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Day 19 post-op and so happy to be here. Until September I'd never heard of a sleeve gastrectomy and was not looking at doing bariatric surgery. Being overweight/obese most of my adult life I assumed I'd carry the burden and the health consequences to my grave. I was diagnosed with diabetes in 2004 and have done a fair job of losing small amounts of weight, eating clean food and staying active BUT not enough to stop it's progression. At the age of 54 SO much of my mental energy has been spent on what to eat, how to eat it, shame over emotional binges, isolation due to my size and downright self- loathing. Several people I know had the Lap-band and I was curious about it. I got on the internet and Googled surgeons in the Dallas area (not my home) and filled out a form requesting information. That same day I got a call from a representative of Dr. Nicholson's Clinic and shared my heart and they offered a solution/tool in a Bariatric Vertical Sleeve. To make a long story short I planned my trip to Dallas for an informational class and personal Dr. consultation. I was sold and set my surgery date for Oct. 18th, 2011 at Forest Park Hospital, Dallas, TX. I was about a month out of surgery when I started doing some research and asking different questions. Because I live on a ranch an hour drive from any medical services the sleeve is an ideal choice. Three weeks post op the risk of surgical complications are nil. That has been a big peace of mind for me. I started my pre-op diet on Oct. 4th and found it to be a bit of a struggle. I despise sweet, milky drinks and gagged down Slimfast, HoneyMilk and Carnation Instant Breakfast Sugar Free. I did not know about the Bariatric Advantage Products or Unjury.....boy I wish I had. If I had one piece of advice it would be to hunt like crazy till you find something that you find pleasant and drinkable. It will make the days after surgery much less stressful. I've since ordered some of the above products. During this time I also meet with the psychologist, nutritionist and went through the pre-admit process. The whole time I wasn't sure I would go through with it. The Nicholson Clinic is really good about letting you know that you can cancel or delay until you are ready. Even the night before going in I was not sure. So many changes, so much to give up, so much unknown. It was by faith and the grace of God that I made it to the OR the next day.....and sooooo thankful that I did. My check-in was noon on the 18th of October. It went smoothly and I was in the holding area shortly after that. My husband went with me and was a huge support. It is good to have someone with you. Being dehydrated made some of the IV stuff a bit trying but that was over quickly and I was resting when the anethesiologist (sp) came in. I'd had a horrible cold the week before and had a nasty cough. He promised me he would get that cleared out and he was true to his word. Don't remember a thing after he injected a relaxing med into the IV. Woke up being moved to my bed. The whole day I kept dozing off and dreaming that the surgery was the next day and feeling the dread. Then I would realize it was OVER and feel utter elation. The 24 hour hospital stay is a bit of a blur. Good drugs. I will say that it was challenging to get up and walk regularly, not drink, and battle a crazy head hunger. I just wanted to eat big bites of some comfort food like mac and cheese or enchiladas. I thought I was starving to death and ask myself what the heck had I'd done. It was an internal battle. I'm not sure if anyone else has had a similar experience but it has really reinforced for me the need for the Sleeve surgery. It will be the tool that helps me finally overcome obesity and achieve my goals in life. It's just too short to waste sitting around in a love affair with food that doesn't love me back. Leaving the hospital and going to a hotel in the area worked out fine. I slept and sipped. On day three I was able to stop the pain medication and Tylenol...both were so sweet and gagging that I did better without. I used ice packs on my left side and it seemed to help. I must say that the pain was more than I had expected but not anything to keep someone from doing it. If I could have choked down the meds I probably would have taken them a few more days. Also, do practice sipping before your surgery. I used the one ounce cup for a week before just to get the hang of it. A week post-op and I was able to drink at just the right pace without thinking about it and loved feeling normal again. On the 8th day I flew home and had a 2.5 hour car ride. It went great and there is no place like home! I really began to heal quickly once I was in my own home. I've been following the Dr.s orders as well as possible and was back in Dallas for the 2-week post op exam. I've lost 22 pounds, yea, and can begin soft foods this coming Tuesday! Hello scrambled eggs! One note, I had really felt sore on my left side and was concerned that there was a problem. Turns out it is text book for week 2 due to the healing process and increased activity. This may not hold true for all Dr's patients but for Dr. Nick's he adds extra stitches in the left side muscles and they begin to pull. Who knew? Living in an isolated area it was recommended to me to find an online support group. My nutritionist suggested this one. I look forward to this part of the journey! It will be a pleasure to hear about each of your stories and learn from the experiences of others. There is no time like NOW! Source: Day 19 and I Can't Stop Smiling!

So when I was researching about the lap band all I found was positive informaiton. I never saw anything about the feeling of food stuck in your throat, or the constipation, constant shoulder and back pain, or abdominal pains. Then I have the surgery and had all of that. I was banded on 9/19/11. first had the initial fill removed 2 weeks later and still had the same problems. I was having so many different issues and having a hard time dealing with the pain and depression. The final straw was when my children sat me down and had one of the hardest talks I think they ever had. They told me that they wanted their Mom back. That I wasn't the same happy go lucky, fun to be around person anymore. I had the band removed 10/21/11 and I am now back to 'normal'. It was immediate. All of the issues I had were gone. During my month with the band I lost 25 lbs and it is still off, plus a couple more. While I applaud those of you who have had success I realize that the band is not for everyone. Some people's bodies just aren't cut out to accept it. The one good thing that I learned was what a portion looks like. I don't think I ever ate a portion in my life. I think I ate a family size portion for everything. Good luck to all of you who have had the band and had success.

Frittata recipe for anyone interested... Ingredients: Buy one large container of Egg Whites One package of baby spinach (you can switch out any veggies but this is my fave) Pam Spray Goat cheese (you can also add low fat mozarella) Italian seasonings (or any spices you enjoy) I buy one package of Jimmy Dean low fat Turkey Sausage crumbles. (You can also switch this out with turkey bacon, vegetarian fake sausage crumbles, etc) Preheat oven to 350 degrees Take one large frying fan with a METAL handle (NOT PLASTIC as this will go in the oven) Spray with pam pretty heavily so that the fritatta pops right out at the end Pour the bag of turkey crumbles in the pan (or your meat of choice) and warm up Then I add the whole bag of spinach which cooks down and softens up very well and sneaks in a good amount of veggies - (this is where you can also sneak in other veggies if you want - Asparagus tips, red peppers, etc) Then on Medium to Medium-High heat (you don't want this to burn the bottle) add the carton of egg whites which will cover the large pan. You may not have to use the whole container. It all depends on how large you want your fritatta and how big your pan is. It doesn't rise so you can eye this. On Medium heat, let is cook for a few minutes. You will notice the whole thing cooking except the top. At this point is where I put in goat cheese crumbles which end up melting with the turkey sausage and spinach and then I sprinkle Italian seasons all over it Put it into the oven for about 8 mins which will cook the top up and melt the goat cheese Once you see it's finished, pull out of oven and flip onto plate. You can then use another plate to flip it back over to see the pretty side. Cut into pie slices. You can then rewarm each slice for about 45 seconds thru the week. It's a super easy, super quick breakfast and it's such a great flavor and way to sneak in veggies and Protein and being very low fat. It also helps with less waste of throwing food away because you can sneak in different veggies. The one above just happens to be my fave flavors. You can alternate different meats and cheeses and veggies and have a million different variations. This ends cooking with Lisa LOL

I see a lot of postings about the pre-op diet..and some people are on them and some arent...Is it based on how much you weight? I hear a lot of talk about needing to shrink the liver..is this for everyone as well? Just wondering why some are on a preop diet and some arent.

I have also had this type of response from my dad, friends, and co-workers. Depending on the relationship I have with the person saying the comment is how I judge my response. Usually it goes something like this....I have lost hundreds, if not thousands of pounds in my lifetime. Losing weight is not the problem. Keeping it off after I lose it is. If you have never been morbidly obese, you could never began to understand what it is like. This is my decision. Your approval is not neccessary. Good luck! It is only your journey to take. You decide how to take it.

Me too! Good luck. It is exciting.

Today was the day!! Just sore and tired.

Nov. 29, for my hubby...Nov. 30 for me. Banned together, pre op & post op together.

I love your quote - "My world is expanding as my butt is shrinking" - I think that exactly encapsulates what we were talking about. Today, I carried my boot camp trainer on my back across the room (and let me tell you, that girl has MUSCLE, she is HEAVY) The whole way across the room she was telling me that I love doing this The funniest part was that she wouldn't get off until I said "I love this!" Bizarrely, this was actually FUN, not something that I would have predicted before I started this journey. Like seriously? I can pick up this woman who is taller and more muscular than me on my back and walk across the room with her????? It's insane but I feel so accomplished right now. (also seriously SORE) RDK

Hmmm, could this be the green eyed monster talking? I know my DH is jealous of my achievements and what I get from my fitness and jealous of the time it takes me - I will always make time to walk with him, but that's on top of my exercise (because in my overzealousness, I dont consider mere walking exercise, lol). He's always on at me to "help him" but once he's got me to drop a run or miss a gym session, he's "too tired", "too stressed" and I've given up my time for nothing. Which, I suspect, is what he wanted. Truth is, I'm committed to running, and committed to exercise, but not addicted. If I've got time, its something I love to do and I make time for it. But I would never put it ahead of something the kids have on, or if there was a terrible mess in the house, or the kids hadnt been fed. But I sure as heck dont miss a run to do washing, clean a bathroom or whatever, that stuff can wait. I prefer to go to the gym than watch TV at night. I'd always welcome a fun social engagement and would miss a run for that, certainly, and I've taken it easy this week because I have a sore knee - but that injury, illness stuff gets to me, I ran 10 days after a bowel resection and right through chemotherapy, with an ileostomy (huge dehydration risk) and in the hot Melbourne summer- in hindsight, that was a bit stupid - i pushed myself really hard and I was having cancer treatment - that does border on addiction but that sort of silly behaviour has passed for me now treatment is over. Truth is, being fit meals a lot to me and I prioritise it in my life but I'm generally not stupid over it. But we can find our partners preferred our couch potato ways as they dont like feeling guilty, being less fit and having you have such an interest in something that doesnt involve them. Its GOOD for your mental health, I do indeed use it to cope with stress.