ringo4

I'm on day 24 & I'm supposed to be on puréed food but I just try to ear whatever is soft & I will chop it up really small and add chicken broth if necessary. I'm finding it hard to get it all the Protein they ask & I'm trying not to obsess over it. I can't do anymore Protein shakes. I'm wondering if I will ever feel "normal" again when eating. Like not bloated. Or uncomfortable. It's so frustrating.

I guess I dropped the ball on this. How'd it go? I went to Mexico and the experience was great. Now I'm dealing with trying to get all my fluids in and not feel like crap after I eat... Seems like no matter what I do I put air in my stomach. Anyone else have this?

Well, if you'd asked me yesterday morning, I would have said I was miserable. I couldn't seem to get liquids down as much as they'd like. I felt gas pains no matter what I drank and no matter how small I sipped. Today was a much better day - and I imagine that as the days progress, they will get better and better. I've had no real hunger, besides head hunger - which I recognize as such. And I haven't gotten on the scale yet. Not because I'm not curious but because for me, it's about so much more than the number I see. I will eventually look but for now I'm just concentrating on getting liquids in, taking my medication and getting well. I'm not regretful at all. For those of you who are interested, I went there alone from start to finish and I never had an issue. Everyone that was there with someone else scoops you up and makes you extra comfy. I never felt unsafe and I never had any issues. If anything, I enjoyed the solidarity as I so rarely get a moment to myself now that I am back. Thanks for asking Barb. And now to drastically change the subject... lol. I haven't pooped in a week. I don't feel bad really. But just haven't. Did you fix the constipation issue? If so, how did you do it? Can i take a stool softener?

I'm already planning a trip back... Maybe in March or April.

Mouse, I think you will be fine. I didn't stick with pre-op like I should have and everything was still a go. The only thing I'm dealing with right now is gas pains & pains from the drain. Still no interest in good whatsoever. Tired. But mostly feeling ok.

Well I'm officially sleeved. Got it done yesterday at OCC. Pain has been minimal, everyone has been really really great. Now I can just chill out at the hotel and wait for this drain to come out. As of right now I'm sipping my broth and isopure... Having trouble even wanting to eat anything. But excited to be done finally!!!

Paul is my favorite too, to be honest. But Ringo's name has always been my go-to because it's different. LOL. I'm doing horrible on pre-op diet. Trying to get back on track but here I have a few days to go. I've gone through some stressful stuff lately and turned to my drug of choice: food. Sigh. I'm nervous but excited. How about you? Where are you? Where is your surgery?

I'm November 1st too! In Mexico.

I'm November 1st too! In Mexico.

Thanks for the awesome words of encouragement. I'm gonna go for it! You guys really are the best.

See I knew you guys would have encouraging words! Health bound, I think you hit the point I am stressing about and that's my concern over losing my "drug". That's the part that worries me... As for the liver shrinking bit, I'm hoping that this isn't an issue bc of my lower BMI. The pre op instructions given to me basically said 2-days of liquids... I think it said I could "try and lose a few lbs". Of course, I doubt the OCC would approve of my lasagna and baked ziti fast... Apparently when people die, the only thing others know how to do is bake Italian food. I'm hesitant to reschedule because I feel like like that's admitting defeat. Plus, even though my circumstances aren't ideal, I do have someone else around right now who can help me out with kids. Mouse, you are right... They should help me out.... And they're willing to. I wonder if I wait till January, if they will be so eager. Anyway. Thanks again. You guys are awesome.

I've done so poor on my pre op diet... Had a recent death in the family (young person, tragic, unexpected) and have turned to my drug of choice-food. Part of me thinks "well, I should eat all of this stuff while I still can" but another part of me is like "if I could go on a 2-week diet of liquids, I wouldn't be in this position". I'm one week till surgery now and I'm trying hard to be disciplined. How about you? How are you doing??

SassySenior (great name, BTW), I'd love to be your sleeve buddy! Now if only you were gonna be at the same place!!! Good luck though.... We are going to be fabulous!

I will be there Nov 1st too. I'll be fllying in on the 31st. If you're around, we can get in the hot tub together! That sounded lesbian-like and dirty. I didn't mean it as either. LOL.

Thanks for the kind words and condolences. I'm going to try to do all liquids for the remaining week before surgery. I hope that this will get me on the right track for the procedure. You are right - I am the person who takes care of things. We as women (and especially us - as nurses) are always on the lookout for others.... and I am doing this for me. I just worry about the afterwards... the looking after my kids and helping my sister... the doing my job and not missing too much more work, etc. But I'm going to make it work. I have to. So anyway, thank you. And thank you so so much for all of your posts. They have been super super helpful and supportive. And no reason to be jealous of my BMI - honey, you are on your way!!!

Hello, I'm a low BMI-er too - BMI is 33. My surgery is scheduled for November 1st in Mexico. I understand where the higher BMI people are coming from, but you can't convince me that when they lose weight and get to the BMI 30-35 range, that they'd want the sleeve to be gone so they can just "try it on their own". You also can't convince me that it's no worse to lose and regain the same 50 lbs over and over and over again over the course of 20 years is any more unhealthy than being 100lbs overweight. The hardest part, IMO of being someone who based on appearance doesn't "need" surgery is that you start to feel defeated. Yeah, so we "only" have half the weight to lose as other people who do qualify for surgery. Does that make being overweight any less hard? Absolutely not. At the end of the day (as others have said) - this is a decision made based on what I want for myself. And I'm tired of being fat, just like everyone else. Anyway, I'll get off my soapbox now. Good luck to you!!!

Mine is Nov 1st too! Good luck to you....

OK. So this might not be the right place for this post. But, see - I've been following along with you guys for awhile and I honestly feel like you're a bunch of sisters to me. Even though I rarely (if at all) chime in. I just wanted to tell you guys what's going on with me - if for no other reason than to get emotional support. I'm scheduled for November 1st at the OCC. I'm nervous, but I'm also excited. The past few weeks doing pre-op diet have been ridiculously hard (food is my drug of choice, see below). My BMI is pretty low (33), so I don't technically have to lose a ton of weight - but my food addiction has been on overdrive and well, now here I am a week to go before my surgery and I've GAINED weight and haven't even remotely started doing what I'm supposed to be doing. Theres a reason for this behavior though.... I should also mention that a few weeks ago my 17-year old nephew, with whom I am very close died suddenly in a tragic way. My ex-husband, who I was sorta trying to rekindle with has chosen now (of all times) to turn back into a drunk and abandon me and my kids. I have no parents (only 36) and it's just me and my sister - who has been a crumbling mess. She is living with me now... and her fiancee and their baby. As if that weren't enough stress on me, I've missed a lot of work because of this death and now I am trying to get caught up before my trip. I could've cancelled or postponed. But I didn't. I didn't because I NEED THIS. I realize that stress level wise and eating wise this is a bad time in my life to do this. Logistically, I have two young boys that I have to figure out what to do with while I'm gone and I'm missing even MORE work. But you don't understand how incredibly long I've researched and saved and looked at message boards related to this surgery. I feel like this is my time. I NEED to do this. Plus, I feel like the time alone away from all this will be the best thing for me. Can anyone relate to this? Am I totally screwing myself up by not trying to cancel this? I mean, don't get me wrong - I'm NOT cancelling at this point. I just wanted to get some input on my pre-op eating being off the hook... input on my stress level and what my post-op will look like. And maybe just a few positive insights on feeling better about my anxiety levels. Thanks, guys.

Yeah. So grateful for your post. I will be there November 1st!!! So nervous. I've backslid so badly with my eating... It's like knowing that I was doing this, I've been on a binge these past few weeks with stuff that I've been avoiding for the last few years. Desserts, fast food. I feel disgusting. I keep vowing to start healthy eating soon as after surgery I will be forced to limit. I guess my addiction is just in full force. Doesn't help that I'm going through some personal issues with my ex husband and work is crazy. Sigh. Sorry to ramble!!!

Getting closer to my surgery date. November 1st. Anyone veterans with Dr. Ortiz who want to give advice in what to bring? I'm trying to pack light...

Lol. A woman. My avatar is yoda.., so that won't help you either. I'm going to Ariel Ortiz in TJ Mexico.

I'm so happy I found this thread! I'm 5'10". Where are all my tall girls at??? Lol. I'm around 218 with bmi of about 32. Scheduled for surgery with Dr. Ortiz at OCC on November 1st. Nervous but excited!!! Reading all these stories is so comforting & helpful with my anxiety so thanks for that.

Yay! A sleeve buddy!!! Are you going alone? Maybe we can email back & forth? I will private message....

So, sorry if this is a repeat question but I keep looking & haven't found it yet.... I've made the decision to go to Mexico for surgery (90% sure) - not sure with whom, but that's for another time. Has anyone gone alone? I realize that it's always better to have someone with you but I just don't have anyone that I can take. I have two young kids and no other family really and my husband needs to stay behind with them. I guess I want to hear from other people who were by themselves: - Was it okay alone? - What do I need to take? I'm wondering about luggage bc I will have to lift it when I fly home. If I pack bare minimum, it won't be heavy, but then what if I need stuff. Any ideas? - What about my personal belongings? My cell phone and my cash? Who watches them when I'm passed out? - What about going to the store alone? Or walking around in Mexico alone? Thanks in advance for your help as I try to plan all this.

I'll be there the same time as you! I think we will be at the Marriott at the same time....?