New start

Oct 11 sleevers check in! I am 5 weeks out and feel great! I have actually made peace with excercise and am learning to enjoy it. I am down a total with pre-op loss about 70 lbs, so moving is a bit easier! It was an adjustment figuring out my food for work, but I am getting the hang of it. I still think I can eat alot more than I eventually do. I still cook way too much too, and then expect my family to eat what I don't. I'll learn. Went out to dinner the first time yesterday as a part of a celebration, and just ate some of my husband's food. He felt a little wierd, but I had plenty, and was content. Still hate those vitamins- it's a fight every day just to keep them down. Love to hear everyone's story !

I was sleeved 10-13-11 so we are on the same track. Sounds like you are doing fabulous! Keep up the good work!

I have heard that when we are in "stalls" often we are loosing inches during that time. Anyone heard of a good explaination of the physiology behind this? What is happening? Has it been your experience? Thought this might be an encouragement to those of us who are doing everything we've been told, and the # just aren't budging.

My Dr suggested Miralax- stir it right into whatever you are drinking and do it once daily until "eventful"

I am so inspired that in a little over a year you weigh 75# less than you did. That is fabulous! Even if you aren't feeling great, at least you are cetainly healthier than you were before. One thought... have you had your thyroid checked recently? I get the hot flashes as well, so I can really feel your pain there. My husband calls them mini private vacations to a tropical island- they only come in handy in our cold New England winters, otherwise- BAH!

Think of this like childbirth- hurts for a little while, but SSOO worth it in the end.

Hey,everyone! I am about 3 1/2 weeks out and feel great. I am back to work and have lots of energy. I was advanced to stage 4/ full diet at 2 weeks, and so far there isn't any protein I haven't been able to eat as long as I go slow and chew, chew, chew. I do 60 Gm protein, 60 0z fluid a day, but I do really have to work at it. Certainly no room for carbs or junk! I walk a minimum of 10,000 steps a day, and down 19 lbs post-op for a total of about 55 lbs lost. Only problem I had was quite a lot of post op pain, particularly in the rt lower abd, and it persisted a good 3 weeks. Surg actually tested me for appendicitis, but it was fine, and he thought he may have injured a nerve down there with the trocar. I think the fact that I have absolutely NO core strength hasn't helped. I need to work on that. Other issue is I have to really fight those vitamins and calcium tabs down. I feel like I might as well just munch down a couple of sticks or chalk every morning! Glad to hear everyone is doing so well! I really believe this is the best single thing I have ever done for myself. Rebecca

Stacy, I am also a nurse and also a sleever. I certainly understand her concerns. I also faced opposition from the Dr I work for as he is NOT a bariatric surgery advocate. However, as Dr Oz says, "If you are morbidly obese at the age of 50 you have the same mortality rate as someone will a solid cancer. Would I recommend surgery for them? Yes.The same goes for the bariatric patient." You have the chance to show her that if done correctly with dedication, and proper follow-up, the sleeve can be lifechanging, and often lifesaving. You might be the one to change her mind, and even make her an advocate for her patients who need this tool. Good luck!

I have a dear friend who just recently lost EVERYTHING uninsured in a flood- she literally only has the shirt on her back. She can't find much at thrift store to help as she is a size 30 pant and size 3X or larger top. Needs everything- jeans, winter clothes,PJ's, coat, all. If anyone out there can help, it would be a HUGE blessing!!

Well. 11 months, 40 lbs, lots of apts, and angst, I AM A SLEEVER! Procedure went very well. Only complication was I had a reaction to the PCA morphine, and had dry heaves for about 12 hrs until they figured out what was going on. The post-op UGI was pretty rough- just couldn't keep the contrast medium down. I came home on day 3, and have been working to get the fluids in. Problem I am having is that I have a painful bubble of gas with each swallow, and it takes me a lot of time and discomfort to get a glass of water down. I am only getting about 20-30 oz a day including one protein shake. Does this settle down? My NP though I may have some swelling from the vomiting and that it will just take a bit more time. Anyone eles with this experience?

Hey, if this was easy, we would not need surgery!! My pre-op process took 9 mths (6 mths of that was an insurance requirement) so just be patient- if it is right for you, IT WILL HAPPEN. A year or 2 from now when you are thin and fit, the delay won't have mattered at all. My program coordinator gave me some great advise- To enjoy the journey since this is truely a once in a lifetime experience, to just savor it. To be honest, I really do feel great!! The first few days were pretty unpleasant, but I have seen positive progress with each passing day. I took off work 2 1/2 weeks but I do feel like I could go back on Monday. I just won't tell them that! I still have to work on getting the Protein and fluids in- it seems at the end of the day I have accomplished one of the other but not both. My surgeon said not to worry about it- I'll get there, I am just still a little swollen. I am walking about 3 miles day but slowly, and in three divided times- not something I will be able to do once I go back to work, so I will have to figure something eles out. I am not fond of excercise!! I am up for a get together- let's figure it out!

The PPI was a sublingual melt away- tastes good, and it has been far easier to take daily than any pill. chewable or liquid meds I've had to take. Maybe call and ask if you can get a differnt Rx faxed to your pharmacy

I, frankly would not have considered any program without that designation, and here's why. I am a nurse, and I have worked through the center of excellence process from a professional standpoint. They are tough, and very thorough. If there is incomplete/ poor record keeping, or high % of poor outcomes, or the program tries to cut corners, they note it and move on. There's alot of money available to highly competitive hospitals to have a bariatric program, and many would like to say they do, but there are only a few I would trust with my body, my future with this major surgery. You are worth it.

How's the pre-op going? I am from the Seacoast of New Hampshire- just up the road from you and I was sleeved 10-13-11 by Dr Looser at Portsmouth Hosp. Great program/ great care BTW. We should have a regional get together- there's another gal here who just sleeved this month at Brigham's.

I had my sleeve done on Thursday and the surgeon pulled the JP drain on Tuesday. The length of time it is in is based on how much you are draining from it

HEy! I am am 8 days post-op and I definetely had a tough time with those spams (I called them hurty bubbles!) But I also found that warm liquids worked much better than cold. Forget the SF Jello, and thank the good Lord for unjury chicken Soup flavor. They have improved a bit every day- just do what you can each day, and not worry about the 60 gms/60 ozs the first week- that was very freeing advise from my surgeon!

Welcome home, and good luck from a fellow Oct '11 sleever! It certainly is a journey, isn't it?

October sleevers unite! I felt the same way. The only regret would have been not giving myself this new life. Next couple days are over before you know it!

Glad you are home and doing well. I am 6 days post-op and I promise you it does get better soon!! Rebecca

Hey, girl! I am right in there with you- I was sleeved 6 days ago, and when I saw the surgeon yesterday to get the drain out, I voiced similar concerns. My NUT said 60 oz fluids and 60 Gm protein, and the best I could do was about 30/30. My surg said not to be concerned. He did suggest that I make my shakes with skim milk instead of Water to increase the protein, to add crushed ice to increase the water content, and make them more palatable over the hours it takes me to get them in. I would bet they could edit some of those meds if you pinned them down, and said "give me the top 3-4" and I will catch up on the others in a week or two. I am a nurse, and when I do med reconciliation with patients, there are ALWAYS some that are a nice to do, but not mandatory, particularly in the short term. Another thought, is you may need a bag or 2 of IV fluids to get you over the hump until it is easier to sip in that volume. Don't let it go so long that you get into real trouble, when the solution is pretty simple. Hang in there, I have tried to keep track of the small daily improvements in my progress to stay encouraged, and that helps. You will get through this, and it will be worth it. Rebecca

I love you joy and am celebrating with you! Way to go!! You give the rest of us HOPE!

It is right around the corner for you! Hey, I am 5 days post-op and have been taking three 1/4 mile walks a day for the last 3 days- per orders of my surgeon. It helps move the air in your tummy, and prevents DVT's. So, as long as you don't have any complications, go in short stretches, and don't carry anything heavy ( like the kids!) you should be fine! Hope that helps, and have fun. Rebecca

Hey- how encouraging to hear you are doing so well only a few month out! I did have my procedure at Portsmouth Hospital, and I really think I got terrific care. My husband and I are both nurses, so we were watching pretty carefully, and I would not have any problem recommending it. I bet the CMC and Portsmouth programs are very similar. They are very fond of saying that it is a 5 year program. That means alot to me! I know I can fall off the wagon, and I will need the longterm support. Rebecca

Hey, NH sleever! I am in the seacoast and was sleeved by Dr Looser on the 10-13-11 and am doing VERY well. I did go through Anthem, and found them very reasonable with prior-auth, but I did need to meet with my PCP for 6 mths and demonstrate wt loss over that period for them to approve. And the wt they went from was the one when I first saw the bariatric program NP- my first appt with anyone. After that I lost about 35 lbs, and it did not influence their approval. Good luck to you- I hope you get to join the 2011 sleevers list!! Rebecca

I just found your post-op posts, and I am really sorry you have had so much trouble! Believe you have turned the corner, and that it is just going to get easier and easier from here. Try writing down all the great reasons why you knew this was the right thing for you to do, and all the NSV you are going to have when you feel better. Focus on those things, and it might help you get through the temporary here and now. New Hampshire is pulling for you, and if I had just a bit more energy, I'd come over there and empty that yukky drain for you! I sure am looking forward to getting rid of mine. Hang in there!! Rebecca