KellyL

Wow girl you look amszing!!! Way to rock that sleeve gorgeous! :cheer2:

All surgeons are different on their post-op guidelines. Alcohol can irritate a newly sleeved tummy and can contribute to dehydration in someone that's not able to getin the minimum water/fluid requirement. I have read numerous people mention alcohol hitting them way harder, so be careful.

Yayyyyyyyyyyyyyyy that's so awesome, congrats!!!!! :cheer2:

I agree that insurance companies would not pay if it was elective. Also, I was dieting and exercising(a little) before surgery, and even though my diabetes improved a lot, it wasn't until my surgery that my diabetes was "cured" or in remission. And people will try to tell me, yes, because you're losing weight. But this happened immediately after release from the hospital, not after I lost more weight. So I feel I needed the sleeve to help with my diabetes as well as my weight. I had been told by drs due to a back/hip problem I had, that I would end up in a wheelchair within 10 yrs. It made activity and exercise and even everyday chores almost impossible. The weight made the pain and immobility worse. Just the weight that I've lost has changed all this so much, I am able to do chores as well as more intense exercise now too. Others can call it elective if they want, but I call it my lifesaver! We can't control what comes out of our friends, loved ones, and even strangers mouths, but we can control how it affects us. She can consider it whatever she wants, it is her opinion. But she should respect your decision and support you if she's a true friend. You could say, "I am not asking for your approval, just your support". Friends can be weird when it comes to wls, I've seen friendships end over it. A lot of emotions come to play, especially jealousy. I hope you can at least get her to respect and support you, even if she doesn't agree.

HAHA too funny

Congrats on the 16 lbs!!! You are doing great. Your body is just confused and possibly rebelling. It's holding onto fluid too. Stalls are a normal part of the process for most of us, just try to focus on staying hydrated and keeping protein up and you will do well. We all get insecure when this happens and think we are the only one the sleeve isn't gonna work on, I know. I had a stall that began in my 2nd wk and lasted over a month, so I know it is terrible. I had lost a good chunk before surgery so my stall started early and lasted a long time. But I did lose inches and clothes sizes during this time. 2 sizes in tops and 2 sizes in jeans. Don't worry bout that scale so much, and don''t stress when it's stubborn cuz your body is changing regardless.

I wouldn't worry about it either, and when those food thoughts pop in your head just know that you will get to have things soon, just in way smaller portions. I had been on a self-imposed diet for a while before I scheduled my sleeve. I dropped sodas, then dropped diet sodas, started cutting portions and lower carb/sugar free diet. I lost 35 lbs that way. I had been on an almost 6 month stall. When I scheduled my surgery, I did go out to eat once, to Olive Garden because I knew it would be a very long time for pastas. Probably not again until maintenance if even then. I even cut my portions for this meal too, so I don't think I did too much damage with it. Congrats on your surgery, and I will say that the pre-op liquid diet was the hardest part of the whole thing for me and I didn't have to be on it for very long either. Sugar free popsicles saved me during this phase. I hope you have an easy surgery and speedy recovery! Update us when you can.

I think the health dept goes by income, just call ahead and ask the questions about that. But I agree, I would be afraid to just leave it to the OTC treatments, if not done properly they may come back, and you do need to be examined, they could be in places where you may not be able to see well. I think I remember a friend of mine having some inside as well. It did not hurt, and it was very minimal cost for her. Good luck!

Congrats on being sleeved!! I'm happy things went well for you and you are on the way to recovery. I know in the beginning there is an adjustment to getting the water and protein in, just take it one day at a time and focus on getting the liquids in to stay hydrated. It gets easier every day!

I haven't tried/bought it yet but thinking seriously of getting it cuz I LOVE turbojam, and I think Turbo Fire is by Chalene Johnson too. It may be higher intensity tho, so not sure if I'm quite ready for it. But in turbo jam they always have a couple ppl doing the modified/lower impact versions. Please let me know how you like it if you get it. I like to alternate my dvd's with my wii dance games so I don't get bored.

Yes I agree, because I have water fluctuations all the time. It is a struggle not to let the scales to affect our confidence in our sleeve and our weight loss. But if your getting in mostly protein and getting your water in, there's no way this should fail us. Keep doing the right things, and if you feel as if the scales are affecting your mood and self esteem, just give yourself a break from them.

This is difficult to answer, but I did go with my drs assistant/coordinator, because I knew she would be the one actually there in MX with me. I did have moments of confusion or feelings that all my questions weren't being answered in email at one point, but then I realized how busy she stays taking care of the patients that were currently there(even the ones that used other coordinators). I found communication to be best by phone. Once I was there in TJ, there was no doubt she was very caring and would do anything she could to help me out or make me comfortable. I am not even sure who you are talking with or which dr, but please feel free to read a detailed account of my experience in the "about me" section of my profile. Good luck!

Only you know which wls fits you best, but yes, I personally feel the sleeve is best for me. I haven't had a moment of doubt or regret. I was sleeved in May. I researched for 7 yrs. When I first starting researching the sleeve wasn't talked about on the boards yet. I am thankful for some of the roadblocks that prevented me from getting wls when I first started researching. It forced me to wait and I kept reading and reading. The more I researched the sleeve and compared to the others the more I felt it was the best fit for me. I am very happy with the weight loss and being off meds for type 2 diabetes. I am so excited for my future and enjoying the present. I finally feel like losing weight IS possible. I have already gotten my moneys worth by my diabetes cure or being in remission. I LOVE my sleeve!!! Good luck!!

Miralax or benefiber added to drink or food helps, as well as lots of water. Also till you get past the rough time, perhaps stool softners? I hope you feel better soon!

No pain, nausea, or vomitting for me. Some discomfort from the gas immediately out of surgery, but as soon as I was in my room hooked up to the IV, that was relieved immediately. I had an easy recovery, no problems getting in liquids, but it was an adjustment getting used to making myself drink constantly. Not because it hurt or anything, just remembering. I used the timer on my phone to remind me. The pre-op liquid diet was the worse part of my whole weight loss journey. Good luck!!!

Ugh i hated that feeling of worry, anxiety, embarrassment, and humiliation!!! When I flew to San Diego to get to Tijuana, my belt barely fit. I had to suck in and kinda put it under my lower tummy roll lol. And I had lost 35 lbs prior to going too! Congrats on not needing the extender, I know it must have felt so wonderful!! That is awesome!!

You can also purchase over the counter with dr approval, good luck!

We all have our moments of self-doubt, especially during the stalls!!! I guess it's natural to have doubts when I've failed so many times in the past and I've struggled with being overweight and diets my whole life. But most of the time I have confidence and faith that it will happen this time.

definitely an acid reducer (prilosec or generic) helps, and when you move to mushy foods and then solids, it gets WAY better!

Congrats on your success!! You have done well, and I am impressed with the 5k's and marathons!!

I use it as sour cream, and also in hidden valley ranch and hidden valley fiesta ranch dips, then I get a rotisserie chicken or other protein/meat and dip it. I love it and it increases the protein. If I have a few bites of baked potato on the rare occasion, I use it in place of sour cream. You can also add white choc or cheesecake sugar free pudding mix in it. A lot of people use it in smoothies, but I haven't tried that.

The cost I had on 5/16 was $5500 which included everything, all tests, all medications, leak test, hotel, transportation while there. You stay in the hospital 2 nights and hotel 2 nights. I had no problems with Trish and had a wonderful experience. The price doesn't include flight. I have a very detailed account of my experience while in TJ in my "about me" on my profile here on this site if you'd like to read it.

Oh my, what an ordeal for you!!! So sorry it all happened and glad you are on the mend now, take it easy and I hope you have a speedy recovery!