LisaaaLisaaa

Dawn, amazing. I am one week out. I've lost 7 since surgery. I just made Onederland. WOW. I too am on thyroid meds. Also high bp; high cholesterol, antidepressants, and sleep apnea machine. I wan to rid as much of those as I can. Your story encourages me. Thanks.

Kaiser does NOT recommend the following as Protein drinks

Slim Fast

Atkins

Special K Protein Water

Glucerna

Boost

Ensure

They DO recmmend others and I will list a few here:

unjury

EAS Premium Protein

Pro complex

Isopure powder (Zero or Low Carb)

Jay Robb

Premier Protein shakes (Costco_)

Those are just a few. Very important to cut carbs and sugars down. Hope it all works out.

I'm 6 days post op and I'm on soft pudding type foods. liquid was only in the hospital for me. How long do you have to be on liquids?

I'd say don't beat yourself up about it. Move on. But remember how it made you feel.

way to go

Hi there. I just got sleeved on January 5. I'm feeling pretty good. I too was considering the lap band at first. But thecidea of a foreign body and other things turned me upwards the sleeve. I did much research. Sole searching, and asked tons of questions.

For me, my doctor checked for leaks before I even woke up. The percentage is I believe 1 in 100 leaks. But I'm sure they'd quickly fix it. As far as hemorrhaging, during surgery there is always a possibly of significant blood loss as in any surgery. But that percentage is low as well. Were u reading of hemorrhaging later after surgery or during.

I'm thnkjng I made a great choice. Keeps me restricted in over eating. I'm very excited for the new year and new me.

Aloha, lisa

Ditto what they said. You will do great. Here's to a new you.

Hey Lisa. I don't have hair but I still LOVED my shower. I went home one day after in the afternoon. Sleepless night for sure. I get lots of gas still but it is escaping thank god. My mid section still feels like I got run over by a truck but I'm staying on the liquid pain killer for now. You looked really great in the hospital and I'm so glad you were able to get home. Our new life,Lisa!!

How is stage two food going for you?

david, I'm not using much pain killer anymore. I had a slight headache last night before bed, so took some. But don't really need it much. My tummy feels like I got run over by a truck too. I'm doing well with the Stage II foods. I have tried sf pudding, sf Jello, chicken broth, Protein shakes (I have 30 g shakes so need to down 2 a day), sf applesauce, cream of chicken Soup diluted with Water, Water with crystal light. I haven't been able to get 64 of of liquid in a day yet. But I'm still using the bathroom, so no dehydration. Sip, sip, sip.

How are you doing on your Stage II? Have any tips for me?

do you feel like bubbles or something in your tummy? It's like a bubble burn, but not a bad burn. Odd to explain. I'm sure it's because we had 2/3 of our stomach removed.

Dr. Le was amaziing. I had Moreen for a nurse quite a bit. Loved her. And Christina, and Evelyn, and Irish. Great staff.

Keep in touch. If you want to email me, my email is panchoandlisa@att.net

<My doctor told me the Gas X strips don't work on the gas coming out of your body from the anesthisia. That is the gas that is moving around. I think today it feels lots better.

Question: I'm 4 days passed being sleeved. when I lay down sometimes I feel a burning in my tummy, I guess like heart burn. I'm on prisolec. I guess maybe it's from having my stomach operated on. Any light on this? Anyone else experience this?

DAVID, how are you friend? You looked amazing at the hospital. When did you end up going home? The next day or day after? I stayed two nights. I didn't really want to go home.

I haven't had a good night's rest since surgery. I keep waking up. Not in pain. the only pain I'm in is at one of the surgical sights to the left of my belly button. I think it was the biggest cut. Just feels like a pulled muscle, so not really Pain. Just annoying.

I took a shower and did my hair. Put my jewelry on. I feel amazing.

I'm home. It went well. I had an amazing doctor and staff and nurses. I got sleeved on January 5th and came home the 7th. I've slept on and off. Washed my hair last night. It was horrid. I've just had some major gas issues. Trying to pass it. ETC. So here I am starting a new life. Weird. But I'm happy. any questions for me, ask away.

Aloha, Lisa

Saw my buddy SFDavid in the hospital too. He looked GREAT.

David, I'll see you on the other side. Thanks.

LisaLisa you are going to be fantastic. Deep breaths and know that you are doing the right thing. We are both in great hands with Dr. David Le and they have meds to take care of any discomfort we might feel. Here's to our new and healthy life!

I have my surgery tomorrow. I've been in and out of nervousness. I'm fine at the moment. I have to be at the South San Francisco hospital at 6 am. Surgery is at 8. I'm excited. Found out in pre op class that Kaiser pays for hotel night before for me and guest and 2 nights post op for my guest since we live 50 miles away. That's a nice benefit. I'm not paying a dime for my surgery. The only thing I'm scared of is that I'm scared of waking up scared.

OMG it's finally almost here.

Aloha everyone. I'm being sleeved tomorrow. OMG I can't believe it.

Your meds. Any meds that you might need that are necessities. Of course, the doctor will have to approve you taking anything. I take High bp, antidepressants, thyroid, high cholesterol meds. also if you have a sleep apnea machine, Kaiser wants you to bring that. The pillow was suggested to me. I bought a "Surgery Bear" at the Build a Bear Workshop. Her names is Giggles. She's pink, yellow, orange swirly kinda. Very soft and cuddly. She giggles when you press you paw. I need my support Bear.

I HAVE SURGERY IS 5 DAYS. OMG

Thanks everyone for the sound advice and words of encouragement. HOnestly I'm so sick of eating. I went out last night with hubby for dinner and couldn't eat it all. Today I am starting a liquid diet and tomorrow is my pre op class. So tomorrow i'll find out for sure what I really need to be doing. The doctor didn't limit me to liquids only right now even though my surgery is January 5th. But I am doing it for myself because I know what a pig I've been.

Once again thanks. I can't believe I'm getting sleeved in 9 days. Say what!!!

I'm getting sleeved January 5th. Doesn't seem real. Hard to visualize it. I hope it all works out. I hope I lose weight. I hope, I hope, I hope. Going to start a 10 day liquid tomorrow (for Breakfast and lunch) even though doctor told me it wasn't neccessary. I want to make sure I come out the other side strong. Class on Tuesday. Support group too. Get to meet SF David. Woo hoo

I've been doing the same thing. My surgery is January 5th. My doctor told me I didn't need to do a liquid diet leading up to surgery, but I'm going to anyway. My kid and hubby have been throwing up and sick and today my tummy has pains, so I'll start it when my tummy can tolerate it (perhaps tomorrow). Today I'm just eating bland things.

I'm getting sleeved January 5th by Dr. David Le at Kaiser SSF. I am very excited and nervous. Can't wait.

Congrats. I get sleeved in 2 weeks and 2 days. I hope I am up and at em like you are. Good job.

Hmm I'm a bit scared about the Hair loss. I have fine, thin hair as it is. I don't think I'd look good with no hair. I guess I'll cross that bridge when it gets there and hope for the best.

Glad you are doing good Amber. Keep up the good work. Sounds great getting someone to help with your hair.< /p>

I'm super excited. I went to see Dr. Le today in South San Fran for my pre op appt and to sign consent forms. I actually lost another 1/2 lb. He told me it wasn't necessary for me to go on a liquid fast for 2 weeks. If I want to replace a meal with a Protein shake, then that's fine.

I go in on the 28th and meet with Dr. Rainville, the anesthesiologist. And then go to the pre op class. Last night I went to a support group discussion at Kaiser in Santa Rosa. There was a girl there that just had the sleeve done in Mexico 5 days ago and another 5 months ago in SSF with Dr. Le. I was so glad I went to that group last night. So glad to have talked to Dr. Le today too. He put my mind at ease and even told me a funny story to keep in mind. I told him I'm afraid of waking up freaking out. Like super anxious. He told me they'd take good care of me.

So I'm happy and content with my decision. We were at the mall tonight and I think I'm gonna get a Build A Bear surgery bear. She's pink and very cute.

I'm glad to get the support here from you guys.

Amber, good job getting through it so far. No leaks?

Stacey how have you been?

Wow, you look amazing after your weight loss. Very beautiful. Even with your hair loss.

\

I promise I'm not trying to negate the emotional side of losing hair. I think acceptance of there is nothing to prevent it really helped me get through it. I was devastated to lose my hair, but knowing that it is going to happen, and knowing that it'll grow back helped me get through it. Plus, I could not tolerate Protein drinks/supplements so I was pretty sketchy on Protein intake until I got to mushie/pureed foods and even then, I'm sure I didn't get exactly 60gr of protein every single day even though I was super close.

My hair was the one thing I was proud of, the one thing people "envied" and complimented me on when I was fat. When I started shedding, losing in clumps, I mean I was having to put drano down my shower drain at least weekly, believe me, I was upset. I chopped all my hair off, and had 100's literally 100's of layers cut into it just to hide the loss.

Here's the best way I can show the dramatic change in my hair:

Obviously pre-op Thick coarse, gorgeous luster

This was 2 months post lapband December 2008 so 6 months pre-VSG revision:

Right before the shedding started (I had it cut off, highlight, lowlighted) You can tell it's still thick and coarse 3 months post-op

After the shedding had stopped not so gorgeous, no luster, little chia pet hairs everywhere This was January, 1 month after the shedding stopped

2 months after I chopped it off and 2 months after I stopped shedding, can you see my scalp? ? ? Yeppers, that's how severe it was for me.

This is late March, after I went back to dark hair. You can still see how much my hair is lacking

Most current still super thin(a couple of weeks ago), luster is coming back finally, but still not anywhere near where it was pre-op volume-wise

I know this doesn't help any, but I think it's a great visual to see that hair does come back, and I'm still getting "baby hairs" all along my hairline, and especially underneath around the nape of my neck. My flat Iron gets a workout just because I have to tame all the crazy hairs.

GREAT. My hair is brown and gray naturally and so I dye it blonde. I have short hair. I will die if I lose my hair. I barely have any as it is. It is fine and thin. I guess I better get a cute short cut, but I don't think i can stop dying my hair blonde to go ugly brown/gray mix. I'll talk to my doctor

OK I have an appt with Dr Rainville at 11:30 - the anesthisaologist. Then there's a support group at 12;30? Cool. Is that in the same room as the orientation?

Cukie, good to hear you are doing good. We booked a Tahoe trip on the last weekend of January. Think I'll be up for at least the ride by then (with surgery being January 5th)_?