elliscoastie

thanks for sharing your story with us. Will pray all goes well for June surgery.

going to leave this website....I was looking for support and I have not seen any new posts.

how are you all doing? I'm slowly recovering. I have a cold....runny nose and hacking like crazy! I tried driving in to work twice and exhausted both times. How long will recovery take? how long are you all taking off? I week in hospital. I week at home so far. bowel movements....very soft. glad i'm not constipated, but this is too soft, tar like, yuk! stomach feels bloated still. no energy. bored at home. hard to sleep at night.

how is everyone doing? I had surgery on Monday. Wednesday, I passed the barium swallow test, although it showed another hiatal hernia above the daprham. Doc said she had repaired the only hiatal hernia she was during surgery. She said I needed another surgery. I went back to the operating room on Thursday. I saw this as a set back. I was released to go back home Friday. It hurts the most where they did surgery near diaphragm. She said I had an unusual long esophagus and pulling it tightly down and putting stitches near it was what was needed. Hope you are all good!

are we talking April 17th, 2017? just checking :-) if so, then that's 2 days away!

I am having surgery on the 17th for revision of sleeve to roux n y. I made this quick decision on wed the 12th. Lots of medical issues for me....and my surgeon thinks this is the best option for me. I have been through tests since this January. Had GERD so bad that it was causing erosion of the esophagus. I have early signs of Barretts Esophagus, a hiatal hernia and 24 hr ph test of 163.2 (normal is 22 or below). Staying on Nexium was not an option. She said I needed to do this surgery. I have been on liquids since wed when I decided to do this surgery. She was able to get an operating room for Monday since she didn't want me to wait till end of June when her next surgery date was open. I'm scared since this is being rushed. I love my sleeve. I know what my portions are. Now I have to start over.

I have GERD too....and Barrett's Esophagus. Biopsies came back negative. I saw my doc on wed to go over my 24 hr acid test and barium swallow. She says with everything going on, I need to revise my sleeve to a roux n y. she will also be repairing my hiatal hernia and doing surgery near my esophagus. I only had from wed till next Monday's surgery to grasp the concept and be emotionally prepared. She was booked solid till end of summer for surgery but had an opening for surgery next Monday. she didn't want me to wait and suffer any longer, which is why I am having surgery on Monday. I love my sleeve because I know how much I can eat. I'm nervous about my stomach getting much smaller.

highest weight: 217 surgery date: May 16th weight before surgery: 195 current weight: 179 I'm now slowly losing...my goal is 155...I feel much happier, healthier, but not full of energy. Still tired, sluggish mid day and hard to drink fluids. I try sipping all day, but just never that "OMG I'm so thirsty feeling". Best wishes to all!

I don't have the number on me...I left all my paperwork at work. Call the main number and have someone actually transfer you to the clinic. I'm sure you will be able to transfer everything. Mr. Wichart (sp?) is the main person to ask for. He runs the whole clinic, but honestly, he does not return calls. Eva Cruz is another person you can ask for. She does all the scheduling for the surgeons. Once you go through the Bariatric Clinic, you will be transferred to General Surgery Clinic where they will appoint a surgeon to you. Best wishes!!

I am 3 weeks post op today. I stopped losing at 1 week post op. For the past two weeks I've been at 185. I don't get it either...discouraging, yes. I see my surgeon next wed. She wanted me to lose another 10 - 15 lbs. I don't see that happening. I'm worried she will be disappointed.

I did have pain on my left shoulder....even had it days after I went home. Use your paid meds! and walk it out!

I'm 2 weeks post op and I had a small (1/4 c) of red wine last night. I wasn't sure if I was going to like the taste. I let the wine sit on my pallet and it wasn't bad. It relaxed me...I was afraid it would do damage to my healing process, pouring alcohol in my healing tummy. I felt fine.

Hello "doodlebug81"! I had begun my process back in October of 2012. I knew I had a hiatal hernia to have repaired. Because my BMI was 35 and I had co-morbilities, I was a great canidate for the Bariatric Program. I went to my first meeting in January 2013. They give you a notebook of paperwork that has to be signed. I put mine in a 3 ring binder with tabs. It helped me keep it organized. My dietician appointments were at Ft. Belvoir. I attend the 1st tuesday of each month at Ft. Belvoir (4:30 pm) which last about an hour. I had my Psychology eval at Walter Reed. Physical appt at Walter Reed. I had an Endoscopy in October which revealed the hernia. I had a sleep study done at a civilian location (if you have mild sleep apnea it is good since it gets you one step closer to being approved). You must use your machine at least a month before they schedule surgery. The whole process takes about 3 months. Your dietician appointments are each 4 weeks apart. You have to keep a food log and show you are under the required caloric limitations and you must lose 10 pounds. I didn't think I could do it, but I did! Once you schedule surgery, you have to do a 2 week liquid diet. Walter Reed has a great staff. The day of surgery, I had to report by 5 am. I packed slippers, an old night gown that won't interfere with IV, undies and silky bottoms. You have to walk the hallways alot after surgery and I didn't like the fact that the hospital gowns are open in the back. I packed an extension cord for my phone so it was close to me always. They have a toothbrush/toothpaste and mouthwash for you. I brought deoderant. One thing you need to bring is some gas-x strips....I didn't believe anyone but the gas pain was horrible. They didn't have any at the pharmacy at the hospital. It really does help. Chapstick for my lips, you won't be able to drink anything day after surgery. They give you swaps of Water but also give you a suction cord to make sure you don't drink anything! This is only up till they do they leak test. Surgery was about 3 1/2 hours for me since they repaired the hernia. You go to the recovery room and once you are cleared you are taken to a private room on the 4th floor. I had surgery on thursday and left on a sunday. You don't get much rest so don't plan on bringing any ipads, magazines, movies...etc. I did bring ipod with headphones and was listening to sade as I was being wheeled to my private room...I must have been on some good drugs!! My Dr. was Dr. Worlton. She was great. If you have any other questions, feel free to contact me! Best wishes, Lisa

I'm May 16th too. Make sure you have liquids avaiable to you when you get home. I've been told that Water is the most important thing right after surgery. Don't let yourself get dehydrated. I have unjury chicken soup/protein powder, atkins shakes and some baby food jars ready for me when I get back home. Best wishes!

will do! mine is thursday. You will do great!

Hi, I have a date of May 16th for surgery in Bethesda, MD. It seems too far away....excited and anxious at the same time...

what about the white cheddar pirate bootie?

are you talking about Pre-op as in only taking in a limited amount of calories? My pre-op started the first day I met with the nutrionist. She put me on a 1200 calorie diet. I had to record everything I ate to keep within my limit. I met with her 4 times during this process, once a month. Once I got my surgery date, I had to go on a full liquid diet (14 days before my surgery date). My surgery is scheduled for May 16th. today is my 4th day...not too bad. Not as hungry as I thought I'd be. Hope this helps. All doctor's are different though. Always check with yours and what your nutrionist says.

We all have been waiting to flip the calendar to the month of May! Happy May!! Make today count. The sun is shining here in Virginia. It's going to be a great day!

thinking great thoughts for tomorrow....every day is a new day...can't wait to hear from you on this site.

we start our liquid diet next week! My surgery is May 16th....going to shop this weekend for some liquids. I love the Atkins Advantage shakes...strawberry is my favorite. Also unjury chicken Soup is good. I will be ordering that today...they also have unflavored Protein you can put in your liquids to get the protein you need. Mother's Day will be liquids only :-( not looking forward to that.... Here's to our journey!!

exciting to have someone on the same surgery day! I'll be thinking about you and praying for a successful surgery!

Hello May Friends... I am scheduled for May 16th. I started this journey in December of 2012. I was throwing up a lot and went to my doctor and she had me scheduled for many appointments which required an Endoscopy. It revealed I had a hiatal hernia. When I met with the surgeon, he suggested that I get it repaired in addition to getting bariatric surgery. I admit I am overweight, but never considered surgery to assist. I went through the program which included support groups, dietician meetings, a psycological evaluation, losing 10 pounds, keeping a food log, etc. I am excited and nervous at the same time. I start my liquid diet on May 2nd. I live in the Northern Virginia area. Looking forward to hearing from your experiences and day to day changes. Please keep in touch.

May 16th at Walter Reed Medical Center in Bethesda, MD....a day before my husband's birthday...I feel bad I won't be home to make an amazing meal for him.

I am 46...happily married to my prom date...we have three amazing children. Oldest is 25 and youngest is 17. I am getting sleeved on May 16th. I wish I had done this a year ago so I would have looked stunning at my daughter's wedding last year. I am here now, and on my way to feeling better.