nikki264

I slept in a recliner for at least 2 weeks. Then I started sleeping in bed with pillows wedged on either side and propping me up as well.

I had a catheter, but every surgeon is different. It, and the drain, came out the next morning. Catheter hurt, drain was the weirdest feeling ever, both were over very quick.

I cannot STAND anything minty since surgery either! I am a little over 4mos post op. Hate mint now. Unfortunate lol

I would consider myself to be a "slow loser". I am 13.5 weeks out, and am down 51lbs. I had the typical three week stall, but have now been sitting, (actually bouncing between 252-256 - started at 304), for the last two weeks. I expected the stall with TOM, but hopped it would go away after, and it has yet to do so. While it is frustrating, I know it will break eventually. My body is still adjusting from this major surgery, and things will be whacky for a bit. I saw my surgeon and NUT a month ago, and they both say I'm doing great and already consider me a success story...that's nice to hear from a doctor! I to am of the belief that we didn't get this done to be on a diet forever. I had this done so that I could be a normal, healthy person. If I'm craving something, I'm going to have it. Obviously, with the restriction our lovely tool provides us, it's awfully hard to over-indulge, (at least, I find it to be so). I try to maintain a healthy balance. I don't restrict my carbs, or fat, etc. I make sure that I'm getting all of my Protein in each day, and once that's done, I'll allow myself a treat. I'm ok with my steady, slow loss.

I began the process on Feb. 2nd, (first appt. with my Endo), saw surgeon three days later, was in the nutrition class a week later, psych eval done on the 22nd of Feb, file submitted to UHC on the 23rd, approval on the 24th, surgery was March 2nd. Took me exactly one month from my inital visit to surgery.

I'm 5.5 weeks out and having the same pain on my right side as well

I am 5.5 weeks out and had the craving too. My surgeon is fairly lax, as in my NUT, and they allow all things as tolerated. I ordered kung pao chicken a few days ago. I ate off of it for 3 days before finally throwing it away (still had about 3/4 of it left). No rice, and I only ate the chicken, Water chesnuts, and a few peanuts (chewed to Peanut Butter mush). It was delicious, and satisfied the craving. The thing I've noticed, is that if I crave something, it's better for me to have a little bit of it, and then I'm over it! The idea of having to eat the same thing over and over given the amount of leftovers we now all have on our plates, just annoys me and then I don't want it anymore. If I deny myself, then I just tend to focus on that. I know a lot of people will say it's too easy to over-indulge, and I totally understand, but I am not physically able to at this point. I have tiny portions of pretty much whatever I want (within reason). I was doing the low-carb, low-sugar, low-fat thing, and couldn't figure out why I was passing out so easily. Boyfriend (he's a paramedic), told me to look at how much sugar I was consuming. I was only getting in 1-4 grams of sugar per day. Talked with my Dr, and started eating more balanced. I'm now eating regular cheese, 2% milk, etc. and I feel MUCH better. Always go by what your Dr. recommends, and what your body needs.

weight before sleeve? 304 weight After Sleeve ? 269 How many weeks is your sleeve? 5 weeks (3.2.2012) did you start to gain weight already ?( hope not)No, losing slowly though with frequent stalls.

I am 5 weeks out today and completely exhausted! This was my first week back to work though. I was incredibly shaky and faint earlier in the week, and realized it was because I was too low in calories, sugar, and carbs...been working at upping those and am starting to feel better, but I am so glad that it is Friday, and I can get some rest this weekend! Hoping this passes soon!

My dr said as soon as I felt comfy. We waited a week. I think that was a little soon. I felt very...shook up? Haha so we waited a couple days, and have been back at it, just being careful of course, but all is well! My post op was today, i was sleeved on 3.2, and dr said I'm healing just fine! Just go with what feels comfortable, and if it hurts, stop! Haha

i am 6 days out and struggling as well. if i get in 30oz, i'm lucky! yesterday was the only day i've managed to get in all my protein, and that was only 61g! today, i got in 46g of protein, maybe 24oz of liquid. i also threw up tonight for the first time. i called the dr, he said i should be ok as long as t doesn't happen again. that was scary! hang in there, i'm with ya! we will get through this!

I'm on my 5 day pre-op diet. I'm allowed Protein shakes, Clear liquids, and yes coffee! I'm just not allowed sugar or milk in it. They did advise to not over do it with caffeine, but I'm having one tall soy, sugar free latte a day, and my surgeon says it's fine. But ask your doctor what hsi specific guidlines are, and follow what they say.

I'm 2 days away, and feeling the same way! I'm still in the excited/nervous phase...but I'm sure tomorrow will be the full on freaking out phase! Haha You'll be just fine!

Yesterday, I had all of my pre-op tests done, (EKG, blood, final meeting with surgeon, and one final nutrition class). I was a crabby abby because I made the mistake of only having my Protein shake at Breakfast, forgot to have one for lunch, so when they drained me of all my blood, I was one miserabley cranky girl! Haha Surgeon ok'd me to have some coffee...so off I went to the nearest Starbucks and got a sugar free, soy latte. Best thing ever! 20 minutes later, I was a much nicer person! Haha I'm so glad all of this is happenning! Now if Friday could just hurry up and get here! I'm the first surgery of the day, and have to be at the hospital at 6am. The nerves are sure to set in soon, but so far, so good! The liquid diet hasn't been that bad, as long as I remember to have my shakes! Haha Any others in this final phase right now?

Good luck andi! and thanks neese! So excited!

Hi all, I'm Nikki, and I've been lurking for a little while now, and feel like I should finally take a moment to introduce myself. My journey to this surgery has been fairly quick, (although not something I hadn't been thinking about for a long time). I just turned 26 yesterday, and have pretty much been heavy all my life. About 3 years ago, I made some drastic changes in my life that included cutting my, (drug addict), mother out of my life, as well as finally trying to battle my weight. In the course of a year, I dropped 120 pounds, (went from 320ish to 200). Then I got gallstones. Had to change my diet from balanced and calorie counting, to NO FAT! Haha, it was a bit odd. Had my surgery a few months later, and then managed to keep my weight off until a year ago. I developed severe anxiety, (that I've probably had all my life, but it became too much - no sleep - erratic behavior), so I went to my PCP and asked for help. Then the SSRI's came into my life... Over the last year, I've put on almost all of my weight back on that I had lost. No matter what I did, I couldn't seem to stop gaining. Then, an unexpected miscarriage happened in August, and things really went downhill from there. Severe depression, a breakup, the anxiety...it was all just too much, and my diet just didn't seem to matter anymore. I started therapy, and switched my meds around, and although I've been getting much much better, the weight is just coming on. So I finally made the decision to seek out surgical options. Initially, I thought I was going to settle for the band. I didn't like the idea of having foreign matter in my body, but I wasn't really ready for the bypass route. I'm so glad I have a good friend who had the sleeve done back in June, (he's lost 215 pounds since!), and he is an awesome support system, and told me all about the sleeve. I began the process in the first week of this month. Met with my endocrinologist, my surgeon, my dietician, had my psych eval....and today is my preop, with surgery on FRIDAY! I am overjoyed! I am so glad that I will finally have a tool to help me with this! I'm fairly well-versed with the nutrional aspect of this all, and having had my gallbladder removed, fairly comfortable with the type of surgery. I'm scared about having to spend the night in the hospital, but hoping my boyfriend will stay and make it better! Haha I will be sleeved at Scripps Green in San Diego by Dr. WIlliam Fuller. I'm trying to tie up all my loose ends at work, and get all my affairs are in order. It's all happening so fast! But I am so excited! I cannot wait to begin living again! This forum has been an awesome resource! Any and all advice is most welcome! Thank you for letting me be a part of your community!

Thank you, Jay! It's nice to have this place, as I'm not really one for the group-type meetings. Thanks so much to everyone for their support. You guys are awesome!

Pashion, I would love to be walking buddies! I'm sorry to hear about the hurdles you had to go through, but yay for finally having this day come! Dr. Fuller is awesome! I've had a surgical clip bothering me ever since my gallbladder removal, and Dr. Fuller quickly found the problem, and said he would fix it, easy peasy! So excited about that too! Haha Good luck with your surgery! PM me and we can trade info if you'd like...it would be nice to have even a texting buddy while we're in the hospital/and recovering!

Thank you for the support! Cannot wait to join you guys on the losers bench soon! Started my liquid diet today. Preop starts at noon! Here we go!