WorldTraveler

Thankfully your husband didn't listen to the doctor and made you go in! Blood clots are dangerous and can certainly mimic the pain of trapped air post surgery. I wish you all the best in your recovery. Unfortunately, blood clots are a possibility with any surgery. Take care!

My mother had Hashimoto's and I was diagnosed with it in 2003. I take Levoxyl daily (I had side effects with Synthroid) right when I get up. Make sure you do not take Vitamins or calcium until the afternoon (at least 4 hours apart from thyroid-it lessens the effects). I'm sorry to say it takes time to find your optimal dose and this changes over the years. You have to monitor you symptoms and get your levels checked regularly. If Synthroid doesn't work well for you, try Levoxyl or Armour Thyroid (which I really liked but it's not available through Kaiser). You will even out and feel better soon I also have PCOS-it sucks! I was diagnosed with that at age 14 after ultrasound and exploratory laporoscopy for excruciating cramps/pms. I'm still dealing with it - their solution=birth control pills. I have 2 blood clotting disorders and can't take them, so I endure it every month. The only diet that has ever worked for me with PCOS is low-carb. I am 3 weeks away from being sleeved and looking forward to a permanent tool to enforce smaller portions (Protein and veggies first). If you can take hormones-that's what they put you on to ease the pain. If not, you suffer through. Unbelievable to me that in 2014 they still have the same options for treatment that they did 26 years ago when I was first diagnosed. Hang in there-when your levels even out, you will feel much better.

Hey law001 I just got my sleeve yesterday today in trying to get my fluids in. I have no regrets I'm happy with it but you have to make sure it's right for you good luck Congratulations, Queen! How are you feeling?

Thank you and congratulations on your loss and long-term success!

You've been through a lot! I'm amazed at your resilience. I can't answer your questions because I am still pre-op, but I wish you all the best as you navigate the system There are lots of threads on here that will explain the procedure, the pain is different for everyone. Also, check out VSG videos of people's experiences on youtube. Some take the camera to the hospital and are filmed right after surgery, so you can get an idea of how they feel.

Read through the threads on "Would you do it again" and "One year post-sleeve" for inspiration Good luck with whichever path you choose!

Hey Jenelle, you'll figure it out in no time I'm sure and then boom! It'll start coming off again. I've read when this starts happening people usually have to up their Protein or Water and it helps, maybe go into the post surgery forums and you can find your answer? All the best in finding it hun and let us know k? Hi Jenelle, Can you increase your walking times? Maybe that will help? Post-op boards are probably full of good advice

I will definitely follow the surgeon's instructions and do what I can to prevent a clot. Congratulations on your loss!

Does the unflavored have a taste?

Well I cheated more dinner gets me lately. I guess because I'm cooking for my kids and husband... I feel like crap about it and I felt like just canceling it all but I realize that I have control over food. So tomorrow I'll start all over again!!! Ughhhhh Hi Law001, Can your husband prepare the meals now until you have surgery? If possible, that would help you out a lot. That seems to be the most challenging time for you sticking to your pre-op diet. Also, are you on liquids only or are you allowed one low-carb meal a day. Ask your surgeon, because it might help to have a lean Protein and low carb veggie with your family for dinner instead of another shake. Good luck to you!

Good for you! Yay! Keep going! You are so close!

Hi Gamergirl, Great website! I'm looking forward to exploring it further Rachelle

I'm a week after you at the same hospital with the same doctor. Good luck and stay in touch on the forum

I love these bars too and will look forward to them again several months post-sleeve

Congrats on your loss so far. So great you are pain free (minus gas).

Hi Tasha, My husband was not on-board at first either. I sat down and made an extensive list of the diets/starvation/extremes I had gone through over the years (since age 12) and the results and the re-gains. He read through that, then watched some youtube videos with me of stories of women similar to me. My BMI may not be extremely high, but I have a lifetime filled with struggles and I'm tired of the gain-diet-starvation-burnout-regain cycle. He came around rather quickly after hearing my struggles and goals and watching the procedure and reading about the procedure. Keep working patiently with your spouse, he may come around. Try not to get defensive, but calmly, firmly re-state the reason why you have decided this is the right tool for you to meet your goals for life and health. If diet and exercise were so easy, then it would have already worked and you wouldn't be in your current situation. A lot of us need a lifelong tool to reach our goals and thankfully there are tools available. Good luck; stay positive!

I haven't had the surgery yet, but plan on having plastic surgery to lift and tighten excess skin that doesn't bounce back. There is a plastic surgery thread on the gastric sleeve forum-you might get more info there

Hi MissersK, I too have PCOS and understand your struggle. The only diet that works for me is extremely low carb. I can't get coverage for my surgery with my BMI, so I have to self-pay. If you can't switch surgeons, I would get motivated and get down whatever they ask so you can have the surgery covered by insurance. You mentioned you indulge some days-that's it right there. PCOS is unforgiving and doesn't allow for any indulgence. I see the effects of sugar and carbs on my stomach immediately. Follow an Atkins or South Beach two week diet (eliminate all carbs except certain veggies) and that should drop the weight you need and allow you to feel full (fat and protein are filling). Or ask the surgeon, who expects this loss from you, for a weight loss plan and follow it. I understand your frustration but at the chance of having the surgery covered, I would follow whatever is asked to avoid paying for this for the next 4 years. Good luck to you; you can do this!!

All the best to you with your surgery and your journey

I'm fluctuating between 210 and 214-my surgeon asked me to do a one-week low carb pre-op (Atkins or South Beach). No sugar, caffeine, fizzy drinks or carbs to shrink my liver. I'm easing into the lifestyle slowly, like you are. Good luck to you

Hi TeeMarie, I'm May 26 in Mexcio-three days after my 5 year wedding anniversary. Good luck with your surgery

Research, research, research! Read everything you can find on the doctor you are considering and his patients. Also, youtube has loads of videos from patients who were sleeved in Mexico-you can PM them for more of their story as well. I'm very happy with the doctor I have chosen for my surgery (4 weeks away-so excited). You will find nearly everyone on the forum here is happy with the doctor they chose, so find what works best for you. You can also Google the clinics/hospitals these surgeons work out of and see films of the facilities on youtube (if that helps you decide). Definitely consider your health-if you have any extra risks-how does the doctor respond to those? I have 2 clotting disorders so would not choose anyone operating out of a clinic. I need a full hospital and a surgeon who knows how to handle my situation. Good luck with your search. Stay on the forum-it's full of great info and support

Fantastic, wise responses from all of you. I'm a month away from being sleeved and I love reading all of these. Thank you!

Time to switch to Soups http://www.bariatricchoice.com/bariatric-diet-soups.html Or have you tried Peanut Butter Protein drink (Syntrax)? It's really tasty and not too sweet.

Congratulations on your 101 pound loss! That is incredible. You are so close to your goal-24 pounds away-are you exercising daily? I always find that kills my appetite if I walk daily (long walks) and it also lifts the mood which might give you the fuel you need right now to reach your goal. I wish you all the best-you will get there soon!