Flutterby

I haven't posted in several months but I wanted to post an update to my Gastric Sleeve story. My surgery was July 12, 2013. I am 5'8" tall and at that time I weighed 296 lbs., and wore a size 3X or 22-24 women's. Today, April 12, 2014, is 9 months from my surgery and I've lost 76 lbs. At 220 lbs., I fit in size 1X or 16 women's. I would like to lose between 40 and 60 lbs. more by September of this year. My ultimate goal would be 147 lbs - a size 10. However, I will feel totally successful and satisfied to get to 170 lbs - a size 12. I lost nearly every bit of my weight the first four months after surgery and have been at 220 lbs. since then. I am enjoying this new weight and all that it has done for me. I no longer have to use a CPAP for obstructive sleep apnea. I have no more heel or foot pain, very little knee pain, almost no more back pain. I have no more acid reflux. Even more good news is that I like looking in the mirror again. I can shop in normal size clothing stores. I am not embarrassed when I go out with my family and friends. I get very encouraging comments from people who have watched me go through this process. I do sometimes get frustrated that I'm not losing any more weight currently, however, I am most often optimistic that I will continue to both enjoy my current good health as well as moving forward to meet my weight loss goals. Slowly but surely. I can eat nearly anything - in small amounts. I have to be careful with milk (makes my tummy hurt), so I use unsweetened almond/coconut milk for my Protein or fruit smoothies if I need the extra boost. I avoid most sugary foods (thank goodness I wasn't really all that much of a fan of sugary foods before). I also still have to work to make sure I get the protein I need each day and have to consciously monitor my Water intake. I make my meals of high quality protein, fresh vegetables either raw or steamed or baked, and if I have any room, I'll eat some carbohydrates like whole wheat bread/grain, brown rice, potatoes, corn, Beans, peas, etc. I allow myself a small piece of chocolate once in a while. I can have a cocktail every other month or so when my hubby and I go out to eat. I exercise sporadically and I know I need to work on this area. I walk and I use an elliptical machine up to 3 times a week. I have the opportunity to encourage others in my life who are contemplating weight loss surgery and I never mind sharing my story. I certainly feel super glad that I have this lifelong tool to help me work on my health and fitness!!!

Sleeved 7-12-13. I'm 5'8" and 45 years old. I've been overweight for 22 years - heaviest the last four years - at least 80 lbs overweight and at my heaviest I was almost 150 lbs overweight. Biggest clothing size 24W, 3X. Also had severe obstructive sleep apnea, plantar faciitis, joint pain, back and neck with bulging discs, weakness and tiredness nearly always. Heaviest - 296 Surgery day - 286 Currently - 233 Lost - 63 total Goal - 147 To go - 86 Goal date - September 2014 Total lost 63 lbs. My weight loss has slowed down this past month - a lot. I was expecting that as I've read lots about stalls and slower loss after a time of faster loss. So, while I'd love to just zoom on down to my goal - I know the slow loss is so much better than no loss or regain that I experienced so many years. I no longer need my CPAP machine for sleep apnea.. nearly no heel pain anymore, more energy, easier to get around - up and down - in and out of chairs, vehicles, clothes, etc. All very encouraging. I have my deepest motivation to get healthy for myself and my family but I also have some added motivation to set specific goals... First my goal for the holidays (be at 199 by Christmas -34 more lbs), by May 25, 2014 be at 170 (-29 lbs) for my son's wedding, and by September 2014 be at goal 147 (-23 lbs) for my daughter's wedding. This will be an average of 8 lbs. loss per month from where I am now. I'd love to believe it will come off faster than this...and sooner be at goal. However, I don't want to sabotage my success with setting myself up for disappointment. I figure it will make me feel super successful to meet my goals, and even more "bulletproof" if I am able to lose more weight per month and get to goal sooner. I'm just adding an exercise program this next week - 3 1/2 months after surgery. I am hoping it will give me added energy, release those good endorphins, and get me burning up these pounds faster. I have lots to still learn and many residual food "demons" to tame. I like my restriction - but it's not as much as I had thought it would be. I have to remind myself to drink, drink, drink Water. I have the hardest time getting my eyes to shrink because they are definitely way bigger than my stomach - still. I use a smaller plate, but still leave half of my food untouched and the "clean plate club" of my youth has revoked my membership. I am actually happy about that, but still hate wasting food... lol. I love cooking, but it's not as fun to try new recipes for my family as it used to be. 1.They don't always like new things, and I have to eat so little of it, "new things" usually go to the trash. 2. I know my Protein needs to come first and geez... good quality meat is expensive. One day, one meal at a time. I look forward to feeling like my before pictures are not the real me. I want to look in the mirror and see real changes and embrace them enough to take "after pictures" that I'm proud of.

Hi July 2013 Sleevers! Congratulations to everyone... I know there are obviously still ups and downs in this process for all of us and it's so good to be supported and understood and find encouragement here! I was sleeved July 12, 2013. My start weight was 296. I lost 10 lbs on pre-op and I've lost 31 since my surgery five weeks ago - Total of 41 lbs. I realized that the pre-op diet and post-op clear and full liquids diet are what jump-started the weight loss for me. The scale is moving slowly now, but still down - woo hoo!!! We're now in the middle of moving to a new house and I've packed my scales away. No more weighing until we're set up in the new house next week. My NSV's keep motivating me too! 1. No more CPAP since 3 weeks post-op! 2. People notice! - my daughter says it's so much easier to hug me close! (She's 14 - and loves to hug me... does a mother good!) 3. My feet (heels mostly) don't hurt much at all anymore! 4. I've taken up 4 notches on my belt! 5. I don't look 8 months pregnant anymore... maybe just 3... lol. 6. My energy level is picking up nicely! 7. So much less overall muscle and joint pain! Things are not always great since having surgery, of course.... I've had a few "issues" now and then with nausea, eating one too many bites (uugghh!), real hunger that lasts for two or three days straight, itching all over, and occasional dizziness. Thankfully these things pass - or at least I refuse to dwell on them too long - my supportive family helps to remind me of the positives when I get "moody" around them... lol. I'm grateful for my sleeve and determined to meet my goals! My two oldest children are getting married next year and I want to be able to rock those Mother of the Groom (In May 2014) and Mother of the Bride (September 2014) dresses and make them proud! I'm wanting to get to 170 by May (9 months from now and 85 lbs... I think it's possible) and down to my goal weight of 150 by September (20 more lbs in four months). That would be meeting my goal weight in 14 months from surgery. From 296 starting out to 150 - total loss of 146 lbs.... Like being "half the woman" I was..lol... whew!!! It's not going to be the easiest journey but my sleeve is the best tool for the job!

Thanks for the comments ladies. Adargie I make my fresh spinach cubes by stuffing as much spinach leaves as possible into my bullet then just adding enough water to make it blend. It's probably 2 oz. of water or so, but I add more if it won't mix and chop. Then I freeze the cubes. I used two per smoothie pre-op. I know I want the good vitamins and especially iron from the greens like spinach, kale, etc., so I may add more cubes and less fruit. I'm gonna experiment with it. Momonanomo, I'm so glad to hear you're having great results with using smoothies like that! yours sounds so delicious! I was planning to add a scaled down version next week to my full liquid phase and go from there. Hopefully that's not too soon. I will only use very small amount of fruit, protein powder, a cube of spinach, and maybe a teaspoon of barley grass powder to begin with. I'll wait on the other powders, wait on nuts and fats for now. Cajunlady, The pureed cottage cheese and jello sounds yummy. I'm gonna have to try that too. I like using regular gelatin packets when I make anything jello-y...so then I can choose if I make it sweet (with fruit, stevia or honey) or savory (garlic or such).

Beginning weight 296. Surgery weight 286 (lost 10 lbs on pre-op diet), 3 days post op weight 273. (13 lbs since surgery - total 23 lbs lost) Recovery and healing is going good. Liquids...liquids... and more clear liquids. I can actually take regular size drinks now instead of baby sips. I don't gulp and do take one or two swallows at a time.. but it's feeling wonderful. I'm having less and less pain at my incision sites and can walk around and do light (very light) housework for 10 to 15 minute stretches at a time. I'm able to get in 50g of protein (unsweetened and unflavored powder in 12 oz. water each time). I'm drinking 80 oz of water, around 30 oz. of beef, chicken or vegetable broth, 100% juice jello, gelled broth, and an occasional zero vitamin water. I'm not a fan of sweet protein shakes. I don't mind them, and I'll drink one occasionally and they taste great, it's just that I'd rather have something not sweet. I like fruit and fruit juice okay, but prefer savory, salty, creamy, sour and sometimes spicy tastes. Anyway, that's why I got the plain protein powder to mix in water. I found it on Amazon - Now Sports brand of Whey Protein Isolate. I'm glad I only have two days left of clear liquids. I'm craving something more "full". I look forward to fruit smoothies, creamed cottage cheese, yogurt, and creamed soups. I can use my protein powder in any and all of my "full liquids" so I'll be sure to get my 80 grams per day goal met that way. I'm keeping my food journal and going to make it a habit. I'm still feeling very optimistic and positive and happy every day. I'm so glad I did this!!! When it comes time in my sleeve diet progression that I can add all of the ingredients, I plan to use my morning smoothies to get a great nutritional boost every day. I may have one for a snack each afternoon too. I have a magic bullet so I can make a small powerful blast of nutrition. I'll put in fresh frozen spinach cubes (using fresh spinach blended with a small amt of water then put into ice cube trays to freeze), with a couple frozen strawberries or blueberries, banana chunks, peaches, pineapple, etc. (usually I pick two fruits, sometimes three) Then I'll add barley grass powder and veggie/fruit concentrate powder, chia seeds, protein powder and epa oil. Occasionally I may put in a tbsp of fresh peanut butter, almond butter, avacado, coconut oil, or cocoa powder. Yum.. I can't wait. I've got several soups frozen in individual serving size all ready for when I start my pureed stage... plus frozen cooked chicken left from when I made all my broth... and I'm going to get my crock pot going when it's time to make more mushy veggies and things to puree. Awww.. now just to be patient with myself as I walk day by day in the moment and do what I need to do to get to each new goal. That's the hard part. I love the planning, list making, preparing, etc. The fulfilling part of reaching goals is so motivating. Every time I get to mark something off my "to-do" list, or write down a goal accomplished or realize I need to begin working on the next phase - I just smile and remind myself that YES, I can do this... I AM doing this...and I am going to keep moving forward. The challenges, set-backs, revising, unexpected interruptions, changes and knock downs are there to make me stronger. I usually don't see it that way in the midst of the "problem" or "issue" or "failure" and can get downright depressed and feel sorry for myself. But that's only temporary. Failure is NOT final. Success is mine because I keep getting back up and shaking off the bad stuff - I'm stronger and more focused than ever.

SURGERY Friday, JULY 12TH at 1:15 p.m. Home Saturday 5 p.m. It was frustrating to have to change surgeons and clinics, but now that I'm home recovering from my surgery, I couldn't be more pleased that it worked out like it did. Dr Smith and his staff and all the people involved in my care were excellent. I was at peace the whole time and felt protected and pampered and informed. My pre-op diet was not a big deal. I mean, I've been dieting for what feels like my whole life anyway. This time, it felt like a privilege. I feel like I'm getting a do-over. I'm getting a giant helping hand to get myself healthy and finally lose weight. Anyway, I drank two protein shakes a day then had a bowl of soup for one meal. I could have yogurt or popsicles for snacks but I only had yogurt once. There were a couple of days I had two bowls of soup instead of a snack. On Wednesday I went and got pre-admitted and had bloodwork done. That day and Thursday were my clear liquid days. I did better than I thought, except for dealing with bad heartburn. The time for surgery was set. My husband was home and ready to take me. He works in the oilfield so he had to get time off to come home for the surgery. He's been amazing. But I knew he would be. He's my biggest support. Friday we loaded up and headed to the hospital around 9 a.m. It's a two-hour drive from our house. We got there, I was pre-admitted, so they just checked me in. It took about 5 minutes till they were calling me back to pre-op. The nurse gave me what I needed to change into. I got on my gown, booties and hair cap. A few minutes later the nurse was putting in my IV. A little after that the anesthesiologist came in and introduced himself. My daughters and husband came back then to give me hugs and support and visit a few minutes before they took me to surgery. Within no time, they were wheeling me out to the operating room. Last thing I remember is the nurses that were guiding the bed and saying they were bad drivers. Then, I was out of it. I was told it took about and hour and fifteen minutes. I remember being semi-conscious and coughing (that was painful). But then I was out again for a little while, then started coming to. The pain wasn't bad at all when I regained consciousness. They said I coughed up a little blood when they took out the breathing tube. That's what I had remembered. My throat was a little sore, but not too bad. I had dry mouth but was told I'd just have to deal with that because I couldn't have anything at all in my mouth until after the swallow test the next morning. It was done. Everything went well. My hernia was just a small repair, taking one stitch. So after being in recovery about 30 minutes, I got to go to my room. There was my husband, daughters and parents waiting to see me. The nurses, techs, RT all introduced themselves. They made sure I was comfortable. I texted my other kids and some friends that everything went well. It was nice and relaxing. After a little visiting and making sure I was okay, everyone but my husband left. So about two hours after surgery it was time to get up. That wasn't too fun, but I made it. I was able to go urinate and then walked one lap around the floor of the hospital. The nausea was difficult at times but I never vomited. I was very thankful for the quick acting pain meds when I needed them. I was able to do the deep breathing with no trouble at all too. Every two hours or so I'd get up and walk and use the bathroom. Hubby and I just visited, napped, watched TV, as the nurses would come in and check vitals, give meds, change IV, etc. all through the night. I had to call and ask for pain and nausea meds only twice. My incisions aren't huge, but a little bigger than I thought they would be. I have five scars healing nicely across my abdomen. Saturday morning was restful and just tried to walk occasionally and stay comfortable. Around 9 am I got to do my swallow test. It went just fine. I was afraid to drink the barium, but there was no problem. It wasn't the best taste, but not too bad really. NO LEAKS! Then, I got my water. One ounce at a time, every fifteen minutes for four hours. If I drank too fast, I got nauseous, so I had to slow down. The doctor came in around 1 pm to see how I was doing. All good reports. So it was time to get checked out. Before I knew it, I was getting dressed, signing release papers, and walking out of the hospital. Now, the ride home was the worst part of my whole experience with surgery. I hadn't had a dose of pain meds since about 11 am. It's a two hour ride without traffic home, but, let me tell you, after abdominal surgery, you feel every single bump in the road!!! Plus, I had forgotten to pick up all my prescriptions before surgery so we had to make a side-trip to the pharmacy which took another hour. By the time we got home at 5 p.m. I was in pain, big time. I got to my recliner and that's where I've been most of the time. Our bed it tall, so I'm not going to try that till my belly isn't so sore. I took the pain medicine (liquid, thankfully), but didn't look at the measurement right and only took a third of a dose. Because of that it didn't help much with my pain. I was suffering and concerned, so I called my doctor to ask if it was okay to take a dose sooner than 6 hours apart. He okayed a dose four hours from the first. That's when I realized that I had not taken enough the first time and after the correct dosage, I was getting relief. I kept drinking, but only tiny sips. I took a dose of nausea medication with the next pain med dose, but haven't needed any more of it since. I'm taking the pain meds to help my body heal without stress. I got my cpap hooked up beside my recliner and then was able to get some pretty great sleep. Today, Sunday, has been really good. My sweet mother made my husband and daughter yummy meatloaf, veggies, banana pudding and cantaloupe and brought it over on their way to church. I am blessed! I'm more relaxed, walking around the house a bit, still feeling pain in the incisions but less than it was. I was able to take my liquid vitamins and opened my iron capsule, omeprazole capsule and vitamin D3 cap into the multi vitamins and took them together. I just put my b-12 sublingual under my tongue as I normally do, and chewed up my biotin dots. Then took my liquid antibiotic and a dose of pain meds. I was feeling pretty good and mixed up a unflavored, unsweetened protein powder in water. No problem at all. I just drank it an ounce at a time and gauged my tummy reaction. It was all good. About an hour later I had some beef broth. I think it gave me some gas. I took some gas X. I've ordered a bathroom scale and it should be delivered tomorrow. I think I've lost about 15 pounds since starting my pre-op diet. My belly already looks like it is deflating, Yeah! I'm so glad to be on to the next goal. That goal is to make it through the week of clear liquids and get some energy back and the surgery pain over with.

Tomorrow is my day! At 2:00 p.m. I will officially become sleeved for life! I've enjoyed a very restful day with my hubby and daughter. I was even able to make them a good lunch and didn't mind smelling or seeing the food all that much. My only problem yesterday and today has been dealing with acid re-flux/heartburn that has been my companion for years and years. This is mostly caused by my hietal hernia that's getting fixed too! Since I was trying to stick to my clear liquid diet, I only mixed some baking soda in water to try to alleviate the burning a couple of times. My bag is packed (gown, undies, toothbrush, hairbrush, slippers, notebook, kindle, charger, gas X, cpap). My husband will be with me the whole time, my parents, and my two daughters will be there to support me. I'm so ready. I hope I can sleep tonight. Speaking of that, guess I'll go to bed. Best wishes and fast recovery to my fellow July sleevers, to July 12th sleevers, to all of us sleevers! I'm so ready to be on the post-op side! Tammy

Four days away!!! I'm almost there... my surgery is July 12th... so close. I've been on my pre-op diet since June 28th and it has kicked my butt! It's been so hard. In the last two weeks there have been seven meals "eating out" where I have either taken my own soup, or had a protein shake while my family ate normally. Also, I have a teenage daughter in the house to cook for as added challenge. She normally fixes her own food, thankfully, but I get to see and smell the yummy things she's eating. Arrrhgg. I've been so hungry. And I don't feel like I have lost any weight at all. I sure hope my liver has shrunk though. My pre-op diet consists of drinking two protein shakes a day, then having a bowl of soup for one meal. I drink water as much as I can, a zero calorie vitamin water now and then, and lots of ice to chew on. Wednesday and Thursday will be clear liquids. I also go in Wednesday for my pre-op lab work then Friday will be the beginning of the rest of my life. I feel like I'm getting a do-over in a way. I know it will take lots of hard work and commitment and dedication to continuing to get healthy. When I first began to contemplate this surgery, it was tempting to feel that all of the "right" and "healthy" changes I have made in the past 23 years in how I eat, my nutritional choices, the research I've done, the myriad of diets and every way I have tried my hardest to lose weight was all a waste of time, money, energy and life. But it wasn't a waste... I've begun to realize that with the sleeve as my new tool, maybe all of that learning, all the right choices, the way I learned to plan and stick to a menu, the things I learned about whole, fresh meats and vegetables, about all foods (good and bad), the tastes I've developed for real nutrition will finally come together to enable me to have success in getting healthy. The sleeve could be the missing piece to the puzzle. I have struggled, as I've read so many others here have struggled. While everyone around me, even my husband and children would say I'm very happy, optimistic and have a pretty great life.... Inside myself, in my journal for years and on occasion to my mother or my husband I have voiced my struggle. I have hated myself, pitied myself, begged for help, given up over and over, started over, tried something new, admitted failure, pulled myself up from depression, joined groups, contemplated unhealthy ways of losing weight out of desperation, and mostly, just tried to be happy and content with my weight, stop worrying, just focused on eating right, exercise as often as I could and hope that it would eventually get me back to where I was supposed to be. It's a new day. Because of this surgery, I feel more hope for my health than I have in my entire life. There's really no way to put it into words that describe the grateful and hopeful feelings I have. I'm on a mission for me. I'm ready to do this. Blessings and best wishes to everyone. It's so good to have this forum to share with others that understand and empathize and identify so well. Tammy

Hi there July 2013 Sleevers! I got my new surgery date today and it's official! I'll be sleeved July 12th. I was originally scheduled for June 4th with a different clinic and surgeon but had a bad experience dealing with the staff at the clinic and felt too uneasy to continue with them. So, we've now gotten a great surgeon with much more experienced and professional staff and treatment success. I'm thrilled and, while I was super bummed out to have to wait longer, at least it's not too long. I'm allowing myself to get excited again and it feels SO GOOD! Best wishes and much success to my fellow July Sleevers!

Hi June Sleevers! I had originally been scheduled for the 4th, as I wrote above. Unfortunately, things went south with the clinic and staff I was dealing with. Due to their inexperience with insurance pay patients, having no clue as to everything going on with other of their own office staff, bad customer service, lack of compassion, rudeness, inability to be timely with returning calls and their lack of results, we felt totally unsafe continuing to pursue the surgery with this surgeon and clinic. I had no problems with the doctor himself, but couldn't possibly feel comfortable placing my life in such incompetent hands as his staff revealed. Because of the risks that are already associated with this surgery, I sure didn't want to add any unnecessary ones. So, I have, as of today, become a July 2013 Sleever. I have had consult, EGD test, insurance approval and now got scheduled for the 12th. All this done in less than ten days with the new clinic and surgeon! I still wish each of you June Sleevers MUCH success, FAST recovery, and all your health issues greatly improve each day!

Thank you so much!!! I ABSOLUTELY LOVE LOVE LOVE YOUR LIST!!! So, VERY encouraging!!! I'm still post op and basically starting over with a new clinic and surgeon after a bad experience with the first. But, I know eventually I will have a list like this and it makes me cry with joy to know it will happen. Congratulations to you and may you continue to have NSV's and SV's as well!!!

The confirmation test was just sort of icky feeling, similar but not as bad as a yearly exam (pap, etc.). No pain at all and it only took a few minutes. Just had to lay on my back on exam table under xray machine. The doctor inserted a tube about the size of a straw, then filled my uterus with fluid, looked at the results, then it was done.

I have the Essure implants. I got them when I turned 42 and was through having children. I have never wanted to take pills and risk the side effects. For me it was a very simple procedure. I had to take birth control pills for a month prior. I didn't like that part, but it was only for a month and it did make my monthly flow almost non-existant. The day of the procedure (implant) I went in to the exam room, got in the gown, they gave me something to relax me. Then, I woke up and it was done. Actually took less than 20 minutes. I went back a month later for an xray. The doctor fills the uterus with fluid and checks to make sure the fallopian tubes were blocked with the scar tissue that forms around the titanium springs. All was good. Never had any pain or discomfort whatsoever!! And, for me, because it was in in-office procedure, only cost me a $30 office visit - insurance paid the rest.

This is the one I found that is almost no taste. If anything, maybe a little nutty flavor. I can drink it in water and I've put it in soup and broth. It's great!