Christine1322

Posted April 24, 2013 - 9:43 AM I was sleeved 9/7/12 along with my husband. I had lost 64 lbs at around 5 months but have since been in a 2 month long stall. I tried everything to bust through it. Yesterday the scale FINALLY started to move again. Yay! It was after increasing my calories (I kept reading about that over and over but it was the last thing I tried, because I was afraid of re-gain...) I started at 293 lbs., BMI of 44. However, during that stall I went down one full size and 2 belt notches. Since being sleeved we've been on 2 cruises and didn't gain anything on either of them, where prior to this surgery we gained 10-20 lbs every time we'd go on one, and we'd do heavy, unhealthy dieting prior to the cruise and then again afterward. The restriction has been fantastic because it allowed us to nibble at a variety of foods but never overindulge. I've gone from a size 3X/24 to an XL/18. I have tons more energy. I am able to do my beloved yard work and gardening again. My biggest NSV was on this last cruise when we did a 6-hour excursion that included lots of hiking, climbing, and zip-lining. I would have never even considered trying this prior to surgery. I have had both knees replaced but with the weight loss and increase in muscle tone since the surgery, I was able to do all of this and I was so proud of myself. My husband has lost nearly 90 lbs. He carried all of his weight in his stomach. He is a hunky stud now!! I'll attempt to get some pictures on here soon. I haven't figured out how to do that yet.

I was sleeved 9/7/12 along with my husband. I had lost 64 lbs at around 5 months but have since been in a 2 month long stall. I tried everything to bust through it. Yesterday the scale FINALLY started to move again. Yay! It was after increasing my calories (I kept reading about that over and over but it was the last thing I tried, because I was afraid of re-gain...) I started at 293 lbs., BMI of 44. However, during that stall I went down one full size and 2 belt notches. Since being sleeved we've been on 2 cruises and didn't gain anything on either of them, where prior to this surgery we gained 10-20 lbs every time we'd go on one, and we'd do heavy, unhealthy dieting prior to the cruise and then again afterward. The restriction has been fantastic because it allowed us to nibble at a variety of foods but never overindulge. I've gone from a size 3X/24 to an XL/18. I have tons more energy. I am able to do my beloved yard work and gardening again. My biggest NSV was on this last cruise when we did a 6-hour excursion that included lots of hiking, climbing, and zip-lining. I would have never even considered trying this prior to surgery. I have had both knees replaced but with the weight loss and increase in muscle tone since the surgery, I was able to do all of this and I was so proud of myself. My husband has lost nearly 90 lbs. He carried all of his weight in his stomach. He is a hunky stud now!! I'll attempt to get some pictures on here soon. I haven't figured out how to do that yet.

I was sleeved on Sept. 7 and I just reached 30 lbs today! (11 lbs pre-surgery, 19 since surgery) This is fun!

Just an update...we still haven't weighed in but clothes are already getting looser. I'm excited for when we do weigh in. We haven't had any nausea, just several days of wanting to sleep the day away! I love SF jello, and applesauce. The Unjury Chicken Soup flavored protein shake has been wonderful and goes down very smoothly when a little warmer than room temp. My husband's sleeve has been more temperamental but he's doing ok too. We have tried greek yogurt, yum, and this morning we tried a very small amount of scrambled eggs. (I was surprised this was on the list.) It went ok for me, caused a little discomfort for my husband. We also blended up some vegetable soup and that was delish. My sleeve seems to prefer the higher and lower temperatures (I am enjoying ice water!) but my husband's prefers completely room temperature Any variation leaves him feeling uncomfortable for an hour or so.

I was sleeved by Dr. Thomas Umbach at the St. Rose Dominican De Lima hospital in Henderson, NV. Everything pre-op went as planned except that I have small veins (at least something about me is petite!) and they had to try 4 times to get an IV started. The 3rd one (inner left wrist...ouch!) started ok but then infiltrated. My whole arm was burning but they quickly turned off the fluids and wrapped my arm in a warm blanket and elevated it on a pillow. It was good as new in a half hour. The staff there were very caring and attentive. My husband was sleeved the same day, and he was the first one to be taken back. Our surgeries went off without a hitch. I don't remember the recovery room portion at all, but there was a period of time when we were both next to each other in there and he remembers part of the waking up process. He said there was nothing unusual there. Dr. Umbach placed a pain pump with little tubes inserted into the abdomen and a ball containing the medicine that was placed in a zip up pouch and hung around our necks, that we wear until Sunday night. It drips continually, bathing the inner abdomen with Marcaine, helping even more with pain management. We also were prescribed Percocet for pain and Zofran for nausea. We were given permission to swallow these whole right after surgery. I had brought a pill crusher but we didn't need it. We got TED hose (the sexy tight white stockings with holes in the toes to help prevent blood clots) to wear through surgery and until 1 day post-op. Our incisions are covered with steri strips. Since we didn't have anyone to stay with us the first day, Dr. Umbach's office arranged for a staff member to be with us. We did have to pay for this service, but Kristyna picked us up from the hospital, drove us to our hotel, and stayed with us until 11 pm. We would sleep for a while, then she'd wake us up to walk. We walked a lot and it felt good. I had gas pain that stuck around under my left ribs and it radiated up to my left shoulder...even to the back of the shoulder...all day, especially when I took the deep breaths that are so important after surgery. The walking helped and it got less and less as the day went on. It's pretty much gone now. We were able to drink Water and about 4 oz of Protein shakes right after surgery. We each had a little nausea right after surgery, and my husband vomited once, but it wasn't an issue after that. My husband has had a few bouts of hiccups that haven't been pleasant. Kristyna prepared our shakes for us, and walked with us. She was so pleasant to have around! Dr. Umbach is a skilled surgeon and I'm sure his skill contributed to making our post-op experience an extremely positive one. Today I feel really good, really happy (might partially be attributed to the pain meds...) and am looking forward to great days ahead. We have decided not to weigh until 2 weeks post-op, to let any swelling go down.

I'm Sept. 7 as well! I also started my liquid diet Friday. I am allowed veggies, and a salad with protein for one meal. The first couple of days were difficult. I was off work so I took 2 Tylenol PM's and slept through the worst of it. But the way I look at it is that we are on this liquid diet because our surgeries are finally imminent!! I am SO HAPPY to be to the point of being on the liquid pre-op diet. I have lost 7 lbs. so far. We are on our way!

Okay, I just changed my own personal goal weight. I am 5'8" and want to get to 150 lbs but didn't know if that was realistic. I originally wrote 170. This morning I changed it to 165 because I really don't want to stop at 170. I want to get to 150 and now I think I can do it. Thanks!!

I've decided to let people know about this as well. Until the surgery is over I'm not advertising it but I'm not keeping it a secret either. I don't care who knows about it. A few people at work know about it so far and most have been supportive. I don't feel judged about the surgery itself, but I'm feeling judged for choosing to go to Las Vegas and pay a discounted cash rate instead of staying in my area and doing it at one of the local hospitals, as if I'm going to some shady, back street place. The local hospitals are great but cost about $5,000 more, and since my husband is doing this at the same time, it'd be impossible to do that. I have confidence that it'll all go well and am curious to see what happens afterward, when more people know. I've heard a lot of interesting stories on here, including yours, about how people react. Bring it on! I agree 100% with your reply to your co-worker. My bet is there'll be more from my work who choose to go this route, especially now with the publicity LIsa Lampanelli is bringing to the procedure.

My surgery date is September 7th and it can't get here fast enough!!

I do believe my husband will be cleared for the surgery. His cardiologist cleared him, and that was the final hurdle. We're just waiting for the paperwork to be filled out and sent to the surgeon. Mine has already been sent. We get sleeved in 46 days! Woo Hoo!!!!

My tests turned out fine. However, my husband is also getting a Sleeve done at the same time as me. During his pre-op testing he was found to be severely low in vitamin D, low in Zinc, and his EKG showed that he's had a heart attack at some point in the last few years. He would have never known any of this without the in-depth testing that is required for this surgery. He is getting the help he needs to be healthy now, so I am so thankful for this surgery for this reason, if nothing else!!

Yesterday when I was getting my pre-surgery labs drawn I had a reality check. I don't always see my "bigness." I know what my scale says, and what my BMI is. I know it's been getting harder to fit into restaurant booths and that I've had to buy a larger size of clothing the last several months. I have losing weight on my mind constantly, and am so anxious for this surgery so I can finally do it. Despite that, I often look into the mirror and feel like I'm still proportioned well even with the fat. So I was sitting there, and my stomach was partially sitting on the arm rest bar they swing down in front of you. At the same time, there was a pregnant woman having a test for gestational diabetes, and was having her timed blood drawn. She looked like she was 7-8 months along, and when she sat in the chair with the arm rest in place, she still had about 5 inches between her belly and the bar! How is it that I don't see what I really look like? In pictures I do. I totally do. Pictures show the true story, and show my proportions and size for what they really are. But I don't recognize it in the mirror. Is this denial? Or what the heck? When I had my gallbladder out last year, I was unpleasantly surprised that I had to use one of the larger hospital gowns, and they had to use the large size blood pressure cuff rather than the regular size. I was shocked. My arm doesn't look that big to me. This is an interesting phenomenon to me and I'm just curious what others have to say about it. Has anyone else experienced this? Does it change after surgery?

You look amazing! I can't wait to be able to share progress pictures.

Yeah, I've started doing some nesting myself. Got rid of all my biggest clothes that I'll never wear again. Kept just a few to get me through the first week or so. It makes it feel more real. I thought the time would drag on but it's actually going by quickly!

September 7 for me!

Have any of your PCP's been reluctant to give you the go-ahead for the surgery? My appt. is next week and I'm nervous that I'll have to convince my doctor to sign the papers so I can have this surgery done. I don't want to have to plead my case. My BMI is over 43. I need to get this done.

My appt. was today and it went great. Got my EKG, labs, etc. done and it doesn't look like there'll be any holdup. Yay! One more step out of the way :0)

This is an update...My gut feeling was correct. I talked to a fellow RN at work who was familiar with my doctor, and she said, "Oh, HE'S not going to sign that for you." I took everyone's advice and contacted my surgeon's office. They gave me the number to a doctor in my area, and I have an appt. with him on Monday. When I made my appt. they didn't blink when I told them where I got their number, why I'm coming in, what I need. It was such a relief. I cancelled the appt. with my doctor and if I like this new one, I'll transfer all my care there.

I should probably clarify that I'm doing this as a self-pay patient, but I need him to order the pre-op labs and sign the paper that says I'm ok to have the surgery. I will give him a chance but I'm looking at other doctors in case he doesn't go for it. When I originally made the appointment, I told the scheduler I was planning to have weight loss surgery and asked if he was friendly towards weight loss surgery. All she'd say was I'd have to talk to him about it. It didn't sound promising, but maybe that's what they're required to say. I am a nurse myself but it's different being on the "patient" end of things.

Wow I needed to see this post! I can completely relate to everything that has been said here and it's a relief that others have felt the same. I'm so excited yet so nervous, having "failed" so many times with previous attempts to lose weight. I'm so glad to know others have been in the same boat and mindset and have succeeded.

I just have this feeling that mine will be the same way. I'm not sure how to go about finding a doctor who is friendly towards this surgery.

My husband and I have our sleeve surgeries scheduled on September 7 with Dr. Umbach with Blossom Bariatrics in Henderson, NV. He does not have his sleevers stay overnight in a hospital, but in a hotel close by. Is this safe? Is anyone familiar with him?