Alright December Sleevers, I'm hoping that this title brings more people in so we can follow and encourage each other through our journeys.

I am 40. I'm 5'4" and about 308 right now. I'd like to get to a healthy BMI which would be around 145. I'm hoping for a December 4th or 5th date with Dr. William Johnson.

Everyone introduce yourselves!


So far as of 11/02/13

• Dec 02 Krysta03
• Dec 02 gaslimgal
• Dec 02 jess9395
• Dec 02 Annadette
• Dec 02 sookie
• Dec 02 Nurse_Bonnie
• Dec 02 doopa
• Dec 02 Jerzygurl
• Dec 03 Tasha420
• Dec 03 SouthernCharm
• Dec 03 redilla42
• Dec 03 skinnynewbecky2014
• Dec 03 Sinderelly
• Dec 03 missmee
• Dec 03 Browneyedgurl
• Dec 04 L-in-NJ
• Dec 04 Healthbound
• Dec 04 Katdrox
• Dec 05 Blondiee
• Dec 05 Lioness813
• Dec 06 kyholder
• Dec 06 harleychic
• Dec 09 De-jo
• Dec 09 AshleyMidwife
• Dec 09 Sweettart702
• Dec 09 MShell
• Dec 09 Carlotta
• Dec 10 hopecomeswithtime
• Dec 11 liciamarie
• Dec 11 KaminaBlue
• Dec 11 Only1likeme
• Dec 11 soul2bleed
• Dec 11 Volfan
• Dec 11 dencob1
• Dec 11 MnWin
• Dec 11 onedaycloser
• Dec 11 Scraglycat
• Dec 12 amills
• Dec 12 kellymoon
• Dec 12 honeylove
• Dec 13 Mommie4
• Dec 13 amduc (and husband!)
• Dec 13 Under1star
• Dec 14 Sleevin It
• Dec 16 slvrsax
• Dec 16 elhudge
• Dec 16 Mfs
• Dec 16 MGR1852
• Dec 17 Shelly70
• Dec 17 Serenah
• Dec 17 ginnie290
• Dec 18 Sns513
• Dec 18 Nona337am
• Dec 18 gemgirl
• Dec 18 mija1980
• Dec 18 Teachamy
• Dec 26 ReEstDec2013
• Dec 27 Carmen1963
• Dec 30 elsnanny

No date yet:

• AtlantaRed
• beansmomma
• HoustonTexanFan
• AngiD
• fpmr96a
• SueRN
• Simpley_ke
• Vixey
• macman
• MonisNatural
• fmpr96a
• Tarheel79
• SeniorMoment
• Coachk
• kan7525
• caligirl3
• Besleeve It

Are any of the early December Sleevers exercising yet? It's been snowing here so I haven't been able to get out for a walk so I've considered going to the mall or Target to get in a half mile or so. My Dr. only have restrictions on lifting weights so I supposed I could hop on a treadmill too if so desired.

My date is 12/27 with 1 week of pre op diet. Congrats and Best of Luck to everyone. Glad I found this site and all the December sleevers.

Are any of the early December Sleevers exercising yet? It's been snowing here so I haven't been able to get out for a walk so I've considered going to the mall or Target to get in a half mile or so. My Dr. only have restrictions on lifting weights so I supposed I could hop on a treadmill too if so desired.

It has been cold and snowing/raining in NJ so I have been to the gym. Only thing I'm cleared to do is walk but it feels better than the freezing cold;)

3 days post op and started shakes again. I hate them, all flavors, and don't know how I am going to get through the next 2 weeks.

Andrew -- have you tried unflavored protein in Crystal Lite or in soup?

Making my hospital list of items to bring on Monday 12/16….

I have had recommendations for the following:

1) Your own pillow - also heard this helps cushion the seat belt against your tummy on the way home

2) Tooth paste/brush

3) hair brush/comb

4) Night gown - some say yes, some say no?

5) Robe - is it a good idea to bring a robe (I assume your butt hangs out otherwise when you are up walking)?

6) Slippers - are you in hospital socks and if so, are slippers needed? I have sock monkey slippers!

7) Someone mentioned a throw for comfort- don't they give you more blankets if you need them?

8) GasX strips - do they let you use these in the hospital?

10) Chap stick

11) Your own drinks - don't they give you sugar free drinks? How much are you drinking anyway?

12) Do they let you - or are you able to take a shower?

Would appreciate anyone else's perspective on what they brought or wish they had.

Getting excited to get this underway. Not sleeping that well, I keep waking up wondering how it will be. May be waking up from hunger though, LOL!

Cab -- I brought some PJ pants, a hairbrush, my toothbrush, my phone, and my charger. The only thing I didn't have and needed was Chapstick because the anti-nausea patch dries everything out, but they have me ice chips in recovery and Chapstick on the floor. They gave me everything else I needed: extra blankets and pillows, drinks and "food" (like Jello and broth), etc. I wore the same clothes out that I wore in, and I wore the hospital gown over my PJ pants. Would've been hard to wrestle with a gown over my IV tube, etc. not impossible, just not worth it to me. I was in the hospital about 24 hours and showered after I got home.

I keep reading about an abdominal binder being used after surgery. Any feedback on this from those who are post-op? Or have any of your surgeons/nurses said to expect this? It's a bit of a new idea to me so I'm trying to wrap my head around what to expect. Thanks!

Oh yes! They put me in one post-op, and it was wonderful! Kind of squished everything in to hold it in place. It's the same idea as holding a firm pillow against your belly for pain relief/comfort, except the comfort is strapped on. I'm 10 days post-op now. I stopped wearing the binder 24hrs/day a few days out, but I only recently stopped sleeping in it. I'm a side-sleeper, and the binder kept my tummy snug so that side sleeping didn't cause my tummy to stretch tugging on the incisions. So thankful for the abdominal binder! If you want one and aren't put in one automatically, just ask at the hospital. They can get one for you, no problem.

December 19th in Fort Worth, Texas!

Hey neighbor! I'm a bit north of you. Has my VSG at Baylor Grapevine.

I was sleeved on the 11th and I'm still tired all the time. Anyone else this way?

I was sleeved on the 11th and I'm still tired all the time. Anyone else this way?

Hello sleeve sister. I was sleeved the same day and yes. the nausea meds make you sleepy so I asked for non drowsy. I'm still a little weak and plan on getting up and out today if I can. The big incision hurts the most. Make sure you are getting in your fluids.

So surgery was yesterday Friday the 13. Surgery went really well he took my lapband out and did the sleeve. I am not using as much pain meds today compared to yesterday. I have been up and walking laps around the floor and even went downstairs to see my children last night. Breathing is a little hard at times but they have me on oxygen. I have not drank anything since Thursday night should get ice chips and water this morning excited it went will and can't wait to get home.

So surgery was yesterday Friday the 13. Surgery went really well he took my lapband out and did the sleeve. I am not using as much pain meds today compared to yesterday. I have been up and walking laps around the floor and even went downstairs to see my children last night. Breathing is a little hard at times but they have me on oxygen. I have not drank anything since Thursday night should get ice chips and water this morning excited it went will and can't wait to get home.

So surgery was yesterday Friday the 13. Surgery went really well he took my lapband out and did the sleeve. I am not using as much pain meds today compared to yesterday. I have been up and walking laps around the floor and even went downstairs to see my children last night. Breathing is a little hard at times but they have me on oxygen. I have not drank anything since Thursday night should get ice chips and water this morning excited it went will and can't wait to get home.

Why are u having trouble breathing?!? Who did ur surgery?

Hello sleeve sister. I was sleeved the same day and yes. the nausea meds make you sleepy so I asked for non drowsy. I'm still a little weak and plan on getting up and out today if I can. The big incision hurts the most. Make sure you are getting in your fluids.

Yes the big incision hurts the most. The good thing is that I haven't had any gas pain in my shoulder. This whole sleeping on my back thing sucks tho. Gonna try a shake today. They told me not to really worry about protein this week just to make sure I'm staying hydrated. Good luck to you!

Why are u having trouble breathing?!? Who did ur surgery?

Pretty common after effect of going under anesthesia. It's hard/painful to take a deep breath.

Best of luck today AtlantaRed. We are all rooting for you ...

Thank you so much! I'm doing very, very well. So glad I I nsisted on staying overnight. Will update soon!