Hello November Sleevers!

Please come and introduce yourselves! Scorch picked our name a few weeks ago in another thread. We are the banana BABES, because like she said, " our stomachs will end up looking like a banana".

I will start.

November 16th is my big day! I would have LOVED to have accepted the 7th, but I have tickets to see STING in concert. Don't you love my priorities? (Actually the tickets were expensive, non refundable & my husband would kill me).

So the 16th it is and I couldn't be happier. Before Thanksgiving is probably not ideal, but being sleeved and somewhat recovered by January 1st ,2012 is way more important to me. I can't wait!

Banana Babes :Banane01:

I just went in for an appointment with Dr Li at Kaiser South San Francisco, I began this process in earlyAugust and found out today (Nov 4) that I will be sleeved on Nov 23! Eek! So much to do to prepare, so little time!

Congrats CeeCee! Just think that we will be well on our way in January. A great start to the New Year! That thought keeps me happy and calm. :smile1:

I just had my pre-op appointment yesterday. I'm scheduled for Thursday November 10th. I'm excited and very anxious. I look forward to hearing all about your journeys. Glad to have your company.

Well, I am 4 days out and feeling ok. I don't think it was as bad as I expected. I've had 4 other abdominal surgeries and this was by far the easiest. I think I was very positive going in, knowing that I wanted this so much. The only time I got nervous was the few minutes before they injected the relaxing meds when the plebotomist couldn't find my vein and it hurt like hell. Worse than all the injections and iv's that were inserted. But after that, I think the worse was being so tired and weak after that I just couldn't stay awake. I didn't walk because I thought I would fall asleep standing up. I ended

up getting up to use the bathroom and walking the halls for 45 min at 1:30am the 2nd day. It was quiet and I couldn't sleep anyways. The leak test went fine, just happy that it was good. By the time thursday rolled around I was lonely

and bored and couldn't wait to get in my own bed. It was hard sleeping in the hospital, I

ended up sleeping in the recliner so I could get the gas up. Since I've been home, I've been following the protocol, if I sip too much I get a little pain but not bad. Still having trouble sleeping, my back hurts from sleeping on it but it won't be long. So all in all, it was a good experience. I haven't lost any weight from my pre op weight, I know it will happen eventually. I'm not eating real food, so I guess it has to come off eventually. I hop all other November sleevers have a good experience too!!! Good luck to all.

Well, I am 4 days out and feeling ok. I don't think it was as bad as I expected. I've had 4 other abdominal surgeries and this was by far the easiest. I think I was very positive going in, knowing that I wanted this so much. The only time I got nervous was the few minutes before they injected the relaxing meds when the plebotomist couldn't find my vein and it hurt like hell. Worse than all the injections and iv's that were inserted. But after that, I think the worse was being so tired and weak after that I just couldn't stay awake. I didn't walk because I thought I would fall asleep standing up. I ended

up getting up to use the bathroom and walking the halls for 45 min at 1:30am the 2nd day. It was quiet and I couldn't sleep anyways. The leak test went fine, just happy that it was good. By the time thursday rolled around I was lonely

and bored and couldn't wait to get in my own bed. It was hard sleeping in the hospital, I

ended up sleeping in the recliner so I could get the gas up. Since I've been home, I've been following the protocol, if I sip too much I get a little pain but not bad. Still having trouble sleeping, my back hurts from sleeping on it but it won't be long. So all in all, it was a good experience. I haven't lost any weight from my pre op weight, I know it will happen eventually. I'm not eating real food, so I guess it has to come off eventually. I hop all other November sleevers have a good experience too!!! Good luck to all.

What a wonderful experience Sandy! You will lose in no time! I love your attitude. Where did you have surgery?

I finally met with the surgeon after getting all of my preop stuff done and got a date for surgery. November 15th. It's only a little over a week away. I have to go to preop meeting on Wednesday to get all info on what I need to do before and after surgery. But he gave me a packet and I'm only on clear liquid for 24 hours after surgery. Then for 3 weeks it is liquid and mushy foods as tolerated. 3 oz of Protein at each meal 3 times a day and a Protein shake. He wants 90g of protein a day. I'm going to take a month off of work so that I can get used to everything I need to do. Also looking forward to being home for the birth of my 1st grandchild who is due on 11/21/11. Also, he said I am only in the hospital for 24 hours and no drain. No preop diet as of yet anyways, just asked to not gain any weight before surgery. I am nervous and really excited to finally have a chance at not just losing weight but keeping it off. Any advise or tips for my upcoming journey are appreciated.

Created by MyFitnessPal.com - Nutrition Facts For Foods

banana Babes - I like that!

My surgery is scheduled for tomorrow morning. I think I'm over the scared part and just so ready to have this over with. Today is Clear liquids only and I'm so hungry. I didn't realize what a difference those Protein shakes were making. I thought I was starving the first day I started those, but after day 2 I wasn't physically hungry at all. Not the case today. In any case I know it's more than worth it.

Looking forward to sharing this experience with others that understand. I do have great support with my hubby and friends and grateful for it. But it's very reassuring to have this resource too. Best wishes to my fellow Banana Babes for an awesome November!

@Scotiff- Welcome! My surgery is one day after you! You will be able to play with your 1st grandchild for many years to come. How great is that?

@Michell- Tomorrow! Woohoo! I am ready to have it done too! Come back as soon as you can. We would love to hear from you. Best wishes! :cheer2:

Hi,

I got my sleeve on November 4. I am so happy it is done! The two weeks before I was starved and ate so many veggies. I only lost 6 pounds in the pre surgery diet and have lost 4 pounds just since the surgery. I cannot believe that my hunger is actually gone.When they say you need to sip, they mean s-i-p-p slowly! Otherwise it hurts. Couldnt sit up without nausea, but can do so now. Each day I've gotten a lot better. If someone can tell me how to put the ticker on my profile, I would really appreciate it! I am going to be taking weekly photos so I can see my weight loss.

Sheila, i was sleeved on nov 1st. my first sip was somewhat of a gulp, i though my chest was going to explode lol

hey BB's good luck with your surgeries :Banane59: !

@sbsheila- go to this link for your ticker. http://www.verticalsleevetalk.com/topic/13516-ticker-tutorial-for-vst-lbt-with-pictures/

@Nateeks- How are you feeling? How did everything go? Are you back in the Bahamas?

This is the code I pasted but it is still showing up as just html code:

<a href="http://www.TickerFactory.com/weight-loss/wrJSQQo/">
<img border="0" src="http://tickers.TickerFactory.com/ezt/t/wrJSQQo/weight.png"></a>

There are two codes at ticker factory. Are you sure you are picking the right one?

Never mind.... I think I just figured it out. I love seeing my progress on this cute little ticker!

On another note, my surgeon's assistant told me I may not be tolerating the Protein drink they had me drink, since I was getting very bloated prior to the surgery. He suggested that I just try different shakes, and could not tell me why I wouldn't be tolerating the one they sell. Have you seen this on the VSG site where people don't tolerate the protein shake suggested by their surgeon?

Hello ladies! My name is Brandy Gilbert and I am set to get sleeved TOMORROW! So excited but getting nervous too! Hope everyone is having a great day!!!

Have you seen this on the VSG site where people don't tolerate the Protein shake suggested by their surgeon?

Yes I have. Is the shake whey ISOLATE? . That is the one I have to have because I am lactose intolerant. That is the only thing I can think of. Try doing a search on this site as well. (At GNC they allow you to return opened packages if you don't like them. ) Actually also consider Isopure bottled premixed "juicy" drinks. They are not milky and thick. They are watery like juice. Keep us updated!

@ Brandy, congratulations and the best of luck tomorrow! We have similar stats, I will be checking your progress! :wink_smile: Come back to see us when you feel up to it.