Donna4545

You could also send them BCBS ND's new policy approving the sleeve with your appeal--but I got the info on the phone and don't know where it is on the web.

It's not that I especially *want* them to notice, it just seemed so weird that they didn't. Maybe they will notice after the next 50 lbs lol.

1) How long have you been sleeved? 2 weeks 2) Who was your surgeon? Dr.. Brandon Helbling, Bismarck ND 3) What were your experiences with your surgeon? Great. He does 4 leak tests before you leave the hospital. 4) Would you recommend your surgeon? Absolutely 5) How much weight have you lost since your sleeve date? 30 lbs in 2 weeks 6) What type of sleeve do you have? Don't know/forgot 7) Would you recommend the type of sleeve you have? Yes if I knew what it was 8) Do you find you still have the necessary level of energy to sustain a good workout? After the first week, yes. 9) Do you find it difficult to keep the weight off once you have lost it? Don't know yet 10) Do you have trouble eating, such as getting “stuck”? Can't eat yet 11) What is the one things about getting the surgery that you regret? Nothing actually 12) Would you do this surgery again, or would you have made another choice? Totally do it again.

I walked across the parking lot to work and to the store without huffing and puffing. It was a great thing!

Lightheadness can also be dehydration-make sure you are getting all your fluids in!

Hi Lisa- Our situations are very similar. BCBS paid for my surgery, so I hope that goes smoothly for you. I also have to drive 100 miles to have my surgery, and live in a small place. I also started out at 331 lbs. I got sleeved 7/14 and now weigh 280. No complications at all, I think it was totally worth it. Good luck with everything! My asthma is gone, I can walk easier, I'm no longer on diabetic meds. My blood sugar is fine. That's hopefully what you can look forward to!

Find it by scrolling down to "Sleeve Gastrectomy Diet"

I've seen several people say that their doctors don't provide detailed post-op diet guidelines. Here is a link to a document that is pretty similar to my doctor's diet guidelines. Hope it helps. Index of /pdfsleeve-gastrectomy-diet.pdf

My program is very carb conscious. About 5 carbs per meal, max of 30 carbs/day. It must be working because I'm losing 1-2 lbs a day.

For nausea, they put a 3 day scopolamine patch behind my ear before surgery. I never had a nausea problem.

The only pain I had was in the left shoulder. They said it was because of the way the drain moves things around inside you. Once they took the drain out there was no more pain there. The first 4 days if I took too big a swallow of liquid my stomach would hurt, but I adjusted my way of drinking so that wasn't a problem. I was tired the 1st 3 days, but got up and walked around like they said. My lower left incision is still kind of sore, but I wouldn't call it pain. It's actually the least painful surgery I've ever had. I had gas for the first 5 days, then it went away.

I have the opposite problem--I'm losing fast but I'm frustrated because I still have a double chin and I can't wear any of my size-too-small pants. It's like I've lost 50 lbs from my fingers and toes or something. The only place I see the difference is on the scale. It's depressing!

I use a food processor and an immersion blender, depending on what I'm doing. It works fine. I doubt it much matters what kind of blender you get.

I'm only about 10 days out, but I've had some really bad days. Not bad in that I ate something I wasn't supposed to, but bad as in kind of depressed. I mean I've lost about 50 lbs and I still have a double chin. It makes me afraid that this isn't going to work. I know it's nonsense, but I just get down about it. I can't see the difference, and I can't wear smaller size clothes yet. It just doesn't make sense. I have my 2 week post op appt with my doctor on Tuesday, I guess I'll ask him about it.

When I was in the hospital mine was taped to my body, so if they can do it in the hospital then I'm sure you can do it after. They took mine out before I was discharged though--and what a weird feeling! Not painful, but like someone pulling a slinky through the opening.

We aren't supposed to bend over or life more than 15 lbs for 2-3 weeks, and can't start strenuous exercise for 6 weeks. But I think this caution is why my doctor has a zero complication rate. I'm happy to go with his restrictions.

my doc said 10 lbs soups are fine, especially in the full liquids stage 64 oz water and 60 grams protein are not that hard to accomplish post-op. i was told if your stomach will tolerate the protein, go for it.

At first I had the opposite problem--the runs. But then I started putting Benefiber in my shakes and I haven't gone for a couple of days. I just plan on drinking a lot of water and letting it run its course, so to speak.

I had some nausea the 2nd or 3rd day out, but it went away when I took smaller sips.

I think that once you start considering surgery, there really is no other choice. Obviously years of trying to lose weight wasn't working--why would I want to go back to that? As long as you've got an experienced surgeon, you shouldn't regret anything!

That is great!

Congrats, but stay away from that pizza, girl!

Isopure zero carb powder is great for mixing with sugar free flavored syrups--my shakes taste like whatever I want. I'm having a watermelon shake right now.

Have more protein and more water. It will probably help.

I'm 8 days out and today was the first time I did any exercise beyond walking around the house. I'm in such bad shape I'm starting with Richard Simmons Sweatin' to the Oldies DVDs--it's about all I can handle lol!