MzPecanBrown

I also had an IVC filter placed. Let me know if I can anwer any questions for you.

I have 200 to lose. I've lost over 40 lbs since my surgery on Jan 10. Check out the 200 + to lose forum. Several of us have posted there recently. My starting BMI was 63. Now it's 56. Best wishes on your surgery! It'll be here before you know it!

I have read that many people have stalled at a weight that they previously maintained for a long period of time. Is that scientifically proven with data or just a hunch that your body is stalling because it's comfortable there? I have hovered between the same 2 lbs for 10 days now. I didn't freak out last week when I didn't lose anything because it was my TOM. But this week, it's the same thing. I'm 6 weeks out and down 42 lbs, which is fantastic. But I am ready to see the scale move again! I was around this weight (give or take 5-7 lbs) from around fall of 2009 until June of 2011. This could be just a regular stall or maybe my body is just comfortable here? For those that this happened to, did you do anything to start losing again? How long did it take? I wanted to hit 50 lbs by my 2 month which will be March 10. Any encouraging words or stories are appreciated. The "freak out" is beginning....

Thanks Dorrie and Cheri! It's hard for me not to weigh daily. I weighed daily even before surgery so it's a regular habit. As many have stated, I don't want to be the one that this doesn't work for. Cheri, the carb advice is helpful. I am not allowed any soft bread or pastas at this stage. I have had crackers here and there. My only other carbs come from yogurt, applesauce, or no sugar added peaches from time to time. Some days I don't have any of these things. It's reassuring to hear from those who are at goal and close to it. I ONLY have 157 more lbs to go. But I'll get there!!

Thanks for the replies! I may try increasing calories some. I'm averaging between 600-700 daily. UGH. It's so frustrating. I'm scared of carbs but tired of just eating meat, cheese, and beans.

Not to alarm you because I'm no doctor, but the only time I had pitting edema was during an acute renal failure in 2009. I was hospitalized for over 2 weeks while being treated. It was out of the blue and thankfully my kidneys went back to functioning fine. I still have some insufficiency, but nothing that warrants any diet changes or talks of further treatment. I am sure to see my Nephrologist every few months for routine blood tests to make sure nothing has changed. So far, everything is great. By NO MEANS am I saying that this is the only cause of edema, because there are many things that can bring that about. But I would surely call my doctor ASAP. Like Pookey said, it could be totally unrelated to your Sleeve. Please keep us posted.

Great post, Lissa! Very inspiring!

I am VERY concerned about this. I lost hair a few years ago due to another condition and it FINALLY has some length and fullness back to it. I am said to think about going through that process again. I had to cut my hair short and stop all chemicals. I am now wearing my hair naturally curly instead of using any chemical product to straighten it. I have been taking 5000 mcg of Biotin since my previous bout with hair loss. Hopefully this and lack of stress will help me some. I PRAY it doesn't happen to me or at least is minimal. It grew back very fine the last time.

I've been following your story and am SO glad you are doing better! And your new profile pic is gorgeous! Hopefully, now you can enjoy some shopping to go with that weight loss.

I am on medications that could not be crushed. On day 3 (the day I was released from the hospital), they started me back on 3 of my medications. I didn't have any trouble keeping these down and one of the pills is rather large. I spaced them out about 15 minutes in between. I have thrown up a few times when taking meds or Vitamins too close together or on an empty stomach. Before being sleeved, meds on an empty stomach never bothered me. Now I have to take them with applesauce, yogurt, or a Baybel cheese. I can't take them with my actual meal since we aren't supposed to drink while eating. With the Vitamin additions, I have to carefully balance my pills out. Especially to ensure that the Iron is spaced from the Calcium. I feel like I'm taking something every 2 hours.

Oh my! I'll be praying for you! Please keep us posted!

Looking good, girl!!

I work in a high school. We returned on Jan. 3 from Winter Break. My surgery was scheduled for Jan. 10. I started telling people I would be out for 2 weeks with surgery on the 4th. No one asked, not even my principal and assistant principals. My doctor wrote a note on plain letterhead versus the Weight Loss Surgery Center letterhead, by my request. I didn't need to complete FMLA since it was only 2 weeks. I just used my leave. While I was out, several people texted and emailed with well wishes and asking if they could do anything. When I returned, a few people asked what I had done. I told them that I had a hiatal hernia repaired, which was true. They were mainly glad that I was back and ok. I was really weak that first week back. The first day I overdid it and stayed home the next day. My principal was very supportive and told me I should never have pushed myself so soon. But he's respected my privacy. It's no one's business IMO.

Thanks so much! And AGGIE PRIDE all day long here! I come from a long line of Aggies. Yes, the 12 hour days are long. I work with at-risk students in a low-performing high school. I coordinate an evening academy program at my school. Our students are in class until 8 pm. It's a wonderful program. So many of our students will now be able to graduate on time despite being behind cohort. But it make for tiring days. Teenagers are a trip and four extra hours per day is a double dose of the madness! LOL! I didn't tell people at work either. When people asked, I said that I had a hernia repaired - not a lie because I did. Some have commented about them noticing I've lost weight (40 lbs in 5 weeks). I tell them I've changed my portion sizes tremendously, focus on Protein and Water, very little carbs, no fried foods, sodas, breads or Desserts - not a lie because this is what I'm doing. I'm not ashamed in any way, but it is personal to me. I was very selective in who I told. I may tell one day, may not. We'll see. As for the gallbladder, I had mine removed 10 years ago. At that time, I spent one night in the hospital and my doc asked that I take 2 weeks off. Now, it's outpatient surgery for many, so I don't know if 2 weeks for a gallbladder sounds right. A friend of mine had hers removed in December on a Wednesday, was out shopping by Friday, and returned to work on Monday. That surgery was not bad at all to me.

Congrats! It gets easier as you go along. I am also in NC.

I am not on a CPAP but one lady in my pre-op group was. She was instructed to bring her own machine to the hospital since it was already configured for her. They told her that her surgery would be postponed if she did not have it. Hope this helps.

I had blood drawn on my original consult ( can't remember how many). Then my surgeon's office ordered an EKG, Echo, and a Barium Swallow which I had 2 weeks later. All of the tests came back normal. They found out that I had a VERY small hiatal hernia which was repaired during surgery. I am anemic so my iron was low as well as Vitamin D. I was already on a Vit D supplement but they had me to increase it leading up to surgery. I had a chest Xray and more blood drawn at my hospital pre-op which was 5 days before surgery. That was it for me for pre-op testing.

My surgeon recommended 3 weeks, but I put in for 2. Personally, I needed the 3. The first day I returned, I was burned out by noon. I came home that day and immediately got in the bed. The next day I stayed home. I had no energy. For the remainder of the week, I tried to just stay in my office. Each day I immediately got in the bed after coming home. The next week after was much better. Everyone is different, so I would listen to your body. I didn't have any surgery complications, but I did have an ovarian cyst rupture and the period from hell (sorry to the fellas) within a few days of being sleeved. These things got in the way of my recovery. I am 5 weeks out and still dealing with extreme fatigue. This morning I got dizzy in the shower and had to come out and sit down for a few minutes before getting back in. I also work from 8:30 am - 8:00 pm so I don't get much rest during the week. I would say to pay attention and not push yourself. Focus on fluids, Protein, and walking. Good luck to you!

I see you, diva! You look great! I've also lost 40 but can't really tell. Everyone else seems to notice. I know often we are the last ones to see it. I took pics on the morning of surgery. You've inspired me to take new ones and compare! Keep up the great work!

Congrats to you all! I am with Bedhead. When I woke up in recovery, it was a total 10. My nurse was there, of course. I told her I was hurting SO bad. She put the pain pump in my hand and told me to be sure and use it. I was still hurting by the time I got in the room where my family was waiting. I had a major "what the hell did I do" moment and even vocalized it to my family. But the pump was a tremendous help. My pain was managed from then on. I never met my Water goal during the first 3 weeks. Never. I would get in 40 on a good day. I still struggle at 5 weeks but am doing much better, hitting it more days then not. It often depends on what my work day is like. I had a terrible taste in my mouth constantly and a coated tongue during the first 3 weeks. I would wake up with my mouth and throat completely dry in the middle of the night. I believe I was going through some level of dehydration that entire time but I made it. You'll do great! Please update us!

This always makes me nervous when I fly. I've never had to purchase 2 seats and I've always flown Delta or US Air. I go through a ritual of selecting seats. Some have more leg room. The last time I flew was in August to Los Angeles from NC. My sister and I were traveling together, so we left our shared armrest up to give me more room (she's an average size and doesn't have to worry). But I've flown with strangers and not had a problem with the armrest down. Just wasn't as comfortable. I have always needed a seatbelt extender. I can't WAIT for that NSV!

My hospital is a Center of Excellence, too. But patients with no complications, no serious medical conditions who are walking, breathing and taking fluids in well are often released the next day. I knew I wanted to stay more than 1 night which is why I brought it up at my final consult. But there are many variances I've noticed.

Everyone is so different. I didn't have a pre op diet and had surgery on Jan. 10. I came home 8 lbs heavier than the day of surgery. I lost that plus an additional 35 by my 3 week follow up. I would encourage you to drink and get protein in but I NEVER met my water goal during this time. Rarely met my protein goal. I still struggle with both but I am steadily losing. You had a great loss with your pre op. I would say if your surgeon is happy, you should be happy. :smile1: If there was a concern, I'm sure h/she would let you know. Sounds like you're doing great!

My surgeon and I decided that I would stay 2 nights at my final consult. I had a DVT in 2009 so he took a lot of additional precautions. But the average patient with no concerns, previous issues, or serious medical conditions stays one night on the Bariatric Unit at my hospital. It just depends. I personally wasn't in a rush to go home the next day. I had no complications, but wouldn't have been comfortable going home that next morning. But everyone is different.

I am sorry you are having such a rough time. I was given Oxycodone for pain as well. It definitely knocks you out and just did so so for the pain. I had a variety of issues during my first 2 weeks and visited the ER twice with terrible pains. The ER doc wrote a perscription for Percocet, which is just Oxy and Tylenol together. That worked MUCH better for the pain than the Oxy alone. I know you keep hearing this, but it does get better. My pain went away. I am dealing with extreme fatigue and dizziness now at 5 weeks out. But I am down 40 lbs and SO, SO cute! I am anemic and know that this fatigue too shall pass.... Someone asked about BMI. Mine is high. On the day of surgery it was 63. Today it's 56! :biggrin5: