Happy Camper

I take Omeprosol daily as well. My cousin wanted to get the sleeve but, her doctor told her it was best if she went with RNY because of her GERD. Molly, IMO best to get all pros and cons from your doctor on it.

I was hospitalized for low potassium and dehydration. Not to mess around with in my opinion, please see your doc and get labs to determine the amount you may or may not need. I was taking pills only to find out my body was not absorbing it, had to go on liquid. Good luck!

Alex: YES I would do it again, even with needing a second surgery due to my abscess and third hospitalization due to dehydration and low potassium. Iggy: I am sorry for your loss, your friend, I am sure will be missed, that is a tragic situation when she was trying to live. All others: I am 17 months post op, still 20 lbs from MY goal and I live a normal happy life. This is a personal decision, period. This forum in my opinion is for support, education, a place of connection and commiseration all WHEN and IF we need it. PDXMAN: I understand the taking a break, you are successful...eat less than I do, by the way, and you have the ability to articulate for many here. Please keep up sharing as you are able. I too have backed way off, when people start chipping at each other, I just walk away. Best to all.

Good Morning All, Butterthebean, have you had your potassium level checked? Just sayin'...in November when I was one year out, I got dehydrated and did not know it. Had been taking potassium the whole time but, my body was not absorbing it well. I did a face plant, stopped breathing and ended up in ER. They put me on liquid supplement. Prior to my surgery over the last 20 years, I have been hospitalized for vertigo, and have had bouts on and off since that time. You will know if you ever have it. And I pray, that day never comes for anyone. Anyway, maybe with all the tests if they add that one would be an option. Of course, hydration is key. You are so active, perhaps to Lissa's point your muscles need more water/Gatorade to keep you going and balanced. Do keep us posted, while I have not been as active on the site, I do check back in here because this site with all the wonderful support is what helped me get on with my journey and it has been incredible! Best

I think she meant Pannus . Autofill can be a pain! (the hanging pannus, or apron of skin, from the lower abdomen below the belly button. Smiles

November 7, 2012 I ended up in hospital after doing a face plant and stopped breathing (woke up with leg cramps, bent over then passed out). Ambulance ride to ER and overnight stay later.. Diagnosis....dehydration AND low potassium. I had been taking Potassium twice a day for a year, post surgery. Apparently not absorbing it enough, I am now on liquid potassium daily and NEVER drink less than 96 oz of Water, generally with crystal light, lemon or plain. All is going well. Please listen to your body, and if you have any doubts reach out to your doctor. I am so happy with my sleeve overall, hope you are too! Take care.

Texas - I hope you are not responding because you are on your way to ER. I am one year post op, got dehydrated and stopped breathing, did face plant but my hubby was there. Seriously please go, I know you are concerned about the cost but, it does not matter. There is help out there and you need help, now. I pushed it and had an abscess that formed along my drain line requiring a second surgery and LOTS of treatments but, thank God no leak. Listen to your body... You need to get checked for a leak, NOW!

65 - hum. I need to have another cup and try again

I had been suffering with hot flashes and night sweats for a couple years. Confirmed menopause, thought once I lost weight it would get better but it did not. Went on HRT, Patches. Too much estrogen, GAINED 13 lbs. Went back and told doc, nope I will suffer through no more. The weight came back around my gut. I am 47, so I figure I will deal with it until I hit goal and then evaluate. Good luck to you.

I did not answer many of your Q's, sorry. Let me see. I was at Renown for the Sleeve surgery, they were great although Kozar was not sure where the infection came from, as my hubby was an EMT and we were especially careful using gloves in a sterile environmentmfor my drain. The second surgery was at Saint Mary's. I honestly prefer South Meadows overall. Meds were thought the pump, and I really used it for the first day mainly, slept a lot. Then up and walking, I switched to injections, I think (roll eyes, hard to believe I have forgotten), kinda like childbirth. God has taken away a lot of the memories of pain. I took a bag of "stuff" and really only used it when leaving, brushed my teeth, put on underclothes, sweats because weather was bad Nov3, 2011. But I had to stay close to hospital because we live about 3 hours away for my followup. All went well, until 11 days out and the drain came out, it did not hurt, it felt weird 2 days later, I was in ER for the abscess in my abdominal cavity. I think one of the best parts about Western Bariatric Center is the staff. You develop relationships with many there. Laurie is just a caring doll. Cindy one of the nurses is soooo supportive, Darolyn the Marketing director is a hoot and committed to her work. I had Christine as a nutritionist and she went with Sassy, so I have not met the new, or returning nutritionist but I hear she is fantastic! If you have any specific questions, feel free to send me a private message and I will share all I can. It is important to research and I always wanted to help and support others.

Back to me, Have you tried sugar free popcycle, G2(grape my fav) and good to get electrolytes and such up so you can get some energy going, warm tea (decaf for now) and my staple still today Crystal Light Rasp tea. You really do need to get your Fluid in, and need to move to create energy and to help lungs heal. You can do this, you have gone through too much, keep your eye on the prize. You will be so happy you did :)and give your life...back to you! Happy New Year!

Folks get your potassium levels checked and make sure you are not dehydrated if you have had your BP meds adjusted. This from me who face planted last month and ended up in hospital.

Hi Tammy and Team Nevada Sorry for the length of my post but, I feel passionately about my surgery and the outcome. I live too far away to attend support groups however, I will say that WBI offers much in the way of education, and they have grown with information for Sleevers. I was ummm number 46 for Dr. Kozar I think he has done many more since me more than a year ago. Dr. Gansar used to specialize in RNY, he spoke at my WL seminar and Dr. Kozar had been working toward getting Gansar and Sassy (before he left), more onboard with the VSG. I think doctor Watson specializes in lap band, and it seems they really are moving away from that as an option. Tammy, if you are at the point your life MUST change because of medical and self image issues and you have done all you can do, then in my opinion time is now and you CAN do this. Just follow the rules, sip and walk in the beginning. Then gradually add as the plan allows. Go from Clear liquids, to liquids, to soft (things that fall from a spoon) like sugar free pudding, thicker Soup, thin cream of wheat while getting your Protein and Water in. You will NOT be hungry. Over time you will get hungry again and hopefully, by then you have retrained your brain and eating habits. Keep the junk out of the house, by removing the temptation it will help you. Losing during the first year is critical. I lost most of my weight during the first 10 months. Keep your eye on the prize and you my friend will succeed. Now, many on this forum have read I had a complication. I developed an abscess along the drain line, and had to have emergency surgery to remove the infection. Dr. Sassy had to do it as Kozar was on vacation. This was two weeks after my surgery. Kozar no longer keeps the drain in that long and he requires antibiotics prior to surgery. You might want to check with Gansar to see what he does. I then had to undergo cell replacement therapy for about 8 weeks during Christmas last year. But, honestly I am fine now. I have one additional scar about 2.5 inches across right in the middle of my stomach but, compared to some I was very fortunate. Tammy go in knowing the risks, follow the guidelines, make sure your doctor knows all of your information and I am certain you will post in about 6 months how much better you feel! I watched some home videos last week, and could not believe it was me on the film (rare), today I am active, alive and loving life. No longer do my knees ach, my feet are fine, I can walk...no run up stairs my high blood pressure is gone and I know I will be around to retre with my husband. Before surgery, not so sure I would have been. I will share I had issues only one time last month and I did not eat much that day, and only drank about 30 oz of water. That night my feet/legs were cramping and I ended up doing my face plant and long story short had a stay in the hospital for dehydration and low potassium. So, now I do not get too busy EVER. My water generally I drink 69 -92 oz daily with crystal light peach or raspberry tea and I have no problems getting it in. I feel like recently I have been eating more than I should because I am now taking HRT (patch), but that is much better for me than continued hot flashes . As a result I have put on 7 lbs from my lowest BUT I am very aware and I will increase Protein drinks and reduce some of the other non needed items I have been eating (sunflower seeds, a piece of sourdough bread, cashews), I think I have been testing myself and it is time to get refocused. I will leave you with, hold yourself accountable by signing up with my fitness pal type program that logs your food, clear your home of junk, hopefully you have a supportive family (KEY), stay positive, follow the food program and talk with the nutritionist at WBI. Let us know how it goes and good luck in your journey. Many here will say a prayer for your success, I left myself in God's hands and he helped me through my dark times. Today, I ride on the back of my hubby's motorcycle, and absolutely LOVE LIFE!

Saddie I am13 months post op down 110 lbs and had a trip to the ER last month after passing out and not breathing. Diagnosis? Dehydration and low potassium. So I can say, it will NEVER be out of my mind to getmmy Water in daily. One time, I did not eat or drink much during a busy day, that night I got up, passed out, did a face plant and ended up in the hospital via ambulance and ER room. I can say...drink, drink, drink and to all recently sleeved, sipping is real please DO IT!

Kmbrly Thanks for bringing this up! Hope you did well and all here continue on your journey with success! Let me know if I can help in any way as I am, almost 13 months post op.

Great job! Me too, 3 lbs. I ate Albabore and eggs yesterday, plan to do the same today on day 5. Thanks for bringing this up Sunny, I feel like I am back on a good path!

Angel sounds fantastic...is the nutrition information for one? I am hungry for Peanut Butter, which I get after tomorrow! Thanks

Thanks for asking Sunny. Today was tough for me, our friends lost their 15 year old son in a car accident where his 20 year old cousin was driving and they both died. He brother is hanging on...barely. But today our small town closed the high school early and had services for them both. Then we had graveside...I did not eat for 8 1/2 hours, by the time we got home, I hate some turkey, baby bel cheese and drank a Protein shake. I felt much better then tonight, I have eaten 2 scrambled eggs. Yum. Did not exercise today just did not have it in me....need more Water only drank 46 oz so far. How about you?

Iggy with all you have been through Wine, the nectar of the Gods IS liquid I have read your story and am sorry for all the pain and loss you have gone through. I wish you good continued successful healing. Here is to..water!

Hi friends, Just a couple tips 1) set an egg timer, 2) use chop sticks (my favorite) and 3) make yourself get a little distracted while eating. These things helped me.....

Hey Sunny, There is a recipe for split pea Soup that includes bacon and ham (online at http://5daypouchtest.com/recipes/recipes.html) but for me, I used Andersen's canned low fat last night, tonight probably the same. I had Campbell's broccoli soup at hand for lunch. And I use the costco premiere Protein shakes, had 3 today plus tons of Water (I had to finally add some crystal light to get my last bottle down). I am hungry and excited to have eggs tomorrow Best to you!

Hey gals, I have not been posting much lately but thought I would reach out. I did really well the first 10 months post op, then REALLY slowed down. Then....got dehydrated, passed out had low potassium and ended up in hospital. After 4 bags of Fluid, liquid potassium and bananas, I gained 6 lbs. I read one time since we do not have a Pouch this is not for us however, I wanted to "shrink" my tummy again because I can eat sooooo much more today and still have, now 26 lbs to go. I thoughtnabout Diva's boot camp and if this does not work, I will o down that path. So Sunny and team yesterday was all liquid for me. I am with you all... it was tough. I had 4 shakes, 2 cups of split pea soup, 100 oz of Water, 2 cups of coffee. Stay strong for today best to all! No weight loss yet, worked out for 40 minutes.

Hello, It is fun to see other Sleevers who have gone to Western Bariatric in Reno, Nv and to Dr. Kozar. The group of folks at that center is what makes it the BEST! I did have my surgery on November 1, 2011. This past year has been absolutely wonderful. You may find (or not) that as time goes by you are on this forum less and less. I remember in the beginning I was on hour after hour, day after day. Today, I do not participate nearly as much. Because mainly, people who are new, find new things together and really you almost form a unique bond. As time has gone by for me, I have learned more to depend on what I have learned here, making me stronger! With that said, don't mistake me, things CAN and do happen later down the road. Your body will let you know if you are not right. Night before last, I woke up to my feet/legs cramping. I sat on the edge of the bed trying to stretch them out, did not work. So I got up and walked to the bedroom door, when it felt like my toes had retracted and were pointing straight up, it hurt soooooo bad. I bent down to push them down and that is the last thing I remember until I woke up in my husbands arms with him shaking me and asking if I could hear him. Apparently, I blacked out fell on the bed frame on my back, landed face first on the floor and stopped breathing. Long story short including ambulance and a night in the hospital. I was super stressed at work, did not drink enough Water and did not eat right the day before. The tests confirmed I was dehydrated and my potassium levels were low even though I take potassium twice daily. I have not been eating fruit or vegetables to help sustain the potassium in my body. Ultimately please find a routine and stick to it. Do not think that at 6 months or 12 months post op, you can go back to your old habits because friends it simply does not work. Take it from me my routine had been working, and I took a step backwards. NEVER again. I love my new life, the way I feel and I will always make sure I am doing what I am supposed to. Good luck in all you do and your journey.

Also make sure you get your potassium levels checked. Good luck

Hey Wolf (hope you are ok with that, call me Happy or whatever works . Great diversion thought! I will join... I too am Gen X, birthday yesterday. A little more Country for me...Donny and Marie, Sonny and Cher, later on watched 90210 and Melrose Place. Music influence: Alabama, The Judds, and just about every "love song" ranging from Stevie Wonder to Captain and Tonille. Movies/Actors: d**k Van Dyke, Chitty bang bang (you may be saying really? But, this movie was my inspiration to perform the part where the wife was a doll in a music box...I did this on-stage and WON a beauty pageant as a senior in high school, it changed my entire life!), Julie Andrews, Sound of Music. That is what I can come up with at my OLD age for now Fun times, so much easier than kids have it today...