KBT

I had my surgery at Fair Oaks Inova and was there for two nights. I was dry heaving on the second day anytime I tried to take a sip of liquid so that's why I ended up staying the extra night. I was fine the next day and was happy to go home. I have not seen Dr. Halmi since the hospital stay as the PAs seem to do all of the follow-up. I'm sure I could see him if I had problems or insisted to see him. Dr. Halmi was great. I have massive amounts of scar tissue in my abdomen from prior open surgeries and he knew I was concerned about it being a problem. I was hoping he would not have to open me up which would create even more scar tissue because of the exposure to air. My surgery ended up taking 3 hrs and 20 minutes which is much longer than normal. He said that it took him well over an hour to find his way around the scar tissue before he could even start the surgery. And no, he didn't have to open me up. I would think many surgeons would have given up sooner. My aftercare with the PAs has been good but honestly, they haven't told me anything that I didn't already know from reading these forums. I've seen a NUT a couple of times but again, didn't really learn anything new. I took what they gave me ahead of time and I follow the basic guidelines and just use my common sense for the rest. For example, they said no straws, well I found that I could get a LOT more fluids in if I use them and I don't get excess air that many on here talk about. I just figured out what works for me. I had blood work done at the three month mark and I'm scheduled for it again at the six month mark so they definitely try to make sure you are healthy and they are definitely there to answer any questions. I have not gone to any support group meetings though I know they have them. I have been working long hours of about 10-12 hours a day plus a 3-hour round trip commute since late June so just don't have time for them. Plus, I can get all the support and questions answered right here online. My busy season at work is now ending so I'm hoping to start working an 8-hour day again. Yea!!! With the Internet and forums to get all your questions answered, I can't really say there is anything I wished I had known ahead of time because you see just about everything here. I am very, very happy with my weight loss and the change in my eating patterns. I am a very cheap date now and can usually find something to eat at any restaurant. The first few weeks are a little rough with the liquid diet and wondering if I will ever be able to eat real food again but it does get better and just keep that in your mind when you go through those first weeks. Life is back to normal now but with a LOT less food. I like it! Good luck with your surgery!

Hi dadici! I'm still around and doing well. My surgery was uneventful which is always a good thing and I am losing weight at what seems about average. I love my sleeve and feel that Dr. Halmi did a great job. Ask away if you have any specific questions.

I have no regrets about getting the sleeve. It is a lifetime change in eating patterns but I can still eat whatever I want, within reason. Getting this weight off and the feeling that it brings is just the best thing ever!

I have a Hamilton Beach personal size blender. Like Take Two said above, it's cheap and it works great. For $20 at Walmart online, it comes with two blender bottles with travel lids. I also have The Bullet, which was about $45 at Costco and while it works okay, I like the cheap one better.

Just look at your friends. Three out of four are having problems with their band. Enough said....

It is definitely too early for popcorn at 12 days post op. Even if you are past the liquid only phase, and most people are on this for two weeks, you should wait until you are on regular foods. I moved to regular food at six weeks post op. Even then, popcorn isn't the best choice but I will admit, at three months post op, I had a few bites of Kettle corn at my daughters house yesterday. This was the first time for me and this has always been my favorite snack. Hang in there.

Just take it slow and easy. Listen to your body and you will do great!

You do know that you can delete a message on your FB page. I would have done that ASAP!

It may seem expensive but just think of all the money you are saving by not eating. Really! You will be amazed at how little you spend on food. Just yesterday, I bought a small Wendy's chili for $1.67 and got two meals out of it! You are about to become a very cheap date.

I take Celebrex, which is a prescription NSAID, everyday and my surgeon okay'd it. I would not have had this surgery if I couldn't continue NSAIDs. I also take Tramadol which is a synthetic narcotic. I know you said that you couldn't take narcotics but maybe these would work for you since it is synthetic? Good luck. I know all about pain.

If you order the Unjury, only get the sample packs or one canister to try. I absolutely cannot stand them and it seems about 50/50 around here as to who likes them and who doesn't. Have you tried the ready made bottles of Isopure? Most of them are putrid too and again taste buds differ, but I can tolerate the mango peach and the grape. They are sold at the Vitamin Shop and GNC if you wanted to pick up a couple of bottles. These were all I could tolerate the first couple of weeks after surgery. No way could I do the dairy based ones.

I use the Click Protein mentioned above with a little vanilla or chocolate protein powder to increase the protein, add a little over a cup of Soy and crush it up with ice cubes. Its like having a frappuccino every morning. I love it.

I want to congratulate you on meeting your goal weight in one year but you know what I found the most amazing? That your husband loves you so much to take these pictures and put them together in a slide show and give them to you on your sleeversary. I can tell he has been by your side through your entire journey. We should all have a partner like this. You are truly blessed.

I have been thinking about weight loss surgery for several years. I have had four joint replacements since 2007 and have gained about 20 lbs between each one. I still have an ankle to be replaced and I have these freakishly small ankles that can barely support me. When I have the ankle replaced, I will be non-weight bearing for six weeks and I knew there was no way I could carry this 270 lb body on crutches. Also, Ankle replacements are not as successful on overweight people. I knew this year was my year, the time to take action with this weight.

Always take the prednisone with something in your stomach. I've not taken it since surgery but it can also make you feel uncontrollably hungry so beware of that.

I have been taking NSAIDS, Celebrex, most recently, since 2004. Prior to the operation, my surgeon said I would need to go off Celebrex for two months after surgery. I will be four weeks post surgery on Monday and I am about to die from the pain. Well, not really but you know what I mean. Even though I've lost 26 pounds since May 1, I feel even worse then before because of the pain and there is no way I could even begin to think of exercising. I'm always in pain but the Celebrex dulls it a little. I've always had a stomach of steel taking NSAIDS such as the Celebrex and often Excedrin or Advil in addition and never have had stomach issues from it. Since surgery, I've had no indigestion or heart burn. My question is, has anyone gone back onto NSAIDS after surgery and if so, how soon after surgery did you restart them? I see the PA for a four week follow-up on Monday and I plan on begging and pleading. While I can take vicodin, its kind of hard to work coherently and worse yet, drive my 1 1/2 hour one way commute when taking them.

I would have to go on narcotics full time and probably go on disability if it weren't for drugs like Celebrex. I cannot function without it. I've already had four out of five diseased joints replaced so the shots in the joint aren't going to help. I also have nerve problems. So, the alternative is to take this drug that is like magic to me or drop out of life... No contest for me. Each person has to make the same decision about quality of life and if taking an NSAID is worth the risk. There are risks pre-surgery too that we all had to consider. I have never had an issue with ulcers or stomach upset. Pre-surgery, I would take the Celebrex and Advil together and never had a problem. I know, BIG NO NO. I won't do this now but I will continue the Celebrex so that I can try to have a reasonable assemblance of a life. Anyone considering NSAIDs should talk to their doctors about NSAIDs post-sleeve but only YOU know how well your life is going to be with or without these drugs.

Sleeveme, I think I know where you are coming from. Once you lose the weight, you will start thinking, now why couldn't he treat me this well when I was overweight? Why would the pounds make such a big difference? I feel this way. My husband has always been naturally thin and I gained most of my weight while undergoing multiple surgeries that caused me to be incapacitated. I couldn't move and I ate. My husband never completely understood the weight gain and the pain I was in. When I told him in January that I was ready for this surgery, he was so utterly excited that I was ready to have this surgery that it made me mad that it was so important to him. Yes, I weighed 105 pounds when I met him 35 years ago but still! I never got the I love you know matter how you look talk... Even after 31 years of marriage, it's important to hear things like this.

I must be the only one that cannot stomach Unjury. It is the worst one I've tried with a very strong protein taste. I much prefer Chike or Syntrax Nectar. Definitely get the sample pack of the Unjury before you invest too heavily.

You look great Pat!

I just posted about the same thing the other day. I have chronic, severe pain and have had a really hard time dealing without my Celebrex. I am now four weeks out and the PA today said that I could restart my Celebrex! Hallelujah! I am so happy. Have you asked your surgeon how soon after surgery that you can restart the Mobic? That was one of the first questions I had for my surgeon when I met him as this was very important to me. If I were told no anti-inflammatory drugs ever again, I would have rethought the surgery.

At least I know my surgeon allows them because that was one of the first questions I asked him when we first met. Monday is four weeks since surgery and I have my fingers crossed that I can start them again and skip the next month of severe pain. Thanks for all of your input!

I can eat a whole egg but it takes about 30 minutes.

That's funny! The difference between NUTs. I was told two saltines at a time so maybe my NUT thinks it's okay with a limit.

I love humus and its on my list of things to eat while on mushies. I spread some on two saltine crackers and I'm good to go for lunch. Saltines are also on my list since they easily dissolve in your mouth.