Alajane

I think you're right about the support group being very helpful. My surgeon is a 3-hour (one way) drive for me and the support group meetings are in the afternoon. There's no way I can take off from work a day every month to go to a support group meeting--particularly after all the full days I took off last year for every pre-op and post-op appointment! I haven't found any support groups any closer and I do think it would be very helpful.

Sorry so long away--computer issues!! No, I haven't been tested for celiac; I had no idea those were some of the symptoms. It's been a week and a half since that bad day and no more issues. Thank for your response. Jane

I really think it was just a virus because stomach viruses always hit me with gas pains more than anything else--this was just worse that any previously. The pain went away after about 4 hours and the distention was much better at about the same time and totally gone this morning.

I've scrupulously avoided my beloved Diet Cokes since my surgery in July 2013 for fear of stretching my pouch. But now I wonder if it's been stretched to the size of a football !!! I had a stomach virus yesterday with the most horrible pain I can ever remember experiencing (MUCH worse than any surgical pain I had--even worse than I remember childbirth being--but that was 33 years ago so those memories have probably faded!). I was doubled over in agony most of the time for about 4 hours. Yesterday morning the waistband of my pants was loose--when I left work sick, I unfastened them and they spread open about 6-8 inches! My stomach was SO distended. I was really afraid my pouch was stretched that far, until I remembered it's called "intestinal gas," so hopefully that's where the gas expansion was occurring. Does anyone really know the answer?

My surgeon has done labs almost every visit--he said he wouldn't have done as many as he did if my levels had been normal, but he's trying to get my Protein up. My sister-in-law was sleeved 6 weeks before I was, and her lab work always shows low D also, but she said it always did before her surgery, too, so she's not surprised by that. My levels have been good in everything except protein.

I agree--it does seem like a waste of time going back and forth for those checkups, especially when it's 3 hours each way like my doctor is! But every time I've gone my Protein levels have been too low, so I keep going for checkups. I'm eating between 80 and 120 grams of protein, but evidently my body doesn't absorb it well, so I keep trying to get it up to the right levels, hoping to eventually get some hair growing!

Twinzrule, that's exactly where I'm stuck--and according to my doctor I should be at 199 by next Monday. I'm so disappointed because it's the first time I've not been ahead of his schedule! And, of course, that magic onederland was a huge goal for me, too!

I agree--it must be 7-month itch! I've really gone through it for over a month! I had surgery on December 12 (2 weeks before the 6-month mark), and got off my normal routine. Then came Christmas with a beautiful cake I was stupid enough to bake! I ended up gaining 4 pounds between then and last Monday, when I crawled back on the wagon and am back to my lowest weight this morning. I have a checkup coming up next Monday and am so sad I won't be at the point I had hoped to be when I saw my surgeon again, but don't think there's any way I can lose 6 pounds in the next week!

I was just feeling bad all the time--nothing major, just really tired, out of breath when walking up inclines (sometimes having to stop and catch my breath before walking into my office), couldn't bend over to do anything without losing my breath. My PCP had recommended surgery for me a few years before and I just didn't want to do it at my age (over 55). But a year ago I decided I had to do something. Got through my 6-month-long approval process and had the surgery in July 2013, had lost around 80 pounds by November (still need to lose another 40), and still most of the problems no better. I kept telling my surgeon I was disappointed that I didn't have the energy rush so many people experience and he gave me B-12 shots (believe I started those in August) with no improvement. Turned out I had to get a Pacemaker!! Since I got that in mid-December I'm beginning to get my energy back! I told my heart surgeon I probably wouldn't have had the gastric surgery if I knew what I really needed was a Pacemaker, but he said I had a much better outcome with my heart surgery because of having the weight loss. I'm 6 weeks out from the Pacemaker and finally beginning to not feel so tired, so I guess between the two surgeries I've found my answer!

My instructions were exactly the same, which really shocked me because one of my meds is Pradaxa, which is a very large capsule. I kept thinking "they said nothing bigger than an M&M and this is MUCH bigger" but I had specifically shown my doctor the pill and asked and he okayed it. I guess the M&M reference is nothing bigger around and that the length of the pill doesn't matter. Anyway, I've had no problems at all with swallowing the pills (except being very nervous about it at first)!

I also had no drain tube, a 1-night stay, and absolutely no problems.

Thanks so much for posting this! I used this coupon Saturday and, along with my GNC Gold Card membership, got 12 bars for $15 and change! (I think that included tax, but not sure.) Best buy I've ever found--I've been eating one of these bars for Breakfast almost every day since I got to the point in my plan that I could eat bars. I wondered if I could print another coupon and go back and use it, but think probably not--at least not in conjunction with the Gold Card. Anyway, it's a great deal and I appreciate you posting it.

I count every ounce! The pre-op was the hardest part for me (so far!) and I want to claim credit for those pounds!

Thanks for your good wishes! A few months ago, 16 seemed like an impossible dream, so I'm very happy to get these on. Sadly, when I look in the mirror I don't see much difference--tummy is still twice the size of everything else (except arms, which are also huge!). Sadly, lots of clothes would fit except the sleeves.--but I'm definitely not here to complain!

I started this journey in size 26 and got my tummy stuffed into size 16 jeans this weekend!! I know that's really 5 sizes but 10 just sounds so much better!! My surgery was June 28 and it seemed to take forever to go from 3X to 2X but, like everybody says, the sizes go down faster as they get a little smaller. I know I can't wear 16s in everything but was thrilled to fit into these jeans (I had gotten a great deal on them from ebay, just figuring if they didn't fit now they should later). Happy, happy dance!!