Marisa46

Any possibility that the prednisone combined with the sleeve may be causing the hunger? I remember prednisone's effects on me --even with the small dose prescribed I became both hungry and intensely irritable. Maybe your nutritionist could shed light on it? BTW, I think your surgeon needs a course on "appropriate responses when hearing the out of the ordinary from patients." I hope he said that nicely at least.

Good luck to everyone! Don't think in terms of how much weight but think about how you look and how you feel. Trust me your doctors will let you know if you are losing too slowly.

Yumm truffle dressing! Maybe it's a stage because I crave everything but I know it's mine hunger because I don't feel hungry. Maybe it's a search for what will satisfy us in the most elemental way. I was a huge carb adict too (hopefully was) but now meat sounds so lovely. Maybe this journey helps us to crave what we need instead of feeding our emotions?

When you did your swallow test after the surgery was it OK? Could they have predicted something was wrong

"just eat something already" is not coming from a woman who understands what you are going through. It's not supporting you and it's driving you crazy. I think I just stated the obvious (one of my faults) I handle people like that by tuning them out and going about my business because if she has witnessed everything you have been through and all she can come up with is for you to eat something then she just doesn't get it.

OK, my surgery is Monday the 18th! 3 days away! I'm excited and tired right now. I keep wanting to have a farewell to food party, but I'm much better off doing what I'm supposed to. Am I prepared? Yes and no. I am prepared to have the surgery and I have no second thoughts about whether having the surgery is a good idea. But my surgery date came so quick, I don't think I'm completely prepared for post surgery. One of my faults is I don't like to wing it. Fortunately, the program at UMMC provides an instruction manual. The manual includes a checklist of items that are helpful or necessary after the surgery. It's so hard to believe the date is really so close! All of the work getting to this point makes me smile now. I can't wait for Monday!

The surgery itself went well; unfortunately, I was held hostage until I could pee on my own My surgery was at 10:30 AM Monday. Really the pain was light and I was only dimly aware of the pain from the incisions in the recovery room. What bothered me in recovery was a very sore throat and dry mouth; the nurses on Dr on staff made sure that I was given something to help me with it right away. I didn't get transfered to the floor until late (around 9:30 PM ). Walking was easy, I took a walk around the recovery room and then later before I went to sleep I took a spin around the bariatric ward. It was easier each time I walked, but I did take the wrong corner on my Tuesday morning walk and met a number of office workers. Poor people I was not a pretty sight! I experienced a problem with the iv drip on the bariatric ward. Unlike the recovery room, the bariatric ward combines the pain killer and the fluids with one drip. I did have a hard time with the dual iv-it made my fingers swell and the pain killers didn't numb that pain. My night nurse was sympathetic and helped me by switching the iv to another hand. My day nurse was another story (I swear why do people who lack empathy go into medicine?) I was part of the Nurse Cynthia show! I'll stop right there because I'm praying for an answer about how to handle her. But in a nutshell, I had had my swallow test and had passed i; I don't know why she waited to get permission to get the iv taken out; I was in pain for hours longer than I needed to be and it wasn't because she couldn't find a doctor. Being on fluids and the iv just made matters worse. By the time she finally asked the Dr on duty my hands had swollen to the point where I couldn't hold my cell.The more liquid that went in me the bigger my hands got. Once the iv was out and I was only on the fluids the swelling in my hands gradually went down. Everytime, I eliminated the swelling got better although it did take over 24 hours. My hands were not normal until around 7PM. That's the one thing I hadn't read about on the site; all of my experience (except wicked Cynthia) were described by someone else. So maybe my sharing will help a future sleever. I'm on percocet at home; it works fine, but I'm determined to only take it at night. I have a huge fear of being adicted so I can't wait until I pour the pills in the toilet. I praise God for a successful procedure and I look forward to getting stronger each day. Cheers!

Good luck! Honey and congratulations on taking the positive steps in your life to be a MOM!

This is actually the first day that I've been aprehensive and scared about having the surgery. It's strange but there it is. I asked myself if I wanted to call it off. My answer to myself from my heart was that I won't live my life without. Honestly, I feel like all of this fat is burying me. I don't want to live my life in bed and that seems to be where I'm headed if I don't have the surgery. I know I'm going to have physical pain. I know that my emotions are probably going to see saw. I know that the alternative to the surgery is much worse than the pain. I expect the pain to be gone in a few weeks. I place myself in my Lord's hands; I know that the surgery is the right choice and it's just the prospect of pain that frightens me. I know that I'm not going to walk this path alone. I am thankful for God's grace. Robin a friend sent me this prayer. Saying it gives me such a sense of peace. I'd like to share it: Father, we come in the name of our Savior Jesus the Christ, first of all to thank you for this beautiful day that you have made that we will rejoice and be glad in. Thank you for being an all powerful, ever present, all knowing God who is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we can think or ask. Thank you also for being a God who heals and delivers. Father we ask that right now you would touch my body with your healing hands and that your healing power would be at work before during and after my surgery. We ask that you would begin to prepare my body for the upcoming surgery even now. Father, we ask that you would give me your peace, your calm, your comfort, and your assurance. We ask that you would even now begin to regulate my bodily functions so that all will be well and in working order during the procedure. We ask that you begin to prepare the surgeons, nurses, anesthesiologists, and every medical professional who will contribute to her care on Monday. Give them clarity of thought. Please bring all of the necessary medical knowledge to their remembrance so that they will know exactly what to do during my procedure. Please let my recovery be a smooth and uncomplicated one. May I be back on myfeet in no time and be ready to continue taking on the world and honoring you with my life. God, we thank you that you are a faithful God who hears and answers prayers and we’re believing for all the best for Monday. We love you and we honor you. In Jesus’ name we pray and thank you. Amen.

Tomorrow is going to be a big Sleever's day! Good luck Crafty! We should all compare post-op experiences.

I wish you a very good healing! That's what my nutritionist said to me and it's stuck in my mind. I will be sleeved tomorrow too at around 10:30 AM. It's amazing our day is here already!

OH! I can't wait to be able to paint my toe nails again!!!

Just take it slow...and remember that not everything will be scary. I empathize with the PTO problem; I'm eligible for FMLA but at the moment my boss is being less than supportive about my being off. It must be so much worse if your family isn't supportive. I've only had one person in my family not support me. The great thing about this site is that you can say everything that's on your mind. I've found great support here also. Good luck on your journey.

In high school, my friend Shelley used to imitate the world's smallest violin with her thumb and forefinger whenever I or one of my other friends were whining about something. I feel so stupid because this liquid diet does suck but it is supposed to suck so I shouldn't complain! But I am. Constantly. It's not just wanting to eat, but it's the diminished capacity too. The last 2 days I've misplaced my glasses and my Ipod (which still hasn't shown up) and everytime I start a chore I find I feel a little woozy and have to sit down. I went to the grocery store this morning (and I forgot the cat food); going grocery shopping wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. I was worried that I would give in to temptation and buy something to eat in the store that I shouldn't. I stuck to my guns and told myself that I can do this thing. When I got home, I still put strawberries in my muscle milk with ice to make a smoothie. I'm not perfect. I think I'm too mean right now to feel guilty. Maybe tomorrow, but those strawberries were the last of the quart I brought earlier in the week before I knew my surgery day. I know I'm rationalizing but hey I need the energy. (the violin plays on) I have to start thinking about the surgery and the hospital. I'm not prepared; I honestly thought I would have another month; however, I'm glad it's working out this way. I keep thinking that 10 days of torture is better than 14 days. The nutritionist said that headaches, cravings, and delusions about food were normal during the first few days. I keep thinking about ribs which is weird because ribs aren't my favorite food. But to be honest I think about food in general. I also want to cuss out my ex. He hasn't done anything recently, but ( just on general princible )I want to tell him all the things I have been too Christian to say. Actually, I think I'd better hang with myself this weekend if I still want friends after this ordeal. Everyone is so annoying! BTW, the strawberries with ice in vanilla muscle milk is definately a keeper. Oh, and lemon in hot water really does help with the hunger pangs.