pnw218

I have your email address if you want to edit and remove it. Ya never know who's out there lurking : )

I spent about 3 days immersed in reading info online, emailing coordinators and clinics for info, and reading about experiences on this website. At first, I was sure I was going to do the lapband, primarily because it was reversible. I think that would have been a huge mistake based on what I have read about complications and revisions. I happened to meet a gal thru work who had surgery in Mexico a year ago so was able to talk to her face to face. As you research, you will find that many clinics have several coordinators working for them. Think of it as a salesperson representing the service. As I found out while in Mexico for surgery, these coordinators are not all equal and I was very fortunate to have hired a good one. I don't think I am allowed to post her info but can send you a personal message. She is usually present for her clients' surgery and recovery. Others are not. I am usually very frugal but I told myself this wasn't the time to pick the cheapest option out there. I based my decision on the coordinator who communicated with me the quickest with the least amount of pressure. I also based my choice on airfare. It seemed a couple of clinics were receiving equally positive reviews and were similiarly priced, so I calculated airfare in as well. For me it was less expensive to fly to San Diego and go to Tijuana, and I have been to Tijuana so was familiar with the area. I was also able to book a Southwest flight which is a huge advantage. They are one of the few airlines who allow you to change or cancel your flights without penalty. The unused funds are available for another flight within one year or you can rebook immediately at the going rate but without a penalty. My concern was if I wanted or needed to extend my return flight home. I did change my flight, but flew home earlier in the day! I was very happy with my surgery experience in Tijuana and would go back for other procedures if necessary or elective.

at the 2 week mark . . . I have to say, it feels much longer than only 2 weeks ago : ) That initial loss of weight seems to have leveled off. I am usually down about .5 a day and I am happy with that. I have not added any serious walking yet, so that may encourage a little more losing. Our weather isn't great yet for being outside - good excuse, I know. lol We brought our treadmill to the office so I will probably start that next week. food wise, I am doing great as far as tolerating items. Still feeling weak, especially in the mornings when I wake up. My routine has been to immediately grab an Atkins shake or a Nutrilite Meal Replacement Shake. I used those before surgery and they are a comfort food for me. They are about 11 oz so I sip on them for a couple of hours and take my morning meds. lunch has usually been Soup or cooked veggies. dinner varies: canned beef stew, cottage cheese, mashed potatoes with cheese, hard boiled egg. I do sneak in bites of family food but am chewing it well and avoiding anything crunchy that can't be reduced to mush. It keeps me sane : ) Snacks are fruit cups, ritz pb bits 100 calorie bags, a couple bites of banana bread or yogurt. Overall doing well. Wish I would have pigged out on a few more favorites before surgery; I think the mental has been harder than the physical for me. Have been slowly telling people and have received positive feedback. Apparently my face is already showing the loss of weight. I know my wedding ring is getting quite loose. I am back in size 14 jeans and they are comfortable. My main reason for telling others is that I personally would feel guilty telling some friends that I did it with smaller portions and exercise only. I know how frustrated I was with myself that I couldn't lose on my own and I don't want others who are struggling to think I am any better than them. Happy that I did it. Still fine tuning but it is a "successful" work in progress!

In just over 2 months???? WOW! That is an amazing difference! Congrats!!!

Hi Sarah : ) Thanks for the text chat yesterday ~ was great to talk to you! I am tired also altho my days aren't as long and hard as yours. I am also dealing with recently diagnosed sleep apnea and am hoping to be on a CPAP machine soon. Bkind said that she had a Vit B shot and feels lots better. I got some Vit B Complex yesterday and am hoping it helps with energy a bit. I couldn't go home for a nap yesterday so just shut my office door, turned off the light and napped for an hour or so. Do you get a long enough lunch hour that you could take a 20 minute power nap? Hope you feel better soon!

I agree! I would never have expected to have surgery out of the country. My insurance wouldn't cover sleeve surgery, and based on what I read here and a local gal I met who went to Mexico, I did it! I did go to Dr. Alamanza. His staff was great! The clinic isn't big and fancy but it was clean and efficient, and that's what counts. The recovery house was great too. If you want more info about that experience, let me know. Good luck with your decision!

It wasn't so much not feeling full - I did feel full after the liquids but I was weak. I needed something heavier. I do eat very slow - especially if I am trying something new. I was very scared to try eggs after so many people talked about not being able to keep them down. My stomach gurgled but it stayed down just fine. I agree that every doctor is going to have a different opinion. And that is one reason I was asking. I wondered if there were any items that truly would be a risk. I don't want to push my luck too far. However, everyone is different. I have had 8 surgeries prior to this one and have never had a long recovery time. I also have not taken pain meds after the first couple of days. I read someone had morphine after their sleeve surgery and it really surprised me. It certainly wasn't something I needed. But I also delivered three 9+lb babies without any pain meds so everyone also has a different pain threshold. I thought seeds were bad so was surprised to see strawberries on one diet list. I also thought I had read no milk yet it seems to be included on several lists. I have had a sensitive stomach for several years and it got worse when my gall bladder was removed so was already taking omeprazole (generic prilosec). I can't imagine having chili settle so had to laugh when it was the first thing a couple of people ate at a restaurant! That would have done me in! Anna - the gas-x strips are great! It helped with the gas and also served as a "treat" for the first day with no liquids or ice. LOL

I figured I was gonna get a lecture or two! : ) Would I love to eat regular food now? Yep! But I also wasn't getting enuf on the liquids only. I felt weak during the day. Even with Protein powder in everything. I feel so much better with soft foods. I can understand not eating anything that is going to get lodged. What about the seeds in strawberry yogurt? Should I avoid that also? I will spend more time with soft stuff. I do like the Cornell diet the most so will stick with that format. I guess I have to remember that the inside is still healing even tho the rest of me feels normal. Thanks for your input!

I wasn't as worried as I was disappointed in myself. I was very teary as I said goodbye to my favorite foods the week or two prior to surgery, and the day of surgery. The doctor kindly added a little valium to my IV and I was able to relax before surgery. I hate to admit failure and to me, that's what I was doing. Why couldn't I gather the strength to lose the weight? I am mostly over that now, probably because I am so happy to be losing weight. Someday I will be able to have short visits with most of my favorite foods. Hang in there! Thin is going to feel so good!!!!

I remember that feeling!! I was so excited to get with the program! I am now two weeks post-op and feel like my old self, for the most part. My husband says that I am always smiling. OK. Maybe not when I have to smell the nummy apple struedel muffins and grab sf Jello instead .... : ) My roommate, bkind, and I found soft classic rock to be very relaxing. We left the tv on that channel for probably 24 hours. It provided some background noise as well as a good distraction. Eat all of your favorites now. I wish I could go back and have a few things I missed! lol

Thanks mini! I figured the roast beef was pushing it. I did chew it alot and had less than 1/2 ounce. The meat in the canned beef stew is definitely softer so I will probably stick with that when I have a craving for beef. I had a few bites of chicken breast too. Forgot about that. I am thinking about some white fish next. I will stay away from anything too rough (like nuts) for now and raw vegies. thanks again!

I was bored to death on clear fluids and moved to full fluids as soon as I got home. I really needed more substance to feel better. At one week, I was eating potato Soup, mashed potatoes, yogurt and cottage cheese. At about 10 days I added canned beef stew. I have also had one hard boiled egg, mushed like I was going to make egg salad. Sometimes my tummy gurgles alot when I add something new. I have had a couple of bites of roast this week and even a very little bit of potato salad yesterday. Overall, I feel very good. I am missing food terribly, especially when the family is having something I love. However I am loving the scale even more. I am just a little ahead of the Cornell guidelines but very ahead of the more typical liquid diet. Is there anything wrong with moving forward on foods? Is there anything in particular that could hurt my stomach - meaning the seam or insides? Not just an upset reaction to the food itself? thanks!

My tummy isn't noisy but is certainly gurgling at times! So far it is when I have introduced a new food. The burping is most annoying to me : ) I was at my first business lunch yesterday. Fortunately it was all close co-workers and they know about the surgery. I kept a napkin handy to cover the burps but I was afraid they might be worried that I was going to be sick! LOL

Stay positive! You will feel better soon! Try to relax, I know it is easier said than done but being super tense is going to make it worse. Rotate with ice packs and heat where is hurts. 20 minutes, then take a break. I had an anxiety attack the 2nd night after surgery. I had to lay down, breath slowly and talk myself out of it. And you are not the only one! Many of us girls swear that after giving birth, we would never do it again! For two days after my first child, I wondered how I would tell my husband no more kids. You will forget the pain when you see your success. And I ended up having two more children!! : ) I hope this stage passes quickly for you!

Congrats on your surgery date! You made me both laugh and tear up reading your post! It is amazing how much the same we all are! I also used to think I was "fat" at 125/130 pounds. Now I have had surgery to get there again! Just wanted to mention a few things to maybe help your frame of mind before surgery. I also dislike coming out of anesthesia. I have had about 8 surgeries and often wake up in tears. This time? Wasn't teary at all. I remember very little of being in recovery, do remember walking back to my room from recovery tho. I was a bit nauseous and had pain in my lungs - likely from the tube and being inflated. The clinic I was at didn't do narcotic drugs (that I am aware of, LOL) we mainly received toradol, an NSAID med. I had surgery on Thursday and quit taking the med on Sunday. I didn't have any more pain. I did use an ice pack tho on my chest the first day or two. I was up and around very quickly altho was careful not to overdue it. I really think if you go into surgery with a positive attitude, you will recover quickly. When you get home, take a shower and put on real clothes. Even that will make you feel better : ) I almost did the lapband! I am so thankful that I found this site and switched to the sleeve. It has been emotional for sure; I miss food very much. However, the scale is now my "friend". I actually look forward to standing on it every few days. I have also had very good luck moving thru clears to full and now mushies. I feel very fortunate. Good luck to you!!

Congrats! Sounds like you are off to a great start! My mistake was not getting enough Protein soon enough and feeling weak, and then taking some back meds that made me sick for a day. Other than that, I am eating almost anything I want - mushed or chewed very well. I had canned beef stew and it was like prime rib! LOL I also did first class for the flight home. It was a bummer for my first time there cause I missed out on the free drinks and food, but the extra large and comfy seats were so worth it. I decided it the was right time to splurge. Enjoy your new tummy! I am loving mine!

Wow! It just continues to amaze me everytime I read about someone losing 100 pounds in 6 months or so. You should be very proud! You are an inspiration!

Congrats on your decision Tracy! I was also considering the lapband. I knew I didn't want the other surgery and didn't really know about the sleeve! Was so thankful to find this board and realize what a poor decision I was about to make. I am only a week out but other than minor discomfort, I am doing great and couldn't be happier. The weight this first week is just falling off. I know it will slow down, but that's ok too! Slow and steady will be just fine! You are just south of me! I will wave the next time I got to Portland to visit my sister : )

8 days later . . . OMG! The discomfort I felt in my stomach the past two days was certainly lifted this morning when I stepped on the scale - I was down another 2 pounds!! Can this really be true? It is too easy! I am wearing a pair of pants today that I bought for work last July. They were snug but such comfy material, I bought them anyways. Actually, I bought two pair! I just knew I would get on track, lose some weight, and wear these all winter. Didn't happen. This morning, while going thru clothes in my closet, I ran into these. They fit wonderfully, in fact, maybe a little too loose in the waist - which is actually good for being a week post-surg. It sure made the yucky feelings from yesterday disappear quickly. I will tell my co-workers during our sales meeting this morning and will tell my oldest daughter when I meet her for "lunch". I am nervous but excited and so glad to have success to report. To anyone considering this surgery - go for it!! It is truly amazing!

Hi Native Texan : ) There seems to be a few post-op choices. I agree, trying to figure out how much Protein I am getting each day makes my head hurt. lol I opted for the Cornell diet. You can find it at http://www.cornellweightlosssurgery.org/pdf/dietary_guidelines_sleeve_gastrectomy.pdf I think the main thing is to take it slow and see what works for you. I have had a bump today but think it was meds I took and not my choice of food - which had been fine the previous day or two. I hear people talking about eating chili and loving it - and I couldn't eat much chili before my surgery, so it doesn't sound good to me at all! : )

Congrats Gary! The numbers are all relative : ) the fact that they are going down is awesome! I figure it could take me six months to lose 50 pounds but so long as the number keeps getting smaller, I will be happy with my decision. Have to say tho, 47 pounds??? WOW!! You must feel amazing!

I took a Tramadol 100mg extended release and a 500 methocarbamol. That was the first pain med I had taken since Sunday am before my flight home. Now I'm not sure if it was that or something else but I stopped drinking at 645pm and still have not gotten down more than an oz of mashed potatoes. Highly annoying.

24 hours late but still a HUGE CONGRATS!!!

Congrats on getting your date! I had a very short pre-op time after deciding on and scheduling my surgery date. And ate everything in the world during those few short weeks! I am so glad I didn't have a longer time cause I prolly would have gained a bunch of weight! LOL A couple of things I was also glad I brought with: a small lightweight blankie, similar to the airline type, some airlines don't have them onboard any longer; I also used it as a "security/comfort" blanket to wrap up in after the surgery a heating pad! threw it in as an afterthought. Saw it on someone else's list and figured I had room. Mostly just another security/comfort item, altho I did have some issues regulating my body temp so it was nice when I was freezing. I traveled alone and was just fine. My carry on was very light and wheeled. I bribed some guy in front of me to put it in the storage bin on the flight. I did meet up with a couple of girls from this board tho - we all had surgery the same day. One was my roommate and the support was wonderful. Truly, do not overpack, especially clothes. I have been able to work about 3 hours each day before getting very tired, one day I worked almost 6 hours. I do sit at a desk mostly and being self employed, can come and go as I need to. At home, I spend alot of time in the recliner. My husband has been waiting on me when he is here but I could have easily been alone as well. If there are children in the house, much different story. My youngest is 15. For me, if someone is here, I feel like I have to talk to them and can't rest as much as I would like. I have been following the Cornell Sleeve Surgery guidelines more than the more talked about liquid plans. I really needed the substance. http://www.cornellweightlosssurgery.org/pdf/dietary_guidelines_sleeve_gastrectomy.pdf Good Luck! This site is a great place to prepare for your surgery! Everyone has been wonderful in answering questions.

Today is one week for me. And I can relate to you Loser, after an initial upset stomach the night of surgery and anxiety the next night, I was just sailed thru the next few days. I was getting enough Protein to keep the weakness away also. Then last night it hit. I must have taken my potato Soup too fast cause I had that first yucky throat feeling and was sure I was going to vomit. I walked, put an ice pack on the back of my neck and stomach, and just waited it out. I was miserable most of the evening. Was strange cause I had stopped sipping 15 mins before and had eaten less than 2 oz in a 3o minute time period. I had potato soup the day before and it was fine. Today - I am on the verge of a back attack. I have four bulging disks that flare up. I finally gave in and took a pain med early today and a muscle relaxer this afternoon. I have been sick to my stomach all day. I did have some warm peach tea a couple of hours ago and that seemed to help alot. Now I am trying some mashed potatoes and am taking it very very slow! I would love a big glass of ice cold Water. Sometimes I am so thirsty it drives me nuts. An ice cube that stays longer in the mouth seems to help. No more back meds for me tho unless it is absolutely necessary.