slimagainsoon

I had my surgery on August 14, and thought it would go smoothly. (for the most part).
Then I started having issues where I couldn't get food down and I couldn't drink anything. Once the dehydration started, I finally called the doctor and made an appointment.
Doctor. Taylor tells me that I have stricture and that he needs to go in and widen my esophagus. I had no idea.
My advice to any and all, if you don't feel right, call the doctor. Dont wait as long as I did.
Back to the hospital tomorrow and clear liquids. Yum..<---- sarcasm...

I can cross my legs while sitting.
 
I stood up at church to pray, bowed my head and realized that all I could see was my boobs....no belly sticking out further than my boobs!
 
The steering wheel can be lowered while I drive.
 
I walked 3/4 of a mile today without panting and thinking I was having a heart attack.
 
I make still look like Shamu but I am feeling like Flipper!

Yesterday I had my two little appointments for the month.
 
My nutritionist said I'm doing really well. I've lost 5lbs this month, with no exercise ( still on restriction from my PCP ). 5lbs!! That's nothing to most of the people around here, but to me it's a very good sign. For the last year I've been dieting and exercising and my body has been VERY resistant to let go of any weight. For some reason, this time, it's working. I was afraid my metabolism was so broken I'd be one of those people that basically doesn't lose at all. *whew*
 
Back to my appointment: I showed her my MFP tracking, she was pleased to see my numbers, and that I'm being thorough. I'm just happy to have found a system that works for me. Last month's goal was to stay away from fried foods. She labeled me a 'success' after I told her that French fries no longer taste good, they're just grease sticks to me. This month's goal is to try and work on my sweets problem. I admit, I'm a sweets junkie. Growing up, we always had cake or cookies or bars of some kind in the house, plus sweet things like granola bars and chocolate sauce for ice cream. There is ALWAYS ice cream at their house. My dad used to have a bowl every night just before bed. We all would.
 
Don't get me wrong here, I'm not blaming my parents for my weight problem. Yes, they've played a hand in it. When your 8 yr old says she's not comfortable in her body, please don't tell her "you're the only one who can change that". My parents are both obese. I have two sisters, one is severely obese, and the other one is a genetic mutant. That's the only explanation as to how she's 5'10'' tall and only weighs about 190. Don't misunderstand, she's the fattest thin person I know. She has very little muscle, no strength, and she sits down and eats a bag of potato chips and a container of ice cream for dinner. She just has that magical metabolism that keeps the weight off. Freak.
 
So goodbye, sweets. You've done nothing for me until this point except medicate the ache in my chest that you're partially responsible for. If anyone has read this, and has battled a sweets problem, do you have any pointers on how to move past it? Tricks you used to help curb cravings? I'm practicing more mindful eating, so that should help some. I've also started to have hard candies instead of cookies/treats in the house. They last a while in my mouth, and leave me feeling like I've had something sweet. Two of them and I'm pretty satiated.
 
Psych follow-up went very well. She said it looks like I'm in a really good place as far as my outlook and expectations for surgery. I'm hoping to lose more weight than the goal my team has given me, but I think that's okay. I'm hoping, but realistic about the statistics. Honestly? Even if I only lose to their goal, I will be VERY happy with myself and my surgery. I wouldn't be disappointed in the least! The biggest challenge I face right now is balancing school, doctor's appointments, work, and diet prep/surgery-related stuff. In the last two weeks I've had 9 doctor's appointments. Not all of them are surgery related, but let's just say my life is a little hectic right now.
 
I feel really good about how the appointments went. We scheduled my next nut appointment, and then the final one (which has to be with a nurse practitioner). Things should be all wrapped up and ready for 'team review' by November 5th. The dietician seemed hopeful that they'd be able to get me in before the end of the year.
 
2014, I'm going to make you my b***h.

I received my phone call from the Dr. office today that I am to be at the Hospital at 11:30. Looks like I will get to sleep in on my first day off work. I have been suffering a headache all day, but other then that I am feeling pretty excited. That is even after watching two videos of the sleeve surgery on Youtube. I think it grossed my husband out, but I found it pretty interesting to see what exactly they are going to do. I do feel like I have researched and prepared these last 6 months about as much as possible.

It is 18 months since I was sleeved and I absolutely love my sleeve.I am 8 pounds under my goal weight which is a little to low (my face looks very wrinkly at this weight)
 
Have been in maintenance since about Jan Feb this year and it is so easy to maintain.I do have a strategy I live by though.
 
1.Weigh every morning.The scale is my friend and I allow myself at most 4 pounds up before I get backto basics.And as my weight never goes up gradually (it jumps up 4 pounds after a week or 2 of loss of fucused eating),it is always easy to get back to protiens for about 4 days and it is gone again.
 
2.Eat little bits of most food but protein as the primary food source.
 
2.No excuses when I gain.
 
3.Not denying myself but never OVER indulging either.
 
Now in this year a lot of very heavy emotional stuff happened in my life and to some extent I have to rebuild my whole life.The blessing of the sleeve is I couldnt eat away my emotions anymore and am learning to deal with it.I am also in therapy now.In my house everyone now eats healthy,regularly and we are learning to really enjoy food.My youngest child developed an eating disorder (she's only 12 now)for which the blame can be laid at my feet.My obsession with food,no,food,weight related issues coupled with a few comments like gymnasts who is lighter finds it easier in higher levels (she's level 8) have made her decide to self restrict her food and at first I thought I was eating much more as my food portions was all of a sudden the same size than hers.After cutting my food to almost nothing I realized that HER PORTIONS WERE AS SMALL AS MINE.
 
Anyway,it showed me my obsession have hurt my children and that they need me to eat with them,which I stopped doing after surgery.I also have to eat mostly what they eat.NORMAL is what I have to do even though my portions cannot be normal.She is doing somewhat better but I have to super vigilant and consistant in my food behaviour as she is not Completely out of the woods yet.
 
Life is really good as we are all learning by the grace of God how to communicate,express,eat and live life as whole people.
 
I still have vitamin issues and borderline low protein but we are working hard on fixing this (side effect of all this is I still lose way too much hair all the time)
 
I am so greatful to have had this surgery.It gave me a life I never would have had.It has helped me change a lot of the issues that kept me in one place.My motto of life is to be managed not to be cured still stands but have a different meaning altogether now.Mindful, intentional living is great!
 
The sleeve rocks
 

It's a good day today, I didn't get on the scale, I am done with the PMS, and my hormones seem to be balancing out, at least for today!!! I have some new goals in store for me, goals to help me, to challenge me and to just make me feel better in general. I have decided that this time around I'm going to take that bull by the horns and face everything, one thing at a time, head on. I've been frustrated with the scale not moving, so I saw someone on here posted this shake to get through the "stall" and this quote that was confirmation to me, because I said it yesterday...You didn't have your patience removed during surgery so why are you in such a hurry to lose what took you years to gain? - UH...DUH...I thought that yesterday, read it today and thought OMG...get with it, you are making good choices, you have been given this tool to help on the journey, so chill out and keep truckin' ahead! I already belong to a gym with the Hubs, but I decided to challenge my mind and body with CrossFit. I have a lot of friends, at all different weight and fitness levels that go, and I really feel this will get my body in gear to keep making those right choices. I am excited for the challenge and excited to see the results. I am signing a 3 month contract and then more if I still like it at 3 months. I told the Hubs that I NEED to do this for me and I need his support to know that I have to do this. I don't know what it is but I just feel the need to finally challenge ME. I'm cleaning out my closet next, while the scale isn't moving, I have noticed that things that were tight before surgery are just way too big, not even somewhat cute to get me through til I lose more weight, so they are OUTTA there!!!! Not EVER going back to that size again! I'm finding that instead of using my hands to eat, I'm organizing more(which I am pretty damn organized already), getting my surroundings in order...the new me is coming out to play and I think I really like this woman!!! I've continued taking pics...sent one to mom yesterday...I said LOOK...my sides aren't touching the side of my office chair!!! What a great feeling!!! I'm super excited at what lies ahead for ALL of us...and I have to say I'm thankful for all on here, this is a great place to come for a "pick me up"!!! Be Blessed, and know that you have GREAT days ahead of you.

OMG...they FIT, they FIT, they FIT!!!!
 
The JEANS, that I have had in my closet forever...FIT!!! Skinny, yet curvy(curvy is GOOD people!!)
 
SO...I was in the closet, I decided today was the day I was going to try them on AGAIN...thinking to myself, "oh these didn't fit 3 weeks ago, they will fit in about a month from now". WELL...I put them on, because I always love denim, and I buttoned them, smile began to surface...zipped them, BIG cheesy grin by this time, AND...I AM STILL BREATHING!!! So you better believe I did NOT take these suckers off!!!!
 
I've been doing a little jig, with a little song that just makes the big cheesy grin, not so cheesy...they fit, uh-huh, they fit...oh yea!!!!
 
It's the little successes that are HUGE!!! Just made my day!!!
 
Have a blessed day!!! Keep up the good work everyone and remember to be FABULOUS today!!!

hi, im 3 weeks out and have been on pureed for just over a week and so far, not being sick and able to eat everything ive tried so far.
Yesterday hubby did me a lasagne, half of a one person ready made one, it didnt blitz as smooth as i would have liked, but i gave it a go, i was only able to eat half of it and was really full.
Today i get weighed and have put 2 lb on, up to today i have been loosing half to one pound per day, i have not been going for no 2 every day, and do feel a bit bloated.
Not sure if its a stall, or just lack of no 2s, not worrying but was a bit dissapointing to put on at this early stage.
I am finding that i need to eat every 2 hours after lunch to stop the light headed wooziness happening, my dietician said to have 3 normal meals and not to snack in between, but i feel the need, i have had a bag of skips for 76 cals, but tried a banana yesterday, had half and chewed it well, and felt better for it, so am going to try fruit in between as we are not supposed to have crisps etc as they go down easy but are high in fat and cals compared to fruit, need to get good habits now for the rest of my life.
God has really blessed me with a good result and am believing that this will be for my good to have a smaller healthier body, and be able to keep it that way.
Im not hungry, but do feel the need to eat, its a kinda empty feeling, and needing to top up energy more than anything, its 11 am and so far ive just had water since 9/20 am when i got up, im not hungry but have that empty feeling.
One concern i have is that once i begin to eat, the 2 to 3 hour of needing to eat cycle begins and am watching how many calories i consume by using my fitness pal.
I am not wanting sweet things at all, but am craving beef jerky, only 50 gram packet and 141 cals, and im not swallowinng it, this may sound gross, but i chew and chew and savour the taste, but then, take the little ball of mush out and give to my waiting dogs.
It is very expensive, but it is my treat, i usually have it in the evening and can take an hour or more, breaking the little squares in half and chew chew chewing, lol.
I started to take my meds in pill form yesterday, i am supposed to wait another week but just couldnt do a day longer with the horrible liquid meds.
I have been in so much pain without my normal amount of pain meds for the fibromyalgia pains.
Have a pain in my left calf going up under my knee, but no swelling or hotness, am thinking it is a pulled muscle, but will keep an eye on it.
Really happy i have my sleeve, i know my weight loss could be slower because of my lack of mobility, but was 27 pound down and i can feel and see the difference already.
My size 30 clothes are all really loose and i started at size 34 3 years ago, so am happy im heading downwards, i can get into size 24 26 pjs comfortably, and am thinking im about 26 28 in day clothes.
Ive orderedc size 16 18 pjs in the sale for my christmas presents from hubby, and am really hoping that i will be in them for christmas or just after.
My goal size is a small 16, and whatever weight i am for that size will be fine with me, i dont want to go below small 16 as hubby didnt like that last time i was size 14, he said i was too bony, lol, cant say ive been too boney fr many years.
Well, thats me for today, praising God for this new life, getting on with what i need to do and trusting God to do what He needs to do in me and through me, to God be the Glory, great thinks He has done, and is doing and will do, byeeeee, xxxx

Hey today is great day.... WLS has saved my life in so many ways. I have more energy self esteem and overall healthy than I have been in a long time. Yesterday I slipped into a size 14 capris and a large top!!!! I never imagined wearing a size 14 because it has been soooo long! Just wanted to share that I have lost 50 lbs and I am closely approaching my 6 months mark... I am praying to get down to a size 10 that would be totally awesome and my highschool weight(lol) I have been trying to exercise more and really stay active,. I pray for much continued success to all TD41

Well on Monday, November 26th, 2012, Federal Blue Cross Blue Shield Overseas, agreed to cover the cost of my gastric sleeve surgery. Surgery was scheduled for Thursday, November 29th, 2012. God is good and wonders never cease! For months I have had to call everyone involved in this process and see what was needed, what was sent, what was recieved, and what still needed to be done. It was like hearding cats! I was sure it would crash and burn, but yet it didn't.
 
On Thursday, I showed up at Ascot Hospital for my surgery as planned! I was delighted. I wasn't worried in the least. I guess was practiced enough at surgeries, but the time I arrived. My last surgery was only about 10 weeks ber fore the gastric sleeve surgery. I had a huge hernia repair down earlier at Auckland City Hospital under the public medical scheme. This surgery had to done under the private pay scheme, because I was too old to be put on the public scheme list (over the age of 50). Thank God I kept my private health insurance, even after I became a New Zealand resident.
 
I came to my WLS through the back door for sure. Less than 2 years ago, I had an emergency removal of my gallbladder and a golf balls sized gallstone. Upon awakening from surgery I sneezed. I felt something pop, like a suture pulling. I was told that I was wrong about what I thought had happened. However, in December, while sitting on the toilet, my resulting hernia made it's first appearance. I named her Helen. Helen developed into a nasty b***h! My bowel was pinching more and more through the ever growing hole in my muscle wall.
 
I did a lot of research into hernia repair surgery. Low and behold, I found out that post operative hernias were very common place. Additionally, I became convinced that I would have a very poor prognosis of having the hernia repaired long term, if I did not loose weight and the pressure behind the repair would reopen the repair. LIght bulb moment went off during this time. I am 56, have been overweight forever, didn't have diabetes "yet" or high blood pressure "yet". Diabetes on both sides of the family, large polycystic ovary syndrome women in my gene pool, and an overweight younger sister (like me). Knew I was unable to do the very hard work it would take to loose even a small amount of weight, and keep it off. Had givien up talking about and thinking about ever being able to loose weight. Had suffered believing that WLS was the easy "cheater's" way out of a problem I had made for myself, because I was lazy. Blamed myself almost to death. Somehow relized that if ever I was going to do this at a time without all the complications that were looking me straight in the face, it was going to be now. It might me my last chance at a good quality remainder of my life. I took the plunge on this "ah ha" moment.
 
I was never more sure that I had made a good decision in my life, than I was when I made this one. However, I had to prove that I was a "good candidate" for this surgery to my surgeon of choice. I have clinical depression as well. I had to improve my very poor mood and make a go at a trial diet (Optifast), develope and exercise plan (cross trainer 5X week for 30 min.) and develope a mental health support plan that worked. I did it. I got the consent of the surgeon to operate on me. He did my hernia repair 1st. 10 weeks later I had my gastric sleeve surgery on November 29th, 2012.
 
I just got home from the hospital today, December 3rd, 2012. I am doing very well. Amazingly well. Decided to start this blog off today. So this is my first entry. I will come back again to tell you about how my first 4 days post op have gone. I have been keeping a diary and some photos too. I have a lot of thoughts about how big a deal ths surgery is going to be for me. Maybe I will process this with blog.
 
Stay strong and be well.
 
Saltmistrose

I arrived in my hospital room sometime around 9pm after staying in the recovery room for what was about an hour but felt like minutes. Immediately there were several nurses around me setting things up and taking my vitals, putting an oxygen mask on me, and removing the IV that I'd had since the pre-op room. It wasnt uncomfortable, but I was glad to have it out of my arm.
 
My wife graciously decided to sleep on the "couch" in my hospital room and thank God she did becasue the nurses were giving me instructions whcih I doubt I would have remembered on my own. One of the nurses brought me some liquid medications, an antibiotic I think. Before I swallowed the liquid, I thought about what it was going to feel like going into my stomach. I took a very small sip and and could feel the liquid going down into my new, smaller stomach. I had the strangest sensation that there was an empty space on the left side of my abdomen. Very hard to describe, except for weird. Even though my Dr. had told me my stomach would hold about 4 ounces, I still had no idea what that capacity would feel like. I didn't really experience that until morning. The thing that I was most grateful for was that I had no nausea whatsoever. Apart from the groggy feeling from the anesthesia, I actually felt pretty good and what little pain I had was being controlled with pain medication.
 
My surgeon had informed me since the beginning that he would force me to be active right after the surgery so I knew he'd have me up and walking that same night. He did, and I took a couple laps around the halls of the hospital floor without too much effort. We didnt sleep more than a couple hours that night. Not because of pain or nausea, but because the Dr was a real stickler for the nurses to take vital signs and give medications every 2 hours. It seemed like someone was in and out of my room all night! Plus, while I was in the bed, they used the electric clot massager things on my legs which made it nearly impossible to sleep with. My wife and I didnt sleep much that first night in the hospital, but all in all it wasnt as bad as I was expecting. The following afternoon I would be allowed to go home to begin life with my new stomach.

The morning after my surgey I still couldnt believe how well things were going for me. The Dr and nurses were surprised too. Beginning at 6am, I had to start drinking 1 ounce of water and 1 ounce of protein shake per hour. This was my first REAL experience with getting a feel for the new sleeve. I knew it had been sewn togehter with staples (and some type of glue I think), so I wanted to be "gentle" with it. I didnt know if I could "break" it or not, but I still wanted to be careful with it. So the first sips of water I took were so small that the water barely wet my lips. At first when I swallowed, I felt the urge to burp. I took another small sip and a small burp followed. As I continued to drink, I begin to feel the true size of my new stomach. The fullness came as a sort of tighness just below my sturnam. When I felt that, I knew to stop drinking for a few minutes. The good thing was that I quickly learned that the stomach emptied pretty quickly, so I could adjust the time between sips and not get too full. I Before I could leave the hospital, they wanted to make sure I could consistently get 2 ounces of water and protein shake down per hour. This is because my Dr required me to get 60 oz of water and 60 oz of protein shake in per day. I cant say at that point that I knew the real size of my stomach because of course I hadnt eaten solid food yet. But I could tell that it would be a challenge getting the 60 and 60 in each day.

Hey guys! what's been going on?
 
I have good news....
 
11/16 was my last dietitian appoint before my surgery
 
Today or Tomorrow everything is suppose to be faxed to my insurance!!!!!!
 
So that means within 10-15 days I should be getting approved and my surgeon
will be setting up an appointment for me so I can set my date for surgery!
 
WOOHOOO IM SO EXCITED.
 
I'm always looking for friends so keep me updated with your storiessss

HAPPY WITH MY PROGRESS!!! I used to run away from the camera....not lately lol!! Love the camera better than the scale :wub:

Today is sleeve day. Hopefully the first day of the rest of my life. Woke up last night sweating in a panic attack. It was terrible and I had thoughts of backing out. I mean, who in their right mind would voluntarily have 85% of their stomach removed?! But once I get past that thought I remember how good I'll feel and how much better my health will be. Today I feel good, upbeat, nervous, and excited but still have a sort of surreal feeling like I'm dreaming this is going to happen.
 
I've prepared as much I could have prepared; read all of the info on the web, talked with people who actually have the sleeve, and used the information from this website. I took the "before" pictures and body measurements last night. Now all that's left is to have it done.
 
I'll write some more blog entries as soon as i can after the surgery because I know I have a lot question going in and hopefully I can help someone else by sharing my experience.
 
I'll see you all on the other side!
 
Joe

I dont go to the dr on the regular but the insurance calls for 3 year of being overweight. And in 2009- I was 180 at 5'1 and it climb steadily the next few years to my current weight 209 my dr said that he would write the letter and he needs photos so I havent always had a bmi of 40 but pretty close. I am finding my fattest photos. Has anyone had to do this? I hate insurance companies

My weight right now is 212 so anyone with a low bmi? How much weight should I anticipate on losing?

Insurance approval was faxed to my surgeon today! I'm approved! We'll be setting a surgery date within the coming days! I'm SOOOOOO excited!

Today I had my first dumping experience. I decided to try and new protein shot, I normally use the Body Fortress 26 g shot and this time I decided to use New Whey liquid protein 42 g grape, I only drank half. I was driving home and I had to pull over into a parking lot until I was well enough to drive the rest of the way home. It started with feeling hot and sweating, then I started to have stomach cramps and dry heaving. I had to turn on the A/C on full blast and I fell asleep for about 15 - 20 mins. Once I felt okay to get back on the road, I went straight home. It started to happen again by the time I got home and then I started to have stomach issues. I was so tired after this, I had to take a long nap to get myself together. I had a lapband for 5 yrs and had never have had this type of experience, Ive had my sleeve for 16 days and all I can say is Lord i hope this doesnt happen to be again Lol.

I forgot to weigh my self yesterday AM, so I weighed myself last night I was 218 at night,(usually I am that in am and then by night I am up anywhere from 1-3lbs) and i just knew I would be at least 217 this am and was totally shocked that I was 216!... I dont know if I posted in the last one but I measure my waist and I am 3 inches smaller for a total of 7 inches!!!
 
I decided I needed a night away so my mom, sister and I are going to go stay the night at the casino/hotel Saturday, which is in town but its just the point of "getting away" kind of excited! I have decide that I will take 300.00 with me and play the dollar machines! Heck I must feel rich and skinny!~ I think its been 6 months or longer since I have been out there. We usually take 30 bucks or so out and blow that!

So I'm in the middle of my first stall. My body and I are in this fight where it wants to do one thing, I want it to do something else, and I am feeling like a newbie just out of the starting zone that stumbled in to end game content.
 
I've always been the type of gamer that loved doing the impossible. Elite mob? No problem. Group of mobs three levels higher? Easy. Explore a zone ten levels too high? I'll run right through it! I'm that person that takes the phrase "You can't do that" as a challenge, not a warning. I'll throw myself at something over and over until I do it or die trying.
 
This has been no different. I'm taking comfort in plans and spreadsheets. I've done the math to show where I'll be next month, and the month after, and the month after that. I've got the next six months of my life planned out. I'm bordering on a near-fanatical, slightly neurotic desire to catalog every little thing. Every drink, every bite of food, every pill. Leave nothing unaccounted for, ever. I'm sure in some regard that this is entirely unhealthy. You see, like most games, this one has an end, too. Everyone can tell me (and I can tell myself) all the platitudes that I've learned from start to finish - marathon, not race, journey, not sprint, lifestyle not diet... but I don't care.
 
This is my end game boss and I'm a one-person forty man raid group. I don't care how many times I wipe, how high my repair bill gets, how much screaming and yelling I have to do to get my group in to shape, this b***h is going down and going down hard.
 
Failure is not an option.

Ok here I sit counting down. And I tell you the wait is almost painful !! I go in 11-14 and do all my appointments. Labs, ekg, chest x-ray, ultrasound, barium swallow, nutritionist and psychiatric.I will expect to hear from the surgery scheduler 11-28. I am currently 5'5 267 and my surgeons goal for me is 155-165.
 
I have told some friends and co workers my plans and I almost always get the same reaction. "Are you sure. Your not that big." I chuckle a bit and ask them have you ever been this weight and most responses are uhm no. I have been big since I was younger and was actually extremely confident 30 lbs ago. Now that confidence is gone and back pain has settled in! I am excited for my journey ahead.

I'm sleeved
 

Alright friends! I have been home now for two weeks, I am so happy that I was approved for three weeks off!!
I am starting to feel much better, I am still struggling with the 6 inch wound and that healing process is a lot slower than I would have anticipated, however, it does get better each day!
 
I am starting to feel better every day, sleeping is still a struggle, however the dr. said it will take about 8 weeks before I can lay on my belly. (I am a belly sleeper) so I struggle laying on my back! Each time I had a laporscopic surgery it took 6 weeks before I could lay on my belly so 8 weeks isnt bad for the open procedure!
 
This week I made a vow to keep busy and NO naps during the day since I have to go back to work next week! This ma be harder than I think but I have to get back to normal sooner or later!
 
Hope everyone is doing good!

Angela

I walked the dogs just now, noticed the mail on the washer on my way out. It was an envelope from aetna.....my letter of appeal has been approved. I'm so relieved.