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Love the new look! Well Done!!!

Yay, Brielle!!! I love your name. Sounds like you have a good start. Congrats on your ability to quit smoking - I know that was a struggle, too!

Welcome!!! Just keep a positive attitude!! We're all in this together. Every step of the way!

Last night I dreamed that I looked down and my shower was full of hair!! EEEEEEK! My hair is thin already so any hair loss is worrisome. Now that my face is getting smaller - I think I'll be more comfortable with a shorter hair cut. Who knows - maybe I'll have some wave to the new stuff - I've had straight hair all my life. We just have to embrace these new adventures - the alternative is to be unhealthy and unhappy.

I had surgery on December 6th, 2010 and am now 9 weeks out. I saw my regular physician last Monday - 8 weeks since surgery - to have bloodwork done and review my meds. I am diabetic. I was taking two types of insulin (3 injections per day - total of 70 units per day) and Metformin 1000 mg, 2 times a day. My blood sugar numbers were out of control - often over 200, never lower than 165. I also had high blood pressure, high cholesterol, with triglycerides off the chart, and hypothyroidism. Good news! I'm off my blood pressure meds and down to 20 units of insulin at night. I'm taking meds for thyroid and gastritis. But the best thing is my bloodwork results. On November 1st - my A1C was 8.7, cholesterol was 203, and triglycerides level was 253. On January 31st - my blood sugar was 100, A1C was 6.4, cholesterol was 153, and triglycerides level was 128!!!! Granted - I'm in the early part of my journey so the amount of food intake was small but the food choices could be unlimited. The difference is that I am making better choices now because I have to. Having surgery was the best gift I've given myself. I know that there will be challenges the rest of my life. But right now, I couldn't be happier!

I'm laughing - I just had this conversation with a friend. She had her flap removed and her lady parts tightened. Hmmm... she said it's well worth it and just giggled. If it made her giggle happy... I'm definitely looking into it.

Good luck!!! We're all in your corner!

Thanks for the chuckles. My experience wasn't as bad as I didn't have an extreme amount of pain. My surgeon used a On-Q system (http://www.iflo.com/prod_onq_classic.php) that delivered pain medication internally. What a great thing!!! I had the morphine pump while in the hospital, which I used, but I never really had a great deal of pain. I came home with my "little buddy" and was given instructions to remove it myself. I really never took any other pain meds when I got home - didn't need them. I would have gone through pain to get to where I am today however I was fortunate I didn't have to. Good luck to all of you beginning your journey.

Mini-Me!!!!! Thank you so much for your post. I lurked on this web site for a while - and always loved your posts. Congrats on your success. You inspire me!

Hey there, I am diabetic. I was taking two types of insulin (3 injections per day - total of 70 units per day) and Metformin 1000 mg, 2 times a day. My blood sugar numbers were out of control - often over 200, never lower than 165. I also had high blood pressure, high cholesterol, with triglycerides off the chart, and hypothyroidism. Since surgery (8 weeks as of yesterday), I've stopped taking Metformin, blood pressure meds, and am down to one injection of insulin. I just had blood drawn yesterday and look forward to hearing my numbers. My blood sugar levels have been below 130 since the 2nd week and my blood pressure has been within normal limits for the past 7 weeks. The only medications I'm currently taking are for my thyroid and gastritis of the esophagus. I was anxious before surgery but I've never had buyer's remorse - even during the most difficult first days. I'm really doing well and am thrilled with the results. I hope you do what is right for you. Good Luck!

Hey Golfbuddy, My surgeon received insurance appoval for my sleeve based on my weight and BMI recorded during my first consultation. The insurance coordinator said there's an assumption by the insurance company that I would lose weight before surgery, in preparation for surgery and to show an ability to lose weight by following a plan. Actually, during the informational seminar, the nutritionist told us that some patients would have to follow a liquid diet 2-3 weeks (losing as much as 20 lbs) before surgery to shrink the liver. I would talk with the insurance coordinator in your surgeon's office before becoming discouraged. Good luck!!!!

Absolutely Brilliant!!! Congrats!!!

That's great!!!!!! It's such a wonderful feeling knowing the date your life will change! I wish you well!

Wishing you the best! I hope your experience was as positive as mine!! Sending good thoughts your way!!!!

I am 5'4" and hope to lose down to 135 lbs. At my first appointment with the surgeon, I weighed 250 lbs and he told me that 135 for my height was a good goal. I anticipate that I'll be happy losing 100 -110 lbs. I began this journey due to uncontrolled diabetes - despite being on 2 types of insulin and metformin, my A1C was above 8 - very dangerous. Reducing my medications was my main goal - but I won't be sad to get back into regular size clothing! And, maybe, I'll even look at a bathing suit again.

I was sleeved on 12/6/10 and have lost 33 pounds, so far. I've had the worst time finding a Protein drink that I could tolerate - just don't like thick drinks unless it's a peach shake from Chick-fil-A (won't go there again). I will move to "normal" foods on Jan 31st (my doctor insists on full liquids for 2 weeks followed by 6 weeks of mushy food). I have noticed stalls for a few days and suddenly I'm down 2 pounds. I've noticed that I can eat a bit more than I did a couple of weeks ago. I've not been hungry physically, more head hunger. I found out very quickly that I wanted flavor over quantity so I began having meals that had strong flavors such as chili, fajita chicken and shrimp, pinto and black Beans. I haven't had any problems with most foods but found that many of the sweet stuff I thought I might enjoy were no longer favorites. I look forward to adding nuts, berries and some bread (I love Fiber One products) to my diet. I've purchased a Body Media monitor ( www.bodymedia.com ) to keep track of information such as number of steps, calories burned, even number of hours I've slept. Many vendors sell them, costco and Bestbuy to name a couple. My friend suggested I try it out - she said it's kept her motivated to move throughout the day. Good luck to everyone - and, thank you, everyone, for posting your stories. You inspire me the most!

OOOh... sugar free cheesecake is good! And banana pudding with sugar free vanilla pudding is very good. Thanks for asking the question, Daezeey! I had forgotten about these treats!

Congrats on your surgery, Barb!! I hope all is going well - tomorrow is one week!!! I was fortunate not to have too much gas pain - guess that first walk the day of the surgery was the key. In fact, I didn't have much pain, just some discomfort. I wish you the same experience. Take care! Stay positive!

Wishing you the best... I'm 7 weeks post-op tomorrow and I do not regret it. It was the best thing I did for me. I am looking forward to the coming months knowing that my efforts in eating healthier and exercising will bring benefits. My husband hasn't ever expressed an opinion either way and it makes me feel very alone. I appreciate the messages of support on this forum and from my friends. You're not alone in your journey.

I was sleeved on 12/6/10 and had difficulty drinking the first week. By Sunday, I noticed that the sips were going down much easier. I'm almost 7 weeks out now and can actually drink a bit more normally but, ever so often, I forget and really take a gulp. Yep... it's not comfortable.

My surgeon told me to wait 8 weeks post-op. I don't mind... I have a friend that did strength training a couple of weeks following laparoscopic surgery and has a nice big hernia to show for it. I don't want to risk it. I'm 1-1/2 weeks away from restarting with my trainer. I can't wait!

Thinking about you and wishing you the best.

All of you are really wonderful to share! I am 6 weeks post-op and am looking foward to all of this. Thanks again and Well Done!!!!

I'm 55 - and wish this had been availble 20 years ago. I recall a friend had the bypass done in 1988. First thing she said to me was that she wished she had never gone through the procedure - she was in so much pain. Medical progress - you have to love it!!!!