Cinderella

Stomach acid on an empty stomach may have caused an ulcer. Go to the E.R.,and be SURE to tell them that you were sleeved. That's veranty import Good luck, Cinderella.

Hang in there, and don't give up. Your efforts will eventually catch up to your metabolism and your weight loss will pick up. Eighteen pounds is still a significant amount of weight... it's a whole clothing size... maybe you just have a really "thrifty gene" metabolism going on and it will take you longer than others to lose. Think about how little you are eating now, you can't possibly NOT lose weight... have faith in your body. Cinderella

Six weeks out, and starting to seriously TRACK and measure what I eat now, to make sure I get my Protein in, and also that I am not tipping the Calorie scale. I wanted to share this GREAT free resource that I came across for counting and tracking your nutrition each day.... It is the SELF magazine nutrition counting site: food, and it will come back with the most amazing array of data... not just the list of calories and nutrients, but all knids of cool graphics that show where that food falls in the Hypoglycemic scale, and the phytonutrient scale, and the Food Pyramid and all kinds of stuff. Very educational... a great thing to get into for the newly sleeved. Remember what they told us... our sleeve is just a TOOL, we have to do the rest. Cinderella

It's the drugs.... it will take a while for them to wear out of your system, and certain drugs they give you during and after surgery can have some DARNED strange reactions. It may also be the pain meds they give you to take home.. certain ones make things seem very wierd... go online and look up the reactions for whatever drug they sent you home with. Just keep drinking your Water and wash it all out.

I don't know what nectar is, but I can say from my own experience that I think you need MORE Protein and Vitamns. When I don't get my protein and vitamins.I am exhausted... but when I do, I feel great. Are you getting the 60G daily....???? It is hard to do, try making your own Protein Shake and add some Yogurt drink to it to pump it up. I like the unjury Protein Powder. Good luck, Cinderella

I had a pain pump with Morphine, I believe, for the first 24, and then they switched it over to some lesser drug, like maybe Vicodin. My take home prescription was for Percoset... I didn't have a lot of pain, but maybe it was the meds??? Glad you are feeling better.

Funny you should mention this... I had my "one month" checkup (although it is really six weeks, due to the holidays) this week and came away very disappointed with BOTH my NUT and my PA. First of all, the NUT also stressed THREE MEALS A DAY, ONE SNACK and nothing else. She gave me a printout of a "3 meal a day" paper with sample diets.... here are two samples from that list. See what you think... in my opinion, these are Snacks, not meals: LUNCH: 2 oz. Tuna w/ 1 TBSp mayo& 4 whole grain crackers, + half a small bannana. DINNER: 1/2-OZ Poached Fish + 1/2-Cup canned peas. SNACK: 4 whole grain crackers & 1/4 Cup Egg salad. What's the difference? To me, it looks like the same amount of food for a snack, as for a lunch or dinner. So although she is stressing THREE MEALS A DAY only, she is really telling me to eat four teeny meals a day. AT this point, I couldn't eat all of the lunch... I would save the 1/2 banna and maybe a cracker for a fifth teeny meal. I really think that what the NUTS are afraid of is that we are going to start grazing... eating bites of anything we want constantly.. and they just want to reinforce that we need to sit down to regular "eating times" and not eat on the run. My NUT also put a note on my meal plan that says... "If you are unable to eat a meal, try to at least have a 4-8 OZ skim milk (or Lactaid) with 1/2 scoop Protein power." What's that if it's not a snack? Is anybody counting calories? She told me that I used to count calories, but now I'll count protein. I can eat so little that I could never consume a lot of calories, even if I ate nothing but potato chips and dip... although I HAVE noticed that processed, prepackaged foods go down a lot faster and easier than "real" foods, such as veggies and meats. Anyway, back to my rant... worse than the NUT meeting was how RUDE and MEAN the P.A. was to me. She rally confused me.. she says "what kind of exercise have you been doing?" and then proceeded to yell at me for not "walking at racewalk pace an hour a day until you sweat..." but after surgery, I was told NO exercise for six weeks except take a walk every day & try to get your heart rate up. Which is it??? She also told me that I should take no pain killer but Tylenol for a WHOLE YEAR, nothing else, or I might irritate my staple line and cause an ulcer. First time I had heard that... AND she took away my PPI... she said "if you have developed GERD we have to fiind out why, and not just treat the symptoms." She was SO MEAN TO ME that I am not going back there. I heard nothing of value from the NUT, and I didn't go through all this and pay all this money to be yelled at by a mean doctor. I'm on my own.... nutrition section of the library, here I come! Cinderella

Oh YEAH, I like this. Calcium is one thing I struggle with, as all the pills I've found are big, and the "chewable" ones don't add up to that much, so you end up eating a handful. Thanks for the tip... I had not heard of them. Cinderella

I knid of noticed that too, if I eat too much... or too fast. You gotta eat TEENY TINY mini-bites, and also really slow. Like wait 10 minutes between each bite at first. It passed after awhile, and my hearbeat when back to normal, but it's scary. Don't know what causes it... anyone??

You should definitely talk to your doctor right away.... tell him (or her) that the extra fees were never explained to you, and you were told one firm price. The next thing you should do is call your insurance company and tell them the same thing.... in my case, my procedure cost $15,000, and my insurance company negotiated a "rate" (small percentage of that), which the hospital agreed to accept since they took my insurance. So now, when the hospital starting billing me with "add ons," the insurance company said NO WAY, so I said NO WAY as well. But, be aware, you probably had to sign a paper when you checked in that said you woudl be financially responsible for all the costs. They just don't tell you how high they can be. You should still let your displeasure know, and try to negotiate the bill down. People do this all the time... it's just business. Hospitals write off bills that people can't pay every day.... they can adjust or write off, yours too. Some doctor recently tried to charge my M-I-L $7,000 for a spinal arthritis injection, which the insurance rejected. My husband raised Hell, and the hospital "disappeared" that bill. As a last resort, if you look on the back... or at the bottom... of your bill, it will tell you something about "if you cannot afford to pay this bill, call this number to applly for financial aid..." Do it. Beats paying that kind of money.... the charges are outrageous. Just don't accept it as the last word.... argue them down. Good luck with it! Cinderella

CONGRATULATIONS, Kris!! I enjoyed reading your very interesting and detailed post, and before I got sleeved in the USA, I had considered Mexico, but ruled it out as too risky. After reading about your good experience, I would have been happy to know about Dr. Aceves, and cute Dr. Campos.... sounds like they have a classy setup going on down there in Mexicali. BTW, one question.. what with all the bad press about the Mexican drug murders, did you and your hubby at any time feel unsafe in Mexico? I went to Cancun a few years, and felt totally safe.... but Mexicali is much closer to the border. Just curious. You are on your way to an amazing experience... welcome to the club of the shrinking people! Cinderella

I am glad for this thread because I am starting to get nervous that I will not be able to stop losing weight.... glad to hear people say that it slows down, but delighted! Starting BMI: 36 One week out:: -17 pounds Three weeks out: -21 pounds Five weeks out: -28 pounds Today took back some trousers I got to Christmas to exchange them downsized, from 18W to a straight Size 16. Happiest day of my life! I have only lost this much weight twice before in my life (both times gaining back much more)... each time, to lose 28 pounds took me four or five MONTHS, not weeks.... amazing surgery. My ticker is broken.... sorry.

Hello sleevers: I made it!!! Nobody is more amazed than I am that I have stepped into Onderland at last. Been afraid to weigh myself for a couple of weeks, given Christmas goodie nibbles and all, but finally broke down this mornng, and my new weight is 194!! I'm 5.5 weeks out, and started at 221, so I've lost 27.5 pounds in 5 weeks. This surgery is nothing short of amazing!!! Also wanted to recommend a new book that I just picked up on Amazon, it was published recently and is called THE EVERYTHING POST WEIGHT LOSS SURGERY COOKBOOK, by Jennifer WHITLOCK hEISLER, RN. But is is much more than just a cookbook, she talks all about the process you go through after WLS, complications, what to do and what not to do, and psychological aspects. I highly recommend it. Well, off to make my Protein Shake, and then OUT SHOPPING! Thank you all for your loving support, I would never be here if it weren't for this wonderful support group, never would have had the courage to go through with the surgery and know how to fight the insurance companies to get approved. Cindrella (p.s., my ticker is broken. )

Gee, why am I not surprised... I was just looking over my bills, and although my surgery itself was $15,000... the hospital charged my insurance company $34,500 for three days in the hospital (NOT including what the recovery room charges were). This has to be the most expensive hotel on the planet! What do poor people do? Cinderella

ABSOLUTELY illegal for the boss to press you on this.... none of their GD business. Mention that you are going to talk to personnel. I got a letter from my doctor saying that I had MAJOR ABDOMINAL SURGERY, on hospital stationery, but not specifying what surgery. Get that letter, and have it state how long you have to be off work, and your pushy, nosy boss can't do or say a thing... push back! Cinderella

I am relieved to know that I am not the only one who is suddenly FREEZING cold all the time. Very interesting, what SParkle said about "every 14 pounds you lose is like taking off an overcoat," I am two coats down, almost! Obviously, we have less fat to pad us, but I also think that our Blood Pressure is now lower too, and that makes you hotter when it's high. I'm so cold now that I wear a hoodie sweatshirt under my big wool coat, and keep a "lap blanket" at work to wrap up in, they keep it so cold there. But I'm happy to wrap up to keep warm, it's better than "wearing my coats" as body fat! Cinderella

My doc also said after six weeks, your stomach is healed and it will be OK to return to any exercise. I am ready to try some crunches too, but plan to start with a WII fit routine as I think it will be gentler.... good luck! Cinderella

Hello Sleevers: If you are anything like me, once I passed my 4-week mark, my surgeon said I no longer had to crush my pills and eat chewy Vitamins... and could return to taking normal pills the normal way. Just as we must get our Protein in, it is very important that we get our daily multi-vitamins so as not to be exhausted, low energy, and have dull hair. Problem is, all of the vitamins and supplements that I have found are HUGE pills, there is no way I am stuffing that gigantic horse pills down my teeny tiny esophogus... don't know about you. Wanted to let you all know that I've found a solution. There IS a teeny Vitamin pill available. It is sold at Whole Foods, but you could buy it online, or order it from your vitamin store. It is called TINY TABS MULTI VITAMIN, and made by a company called New Chapter Organics. These tiny vitamins contain everything, even Selenium, and are as powerful as the big ones, but the size of a microdot. I also take liquid Omega Oils.. there are lots of those on the market, but it is not so easy to find the small vitamins. Check them out! Good luck, Cinderella

coffee is discouraged on my program, as well, because it is so highly acidic. My NUT told me that if I must drink coffee, drink Decaf (less acid), and cut it with half milk. It also doesn't taste the same to me... tastes bitter and nasty. I started getting Lattes but don't usually even finish them. Just a couple of sips will do ya. Cinderella

Congratulations on your new Sleeve, and welcome to a new and better life. Is Gastric Sleeve the most popular WLS out there now, or WHAT? Can't imagine why anyone would want anything else. But like the song says, "Slow down, you move too fast..." it will be a LONG TIME till you fully understand your new teeny tummy. You're only in your first days, so a tiny sip or two, a bite or two, and you're full. My best advice: DON'T push it, if you aren't hungry don't eat, and don't feel bad about throwing away food. You don't need much right now, after a few weeks you'll start to fall into the patterns. At 5 weeks out, I can tell you that I am constantly surprised at how LITTLE I can eat... no matter how small of helpings I take, it's usally too much. Think: doll sized portions. good luck! Cinderella

Good to know about the Sam's Vitamins.... I was surprised to learn how hard it is to find "little" Vitamin pills out there. My elderly mother will also appreciate the smaller size, she has to take so MANY pills, poor thiing. Cinderella

YOU ROCK!!! Congratulations.... what a wonderful accomplishment. And you look, marvelous, dahling! I share your feelings of amazement that the weight just keeps on melting, and I also am afraid to wake up and find this "gone," or maybe it was all just a dream. I quit weighing myself, because I am so afraid the weight will come back.. but yesterday at work, a co-worker even noticed and said "you've dropped LOT of weight, haven't you?" Keep up the good work!! Cinderella

I am 5 weeks out and actually found it easier to get my Protein in during my Mushies phase, because I was drinking a couple of Protein shakes a day. Now I have to pay more attentiion, and I've missed my "40 grams" mark now several days. I tried Protein Bars, but they all taste like sawdust, and I am thiking of making my OWN, using unflavored unjury power. Anybody try making their own protein bars yet??? Also mixing yogurt and throwing in a raw egg into one smoothie really bumps up the protein to like 30 grams per shake... Good luck with it!! Cinderella

I also have Aetna insurance, and could not be out of work very long. Do everything you can to get approved NOW, because Aetna offers a very good coverage deal, you will pay very little. My doctor reluctantly agreed to let me return to work ... a sedentary job.. after 2 weeks. He wanted me to walk, but said you cannot lift ANYTHING over 10 pounds for 21 days after surgery, otherwise you may rip your internal stitches and end up in the ER. You do NOT want that. If you work in a company that is larger than about 30 people, you are covered by Federal Law, and they have to allow you Medical Disability for time off to recover. Most folks take 3 weeks. Of course, you will have to fill out a lot of paperwork, and also lose some pay, but you will keep your job and they can't say a darned thing about it. If your doctor, and Aetna, judge this surgery to be "medically necessary," then it is not considered to be like cosmetic surgery, which is optional and not necessary. Talk to your HR department... you don't even have to tell them what your surgery is for.. the law protects you there too. Medical confidentiality... none of their darned business. I said my surgery was for a hernia repair, or you could say gall bladder. My doctor wrote a letter that just stated that I had "major abdominal surgery" and did not say exaclty which surgery. The doctor is on YOUR side, they understand what's going on and how the companies are. So, don't comprimise your health, or recovery. You don't want to come so far and then have a setback... just get your approval, make your appointment and then take t3 weeks off work under Short-Term disability. You'll be fine to go back to work and walk a lot after 3 weeks... plus you'll be a lot lighter! Good luck! Cinderella

I have ABSOLUTELY no regrets!!! I am happier than I have ever been, and for the first time in my life, I am not embarrassed by how I look. This is worth more than silver and gold put together. We're not talking about being a beauty queen here, I just mean that I am not ashamed of myself any more... AND I am only 5 weeks out. There are moments when I get scared that this surgery will somehow 'reverse itself,' and the amazing shrinking effect disappear... but then I get real and realize that its a new life for me. Only happiness... the pain and nausea and inability to eat big amounts of food is nothing compared to feeling normal! Cindrella