PrincessFluffy

Hi. I don't post much but I do check in and read the forums on a regular basis. Today is two months since my surgery. I was sleeved on April 14th, 2011 in Abington, PA. To date, I have lost 46 pounds, but that includes 8 pounds from my 5 day pre-op liquid diet. My stats: I am 43 years old, 5 foot 7 and started out at 237 pounds. I am now 190.6. I lost 8 pounds on my preop diet (5days), 23 pounds during my first month and 15 pounds during my second month. I started out as a 12/14 pants (no but or hips) and a 2x top. I am now wearing a size 10 pant and still a XL or 1X top. I lost 1.5 inches at my neck, 5.5 in. on my bust, 1.75 in. each on my upper arms, 5.5 inches on my waist, 4.25 in on my hips, 4 in. on each thigh, and 1 to 2 inches on each calf (one was bigger then the other but now they have evened out). I am averaging 500-700 calories a day, 60-80 grams Protein, less then 40 carbs and 64-80 ounces of Water. I am happy with my loss, but like many, I wish it was going faster. I am working on upping my calories, water and protein. I exercise, but sporatically and want to step that up a lot also. I am one who decided not to tell many people, just my husband, mother, brother and a friend. My three teenage kids don't even know. They just think I am dieting and going for a healthier lifestyle. I would have told them, but one got really upset when I talked about the surgery when I was first considering it and didn't want me to have it. I also did not want them to have to keep it a secret or lie about it. Overall, I am thrilled with the surgery. I had no problems with the actual surgery itself. I had it on a Thursday, was discharged on Friday. On Saturday I was out walking some dogs that I was dogsitting and was grocery shopping. It was a very easy recovery. I still am not sure what goal weight I am shooting for. I am large boned and the goal weight the surgeon put on my insurance paperwork would never work for me (132). I am thinking between 145 and 155 but will adjust as I get closer to those weights and see what my body looks like. Well, thats my story and update. I will try and update in another two months. Good luck to everyone!

Very happy. They are a great group with great staff. Very professional and the care in the hospital was good. No complaints at all.

It is the same group, but Dr. G did my surgery.

I am sorry to admit that as I filled my three children's baskets, I ate one small chocolate marshmallow egg. I chewed well and let it melt, but I know I didn't need it This time last year though, I would have sampled everything- jellybeans, Hershey's kisses, Reese's Peanut Butter eggs, Peeps, etc. and would have went to bed sick to my stomach from all of the sugar. Anybody else?

Hi. I was sleeved on 4/14 so I am just over a week out. I had my one week appointment yesterday and every thing was fine. I feel fine, no pain, no problems. I get my fluids down and my protein in. Sorry if this is TMI, but I just went to the bathroom. I had diarrhea. It was dark pink/red and turneed the toilet water pink. If it happens again, I will definitely call the surgeon. My question is, I just had Torani Sugar free Rasberry syrup for the first time today mixed in some runny cream of rice. I have never had it before. Could that be the source of the color? Just wanted to ask and see if anyone else uses Torani and has had this happen to them. Thanks!

I had a lower BMI, but have had several prior abdominal surgeries. They were slightly worried about scarring. My surgeon was pretty sure he could do it laproscopically, but he had me sign the consent for open surgery also just in case. He was able to do the procedure laproscopically with no problem. I was on a 5 day liquid pre-op diet.

Just wanted to share my story so far. I had my 1 week appointment at the Dr.s today. I had my surgery last Thursday 4/14. It has been an easy recovery for me. I was out of the hospital the next afternoon, Friday. On Saturday, I had promised to dogsit and went to walk dogs three times. I also grocery shopped. Sunday was two more walks and some errands. I have been out every day since. I have been doing doing some walks with my husband and yesterday we did almost three miles. The doctor said everything looked great. I am down 18 pounds, 10 since the surgery and 8 from my five day pre-op liquid diet. My starting weight was 237 and I am 5'7" tall. I can't see or feel any difference in my body yet though. Getting the Protein in is tough. I do not like the shakes but have been able to tolerate the Isopure drinks which is a big help since a 20oz bottle has 40 grams of protein. I usually get my 64 ounces of Water in and am getting about 60 grams of protein. I am averaging around 400-500 calories a day. My eating plan was nothing at all the afternoon/ evening after surgery, then 2 days of Clear liquids followed by 12 days of full liquids. Next is 2 weeks of purée and then 2 weeks of softs. Full diet taken slowly starting 6 weeks after surgery. 7 more days until pureed food which I am looking forward to - only to try and get more protein through food. I'm not hungry and making meals for my family hasn't bothered me. I am dreading the thought of an upcoming stall. I am also fearing losing my hair as it is super thin to begin with. I am off pain meds and have been able to sleep on my side since the second night. My only problems are slight nausea here and there, but not bad enough to have to take the meds they gave me, and diarhea. I was also lucky as my surgeon did not put in drains. My other issue is that i had the top of my hand turn black and blue, but it was not the hand that had the IV. I know others have had more issues after their surgery and I feel bad as I read their posts. I just wanted to share my experiences so far. Please excuse any typos as I am typing this on my phone and it won't let me go back and reread or edit. Good luck to all the upcoming surgeries!

I am one week out. The night of my surgery was spent in the hospital and I slept on my back. Night 2 I was home and was able to sleep on my right side. The left was too sore. I slept on my right side for the next few days. Now after 1 week, I can sleep on either with no problems and no pain meds.

Surgery this afternoon. Nausea subsiding. No drain! Pain is manageable. Mouth is really, really dry. No sips of water or ice chips until tomorrow . Hope I can sleep the night away until my husband comes back in the morning but I doubt it. Glad I have my phone for entertainment.

Surgery tomorrow morning 4/14. Anyone else going in? I had a five day liquid preop diet and have lost 10 pounds during that time. Looking forward to a lot more!

They are not having me get up tonight. Catheter still in and hooked up to all the monitors. Will be walking in the morning!

Being done today in Abington, Pa.

Hi. I am new to this forum. I got a phone call this afternoon asking if I wanted to have my surgery this Thursday! I start a liquid diet tomorrow. Going out for my last supper tonight. I feel like there is so much to do as I wasn't prepared for this. I have to go shopping for "food" (liquids). Get the house in order. I have three children. My pre-op appt is now scheduled for Monday, the education class on Monday and they tried to get in touch with the hospital to get my pre-op testing done on Monday, but it was already too late in the day to get a hold of them. A little about my journey. It was a quick one. I just started looking into bariatric surgery in January and went to an informational session where I learned about the sleeve. I had not heard of it before then. Did some of the preliminary tests and appointments in February - Ab ultrasound, chest xray, bloodwork, psychologist and nutritionist. Met with the surgeon in March. and was approved a few weeks later. No run around with the insurance company. I had my endoscopy this week and was scheduled for my surgery in May. I guess they had a cancellation and thats why I got the call today. I am five foot seven, 237 (I gained a bunch of that recently as we did a lot of eating out), wear a 12/14 pant and a 2X top. I hope to get down to 165. Lower would be nice, but I would be more then happy there also I am pretty healthy with just mild high blood pressure. I will be having the surgery at Abington Memorial Hospital with Dr. G. (Dr. Gintas Antanavicius)

I just got a phone call today, April 8th, asking if I would like it done next week, April 14th. Well, let me think about that........YES! I am now an April sleever! Going out to a last dinner tonight and starting a liquid diet tomorrow. Lots of pre-op appointments and running around to do in the next 5 days.

I am no longer a may sleever! They called this afternoon and asked if i wanted to move my date up to this Thursday, April 14th. Last meal tonight and liquid diet starts tomorrow!

Hi. This is my first post though I have been reading all the forums daily. I am scheduled for May 4th in Abington, PA. Very excited!