iggychic

I'm three months one week from surgery one and what...two months from surgery two (I never know which one to count LOL) I was 185 at surgery (it's a little wishy washy because my at home weight was lower as is my new docs scale) so anyhoo, I'm now 145.4. I did gain 40lbs in the hospital LOL so I'm down either 40.4 or 80.4...depending on which you want to use heh heh

We have a self insured plan that we provide to our team. It is very generous and planned carefully so that we do not exclude things which many don't have covered through group coverage like fertility treatments and WLS. Your self insured plan might be a problem, but not all are. Some employers use it as a way to entice a high quality team...and as such it's high quality insurance.

I don't think they're the worst option in the world, though I haven't had one. They do tend to be very high in sodium which I haven't been eating much of since the surgery so I'd just watch that. I think most of the ones I liked had either a sauce or noodles, so for me, the options wouldn't be great since I would only get to eat a few bites of meat (I've never seen one with whole wheat pasta). Oh wait, now that I think of it, I did buy a mexican pie (I think it was called that...ground beef, corn, tomatoes, and potatoes) which I took four days to eat LOL It's in the health food section...maybe Amy's brand? I didn't worry about the carbs and fat because I eat so little it does not matter much.

I can't have them for six months so I don't know how they will sit, but I don't seem to have issues with anything yet except super high sugar, which is fine with me. But I am also a salad girl. I have eaten cesear salad all over the world (France is best) and I so miss it!!!!! Everyone knows it's a favorite of mine so at a recent dinner a friend stole my recipe and made it as a surprise, thinking that since I'm on a diet it would be great....argh I dreamed about that dang salad for a week! LOL

I won't miss seeing a double didget number as my size and I'm looking forward to that size being at the very very very end of the racks Down with those 2/4 girls ya know! I used to wear children's hand me downs...I want to do that again LOL

Oh shut up and quit your whining for gads sake! See I'm not grumpy at all heh heh and the real answer is likely hormones as stated above. You produce more estrogen when you are rapidly losing weight and it does a little number on your body that can lead to the grumps. I took massive doses of the stuff for two years when we were doing IVF and let me tell you, both DH and DS breathed a sigh of relief when I got off the crap! (I however think I was lovely at all times....heh heh)

Even if it wasn't a major changing point in your life (ie those with less to lose or who have been slimmer in the recent past perhaps) it's still major surgery and bound to be something that you use as a calandar. I use my son's surgeries as a dating point quite often. I don't remember when my mother in law died aside from the fact we were at hopkins for three months that year (they wouldn't let us leave for the funeral) so that's how I figure it out. I personally have such bad memories associated with the first two months of my sleeve that I probably would think in terms of complications more so than the good unfortunately But had I had your experience, a life changing one! I might think of it as a nicer date.

LOL I'm a bit OCD when it comes to Christmas. I want to see a tree from every window in the house when I drive by heh heh I tried to convince DH we need a couple more but he seemed to think that was nuts

LOL Liz and I didn't even mention the half million in bills from the complications.....but we'll save that for the next Q&A session ok? And by the way...thanks hun OP, I am one tough cookie...but let me tell you, what this did to me morally and psychologically....I went to a dark place as anyone would do under the fear of losing your life, and the horrific and constant pain. I went from being the type of person who could almost do my own blood draws without flinching, to begging for anesthesia to have my freaking blood pressure taken (ok not that bad but it was close!). I never wanted to give up or kill myself because I had a child to live for, but without him...gad I don't know if I'd have fought so hard. The worst part of my complications were the helpless moments and I can't possibly describe that to anyone so they'd understand, but the place your mind goes when you are having seizure after seizure and can't stop them...fully cognizant in my mind, but unable to speak for 24 hours...I have trouble even thinking about what that did to me. Gad I'm depressing myself LOL I need to go decorate a few Christmas trees!!!!! Anyone want to join me? I have ten and only two are done so far. How many calories do you burn hanging ornaments? LOL

I am a champagne lover! And wine, but champs is my drink of choice with the girls when we do lunch, get together, ummm well anytime. It's an acceptable Breakfast wine LOL At two months out I started drinking wine again and do fine though my palate is still off. I don't get drunk off of a small amount, but I do drink slower than I used to. Instead of two or three glasses of wine with dinner I have one, sometimes one and a half. I was told no carbonation until six months out in any significant amount. My doc is particularly cautious due to my complications. I have had a few sips of champs since the surgery, but find that the carbonation bothers me so I don't drink anymore than that. I do look forward to the day when champs will go down well and I'll likely have a glass or two a week as I used to, but early out, it's a) not good for your suture line to drink carbonated beverages, and just does not sit well. I don't care about "empty" calories. I can keep below 600 with a glass of wine daily and still get in my Protein so it does not worry me. I'm still losing and doing fine.

I had 70ish pounds to lose (60 if you ask my doctor, 70 if I get to pick) and had the first surgery in august. I had zero risk factors and no comorbidities. By five weeks out from the first surgery I was in surgery again. I now have scared lungs, a damaged stomach and a bigger fear of hospitals than I've ever had! There's nothing like having a doctor ask you if you want to see a Chaplin before you go to sleep. I had a second surgery to fix the leak in my stomach and spent 22 days in hospital, about 60 unable to care for my child as I was too weak to get out of bed. All of this for a cosmetic procedure (which it would be for you as well). I wish I'd have had just one of the horrific tortures they did to save me done prior to my initial surgery. I'd have joined a gym and lost the weight without surgery if I had. Needles the size of knitting needles stuck down my back into my lungs, a hose the size of a garden hose stuck into my chest with a pump attached. Both procedures are done without anesthesia. A feeding tube that damaged my throat. A PICC line that left me with blood clots. Oh and did I mention the hematoma that was left in my abdomen which causes significant pain...or the internal bleeding that required two blood transfusions and left me having seizures for 24 hours after the initial surgery? Ya I lost weight. It's not worth it!!! I almost left my small child without a mom just so I could lose weight.

I am three months out from my first surgery and just hitting two months out from the second. I drink wine quite often, though not as much as I used to, but I can say that it does not turn me into a stark raving drunk But harder booze...I tried baileys a week or so ago....that did not sit well. I couldn't drink more than a few sips (probably too much sugar). I had the same reaction to rum though earlier this week (just experimenting). I don't know if it's the liquor content or the sugars...but even though I'm allowed to have it, it does not sit well. Anyhoo, both my docs said two months. Nuts said four months and never (I don't listen to the never girl) and the pa's said 3 months and never (but she was a major bible thumper with very strict views on even wine! so ummm I don't listen to her either). I often wonder where my son gets his selective listening skills....

Cute coat...and cute chickie in it Great work. You are doing wonderfully and it shows!!!!

Ditto...to both of you I was zero risk factor (according to the docs) so why would I worry. I was supposed to be the poster child for a wonderful outcome and an easy surgery. All that patting me on the back knocked me out of my senses and I too didn't take the risk seriously. After all...how could it happen to us? I dismissed leaks and complications as things that happened to high BMI multi comorbidities....what a dork!

I have no issue with a split fee IF they split the meal in the kitchen, it's served with appropriate sides (split) and garnish, etc. That's totally fair as the dishes do need to be washed and they do use product. I also LOVE restaurants that allow you to bring your own wine and always expect a corkage charge. We have a pretty large cellar and I don't expect a merchant to have the same taste in wine as me, nor do I expect that they can carry a large inventory of "special" wines unless they're a pretty high end wine restaurant. If I'm not buying wine from them, they do deserve some money against that loss.

Just to be totally clear. Nothing that I posted wasn't totally supported by the board management (in my thread). They called me as a curtesy and were totally willing to leave the posts as they were. This is not the first time a doc has threatened such an action to them, nor will it be the last as long as there are complication stories. I just didn't want the hassle. "I" didn't not the website! So it's not censorship etc. My issues with the doc were just "mine" in my mind and I didn't need someone else to suffer as well if that makes sense to anyone. And did anything good come of the surgery...well I've lost weight But it wasn't worth it. In general it was pretty much a horrible experience I didn't need to put myself through or my family. It set my son backwards in development, taxed my husband when he needed to be concentrating on his business, and of course it was expensive. Then there's the pain and suffering stuff I prefer to forget! The one positive in my mind is that it can be a powerful lesson to share with others so they go into this more prepared than I was. I guess there is some value in that.

If wine is a liquid I am SO IN on this!!!

Psssttt....your boobs are bigger than your stomach sister! That's a nice change (at least it was for me LOL). You're starting to develop a nice figure...you know, that waist thing other people have Nice work!

My story was removed because it made the doctor too sad (detect some serious sarcasm there please). He was going to sue the site to have it removed so I asked for it to be removed to save the site the stress. Bad enough I had to deal with what I had to deal with. Look...so I'm a meanie...I'm not actually I'm a happy person who suffered life threatening complications from this surgery more than once. So if I read with absolute horror that someone thinks they are going to go this without telling their spouse...the guy they are currently married to and profess to want to stay with...I am sorry, I read it and reacted with a knowledge base she does not understand. People die having this surgery or they die from the complications. They can go bankrupt (my bills look to be totaling over half a million dollars from the complications...this is not typically covered by insurance). You can be taken from your children for weeks on end. This is serious stuff, not a simple surgery to sneak in and have in secret IMO. I honestly feel very badly for the OP if this is her relationship. HONESTLY! That type of relationship is just no way to live If I were handing out advice I'd say divorce the man, as this isn't a real relationship that anyone deserves, and get your life together. THEN have the surgery when you have a support network around you so that if something goes wrong you aren't alone. My life isn't perfect don't I wish! Don't we all LOL But even in my first marriage I'd never have not told the man I was having major surgery. What if you die? What does he tell the kids? What would you want him to tell the kids? People die. Millions don't...but some do. It's just a sad reality and one most don't take into account when having this surgery. I'm going to continue to share that side of the story so that maybe someone can be more prepared than I was. I hope the OP finds that she has an easy surgery with no complications to worry about. Heck I hope that for everyone. But for your family....I hope you find the courage to be honest, even in the face of opposition so that you don't leave them without notice, which if you have any caring for them, would be truly sad for those left behind.

My BMI was lower than yours and I had no comorbidities. Add to that that my family has a history of weight issues, but even at 300 no comorbidities...we live far longer than anyone wants us to So I normally post on posts like this that I don't recommend the surgery to lower BMI people. It nearly killed me and took me from my little boy for two months. The pain and suffering was horrific. This surgery was hell for me and not something I recommend to low BMI prospects WHO DON"T HAVE COMORBIDITIES! You have shared that your life is already somewhat a life of suffering. You can't breath well, your heart is an issue, etc. And you're just a kid Unlike me, this isn't a cosmetic issue for you, it's life and death either way. Understand that you could have significant issues because of the surgery due to complications during the surgery or afterwards, but you could fall over with a heart attack tomorrow as well given your first post...so you have to do something! You owe it to your babies I highly recommend you look at the risks, and prepare for them. I had to have additional child care for two months. I couldn't do anything for three months due to weight restrictions (awwww no laundry lol). Someone had to take up the slack. You want to be prepared for that, and then hopefully never need it! Also, I like to tell all mom's with young kids....write them a letter, "just in case". They don't ever need to see it, and it will be the hardest letter you write. Don't tell them that you did this for them...because they don't need that guilt (and don't we do everything for them in many ways?) but do tell them the stuff you would want to say if you aren't there when they're ten, fifteen, twenty, etc. I bawled like a baby when I wrote that...it took me two days, but when things went seriously bad, I felt some peace knowing that it was there for him, just in case! I wish you all the best! It sounds like this is the right move for you dear. Embrace it if it's the direction you want to go and move on with determination and courage!

I think you are too far out for a leak, but your symptoms could indicate one. Have you done anything that might have torn your new incisions (yes they are still new). Like big stuff...fighting, auto accident, I don't know...major trauma to the stomach? It sounds like more of a serious virus, but either way, I'd call your surgeon as well as your PCP. If there is any chance of a leak issue (they are very rare this far out but can happen..or have been undiscovered but causing you damage otherwise) you'd want your surgeon to verify that isn't a problem. I'd personally make both calls myself. I was told leaks are possible up to six months out but very rare later (after 3). Either way you need to get some relief before you end up dehydrated. I would advise you try drinking no more than an ounce at a time every 15 to 30 mins (see if you can keep it in you that way) which will help with relief of dehydration. (My son struggles with that every cold and flu season so I'm an at home expert LOL). Peppermint tea also works and can sit on your stomach better. Something is out of wack in your gastric system and it's been long enough you shouldn't dismiss it. Leaks in the lower stomach cause significant gastric issues. Leaks higher up tend to cause lung issues. But a virus is possible...get some help dear! You can't keep that up for long without getting much sicker, no matter what it is!