Lisanne

ahhhhh thanks Judy. That made me smile and feel a bit better. Its nice to have support and friends...esp those who know what Im going thru. Im not sure how much of an inspiration I am...but thats nice to hear. I certainly have plenty of varying experiences :thumbup1:

Thanks for the support, Susan. I did the pouch test some time ago, or at least tried it. I just cant do liquids, even for a short time. I can manage one a day, but thats about it, otherwise it makes me sick. I think thats more mental than anything. Just the idea of going back to basics like that...ick. Ive always had that same mentality of letting myself enjoy small amounts of the foods I love. Ive never totally denied myself anything except for sodas which still bother me even with small sips. I imagine it always will but I dont really want them.....now chocolate on the other hand....well, lets say, we get along well lol I tried getting the DS back last winter, but Im just not financially able to do that. The surgeon who did my VSG, doesnt do the DS, but even if he did, I couldnt afford another trip to Mexico. So, the DS isnt an option. As far as my husband goes... I think thats pretty much a lost cause. He supports me in weight loss, always has. Hes always been supportive with whatever I want, however, its more of an indifference with him....he just doesnt have that emotional tie anymore, I dont think. I tried counselling, but couldnt find a counsellor that had any training with eating disorders (who accepted my insurance). I cant afford to pay for it out of pocket. Ive had endless time to think of options and have tried several, but so many things arent viable. I thank you for ur input. It always gives me more things to think about or re-visit in my thinking process.

I dont have any regrets with my Sleeve...however, I think that I might have done better with something a bit more drastic like the DS. I had such a high BMI when I got my Sleeve and my Sleeve wasnt made as small as it needed to be. At this point, a year and half later, I am at a stand still with weight loss, but thats mostly my part and I take the blame. But I got WLS to make it easier to lose the weight....to give me a fighting chance. It did that in the beginning, but now its really hard again and Im having to struggle to lose anything and as with pre-surgery, that struggle is getting the best of me.

If you completely follow the preop plan, 10 days should be sufficient to shrink the liver enough. Theres no way to tell until the surgeon actually gets in there to do the surgery. Good luck

I guess that would be a hard choice to make. If she doesnt support your choice for surgery, I can completely understand why u would want to do it alone. However, she is ur wife and will be worried for you, which is probly a big reason why she isnt so supportive. For me, I could never have gone thru this alone. My husband went with me and I absolutely wouldnt have survived alone, I needed ALOT of help afterward, but everyone is different. You might do just fine alone, many do just that. Really think about your decisions. Weigh all the pros and cons and make the best choice for yourself. Good luck

My most important item that I took was my heating pad. I had so much gas and back pain, that my heating pad became my best friend. Also, be sure to take some entertainment - book, mp3 player, etc..... it gets kinda boring while u are resting. comfy clothes - loose fitting shirts, pants/sweats, slippers/socks I guess it depends on ur doctor, but I had to take my own bandages to change while in the hotel. I took some of those singles packets of crystal light to put in my bottled Water. I also took a couple of bullets with me, but I never bothered with them. The only thing I really wanted was water. I felt really crappy after surgery and for the entire week I was in PV, Mexico. But my health was really poor anyway. Oh, take plenty of cash, preferably $1 bills. You will need it for cab fare, tips, etc.. Good luck.

Unfortunately that doesnt stop the advice-givers....I just cant stand them.. my mom has always been stick-thin...makes me sick that I didnt inherit her jeans....anyway, she has always given me advice that is so far-fetched...it doesnt even warrant opening her mouth..she means well, but just doesnt get it...over the yrs, shes learned to stop saying anything.. I think she finally realizes she just doesnt understand and cant help me..

The fist few months, I lost on average of 5 lbs a week... but that soon went down. At this point, Im happy with 1-2 lbs, but would certainly love for it to be more. I find that when I drink more water, I lose better.. so I really try for that, but dont always succeed. I usually just forget, even tho I try to keep water nearby all the time.

I have always felt the hunger, mine never left me. I do fill up faster with lesser amounts, but the appetite is still there. Just follow a good diet plan and drink plenty of water. You are still fresh out, things will start to balance out with the healing process.

This will pass. Its annoying when it happens though. You are still swollen on the inside, from the surgery. Give yourself some more time and it will be fine. At this point, dont worry so much about getting in your quota of protein, etc.. its great if u can, but dont stress over it. Do the best that you can and remember that you are still healing.

Congrats and good luck. Its great that you have someone who has been thru this to help you out.

I mostly read. I keep a bottle of Water close by too. I also get online and mess around for awhile. Theres plenty of other things I could do, but dont usually. I take my daughter swimming for us to get some exercise. Sometimes I just go shopping too. Good luck

Yes Im perfectly fine now...it didnt take much to get over at all. Really, I didnt see any bad effects from it, but I was really lucky too..

My best advice is to begin High Protein shakes/drinks. You will need them after surgery for sure. They can be really pricey, so try to find sample packs, which u can find online....try out a few different ones. Also, theres many of us that actually still have some of these shakes left...but arent using them anymore. You can ask around and see who would be willing to send u some to try out.. Good luck with the preop...its super important..trust me, I know this first hand (long story)

Theres not much you can do for the nerves...just keep going forward and know that you are doing the right thing for yourself. Mexico... my main reason for going was bc every surgeon I went to see, insisted on my losing up to 50 lbs.....which is something I couldnt do on my own, hence the reason I needed surgery. Dr. Joya in Mexico didnt insist on this. Also, Im on Medicare which is really stingy with WLS...theres only a couple that it will pay for....it wouldnt touch the Sleeve at that time, but I think its beginning to now, but not sure about that..

I remember my first week after surgery...OMG, I had at least 15 BM's a day....it was horrible. But that was from the liquids and IVs, etc... I was so glad when it ended.. Now, I go pretty much the way I used to, but Im more prone to constipation, which was a huge difference.. before, i never got constipated.. So I have to really be careful..

First of all.....dont listen to others who just try to hurt ur feelings, insult, etc. Its so easy for others, who arent in our situation, to pass judgment and give advice....when most times, they just need to shut up. Do what you think is best for you and ur health. That is whats important...not that I have a problem with a trainer..but thats not going to solve the problem, etc.. Second..... as for follow up care, you basically dont need any. You might need some stitches removed. I dont know how Dr. Aceves does things, etc.. Ask your PCP if he will continue to see u as a patient. The only thing he would need to do is stitches removal and regular lab work, which he should be doing anyway, esp if you already have health issues.. I never needed any follow up care. However, I spoke to my PCP/Internist b4 having the Sleeve and he agreed to continue my regular care. If I had had an emergency once I came back home, I would have gone to the ER. I removed my own stitches, so I didnt see my PCP until I was a month out and I was doing ok and he was pleased with my progress. Good luck!

Thanks alot. I really appreciate it. We all need the support from our fellow Sleevesters. No one else knows our particular struggles, etc. One day at a time....absolutely!

Thank you so much Judy. No, its definetly not an easy journey at all. But its worth it. I think if it was too easy, I would wonder why lol

I have a rule... if I cant pronounce it, I dont eat it LOL seriously, I see all these different products in the store and think - HUH? I dont know what they are, dont know what to do with them.... so I just stick with what I know. Ive never been one to follow a recipe, so I cant go by that either. I guess Im a creature of habit. But I applaud ya for trying new things. I dont think I could be that adventurous

I know what you mean about the cravings. Im the same way. I do so much better when I avoid them, but I always give in sometimes. It keeps me sane, but then on the other hand, it makes me want more...ugh...lol Ill try the ice water trick. I know when I drink water, i dont feel as hungry. But my appetite always comes back with a vengence.

I was so excited to reach the century club status. Im down 109 lbs as of right now!

I found that I really like the Body Fortress from Walmart. Theres chocolate and vanilla. I mix it with milk and it tastes just like chocolate milk to me. Its packed with Protein, super low in carbs, altho with the milk, it adds some, but can be mixed with Water...it just tastes better with milk. It also costs alot less than some powders. I also liked a few of the nectar Proteins Its been so long since Ive used any of them, I cant remember. I used to use the Bullets, but cant say that I really liked them...but they did give me the boost that I needed for the day.

I cant add much to whats already been said. The stomach is much smaller, some are smaller than others. For me, I can still eat alot at times, other times, I cant. I still get famishly hungry and crave alot of bad food. Its up to me to limit those foods, etc.

Hi.. Good luck with your journey. Its a hard road, but u will finds plenty of support from everyone around here. I had my surgery a lil over a yr ago, so i can help answer some of ur questions. Im certainly no expert, but I can give u my take on things.. :thumbup: Lisa