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True Story "Read with Caution"



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My sister and i began this journey to be sleeved in Feb, 2012, I was sleeved 11/26/12. Everything went great with surgery, I spent one night in the hospital, came home the next day was able to get in all my fluids and Protein Shakes and felt great.My sister was sleeved 12/5/12. Same doctor same hospital we had compared notes I told her what to expect, she actually is younger and in better health than me so naturally we thought this would be just as mine had and we would continue on with our journey. It was far from that. She was in surgery 5 hrs and they almost lost her, immediately they hit scar tissue and as they began to cut through it her bowel was pierced, Immediately the laproscopic surgery stopped and she was cut from her breast to her vagina straight down to repair the damaged bowel. Her sleeve was also completed, over the next few days she had problems with her blood levels, her wound kept draining and bleeding and then today 5 days later she had to go back to emergency because her small intestine was about to literally fall out. This time surgery was only an hour everything was put back in place and stitched up and she seems to be doing very well, I'm sharing this not to scare anyone but just to let you know what can happen none of this seems to be error on anyone part, its just an unfortunate occurence, no one could have known the scar tissue would be there covering the bowel and also her insides were pushed up higher than they should have been. But despite all of this she said today after surgery I would still recommend this surgery to someone that needed it. WE never know what suprises life has for us,we thought we would both be home tonight comparing our weight loss, sharing our feelings and making plans for the future, but thats not the way it is tonight but thanks to a lot of prayers, God's grace and mercy that day will come. Dont just dismiss all the risk associated with this surgery, think about, pray about, talk about, and be prepared for whatever may happen.

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So very sorry to hear about your sister, on her way now to recovery and a successful weight loss. You are right, you never know what can happen, all surgery is a risk.

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What was the scar tissue from? Did she have any other surgeries in life?

I'm so sorry for what she's going through.

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Best wishes for both of you for a happy and healthy future.

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She had a ceaserean in 99 I've had aceasearean and a hysterectomy.

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Hi everyone I am ascooke's sister. Feeling very grateful to be feelin much better. I am still in the hospital but hoping later today will be the magical day my doctor says I can go. On Wednesday surgery they made it clear finding the scar tissue and cutting the bowel was very unusual and that indeed almost cost me my live. On Saturday another emergency arose when a bowel was found out of place! After Yesterday's emergency surgery I feel like a new person. Pain is under control. Appetite is non existent but I have a wonderful husband who makes sure I get in 4oz hourly all day and the focus is on protien. The sleeve side of things seems to be going great. The scar tissue and bowel would have been a problem in any case my abdeomen need to be acessed so I am not blaming the sleeve for that. This was just a fact of abnormality in my body which I pray is now fixed.

I would not discourage anyone from the sleeve as a matter of fact the only thing I would discourage is keeping it quiet that you are having surgey because now I have to explain what happen and I fear it will put a bad light on the surgery to some people who could really benefit from it.

Thanks for the prayers!

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Just got home from hospital showered and feeling really good! This is crazy but the stable line down my tummy makes it look like I have had a tummy tuck!! There is still some swelling will be interesting to see how it looks after swelling is gone.

I decided I would try a 30gram premier protien shake for supper. I am five days out and on full liquid. The shake is 11 oz I am going to work on it a couple more hours but worried I will never get the whole thing in! How many days before you could get a whole shake in worried about getting 60 grams when I hold so little and my doctor want 64oz liquid on top of that. That is not going to happen today. I will try tomorrow but I guess it is Protein before liquid if I can't get both.

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Thank God you are on the rode to recovery.. I will continue to pray for you:-)

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Thank god you are home now. May your road to recovery be speedy. :) love, love, love Premier Protein choco flavor. Heard the bars are good too. :) anyways take care.. keep us posted.

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Kapoor,

Sending many virtual hugz your way!!! So sorry you had such a tough journey so far, but thank you very much for sharing the 'real' side of things. Many prayers and stuff for you to have the best recovery possible from here on out!

And my Protein and fluids counted double aka if I mixed Syntrax 23 gm Protein in 8-12oz of Fluid that 8-12oz also counted towards my Fluid intake, so maybe that will help.

Keep us posted and let us all know how you are doing...

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When i got home from surgery it took me about an hour to finish an 8 oz Protein shake.. but i will be sippin Water in between.. i can imagine it harder for u coz u had to be cut open and is more swollen. So just take it easy in getting your fluids in... :)

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Glad to hear that your doing better, and now recovering at home! You have a great attitude, and that will help in your healing. Prayers for a speedy recovery, we're rooting for you!

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It took me a few weeks before I could drink a shake in one setting. Things are very slow at first and that is OK. I had a really tough time getting any Protein in for the first couple of months. The only thing I could get down daily was the Unjury chicken Soup. It was warm and soothing to drink. My sleeve prefers warm drinks for some reason. I was three months out before I could get much of anything down at one time. I am just over 4 months out now and my labs came by good. Just take your Vitamins, rest and drink as much as your sleeve with allow you too.

I hope that you get totally better now and have no more setbacks!!

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thx for sharing your story and your family support.... May you continue to get stronger daily. Be Blessed :)

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    • LeighaTR

      Four days post surgery. I am sipping as fast as I can and getting NO WHERE near the goal of 60 - 80 grams of protein or the 64 oz of liquids. I just feel FULL. I don't know if it can still be the gas build up (I would think by now that would be gone) but it is a struggle to drink. And so far I have not had the nausea or spasms and don't want to wander into that territory by pushing too hard with liquids. I about passed out today as it was my most "strenuous" day. Went from second story to basement for shower and I was sure I was going to pass out. Looking back on my last few days I have had a total of less than 1000 calories. Am I just not getting enough nourishment in me? Once again a friday where I can't get ahold of the doc until Monday rolls back around so I am hoping maybe someone here has some experience on how to keep energy going. I do have fibromyalgia too and that may be where some added fatigue comes into play. How did you all fair with the goals the week after surgery?
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • Doughgurl

      2 days until I fly out to San Diego to have my Bypass Surg. in Tiajuana Mexico. Not gonna lie, the nerves are starting to surface. I don't fear the surgery itself, or the fact that I'm traveling alone, but its the aftermath that I'm stressing about the most, after this 8 week wait. I'm excited to finally be here, but I am really dreading the post surgical chapter. I know its going to be tough, real tough and I think I'm just in my head to much now that the day i here. Wish me luck, Hopefully I'm one of the lucky ones, and everything goes smoothly. Cant wait to give an exciting update,. If there is anyone else have a June bypass or even a recent one, Id love to have someone to compare war stories with. Also, anyone near San Antonio Tx? See ya soon with the future me. 💜
      · 3 replies
      1. Phil Penn

        Good Luck this procedure is well worth it I am down to 249.6 lb please continue with the process..

      2. Selina333

        I'm in Houston so kind of near you and had the sleeve in Dec. Down 61 lbs. Feeling better. Was definitely worth it. I hope the everything is going well for you. Update us when you can!

      3. Doughgurl

        I am back home after my bypass surgery in Tiajuana. I'm post op day 4. Everything went great! I guess I'm one of the lucky ones who have not encountered much pain at all, no nausea thus far and I'm having no problem keeping down broths and water. Thank you for your well wishes. I cant wait to keep up this journey and have a chance at better health and simply better quality of life. I know there will be bumps in the road ahead, and everything won't be peaches and cream, but at least I have a great start so far. 😍

    • LeighaTR

      I am new here today... and only two weeks out from my sleeve surgery on the 23rd. I am amazed I have kept my calories down to 467 today so far... that leaves me almost 750 left for dinner and maybe a snack. This is going to be tough for two weeks... but I have to believe I can do it!
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • Doughgurl

      Hey everyone. I'm new here so I thought I should introduce myself. I am 53y/o and am scheduled for Gastric Bypass on June 25th, 2025. I'm located in San Antonio, Texas. I will be having my surgery in Tiajuana Mexico. I've wanted this for years, but I always had insurance where bariatric procedures were excluded. Finally I am able to afford to pay out of pocket.  I can't wait to get started, and I hope I'm prepared for the initial period of "hell". I know what I have signed up for, but I'm sure the good to come will out way the temporary period of discomfort and feelings of regret. I'd love to find people to talk to who have been through the same procedure or experience before. So I look forward to meeting you all. Hope you have a great week!
      · 2 replies
      1. Selina333

        I'm so happy for you! You are about to change your life. I was so glad to get the sleeve done in Dec. I didn't have feelings of regret overall. And I'm down almost 60 lbs. I do feel a little sad at restaurants. I can barely eat half a kid's meal. I get adults meals often because kid ones don't have the same offerings at times. Then I feel obligated to eat on that until it's gone and that can be days. So the restaurant thing isn't great for me. All the rest is fine by me! I love feeling full with very little. I do wish I could drink when eating. And will sip at the end. Just a strong habit to stop. But I'm working on it! You will do fine! Just keep focused on your desire to be different. Not better or worse. But different. I am happy both ways but my low back doesn't like me that heavy. So I listened (also my feet!). LOL! Update us on your journey! I'm not far from you. I'm in Houston. Good luck and I hope it all goes smoothly! Would love to see pics of the town you go to for this. I've never been there. Neat you will be traveling for this! Enjoy the journey. Take it one day at a time. Sometimes a few hours at a time. Follow all recommendations as best you can. 💗

      2. Doughgurl

        Thank you so much for your well wishes. I am hoping that everything goes easy for me as well. We don't eat out much as it is, so it wont be too bad in that department. Thankfully. Also, I hear you regarding your back and feet!! I'd like to add knees to the list. Killing me as we speak! I'm only 5' so the weight has to go. Too short to carry all this weight. Menopause really did a doosey on me. (😶lol) My daughter also lives in Houston. with her Husband and my 5 grand-littles. I grew up in Beaumont, so I know Houston well, I will be sure to keep in touch and update you on my journey. I may need some advice in the future, or just motivation. Thank You so much for reaching out, I was hoping to connect with someone in the community. I really appreciate it. 💜

    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. LeighaTR

        I hope your surgery on Wednesday goes well. You will be able to do all sorts of new things as you find your new normal after surgery. I don't know this from experience yet, but I am seeing a lot of positive things from people who have had it done. Best of luck!

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