SKCUNNINGHAM

Great topic and some wonderful answers! The first thing I "CAN DO" is I have stopped feeling like a failure. I am a blessed woman with a loving family, successful in my career and doing OK financially. But I have always felt like a failure because I could not control my weight. That miserable feeling of being a failure is gone. I have a paperweight on my desk - a three dimensional rectangle that has inscribed on it "What would you do if you knew you couldn't fail?" I feel that way now - there is nothing I can't do and be successful doing.

I am 9+ months past surgery, and I am going through my first winter as a smaller person. I am cold all the time. I went to my local Wal Mart and bought a set of Black thermal underwear by Fruit of the Loom. It looks more like a lightweight longsleeved fittled t shirt and leggings than a traditional set of long johns. They were inexpensive. I'm going to get another set, hopefully in white. I have also been wearing camisoles (either shapewear or regular) or fitted tanks under my shirts if I'm not wearing the long john top. The extra layers help me keep warm.

I have used the sugar free syrups and the sugar free cocoa occaisionally. I might put a teaspoon of the topping on a fat free pudding. The cocoa I make as a drink when it's cold. I look at the package, and account for the carbs, fat and sugar for what I eat or drink in my daily intake log. I use these as special treats, not too frequently. I don't want my body to get accustomed to the chocolate or caramel tastes as an everday thing.

WOW! This is great results. Congratulations on getting to enjoy being a smaller, healthier you! Enjoy!

A good jeweler could take out all of the stones, make the ring smaller and put the stones back in. Not easy or cheap, but possible. Good luck!

I was on Famotidine (Pepcid) morning and evening, and Prilosec before bed. At 6 months, I stopped the evening Famotidine. Now, at 9 months I am starting to wean myself off of Prilosec. I have forgotten it a couple of nights with no problems. Now, I think about what I ate during the day to evaluate if I might need it. I am taking it about half the time now.

Went for my official 9 month follow up with my PCP. The routine is put your stuff in a room and then come weigh. They have a traditional post and beam type scale, where you slide the weights back and forth until it balances. So yesterday, this is how it went. I rushed into the exam room, dropped my purse and jacket and hopped up on the exam table (impossible for me to "hop" up there 9 months ago) to take off my Nehi grape colored high top Chucks. Thunk, Thunk, the shoes drop to the floor. I jump down from the table and rush back into the hall to the scale. The nurse slides the weight to 150 and it is TOO MUCH. So she lets me move the big weight from 150 to 100, then move the smaller sliding along the bar to settle on 147. I step off the scale and do a happy dance standing there next too her. Probably startled a few folks, seeing a grown woman with peacock blue socks on her feet doing an impromptu dance at the scale. I know I have been below 150 for about a week, because I could tell from my scale at home what the doctor's scale would say - but seeing it on the official scale - and actually balancing the weights is MUCH MORE satisfying to me than stepping on my scale at home. Nine months of work, summed up on the scale in front of my face. And the icing on the cake was when the doc told me she had removed "obesity" from my diagnosis in her records. She told me it no longer applied to me. :-) All my bloodwork was great - except my total cholesterol is over 200 at 233. I think it is because of heredity - not anything I am eating. But, I am going to up my exercise (haven't been doing much) and start working oatmeal in to my diet to see if I can lower the overall number and raise the good number before my one year checkup. I don't want to go back on a statin drug. Life is Good!

A year ago I was 253 pounds. Now, 9+months after surgery, I have lost 106 of the 118 pounds I have set out to lose. That will put me into the normal BMI range by a few pounds. I am 54 years old and have done this without a lot of exercising (my bad).

I have to admit, I am addicted to Chucks. I am one of those women who love pretty shoes. Because of blowing out the ligaments in my right ankle (imagine a permanently sprained ankle that will roll over with the slightest provocation) I can no longer wear heels. Bye-bye 100 pairs of beautiful dress shoes! Even dress flats don't work well for me. So, I have an assortment of chucks - high tops and low tops in assorted colors and patterns to coordinate with my business attire. I have explained to my bosses that it is medically necessary for me to wear this type of shoe - since I have custom orthotics, a metal plate and an ankle brace on. So I am "business attire" from the ankles up and Chucks below. Thanks for the visual image of myself as a pretty peecock. I will keep that image close to my heart. :-)

I was off a total of 3 1/2 weeks. I used disability from my company for the time away. No problems with getting it covered - the surgery was medically necessary - not cosmetic.

I'm sorry this happened to you. I am a firm believer in thing happen for a reason, we just don't know the reason when the "stuff" happens to us. You get to enjoy the holidays, you get 2 more weeks to lose weight pre-op, your surgeon will feel much better when he does the surgery. Years ago, I was having a laparoscopy procedure to remove scar tissue that had formed after my hysterectomy. I was in the room where they set the IV prior to surgery when my surgeon's nurse came in and told the anesthesiologist there was a delay. They sent me up to a recovery room to wait. Since they had already given me something to relax, I fell asleep - and so did my husband. About an hour or so later, the nurse from my surgeon (OB/GYN) came by and told me the procedure had been cancelled, I would have to reschedule. I was PO'd to put it mildly. After getting dressed, I charged down to the doc's office in the hospital, planning on letting them have a piece of my mind about the poor treatment! Well, my doc had been preparing for my surgery, and had had a "cardiac event" and was currently in the cardiac care unit of the hospital. Needless to say, my anger turned into concern for my doc (who I really like). I rescheduled the appointment for a month later (I wanted him WELL). I teased him when I saw him after my surgery - thanking him for not keeling over when he was lazering my insides. Hang in there, and good luck with your sleeve. Sharon

I had high blood pressure and high cholesterol for ~10 years pre-surgery, with the medication needs going up. My joints were really bothering me, with arthritis in my feet, left knee and both hands. I was diagnosed wtih sleep apnea the year before surgery, but had had it undiagnosed for a few years before the official diagnosis. And, I had been diagnosed with "metabolic syndrome" which is the precursor to diabetes. My PCP was talking to me about WHEN I had a hear attack, not IF. The apnea was gone by 6 weeks after surgery. My blood pressure meds were reduced steadily at each doctor's appt, and I have been totally off of them since mid-October. My joints feel much better, except for the foot where the joint is bone on bone. And I am no longer fit the criteria for "metabolic syndrome" and have no problems with my blood sugar. Cholesterol is slightly above 200 - but it is not what I am eating, it is hereditary. I am working through adding things into my diet to see if I can lower it without statins.

First of all, getting enough water/fluids in your system is needed. 60-80 ounces is what I shoot for. Then, I take 2 sleeves of benefiber in my Protein smoothie, along with a daily dose of miralax. If I stop the Miralax for a few days, I "stop". Regular exercise is also helpful - the more you move around, the more your intestines move. Every sleeve patient has to figure out the magic formula that works for them. It is as issue we all have to deal with. Good Luck - feel better soon.

Irene, you are amazing! You are a beautiful, tiny woman. So, if you are going to continue to get smaller as your swelling goes down, are there sizes smaller than a zero? That end of scale was not something I was ever familiar with. :-)

Welcome to my world - I am lactose intolerant, also. I CAN handle low fat cottage cheese, low fat yogurts, and cheese. I CAN'T drink milk or eat ice cream. This was my situation pre-sleeve and it is the same now.

I need to lower my cholesterol (even after losing this much weight, it is still over the 200 mark) so I wanted to added oatmeal into my diet for the next three months, to see if that helps. I had Quaker instant packages in maple and brown sugar (my pre-sleeve favorite) Its nutrition is: 160 calories 2 g fat 33 g carbohydrate 4 grams of Protein. I also ordered som Maple and Brown Surgar oatmeal packets from Bariatric Advantage website. Its nutrition is: 100 calories 1 g Fat 8 g carbohydrate 14 grams of protein. I ate the Quaker on Saturday and the Bariatric Advantage this morning to compare. I probably preferred the Quaker's taste (I would rate it a 9 on a 1-10 scale) over the Bariatric Advantage (rated a 7 on a 1-10 scale). But for the difference in protein, carbs and calories - I am choosing the Bariatric Advantage to be my Breakfast oatmeal. Anyone else have any good sources for high protein oatmeal? I got some ground Flax Seed, and I am going to stir a couple of tablespoons of that into the oatmeal to help with my Quest for lower cholesterol.

My sleeve loves 1 egg omelets with ham, cheese and mushrooms. My sleeve hates BBQ brisket. (it's almost of unheard of in Texas not to eat brisket).

What a great feeling that must be! Congratulations!

One of my sisters had three laparoscopic surgeries in three days earlier this year (complications from gallbladder). The only issue with her was the recovery from three back to back times of being totally anesthized. You should be over the first bout of anasthesia, and with no lingering infections, you should be fine. Good Luck,

Irene, Congratulations on getting to the point we all want to get to - where you are happy with the size you are and get to focus on maintaining. Enjoy the "fruits of your labor" - you have worked harder than anyone I have ever heard of to get to where you are. Enjoy the holiday season. I think Santa has already come to your house. Sharon

I had surgery in February of 2011. I had an early morning surgery, so my husband and I showed up EARLY. I remember going into the room where you get the gown and the IV and the surgeon and several other people coming by to talk to me - my husband was with me there. They gave me something to relax me, and I kissed my husband good bye. I remember them starting to wheel my to the operating room - but the next thing I remember is waking up in my room. It doesn't take much of the happy juice to make me go out, so I missed a bunch of stuff that other people have memories of. Once I was awake in the room, it was late morning / early afternoon. I remember not being too uncomfortable, although it did feel like someone had poked holes in my gut. Of all of the surgeries I have had, this was the least painful. I used the pain med button a few times, but not much. By four hours after surgery, I needed to get up and pee, so the nurse helped me to the bathroom. Once I was out of there, I told her I wanted to walk down the hall. "Already?" she says, and I said "I'm up, I might as well walk". So she, my husband, me and my IV pole walked to the nurses station and back. My feet weren't too steady but I was moving! My mouth was dry - the spong on a stick was a god-send. I was happy when they started with the little cups and the variety of liquids. Sip, Sip, Sip!. Didn't feel too bad drinking, but no big sips! Chapstick would have been great - I forgot to bring it. Some medical professional was in my room every 15 or 30 minutes doing something to me or for me. I remember doing breathing exercises, blowing into this wierd plastic thing. I remember it from previous surgeries - I think it helps prevent pneumonia or somthing like that. I had on the inflatable leg things - the noise of them made it difficult to sleep, but since my room was grand central station for the medical staff all night, they weren't the only things keeping me awake! I got up as frequently as possible and walked. I remember early on I would either use the magic pain button before or after my walks. Early the next morning (after one night), I got up and put on my travelling home clothes and my socks and tennis shoes. I wanted to GO HOME. I had stopped using the pain meds altogether. I told my nurse I was drinking fine and peeing fine, and didn't need the pain meds - could she ask the doctor if I could be released that day? So she put the wheel in motion and I was release right after lunch (broth and koolaid) that day. The surgeon's PA came by and agreed I was ready to go. The nutritionist came by that morning with a bag of freebie stuff to take home (Protein drinks and Vitamin samples). My surgery and hospital experience were drama free and problem free. They took great care of me there - I just wanted to go home and get some rest in my own bed. I think I took one pain pill the first night and haven't had any since. My two best helps in recovery were an abdomen support belt (WalMart) and my heating pad. Good Luck with your surgery. Sharon

These are the foods I have in my credenza in my office: Crystal lite packets of assorted flavors to add to bottled Water Hot tea and no cal sweetener to make hot tea (instead of those to die for coffee drinks) ready made EAS Protein drinks (low carb) in chocolate and vanilla foil packages of tuna foil packages of salmon small cans of green Beans with a pop top. flatbread crisp crackers individual packages of Jerky (costco special) plastic fork knife and spoon small plastic plates small glad container with lid (to make chicken salad in) In my fridge at work I have: baby bell cheese laughing cow cheese (to spread on the flatbread crisps) sugar snap peas baby carrots cherry tomatoes low cal miracle whip shrimp sauce dill relish With my stash of food, I can eat lunch at my desk and not have to be tempted. I make chicken salad with 1 packet of the tuna, some dill relish and the lite miracle whip. If I can't fininsh the serving, I snap the lid on the glad container and it goes in the fridge. For veggies, I either have green beans or one of the fresh veggies. I can also take the laughing cow and spread it on the crackers for lunch. The baby bell cheese or jerky I use as protein Snacks primarily, although I have had them for lunch. If I want a veggie snack, I can take a few of the fresh veggies. If I want, I dip them in a small amount of shrimp sauce. I live a long way from my office and stay at a hotel a couple of nites a week. I take food and have it in my hotel room, if I don't want to eat in a restaurant. I use the Protein Drinks for Breakfast, although sometime if I am rushed I will use them for lunch or dinner. I eat in restaurants a lot, but I feel better knowing I am a self-sufficient island when it comes to food. If I'm feeling tempted, I can always retreat to my island. If I want to indulge in something that is not really good for me, I decide up-front what I will allow myself to have. (say, 1/4 of a donut, or 1 cookie). Put it on a plate, move away from the rest of the food, sit down, and eat the treat. Really focus on the food - the taste, the feel, the entire experience. It may be wonderful, or it may disgust you and you spit it out. Either way, don't wolf it down guiltily. Food is something we now consciously choose to eat. Good Luck with all the land-mines of food during the holidays. It is a challenge for me, too. I keep reminding myself "food has no power over me, I am in control of what I choose to put in my mouth." Sharon

Wow, I am SO-O-O HAPPY for you. You have done outstanding work, and all that work has paid off. Enjoy your success. Sharon

http://www.healthche...weightchart.htm The link above is from the Metropolitan Life Insurance company - it is their official height / weight tables. It lists the target weight ranges for women assuming 3 lbs of clothing wearing 1" heals. It also lists the ranges by frame size (small, medium and large). If you don't know your frame size - it also tells you how to measure and determine that - by using the distance between the two prominent bones in your elbow when your arm is bent at a 90 degree angle to your body. So first, determine your frame size. Then, find your target weight range from the chart. Determine how much weight there is from where you started to both the top and bottom of the target weight range. That would be the high and low numbers for how much excess weight you started with. My surgeon told me a VSG sleve patient usually losing 85% of their excess weight in the first year. So take 85% of both your excess weight numbers and subtract that from your original weight. That will give you your high and low numbers for how much weight you will probably lose in the first year. Here's an example using my numbers: I started out weighing 253. I am 5'4 barefoot Using the method described on the link, I measured the distance between the two bones in my elbow at 2". This means I have a small frame (hard to believe). Going to the chart for height and weight, a 5'5" women with a small frame should weigh 117 - 130. That means I was carrying between 122 to 136 pounds of excess weight. (253-130=122, 253-117=136) 85% of these numbers are 104 and 116 pounds projected weight loss at one year (85% *122=104, 85%*136=116 both numbers rounded up) So my goal weight for one year is most likely between 137 and 149. Hope this helps