantage of the recovery time because it will be over before you know it and life will be back to it's busy self. Most people are back to work after 2 to 3 weeks out....thats the normal time frame but NO Heavy Lifting for some time...just remember that!! I am so excited for you......whats the date again?? You should make yourself a ticker to count down till surgery

So so happy for you Queen BeeBee...see told you how well you'd do You are up and about so fast well done!! Haha it's so funny 30ml woohoo LOL It really is great to get that in isn't it....you go girl!!!!

Just to let you know I am starting a support group. The info can be found here http://www.bariatricpal.com/topic/306037-australia-melbourne/ There is little support in Melbourne and I just thought it would be great to chat and get together with people that have had the sleeve or weight loss surgery and support each other... Leanne

Hey u 2 how are you both going......Bee as long as you have done what they told you with the pre op your liver will be teeny tiny HAHA....how can it not be...I was worried about that with the lapband op and Ray said to me "don't you worry about that it will be fine"....just love that man he is soooo reassuring ) especially for a nervous wreck like me! OK Bee food that I was having (if you can call it that) was just my Protein drink and juices/cordials. Also I ate frosty fruit icy poles to help get my fluids in....also gatorade is good too if you like it (I don't but they recommend that to help with hydration) You will find you can only have the tiniest amounts it will freak you out but don't stress.....it gets easier believe me! Chez I am going ok now.....want to get to the gym but they told me no not yet as its major surgery and I felt fine but they said take it easy till all is healed properly. I find I am getting stitches in my stomach sometimes when I have overdone it and just twinges now and then and I know I inflame easily from all past surgeries but they did say that I will still feel it this long after....no pain relief is needed so don't worry it's not still painful, but I think that its my body telling me to slow down and I need to listen. Bee I want to wish you all the best for tomorrow......it's the start of a new life for you and you will do so well!!!! I am so excited for you. Just deep breath and think of all of the positives and remember you are in the very best hands.....they will look after you and have the best team to get the best results. This is the best thing for my weight that I have ever done. I know that I got all emotional and had my times over the first month where I thought was this the best thing as it's scary being only able to have fairy sips of everything then teeny baby spoons of everything, but it gets better so don't freak out.......Take care of yourself and keep us posted won't you (of course when you feel up to it which wont be long at all) Can't wait to hear how well you went....You will ROCK THIS!!!!! XOX

Hey Queen BeeBee....I just took in loose fitting things which I needed. You don't want anything tight around your stomach thats for sure and a loose top is great for when you are trying to move around with the tube still in. I also took a tight fitting tank top/singlet thingy caus I couldnt wear a bra and I hate that so I wore that under my top to give me some sort of support and it helped with the tube too to sort of support it if that makes sense.... I took my iphone too needed that for sure haha The hardest part for me was pre op for sure.....the fear of the operation and the diet etc Afterwards I was lucky I had hubby home for 2 weeks and I didn't have to do anything which was great!! Have you got your fluids prepaired for after surgery?? Like the Protein drinks etc??

Oh and when you are recovering its important to keep your fluids up. Just remember to take tiny sips often

Sorry for the late reply guys I have been away over the long Easter break Hey Chez.....I drove after about 3 weeks I think maybe even 4 but I could do it fairly easily at that stage. I have a 17 year old daughter on her L's so she drove me to my appointments but of course I felt fine to drive I was just taking it easy whilst I had help. I would say 2 weeks to make sure but your surgeon will tell you for sure. I have to say now still if I am driving for long periods I get a pain in my tummy up the right side. I think that its the breaking etc in traffic as you are using the right leg to drive and it just pulls a bit. 8 weeks down and I feel like I can do most things but I wanted to start at the gym and they said no just wait as it has been major surgery and not to rush things. Queen BeeBee never too many questions!! I was just the same ) OK the tube out of the stomach looks gross but its not painfull at all. They leave a drainage tube in for 3 to 4 days to keep an eye on the output of the discharge (blood and fluids) You just have to carry it with you like a little handbag haha I was sweating bricks about it coming out but hey.....that was easy. It did feel weird as you could feel it coming out but it wasn't painfull just a funny feeling.....mind you I said I wanted pain relief and they gave me 2 endones about 1/2 an hour before they took it out and that would have helped so make sure you ask for them before they take it out and if they say no you dont need them, you need to insist and ask them to come back in half an hour after you have taken them. The pre admission nurse told me to do that and the nurses were fine with it. I have zero pain tolerance and I was fine so you will be fine too!! I was soooo scared before I went in and I told the anithasist that I was really scared and he gave me a pre med.....wow it was bloody fantastic and I remember nothing after that haha!!! Hope I didn't embarress myself self LOL as the last thing I remember was the nurses asking me if I thought it was working and just being all warm and fuzzy and saying that it was great and then nothing after that! So tell them talk to them and ask them as they are there to help and believe me those anithasists are usually great! What time r u going in?? Where are u on his list?? You can ask the hospital or you can ring lap surgery and ask them and they will tell you. I went in at 11am and knew that there was a couple of big cases that were complicated before me (they do bowl surgery and everything so I am assuming it was something big like that) and I was taken off about 3 to 4pm so that was what I had expected as I was 3rd on the list. Yes I had the sox and these great fantastic massage wraps around my legs (had them each surgery and hubby is always jelly and wants them for himself for home ) they are like air being pumped around your legs and so relaxing. I think I left my stockings on for about 3 to 4 weeks and they say till your back to being active again and not sitting for long periods. They never bother me and especially when the weather is cooler. I am loving my sleeve yes......still trying to get used to the small amounts I am able to eat.......its the head hunger thing thats the hardest as I still want to keep eating but I cant!! Pathetic I know right?? Oh and pain managment was great......endone etc they work well and I asked for my panadol through my drip as its more effective and easier to take that way as tablets are suddenly massive when you have a tiny stomach. If they wont do it through the drip or when they stop the drip I asked them to crush my tablets and just mixed them with Water to take as I found it easier. Have I forgotten anything?? Just ask

Hey QueenBeeBee and Chez.....so glad someone started posting again I had no luck here just before I went for my sleeve and was freiking out big time so I feel your fear..... Let me give you a bit of info and I will try to keep it short for you Lapbanded November 09 by Ray McHenry Lap Surgery Australia Starting weight was 150kg Port replaced 3 further times... Band worked just OK for about a year and then not so well Got down to 103kg with loads of hard work and feeling hungry all the time so once I stopped strictly dieting I put most of my weight back on Band Removed by Ray on 27th November 2013 Sleeved 27th Feb 2014 by My McHenry again and Chris Hensman was assisting starting weight was 140kg (just before I started pre op diet from HELL!!!!!!) It has been almost 8 weeks and I am down to 122kg so have lost 18kg so far. Info on the operation itself: Was done at Knox Hospital (my preference as I have had great experiences there) Was done late arvo Thursday and got my stomach tube out on the Sunday and home Sunday as well. Pain compared to band....so much easier but not gonna lie it was still a big op, but one that I felt like I was coping with the pain etc and I am a sooky lala when it comes to pain...believe me!!!! I have 3 Children and I was so scared that I was going to die......Ray put everything into perspective for me. He said he would be more concerned if I didnt get the operation than the risk of getting it. Yes its a major operation but they do them all the time....its what they specialise in. It is just like going in for any other surgery....yes there are risks BUT.....you are with surgeons that are skilled at what they do and do it well....have a wonderful success rate and look after every patient extremely well and have great back up. Just ask Chris and tell him you are scared. My mum came with me to my pre op appt as hubby was working and Ray held her hand and said....dont worry we will look after her and she will be fine!!!! I felt so good after chatting with him about my concerns and the fact that he understood but assured me was what I needed. I am loving having the sleeve although sometimes I just wish I could dive into a big fat burger or souvlaki haha But hey thats what got me into this problem in the first place If you guys have ANY questions please just ask....I know how it feels to have no one to ask and talk to about it. Im here for you and you guys will blitz this!! Leanne xox

Its just a drainage tube from the stomach its not bad or no big deal.....sounds worse than it is

Hi guys. Sleeved the other day on the 27th Feb and feeling pretty good so far. Finding it hard to drink enough but that should come easier when the swelling goes down. Hope to get my stomach tube out today and home tomorrow. Recovery feels a little easier to the band I think

Thats an awful thought haha. Love the description!! Classic

That sounds easy enough pharmdo8 I hope my surgeon does something that easy too!!!!

Hi All,,,,,,,After waiting almost 3 months after getting my band out I am heading in to be sleeved on the 27th of Feb. I am now starting to freak out a bit....how is everyone else doing??

gypsygirl I am not worried about losing the weight and I have never been skinny either, but, I did lose almost 50kg (half of what i needed to lose) with the lapband before it stopped working, and I can tell you the feeling is amazing. Even though I still had almost 50kg still to go till my goal weight my life was so much easier and so much better. I have put a lot of that back on now unfortunately Jlperalta I feel your nervousness. I am off for my pre visit tomorrow morning with my surgeon so I will be asking loads of questions.

Thanks Jencovi for your feedback I am so pleased you are going well....You are right I guess we know a bit of what to expect having had the band previously.

I am getting sleeved on the 27th feb also sarahgirrl....I am going for my pre op visit with the surgeon on thursday this week so I will ask him what he does....I am so nervous about surgery. I had a failed lap band and have decided to have the sleeve but am so scared of complications

I was banded in November 2009 and had it removed in November 2013 Due to be sleeved by Ray on the 27th of Feb and am on the pre diet now......how is everyone going and what can I expect pain wise after surgery compared to the band??

How is everyone going?? I had my lapband in November 2009 and had it taken out November 2013 I had to wait 3 months and am going in on the 27th Feb to get sleeved. Am so scared and nervous.... Would love to know how the surgery went for those already had it. BTW the pre diet sucks!!!! I forgot how bad it actually was

jlperalta, you are lucky to have someone doing this with you thats fantastic support....are you nervous too??

You are so lucky to have a neighbor to go through this with....my mum is doing the pre diet with me which is helping her as she has diabeties.........I want to stay positive but sometimes I get scared and think the worst. I have heard of a few people having life long problems from the sleeve and am scared about that but I am also scared to stay at the heavy weight that I am so I need to try to stay positive!