Happy Camper

Peace queen, First let me say, you are beautiful inside and out. During the past year we have both been on this forum and you always, always support others. It is time you take care of you! This forum can be a place to share and find support, even us "oldies" are still around a bit. While I personally do not post as much, still like to check in every now and again. You have soooo much on your plate, illness, your special needs child, husband financial situation etc. PLEASE, keep yourself at the forefront. If you are not well, you will not be able to help others who may need you my friend. Take care....LOVE the new picture

Hi Aurora, Yes I was in the fashion show...blush blush. It was such a wonderful event. I was the show closer I was in the black chiffon gown and twirled on the stage and was wearing black gloves? I plan on sharing my experience but, we just got home and I am exhausted! Have you been sleeved or are you working with doctor Kozar? Oh Dr. kozar walked with me in the show's finale' Western Bariatric Center rocks! You will love them all...Diane at the front, Lori the nurse, Cindy a nurse, they have a new..returning nutritionist, Patrick is a nurse...they all are so caring. Darolyn put the show together, she is the Marketing and is super great as well. What did you think of the show?

Nicci, You must believe in your surgeon and make the decision that is best for you. One of my final straws was when someone said to me "when was the last time you saw a morbidly obese senior citizen?", That hit me hard, I wanted to be around for a long time! I had a complication following my sleeve surgery on day 15 (abscess requiring emergency surgery) but seriously LOVE, LOVE the life I am living today. I did my research, soul searching and prayer. Ultimately, I decided FOR ME it was worth any risk and I would have access to good medical technology should anything go wrong. Best to you!

At day 11 I had my drain out and by day 15 was in emergency surgery for an abscess. If it hurts, is warm or hard around the incision area, I would go to hospital. I do not want to freak you out, but I just now subscribe to listening to my body and simply don't take chances. This is a serious surgery.

Just my opinion; I would not wait, seriously much can happen. Are you even going to be able to rest tonight? D you have a fever? Are you feeling better, same or worse than when you were released?

My potassium was low...you might want to also talk to doctor about your levels...stay hydrated and yes watch the BP meds. Low Potassium (Hypokalemia) Overview copied from "emedicine", I am not a nurse or doctor: Low potassium levels (hypokalemia), can cause weakness as cellular processes are impaired. Potassium is a mineral (electrolyte) in the body. Almost 98% of potassium is found inside the cells. Small changes in the level of potassium that is present outside the cells can have severe effects on the heart, nerves, and muscles. Potassium is important to maintain several bodily functions: Muscles need potassium to contract. The heart muscle needs potassium to beat properly and regulate blood pressure. The kidney is the main organ that controls the balance of potassium by removing excess potassium into the urine. When potassium levels are low (hypokalemia), you can become weak as cellular processes are impaired. The normal potassium level is 3.5-5.0 mEq/L (mEq/L stand for milliequivalents per liter of blood and this is a measure used to evaluate the level). Low potassium is defined as a potassium level below 3.5 mEq/L. Almost one out of five people hospitalized in the United States has a low potassium level. People with eating disorders such as anorexia nervosa and bulimia, patients with AIDS, alcoholics, and those who have had bariatric surgery have a higher incidence of hypokalemia than others.

LilMissDiva...IRENE, you are an incredible inspiration and guide to all of us on so many levels. Spiritually, you lift us and offer so much in the way of encouragement. Have loved watching your progress over the more than a year I have been on is board. You are just beautiful inside and out!

Lip water is difficult for some, not sure why. I do not drink plain very often, generally about 23 oz daily. Just a suggestion - try switching to G2, less sugar (love the grape). I am not sure how far out you are but, your calories seem low. Need protein and with lowering sugar levels you can get a bit more in. Seriously do try the Crystal Light Sunrise, I think you will be surprisingly happy with it .

Lip are you still having issues with drinking? You mentioned orange juice, yup lots sugar...have you tried the crystal light "sunrise"? To me it tastes just like OJ without the sugar.... Daily for the most part looks like this: coffee with soy 4:30-5:30am Water with workout 5:30-6:15am Premiere Protein 8:00am Brown turkey breast from costco or 1/2 premiere Protein Bar 10-11:00am 3.5 - 4 oz shrimp, cocktail sauce and handful salad with lite dressing 12-1pm 1/2 premiere protein or not depending how busy I am at work around 3pm dinner...last nigh 4oz hamburger patty lean, with cheese another handful salad with Caesar dressing 5-5:30pm Snack...lately sunflower seeds, really craving salt I drink about 70oz water/crystal light peach tea daily Love my sleeve! Best to all!

Peacequeen, You always support others even though you have been through so much. I will keep you and your family in my prayers. God will walk with you and your faith will keep you strong. These tough times will pass, but please do not skip on your medication. You need to physically be well in order to be strong for your family. Bless you my friend.

Hi all November Sleevers! Last year a group began for November to which we all coined "banana babes". Just something fun to connect us in November. I LOVE my sleeve and new life! I wish the best to all of you!

Altagirl is it possible after surgery/weight loss to begin to have periods when diagnosed in early menopause?

Oh my goodness! How absolutely wonderful to simply say the words "I made it!"..."you did it"!!!! Congratulations and I can't wait to be in the same club as you and others here.

Lissa, Congratulations beautiful woman! I too have found not only through your posts but responses, you have helped me and many others along in this journey. You were the first, I found, to coin the phrase "rockin that sleeve", and I have loved it since! Take care And I am sorry about your home, if I recall it was a new home for you? Silver lining is no injuries and you are helping others...yet again.

Oh trust me, my husband is EMT, he used gloves and drained it twice or 3 times a day depending. I showered daily and used antibacterial soap around it. They think it may have come from the hospital when placed but, who knows. Most importantly, I was not feeling well and ignored the signs.

Do not want to scare anyone, but, this is to help others... PLEASE NOTE GRAPHIC PICTURE FOLLOWING. My JP Drain was in for 10 days and I developed an abscess requiring a second sugery to cut out the infection/tissue and treatments to grow tissue. You will see where they outlined the infection while I was in the ER. The infection stayed in my peritoneal cavity and I was lucky! I did not listen to my body, essentially that has been my message, it is very important to listen to the way you feel. I ignored signs and ended up not well. Many more have been going through more than I have but, feel it is important to share what can happen.

I want in too ladies!!! I am 5'10" (seriously used to be 5'11") and currently weigh 196. Started at 303 (305 was highest but not recorded), had surgery November 1, 2011 and turned 46 the day I was released . To date have lost more than 100 lbs but, do not know how to add a link of my before/after or during post. Goal is 170 and currently am wearing size 12 pants (down from 24/26) have no rear end really...just my gut and still have the girls, while they have soooo deflated and gone south, I am still wearing a D cup, so shirts XL or L. I do have bat wings to some degree, work out on the elliptical 4 days a week. Shoe size is 9m and 9w, depending. I love music, wish I could play. HORRAY for the Talls! And HORRAY for the Smalls! Heard that on "Real Housewives of Atlanta"!

Hi all, Ok I looked up the Chia Seeds and seriously they are the same ones used to grow the "Chia Pets". I had NO IDEA you could or would eat them??? I am game, gonna have to find them and try Thanks for posting!

I just read this to my hubby and he laughed too, so sweet! In public, getting checked out instead of running to different isles when you see someone you know and are embarresed about how you look (that was me). I caught mine checking me out, at home on Thursday and I asked him what he was doing and he point blank told me..."checking out my wife, have a problem with it?" Nope no problems here. Lovin the sleeve and life now.

Crysal light peach and raspberry tea, grape G2, coffee in morning usually and water over ice with a piece of lemon, lime or orange.

My digital scale. Use it daily and bought an extra to keep in soft sided ice chest we carry with us during travel . PS. I have that exact mug and am having coffee right now Best to you!

Dex, cheek in with your local mental health. I used mine, the insurance accepted it and it did not cost me anything (billed my insurance because of under lying needs for the surgery which were included bpduring our discussion. Seriously, you need to catch a break and just possibly this will help? Try? Best to you.

Wow. I can't imagine a single digit size. Congratulations!