pnw218

Sorry it took me so long to respond. I do appreciate the positive comments - Immore, still re-reading yours, not sure if I am reading too much into it or not! lol?? The past couple of days have been a little crazy, as expected I guess. Was hoping to have had the referral by today; will call the dr's office on Monday if we don't hear something in that morning. The center does offer family programs so we will participate in those as well. I spent last fall dealing with my uncle who is a severe alcoholic with a colostomy bag and other fun things. My cousins were so burned out and frustrated that they couldn't get him in anywhere. My brother and I stepped in for awhile. It took months - you can't force them to get help and he kept talking his way past doctors and counselors. He even passed an interview with another cousin, who is a nursing placement supervisor. She said that he answered all of her questions. Uh, yes he did but did you bother to check if the answers were actually correct?? They weren't. But it was too late, he had already been released. Finally, after being found by a policeman in a parking lot in below freezing weather at 3am (his truck had been stolen and he had been assaulted) he was close enough to death that a judge finally ordered treatment. He did 90 days, got out, is drinking again, in and out of the hospital. Fortunately, my husband's situation isn't that bad ... yet. I did take part of the day off today. Had lunch with a friend, went to the mall for nails, hair and shopping. Had bbq for dinner : ) It was all great therapy. Now just trying to keep the daughter and dad away from each other at home. Tired of the bickering over stupid stuff. Thank you for the private messages as well. Several shared their own personal stories and I really appreciate it. Nice to know I'm not alone.

Hey MP : ) I live about 5 minutes away from you. Would be glad to even meet you somewhere in person - your hubby can even peek at my incisions to show I had surgery! LOL There is another gal near me who had surgery a year ago. She is also very willing to share her experience. She also had her surgery in Mexico but at a different clinic than I did. I was so happy to have been able to talk to her in person and hear her story. She went from 280 to 145 in one year! From a size 22 to a 6/8. I only told my husband, sister and my youngest daughter who still lives at home, before the surgery. My 24 year old daughter still thinks I am crazy and hasn't commented on my weight loss a single time or asked me how I am doing. Most people I told after the surgery AND after I had started losing weight. Wanted to make sure it was working first! LOL Good luck with your research! There are a few places doing the surgery locally between Tacoma and Seattle.

It has been a long disheartening experience for you and your wife for sure. I hope she will continue to feel better all weekend and Monday will bring great news! Thoughts and prayers for you both.

Sounds frustrating! I don't feel too hungry unless I have waited a long time to eat. However, I do graze much of the day. I am the same as you - I can only eat a very small amount and then need to do it again. I also wonder why I even bother to heat up my food ... by the time I finish a couple of ounces it is cold again! lol I am averaging about 2 pounds a week and am totally fine with that. Better than it was before surgery! :redface1:

congrats!! every day will be better : ) and the smaller numbers on the scale makes it all worthwhile!

Nutella is amazing!! It was a staple with bread for Breakfast or Snacks when I was in Africa. I wanted to buy some the other day but it isn't post sleeve friendly : ( Maybe in the maintenance stage :redface1:

Congrats!! Interesting about the 4 inch incision? guess all drs are a little different : ) It will get better fast and you will be very happy! Enjoy your walks!

much better than a week later : ) hope it all goes great for you!

I said congrats on your other post : ) I am glad you found a doctor to do this for you. Sounds like 4oz might work great! Keep up the positive attitude! It only gets better!

yea!! that is great!! I think we all have a few "why did I do this" thoughts immediately afterwards! lol Glad you are doing well and are home! Hope your recovery continues smoothly!

The pancreas?? Probably about the worst thing they could have bumped! I have heard that is so incredibly painful!! I had an ERCP last August to correct ODDI dysfunction and they kept me over night just incase I got pancreatitis. I was fortunate that I did not. Hope they are able to help you feel better soon!

I graze all day. I just can not eat fast or it is definitely uncomfortable. So long as I am still losing, I am just not worried about it. It is hard not to compare yourself to others. I just cannot eat more than 2 ounces, and maybe 3 at the most, depending on what it is. I am only hungry if I go a long time between meals. I got busted at lunch today with a couple of girlfriends. You sure aren't eating very much! Fine. Here's the story ... lol

I totally think it is not fair if you get to skip the barium swallow : ( LOL I have been away for a couple of days so was wondering if you had surgery or not. Glad the surgeon didn't need to cancel! Sounds like you are doing great! Bummer that you don't like broth tho! How about warm tea?? That was really soothing as well. Hope your recovery goes smoothly!

if you have found a powdered Protein drink that you like, or at least tolerate, lol - you could take that on the plane and get either Water or milk from the flight attendents to mix it. I always bring my own travel cup. I also use Atkins bars - they are more filling than you might expect. good luck!

LOL posting fr my phone, waiting for a dr appt so have to keep it short : ) I have had 9 surgeries. Have always had short recoveries. Everyone is different tho. My experience is detailed at the thread Mexico or Bust. I was also on vacation 3 weeks after a hysterectomy and on a volleyball court 5 days before and 7 days after delivering my second child. Does depend on your job also. If it involves anything real physical, you will prob need more time : ) Good Luck!

I had a very easy, quick recovery and went back to work on the 4th day post op. I do have a mainly desk job and worked about 4-6 hours per day. Went home early for a nap if I needed one : )

very good point! and likely more frustration as anything since a sleever probably can't eat enough to even satisfy the munchies!

I can hardly believe how many doctors I have talked to, how many times I have asked for help and how many times I have been ignored. Finally, today, May 19th, 2010 - I got help .... my family got help. After going thru a divorce back in 1991, many of my thought processes changed. For many of you here, maybe now you will understand why I am the way I am. Why I play devil's advocate. Why I am always willing to accept that there are two sides to every story. Why I believe that stories change every time they are told, sometimes for the better and sometimes for the worse. After always being called a perfect couple, many friends and relatives couldn't believe we were getting divorced. Charlie Rich nailed it: No one knows what goes on behind closed doors. The divorce was mutual. It just wasn't working. We are still friends. Back to today. My husband of 17 years is finally being sent to rehab. I finally had someone say that it was him, not me. I never had an issue with weight, depression or stress until after we had been married for a couple of years. I think people are often on their best behavior and at some point, they can't keep up the act any longer. He always said that he didn't have a problem with alcohol; the only problem was my attitude when he was drinking. I could share many family gatherings, vacations, company events and just nights out at restuarants that ended poorly. Most of the time, he didn't even remember the details and never acknowledged any responsibility at all. I was always on pins and needles, never knowing how a night would go. I did not want a second divorce - I really dislike failure. However, I also did not want my children raised in that type of environment. He would be good for a long time, and then there would be several incidents. It was a constant circle. We separated in 2002 for a few months. Fast forward to August 2008. We took a cruise in Alaska with our youngest daughter and my ex's daughter (from his second marriage who is about the same age). At dinner one night, he had too much to drink, got mad about something, got up and left the table. When the girls and I returned to the cabin, he was gone. His dinner clothes were laying on the bed, the balcony door was unlocked. I was awake almost all night - he never came back. By morning, I didn't know if he had continued drinking, gone gambling, taken off with some woman or even jumped overboard. I finally had to go to security and report him missing before we came into port. Being interrogated in a small room by their officers was not fun. After about an hour, he was located on board. He had supposedly been reading and sleeping in an empty lounge all night. After being separated again for almost two years, we just got back together last fall. Again, he has been on his best behavior. Until recently. Over the past 2 months, the episodes began again. After two in the past three weeks, I had enough. He had asked me to go with him to the doctor this morning to help describe some sleep issues he was having (kinda like restless leg but his whole body shaking). When he reminded me about the appointment this morning, I told him that I would still go, but I was going to bring up the alcohol issue. He is also diabetic and I felt the dr should know. I have asked drs before about his drinking and diabetes, and he has always talked his way out of it, making me sound like a bitchy wife. For the first time, a doctor actually listened and asked him directly if he had a problem with alcohol. He didn't answer. She asked him again. He said that according to me, he did. I sat there quietly and held back the tears while she questioned him. Has he ever had a dui? yes. Has he recently driven drunk? yes. She straight out told him that she believed he does have a problem. I thought he was going to cry. He will be evaluated at a recovery center soon and they will recommend treatment. My youngest daughter and I will also go to their family classes. I don't know if the older two kids (24 & 22, from my first marriage) will participate; will cross that bridge later. He was very depressed after the appointment; I called our office and let them know we wouldn't be back. After a nap, he was in much better spirits and seems fine tonite. Maybe he knew he had an issue but didn't want to admit it? This way he can say that "we" made him go and he doesn't have to take responsibility yet? I dunno. Probably like most, he is a nice guy when he isn't drinking, spoils his daughter and me - within reason : ) I am so very thankful that I had this surgery when I did, and that I feel as good as I do. If not, this could have pushed me over the edge. I am going to remove his photos from my album for his privacy at this point. I likely won't be around too much over the next few weeks - I feel like my health is quite stable and my focus needs to be on him for awhile as well as my daughter. I am sure there are those out there who can offer me advice or encouragement - I thank you in advance for that. If you are in my position, don't give up. Eventually someone will listen. If you are the person being told by a friend or loved one that you might have an issue, drop the attitude and get an unbiased opinion. Maybe you do and maybe you don't. One way to find out. In the meantime, I am mentally and physically exhausted but very hopeful. And I thank God for our doctor. She is a young woman with an excellent persona. She is kind and considerate, but also says it like it is ... which is why I was so stinking scared to talk to her about my sleeve surgery! LOL She fully supported that as well. She is very proactive - not the take 2 aspirin and call me in the morning type. I do get an email notice if someone sends a private message, so I will respond. for now ... grazie and ciao! Janet

well, wine is supposed to help with digestion and beer is said to be good for lactating moms. I suppose moderation is the key! :wink1:

Do you think the sleeve allows for better nutrition than the band? Maybe, hopefully, that will make a difference. I have been trying to be good with the Vitamins. Have been doing prenatals thinking that would be even better than just a regular daily Vitamin. My primary is running labs for me in about 2 weeks. Guess I will find out a few answers then. I know my Iron is doing great - had it checked when I donated blood the other day. Crossing my fingers for sure!

Congrats on your surgery and weight loss so far! For us who are classified as lightweights, the rate of loss definitely is slower than those with more to lose. I have had a couple of very slow weeks, but have overall lost about 2 pounds per week. My primary dr is very happy with that and truly, I am too. My skin is keeping up with the weight loss and seems to be shrinking without any hanging issues. And awesome about your blood sugar! My other issues are sleep apnea, depression and bulging disks in my back. I am hoping (and already seeing) some improvements already! Good luck! Here is a link for the ticker I am using. If you need more help, let me know : ) Weight Loss - Diet Ticker

A 3 month update .... Don't really have anything new to add loss wise since I just updated so will just add my thoughts at this point : ) - I am happy with my weight loss so far; have lost 37 of 65 lbs, 57% of what I hoped to lose - I was concerned how this would affect my life. I am very busy and don't have time to feel poorly or have medical issues. The sleep apnea, back problems and depression were slowing me down so much. I am a Real Estate Broker/Branch Manager, own a construction related business with my husband (I do all admin/ofc mgmt/bkpg), run a club volleyball team and coach a rec team. I have one child still at home, a 15 yr old daughter. I am feeling so much better, it is amazing! Surgery wise - I have to remind myself that I had surgery. - Food: still drives me nuts! LOL I am trying to eat faster but not to the point of getting sick. food is more of a must do now than an event to be enjoyed. I dislike sitting down with 2 or 3 ounces of food and taking forever to eat it. I just want to eat, get it over with and do something more productive. On the other side, I am rarely hungry but do know when it is time to eat. I used www.sparkpeople.com to track my food - it was also available as an app on my droid phone. Once I had the game plan down, I quit tracking. I eat what I want for the most part, within the general guidelines. If I eat "bad" for a day or two, I might do shakes and be more strict for a day to get back on track. I have never had more than a 2 lb shift up. If I want a cookie, I eat it. I am certainly not overdoing it, but also not depriving myself. I have not had any issues with any foods as far as tolerating goes. There are tastes that changed either for or against - which still seems odd to me. - what do I miss? I miss happy hour at the local mexi restaurant once a week after work. I miss eating a plateful of favorite foods. I miss buffets - but don't miss the stomach ache afterwards! I miss SALAD!! I have had a little here and there on tacos or as a garnish, but haven't had a real salad. I am trying hard to wait until the 4th month but salads were my lunch almost every day at work. - what do I love? I love my old, smaller clothes! I love seeing my reflection in the mirror! I love that my body feels better. I love that my past confidence is returning. I love that next year I will be able to play volleyball again (unless the back doesn't cooperate). Ya know what else?? Even my feet are smaller! My shoes fit better and my feet don't swell on flights anymore! If I was whining (LOL) I would also complain that I am not losing anything in the bust. I had a lift (2007) and maybe that is why? I am concerned that the waist and butt are gonna be too small proportionately. I may need one more surgery : ) The mental is much harder than the physical, however, the pro's outweigh the con's - not even close. I hope my recounted experience here will encourage someone who is thinking about surgery or has questions along the way. I do not reget my decision at all. I only wish I had known about it sooner.

Jerry! I hope it isn't anything serious and your surgery can continue as planned. It would be so disappointing to cancel. Looked to see how far Daphne is from Dothan ... hmmm, about as far away as possible without being in the next state! LOL I will be in Dothan next month but will be traveling between Birmingham and Dothan. Keep us posted! I hope you are able to continue as planned.

I just hit the 3 month point and have started watching for any hair loss. I have very thick hair and always seem to be shedding a little normally, so will be curious to see what happens.

oh! LOL I was shocked to have lost about 10 pounds in the first 5 days post-op. Since then I have averaged about 2 pounds a week. Definitely slower than someone who starts with a higher BMI but probably pretty average for someone who started where I did. It is frustrating at times. I wouldn't panic yet : ) Adjust your calories for a couple of days, then your carbs, then go back to the basic plan. Seems to shake up the body again. I weigh every day, 99% of the time. I won't weigh on any other scale except my own - other than my dr of course : ) Sometimes I am down, then up a little, then down and down again. So long as it is going in an overall downward mode, I am good : ) Hang in there! It will happen : )