Aimstergal

Hi! Congrats!! Sent from my iPad using VST

Thanks for responding. I have been keeping my measurements but they've only gone down a little over an inch. I just keep reading about people losing like 30 lbs post op 2-3 weeks and I'm nowhere near that. I was in tears all last night and have been pretty depressed last few days. ???? Sent from my iPad using VST

Hi newbie! Pre op was a tough one for me...I was adamant about having it but everyone around me was adamant that I shouldn't. What I did know was, that since the age of 10, I've been struggling with my weight. I'll be 47 on the 13th. As most people have on this site, I've tried every diet in the world...lost weight then gained it back and then some. I had reached the point where I couldn't even get full anymore. My days were spent seeking out the next bit of fried food. My feet were starting to hurt, swelling up, it was painful to just walk 20 feet, and I didn't know what else to do. And that's when my doctor told me I was prediabetic. And that was it, pre-diabetic. The next day I asked for referral to a surgeon. At this point I told myself YOU'RE WORTH IT. NOW ADD 10 YEARS TO YOUR LIFE!! I'm only just about 3 weeks post op and I admit the food has been a struggle but oddly enough, a lot just turns my stomach. I'm on mashed foods now and had my first "restaurant experience" this morning. I met a friend for brunch. A friend who we both had no embarrassment ordering and eating anything in front of each other in the past. Here I was with my scrambled eggs and potatoes (which I had to mash) and there he was, with biscuits and gravy and hash towns and eggs and sausages and toast. I had two feelings..envy and disgust. Disgust won me over. The thought of putting that in my mouth was astonishing. It just didn't look appetizing! And I couldn't finish my eggs. I barely got thru one. And the potatoes? 2 tiny bites. I have never felt more in control. I'm excited about the possibilities of my future. I spent so many years embarrassed by my size that I have isolated myself to such degree where I don't have many friends left. I've always been ashamed of how I look. I want to feel confident about myself so people can get to know me. And not just look at me as the funny girl or the fat girl with such a pretty face. HAH!!! I don't have kids so that wasn't a roadblock for me. But I do have dreams, and all I went through to have the surgery is the beginning of my journey. I don't want to feel sorry for myself anymore. I'm anxious to see the weight come off to the degree that it has for others on this site. It's not coming off as quickly as I'd like but I remind myself that this is a marathon...not a race. Whatever you decide, it will be what's best for you. As far as self pay, most insurance companies allow therapy visits. Usually 12 per year. Go to some OA meetings. You'll find people who have had the surgery. Search online like you did for this site. Ask the surgeon's office in Mexico for recommendations. It's out there. Good luck to you.

I found the brand OHYEAH! It comes in strawberry, cookies and cream, vanilla, chocolate and banana. It's by far the bet tasting protein shakes. The vitamin shoppe carries it.

Well said!! Just keep in mind what happened to the wicked stepmother and what happened to Cinderella!! Surgery went well. First few days were a bit rough but mostly due to incision pain. Now it's just the frustration of wanting to chew something! Next week is mashed/puréed step and I can't wait!! Good luck at the family reunion and if anyone asks how you lost weight, tell them diet and exercise!! 'Nuf said. After all, it's the truth!! Sent from my iPad using VST

Hi! I was also sleeved on the 15th. How are you doing? Sent from my iPad using VST

I'm in the San Fernando Valley, Los Angeles County. You? Sent from my iPad using VST

Any Socal/Los Angeles area??? My date is 10/15 and could really use a buddy!!

Oh good! At least they didn't send you home this time. Please let us know how you're doing. Sent from my iPad using VST

Good luck to everyone. Sent from my iPad using VST

I would call your doctor again if your pulse really is that low. Or just call the nurse on the back of your insurance card I believe they have a 24-hour hotline number. See again what they say. Maybe they'll change their mind about how important that my be. As for your incision pain, I'm right along with you. What is really helping me is to take a small pillow and whenever I need to rollover or get up or even sit down, I press the area where it hurts the most while doing the change and it really helps alleviate pain. The frustrating thing for me really is while trying to sleep, I tend to want to rollover from my back on to my stomach and it's just too painful. It is getting better so hang in there. Sent from my iPad using VST

Phew!!!!! Sent from my iPad using VST

That's when you get on one more time! Sent from my iPad using VST

Thank you. Sent from my iPad using VST

Hi all. I was sleeved on 10/15. I'm reading about everyone difficulties and to tell you the truth, I'm really scared because I haven't had ANY difficulties. Besides the incision pain and being tired, I've truly had no nausea, vomiting, extreme chest pain, gas pains, etc. the only thing I'm having trouble with is drinking all the protein drinks. Not because I'm not tolerating it physically but because I'm just so sick of the chalky and sweet taste. I decided this morning to start my full liquids today instead of tomorrow and made a broccoli, cauliflower and potato puréed soup and it's heavenly. I'm not trying to brag...I'm truly scared because its been TOO easy! Something must be wrong??? I keep questioning whether my doctor actually did the full surgery beyond the incisions! I know it sounds crazy but I keep reassuring myself that if it didn't happen, I'd have passed out by now and be STARVING!!! Is anyone else like this? I'm really scared. Sent from my iPad using VST

Oh my gosh. FINALLY crossed over to full liquids...smooth soups. I couldn't take it much longer! My taste buds DEFINITELY changed. I used to LOVE chicken soup and now just the smell makes me nauseous. Tastes like a wet washcloth to me (and I'm Jewish! It's a sacrilege!) So this morning I made broccoli, cauliflower and potato puréed soup. It was HEAVEN. Just heaven. I was full literally after 4 teaspoons but so far so good. AND IT DIDN'T TASTE LIKE CHOCOLATE, VANILLA OR STRAWBERRY!!!!! Still tender from October 15th sleeving but I'm doing and feeling 100X better than I ever thought I would! Best wishes to all pre and post sleevers!! Sent from my iPad using VST