branc1

These are the kind of stories I love to hear! Thanks for sharing. I started very close to where you did. I hope to be as successful as you in 10 months.

Since I have COPD from smoking I can relate to the pneumonia issues. Having pneumonia is no fun. I too quit cold turkey 6 yrs ago when I was hospitalized for pneumonia. I was so scared that I wasn't even tempted to sneak a smoke. I did gain lots of weight. Then I lost it and then I gained it back. Howvever now you have your sleeve. I think if you stick to your program you'll be okay. If you are tempted to smoke remember how much fun your pneumonia was. Smoking will just lead to more of the same. Luckily since I've had my surgery I haven't had a flare up with my COPD. I was recovering from a round of pneumonia when I was trying to get approved. My pulmonologist refused to okay me until it was completely healed up. I finally did get well, he okay'd me and I feel better than I have in years. Hang in there, you'll be so glad that you did. We are here for you!...Carole

I have been noticing hair loss starting last week. I started taking biotin as suggested here. It is a little shocking but I was prepared because of this forum. Its a small price to pay to me. By the time I'm where I want to be it should be coming back.

I had a lot of trouble going to sleep for about the first 3 weeks. I was so full of energy I just couldn't seem to shut down. I also had a bad case of motor mouth. I just couldn't shut up.I would be having break with my co-workers and I would see them starting to grin and I would know I was wound up again. I was allowed my coffee back after 2 weeks and I thought that was part of it. I had been off coffee for 2 months. I stopped having coffee at 10PM break and switched to decaffeinated tea and that seemed to help. Since then the sleep problems have cleared up, and I could probably have my coffee back. Now I'm watching my hair come out and dealing with constipation. I don't care. I'm still tickled to death with my progress. For all newbies, Hang in there it gets better!

Thanks Tiffy. You are such an inspiration to all of us!

I am also looking forward to the day when I weigh less than my husband. Its been a long , long time, but I'm gonna get there. We all will!...Carole

I actually gained a few ponds in the hospital from my presurgery weigh in. I was bummed out a little too then I read everyones posts. Hide your scales for at least 2 weeks . Follow your program and it will come off. I'll be 5 weeks soon and I'm down nearly 50 lbs. Everyone is a little different but the weight will come off!

What do you take? I hate to keep taking a laxative. I put fiber in my protein drinks but it doesn't seem to be enough.

Girl you look fantastic!! Keep up the great work. Look at your chin and butt. I hope mine will look that good! Awesome!

I went to Dr. George Eccles(pronounces Eckles) at the Bariatric Center in Murfreesboro , Tn. There are two surgeons there. I chose Dr. Eccles because he did my hernia surgery years ago. I believe his partner Dr. Westmoreland is just as qualified.

Hoorah! I hope to join you there in a few months. Save me some room on that bench!

When I was asked my doctor how many sleeves he had done he said 500 and smiled. Then I asked anyone have problems with leaks? He smiled again and said not a one. That was good enough for me. I think you have to have complete confidence in your surgeon. I believe that confidence contributed to my overall good attitude and splendid recovery.

I just tried on the next smaller size uniforms for work and they fit. I'm doing the Happy Dance for sure!!:thumbup::lol0::scared0:

Last weekend we took my son and his Family to Golden Corral for their wedding aniversary. Of course it is a huge buffet with everything imaginable. I had crab salad, naked shrimp and about a tablespoon of white beans. It was all yummy and I didn't even look at the desserts. They one thing that looked and smelled good was the pot roast. I'm not eating beef yet so I wanted to wait...it smelled so good! I ate some deer meat loaf last week and I felt it sitting in there until it was time to drink some water. It was good but I'm a little reluctant to eat more.

We'll be cheering you on and moving over on the loser's bench. Go get 'em!

The doctor's nurse gave me the okay two weeks out. I had my morning cup when I first got up then I had a cup with the guys at last break at work. That 10PM cup of coffee I think was making it hard for me to go to sleep when I got home. So now I drink decaf green tea at 10 and I haven't had anymore sleep problems. I am at 4 weeks today.

Woo HOOOOOOOO!! I hope I can say something like that some day!

Awesome! I have a dress that I AM GOING TO WEAR! I do know how you feel. These triumphs are what make it all worthwhile.

I am a little over 2 weeks out. Everything has gone smoothly with no problems except not being able to sleep as I normally do. I have only gottern 4-5 hours a night. However last night my husband Ron said I needed a good Dose of "DR. Ron's Two Ball Solution" LOL did the trick and boy did I sleep well last night. We have been married 36 yrs so neither of us are self conscious about our bodies. He seems to take great delight in grabbing my behind and hollering "There's Less!" What a comedian. I am so lucky to have him.

Amen Sister and pass the water!

Same here with the water business and weight but my clothes feel different.

Congratulations to you both. How great that you can go through this together. Scooching over to give you more room to do the happy dance!

I drove for the first time 8 days after surgerty. I stayed one night in the hospital. I took Liquid Lortab for 4 days after surgery. I took it more to go to sleep than for pain. I drink the Advance Protein from Walmart. It comes in many flavors, is cheap and met all the guidelines my dietician set up.AND hubby and I both like it. I have had no pain upon eating. There was once I took that "one bite more" than I should have. I was feeling stuffed until my 30 minutes passed and I could resume drinking Water. I think my stomach is some what swollen. I had a hiatal hernia repair with my sleeve. But my work uniforms that I couldn't pull up over my butt fit now. YAY!! I am happy I did it and would do it again . I may not be the norm, but I have had smooth sailing all the way.

This forum is great! About the time I have a concern someone addresses it. I have one scar that looks a little yucky and one that has a stitch poking up. I've been putting neosporin on them and they seem to be responding. I have an irritation where the bigger incision was leaking and I put a telfa pad over it to catch the leaks. It has closed up nicely and not leaking, but the skin is irritated from the Telfa Pad. Oh well I'm going bare belly now so it should clear up. My grandaughter saw my belly yesterday(she's 3). I've been trying to stay covered but she saw it said "gramma you got boo-boos all over your belly! Want me to kiss them?" Awww!