Janae

Beef Fajitas without the tortilla! Fajita meat, sour cream, guacamole, grilled onions, salsa. My favorite meal!

i'll add: Having to use the regular blood pressure cuff at the doctor's office rather than the supersized one

I'm with Swizzly. I have never stopped drinking before, after or during meals. Our pyloric sphinctor (between the stomach and intestine) is stil intact, which means our stomach will empty in the same manner as a non-surgical person. I agree that there is a lot of information being given out, even by surgeons, that is based on Roux-en-Y surgery that is not applicable to sleevers. The bottom line is I decide what is best for me. If my doctor's advice makes sense, I follow it. If not, I put it aside. BTW, my doctor has no restrictions on drinking whatsoever! 1

I do sometimes get "stuck air bubbles." It is just slightly uncomfortable and resolves within 30 seconds. Not a big deal.

Dr Marvin did my surgery and he is quite wonderful. He is double-board-certified in general surgery and criticall care medicine. His staff was very helpful throughout the process. The only negative think I can say is that there wasn't much nutritional support post-op. I already have a lot of knowledge in this area but some may want to establish a relationship with a nutritionist. You couldn't be in better hands than Dr Marvin for your surgery!

I found that Prilosec works better for me than Nexium. I have had very bad reflux since surgery. I now take Prilosec twice a day and it keeps it under control. Up until 6 months out I was taking Prilosec and LOTS of Tums. It's important to stay on your anti-acid medication as this reflux can lead to a condition called Barrett;s Esophagus, which can be a precursor to esophageal cancer. Hang in there and take your meds!!! It's still soooo much better than our pre-surgical condition. Good Luck!!!

I worked for general surgeons for several years (the same specialty that performs the sleeve) and none had ever seen or heard of a titanium clip ("internal staples") migrating and causing a problem. I suppose theoretically it is possible, but the chances are extremely low, probably barely over zero.

Congratulations on your surgery!! I'm 55 and 7 months out. I am glad I waited for the sleeve as opposed to having the RNY years ago. Good things come to those who wait!!! I love my sleeve and wouldn't trade it for anything. I'll bet you will feel the same!

Here is the link for BCBS Illinois bariatric surgerymedical policy:: http://medicalpolicy.hcsc.net/medicalpolicy/home?ctype=POLICY&cat=Surgery&path=/templatedata/medpolicies/POLICY/data/SURGERY/SUR716.003_2011-03-15#hlink Also, be sure to verify that your plan hasn't specifically excluded it. You can find this in you plan document, which you should have a copy of. Good luck!

I have lost 70 lbs in 7 months!

I knot is hard when you don't see the weight loss you expect post-opt, but you are down 31 lbs total - forever!! That is fantastic! I honestly think that if your surgeeon has you on a pre-op diet, it affects your post op loss in the beginning. It seems that our bodies will lose for a while, then needs an "adjustment period" before it starts losing again. It looks like you have hit your first stall and need to keep on doing what you're doing until the weight loss starts again! Keep your chin up -- you have lots of weight loss in your future!

I drink carbonated diet soda and have no problems whatsoever. I occasionally eat fried food and I have no problems either, but I rarely eat it b/c I have just lost my taste for anything greasy.

I have had problems with acid since my surgery on 3/10/11. I am totally happy to report that at 6 months out, it became completely controlled by Prilosec twice a day. Up until then, I took Prilosec 2x/day plus ate two Tums anytime I felt the acid burn in the back of my throat. IT REALLY WILL GET BETTER!!! It would be interesting to know if, after 6 months, anyone else still has uncontrolled acid reflux. Does anyone still have acid issues more than 6 months after surgery that cannot be controlled with medication?

Awesome!! You look like a younger, happier you!! congrats and keep up the good work!

I "recovered" from a two MONTH stall and dropped 9 lbs on Sept 6. No more loss since then even tho I'm doing all the right things. But I know I will keep losing and so will YOU!!! YOU ARE NOT ALONE!! Keep the faith and the weight will continue to come off.

Your percentage of weight loss is calculated by dividing the amount of weight lost by your total beginning weight. This is your OVERALL percentage of weight loss. To calculate your percentage of EXCESS WEIGHT lost, you divide the amount weight lost so far (51.6) by the total excess weight. (260-150). You're doing an amazing job!

You might want to try taking your prilosed about an hour before you go to bed. That's what I do. The prilosec doesn't seem to last 24 hours and I was having acid problems at bedtime/during the night. In the evenings, I chew a couple of Tums to make it through til I can take more Prilosec. Hope this helps!

You state you lost more than 10 lbs on preop so you've lost more than 20 lbs in 6 weeks. That is fantastic!! Our bodies aren't machines that produce the same results every time. I lose weight in "clumps." For example, I had a 2 month stall from July 3 to Sept 3. Then I lost 9 lbs in 2 days. For me it is always like that. So don't despair!! Your body is adjusting according to its own schedule. You have lots of weight loss in your future!!

Negative re-enforcement is a great teacher! I have done this a couple of times too (circa: pre-sleeve days) and now have NO PROBLEM stopping once I feel full!! I love my sleeve!!

I agree 100% with the above posts. Occasionally I have a fleeting feeling of "I wish I could eat more of this food," but mostly I am SO GRATEFUL to have this wonderful tool! I love having the restriction for those times I might overeat. I'm thankful that now I love/crave Protein and eat mostly good carbs. I'm thrilled that my sweet tooth and appetite no longer control my life. I'm thankful that I waited for the sleeve and didn't have the RNY or lap band. I WOULD NEVER, EVER CHOOSE TO GO BACK TO THE WAY i WAS!!!

Congratulations RaiderRob!! You look absolutely terrific and hove done an A+ job!!

My doctor did not reccomend a cleanse and I didn't do one. I had no problems at all afterwards. I honestly don't think it is necessary.

For people who don't have insurance and those whose insurance won't pay for the surgery, it is much less expensive to have surgery done in Mexico>

Also "The Help." The movie stayed true to the book and was one of the few movies I have enjoyed seeing after reading the book!

I was in pre-op holding thinking I should just run out the door. Then when the anesthesiologist was putting me under I was certain I would never wake up. Well, here I am almost 6 months later and more than 60 lbs lighter -- the "don't" signals were just my subconscious trying to sabatage my conscious self from doing the right thing!! Be like Nike -- JUST DO IT!