Hi Everyone,

I guess I will be the first to post here. My surgery is scheduled for January 3, 2011. I am having it done by Dr. Aceves in Mexicali, Mexico. I am a self payer. I am so darn excited that I wish I could just do it tomorrow!! Look forward to making this journey with you all!

Denise

So anybody out there having surgery on the 18th of Janurary with Dr Mario Almanza?

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

Monday the 10th is closing in. I am all set to go, as always a small bump in road with pre admission testing. Have a hotel room for the night before, as I have to be at hospital at 7 AM. Can't wait it has been a struggle with insurance etc. Surgeon is Dr Hans Schmidt Advanced laproscopic Associates Paramus, NJ. Being done at HUMC anticipating 2 night stay. Good luck to all other slevers.

Hi Everyone... I am getting a revision from Band to VSG on 01|17|11 by Dr Aceves. Three years to the day of banding... can't wait to be rid of it!

Have any of you already bought you Proteins, whey or Vitamins yet? Can you recommend a brand? Is the only place to buy them in GNC?

My favorite Protein is BSN Lean Dessert. My nutritionist recommended it. The Whipped vanilla Creme is yummy!!

I also like the Premier Protein from costco (or Sams). They are easy to grab and go.

I buy my Protein powder from www.VitaCost.com. Much much cheaper then GNC. I have had no issues with them, been using since I got banded 3 years ago. Love having it delivered to my door.

I was sleeved on the 3rd by Dr. Feng. Wasn't as scary as I thought (but still pretty scary). I'm doing ok so far.

Hey guys,

Well I made it...barely! lol I had my sleeve on the 5th with Dr. Aceves. The doctors, nurses, hospital and friends I made were amazing. I did have an allergic reaction to the anastesia. Other then thinking it was all over for me it was a great experience. lol They treated me sooo good and helped me thru the scarey experience. I had a reaction when i was a child but did not think to tell them so it is all my fault. Everyone was so good to me. I am back home now and as happy as can be. Other then being really really tired it is not bad at all! I will post some pics from the trip when I have a little more energy. Just wanted to give you guys an update that I made it home! Thanks so much for all of the prayers and support!

Denise B.

Last in for January - Sleeve Date is January 31st with Dr. Mario Almanza in Tijuana, MX.

Last in for January - Sleeve Date is January 31st with Dr. Mario Almanza in Tijuana, MX.

Woo hoo! So then our little January family will be complete! Congrats.

Well, I am now 1 week postop, and finally feel up to posting again. The last week has been a little rough. I had to stay an extra day in the hospital--my white count was up and they weren't sure why it wouldn't go back down, but it finally did. My IV infiltrated twice, and my arms are completely covered in bruises.

I have to say that the first three days postop I was sure I had made the biggest mistake of my life! But now I am doing much better and gave myself a good pep talk yesterday, so I know I am on the way to a better life. My biggest difficulty right now is the back spasms from not being able to lie on my side yet. I'm still taking Lortab Elixir twice a day to combat that, but otherwise the pain is very manageable. (My son said "Lortab for the win!" LOL!) My incisions are healing nicely, even the biggest one, which had a pain ball in it for the first two days.

I am drinking a protein shake every morning with 2% milk, water, juice once a day, and strained soup-broth twice a day. I have my SF Jello and SF popsicles, but because I am allergic to aspartame I only have one a day at most, or the migraines will set in. My husband is keeping the house running, doing the shopping, and fixes my soup-broth for me. (He eats the solids part for his own meal or gives it to the dog.) We take a short 10 minute walk every evening.

When I weighed in the morning of surgery I weighed 269, 21 pounds down from my starting weight. When I got home from San Antonio, I had gained 10 pounds from all the swelling! I am finally back down to 269 this morning, so I guess I am finally on my way down.

Thanks to everyone who sent private messages while this was going on. They really meant a lot.

Hi Seniorsleever,

I am glad you are doing better. I was sleeved on the 25th and my IV infiltrated also, but only once. My arm that had the infiltration is more sore than my stomach at this point. It is bruised and still has a couple of small knots in it. Does yours still hurt? I have been putting ice on it but it doesn't seem to help.

Well, I am now 1 week postop, and finally feel up to posting again. The last week has been a little rough. I had to stay an extra day in the hospital--my white count was up and they weren't sure why it wouldn't go back down, but it finally did. My IV infiltrated twice, and my arms are completely covered in bruises.

I have to say that the first three days postop I was sure I had made the biggest mistake of my life! But now I am doing much better and gave myself a good pep talk yesterday, so I know I am on the way to a better life. My biggest difficulty right now is the back spasms from not being able to lie on my side yet. I'm still taking Lortab Elixir twice a day to combat that, but otherwise the pain is very manageable. (My son said "Lortab for the win!" LOL!) My incisions are healing nicely, even the biggest one, which had a pain ball in it for the first two days.

I am drinking a Protein shake every morning with 2% milk, Water, juice once a day, and strained soup-broth twice a day. I have my SF Jello and SF popsicles, but because I am allergic to aspartame I only have one a day at most, or the migraines will set in. My husband is keeping the house running, doing the shopping, and fixes my soup-broth for me. (He eats the solids part for his own meal or gives it to the dog.) We take a short 10 minute walk every evening.

When I weighed in the morning of surgery I weighed 269, 21 pounds down from my starting weight. When I got home from San Antonio, I had gained 10 pounds from all the swelling! I am finally back down to 269 this morning, so I guess I am finally on my way down.

Thanks to everyone who sent private messages while this was going on. They really meant a lot.

Looks like all us Januaries are done without a (any big giant hitches anyway..) hitch! Congrats all, and good luck in the coming year!

Mine has pretty much resolved, but it was really red and swollen for the first few days. Heat might help more than ice if it is still bothering you. It will go away as the liquid reabsorbs.

Hi Seniorsleever,

I am glad you are doing better. I was sleeved on the 25th and my IV infiltrated also, but only once. My arm that had the infiltration is more sore than my stomach at this point. It is bruised and still has a couple of small knots in it. Does yours still hurt? I have been putting ice on it but it doesn't seem to help.

HI Guys,

Well, I had my surgery on the 31st and it went well. They did keep me an extra day because I was having difficulty drinking without nausea, so they thought if they sent me home, I would dehydrate, but I am home now and can drink. I think the surgery went well, but I am having what I think are hunger pains. My stomach will cramp and create gas I think because I am eating so few calories. So, that hurts. The only thing that seems to sooth that is INSTANT GARLIC MASHED POTATOES! They are my new bestie!

Anyway, my incisions are stapled....wasn't expecting that, they kept talking about surgistrips in my pre-surgery class. But, I have my first post op appt on Tuesday, so hopefully they will take those out, especially the one above my naval....its a little achy.

So, how do you guys feel now that we've taken THE LEAP!

Senior Sleever, I am glad that things are going better for you. I too get aspartame headaches if I am not careful and also seem to be more lactose intolerant this side of things......interesting.....

I'm doing well thanks, just had my staples out two days ago (it was about 2 1/2 weeks) and they replaced the staples with tape. I have no problems with eating or drinking, but have become lactose intolerant to milk... not to yogurt or cottage cheese.. go figure.

I'm doing well thanks, just had my staples out two days ago (it was about 2 1/2 weeks) and they replaced the staples with tape. I have no problems with eating or drinking, but have become lactose intolerant to milk... not to yogurt or cottage cheese.. go figure.

Wow! So they waited 2 1/2 weeks to take the staples out? Is that normal? I have an appointment in the morning (DAY 9) and I was hoping to get these things out!