decamom

I am 3 years out and have had more than one nasty experience when taking narcotics for post surgery pain management. I get this horrific burn in my chest that feels like someone is stabbing me straight through with a flaming broom stick. I have gone to the ER more than once for a "gastric cocktail" to stop the pain. It is indescribably excruciating. Has anyone else had a similar experience? I told my bariatric surgeon about it and he had me take a course of Carafate for a month prior to my hysterectomy to try to protect my tiny tummy from the pain meds. I had some success with this but I ate an entire Protein bar right before every dose. It seems that my stomach can handle the narcotics if I have some dense protein first. I have an appt with a GI recommended by my gastric surgeon in a few weeks. Any thoughts from my fellow sleevers?? Laura

I am 4 years out and have had more than one nasty experience when taking narcotics for post surgery pain management. I get this horrific burn in my chest that feels like someone is stabbing me straight through with a flaming broom stick. I have gone to the ER more than once for a "gastric cocktail" to stop the pain. It is indescribably excruciating. My sis in law, who has had gastric bypass, has had the same experience. Has anyone else had a similar experience? I told my bariatric surgeon about it and he had me take a course of Carafate for a month prior to my recent hysterectomy to try to protect my tiny tummy from the pain meds. I had some success with this but I ate an entire Protein bar right before every dose. It seems that my stomach can handle the narcotics if I have some dense protein first. I have an appt with a GI recommended by my gastric surgeon in a few weeks. Any thoughts from my fellow sleevers?? Laura

I had my sleeve in May of 2011. Lost 100 pounds. I discovered recently, in the last few months, that I cannot tolerate ANY opiate pain medications. This includes Vicodin, Percoset and Dilaudid. They make me feel like I have a broomstick thrust through me from the front to the back right at my sternum. So amazingly horrid! I am at the point that I really want to have my extra skin removed but am terrified that I won't be able to take anything for the pain. Has anyone else experienced this? Any solutions? My sis-in-law had a gastric bypass about 2 years ago and she has the same reaction to pain medication as I do. Thanks all, Laura

I think I may have found the answer...I took some tramadol to see if it bothered me and I was fine...later I was feeling anxiety so I took a little alprazolam(valium) and got the same horrid painful reaction I had before with opiates...I drank a little milk and ...horrid pain all gone!! I had always heard that milk coats your stomach and I am living proof that it does. What a relief. I am going to test run a vicodin to see if the same holds true and if so...plastics here I come! After all that work to lose the weight...I really want to remove the extra skin I have left. Living the dream, Laura

Any pics yet???

So I am a little over 1 year out. Lost 100% of my excess body weight in 7 months and have been maintaining for 6 months almost and now....all of the sudden the scale is going up. I AM TERRIFIED! I have been eating like a thin person who doesn't have to watch what they eat...like lots of sugar ( my nemesis) but I am exercising daily and drinking plenty. I don't count anything and know I eat more carbs than I need (sugar again). This is totally my old pattern. Lose the weight and as soon as I get to my goal...eat like a crazy person and gain it back. PLEASE HELP ME!!!! I can't be one of those people you hear about who lost all the weight only to gain it all back....did I mention that I am TERRIFIED???? I cut out the candy yesterday and suffered the inevitable carb withdrawl headache...I love to exercise and do so every day but ...OMG....someone please slap me and help me get off this merry go round from hell! Laura

Thank you all for the reality check and the encouragement. I have printed off the Boot camp directions and plan to hit that immediately. I guess I have been enjoying the "eat anything I want with no repercussions" and it has caught up with me. I will not miss eating so much white chocolate that I make myself sick....same with kettle corn. I love both of these and as sliders...well let's just say I can consume my fair share plus more. Seeing the scale go up has been a good reality check for me. I have always exercised alot since my sleeve but I have been abusing my poor pancreas with all the sugar. I am back on track...or at least back to eating well. Thank you all for coming to my rescue!! Living the dream, Laura

Thanks for the reply. I wrote my post while my abdominal pain was at bay. I thought it was over but I was wrong...very wrong. The cycle of debilitating fiery pan went on for 4 hours. You'd think that the pain med, even though it was causing the pain, would do it's job and kill the pain...not so. It was like being in labor with these horrid contractions that lasted for 15 minutes or more and then I would feel better for another 15 minutes and then BAM!, more horrid pain. I will NEVER take that stuff again!!! I wonder what was going on in my gullet when I took that thing....it was like muscle spasms or something.

So I am one year out and have discovered that I cannot tolerate any narcotic pain medicine. I never had a problem before my sleeve. Now, I get what feels like the most horrible heart burn/iron band around my chest and back/doubled over and moaning pain that lasts for at least an hour. Then poof...it's gone. I tried taking papaya enzyme when it first began. Then moved to Tums and finally my PPI. Poor hubby was terrified! Has any one had a reaction like this? I don't take pain meds often. Today we rode our motorcycle and my tail bone was very sore. That's why I took a pain pill. The belly ache was waaaaay worse that the tailbone issue! Comments are very welcome. I am looking at having plastic surgery for my extra skin...what will I do for pain management??? Living the dream, Laura

I was sleeved in May 2011. I am down 65+ pounds and very happy with my sleeve. It is my best friend in the weight loss world! My liver numbers were just fine before I had surgery. Afterwards, they were off the charts. Over the last 6 months I have been getting my blood checked almost monthly to check on the downward progress. They have come down but are still elevated. My GI doc is concerned and I am having another ultrasound next week. Looking for sludge or stones or something. He said that if my numbers get to 120, he will want a biopsy. I am around 50-90 now . 20-40 is normal. The numbers have gone up in the past month Anyone else have any experience with this? I had my sleeve surgery and then 9 days later had to go back and have my gall bladder out. We think my issues may stem from medication injury as the anesthesia (twice) and then alot of vicodin (that didn't help my pain) may have overloaded my poor liver. I dont' drink now and never have been much of a drinker. Just curious if anyone else has had any issues similar to mine. Thanks my sleevie friends!! Living the dream, Laura

I am one year out today...down 100 pounds, and have kept it off since I reached my goal on Dec. 31, 2011. I love my sleeve and wouldn't change a thing! I am so happy to be where I am instead of where I was.. Happy Surgiversary to ME!!!!!

Thank you everyone for the wonderful well wishes... Anewlifeforme...I pretty much eat what ever I want to. I try to make sure I get my 60+ grams of protein every day and my 48+ oz of water. I love to exercise and go to the gym at least 3 days a week. I prefer to go more but can't always do it. I work out for 2 hours usually doing cardio and weights. LIke I said...I LOVE IT! I still drink 1 protein drink a day and have started to eat a protein bar as well. I was having horrible headaches about 2 weeks ago and I think it was from lack of protein. White chocolate and kettle corn are my vices and I do eat them. But with my sleeve, I can't eat enough to do any damage it seems. My sleeve is the best thing I ever did for myself. Living the dream, Laura

I am 11 months out. I LOVE my sleeve. I have exceeded all my wildest hopes and dreams for myself when I had this surgery. No complaints here at all.. That said, I have been really tired lately. I exercise regularly (3-5 times per week) and am getting 7-9 hours of sleep a night. I have not been that strict about getting in all my protein. I just don't count it like I used to. I am probably getting in 40-50 grams a day more or less. Has anyone experienced this? I also get light headed almost every time I go from a low position to standing. And if I sit in a hot bath or hot tub...when I get out...forget it. I have to bend over because I feel like I will black out. Other than this...I am wearing a size 4-6 down from a tight 20. My goal was to wear a loose 8! I even shrunk a shoe size!!! Any input is greatly appreciated!! Living the dream, Laura

I haven't been on the boards for a while....staying with my daughter out of state while I complete an internship...no scale at her house! I was feeling pretty nervous about not being able to weigh in at all but I went to visit my son and he has a scale!! I got on and was very pleased to be down 3 lbs in 6 weeks. I am officially under my goal weight. I wanted to wear a loose size 8 and I wear a loose size 6. I am pretty darn happy!! Living the dream!!!, Laura

I too was freezing cold all the time after surgery. Now that I am farther out (8.5 months) I am not as cold as I was earlier. Not sure why the change but I do dress warmly every day. Long johns are a given every day. Lots of layers and wool socks. As someone said earlier...I would much rather have to wear more clothes than be carrying the 97 pounds I lost around! I think that being cold is a common thing after VSG, just from what I have read n the forums. Living the dream!, Laura

WOw!! December 19th, 2011 was sure a popular day for sleeving! I guess I am the only one on May 2, 2011. Does that make ME the evil twin?? :aureola: Living the dream, Laura

May 2, 2011...where is my twin? Am I the evil one or are you?? :biggrinjester: Living the dream, Laura

141.3 today...I cheated with the scale all week and weighed myself a few times. Yesterday I was 140.3 What the heck...I am very happy with my size...just would like the scale to dip into the 130"s...I know...I am getting greedy now! How about everyone else? In 1 week I will be starting my first of 2 internships for my Occupational Therapy Assistant degree. Where I am staying...no scale. :ack2: WHAT AM I GOING TO DO FOR 8 WEEKS WITH NO SCALE?????? I am a little scared... Living the dream, Laura

For some reason Hubby and I have always referred to my sleeve as "my gullet" so I guess that's the nickname. Not very creative and charming but it is what it is... Here's to loving my gullet!!! Living the dream!!, Laura

I want to get on the scale!!!!!! The temptation is awful!!! But I don't want to get on the scale....AAAARRRGH!!!!! Even 80 pounds down and happy with my look...I still feel fat and want to get on the darn scale! Will it ever go away??? Laura

Love your style! You made me chuckle! I know that there are more awesome NSV's in our future! Congratulations!!! Living the dream, Laura

Feeling bloated and weighing in at 142 this morning. I haven't felt well all day. I am not going to freak out. We will see what next Saturday brings. What freedom to not get on the scale every day. I did go shopping yesterday and found some clothes (business casual) for my upcoming internship...all size small tops!! Whoo Hoo! No complaints there! Down from a 1X! Living the dream!, Laura

So I got a juicer and just started using it. I wanted a way to get my vitamins and minerals in more naturally. Today I juiced a carrot, 2 stalks of celery, a big hand full of spinach and a small apple. It tasted great, filled me up and made me feel so healthy! BUT>>>there was no protein in it. I am 8 months out and at goal. Am I making a mistake by trying to get some good nutrition this way?? I still plan to drink my protein drinks -3 per day- to make sure I am getting my protein in. Any words of wisdom or warning are much appreciated!! Living the dream, Laura

When I first started this journey, my BMI was 40.7...just enough for surgery according to my insurance. Today I am at a "normal" BMI of 24.3!!! I am finally "normal" I love my sleeve! February 2011 237 lbs December 2011 141.5 lbs What a difference a year makes!!! Living the dream, Laura

I have BCBS out of Illinois and they approved me with no problems or delays. I was very pleased with the whole process. Living the dream, Laura