Rubydoobie

TamTam111: Glad to hear things are going well for you after your recent surgery. Wish you well on your weight loss journey!

Hello Lacunn711: Very Happy to answer any & all questions you may have. I believe they scheduled the surgery date within 2 weeks of the insurance approval. Surgery done at the Life Center. My experience was very positive---their team is very positive, professional & efficient. My surgery was at 11:00 AM, I spent one night & was out the next morning about 10 - 11:00 AM the next morning. Had the liquid pain medication which I used for a few days at home but the surgery wasn't as painful as I anticipated - I had a C-section with my last child & the pain with this surgery is not as bad. It's amazing how fast our bodies can heal IMO. Protein Drink - My favorite is Isopure ZERO CARB Creamy vanilla - Note I mix only 6 oz of Water to one scoopful instead of the recommended 8 oz. of water - tastes much better IMO. Also like Syntrax nectar strawberry KIWI - same deal I mix 6 oz water to one scoopful. If I mix the 8 oz water I find it tastes nasty diluted. I have a Protein Drink every morning along with Vitamins which I get from CELEBRATEVITAMINS.COM - the nutritionist will advise you what chewables you will need to take & when you can change to tablets. You will be happy when you can change from the chewables - they are rather chalky. Weight to lose: Dr. Curry targeted me to lose 60 lbs; don't think he wanted me to have higher hopes than that; however I wanted & have achieved a 90 lb loss effortlessly. I'm now eating more frequently/higher calories to maintain current weight so I don't lose more - I never would have imagined this. Recommend that you use myfitnesspal.com to track your daily diet - you need to verify your protein/carb intake each day. Work: I work at home so I had luxury of adjusting to surgery rather easily. I was driving 5 days after surgery. I recommend taking at least one week off from work - with the healing & liquid diet, getting familiar with the whole process takes some time. Dr. Curry doesn't do drains. FYI I had really bad bruising on my abdomen after the surgery but I do bruise easily. If you have more questions, let them fly b/c we all have been in the same boat & learn a lot from this board.

I am in Xenia Ohio (outside Dayton). Had my sleeve done in May 2013 by Dr. Trace Curry in Cincinnati. Great job - I've hit my goal weight & I'm happy happy happy!

Since having the surgery, I have had an increased problem with gas or flatulence. Has anyone else experienced this or know the cause? Do our new stomachs have difficulty digesting foods now? I'm eating slowly, chewing fully & not swallowing air so I don't think I'm contributing to the problem intentionally. I realize certain foods are more prone to causing flatulence but subjectively I've noticed more gas regardless of what's eaten. Anyone else? Pretty embarrassing.

I'm almost 6 mos. out from my surgery & about to reach my goal weight. Like you I have much the same questions; the weight has come off so easily that I am concerned that I don't keep losing after I hit goal. I anticipate I will need to eat more Snacks and/or higher calorie foods. I have been losing about a pound a week the past 2 months & eventually need to stop. I'll look forward to seeing what replies you get to your topic.

I'm fixing a complete Thanksgiving dinner for 16 people that day with all the trimmings. I plan on eating a total of 8 oz. max total - selection from the turkey, stuffing, gravy, sweet potato casserole, green bean casserole & a bit of cranberry jelly - yep a taste of all. I am so THANKFUL for the sleeve and being in control of my portions for the first time in my life! I never would have believed that I would have lost over 80 lbs in 6 months - I have been transformed & renewed. This will be a great day of thanks & celebration with my family!

I'm 6 months post op & my stomach still makes weird gurgling/growling noises when I'm eating sometimes. People around me can hear them - quite embarrassing; don't know what causes it. Don't think it is hunger pains but I don't know what it is - maybe someone else can enlighten me. I also had the constipation problem after surgery. I had to take a Fiber supplement and an occasional laxative per my dr's directive - things were very uncomfortable for a while. After about 3 months my diet improved where I was getting enough fiber naturally to make all normal again thankfully.

I had my gastric sleeve done the end of May 2013 and it's 5 months - I've lost EIGHTY POUNDS - I'm BEYOND THRILLED - doing much better than anticipated. I can't believe how my appetite cravings have been reduced & the old cravings I had for the sugary/salt carb addictive goods I obsessed about previously have virtually disappeared! My husband can bring them in the house & I have NO interest in them. And what with the inherent portion control - what a blessing; I never experienced that before & always felt hungry on all those old diets I tried. Prior to the surgery, I was TIRED ALL THE TIME, I would conk out generally in the afternoon & have to take a long nap just to survive.....now I have all kinds of energy.....carrying all that extra weight is a drain. I just LOVE-LOVE-LOVE the sleeve. My only worry is that I might stretch it out & gain weight back. I plan to continue to maintain my food diaries (fitnesspal.com) to keep me on track...I find that really helps me. So yeah my journey has been unforeseeably exciting & rewarding for me & my family!

I am 60 & only have the freezing part going on (none of the feeling overheated part). I was always feeling hot & uncomfortable before the surgery - now I'm on the opposite end of the spectrum....but it's worth it I can always put more clothes on!

I'm a week or so past my 3 mo post op. As I was warned, I am experiencing hair loss. My hair is dropping out like crazy - I keep expecting to find total bald spots on my scalp; luckily not for now. I made sure I took over 60 mg protein, 2000 mg biotin & 30 mg of zinc daily trying to forestall this hair loss obviously to no avail. My question is what was your experience? How many weeks did you have hair falling out? Did you find that it grew back eventually?

That's really interesting....I'm a hard stick so I will have to keep that in mind next time!

I'm also 8 weeks out - loving the weight loss but not enjoying eating. Like others have said my life used to be centered around food & now I just don't care much.....I use fitness pal.com to track my calories/carbs/proteins but I find it a daily "chore" to eat. That being said, I'm very happy that I had the surgery; look forward to a healthier life!

My surgery date is MAY 24TH - I am so looking forward to it; am counting down the days.....ready for a new chapter in my life!

I'm getting my sleeve done in May. I'm also very interested in the answers you receive to your questions. I work in my gardens and out on our farm all summer. It has not been unusual for me for gulp down 16 oz of Water at a pop when working outside so I'm obviously worried about dehydration too. I'm beginning to think I'm going to have to get one of those Camelback things you wear on your back that has a straw attached so I can try to remember to sip away ALL THE TIME!!!! All of those out there with sleeves, please tell us what you do when you are working outside in the summer to avoid dehydration!!!!

Thanks for sharing your story - I love the information about using the shot glasses & ramekins. I'm awaiting news to see if insurance will cover my surgery. I hope to use your tips in the future! Good Luck to future loses to you & your husband lol!!!

Will be meeting with surgeon next week about possible surgery. Want to find those of you who are bipolar who have had this surgery. Do you have any difficulty taking your meds after surgery? In general I would like to hear any/all experiences. I need to lose about 100 lbs - part of the weight gain can be attributed to my depression & medications. Will the bipolar medications I must take prevent me from losing weight after sleeve surgery? My bipolar is stable/controlled but it is imperative that I take my medications regularly 4xday.