texan@<3

So glad to see this topic. I'm very curious how I'll be effected. I have PCOS...symptoms include weight gain, some acne, some facial hair (waxing fixes it), and painful cysts etc. I had an IUD implanted in March 2012 but my periods have not gotten any lighter or regular. I'm kinda frustrated with that. I had my sleeve done a week ago today. Weighed yesterday & I've lost 14 lbs so far. Had to lose 30 lbs before surgery. That was hard! I started my period the day before surgery but by the time I was out of surgery...it stopped. Then started again on Sunday. It has been ridiculously heavy. I'm not sure what to make of it. Hoping for light at the end of the tunnel.

Good!! I'm glad I could help. Best of luck. Keep us updated.

Does your surgeon have a nutritionist you can get a customized diet plan from? My nutritionist initially put me on 2 shakes, 2 bars and 1 meal. I had to eat within an hour of waking up and eat every 3-4 hrs after. I could have my meal at lunch or dinner.

I'll tell you everything I remember! i got there early. They told me I was like the 2nd or 3rd surgery that day. I checked in up front, did some paperwork then waited for lab tech. The only labs they did on me was a urine test to make sure I wasn't preggers. Standard procedure if all the reproductive organs are intact. Something tells me you won't have to worry about that! A few mins later, the pre op nurse came & got me and my mom/bro & took us back. I immediately changed into a lovely gown & crawled in bed. Now I work the night shift and it was early morning so I'm used to sleeping so this could be an inaccurate description but I swear that bed was comfy because I was asleep most of the wait! The pre op nurse was awesome. I can't remember her name but I think she's the only one who does that. She hooked up my IV, gave me a medley of drugs (nothing good though-like pain/calming stuff yet). I stayed there till they were ready for me in the OR. Dr. B came back & chatted with us as well as the anesthesiologist. I checked in at 7:45a and went back to the OR at 10:22a. They took my mom/bro the room I would be in when I got out. Once I was in the OR, I remember about 5 mins. The anesthesiologist was waiting for me & the rest is history. My mom/bro said I was in & out in record time. I was so medicated, I don't remember much from that day except for "walk" and "sip"!! The hospital staff was great. For a major surgery...no complaints here. Wishing you the best of luck Aaron! You will be great!

I was sleeved on the 23rd and last night/today was the first day I didn't have horrible gas pains in my shoulders. Friday I got a massage on the recommendation of a fellow sleever. I told the massage therapist what was going on & she focused on my shoulders & neck. I really think that's what helped me finally get rid of it. It was horrible! Worse than incision pain etc. As for the rumble down under...it could be gas stuck in your tummy. Or it could be stomach acid. Could also be hunger but as for me I haven't experienced hunger really. Mental hunger yes. But not physical. Did your doc prescribe you anything for acid? I talk protonix every day to help with this. He told me I have to take it for the first 30 days & after that we will play it by ear. You might check into this if you don't have something already. I also tried the gas x strips. Honestly...I couldn't tell that they made a huge difference for me. Good luck! Keep us posted!

Jayne...do you/have you ever had issues with your blood sugar? Sometimes drastic changes in your sugar can cause vision differences. I'd check with your doc if it continues.

I started the night before but after surgery it went away. The nurse told me that's not uncommon because the surgery is such a shock to your body. That was the 23rd & nothing since then either. I've heard it can mess up your cycle for a month or two.

I wasn't given caraface, only phenergran in case I did get nauseated. But I haven't. He told me if I needed it, he would call it in for me. As for the sleeping, I have noticed I sleep better with a bunch of pillows under my head and neck. And I've been sleeping on the couch. It just seems to take pressure off my incision area so it doesn't stretch my belly.

Jessica--how are you doing now? I was sleeved on 10/23 by Dr. B as well. And I work for Mercy since u said u drive from SW ok, I'm assuming Ardmore? I work at OKC! Hope you are feeling better now.

No we only have to take it as we heal. For instance, my protonix is a 30 day supply & my surgeon said after I'm done with it, I won't likely need it anymore. Caraface is just to coat your belly from all the meds since we aren't eating yet.

Oh and gas x strips that dissolve on tongue. They help a lot too. Taken every 4 hrs as needed.

I would say yes, if it was your surgeon who prescribed it, you should be fine. My surgeon gave me protonix also. He suggested taking it first thing in the morning. He also gave me liquid loratab for pain. He said liquid form absorbs better for sleevers. And lastly, phenergran for nausea. It is compounded for wrist application for same reason. I've been told not to take anything else except for Zyrtec OTC for 2 wks post op. and from what I understand, the rule of thumb is no pill bigger than an m&m. I take the protonix regularly. Loratab as needed. Haven't needed the phenergran.

I was also sleeved on 10/23 & was experiencing the same pain in chest after sipping until yesterday. Then something clicked & I can swallow pain free now. Mind you, they are still small sips...but I'll take it! As far as pain, I'm still dealing with gas pain & it was way worse than incision pain. I COULD NOT stay awake for anything the entire day of surgery. It's gradually gotten better. I'm sleepy but not exhausted. And I've had plenty of energy to run errands & stay active all week. Best of luck to you all!!

I tried to find some at Walmart etc but they didn't taste great or they had sugar in it blah blah. So eventually I gave up & got the ones @ my surgeon's office. I'm glad I did. I can only think of one bar that I wasn't crazy about. It was tolerable but not my fav. That was the chocolate almond one. And I'm not a chocolate lover so I should've known! Anyways, they have all kinds of flavored from bars to Jerky to chips and plenty of drinks, shakes, hot cocoa, Soups. Lots of options. I went to Dr. Broussard in Edmond @ Weightwise. Even if you aren't a patient there, you can get the shakes/bars from their office or even online (they'll ship) if you aren't in the area. On Thursdays, they give a discount too (we have group mtgs on Thurs). The prices are comparable to the supplements at walmart etc. you also get a better deal if you purchase in bulk. As for how much how often....I lost about 12 lbs almost easily right off the bat. Then it started slowing down and I was running out of time before surgery & my insurance wait period was over so I needed to get it off fast. So they put me on an aggressive diet of 3 shakes, 2 bars daily. First shake within hour of waking, then alternating every 3-4 hours. Plus drinking 64 oz of Water & exercising at least 30 mins 5xs a day. I got the weight off fast then. And it really wasn't as hard as it seems. I was never hungry & only had a few mental hunger attacks! Now prior to that, I was on basically zero carbs, high Protein, veggies 2x a day and then 2 shakes or bars. So shake for breakfast, bar for snack, lunch, bar, dinner, shake. I was my biggest problem because I couldn't consistently pick the right foods to eat. So taking out the options was a major help for me. It helped a lot that I was seeing my Nut, exercise person & the surgeon every month to follow me. And when we got closer, I was seeing them every 2 weeks. I hope this helps. If you have any more questions, let me know! Who is your surgeon?

Congrats Dexter!! I'm so excited for you! You will do great. I went to a group meeting tonight & its so unbelievably to me that I'm officially sleeved! I'm on my full liquid diet for the next 2 weeks. I'm amazed how easy it's been for me in that regard. I've been around yummy food ever since Tuesday & it doesn't even phase me. On top of that, I have so much more energy already! Even with the soreness etc. Wishing u the best. Let me know if I can help u at all! Take care.

I was sleeved Tuesday 10/23. I honestly didn't have a lot of hesitation before the day of. I guess I kept thinking I would somehow find a way to mess it up & it wouldn't happen for me. My freak out moment came during pre-op at the hospital. But I had a great support system & I knew its what I wanted to do...so I put my big girl panties on & did it. No regrets! I'm so happy I did this for myself & I know you will all do great as well! Good luck!

I was supposed to start the day of my surgery and did a little but by the afternoon-nothing and still nothing so far (3 days out). So idk when/if mine is gonna make an appearance either. I have the Mirena IUD. On that note, anyone ever heard of complications with IUD secondary to rapid weight loss? I asked me surgeon but he said he hasn't heard of it & to follow up with my gyno.

I'm still having painful gas in shoulders and back. Incision area sore but not bad. I'm ready for that to be over with. Eating very small amounts, very slowly.

Oh yeah...and as for walking, I went to Walmart earlier this evening and walked. Also walked around my neighborhood.

It's my first night home too. My tummy is sore but not sure if its gas or incision pain. Took my meds (liquid loratab & gas x strips) so hopefully that will help. Definitely stay up on fluids. My doc said that's the single most important thing for us now. Good luck. I hope you get some rest.

I was sleeved on the 23rd. Had a horrible time getting in fluids first day but 2nd day was much easier. Went home this afternoon. Feeling good overall. Definitely just focus on the fluids! I was given prescription form of Prilosec which I take every morning. Also gave me a nausea compound. Haven't been nauseated since I got home though. My doc said no vitamins or minerals, probiotic for first 2 wks. I'm on a liquid diet for 2 wks as well. Not nearly as challenging as I initially thought. Good luck! Keep us updated with your progress.

Congrats! It will be here before you know it. I'm still in disbelief that its done! Dr. B & all his staff/hospital have been great. I like Steph a lot too. Your nutritionist & patient advocate are always there to answer questions etc. My nut was Chris. She was helpful too. I had a 3 mo waiting period for my insurance & had to drop 30 lbs prior. I kept half-arse doing it & wasn't losing the weight like I needed to, so 4 wks out they put me on shakes/bars only. 2 wks out I was shakes only. It was rough but worth it! Yesterday was my surgery & definitely the hardest time. Lots of pain from the gas they pump in u so they can see to do everything. Incisions/tummy didn't hurt that bad. More like being sore from a car wreck or putting in hard work at the gym. The hospital was great about staying on top of my pain. This morning I was a whole new girl! Soreness in tummy but nothing major. Still some gas pain. Can finally keep liquids down. So they sent me home! The nurse told me he did 10 sleeves yesterday & only 2 people (including me) had difficulty getting in liquids etc. so everyone is different. Just know it's temporary & completely treatable! Some background on me: 27 Female, highest weight was in march @ 329. Surgery day weight 282. Good luck! Lemme know if you have any other questions!

Love this idea! My name is Julie Coker on fb. Profile pics is of me with my dog. I live in Okla. city!