fotogrphr

Wow... I hate that you had that experience. Mine have all been so positive. I wonder if they have their own teams. Missy may just be Lucktong's nurse. I'm not sure. I hope things turn around. Maybe she was just having a crappy day and you walked into it. I go in the morning for my follow up exam with Samantha Wilkenson. Hopefully it will go ok. I think I'm doing ok, especially under the circumstances. My mom passed away 2 weeks ago, and it has been hard to do everything just right. Especially when people were bringing food over for the family. I didn't do great through that, but thankfully my sleeve couldn't hold much. It should be ok.

Oh, and the tested my sleeve for leaks during surgery. I know Lucktong does this but the others might be different. He did not leave a drain in or catherize me either.

You will be scheduled for any tests you need. I had an ultrasound and echo stress. Highest wt 325 Presurg wt 288 Day of Surg wt 283 Current wt 265 It has been one month today.

Congrats!! Yay!! I called Missy as soon as I found out and she got the ball rolling. The scheduler got back with me a couple of days later to set the date. It will go smoothly now. I will probably go to group on themorning 3rd Monday of March. I have a conflict on the evening time.

They didnt test me for nicotine because I have never smoked and am not around it. Dont know if they test smokers. They did give me a pregnancy test even though I had started. I did not get a letter from insurance. I have an online account and it showed up on there. The day of surgery they took me to a prep room that was just like a private room. A nurse stayed with me the whole time. She gave me the pregnancy test then I changed into a gown that she hooked up warm air to. She had me get in a hospital bed. I had to put on a surgical cap and someone came to scrub my abdomen (even though they had me shower with scrub the night before AND the morning of surgery). She hooked up my iv and gave me a shot of heprin in the stomach. It wasnt as bad as it sounds. She chatted pleasantly to keep me calm. She let my hubby come in withe then. She asked lots of questions. The doc and anesthesiologist both came in to go over things. I watched tv a few minutes and they came in to get me. I kissed my hubby and they wheeled me away. I got into the OR and the team took over. They all started introducing themselves and telling me their part in the surgery. They asked if I was nervous and I said no. They asked if I was ready and gave me something in my iv. That was it. I woke up to a nurses voice telling me to breathe. I got out the word 'husband'. Next thing I knew he was there. He told them to turn me on my side and they did. Next thing I knew I was in my room. I slept a lot but needed to spray my throat. They ordered chloraseptic for me. It was that night before I got ice chips. I had taken biotene spray for dry mouth do I used that too. They came in during the night to check on me and give me meds. I took earplugs and an eyemask so I could sleep. It was the best thing I packed! The next morning I was given some liqiuids to be sure I could keep them down and allowed to walk the halls. They released me about 10:30 or 11am. That was it!!

I have Anthem insurance. They sent it in on Monday of Christmas week and I got my acceptance that Thursday. That was with Christmas between. My surgery was scheduled for 1/20 as soon as I got my notice. I only had to lose 5 lbs. So I had plenty of time. I did the two week liver reducing diet pre-surgery. I drank 2 shakes and had a lean cuisine for dinner. If I really needed more, I could add a boiled egg, or a tossed salad, or a 100 calorie yogurt. The first four days were the toughest. It got easier after that. If you drink coffee or soda, switch to decaf/caff free asap. You might need to do 1/2 caf first to wean yourself off. Once you are on decaf, work on giving up soda altogether. You need to give up carbonation pre-surgery. Your sleeve won't tolerate it. I admit to drinking decaf coffee, though. It does fine for me, but everyone is different. I actually gained 8 lbs. in the hospital. IV fluids and TOM just did a number on me. It came back off in a couple of days, though. I went in at 5:15am on Monday, and was in my bed at home by noon on Tuesday. I did really well so they told me I could leave if I wanted. I did because I just couldn't get comfortable in the hospital bed. I am kinda tall, 5'9", and I felt like I was sliding into the footboard. The worst part of it all for me was the sore throat from being intubated. Take chloraseptic spray to help this. The only other problem was constipation from the pain meds. Don't wait to take something!! The meds WILL cause this. Even with taking something it took me 1 1/2 weeks to go! It was awful. I had slow kidneys but was ok in a few days. The anesthesia can affect organs like this. It takes a little time for them to wake up. Don't freak out if it's hard to pee. I did a bit, but it got a little easier each time I went. They hadn't catherized me during surgery, so I don't know if it had anything to do with it or not. If you have more questions, feel free to ask.

I considered using her, too. I ended up with Dr Lucktong because 2 of my doctors recommended him. I had my surgery on 1/20 and I'm doing well. Surgery went great and I was home in my own bed by noon the next day. The surgical team was great and I was well cared for. Have you been to support group yet?

Although this advice is good, the delivery is terrible. We are not here to judge or be rude to each other, but to show love and support. If you don't like the "drama" stop reading and move on to the next post. You don't have to reply. Certainly NEVER call someone names. This is very inappropriate.

I did this. Went up 3 times. It totally freaked me out. I left the scales alone a few days and came back to weigh in at a loss. I think it's the digestive system readjusting. My bathroom habits changed and my body is adjusting... not to mention hormones! Give it some time. It is normal.

Thanks to all. Your words are a comfort. I am trying to take care, but it has been difficult. I stayed nauseated and only got something down AFTER the funeral. I guess it was a relief that the formalities were over. It will get better now. I finally slept some too. Maybe the racoon eyes will go away too. I really appreciate the support!!

I was sleeved not quite 3 weeks ago. This morning my mother passed away. She had Parkinson's and had suffered through a long illness (7 years). I was her main caretaker, and the past week has been rough. Today my sleeve is in a total knot. The stress has been tremendous and I am sure it is affecting my recovery. It is difficult to eat. Any words of wisdom.

Thank you everyone. It has been the toughest few days of my life. Mom & I had a special bond. The family teased and said we never cut the umbilical cord. She was so very ill, but held on to be sure I was recovering well. She waited for me to tell her it was ok to go. I will love her forever.

Thanks.. I will do my best to do just that. Still kinda in shock tonight. I'm sure things will get better after the funeral Monday.

Good. Good luck! You should be fine now.

Thanks.. I might try that. I have tried taking them with my liquid Nexium. It is still tough, though. There are a couple of super bitter ones. I can't seem to disguise them. I've tried applesauce and pudding, too.

They told me to check with my pharmacist about my meds. They looked up each med to see if tablets/caplets could be crushed or the capsules opened. I was lucky that mine could be opened/crushed. My problem is getting them down when I take them that way. They are really nasty tasting and I burp the taste back up. It makes me nauseated. I haven't actually thrown them up, but I've come really close. I will be happy when I can take them whole again!!

Threw up on day three. It was a stomach spasm. I happened to have a sleeve full of water when the spasm hit. I took a bentyl and was fine. Haven't had that happen again.

There are 2 hospitals in my area and only one is considered a 'bariatric hospital of excellence'. I had to use that hospital for Anthem to pay. I did it and was sleeved on 1/20. Doing well now. It's a hoop you have to jump through with them. I'd get busy and change Doctors before investing too much time.

Wow...impressive loss!

I am 2 weeks and 2 days out. I am getting my protein and fluids in, but have no energy. I am sure it is lack of carbs. I am taking B-12 to help, but still am having trouble. My calories are still low most days too. I'm sure it will get better, but my nut said not to exercise much until it does. She said I just didn't have the excess fuel for exercise. It slows the weight loss down some, but this isn't a race. It's a new body we have to adjust to. Good luck to all. I hope this helps someone!! God bless.

I wear ear plugs and an eye mask. I would never sleep without them!! If that doesn't do it it's his turn to give.

I am 2 weeks post op and still have some of this. It is a little better though. Just try smaller sips and bites. I swallow too much air with mine and it hurts to burp. I hope it gets better.

Thanks everyone. I do have a good scale but they show the same. That's why I use the wii. It tracks everything including exercise. I do probably need to only do once a week, though. I will learn some patience and do fine. It's just good to hear it from others!!!! I love this group!

Has anyone GAINED after surgery? When I first got home I was up 8 lbs in fluid. My kidneys were slow waking up. I lost it all in 2 days and then a little more. I am 2 weeks post op and starting to eat pureed foods now. With the transition I have gained a couple of pounds. Is this normal just because of having something more solid in you? When I went for my checkup I was down a total of 4lbs. But my Wii shows me gaining a half pound or more for three days in a row since then (about 2 lbs). That would put me at just a 2 lb loss so far. That is really slow. I am around a 40 bmi and just wonder if it has anything to do with it. I have already lost about 50lbs before surgery from my top weight. Am I just being impatient?

I am trying to stay on track. I am getting in my protein but my calories are still low. I just can't get it all in yet. Do you think my body is hanging onto fat like starvation mode?