Paola

Sleeve gastrectomy is called Manga gastrica, therefore I would say that "love my sleeve" would be "amo mi manga" or "amo a mi manga"

Thanks! I do feel better after getting all that off my chest.

I have been feeling a little frustrated this past few days >.<. The story goes like this, I had my doctors appointment back on July 28, I was told I needed to go down 30 pounds before surgery, and have my psych evaluation. I had my evaluation, went down the 30 pounds, and have the money for the surgery. So whats the hold up? My insurance! My dad added me as a dependent on his insurance and it has not kicked in yet. I am having the surgery outside the US in my birth country, Dominican Republic, and since I haven't been living in DR for years I didn't have insurance. My dad wants me to have insurance for the gazillion tests the doctor requires and in case anything goes wrong and I have to stay longer at the hospital. Meanwhile I feel frustrated. I thought the insurance was gonna kick in at the beginning of November, so I started my pre-op diet of 3 Protein shakes (with no carbs) and 1 meal. A week after staring the diet I found out that the insurance wasn't gonna kick in until December. I was gonna stop the pre-op diet, but my family wanted me to continue it even though it was only meant for 1 week. I know I sound a little whiny, but I am so sick of the Protein Shakes, and so sick of waiting >.<. I just want this surgery to be done already! I thought venting would help a little.

Thank you for the encouragement. My doc was worried about the size of my liver, the intelligent part of me knows I am doing the right thing, but the impatient part of me is, well, impatient! =P

My surgeon isn't Betances, I am having my surgery at the Abel Gonzalez Center for Advanced Medicine. The doctor I have been seeing is Dr. Abel Gonzalez.

The video is a great visual aid for what happens when you eat and drink at the same time. Yesterday I read this paper about the guidelines to follow after the surgery and it was really great, it refreshed my memory on things I had read before. The paper tells you to think of your new stomach as a sink, like the video showed solids will take a long time to drain, therefore you will feel full for longer, and you won't want to eat; you will consume less calories. When you add Water the food in your stomach will drain faster and you won't be full for long, you'll get hungry and eat more calories. Another thing the paper emphasized was that after the liquid/mushy phase, eat solid foods rather than caloric drinks. liquids will always drain faster down the sink (your stomach) than solids. The idea of the small stomach is to eat less, and if we are full we will eat less. http://www.laplose.com/Media/Forms/SleeveDietGuide.pdf Here's the link to the paper Hopes this helps!

a very inspiring story, god bless you in this journey!

Thanks for the warm welcome

Hello everyone, I have been hanging around the forum for some time and thought it was about time I told my story. My name is Paola and I am from Dominican Republic, about 8 years ago I moved to Florida with my mom and sisters. For as long as I can remember I have been overweight, I remember that every summer vacation my parents would put me on a new diet and force me to walk. I love my parents for the effort they put forth, and I know that my obesity only increased during the years because it was me who wasn't trying, the people that love us can only do so much. I hate when people look at me and make comments about how negligent my parents must have been. Last Christmas I traveled to DR to visit my dad and he offered to pay for a surgery to reduce the size of my stomach, however at that time I was being stubborn and I told my dad that I could lose wight on my own. by June, 2011 I came to the realization that I was tired of being so big, and that I needed a little help. I realized that having surgery didn't mean I was giving up on my ability to lose weight, but that I was being given a tool to help me with my goal. That same day, I called my dad, and he said I support you, and I will help you make that surgery happen. 3 months later I am only waiting to lose about 10 more pounds to have a surgery date. I have been very blessed with a supportive family, and an amazing faith, and " I say no to being big all my life"

Why do vitamins for bariatric patients (like celebrate vitamins) have such a high percentage of vitamins? When I look at the nutrition facts I see that most of the vitamins have a 300% or a higher %. After surgery do we need that high a percentage?

If you really need to take protein, you could always get the unflavored kind (now foods has an excellent unflavored protein isolate) and mix it into your milk, tea, or juice.

I am going to have my sleeve done soon, and I have a ton of weight to shed, about 200 pounds. To be honest my family is driving me a little crazy talking about sagging skin, and how I will need to have cosmetic surgery done later; what kind of exercises should be done to minimize any excess skin problems after the surgery?

Thanks for the moisturizers tip

Thank you, I didn't know about the Fluid

thank you so much, very helpful

Who takes the drain off?

After surgey when should you start doing exercises, and what kind? Are the toning band exercises good to prevent loose/sagging skin? If not which exercises are good for it?

Thanks for answering! not worried about the staples anymore.

I see that there are different kinds of Proteins, which one are you supposed to take during the liquid phase: Protein isolate, concentrate, or blend? And are the protein shots allowed during this phase? Thank you for taking the time to answer, Paola

Thanks for answering, I had asked some other questions and a drain was mentioned, and I was in limbo.

I decided a few days ago to have the sleeve done in a very near future, I have been researching the procedure and have found some great information about it. What I would like to know is what to really expect the week after being discharged from the hospital, is your stomach swollen, how long does it hurt for, are you on bed rest, things like that. I know everybody is different, but I would like to have an idea of what to expect. Thank you for taking the time to answer, Paola

Thank you all for answering!

Don't really know what he says yet, just decided on the surgery a few days ago and haven't yet met my doctor. But I can ask my nutritionist, just as soon as I get hold of him, its my dad

I was thinking of the shots just in case I was having a hard time with liquids right after the surgery, I just decided on the surgery a few days ago and want to be as well informed as can be