The Kellz

Thank the LORD for you Tiffykins!!!! I just went to GNC and bought a big container of Vanilla protein (20g per scoop) and the best thing I'd come up with was mixing it in with some cheesecake flavored pudding. THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!!!

Doc was kind enough to put me on mushies. As reported, I had an egg (that took over an hour to eat). So I started thinking...what to do? Ah-HA!!! Make egg salad and blend it until it's mushy. Tastes SOOO good! At first, I made deviled eggs, but the whites were a bit much for me. Use a child's spoon to eat with. Even a teaspoon seems to be too much for me. But a child's size (toddler) spoon won't allow me to overeat. It's just enough and forces me to eat at a relative pace. Keep sipping the Water. I know we are not supposed to drink while eating, but my mouth gets really dry sometimes. So I take a true sip every once in awhile...and I mean SMALL sip, just to clear the palette. So far, that's all I've got. Take care of yourselves Sleevers!!

Ladies and Gentlemen....The Kellz went to her first post-op surgery and, since 05 May, she has lost..... 30 POUNDS!!!!!!! YEEEEEEEEEEEEESSSSSSSSSSSSSSS!!!! I lost 17 lbs on the pre-op diet 09-21 May and 13 lbs from 23 May - 02 June!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I am SOOOOO motivated!!!!!!!!!!!! Doc said I can have slippery foods, like eggs. So, I came home and scrambled two eggs thinking, I'll eat one now and then have the other later. Well....half of the first one is still on my plate and I'm stuffed. But, it was GLORIOUS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I am so encouraged now....13 pounds in 10 days....WOWSERS and 30 pounds in fewer than 30 days!!! YAY ME!!!!

Kelly, I got white tips painted on my toes but left my fingers without any polish. They said it was to monitor your oxygen level by looking at your nails. But, it's always best to check with the surgeon before getting a mani-pedi. But the least you could do is get the darned things cleaned up and crust free before surgery...LOL

Hello Sleevers! Here's today's adventure: I decided to get out of bed and instead of starting out with having fluids and a Protein shake, I decided to take a shower before I went downstairs. And, being THE Kellz, when I do something, I do it UP. As I've reported, every day is getting better physically. I figured out last night that I am finally able to bend over (slowly) and decided to finally address my crusty feet with a pumice stone. (Do you see where this is headed??) So, I get in and the first thing I notice is that my incisions aren't stinging, which means I'm healing...AWESOME! Oh, that was awesomeness. I thought, I'm good to go!! I get my loofah and go to town, just scrubbin' and gettin clean...then, I hit my Flintstones. First of all, who in the heck would have thought you could have that much dead skin on your feet? Okay, maybe it wasn't that much, but the 1.5 minutes I spent on them felt like a lifetime!! By the time I was finished, I nearly crawled out of the shower with fatigue. I was out of breath and felt like I hadn't slept in days. Granted, I am squeaky clean, but am now wrapped up in a blanket and sitting in my recliner trying to gather the energy to sip my Protein Drink. Lessons learned: EAT (or sip in our case) BEFORE you decide to take on anything deemed even slightly arduous when you're only 8 days post op; Don't try to indulge in a spa type shower so soon after surgery (Diva habits die hard); Go to the dang salon and get your feet done. Keep sleeping with the pillow under your tummy, It really does help a lot. I'm a side sleeper and that extra support is awesome! Take care of yourselves!

Thank you so much!

I have been one of those who have gained and lost hundreds of pounds over the years. I have always carried myself with my head held high and owned any room I walked into. I am an instructor, so I HAVE to own the room, no matter what I look or feel like. For the last year or so, I have been traveling overseas for my job. We have visited several places in the Balkans. I was not prepared for the smaller seats on the local planes. They are literally made of metal all the way up to the waist, so I had to squeeze and mold myself into one, completely unable to buckle the seat belt. The flight attendants, lovely, thin blonde girls, looked me up and down as I headed down the aisle with my bag and laughed out loud at my girth. I was so ashamed - but continued to hold my head high. A few months later, when we traveled as a team, I sat next to one of my coworkers. Of course, my shoulders were spilling over into her seat and she leaned forward to get some room to be comfortable. The worst moment by far was walking to the grocery store (about 1/2 mile) near our hotel. We passed by a school and the children all pointed and laughed at me because I was literally the largest person in the town. The woman in that particular country are so thin they are nearly transparent. We stayed longer than the 3 weeks that were originally intended and winter turned to spring. I had only packed long sleeves and sweaters and was a little uncomfortable. I found out through our interpreter that there were no clothes in the city large enough to fit me (size 24). I nearly cried. All my life, I have been called fat, even when I weighed 155 lbs. I was raised to believe that the more you give in and show your fears (and/or tears), the more you give mean people a foothold on your life. So, I have always internalized what I feel; hence, I EAT my feelings. In October 2010, I looked into my insurance and found that weight loss surgery is indeed covered. That was my green light. I knew that the band would likely not be very successful for me at 310 pounds and I was a bit afraid of the bypass and all that internal rerouting. So when I found out about the sleeve, I was overjoyed. It was a happy medium and my surgeon agreed. I was sleeved on 23 May 2011. I go in for my first follow up appointment on 02 June and will update with results. But, so far, so good. No major complications (a little infection at an incision site, easily cured) and the soreness gets better daily. I would say to all those thinking about having the surgery, you know your body and how dedicated you have been at various attempts to lose weight. If they haven't worked and you are considering WLS, PLEASE, do your research so you can make an informed decision. HOWEVER, do not let anyone talk you out of what you know is best for you. I have only told my brother and his wife and a couple friends who I knew would 100% support my decision. I am NOT ashamed of what I've done, but I do not waste words on others about the decisions that I make for my own life. It's not their business or place to have an opinion, especially since they don't walk in my skin and endure my high blood pressure, hemorrhoids, aching knees, bad back or humiliating stares. Handle your business and take care of yourself. You only get one life and one body. Adore YOURSELF enough to make a change.

Thank you Lynda! I wish you continued success as well!

I was sleeved on 23 May 2011.

Hello Sleevers! So, last night, I was finally not too sore to try to sleep in my bed (instead of the recliner). I got all comfy cozy on my left side, had a pillow propped under my belly and thought all was well...until...the broth that I'd sipped on about 45 minutes before going to bed decided to make an appearance. No, no vomiting, just a serious case of burps/reflux. I turned over to the other side and VOILA - no more burpies!!! Note to self: do not sip anything other than Water an hour before bed unless you want it to revisit you. Also, try to fall asleep on the right side. Otherwise, I am feeling better every day. For some reason, taking a shower is still a bit tiring, but I am getting around a lot better than I was even a couple days ago. The only thing that is driving me NUTS is the itching of the incision sites. But I will take itching over pain any day. I have my one week follow up on next Thursday and don't have a scale, so I don't know how much I've lost but I'm looking forward to finding out. Take care Sleevers!

HEY there Sleevers! I am four days post op and feeling better. The soreness is improving, which is a good thing. I am still on my 3 sips and stop rule...tried to simply 'sip' some Water and ended up in a bit of pain. It's best to stick to my trusty teaspoon for now I think. I have not vomited yet, but have had a couple bouts of nausea. I was trying to figure out what brought them on and lo and behold - it happens when I take my medication. It used to be so easy to take the entire pill, chug some water and keep it moving. Apparently, my sleeve doesn't like the whole pill at once. So, I am taking half at a time while I sip my Protein. It helps a LOT and last night - no nausea. It's amazing how so much has changed. I used to be able to down a cup of coffee within minutes. Now, it takes HOURS to get 1/2 cup of Fluid down my gullet. I cannot believe I am the same person that, three weeks ago, could eat an entire medium sized pizza and still have wings on the side. I suppose that would explain why I was 320 lbs...LOL Folks, I'm feeling pretty good, even though my stomach still sounds like Raging Rivers Water Park !! Have a great day!

Count me in! I am 4 days post op and only sip liquids from a teaspoon. It is hard to believe that such a little bit of Fluid can make my tummy sound like something is about to erupt!

I would like to thank everyone for the good wishes! It's nice to have a place to turn to express the things that happen during this process. For those who think this is an easy way out, I sincerely beg to differ. Just trying to blow my nose, cough and attend to bathroom functions present more of a challenge than I could have imagined. (Keep in mind this is my first surgery EVER!) I am thankful for my sleeved predecessors and their advice and hope to be an inspiration to those who will join our numbers soon.

After an entire adulthood of being obese, I finally came to the decision to have weight loss surgery. After trying every diet and exercise plan (including Jenny Craig, LA Weight Loss, Weight Watchers, South Beach, Atkins, Curves, New Lady Fitness, Club Fitness) and eating my way to 320 lbs (on 05 May 2011), I knew that with my family history of heart disease, strokes, diabetes and hip replacements that I had to do something other than eat myself to death slowly. My primary care physician recommended Carolina Surgical Associates here in Greenville, SC. I can say that the staff is completely professional and caring. I was made to feel like family from the moment I walked in the door. I went onto a Protein and vegetables only pre-op diet on 09 May 2011 and lost 17 pounds from that day until the day of my surgery, 23 May 2011. The medical staff at the St. Francis Bon Secours Hospital East Side facility have been more amazing than words can express. There has never been a time that I have felt anything other than warmth and genuine concern from everyone from the custodial staff to the RN's. I did a lot of research on this website and others so that I would know what to expect as far as pain. I have been quite sore, but I have not suffered too badly. I did two laps around the floor yesterday and did well. I think I overdid it today trying to take a shower. My near-navel incision started to hurt pretty intensely and I had to get a little help getting dressed. But, after sitting still for awhile and staying hydrated, I'm feeling better. I have found it best to only sip 3 teaspoons of liquid in a row and stop so that I don't become nauseated. So far, I burp after those three spoons , so I stop sipping for a few minutes to let my tummy rest. So far, that's all I have, but I look forward to posting many more updates.