1-4-Many

I think your worry is normal. We all know we could drop dead at any moment. It's unfortunate but we could. But I, for instance, am a very worried flyer. Because when I get on that plane I know that everything is out of my control. Of course some people believe you are always without control and that a higher power is driving. But I don't see it that way, I believe that higher power is only creating the energy and how we use it us up to us. That said, you are using your energy to make a better life for you and those kids. Yes, for a brief window of time you will be out of control and you are at a higher risk than normal for a problem. But that's almost always the situation when there is great gain to be had....a window of possible great loss. You know that going to Mexico for this procedure is risky but also very safe -- if that makes sense. I'm sure you've done your research. And man do you ever hear the praises of the Mexican facilities on forums like this. The worry is normal. But try to keep it in perspective to the level of risk which to me, would be to be concerned, ask questions, pay attention to what's going on and move forward. Regarding the notes, do it if it would make you feel better. If it will make you feel bad, don't do it. I have a journal I keep. And on one page about a week before surgery I wrote the names of about 15 people and a couple of single comments. Like - Jeanne - thanks for being a true friend. There are not many in this world like you and I am so glad you crossed my path. I knew my best friend would find it some day and pass the thoughts along. I then left a note explaining where my lawyer's office was and that he had a copy of my will and a few other minor instructions. And that was it. But this is just to let you know that you are not the only one to consider doing things like this and it's perfectly normal. But I will also tell you this. The surgery was the easy part of this journey for me and if you had told me that the week before I would have never believed you. I was very afraid before the surgery. Now I wonder why I was so fixated on worrying about that when it was the next two months I should have been concerned about. ( There...maybe that will take your mind off the fear of surgery...give you a new place to put it! ) Hope this helps. And I'll be happy for you when you are done, home and sick to death of food that passes through a wire strainer. Good luck.

I know this can get complicated but I'd love to know what percent of those who develop leaks were following the program as advised (not cheating) and when the leak happened. Week 1, week 2...that sort of thing. I've been told that leaks are pretty much not going to be an issue after day 21 post surgery unless you really do something stupid. Don't know if others agree.

This is very good to know. I think I must be in the strictest program in the US. We do not get caffeine back until day 90. I actually have it all marked in red with a heart on my calendar as I am addicted to McDonalds unsweetened ice tea. I was told caffeine is an irritant to the stomach so they don't want that happening while you are introducing new foods because you might not know which causes a problem. Now that I know people are not dropping over dead I might just slide my tea up a few weeks if I an otherwise doing well.

Have they suggested putting a screen in just in case? Would that help?

I've never heard it connected to weight loss but ironically I've been having noticeable back pain too. In my case it's clearly muscles spasms. Never had the issue before. Since I can tell it's just muscle, I was going to ride it out.

I am losing. Slowing but I am losing. So I've decided that after my doctor appt. on Wednesday I'm putting my scales in the trunk of my car and going to see how long I can just forget about the daily weigh ins. The past 3.5 weeks (pre-diet, surgery,post diet) have not been horrible but have been difficult. I keep thinking "I can't wait until I'm at my new normal" over and over. I don't mean weight, but functioning and living life as a person on the way to a different and hopefully better life. Well, I think maybe one of the things I need to do is start being what I want that new normal will be....if that makes any sense. And all along I've said this needs to be about my health and not the number on the scale. If I am doing the health part right, then the rest will fall in place. So the scales are going into the trunk of my car. As silly as that seems, if I leave them in the house I'll just go to where they are. See how long this lasts. Oh, and by the way, someone said they used MyFitnessPal and I started using it yesterday. I really like that site and I think it will help me to keep my eye on the important. Thanks for the tip.

The one thing that I didn't know and was told on my last visit was smooth peanut butter. I am allowed to blend 1 tablespoon to the plain yogart (greek) for flavor and it's decent. Also adds 4 more grams of protein. Also purree cottage cheese. Purree it with skim milk to where it is roll off the spoon liquid. I think it's pretty good too but I usually like to put it back in the fridge for a while after I've purree'd it down so its colder.

I'm glad you asked this. I was given chewables meant for people who'd had WLS and a prescription to get chewable pre-natal. I can't find them anywhere because mine are not to have Iron in them and all of the pharmacies I've called only carry them with iron. The chewables I was given are horrid. Taste horrid. The only thing that gives me acid reflux and have twice induced vomiting. Needless to say, I am not taking them. I go to the doc on Wednesday and am going to ask him but I was wondering if this stomach is okay now to take a solid pill. I don't want one that's the size of a horse pill like a lot of the OTC vitimans are but I need more than the one a day that I am currently taking. If anyone knows anything or has any brand suggestions, I would appreciate it too.

I am in Ohio and I talked with 4 programs before making a decision and they all sent you home with luvonox (sp?) injections. The number of days was what varied. The program I ended up doing required 7 days of shots, 2 in the hospital so 9 total. I'd never injected myself before and wondered how it would go but it was easy. Small needles that slide right in. I was bruised hip to hip because I moved each shot over 2 inches each day. They told me that for mine the abdomen was the most effective place to inject. Some of this will depend on your medical history, BMI, how much you've lost, and how physically fit you are in spite of the obesity. But I would be concerned about a program if they are telling you that they do not order these shots for anyone because that does not sound right. Regarding the socks, make sure the ones they give you fit before you leave with them. Mine were too big and spend most of the time around my ankles. If you are planning to rely on them, make sure they compress.

I'm just reeling that someone would pass by a cupcake for a blow pop. Reeling. And not even a grape blow pop. Oh mymy. You're out in the real world. There are blow pops out there waiting to get ya. I sure hope it's a piece of pound cake that gets me!

Are you doing this because you are hungry? I agree it's not off to a good start in terms of not staying in lockstep with the rules of your program. But please realize the more important thing at this time is that you keep your stomach safe while it heals. The reason I asked about the hunger is because I was sleeved 4/27 and I said here several times I was so hungry. I waited until I saw my doctor and he said to give it at least 3 weeks before you start hunting reasons and things to fix. He said time resolved it usually and, sure enough, it has for me. I haven't given hunger a thought this week. So if you are really feeling hunger, know that is one of the things that goes away as you heal. And eat very soft and safe if you feel you must. Good luck.

I can't tell you how sorry I am for what you are going through. What a terrible time you are having. I can't give you much assistance but I was wondering if you are in a position to get a second opinion. Are you confident that you can trust your original surgeon? I just think it never hurts to run your medical records past another brain especially before anything significant is done in terms of a fix. I'm not sure I understand how gastric bypass could help regarding the stricture but it would help with the acid reflux significantly. The pouch you are left with creates so little acid that there's not enough typically to enter up and create the reflux. Of course as you have sadly learned, there's no perfect rule. I'm wondering if he believes the stricture is resolving but you are being left with significant acid reflux, that might be his thinking of a fix. Do you have a fallback surgeon to talk to? People here might be able to give you a second opinion doctor, someone they've had experience with, if that might help. Good luck to you. And please keep posting to let us know how you are progressing.

You dun good. I hope it's easy for me. I might be the only person who's had this issue but I was actually chastised at my first post op appt. for doing low carb. Is it really only me? They said they don't like people to go low carb until they are completely through the healing window, that carbs play an important part in the body's mending, especially for the brain and the mental adjustment we are going through. They believe a lot of post op depression is fueled by too low of a carb intake. Truthfully, I had listened more to the on line info than what they were telling me and it didn't fly. Their point, and I get this, is that you are on such incredibly reduced caloric values that as long as you are getting typically getting enough Protein, the carbs can only do you good. I'm okay with their theory and am doing a much better job of tracking carbs along with everything else. But it really seems this program has a different track than most. I know that I feel much better since I added more carbs back in 5 days ago. And that's really most important to me. I want this to be a healthy road.

Okay, so I had two surgeries and mine was partial open. I have a 5 inch incision with a drain that was in the middle. I thought drains were small but it was like a piece of garden hose. When it was removed, I thought they would stitch it shut but nooooo...it has to heal from the inside out. So every day I have to pack and dress the darned thing and let me tell you, I am not florence Nightengale. But today...oh glorious day....I can tell it's starting to heal!! This is not a small hole. The first week it looked like some mad drunk's bloodshot eyeball :mad2: looking back up at me. Folks, the real impact of this surgery hits you when you can LITERALLY see your body's fat! And here's the part that's my dirty little secrete. I can't take a shower until the surgeon gives me a go. So this next Wednesday it will be 3 weeks since I've showered! Can you believe it? (Side note: there's a bandage I can buy to cover it and then shower but my insurance won't pay for it and the darned things cost $28 each. Thank you, I'll pass.) So I've been sink bathing and filling the tub to where it's only an inch or two deep....but man have I missed my showers. But today I no longer see a bloodshot eyeball looking up at me but the tiniest hope of a scab. Who knew something so gross could be so beautiful. :Banane02: I go back to the surgeon this next Wednesday and I'm so happy it's progressing. I won't mind when I never have to see him again. Nothing personal, I'm just ready to move on with this.

I was 4/27 and am still not exactly solid. It's not terrible, but not back to normal. Most of the people who attend my support group are gastric bypass and they all talk about horrible constipation that sets in very shortly after surgery. I don't know if this is a sleeve difference or not. I know their suger intake is monitored very closely compared to sleeve. How much sugar is in your Protein shake? Were they provided to you or did you pick them yourself? I do find I have to watch the sugar. Even though we don't dump, it is still going through us much faster than before and can impact your system. You need to be watching how many grams of protein you are getting. When you say you drank 5 oz this morning, in what timeframe. That's actually a lot if it was one sitting, but it's hard to say without knowing how many grams of protein were in the drink. Just some things to check. And yes, it's very stressful those first days trying to get things right and not cause yourself any harm. Make sure you get actual Fluid in these first days. The protein you will have to build up to.

BIG TIME DITTO. I even said here a couple of times that I was not excited about the whole thing.Overall, it wasn't a popular comment. It was necessary, it was what I had to do. And the way I coped was to just stop thinking about it. I went numb. And let me tell you, it worked great for me. When I got to pre-op the person before me had cancelled so they rushed me through like someone was chasing us. I didn't get any pre-op meds to ease the transition to the OR. I think the fact that I was numb saved me. Everyone copes in different ways. If you are going numb, ride the wave. I completely agree that the surgery itself was not that bad. In fact, if I had not had a second surgery at the same time and wicked post op nausea on day 2, I would go so far as to say it was the easy part. You really will be fine. Just don't fight your body's efforts to protect you. Pretty soon you'll be on the other side and bored silly with counting Protein and sipping Water. And that's one more thing of note: I don't miss food the way I thought I would. Granted, I'm shy of 3 weeks sleeved but it's more being bored with what I can have than missing what I can't. And slowly that will all open up again. Just as you will come back as the stress leaves. Good luck.

A good friend was sleeved at the Cleveland Clinic but not by that surgeon. One suggestion is to make sure you understand all of the costs involved in Cleveland. From what I've read the pricing from Dr. Aceves and team is pretty up front. I was sleeved in Ohio ( not at CC ) and quite frankly, I did not understand until I was pretty far in how expensive the program was. I paid over $3k out of pocket with excellent insurance. The surgeon, assistant surgeon, anesthesiologist... they all had additional above and beyond insurance reinbursement charges. So just be certain you are comparing apples to apples since you will have the travel expense involved with Mexico. Surgeon wise, with all of the reading I have done, I've never heard one bad thing about Aceves. I think some of the decision might need to consider your age and overall health, when adding the travel factor into the equation. I can understand why it's a big decision.

I was sleeved 2 and 1/2 weeks ago. I'm learning a lot and getting better but I'm still no where near getting the nutrition numbers that are needed. I'm doing fine on Water. I know it's not unusual to have to build into this but I"m wondering what is average? Can those of you who are out a bit further tell me when you were able to start getting your numbers with consistency and, more importantly, when were you comfortable enough to not have to count every bite and record. Thanks.

My entire stomach, hip to hip, looked a lot like that about 2 days after the last shot. I saw the doctor a couple days later and he wasn't concerned. It's now been 4 more days and they are starting to get that yellow healing look. I was also concerned because I had the occasional pinch type discomfort but they didn't seem to think anything of it. This is not to say you should not check with your doctor. Believe me, if you learn nothing here it's that each program and each surgeon has very different standards.

I figure if it's really that bad I'll get a wig. A friend of mine had some hormonal issues after her hysterectomy and she acquired "Betty". We'd go out and she'd say "it's a little to warm to wear Betty tonight, I think I'll go natch". Sometimes it really is about attitude. As long as it will come back, I guess I can take 6 months of thin hair over the knee replacement I absolutely knew was coming my way. I'm more concerned about the color. The idea of a line across my head of color/gray is a little weirder than the hair loss itself so glad I can continue to color. That and it's too late to do anything about it now. Old Faithful is medical waste and I have to roll with it.

I know the OP is upset but I actually laughed out loud at this comment.

So yesterday I was really sick. Thankfully, it was just a blip on the radar and I feel so much better today that I decided to go to the store. Well, like many people I have been freezing since this surgery. I noticed my little dog panting one day and got up and checked the temp and it was 84 in the house. I was just comfortable, not even warm. That is NOT my typical. So today I went to the store to get some things for the kitchen. Wanted a few more measuring cups and things like that I never needed before. And by isle 2 there was I sweating like a horse. I was so disappointed. I have always been a face sweater and I thought that it would have at least let up some. Since last October I have lost about 40 pounds (almost all pre-surgery) but between that and the surgery, I really hoped this summer would be different. Nope. I had to buy a package of paper napkins so I could open them to sop up the sweat....it was that bad. Maybe in another 20 pounds? Maybe 30? Maybe eventually. But man it wasn't even hot in the store and I was a mess today.

We were told to start taking Biotin (a supplement) as soon as you start considering WLS. The down side is that if it works for you to help save your hair, it can save all of it. I'm hoping that's what's happening for me as I am now sporting a bit of a mustache I never had before. I live with tweezers handy. I was also wondering about the timing of this. I'd love to hear from others as to when it happened. And I was also wondering about coloring my hair, if that will be too hard on it during this time. I'd hate to have to stop coloring it as much as I'd hate for it to fall out. I was not religious about the biotin but I've been taking it several times a week for about a year. I'm hoping it will help.

LARA: I try to keep "normal" illness in mind and to be honest, I hoped it was sleeve not flu. Frankly, a sleeve round of ick seems to pass faster and since I was settled back down and holding Water and light foods by noon, I guess it was just a sleeve boo boo. But I'll tell you this. While I didn't eat anything "bad", this sure felt like dumping. Yes, I know we don't do that but it met every standard except possible massive sweating but I'm in that freezing mode. So I don't think it was anything serious. I did call my program and they said that if it doesn't last more than that few hours, it's probably not anything serious but your stomach fighting back. Bad day. But I am sure glad it timed out the way it did and I was at home for the worst. Thanks all for reading and offering comfort and clear minded thoughts. ***Oh, you know something funny....A friend who had gastric bypass suggested I go to a dollar store and buy several cheap large bowls for just such an occasion. That's a new thing to add to the household list for surgery prep because I was very happy with her that I followed through. Made it much easier.***

Had to get up early and take my neighbor to a dentist appt. Just dropped her off. I considered stopping at the grocery. Went to speak with my dietitian yesterday and she gave me a bunch of suggestions and said I wasn't eating enough. Thankfully I came on home. About a 1/2 an hour later it was like a bomb went off. I started feeling sick and with about 3 minutes of warning I was spewing upper and lower for distance and -- unfortunately -- not accuracy. What a mess. I really hadn't had much to eat so I don't think it was anything food wise. Now that it's over my stomach is grumbling but nothing out of the ordinary so I don't think it's a bug. It was 30 minutes of mania, now over and done. Maybe. Quite frankly, this has sort of pulled the rug out from under me. This sort of thing was why I didn't have gastric bypass. My friends who have gone that route have these little surprises every now and then. And I'm leery about the rest of the day. Already cancelled for an evening event and just plan to chill out here now. But wow. Was not expecting this sort of "gotcha" without reason. Anyone else experienced this? Since day 2 was over, I've had very little in terms of nausea aside from a little flush of it every now and then. Yesterday was 2 weeks for me.