KellyL

I chose my surgeon Dr Kelly based on the comparisons I did with my top choices, which were Dr Kelly, Dr Alvarez, Dr Aceves, and Dr Rodriquez. I looked at education, training, experience, and complication/mortality rate. A hospital with ICU was important to me, the trauma training Dr Kelly had was a big plus for me. I liked that he over sews the staple line, I liked that he uses a 34fr bougie because of problems I had seen others have with getting fluid in immediately post op and strictures with a smaller size bougie, and he also does a technique in which he does extra wrapping at the part of the esophagus where a lot of leaks can and do occur. I also wanted at least 2 nights in the Hospital. The complication rate/# of sleeves done ratio was something I considered. I used the search feature on this website as well as OH, and went back 7 yrs. I also went by which MX border was the safest at the time I was going, according to the News and what I found googling. Even if Dr Kelly was the same price as the other surgeons, I would have chosen him, but I found nothing in my research that warranted paying an extra $3k to any other surgeon after I did all this research and read all the reviews. I have already shared my experience, and as you said in your post, you aren't really looking for that. But if anyone has any questions, I will be happy to answer.

My dr uses a 34fr over sewn. I had no problems getting liquid in immediately (after leak test of course). No pain when swallowing. And I have great restriction on dense protein now. I am very happy with my sleeve.

I found out I am in an XL top down from a 3X and 22 pants down from a 26/28. I also wore both a bathing suit and shorts in public for the first time in probably 18 yrs. I even went swimming at the Lake in front of a big crowd!! It was so awesome. I didn't feel like I was the fattest person or that everyone was staring at me. :cheer2:

As far as I know, you are allowed to bring a companion, regardless if they are your spouse, relative, or friend. So it shouldn't matter to anyone.

You are at the right time to be stalling, at the 3-4 wk mark. You're menu looks good, just try to get minimum 64oz water, but i shoot for 80 oz. minimum 70-80g protein. Plug what you're eating into myfitnesspal to see how much protein and carbs and calories you're getting if you aren't sure. It also lets you keep up with your water intake. I had a 3 wk stall around the 3-4 wk post op point. But I dropped a couple clothes sizes around the stall time too. It's all part of it, and it's probably not gonna be the last stall we have. Don't stress out about it, you're doing great!!!

Congrats Renee, you are doing fanFREAKINtastic girl!!! I am gonna try to watch your youtubes later on tonight when not so much is going on. I need to do this too, I have always hidden from cameras and such but I need to get over it already!!

I do not regret having my Sleeve. Only that I didn't get it yrs sooner. I had Diabetes, Fibromyalgia, IBS, and could barely do my own grocery shopping from being in pain. My diabetes is in remission, I have not had a Fibro Flare post-op, and my IBS has improved drastically!!! My mobility is so much better, I can't wait to see what it's like when I lose even more weight. The Sleeve has changed my life, no, it has SAVED my life!

Usually acid is the culprit when you feel hungry, especially if you've just eaten. Are you on a PPI? I take Prilosec OTC generic and I get it at Walmart, but there are many available. Trust me when I say it makes a world of difference!! I hope you get it figured out, I would hate to be hungry all the time after getting sleeved. I am glad you are doing so well, especially after you having to be in surgery for that long, and all the scarring and such. Who was your surgeon? I hope you feel better soon, I hear it is sometimes harder and the recovery takes a little longer with a revision. Congrats on being sleeved!!

I am so happy and excited for you!! I was packed about 2 wks before I had to leave haha. Good luck and have an easy surgery and speedy recovery, and update us soon!!

I don't remember exact time frame, but it wasn't that long at all. Maybe 30-45 mins. No problems at all!!

We all go thru this, it's completely normal!! Don't let yourself talk you out of a better, healthier life!! Make a pros/cons list. That helped me a lot. Something brought you to this place in this time to even consider wls. Keep reminding yourself why. We're here for you!!

Don't worry sweetie, everyone is different and you did have a complication. Don't push yourself, just keep your liquids and protein up as much as possible, get your vitamins in if you can and allow your body the time it needs. It takes a while for everyone to adjust to their new way of eating and getting energy back. You'll get there on your own time!

:welcome: Hi Dan, welcome to the forum! Things sound like they are about to speed full ahead for you now, and you will be sleeved in no time at all. Congrats!!

If I didn't have to do a liquid diet, then I probably would have done a lower carb high protein diet. This will at least prepare you for how things will be post op and also help shrink your liver too. Good luck!!

I am 7 wks out now, on vacation and I am feeling great, but I had an extremely easy surgery and speedy recovery. I have been boating on fairly rough water on the lake, swimming, walking, eating at big 4th of July cookout, it's been easy and "normal". I chose mostly meat/protein off the table, but did allow myself 2 bites of homemade ice cream because it's so rare that I get it. As active as I am being, I feel I will work those 2 bites off pretty easy I think you should be fine in that amount of time. Have a great time!!

I think this happens to some people early out when introducing new foods in certain stages after the liquid stage. Some peoples sleeve seems to be more sensitive. I've been lucky to tolerate everything I've tried so far, no problems. But i don't eat breads much due to the carbs and filling up such a small sleeve with things other than protein. As we get further out we will have a little more room to add more than just protein, in small amounts.

:welcome: You will absolutely love it here, so much love and support!! It's nice to "meet" you!

Congrats!!!! I LOVE having to get smaller clothes than I thought I would, congrats!!! This is so much fun. I am from a snug 26/28 to a 22 bottoms and XL top!!! It took several tops for me to believe it, I kept thinking the shirt must be made really big!! lol Yes, I too have done the Shimmy Wiggle Booty Skooch to get clothes on, but I didn't have to do it this time either. I did do the happy dance though!! :whoo: woohoo!! I <3 my sleeve!!! :love:

Congrats on a successful revision, I hope things go a lot better for you this time, as I am sure it will. Glad you had a fairly easy recovery and are feeling pretty good! :cheer2:

I understand you are tired and recovering, but as others have said, try to walk and get your liquids in. If you're sleeping all the time, you can't be getting in enough fluids and this will lead to dehydration. Plus pain pills will keep you from going. But in the beginning, it's just weird. Hope you feel better soon!

As someone else posted, I have read of people being depressed early out, whether it is mourning for their previous relationship with food, or the temporary hormone imbalance, some people do have it. I have struggled with depression off and on for yrs, and my depression has improved post-op., I am very happy with my new lifestyle with the sleeve. It may come later but right now, I am very happy with how everything is going. My sleeve has given me my life back, my type 2 diabetes has gone into remission, and I am already much more mobile. I love my sleeve.

I just posted a status last night about the same thing!! I am so grateful for the Sleeve, my surgeon, this forum, my supportive family and friends. I feel like I have been given my life back!! We are so blessed to have this tool.

Congrats, you are doing fantastic!!! I can totally relate, I spend much more time here than Facebook! haha. I love reading here too, everyone is so inspiring! Way to go on reaching this milestone. I am very happy for you!! :cheer2: