BombShelle

I came back from walking craving something sweet and cold. Icecream??? You know dog on well we are not to be eating icecream. I have all this stuff left over from my pre and post op liquid diet phase.... So...I made a Protein packed sorbet or ice milk icecream. 2 cups of frozen strawberries (no sugar added), 2 cups of frozen mixed berries (no sugar added), 1 cup of lean strawberry Protein shake, 1 cup of purple Isopure protein Water, 6 envelopes of zero calorie sugar, and 1 cup of light and fit vanilla yogurt. I blended it all until the chunks were gone and not liquidfied. Any smooth frozen fruit can be used and anything can be substituted or omitted. This is just stuff that cost me money and I have tons of it on hand...so I used it. It comes out really good from blender but put it in the freezer for 10 to 15 minutes and its a little harder. I only was able to eat half this glass but it did the trick. It makes 6 cups so that's 12 serving for me.

What are you waiting for? Go ahead and cry. I heard that crying burns 1.3 calories per minute. Every little bit counts you know???? Seriously...I know it could be disappointing when they say 6 months and you see others moving along with much faster times. Insurance companies have their own policies and rules. Most of them derived from abuse and failure rates of past patients. You must constantly check because they can change at any time. But having insurance is so crucial. I had no problem jumping through any of their hoops because I didn't have the money to self pay plus if I killed over I wanted someone to sue. (Nothing happen....I'm doing extremely well) Everything everyone above have stated is true. I just want to add or reiterate what everyone else have said. Do your homework, jump through the hoops, and use this time to get yourself together. Break it down into manageable months if you have to. They are not saying you have to lose a gillion pounds. Don't look @ it that way. Congratulations on taking the first steps. Don't give up because you are worth it. If this was easy...everyone would be doing it. One more thing...insurance companies do have a clause saying just because you meet most or all requirements they can still deny your surgery. Some people get denied the first time. So...stay proactive and ask questions. Plus you get to learn from all of our mistakes. And.....medical advancements in surgery may happen and you can benefit. Best wishes, good luck, and stay encouraged!!!

July 13th sleever checking in!!!! 3 weeks post op. I feel great. No pain and healing well. Tolerate everything I'm allowed to eat. Eggs, cream of wheat, and cream of chicken soups are my go to meals. (they said strain the chicken pieces out but they are so small, moist, and tender I chomp right through them) I'm only down 27lbs but I'm happy. I can see it in my face and neck area. Most of that came off in the 1st week in a half. I lost a lot pre op and in general throughout the year so my surgeon said I'm doing ok. I know that once I get back to the gym and amp up my walking I will drop. Right now...I'm taking it easy by doing light strolling. Chillaxing @ home!!!

This app I'm using keeps crashing so I don't know what picture I'm posting and where I'm posting. Excuse duplications!

Today was my 1st pre op appointment. Fully dressed with shoes on and a new full head of Indian Remy weave.... I am down 18lbs. The doctor was not impressed as much as I was. He said sure I'm more like -20lbs but he could care less right now with my initial weight reduction. They took my weight, measurements, a few comparison labs, and vitals. He checked my balance, skin, incisions, pain level, mobility,mental health, and over all health. He was pleased with my Water, Fluid and Protein intake. I haven't lost really any of the muscle tone I had going into surgery. He encouraged me to step up to full liquids and mushy foods and begin exercising (not excessively...just walk faster and longer thank my usual 15 to 20 minutes a few times a day) to retain my lean muscles and to gradually step me up to pre surgery work outs. He said I was doing great and looked great. I won't go back for another month but his overall thing is nutrition...staying up on Vitamins, eating well and proportion, exercise. I dig that and all...but I was still geeked with my weight loss. I don't see where it came from but I'm glad its gone....FOREVER!!! There is no room in the inn for it to come back and live! I am thanking God in advance for continued healing, good health, and success!!! I feel great and I am sooooooo excited for the time ahead. I wish you all the best of all things good. Stay encouraged and lifted. Mwaaaahz!!! “I’d rather be a could-be if I cannot be an are; because a could-be is a maybe who is reaching for a star, I’d rather be a has-been than a might-have-been, by far; for a might have-been has never been, but a has was once an are.” ~ Milton Berle, American Comedian and Actor

I'm here all gowned and IV'd up. I'm the last patient today so the Surgeon is running a little late. I'm hungry now. Even with the iv....I'm sooooo thirsty.

That's POST OP!!!!!! not pre op!!!! Sorry!!!!!!

@ shell12..thank you.

@ KayKay...I sent you a long inbox. I hope it helps!

@ Phillygirl...Poor Lil Tink Tink!!! Bite your hubby. He won't mind. Just tell one of your kids that you just want a hug and then just nibble on their cute little cheeks. You can make it a little while longer. You have came so far. That makes mushy squishy food more appealing. Oh....I watch the food network all day. I started a thing b4 surgery and while I was dieting on looking @ the recipes and shows and catering them toward me and the new way of eating. It works. I don't feel neglected when I watch now. I see future potential. This liquid stage is so temporary. Actually....the most temporary phase out of all.

@ Okeylady...thank you. I just read what I wrote...I hope y'all can read typonese or read between the lines. I made tons of mistakes that I can't correct from my cell phone. Anywhoooo....if there is any questions or a sentence that is just "unfigureoutable" let me know. I will be happy to clarify. Oh...I make up words to. Best wishes to you MzLady.

Sorry guys!!!! I am still alive and kicking!!! There were a few bumps but the nursing staff was proactive on everything and the things that popped up, they handled it so fast its like there was never an issue. I must have started waking up when I was actually leaving the recovery room, because I don't remember anything past them starting anesthesia. I woke up enough to remember them sliding me on my bed in my room. I asked the nurse if I still had a folley (i felt the urge to pee) and she said yes and I also had a pain button, call light and iv fluids. They took my vitals and asked me my pain level. They said they have already called my 2 points of contact so there was no need for me to bother calling anyone. And just rest and relax and get familiar with my bed surroundings by touch so I could rest my eyes. My back, chest and shoulders were the only thing hurting. My back was hurting b4 surgery. I go round and round with my back. We have never really got along! They explained why but took a quick ekg anyways just in case. I didn't feel anything in my tummy area. All this was Friday July 13th around 9pm ish. (I was the last surgery) They check on me and did vitals every hour on the hour. I walked @ midnight-ish( felt like vomiting) but it passed really quickly. The nurse gave me nausea meds b4 they got me up. Every 3 to 4 hours after that they walked me, gave shoulder, and back massages. The leg pumps helped and I did range of motion stuff while in bed. I had Water and ice chips but I don't recall wanting anything til they brought Breakfast of chicken broth, watered down Apple juice, sugar free Jello and Ice milk type of lactose free ice cream stuff. I sipped on bits and pieces of that (mostly the broth). I felt my limitation but no pain. Every hour they did vitals they reminded me to use my spiralmeter breathing exercise thingy. Fast forward til about 10am Saturday morning...the nursing assistant got me set up for a shower so I could freshen up. They taped and gloved my iv and told me its ok to get the bandages wet just not soaked. So I showered backwards. I brushed my teeth and washed my face. I felt like a million bucks. Soap and water is some powerful stuff. I went for my swallow test. That was the worst part of my whole visit. That stuff was so nasty and toxic tasting I was nausiated to the max. Instant headache. But it passed as quick as it came. Later in the afternoon they started giving me meds to help pass gas and poop. They took out the folley when I started drinking more water and sipping more broth. They took my pain button cuz I was using it for back pain, shoulder pain and that trapped gas pain but not that often. They started me on liquid oral pain meds every 4 hours. I think I took 2 or 3 showers there because once I finally had some kind of bowel movement I went home. It was around 7pm ish on Sunday. I handled Clear liquids really well. I was doing my walks by myself (got lost 2 times). I've been on clear liquids since then @ home. On Thursday I started with my GNC lean shakes and light muscle milk (lactose free). I drink this clear liquid Protein drink as well. But I'm still on the liquid phase. I'm not really that hungry so I don't know when I will start the mushy part of the diet. I see the surgeon on Tuesday morning. Talking with him, the nurse, and nutritionist...we will decide how to proceed. I walk here @ home several times a day. Not for speed or weight loss purposes. Just to stay active, limber, clot free and all that jazz. Keep my lungs open and get fresh air. I haven't open the bottle of pain meds they gave me when I left the hospital. The only pain I have had is trapped gas related. When I was @ the hospital those 2 days I saw the surgery team of doctors about 4 or 5 times. They checked on me, my surgery sites and reactions to medication and anesthesia. Basic stuff, advice, predictions. There was a doctor on duty all day and night. So one or two came in a couple times a day or night. I had 2 nurses and 2 nursing assistants per day. On Sunday b4 discharge a nutritionist came in to re confirm what to do @ home. The nurse took kit the staples on the outside of my incisions. They were seen from the inside but to give extra support while healing, they put staples on the outside. I had a reaction to the pump pain meds. It was not severe enough for me to want to stop the pain meds so I opted or benedryl and topical ointment. After I got off the pain button...it was clear that was the allergy cause. I had slight Fluid in my left lung but I felt that b4 surgery. I should have said something but I did want to stop the show. It wasn't enough to kill me but who knows. Anything could have went wrong by me not speaking up. They got that out in a matter of minutes. Like I said, they were prepared for everything and anything. And things that popped up they solved quickly. I might have left the hospital on Saturday evening or Sunday morning if I had a bowel movement. That's how well things went. Now....I didn't poop again @ home for many moons. But when I did....honey hush...!!!!!! Best feeling in the world. Today I am 1 week and 2 days out. Feeling good. No pain other than the bothersome trapped gas crap but its tolerable. No medications but my chewable and liquid Vitamins. I am still trying to get more water in. I'm not at the recommended amount. I will try using the oh so taboo straw after Tuesday. The swallowing of large humps of air without a straw couldn't be worse than using a straw. I can't believe that. Idk....I think a straw will help me drink more water and swallow less air. Even when I swallow saliva I swallow air unintentionally. The soap they had me bath my stomach area in starting two days b4 surgery...I still bath my stomach in. It's germ killing surgery soap. I think that the soap too has allowed speedy healing and trouble free incision sites. Plus I paid $11 for it. Let's see.....I think that's it!!!! Any more questions or to clear up something I said...just ask. I'm an open book. I might have missed some stuff. It's midnight here and I'm using my cell phone. Pls excuse misspelled word, grammatical errors, etc.... I honestly don't know how much weight I've lost. I put my scale a box in the closet for now. I do know that for the 1st time in my life I'm not worried about how much I'm gaining. I know I've lost something. PJ's fit looser. To me 1lb lost is a lb not gained. I dream and think about food all the time. Stuff I want to cook and stuff others with. Every since I started the diet process aka life style change... I grew addicted to stuffing the faces of others. I got pleasure out of seeing others bellies swollen with foods I had cooked. Thanks for the Luv everyone. I am seriously doing lovely. No pain. No real hunger. Shhhh.....don't tell anyone though. *pinky swear* I don't want to go back to work yet!!!!!! I don't go anywhere really. I don't feel like being bothered by people. I don't know my tolerance level yet. And...I don't want to wear myself out. Mostly...I don't want to be bothered by people yet. I was told to not have any stress or anything for 1 to 2 weeks. So...I burrow here at home. Drink/eat, sleep, day dream, walk, sleep, text, web surf, sleep, tv, Face Book, write, sleep and sleep. I have no thought to night and day anymore. I wish you all continued success and if you are nervous or on the fence about the sleeve. I say....JUMP!!!! (this is why I lost my job @ the crisis hotline) This is the best ting I have done for myself since my last shoe purchase. I feel great. I have no regrets or buyers remorse. The trapped gas pain is a bit of a stiff....but little bitty babies have the same issue and they don't even get pain meds. So.......Jump on over to the losing but winning big side. It's all well worth it!!!! Do your homework (research) know everything about everything. The more informed you are the more comfortable you will be about the decision.

I'm just a week out and haven't started back drinking either of these...but b4 surgery I had been using MIO energy water enhancers. I used coupons and I get them for like 1 dollar and some change (plus they make a store name brand now). I think it works for me. I don't drink coffee though....so I could just be easily hyped. Idk! The other is new vitality ruby reds. Now...I only used it for about 5 days b4 I cut out all herbals, medications, and anything and everything 2 weeks b4 surgery. I felt a hype a bit. A little pep in my step but Idk if I was just so excited for surgery and would do anything to maintain my pre surgery mandatory weight. After I see my doctor post op on Tuesday...I will start back using both and let you really know how it works. But I really think it will/could add a little natural pep without nervousness, sugar, calories, and that drop from mid sky feeling. Check with your doc 1st. Best wishes and congratulations on everything thus far.

Oops...I just saw your updated post. Disregard the message I sent. Congratz!!!! You Go Girl!

Today is our 1st week....how is everyone doing???? I've been thinking about you all and praying for speedy recoveries and healthy healing.

@ Helleva...it was the best decision I have ever made for myself. I guess being nervous is a normal reaction for anything new or unknown....but good GooglyMoogly, I feel great being 1 week post op today. Everything went text book. Don't get discouraged. My only regret is that I didn't do this sooner. But there is no time like Gods time. I wish you all the best and that you stay on task with all your many hoops that we all must and should (i guess) jump through. #teamwinningbutlosingoverhere!!!!!!

I have always felt like a butterfly inside. I have always felt that I just needed to shed so that my little light of many colors could shine through. OMGGGGGGG...I haven't slept in almost 2 days. This metamorphosis is long over due!!! The road to success for a butterfly has never been easy....but all the hard work is so worth it. A butterfly starts it's life as an egg.....all round and juicy (like me). At 3:25pm...I will go into the operating room as an EGG but will emerge as a LARVA (caterpillar). Sure....I will spend many months as a PUPA, but it won't be long before I can spread my wings and fly!!! My grandmother use to tell us kids that BUTTERFLIES are wishes/prayers trying to make it to Heaven to be heard by God. I thank God for butterflies and I am thanking God in advance for a successful surgery, a speedy recovery, and healthy healing and living for all of us Friday, July 13th Sleevers!

Thank You guys for everything. I am feeling well except the gas causing my back, shoulder and chest. I am tolerating the clear liquids reply well. I'm still here at the hospital.

Thank You Everyone!!!! It's day #6 post op and I still don't have any buyers remorse. The only thing I kept my receipt for is the dreaded old stinky booty gas. I still have a tinge of it but its tolerable. I have done everything from the world wide web, doctors and nurses, this page and my mother's old school Mississippi remedies to aide me. Never thought a classy southern belle like myself would wish for free flowing and easy passing gas. With all that said, I do realize how blessed I am to only have that problem. If it wasn't for old man gas, I would swear on a stack of 15 pieces of bacon and testify to a whole congregation of strawberry cheese cakes that I didn't have surgery. Sure...I'm not really eating yet and just sipping in small amounts but I had no pain from the surgery or incisions. While in the hospital I received a few miscellaneous meds and pain meds for pooping and gas related pains. I came home with liquid pain meds but never even popped the seal. Everything is healing up nicely. I promised not to weigh myself til post op appointment but my pj bottoms feels really lose now. I bought them for the hospital stay not knowing that just because they have a cute little string that they could be pulled tighter. Who makes (designs) clothes for plus size people???? For all of my sleeve vets....I wish you all continued success and to the future sleevers...best decision of my life. I wish you all the best. Stay Encouraged!!!!

Thank You guys. Feeling much better today. Fluid in my lungs is completely gone, the rashes and itching I had came from the pain meds (morphine) is gone (still a little red in some areas but the itching is gone, clear liquids are going down fine. Im peeing really well. No bowel movement yet, but im very optimistic really soon. Blood pressure has came down now that the pain in my back, sholder and chest has eased up a bit, staple line in my stomach looks really good (no leaking) over all feeling great. They will take out my staples today and put the surgical glue in its place b4 I head home. I will discharge between 10am and 5pm. I'm still on oxygen, but they will be taking it away soon. Again..thank you all.

Thank You guys.....we are rolling now. My Surgeon came thru to say hello and to let me know he saved the best for last. It may be another 30 minutes but things are happening. I'm meeting the team 1 by 1. Oh.....they gave me a green tree like sponge to wet my mouth. That's all for now. I almost ate it. I haven't been hungry for days now. Usually I've been doing liquid Proteins and then Clear liquids...but about 3:30pm...I got the urge to eat. *waving @ you guys* I can see you...I'm almost there!!!!! Last post pre sleeve. Lovenox in the belly time!!!

Thank You Pookeyism. All 's!!!

Thank You sooooo much. I'm looking forward to anesthesia (I'm so sleepy) and pain meds (my back is killing me). Right now I'm looking for things to do to keep from falling asleep.

Congratulations to everyone above!!! I get sleeved today as well. You guys will be in recovery and taking your 1st walk b4 I even get in....but save some room for me on the losers bench!!!! Best wishes and stay encouraged!!!!

I'm just speaking on the scars... With all the stretch marks I already have on my tummy, the few little scars would be almost impossible to see. After losing the amount of weight that most of us need to lose, I will have so many wrinkles and folds til the scars will merge into the background. The future scars from a tummy tuck will definately over shadow a few tiny incisions. People can see I look 13 months pregnant. No one will notice a few itty bitty teeny weenie incisions. Best wishes on your journey!!! Pssst....If you don't want to have any evidence that you had surgery...research "Spider Surgery" its done with 1 belly button incision. Cost more. Newer. Limited Doctors.