citygal

So today was my weigh in date and I'm down 17 pounds since my band to sleeve revision. I was on business travel for 10 days (one week post op) and have glad to be home. I had to ship Protein bullets to myself and did lots of Soups while I was gone...the hotel provided me with a refigerator and even had sugar free Jello for me ( I told them I had surgery and they were very accomodating) My tip if you have to travel is call and ask for a fridge and microwave in your room, most hotels will provide for free...or ask to have your minibar emptied so you can you the fridge.

The hardest part of the trip was a couple of days in Vegas with two friends who are both significantly overweight and focus losts of time and energy on eating..you know...the where...when...what...I managed to do ok but it was a physical and somewhat spirtitual reminder of why I decided to change my life and have the band to sleeve revision. A win on the trip was I didn't need to us a seatbelt extendedr on my flight from Chicago to Vegas...at least on United airlines I'm ok :thumbup1: Usair...I still carry mine with my....I'm looking forward to the day I can ceremonially get rid of that damn thing!! Any ideas? I fly 100k miles a year so this a big darn deal for me.

I'm still feeling good and healing nicely...and plan to hit the treadmill this week. This is my first full week at my office since I went to Mexicali.

Sending everyone my very best intentions for healing and hope.

Congrats on having your band out. I know I feel better that it's gone. Happy Healing and keep us posted on your next steps.

WOOOHOOO!! Hey girl...so glad to see you on here again. I am SOOOO excited for you and breaking the 400 pd barrier. You are a beautiful and smart young woman....I am so glad I got a chance to meet you in Mexico....

My best to Bree as well!!

I appreciate those of you who have responded to my post. Although I don't hit that spot often, yesterday I bumped up against an old "soul bruise" and I think in combination with all the "stress" of surgery and making this enourmous life decision hit me hard.

I have a happy and successful life....however there are shadows from my years of being obese that sometimes block the sun.

Thanks for supporting me....

This probably doesn't belong on this site, but I'm feeling like crying and thought I would just write what I'm thinking which I think has been giving be head hunger all day.

I'm 51 had a very short lived and disastorous marriage about 4 years ago...I know my weight has kept me from opportunities to explore relationships with men I've really been attracted to who I know have liked me on every level but haven't been attracted to me physically. I'm not angry at them...I have my preferences too and I understand attraction is an important component.

So about 2 months ago I met someone (from a personal ad) who I had a couple of really amazing dates....we communicated almost every day and then a month ago he started a new job and he's gone almost radio silent. I totally understand being busy and priorities, but he hasn't even checked in since I've been back from my surgery. I had fallen into some of my school girl crush stuff...thinking he might be someone long term. Two of my best pals who were both single for years and years just celebrated one year anniversarys with their new partners and although I am over the moon thrilled for them....it just feels like another place I'm not picked.

I was tempted to write him but decided that I deserve someone who would have made an effort to see how I am....I did have surgery after all...nobody is that busy....so I'm not writing to him...I'm writing on here instead.

All my fat girl stuff is raging right now. Years of being told I wasn't pretty...years of acting confident and pulled together when I was shaking inside. Being a 300 pound woman has made me invisable to men....I told someone today that it's not that I get bad looks...It's just they look right through me. Now I'm over 50 and it feels like I've wasted so many years and opportunities.

Ok...I'm whiney, and sad and I'm going to go take out my contacts...cry a couple of tears and then put on my big girl panties and hit my knees and express my gratitude for all the blessings I do have....my heart just hurts a little right now...

If you read this....thank you for indulging me....

I'm not a doctor but there are some great books on the subject. Our body chemistry has huge effect on how we respond physically. I would suggest speaking to a good GYN and doing some research online. I'm a big fan of Dr. Christiane Northrup's book...one entitled "the Wisdom of Menopause" is very helpful both for body-mind-soul.

Good luck!!

I think i just heard the angels sing....LOL...My band and I never really bonded....so I am really trying to understand and listen to my body and my sleeve. You are such as amazing supporter and provide great info....

Thanks for all you do....

hey there....I've been following kathy's lead and putting unflavored whey protien in my crystal lite, sugar free Jello and Soups. I also drink 2 protien bullets a day...they have 25 grams of protien...I try to drink one in the am and the second one later in the day. My recovery has been pretty textbook and some of that is luck of the draw. I didn't have to take any pain meds when I got home and with the exception of some trouble with bowel movements....it's been exactly what the doctor told me I could expect. I really believe walking as much as possible after surgery is also helpful.

Hope that helps!

I had planned to post tomorrow but am catching a very early flight to Chicago in the morning and wanted to make sure I posted. My surgery was a week ago Friday with Dr. Aceves. I went to Mexicali alone and the universe was thoughtful enough to send along my new pal Kathy as a guide and friends. Nothing like a couple of aftershocks to "bond" two people.

I'm feeling pretty good and even attended a black time function friday night...I said earlier the only thing that hurt was my feet in those heels...

Although physically doing really well...I am feeling "head hunger" and cravings. I'm really craving chinese dumplings...which when I had my band I couldn't really eat...they were way too dense.Today they are renting space in my head...I know that's a mechanism for me to ignore other feelings...just don't know what at this point. I'm not sure I can always tell the difference between lonely/sad/bored and hungry....

I'm trying NOT to focus on the scale. My preop weight is a jumble...so I am using 301 which is the weight I was the day I flew to San Diego. I've been doing lots of walking in my neigborhood and am packing my walking shoes to take to Chicago so I can take some walks while I'm traveling. I'm committed to doing the 3 day 60 mile Susan G. Komen walk in Novemeber in San Diego. I trained for 7 months last year and walked at 280 pounds. I don't want to do that walk again with the extra weight of an entire human being on my back....

I'm dissolving all my meds in liquids so I can take them right now and my internist in PHilly is being very supportive. He wants to see me every 6 weeks as a checkin. He looked me in the eye when I told him about my procedure and said..."Grace...131 pounds of extra weight was going to kill you....I'm going to do anything I can do to support you and your journey to lose your weight"....I almost cried.

This board has been a godsend to me and I hope I can one day be as helpful as others have been to me...

Dr. Aceves has you drink apple juice with blue dye to make sure you don't have a leak....I was pink from the idodine and my teeth, lips and gums were blue....I looked like a crazy smurf!

Angie--

Here's my reply to your questions-

• Most of the rooms have a comfy couch your tiny Mom can sleep on...just confirm with Nina that you Mom may stay over
  
• The hotel is nice...and comfy and the resturants there are fine...Mexico in general is not super super safe...but the hotel and hosptial area are fine.
  
• Pack comfy two piece jammies..they will check your incisions and it's easier to pull yoru top up a bit and your pants down a bit...
  
• Pack flip flops or something to slip into when you walk up and down the halls and around the hospital
  
• My surgery was Friday, I took my first shower Sunday morning
  
• I had compression bandages on my legs for surgery they were removed Saturday night (I think Kathy's came of sooner)
  
• It's worth calling your airline and saying you may need a wheelchair. I only used it to get through security. The lines were really long and it helped me get through quicker. I walked the rest of the way. You will need help lifting your bag in the overhead...unless you check your bag.
  
• I brought my own heating pad...it helps with gas pains...they have them but I am glad I brought my own,
  
• Ask for a fan when you get to your room...you will need it.
  

Wishing you all the best in this great adventure

SISTA!! I can't tell you how awesome I think you are. When I told my pals about walking the halls, covered in pink iodine, with blue teeth and no bra...they almost pee'd thier pants....I told them I have a witness!! I am so grateful you were there along the way to share the "one day before me" stories...so I knew what to prep for.

On the one week anniversary of my surgery I attended a black tie fuctions...and I swear the only thing that hurt...were my feet in those damn heels!

YOU TOTALLY AND COMPLETELY ROCK!!

Your sleeve sista.....

Hey there girl- I had the band to sleeve revision last Friday in Mexico. I started there at 301 pounds. I'm not posting my weight until tomorrow but once thing I would say to you...is if you can start walking BEFORE your surgery. You will feel better and potentially have a better recovery. It really seemed to help me and not moving/walking isn't so unfamiliar. You are a gorgeous girl....regardless how "fast" it comes off...you will be a knock out!

Good luck

I had a band to sleeve revision last week....and went to Mexicali alone and back. Couple of things:

Call your airline now and tell them you will need a wheelchair. It's easier to have it in your record then to do it at the last minute. If you don't need it....no problem.

I totally agree- PACK LIGHT

Say hello to other patients on the floor...I made a couple of great new pals while I was there.

Lots of folks had laptops with them...find out if your hospital has wireless....

Pack a book.

Be totally willing to ask for help and remember that most people are willing to be helpful if they know what you need...

Have a safe and healthy journey....will keep you in my prayers.

Adios!!

Happy Birthday!! Happy 100 hundred pounds gone day!!! Happy 5 month anniversary!! May only blessings and good health fill the rest of your days...

My other challenges besides food has always been spending money (shopping) espcially clothes and buying gifts for other people. I am feeling the retail therapy bug biting me harder since my surgery. My sister died of lung cancer at the age of 53 so I never picked up smoking... but I don't judge...addictions are addictions...we all just have to try our best one day at a time.....

Never too late for a U turn. Take care Jen!! Take a breath, listne to your doctor and treat yourself like you would treat your best friend.

Thank you for posting your thoughts. I am one week and one day from my revision and although physically I've had a what seems to be a relatively easy time (compared to some of the other posts I have read) and I am grateful for that....I also really feel your frustation and pain. Last night I attended a black tie dinner event and sat at a table of folks eating and drinking. I told the folks taking care of our table that I would not be eating. I just chose to make "small talk" with the folks around me. But somewhere in the evening my "head" got hungry....some of my fat girl showed up as I looked at the thin women and their dates around the room....I love to dance and didn't have a dance partner...I started to feel like an " odd duck"...I know its not quite the same but I think I will be bumping my knees on feelings and fears and the way I have always dealt with it is by eating.

Sending you my good intentions and really appreciate your candor!!

I can't attest to Dr. Aceves techniques. I had my band to sleeve revision with him as week ago today. I can only tell you that I had and am having a positive expereince so far. Dr. Aceves and Dr. Campos were competent and compassionate. Please do your research and get all your quesitons answered before taking this step....I certainly wish you good luck!

Just a newly sleeved gal here who is struggling not to get on the scale every day. One thing I do know....30 pounds lost is a heck of a lot better than 30 pounds gained...I don't mean to be trite...but before my surgery I had that desperate feeling the numbers would only go one way for me....up.

Sending you big cheers and encouragement!!

Just wanted to send along some virtual encouragement. I am sorry it's hard right now and there are folks with tons more exerperience than I on this site...all I can do is say I am sending you all my good intentions and will keep you in my prayers...

Congratulations to you!! 70 pounds is fantastic!!! I was only banded a week ago today so I can't provide any insight to your questions. I just wanted to send my heartfelt congrats and it's reading posts like yours that keep me encouraged!

Hey there Anna-

Just wanted to send along some good mojo your way. I KNOW I am going to hit a wall now and again and only hope I am brave enough to say it and get support. Kathy clued me on on adding the protien to everything I'm drinking and am yet I am VERY VERY VERY new here so I'm just grateful for the advice.

Hello everyone!

I am now officially sleeved and back home in Philadelphia. I had a really good experience with Dr. Aceves and his team and honestly feel pretty darn good. I had very little issues with the procedure and although I went to Mexicali alone, the universe very kindly sent me an "angel" named Kathy (from this site) who served as a sleeve sister and guide since she was sleeved one day before me. She is a special special soul. A couple of aftershocks, and a bit of bordeom but all in all....it was a great experience.

So here are some thoughts/suggestions just a few days post op for those who may be having surgery in the near future.

1. I am pleased I had the procedure but this is a BIG DAMN DEAL!

2. Never underestimate how kind strangers can be.

3. I can confidently recommend Dr.Aceves and his entire team. They were aweome. Caring, professional and the facility is first rate.

4. Following the rules pre op was really helpful and getting some physical excercise before the procedure helped me bounce back.

5. Heating pads really help with gas pains.

6. Walk every chance you can post op.

7. Bring chapstick...your lips will get really dry.

8. Don't overpack

9. Allow people to help you. Even if you have to ask.

10. There is a mouth spray (for dry mouth) at Walmart that Kathy let me used that helped when I couldn't drink after surgery.

11. I am really blessed to have a wonderful support group at home.

I'm not getting on the scale until next Monday...so not changing my weight till then. To the "gals" down in Mexicali....sending you prayers and good wishes...

It's good to be home!!

Sending you an ocean of prayers and good intentions Kathy...see you Mexicali!!