pnw218

some people do drink sodas. I have had sips of both flat and fizzy pop. It really didn't taste good at first but it is getting better. supposedly the carbonation irrates your stomach .... and it might explode. Or something like that : ) I would save it for "later" when your tummy is more adjusted. And make sure you stick to the diet variety. You won't want all of those extra calories! : )

I always look forward to a medicated induced sleep : ) It is scary to be sedated but they will monitor you closely. I would be more afraid of waking up during the surgery! lol I have had 9 surgeries, 2 were lap procedures. The gall bladder removal was worse than the sleeve. The sleeve for me was not bad at all. My chest (and throat) hurt from being intubated and inflated during surgery. That lasted about 24 hours and went away. Some people have gas pain - I didn't really have any. I took a pain med before I flew home 3 days after surgery and never took another one. I went back to work on the next day and worked 4-6 hours every day that week. I did take naps : ) Some people will report being in the ICU for days with a morphine pump, but that wasn't my experience at all. Everyone reacts differently tho. I also have a high pain tolerance. Stay positive and you will do just fine. If you are really nervous before surgery, ask for valium (or something) to relax you. I had the valium in my IV and it was wonderful!

since I know you .... I can say "shame on you!". so suggestive. LOL yes, bananas are easy to digest early on but have too many carbs for me. one large 8" banana is 121 calories and 31 carbs. a cup of cantelope is 54 calories and 15 carbs. larger isn't always better :redface1:

I am so sorry to hear you are still in the hospital! I thought you would be on your way home about now - the last time we talked a week or two ago, you were gonna be outa "jail" soon. I hope you are getting excellent care "down under". That is one of two continents I still need to visit. If you need help breaking out of there, let me know! : ) Feel better!

awesome!! we should recommend the Sleve Surgery as Time Magazine's "Person of the Year". It was done in 2006 - the internet was recognized : ) Congrats Immore!! Those successes are just as important as the scale ones!

I am always hungry. LOL ok, not always but often. I already take omeprazole, one 20mg at night. There is a definite difference to really being hungry and needing to eat, and just desire. A few times I have gone 4-6 hours without eating or drinking much and I will be starving. That is the closest I get to pre-surgery hunger. I still don't understand how we can eat so much less and feel ok. But, it works so I'm not complaining. I will also drink more Water or sf ice tea if I don't think I am really due to eat.

For those who were actually familiar with the different WLS options, they supported the sleeve. I was originally considering the lapband, mainly because it was "reversible". Now I certainly have my doubts. The gal I knew locally who had the sleeve a year ago told me that the lapband was a waste of time. I am soooo glad I listened to her! It would have taken a couple hundred pounds for me to have the bypass. I never even considered it. I haven't seen many post that they have failed with the sleeve. Personally, I love it. Yes, I still miss food but love the sleeve and wouldn't change it at all. Make the decision that is right for you. And don't tell anyone else until afterwards. Who knows what your friends' motivation is. Many people just don't know about the sleeve. My primary dr didn't and I shared some materials with her describing the surgery and the post op diet. She has supported me 100% post-op and will be running labs at three months. Good Luck!

Achopp ~ even if you have to pay back the money yourself, it will be worth it. Had $12k been my only choice, I still would have done it. Seriously. It is only money and you can't take it with you. I know it is a tough economy and money is short for alot of people. We own a business very affected by the past two years AND I am a Broker/Realtor. We have downsized alot during this time. Mini ~ I am also having a hard time getting movitated to exercise. I do have PT twice a week, and it isn't much but it is making me stronger. I am starting to feel like running again, so that is good : ) I am currently up a pound since last Friday when I was so excited to finally lose a couple. However, the Levi's fit and I am celebrating that. I definitely agree with the "raise" the calories for a few days. Need to shake up the metabolism. Hang in there. I absolutely know that I could not have lost over 30 pounds in 2 months without this surgery.

Not real sure where it would be appropriate to post this message so figured the thread about me would be best. I never knew who Bret Michaels was .... before his reality show "Rock of Love". And then I didn't watch it until about half way thru one of the seasons when I caught my teenaged daughter watching it! I decided to supervise and watch it with her. She then got lecture after lecture about how NOT to act! LOL I also heard his name when my son was deployed in Kuwait. All I knew was that he was some dude from a rockband. My son was injured just one month after arriving in the sand box and spent about a week in the hospital. It wasn't serious but I was still a nervous wreck and really wanted to be with him. However, he didn't need a visit from mom - because he had Bret Michaels there! Bret had stopped to visit the soldiers who were recovering in the hospital. My son also had a photo taken with him. So, it really makes me sad that Bret is now in the hospital, very sick. I am sure there are plenty of people there with him. Just wish I could return the favor or let him know how much I appreciated the time he spent visiting the troops. After learning more about him, I do have alittle more respect for him than just a rocker with a dating reality show. Especially for his children's sake, I hope he recovers.

awesome girlie!! Your daddy is gonna be so proud of you when he gets home! :thumbup1:

Must haves: heating pad (my temperature fluctuated alot), a blankie (fav that I travel with), slippers with rubber soles, very comfy clothes (maybe a tank top under tshirts, bras aren't real comfy do to high incision), ear plugs (I always sleep with them) GasX: another must have!! I loved the cinnamon flavor. Started having them soon after surgery. For the first 24 hours when you can't have any ice chips or Water, they were a wonderful treat! And may have helped with the gas too! lol I have used a straw and haven't noticed any issues. If you are flying, splurge if possible for a first class seat coming home. The extra cushion and space is wonderful! Don't buy too much food ahead of time because your tastes may change alot after surgery. check out this food guideline. It is more liberal that others and worked great for me! http://www.cornellweightlosssurgery.org/pdf/dietary_guidelines_sleeve_gastrectomy.pdf Good Luck! You will be one happy sleever! :thumbup1:

Do you have a local doctor that you can talk to? Or a nutritionist? Could you be diabetic? Not sure if that would have any effect on the dieting? When my husband lost just 20 pounds, his diabetes became very managable. And the sleeve diet isn't so different than the diabetic one my dh does. Have you tried increasing your calories for a couple of days? And then going back to the normal program? Are you walking at all? My second month was very slow. Good Luck! I hope you are able to get some answers!

what an amazing story!! you are doing awesome!! congrats and keep up the great work : )

Awesome start!! Congrats!!

Good Luck to all of you having surgery tomorrow! While I was very nervous, I also had a permanent smile on my face : ) You will be so happy .... in a few days. lol I use the Atkins shakes but mostly the chocolate one. They are usually cheaper at Walmart but many grocery stores and other stores with food products carry them. Around here, they are about $5-6 for a 4 pack.

lotusflwr, I originally was planning to get the band, and then after reading more about it and talking to a lady locally who had the sleeve a year before, I changed to the sleeve. There just appeared to be too many complications and issues with the band. Everyone that I talked to who worked at the clinic, had the sleeve not the band. One of the coordinators had the band and is now revising to the sleeve. Do what is best for you ~ you are the one who lives with your choice, not us. I would highly suggest you check out the sleeve. It is an amazing tool and quite easy physically. good luck!

LOL Sign me up!

Congrats on your quick date Carla! It is so wonderful and exciting when the scale moves!! good luck with your surgery and hope you have an easy recovery!

Very good points Christie! And the exact reason why I got divorced the first time. He was supporting me financially but nothing emotionally. So even tho it meant going back to work and raising two little kids on my own, it was actually easier because I wasn't expecting any help from anyone except myself.

I spent my last week saying goodbye, or see ya later, to many of my favorite foods. I was so lucky not to have a pre-op diet. Great that your birthday was recent - and before you surgery! Glad you splurged and enjoyed that steak! My husband bbq'd steak tonite and it is taking me forever to eat a couple of ounces. My sister took me out for a fabulous seafood dinner two nights before my surgery - which was scheduled for my 49th bday! There will be plenty of time to eat perfectly soon. Enjoy your last few days without sabotaging your surgery : )

I didn't do much caffeine before surgery so was very cautious having any afterwards. I may have had tea with caffeine a couple of times since surgery but not often. My first coffee drink was just last Thursday. A mocha frappacino with whip cream. I couldn't drink all of it - probably a little less than half. It tasted good going down but didn't settle perfectly. Pretty similar to before surgery. I love the smell of coffee tho!

You are so not alone! On Sunday, my husband and I were running errands and he started going low blood sugar. He is diabetic. My little brain worked quickly and I told him to pull into Wendy's. A chicken sandwich was just what he needed. Oh, and by the way, get the full meal deal so I can have a few fries!! They were hot, crunchy and salty, just like I love them. I also had a couple of sips of his pop. Nummy! I only ate a few and it was enough to fulfill the craving. Hopefully that will take care of it for another couple of months!

According to medical world, allergies to titanium are very rare. The stents that are used in the heart are also titanium; so it seems they would be using a metal that is the least likely to cause any issues. And - just in case you ever need a stent, they cost $19,000 each!!!! My husband had one placed a couple of years ago.

Jackie, ditto to everything Frankie said!! I had never really thought about surgery until I hit rock bottom in mid January. I am so glad that I changed to the sleeve from the band! It is a great tool!

Tiaras ~ congrats on your weight loss! you are doing great! I was sleeved 10 days before you and you are kicking my butt! : ) Driver ~ sorry to hear it has been a difficult time for you! Your loss so far is awesome tho! Texjul ~ I have had a few days when I can't seem to get full. I would suggest drinking Water or something first before eating again tho. I am still in the 2 - 3oz range for food, depending on what it is. It does still take me forever to eat most things tho. Several people have mentioned using prilosec or similar product stating the hunger feeling could be acid in the tummy or something. I was taking the generic, omeprazole, for several years prior to surgery for a sensitive tummy and redness in the stomach. So can't really comment on that. I take one per day before bed.