Hello everyone. My name is Daniel. I've been lurking around this site for months as a visitor. The information on the site helped me choose to have the "sleeve" instead of the lap band (the sleeve was just better for me). I wanted to officially join the site as a member now to let everyone know I had surgery on January 5, 2009. I couldn't have done it without you guys. You all are a wealth of knowledge and an inspiration when I need it. Since the surgery I have lost 60 pounds (initial weight-347) and am below 300 pounds for the first time since 1991 when I was 18 years old. I don't want to sound like I'm "tooting my own horn" but you all are a big part of my success. Thank you all.

Daniel

Welcome to official membership! :laugh:

Speaking of "tooting", did you know moving from the 300s to the 200s is called "entering Twoterville"?

So welcome to Twoterville as well.

Congratulations. I am having my band removed to get the sleeve.

Can you tell me what it was like immediately after surgery?

Did you have trouble drinking very much Water? Can you tell me what you thought was the hardest part about

the first few weeks after surgery?

Hello everyone. My name is Daniel. I've been lurking around this site for months as a visitor. The information on the site helped me choose to have the "sleeve" instead of the lap band (the sleeve was just better for me). I wanted to officially join the site as a member now to let everyone know I had surgery on January 5, 2009. I couldn't have done it without you guys. You all are a wealth of knowledge and an inspiration when I need it. Since the surgery I have lost 60 pounds (initial weight-347) and am below 300 pounds for the first time since 1991 when I was 18 years old. I don't want to sound like I'm "tooting my own horn" but you all are a big part of my success. Thank you all.

Daniel

Oh my goodness, toot away! YOU are the one doing the work, you are the one deserving of credit.

The sleeve is much much easier than banding in so many different ways. I know, I've had both. ;o) You did it the right way the first time, I did not.

Congrats to you!

Oregondaisy,

The surgery really was a breeze. The only problem I encountered was the gas pain. By morning they were gone. For two days I drank one ounce every 15 minutes from a medicine cup. I didn't feel like I needed anything else. I had a full sensation that never went away. I went to a hog roast on Saturday night after my surgery. I knew there would be food everywhere but I had to get out of the house. While everyone ate I sipped Gatorade, but I felt just as full and content as anyone else. I went back to work on day 9 (I'm a RN in the ER). I felt weak and it was tough. Each day was better that the day before. Pretty much no problems at all. Let me know and I will answer any other question you have. Good luck.

BigDan, Way to go. You may have been inspired by others on this site but now many will be inspired by you. I will be sleeved on March 31. How did your pre op diet go? Has your dr told you how many cal per day you should be eating by now? I noticed on another site that less than 1000 and you would stop all weight loss. Do ya feel hungry? It is great to see a Nurse has chosen the sleeve. That makes me feel a bit more confident. Keep up the Good Work.

MacMadame,

Your ticker just makes me smile every time I see it. Tell me again when you had your surgery. Have not chatted on this site in several days. Update: Dr visit and liquid diet on March 18. Surgery on March 31. I am so ready to start Tooting my horn. I have lost weight in the past and packed it back on faster than I lost it. I understand that with the help of the sleeve (my tool) that I will be reminded to stop before things get out of hand. Now I can eat a lot before I am full. For those of us who have not been sleeved yet really do not understand the concept of eating ½ cup and feeling so full we push away from the table.

Oregondaisy, I noticed in purple you write Maintenance is a work in progress. I know without the tool being able to maintain weight loss is hard. Is it just as hard with your tool? So many things to think about. Just trying to understand. I will be sleeved March 31.

I had my surgery 9/24. I did lose 29 lb. pre-op though. I'm still pretty excited. I wanted to be at goal by 6 months out and I'm very, very close.

Maintenance is a work in progress because with the band, I can eat anything I want. I have to control my own portions.

There are a lot of people who have trouble with certain food, I don't. I can't get another fill because I was throwing up in my sleep, which meant I needed to have fill removed. Ever since then, I have been struggling daily not to gain weight back. I think the sleeve will be a better option for me. I will not be able to eat the size of portion I can eat now. I have to force myself to stop now. I really have no restriction.

Oregondaisy,

The surgery really was a breeze. The only problem I encountered was the gas pain. By morning they were gone. For two days I drank one ounce every 15 minutes from a medicine cup. I didn't feel like I needed anything else. I had a full sensation that never went away. I went to a hog roast on Saturday night after my surgery. I knew there would be food everywhere but I had to get out of the house. While everyone ate I sipped Gatorade, but I felt just as full and content as anyone else. I went back to work on day 9 (I'm a RN in the ER). I felt weak and it was tough. Each day was better that the day before. Pretty much no problems at all. Let me know and I will answer any other question you have. Good luck.

Dan...

Did you have a spinal block?

Hello everyone. My name is Daniel. I've been lurking around this site for months as a visitor. The information on the site helped me choose to have the "sleeve" instead of the lap band (the sleeve was just better for me). I wanted to officially join the site as a member now to let everyone know I had surgery on January 5, 2009. I couldn't have done it without you guys. You all are a wealth of knowledge and an inspiration when I need it. Since the surgery I have lost 60 pounds (initial weight-347) and am below 300 pounds for the first time since 1991 when I was 18 years old. I don't want to sound like I'm "tooting my own horn" but you all are a big part of my success. Thank you all.

Daniel

Congrats Dan! I am considering sleeve also and want to find who does surgury's? I got a reply from one Doc. (Kelly) but who else will do these? I don't see it on Dr. Ortiz site. Any recommedations? I am in Canada. Thanks and keep up great work and keep me posted on progress please :w00t:)

Thank you all for your encouraging words. I appreciate all of your comments and questions.

pf337-I didn't have a set presurgery diet. My doc just said try to eat low cal/fat free for a couple weeks leading up to the surgery. I had written guidelines and sample diets for each phase after surgery. As for now, the written material I have simply says to eat 3 ounces of lean meat/protein with a couple tablespoons of vegetables and a couple tablespoons of starch to be eaten in the order of meat/vegetable/starch until completed or full. I can't eat everything so starches are few and far between. My only problem is that at work it is tempting to "grab and go" just whatever I can, so fighting the urge to eat whatever junk that is lying around is a battle I still face every day.

WasABubbleButt-No, I didn't have a spinal. It wasn't even offered. I wouldn't have taken it anyway. I was given a spinal for my knee surgery(rugby injury) and had difficulty urinating for about two weeks. I came out of recovery at about noon and was making laps on the floor at 1:30 pm. I would have been out of recovery sooner but the dilaudid kicked my butt! The nurse kept reminding me to breathe deep until my O2 sat stayed up on its own. I was discharged the next morning at 10 am. I'm thankful everything went as well as it did.

Congratulations, Dan, and much continued success to you. I'm revising to a VSG on 4/1.