Justsleevin49

I have no idea how I missed this Michigan group, but am really glad to hear about some of you. I was sleeved Oct. 22, down 57 lbs and about 30 to go. Since many of you sound like you are surprised about the length of time it takes to get approved/scheduled, I will tell you I started in April of last year and didn't get approved until July. We have HAP and I had to jump through several hoops to get there. Then we had an all day group information meeting, scheduled visit with the Dr., Psych evaluation, Medical clearance appointment and Physical Therapy evaluation all of which took a few more months before I could be scheduled. Dr. Carlin at downtown Henry Ford was my Dr. (only one HAP would pay for), he is wonderful and so is his staff. I wasn't excited about going to Detroit, but was quite pleased with the care and the hospital (I am a nurse so might be a little more critical that most people). Staff was very knowledgeable and informative. Surgery was easy, recovery was nothing unexpected, never took any pain meds once I got home, although I do know other people who weren't as lucky. Recovery at home was great. Weight loss has been a little slow recently, but exercise has been difficult at times due to arthritis pain in knee (facing joint replacement next). Never-the-less, I am ecstatic with the results and have never regretted my decision for a single moment. Good Luck everyone!!!

This topic was very helpful, would like to find protein bars that are low in sugar to supplement when I am on the go. Have tried some, but none so far that tasted that good. Maybe need to freeze them?

I am now 5 months out. Feel like I napped through the first two months. Found out your body shuts down due to the sudden decrease in calories and goes into hibernation, causing you to need to sleep as it responds with a reduction in metabolism. Make sure you are getting exercise balanced with rest.

By the way....I am an old nurse too!

I'm 63, sleeved 10/23/12, my age never came into the equation. My health was first and foremost in my mind when I found out in addition to hypertension, high cholesterol, cardiac issues, obesity, osteoarthritis, I was now pre-diabetic. I have been an unsuccessful dieter since my 20's. Little did I know, it was probably the very first time I dieted, way back when, that set me up for failure for the rest of my life. My body fought me every step of the way, each and every time I tried to lose, as if it was saying "Here she goes again!", shut down my metabolism and regained with a vengance. Lots of research, questions, and reading....here I am! So far - 36 pounds lighter in 6 weeks and a lot of healthy years (hopefully) to look forward to.

I use the bullet too, but I put in about 3/4 cup of crushed ice, then skim milk and the protein powder on top. After blending, it's just like a milk shake. No foam.

I think the body has to adjust to the rapid weight loss, I have experienced this in past dieting. When I am not losing, my body seems to change anyway. Never-the-less, I was at a one week stall, 4 weeks out of surgery, increased my caloric intake by 100 calories and stepped up exercise because I was afraid my body had gone into a low metabolism, calorie conserving period because it is geared to do that in a primitive "low food" cycle. Seemed to help, down almost 2 lbs in past two days. Frustrating though.

Please don't get discouraged - this will not last.

There's a lot of dairy in the pudding. Soy milk was probably OK, maybe try clear liquids for just a day or 1/2 day. Hydrate and don't worry about getting in the protein or calories. Did they give you Prevacid? (Omiprazole) You take it once a day. I think that really helped me a lot. Calms the stomach.

Just think about how you would be feeling if you never had the surgery, stayed at your old BMI and felt that there was no light at the end of the tunnel? This is a temporary set back, you can overcome it and move on. Sleevers tend to have difficulty with nausea at first, some a littlthe longer as I understand it. My Doc puts his patients on Omeprazole (Levsin) three times/day as well as Prevacid once a day for this very reason. Seems to work well for me. I still occasionally get nauseated, but it is not severe and passes quickly and I am 4 weeks postop. Good luck, you still did the right thing.

I understand that having either the sleeve or the bypass can cause you to become lactose intolerant. You would have to talk to the dietitian regarding if that includes the whey protein, since that is made from milk. Sorry you had such a set back - you sure have had a time of it. It will get better!!!!!

Just starting the third stage. Taking it really slowly, bought some hummus and really crispy rice crackers today. Tried fish at the restaurant the other night but could only eat a tiny bit, chewed it up like crazy. Still having to fill in protein need with a couple of shakes a day, found a great chicken soup I ordered from Unjury. How are you doing?

I am three weeks out, have been weighing everyday, just because I'm excited. However, set backs do bum me out, so am either going to switch to twice a week or once a week. Dietician explained, if we get stuck sometimes it means we actually have to increase calories to jump start metabolism again. Waiting a week to find out that I'm not losing due to not taking in enough calories seems like too long. Don't want to obsess either.

I read that after our very first attempt at dieting our bodies recognize the pattern. Each time you diet afterwards it is harder and harder and you regain plus some afterwards as your body tries to stock up for the next "starvation" period. I tried something similar to Medifast called the HMR diet, also did Nutrisystem, Jenny Craig, Weight Watches (so many times), South Beach, Atkins, Medical Wt. Loss Clinic, L.A. Weight loss, Metabolife, Slim-fast (at least three times). This is the ONLY thing that reduces the hunger. It isn't easy though. You still have to watch what you eat and take the vitamins for the rest of your life. I'm ecstatic about it, just wish I hadn't taken 63 years to make up my mind.

Sleeved Oct 23. Just starting to advance foods this week. ALso stalled wt. loss, but the dietician warned us to make sure we are getting calories in as about this time our bodies shut metabolism down to make up for the low calorie intake. So, I tried to increase a bit without sacrificing protein. Upping exercise as well. Occasional nausea and diarrhea depending on what I have eaten. Down 26 lbs including preop wt. loss, now wearing my size 16's. So excited to see what I get to wear for Christmas!!!

Hi Kathy! Glad you are feeling better. They pump us up with so much IV fluid I actually gained weight. It took about a week to get rid of it. You are almost a week out already!!!! Yay! I am three weeks out tomorrow and am feeling pretty good. Weight loss kind of slowed a bit, but think I am going to stop weighing everyday (was so excited though) and just do a week so I can see the trend instead of daily ups and downs. Just take it very slow. Hernia repairs aren't any fun without the sleeve. You have a lot of stuff to heal though, so protein is going to be very important.

BTW - Dr. Carlin is my surgeon also, it was Annette who told us to take it with coolwhip. I think babyfood applesauce worked just as well.

Yes, I am three weeks out from surgery. I am on Actigall for the next six months since I still have my gallbladder. It really doesn't taste that bad, kinda reminded me of plastic, but I mixed it with applesauce. Our registered dietician said you can also mix it with some cool whip to mask the taste. After about 1 1/2 weeks I just started downing the whole capsule in applesauce. To be honest, one of my blood pressure meds and my Effexor tasted much, much worse.

I didn't go way back in the topics but wondered if anyone is having trouble sleeping through the night. I am 10 days out from surgery. Having trouble both getting to sleep and staying asleep. I tried Unisom one night, got to sleep right away, but woke up a few hours later soaked with sweat and headachy. Had to change my nightgown and drink some water. Finally got back to sleep and slept until past noon next day. So that's not a good alternative.

I am 63 and was sleeved 10 days ago. Some people tried to talk me out of it, similar experience as other people have said, "You don't look like you weight that much", etc. I didn't like how I looked, how stiff and sore I felt, how much activity had decreased, but even more afraid of prediabetic state as well as high blood pressure and high cholesterol. Why not now? Dieting pattern was, "lose and gain back even more". Finally convinced when I read that the very first time I ever dieted set me up for the loss/gain pattern for the rest of my life. Success rates are pretty poor, proved by the success of programs like WW and South Beach, Nutrasystem, Jenny Craig. I'm happy, excited, and ready to feel younger, NOW!!!!

I never was banded, but insurance required Physician guided diet for 1 year. I nearly gave up even trying that, but hubby and I went together. Made it through 9 months, lost only 30 lbs, and gained all back within 6 months. Called insurance again. They gave me all the information my primary care physician should include in a letter to them. I told insurance rep. that I only did 9 months on diet, she said "I'm telling you, SUBMIT it anyway and write your own letter about everything you've tried". I did, they approved. Don't give up and a year will fly by. Think of the experience you already have on how to get it done, not as another ordeal to get through.

I only had one incision that was really pulling. I put on some of those more elastic support panties and used heat on the area. Really helped.

My doc puts all his patients on Prevacid, but prescription strength. You break open the capsule and it has some tiny pellets inside. Had some over salivating in hospital at first, stomach cramping if I took too big of a swallow of whatever, even water. It does go away after the first week. I am a week out and I feel great.

I agree, Isopure isn't very good. I have 3 bottles left, maybe will choke them down. If you want to mix some kind of milk, try a vanilla soymilk light to mix with flavored protein powders. I like Unjury's chicken soup too as well as Celebrate bariatric chocolate and creamsickle flavors. I put them in my "bullet" blender with a little ice and water. Also making sugar free jello and puddings with the plain protein powder, not too bad.

I am 60+ and from Michigan. I started this process over two years ago when I found out my insurance company wouldn't approve unless you participated first in a 1 year physician guided weight-loss program. My husband and I went together, I lost about 30 lbs (he lost 60), but we had to eat their food which was very expensive. When we began to reintroduce what I call "street food", I began to gain even as we started maintenance. Of course, I gained it all back plus..... After reading "The Patient's Guide to Weight Loss Surgery" I realized no diet was ever going to work. So I started to re-pursue my first quest for bariatric surgery. That started this past April, 2012 when I went to my PCP and had him apply for me as well as wrote my own letter to H.A.P., my insurance company. And here I am!....Surgery scheduled for Oct. 22. Seems like a long road, but not as long as I have been overweight. BMI now 41-42 with lots of health issues like blood pressure, arthritis, cholesterol, low Vit. D, incontinence, sleep apnea and more.