MsC

Hello to the diabetic sleevers! I am hoping someone can help me understand what is going on with me. I am Type 2 Diabetic was taking Metformin 1000 mg. in the morning / 1000 mg. at night. The day before my sleeve surgery I was told not to take my evening dose of Metformin. I had sleeve surgery Sept. 23. The hospital monitored my blood sugar and gave me insulin while I was in the hospital until my post-surgery high blood sugar (evidently normal reaction) was stabilized. I was sent home on an all clear liquid diet and my surgeon told me to completely discontinue taking the Metformin! (I was ecstatic about that; it was something that I had hoped for maybe 6 months down the road if I was lucky.) But the surgeon asked me if I was familiar with the signs of low blood sugar and to watch for that. So I am pretty sure that I have had signs of low blood sugar twice in two days. (I am sorry to admit that I do not currently have my own gluco-meter at home to test my blood sugar level.) I get chills as if I have a fever but I do not have an abnormal temperature. I feel much better and warmer after drinking some liquid Protein. Can someone explain to me why low blood sugar is happening when I am off of the Metformin completely? Thanks for your help with this.

LissyinTX, I am in the same situation with being a slow loser. I was very concerned about the slow weight-loss at my first few post-op appointments with the surgeon and she was unconcerned, said it was nothing to worry about. Then I recently went in for my 3 month visit and now she is very concerned that I am not losing more weight. I am going to see another nutritionist and am going to support group meetings and I have to continue logging my food intake -- which is the part I hate the most. Despite the frustration at losing practically nothing in the last 6 weeks, I am glad that I had the surgery -- I love having a limiter on my food intake. Thanks for posting about being a slow loser. I have a lot of weight to lose -- I am in the "super morbidly obese" catagory. Sometimes it is hard to read the postings about large amounts of weight loss in just a few months. It makes me wonder what I am doing wrong. It makes me feel like this is just another failed attempt to lose weight... but as long as I am generally moving downward on the scale I don't want to get too down about it. Best wishes, MsC

Hi All, Gas-X strips are a life saver (but a little pricey) they taste like mint and you just dissolve the strip in your mouth. I am 2 months out and I still have some gas and gurgling -- depending on what I ate -- but nothing like it was in the beginning. Hang in there! And congratulations to you all; you are through with the hardest part!

10/31/2011 So today is my birthday. I woke up this morning and lay in bed feeling depressed. Hopeless. Like a failure. I had so many hopes pinned on being successful with weight-loss after my sleeve surgery. But I am 5 weeks since surgery and I haven't lost anything to speak of. I go up and down the same few pounds. Pre-surgery I lost 25 pounds in about 8 weeks. Post- surgery I haven't lost more than a few pounds. I am now trying to figure out what I am doing wrong and how I can make this work for me. I am getting my protein everyday. I am getting the fluids. I am taking my vitamins. I am not eating refined carbs -- mainly I eat fruit and vegetables and fiber cereal to keep my colon moving properly. Unfortunately I am hungry pretty often. I keep appropriate foods on-hand and drink lots of Crystal Light. But if I am hungry, I do eat something. I need to move everyday. I have not yet made daily exercise a routine. I exercise in starts and stops -- not with regularity. I am going to focus on working on this part of the equation. If anyone can relate to this I would love to hear how you found your way to weight loss. This is an unbelievable process to go through to find that it isn't working for you. I am really disheartened. I don't want to fail. Ms. C Surgery date 9/23/2011

Wow! You are doing SO awesome!!! You sound totally prepared for this surgery! Keep us posted on your success.

Hi Rebel, CONGRATULATIONS on feeling so good! Thank you for your post; it gives me hope. I am a little over three weeks out and have been in a stall since about a week after surgery. It makes me feel so good to read successful, life-changing posts like yours! MsC

You are AWESOME! That is a great attitude. AND you quit smoking! WOW! These are major life changers you are going through! Congratulations!

I am so sorry to hear that you had such a rough time in the days following surgery. The worst is over now -- take it easy and be gentle with yourself. You will feel a little bit better every day / week. Congratulations on your surgery!

I can totally relate -- I was on the all liquid diet for 2 weeks. It was very difficult at times. A couple of things that helped me through -- I made some sugar free Jello and kept it at the ready. It is almost like real food! Also, DRINK all the time. I kept a cup of hot tea, or bouillion, or Crystal Light with me at all times. Drink drink drink. Your stomach won't feel as empty. If you are going to completely go off of the rails, then drink an extra Protein shake that day. It won't hurt the diet and the protein is very satisfying. You can do this! It is better for your surgery and also I think that it really helped with my recovery. You are almost there!

Congratulations on your decision! When I read your post I identified with so many of the things that you said -- my BMI is about the same as yours, I was diagnosed in 2010 with Type 2 diabetes, I have PCOS and high blood pressure. I never thought that I would need surgery to handle my weight problem either -- but my doctor explained the sleeve surgery to me and I did my research. I definitely need the help in losing this weight and getting my health back on track. My surgery was on 9/23/11 in Plano, TX and I am already off of my blood pressure medicine AND my diabetic medicine! You are doing the right thing for your health and happiness. I wish you all the best!

@Leigh Ann My sleeve was done by Dr. Colleen Kennedy at Texas Health Presbyterian in Plano, TX. As far as advice after the sleeve, follow the surgeon's recommended diet and walk! I did laps around my house after I came home from surgery -- it really seems to help with the recovery. I only spent one night in the hospital. Since you are an ex-bandster you probably know the drill! I haven't been released to do real exercise yet, just walking. And since they put stitches inside please don't lift anything! My surgeon won't even let me push the vacuum around. I track everything that I eat and drink and my vitamins; I count grams of Protein and ounces of liquid -- since dehydration is a risk. I'll be sending you good thoughts on the 17th!

@ Leigh Ann! Welcome and Congratulations on your upcoming surgery date! I am new to WLS and have had my sleeve for 17 days now. Once I got home from the hospital it hasn't been too difficult; this forum is invaluable! I did the 2 week pre-op diet too, mine was all liquid, I refer to it as my "Vision Quest" LOL. I have heard great things about Dr. Kim! Best regards, MsC.

@ wishes: Thank you SO MUCH for posting this article. I have been in some despair over thinking that this surgery might not work for me. I have actually gained weight since right after surgery -- I am about 17 days since my operation. My weight went down a little right after surgery, then went up and has stayed at the same spot since. I am trying to be patient but after a life-time of having my dieting attempts fail, it is difficult to believe that the sleeve is going to work for me. This article made me feel so much better; a BIG thanks for posting it.

You look so cute!!! Thanks for the update. Congratulations on your great reports!

If you trust your surgeon, if your surgeon has lots of experience doing these procedures, then you should take his/her recommendation very seriously. Also, please read this forum thoroughly. So many of the sleeve patients here have had their lap bands removed and replaced with the sleeve procedure. From what I have read, the lap band has complications long term. I refer you to the sub-forum within VerticalSleeveTalk called: Band to Sleeve Revisions You will find many people who have had the lap band surgery commenting on their experiences here. As for myself, I was sleeved 13 days ago. I wanted a permanent solution with low maintenance (no fills and adjustments.) I didn't want the equipment installed in my body. My primary care doctor introduced me to the idea of the sleeve surgery. I liked the idea of reducing the production of the hunger hormone gherlin -- which is produced primarily in the part of the stomach that is removed. In my research I came across this forum and really learned a lot about the realities of the procedure. I am at the beginning of my weight loss journey but I am very happy with my choice. Best of luck to you in your decision.

Very interesting and honest post, thanks! Best of luck to you, you sound like you are doing everything right to take care of yourself.

WOW! You are so beautiful!!! This gives me so much hope and inspiration! Thank you for posting the photos. And thanks for saying that we should trust in the sleeve; I needed to hear that. I am just 11 days out and it is hard for me to believe that this is actually going to work. It seems like I can drink lots of liquid -- I find myself wondering if this surgery will work for me. Congratulations on your success.

That is incredibly frustrating! There was some foot dragging by this office or that during my process as well. I had to stay actively involved to make sure that everything happened and all was finally sent to my insurance company. You sound like you are nearly there. Sending good vibes your way!

I am here to "second" both of the above suggestions!Just after being sleeved, I was having trouble sleeping for more than 3 hours at a time. My surgeon told me to take Benadryl -- which is a great sleep aid. It is available as a liquid (children's version) and often there is a store brand that is cheaper. My husband swears by Melatonin. Good luck to you and sweet dreams!

I am not in the medical profession so my advice is only my opinion. If it were me, I would reschedule the other wrist surgery for late in the year. I think that the hernia + VSG is pretty commonly done together and that shouldn't be a concern. Are both of your wrists equally problematic? I think that I would want use of the left arm during my recovery. Please discuss this with your VSG surgeon. Good luck to you.

Staple201, thanks for the update! I am so glad to hear that you are past the worst of it! Warmest regards to you.

You look completely awesome!!! I am hoping that I can do as well as you have! Congratulations!

I had my surgery 9/23 -- so far so good. Not in much pain, just like I have a "stitch" in my left side. I have to limit my movement because the surgeon said this is the area where she sewed together my muscle inside. A couple of my incisions could be looking better but I was told those two are the last to heal. It is hard for me to remember not to lift things. I am on full liquids and I can really drink! In fact, like so many people I have read on the forum, it seems like I have too much ease getting in lots of liquid! I guess I will see the power of the sleeve action when I get to real foods. I can hardly believe it is done. It seemed like the year long research, doctor's appointments, gathering info for my insurance co. would never come to an end. But here I am. I made it through the worst part and I am on the mend. I could not be happier with my decision. I have lost 11 pounds since surgery day. Between 6 month diet, 2 week pre-op diet and post surgery weight loss I weigh less than I have in ?? maybe 10 years. My blood pressure medicine has been reduced by 75%. My Type 2 diabetic medication has been stopped completely. I could not have imagined I would achieve those things just 1 week post-surgery. I also could not imagine that I would be looking forward to starting to exercise; where did that come from? Sending wishes for health and a love of life to all the September Sleevers.

Hi Nervous, Everything will be alright. It is so normal for you to be worried just before a major surgery. Just take it moment by moment, don't worry about things that have not happened. You are in the hands of professionals. Sending good thought and prayers to you today.