IowaAndy

I in no way feel guilty or embarrassed by my decision to have WLS either time. I have had a lapband a few years ago and then stalled and still had 100 pounds to lose. I then had the the lapband removed and a sleeve done......and the second surgery was not approved by my insurance and I paid for it myself. I did this for me to hopefully stave off an early death. I was having hypertension, prediabetic, sleep apnea and painful joints and back. Since I had my surgeries my diabetes has gone away, my joint do not hurt everytime that I move and I am now down to one blood medication and I sleep better. I am in no way ashamed of needing help getting my weight under control. I had tried almost every diet that was known including a total liquid diet for 8 months. I did try and did have success but once I was off the diet the weight came back. This surgery is not a diet but a life change and one that I am going to stick with. I want to enjoy the life that I have left and to enjoy doing things instead of sitting in a chair and being non-social. I enjoy my new life and will never apologize to anyone for my decision. I am proud of my progress and my new life and I will tell anyone that will listen. Stand up and shout it from the mountain tops.

Have you tried to make a casserole with some pasta, meat, veggies. I have made some with putting in a little pasta, cut up ham, peas or mixed veggies and some condensed cream of celery soup. I have also made one with ham, beans and cream of mushroom soup. I have also made some sausage, noodles and cream of chicken soup. With some onion and spices added to them they are not bad. You can also use tomato sauce instead of the cream of chicken soups. You could also try some chili with beans or make your own with beans and hamburger. I know that someone on here has a site for receipes and I hope that they see your post and share. I know that if you are just sitting down to eat some plain sliced meat it can get boring fast. I hope that this will help you a little. You said that you are having 2 shakes and only getting 200 calories in both. Are you mixing them with water or are you using milk. With the milk you will increase the protein and calcium in one shot. Also try some soups and add extra meat to whatever type of soup your choose.

I am sure that the rest of your organs have more room to live. I did notice that immediately after surgery that my stomach that I could see was smaller and not as bulging. There of course was some swelling to the stomach but I do not think that the loss of your stomach should worry you. They have been taking appendix, gallbladders and other organs out for a long time and this has not caused any problems for other with extra room in your body cavity.

In the beginning I too hard to remind myself that it was noon and that I had to eat. I lost all hunger sensation from my stomach......now if the head hunger would just go away also that would be even better. You have to have something to eat at meal times even if you have just a shake. You body will shut down as it will think that you are starving. Also it is important to get in your fluids so keep on drinking even if you are not able to sit and eat a meal. You were either dehydrated or possibly suffering from low blood sugar. Each can affect you differently and could have been a combination of both. Glad that you did not pass out, fall and injure yourself.

I have no idea why your NUT told you not to drink protein shakes. I was on a total protein shake for weight loss for 8 months at one point in my life. I am 3 months post op and still have a protein shake every morning for breakfast and add a scoup of benefiber to help keep me regular. I count it as liquid intake and also count it as protein and calories. As long as you are feeling good and also eating foods I see no reason why you can not have a protein shake for a meal if you choose. I know that when I hit my stall I went back on liquids for a short time and this restarted my weight loss.

Sounds like my days after having surgery. They would bring me things to drink and ice chips and the ice melted and the drink was warm and I never got to it. It starts slow and you will be able to do more each day. Just keep taking small sips every few minutes as tolerated. You will get there but you need to get as much fluid in as possible. You will also have trouble getting in all of your protein at first also....just to let you know.

I have replace my Pepsi with crystal light and also have been buying some diet cranberry juice. It has 5 calories per serving and seem to stop my cravings. I know that if I started back on soda I would be hooked. I used to drink a couple of the 2L bottles a day or regular so that was a big problem for me. I hated the after taste of diet soda.

Sounds like you are having an allergic reaction to something. Have you changed any soaps etc recently. It could also be to a medication that you might be taking or a combination. I would call and make an appt to see the doctor Monday.

I too went to Hospital Mi. I took my laptop, my 35mm digital camera and cash. I left it in the room when I was out walking, in surgery, in radiology having tests done. I felt completely safe leaving my belongings there. It is a small hospital and I trusted the staff completely. I was able to get internet connection there. As for the tv you might want to get the Netflix or take some movies along as others have said most of the stations are in Spanish. I also stayed at the hotel and did not feel unsafe when there or leaving my things when I went out for a walk or shopping

I wonder if you are keeping a food diary and what you are eating as far as protein, carbs, fruits, veggies and fats. This could be some of your problem. Also how much are you eating and how many times a day? Also are you snacking and if so how much and what are you eating.

I had a $500 deductible and then the insurance paid 80/20 until I had paid another $1000 out of pocket. So my lapband cost me $1500 total and the insurance paid the rest. Of course I still had to pay all of my office visit copays presurgery for the surgeon, physical, cardiologist, shrink etc. After your surgery you will have a global period with your surgeon. This will cover all associated office visits to him for usually around 90 days. Then you will be back to paying office copays.

WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I had my sleeve on Dec 11, 2011 and I still can not eat steak. I will have to try that one at a later date again.

Take it a day at a time....I know that for the first week or 2 after the surgery I was not able to get all of my protein or fluids. Just do you best and try and keep something to drink at your side at all times. Things do and will get better.

By drinking soda which is carbonated many of us get reflux which causes the acids that are contained in our stomach naturally to back up into the esophagus. This acid is hard on the lining of the esophagus and can lead to ulcer development in the esophagus. If the acid from the stomach eats a hole in your esophagus you won't have to worry about eating or drinking as if it get bad enough you will be having your meals through a tube. Why take the risk????????????

Soda has carbonation and you are not to drink anything with carbonation. That means no more soda. It also has other things that are not good for your new stomach. The carbonation refulxes back up into your esphogus and the acid over time will eat away and you will develop an ulcer and that will not be a good situation.

This is called posturial hypotension. When you lay down and then sit up or are sitting and then stand up the blood is all going to your feet and that is why you get light headed. I would suggest that if you are lying down that you sit up and rest for a minute or 2 and start to move your feet around as this will get your blood pumping and back towards your head. If you ever get up and feel lightheaded please sit back down as you do not want to risk passing out and falling and causing harm to yourself. Drink your water and crystal light and try to stay away from too much caffiene.

It could have been worse. I am sure that you did not harm but I would get back on the diet that was provided to you after you had your surgery. You are given this guide to help you heal and lose weight. This is a guide but not a bible but I would suggest that you stay as close to what they told you as possible. I know that I did not risk cheating on foods that I was told not to eat until a certain stage. If you start cheating at this early stage then you will have nothing to look forward to when you get tired of eating mushies etc.

I was told by my surgeon that they do not routinely take out the gallbladder with WLS unless it is really bad. You could always check with your surgeon to see what he says after he see the report from your test.

Since you do not have insurance maybe if you are close with your PCP you could call them and see if they would call in a script for ranitidine to Walmart and hope that it is on their $4 plan.. I just checked and they are on the Walmart $4 plan so I would try my family doctor. I am not sure if the doctor from Mexico can give you a script for here in the US.

Oh yes I find myself still looking through all of the fast food and pizza coupons that come in the mail. It is just another habit that I had before I had the sleeve. I have not gone to any of them but I always think that I might......but then I realize how in the world could I even eat one hamburger or one blizzard let alone 2 of them. This does not change the fact that I still want to. I think that head hunger and old habits are the hardest part of my new life. I am only 3 months post op but I still think that I should be eating in times of stress or boredom. Glad you have some friends that can help and support you. And remember that we are all here for you.

Everyone one of us that has had surgery had the same thoughts that you are having tonight and we all came through this just fine. I know that your surgery will be a success and tomorrow you will wonder what all the worrying was about. I know that there is nothing that we can do but reassure you but please remember that you are in our thoughts and prayers. Tomorrow will be the first day for your life.......even in your 50's as it was for me as I am also starting a new life in my 50's. Keep us posted on your progress

I am so glad that you are finally able to have your surgery. I understand your being nervous and excited at the same time. You will do fine and enjoy your new stomach after surgery. Take things slow and as for the hunger I have not had any since surgery. They take the part that causes the hunger feeling. Now head hunger that is another thing that you will just have to face headon. That is when you think that you are hungry and after years of overeating and snacking anytime that I wanted to it does take some determination. Just remember that your mind is not in control of your eating....you are. When my head hunger strikes I try and do something to take my mind off of it....like taking a shower, read a book, work on the computer, call a friend, clean a drawer.....anything to distract myself away from the kitchen and the food. I know that you will do great and I wish you all the best on your surgery and the days, weeks, months and years after.

Congratulations on your upcoming surgery and also the wedding. next year you will have a great time on your "New" anniversary.

You are not done and it is probably just a stall. I would try either adding more calories or cutting a little. Drink more water and eat more protein. I thought that I was done after 2 months and a 3 week stall but then it started to fall off again. You body is an amazing machine and sometimes it just needs a little adjustment

I also had a lapband before I was sleeved. I did not have any slipage either but I was constantly vomiting after the food would get stuck and I was tired of the constant doctor visit to have my band check and water added or removed. I had my sleeve removed by Dr F Garcia in Tijuana after my insurance carrier, BCBS refused to pay for the band removal or the sleeve procedure. I have never been so happy as I am now having the band removed and the sleeve done. I had my surgery on Dec 11, 2011 and the band and sleeve were all done in one procedure laproscopically. I have not have any problems since my surgery and am losing weight and on my way to the goal. I wish you all the best on your surgery. I am sure that you will do fine and you will be amazed on how much you like the sleeve vs the band.