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So.... my surgery date is Friday 10/5. I am nervous! First time getting any kind of surgery or anesthesia. Lost about 15 so far from the pre-op. Sitting at 272 right now. :-( I just want to get it over with so I can stop being anxious!

So tuesday I had my surgery I got to the hospital a little earlier than they told me cause I had nothing to do that day so I figured I just go ahead and check in. Well I ended up having the surgery 30 min earlier than scheduled. My mom took a few pictures of me in my gown as before pictures. So Igot out of surgery and was feeling okay just a bit groggy and a little pain not too much. I did the swallow test which was disgusting....I laid back down and upstairs I went. They gave me some Iv Fluids a little medicine cup of ice water and some Jello and broth. I didn;t feel to hungry but I ate the popsicle they gave me. WEll at least half of it. So I was like when do I leave or am I staying overnight because my respirations were dropping to like 10 and 8, They said well once everything is stable and your blood pressure is okay and you go pee you can leave. So everything was stable and then they said well you haven't peed yet. We need you to before you can leave. Since I had a catheter placed in me at surgery time I guess they wanted to make sure I was flowing properly. So After about 7 hrs of waiting to pee I did it. So I got to go home yesterday morning at 3am. So I get home and I'm sore but not extremely hurting. I can't lay down though cause it hurts when I try to. SO I kind of sit laying on my bed all morning long. Well when I try to go to sleep again last night after being in agonizing pain during the late day I mean like every time I breathe it feels like someone is stabbing me. It hurts so bad. I tried to lay down but I couldn't breathe and I tried to sit/laying on the bed and couldn't breathe so I slept in a big chair all night long. I was still hurting but it was better than the bed. SO this morning I wake up and walk a little and got short of breath so I stopped. I tried to call my Doctor and left a message with his nurse but no return call yet.....SO now I am just waiting it is about 900am and there office is open but it keeps going to voice-mail. This sucks right now I need some stronger pain medicine or something. I have this numbing medicine that isn't numbing anything cause I feel it all. Other than that I have hydrocodone and Gas-X strips which neither is doing anything for me at this point.. It hurt mostly around my lung area and where the port is but now it hurts there and my shoulder area. I know a lot of people say that is gas pain but I think mine is more of swelling pain. So check out my before pictures along with my scar pictures I'll be posting them in about 10minutes. Ans thanks for reading.....:thumbup:

Definitely go in for a fill. That will help a lot. Also ... stay away from the sweets. Those are often slider foods that will go down easily no matter how restricted you are. Those darn sweets kept me on a 10 week plateau last Fall. On the other hand, I'm a firm believer in not depriving yourself. An occasional PLANNED sweet is probably ok. When you have it, enjoy it like it is your last forever. I enjoyed half a serving of chocolate cheesecake last week. I can still remember it. Lost 4 lbs anyway that week. Go Figure!

I track everything because it is easy for me to under estimate how many calories I eat. Banded 10/12/16

Wow--this perfectly describes me between fill number 2 and 3. And I even GAINED during that period. Since fill number 3 I noticed this doesn't happen nearly as much (only when I'm starving and scarf something down...). I never related the "stuckness" to not haveing enough fill ... but this description makes perfect sense! And--I went to the dr. today and I was down 10 pounds from fill number 3 (after NOT getting stuck so much)!!! Thanks for getting this info to those of us experiencing this. I would never have thought of this fact. Crystal

I experienced a lot of stomach gurgling yesterday. Leah, who got sleeved at the same time as me, said she did not which is another indication that everyone experiences everything differently. She experienced lots of gurgling the day before on ice chips. I was too chicken to take my drugs last night with my stomach acting out of sorts. We got a few pain pills, which I don't need but I am keeping "just in case" (the gurgling was uncomfortable but not painful and was only accompanied with liquids I was trying to ingest). Antibiotics and something for my stomach which I believe is acid reducer. I'll try the drugs today. Not sure why my stomach was all gurgling. Could be that I took the nasty leak test, followed by a popsicle, followed later by some broth, followed later by some super sweet apple juice (all in little amounts but my tummy was letting it all be heard). I was pretty active yesterday once we hit the hotel. I sat by the pool just to get some sunshine and enjoy the beautiful weather (too cold for pool but nice for sitting). Then I took a cab and went to a place to get a pedicure that the hotel bell hop recommended that was close by called Soleil. It was super close to the hotel and I could have walked but because I was unfamiliar with the area I thought it best to take a cab. I'm going back today and I will most likely walk. While I was there I had my eyebrows waxed and upper legs waxed. All three things cost approximately $50 total american. Totally worth it. You get a 10% discount if you mention you are from the hotel. Leah and her friend braved the traffic walking and went to a Starbucks and a convenience store where she got some Gatorade (I'll go get some this morning at some point). I am also getting my teeth whitened today. It is something I've always wanted to do. I'll post about that when I am finished. I tried to be on a semi normal sleep schedule that first night just to get my body back into the routine. I went to bed at 8:30 p.m. which is a little short of my normal 10 p.m. bedtime. I am up at 5 a.m. so I would consider that pretty normal (normally I am up by 6 a.m. at home). I slept in all different positions last night without any problem. Normally I sleep on my side but I woke up in the middle of the night on my stomach. The main incision on my left is hurting a bit but nothing too horrible. The beds don't have a fitted bottom sheet (it has a flat bottom sheet) so with all my tossing and turning at night (which is normal for me) I managed to rip off the bottom sheet and expose the mattress. That is annoying. I wish I had thought to bring compression socks with me for the flight home. I am worried about blood clots the most. I think I would add that to any packing list people are making from this point on. Also I would have had my larger bills broken up into smaller ones. I've been running into some problems trying to make change or not having small bills for tipping. I could have lived without a robe. The night nurse at the Florence Hospital gave me a second gown that I would use as a robe while I was there. Since I don't wear robes at home I might leave the one I purchased here at the hotel and save some packing space. As I think of more stuff I will post.

I am only 2 days post-op. Went in at 250, now I weigh 256! I haven't had anything solid in me for over a week, and now I'm only drinking about 2 oz every couple of hours (its all I can choke down). I have heard all these stories about people who lost a great deal of weight in their first couple of weeks. I understand that the 6 extra pounds has to be water weight...how do I get it to start coming off? Btw, I'm walking 30 or more minutes a day. I can't walk 30 all at once, so I break it down into 10 minute walks.

I'm only 10 weeks out but here's a typical day for me: Breakfast- 1/4 cup of egg whites and a slice of cheddar cheese (not the american cheese slices) Snack- 4oz Breakstone Cottage cheese Lunch- Spinach stuffed shell (stuffed with ricotta cheese, cottage cheese, diced spinach, and spices) Dinner- 1/2 - 3/4 homemade hamburger patty with ketchup, french style green Beans, tiny bite of baked beans Evening snack- String cheese/Greek Yogurt with fresh fruit/Frozen yogurt/More egg whites

My surgeon & NUT have told me not to drink 10 minutes before, during, and up to 30 minutes after eating. I made the mistake of not listening, & the feeling was AWFUL! I will definitely be following the rules from now on. My problem is that once I am completely healed, I do like a little spiciness now and then. Will I ever be able to eat and drink together again? Whenever it may be? In 6 months or even a year? I have always been a big drinker. Any info would be appreciated! Thanks!

Tomorrow, I check in with my surgeon, 1/2 way through my soft/purée stage. I was hoping to be down 10 more pounds but I wasn't going to stress over it. I am happy to say, as of this morning, I am down 9 more pounds PLUS I ventured into the next set of 10 digits on the scale!! WOOT!!! For work today, I am rocking a shirt I haven't worn in 1.5 years because it was too tight. Not today!! AND I can put on/off my jeans without unzipping or unbuttoning them!! Can I say I LOVE my sleeve!!?! I am feeling so lucky, I think I need to buy a lottery ticket!

Do it now before it's too late. I was overweight for years, and not just 10 or 20 pouns, but were talking three digits. I wish I would have done it earlier when I didn't have so much to lose. Then maybe I would have looked like a shar pei when I get done. It sucks I had to have my scrotum blow up to the size of a cantolope before I didnt something about it. Sorry for the visual, but the whole point is, don't wait and let things get worse. good luck. brian

I am feeling the same way but have been reading reading reading and searching for everything!!!!My surgery is this Saturday and been a long time coming!!! i was in line for by-pass about 10 yrs ago when employer changed carriers and they wouldnt honor the other companies decision....so i went in for the reduction due to sleep apnea, only to have it pulled from thata company when i had gone all the way thru appointments....Last year we found the surgery in Mexico and I just kept putting it off....after a month of only a few hours sleep each night I made up my mind, called and set date within 24 hours of first call....Its something that i know i have to do or i wont be living my life as long as i want.....allrecipes.com and bariatricfoodie.com have some very good high protein recipes.....i am looking forward to trying them out!!! now i search and the main thing i look for is how much protein does it have.....good luck.....

Was not paying attention this morning and put my Colace under my tongue as if it was the B12. Five minutes later the gel starts to dissolve and it is the most bitter taste, I can still taste it, I've been rinsing my mouth out for about 10 minutes. Uggggggggghhhhhhhhhhhhhh

I dressed in the same Halloween costume one year apart, just with a dress 10 sizes smaller. Sleeved 11/10/16 HW: 309 SW: 286 CW: 169 -140

I agree completely.. I think I underestimated how stressful it is for some of us post surgery.. Since my surgery in Jan, my husband filed for divorce (which is a good thing). My boss started harrassing me more and more with each lb I loss..It got so bad I started vomitting at work uncontrollably.. I ended up taking leave.. and the vomitting stopped.. I started taking care of my self with my exercise, mediation and rest.. And feel soooooooooooooooooooo much better. I EVEN quit my job.. My last day is June 10 and I start a new one on June 13.... So what I am trying to say is the same as hautemama.. Being successful with this band isnt about counting the calories, and chewing chewing chewing.. it is about taking care of ALL OF YOU.. otherwise you will struggle.... I am now working with a life coach and she is amazing.. I am down 80 something lbs and 4 sizes.. Had my second fill yesterday.... LIFE is good.. But because I chose to make drastic needed changes.. Good luck to everyone.. Traci

I was sleeved the same day is you and I've lost 30lbs so far, and 10 was pre-op. I exercise 5x a week. And I'm doing great! Our body's are different and we loose different.

I am 33 (34 in 19 days) and I know. I feel sexy again and I would have never thought that I would feel sexy again. And that is another reason why I LOVE MY SLEEVE!!!

Hello. :wub: I'm Belle and hopefully, a soon to be candidate for lapband. This is the first time I've used a real picture on the internet since...well, ever. Usually, I use my cat. LOL. I figured, if I can't be real here, I might as well just pack it up and call it a day. What I'm noticing after looking around this site, is I seem to be the largest person around. Which sucks... but nothing new in my life, really. And if all goes according to plan, this won't always be the case. I can handle it if y'all can. I had my first consultation with the surgeon on May 9th. Her name is Dr. Holder-Haynes at Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas. Since then, I've had a barrage of appointments. First, the lengthy psych exam...then a Gastroenterologist. Then another one... next, a Cardiologist. The surgeon mentioned a few tests that would be needed in order to clear me for the surgery, but it's become a great deal more than what she mentioned. She told me it would be: 1. psych evaluation and sessions 2. barium swallow 3. some gastro scope thing to look inside me. 4. nutrition classes ---------------- that's it!! Well, it's been a lot more with even more yet to come. Things like stress tests. Echo Cardiogram. EKG. Colonoscopy. etc etc... I'm ok with doing whatever is necessary to make sure this is safe and I receive clearance but I have to say, i'm disappointed and frustrated with the lack of information supplied at our first meeting. If I'd been WARNED of all these different procedures, it wouldn't have come as such a surprise. Sigh...it's hard. Ultimately, this is my fault. I got myself here. I'm not trying to blame anyone but myself. I'm willing to do all the hard work to improve my life. I just hope this doesn't drag out for months and months. My insurance won't be involved, so I won't have to deal with financial red tape. I just have to get myself medically cleared. Has anyone else had similar stories? I'm sure mine is worse than most due to my size and age. I also have Multiple Sclerosis which makes things even worse. I just wish it wasn't so complicated. Wish I'd done this 10 years ago. Wish Wish Wish... so many things.. I'm BEYOND thrilled to have found this place though. A friend told me to seek out a support group and by the looks of things, I've hit the Mother Lode. I look forward to reading different insights and points of view and hope, in time, I can be of assistance to others, as well. I'm in this journey for the long haul.... thanks for allowing me to share it with you all. :wub: Belle

2 - 10 minutes machines, 10 minutes elliptical, 30 minutes bike, 25 minutes treadmill 4 - 25 minutes elliptical, 25 minutes treadmill, 10 minutes bike 5 - 60 minute spin class 6 - 15 minutes elliptical, 25 minutes treadmill, 20 minutes bike 7 - 60 minute spin class 10 - 60 minute spin class 12 - 60 minute spin class 13 - 14 - 15 - 16 - 17 - 18 - 19 - 20 - 21 - 22 - 23 - 24 - 25 - 26 - 27 - 28 -

This morning I stepped on the scale. 199.8. I havent seen a number in the hundreds for 10 yrs. Tomorrow will be 10 weeks since I waswas sleeved. I was 241 before surgery. Im so excited!

I hear you. I was banded on 3/10 and I went back to work last thursday. My first day back was one of the longest days I have had there. I was just tired and wanted to go home. I recommend taking it slow. My boss know about the band and I worked out a little arrangement with her. I broke my lunch up into two 15 minute breaks and a 30 minute lunch. If your boss knows about your surgery ask him/her about taking an extra break here and there or seeing if they can manipulate your lunch time too. Keeping up on fluids is important so hopefully your boss will be on board.

Hey all, I'm just about 10 weeks post-op and doing extremely well. A few of you have even gone out of your way to send me private notes of encouragement, kudos, and well-wishes. This means a lot to me, so thank you for that! I wanted to find out from you about your experiences with sleep post-surgery. I would say that before surgery I probably did have bouts of sleep apnea, though I never got tested for it or diagnosed with it. (Wife used to tell me I'd stop breathing in the middle of the night in between loud snoring, though...) Despite this, I was able to function pretty well on about 5 to 6 hours of sleep a night. Sometimes I'd even get 7 or 8 hours of sleep and be ok too. Now, post-operatively, I have found that it seems like I can never get enough sleep, and I have a real hard time getting out of bed in the morning. Any sign I had of the apnea went away shortly after surgery, so I know it isn't that. I have been getting 8 hours of sleep at a minimum and often find myself hitting the snooze button and even coming in to work late because I grab more sleep where I can. It's frustrating. Has this happened to anyone else? Does it ever change or return to normal? What causes this? Theories? Ideas? Suggestions? I hope all is well with you in your respective journeys, I'm humbled to be fighting the good fight alongside all of you and value your input. Cheers, ~Pat