Angi~2014

I am still a newbie, and just browsing around.... saw many share where they are, so I wondered how many people are from Jax.

Hi Lisa, I have not been on here lately.... for no particular reason. this is a great place for support. I was notified of your post via email... and knew I wanted to reply. I am so happy to hear of your news. Dr. Uchal did my sleeve surgery on August 4th 2014. He is a fantastic doctor. and this was the best decision of my life... I wish you the best in your journey. feel free to contact me again.... I should be able to get the message through my email. Sincerely, Angela (Angi)

Hello. Yesterday was a rough day for me. I am choosing not to tell 'everyone' I know about my choice for surgery and have chosen just a select few to share this info with. (the ones closest to me) I am glad to have the support of my husband, but was battling with responses given by a couple of family members who I also chose to 'confide' in. I didn't expect those other family members to be 'thrilled' with the idea, because when I last thought about proceeding with surgery, I heard a lot of negatives etc.... I guess I was hoping for a bit of a positive, supportive reply when I told them that I am doing this for health reasons (as I have many major health issues).... Another difficult part of this is that I know I would have had the support of my parents if they were still here... (mom died 14 years ago, and dad died exactly 6 months ago). I began to feel 'alone' and almost second guess myself...and almost feel like I cannot do this (because I had a family member imply that to me). Bottom line is, I know deep down this is the right thing for me to do... even though it is a bit of a scary step. *sigh* Anyway, I just wanted to share a bit... *to those who may read this, thanks for listening..*

Thank you ALL so very much for your words of wisdom and encouragement. It truly helps knowing that there are others who can truly relate what you are going through.... Struggles and battles in general can be rough, but when you add the battles with an anxiety disorder, it really amplifies and adds a lot more to the battle itself.... giving voice to this truly helped me. I woke up feeling lighter and less clouded having reached out and shared this post. Today is another NEW day and I embrace it as such... (not trying to be "dramatic", just honest in the midst of my battle with anxiety etc...) another step in this new journey..... ..I will heed the good insight and advice given too. Sincerely, and best wishes to you all too. Angi

Hello. I was just sleeved on August 4th and things seem to be going well overall. I have lost 16 lbs pre-op and 5 lbs post-op.... though I am thankful for the 5 lbs post-op I am starting to struggle with thoughts and fears. I have seen a lot of helpful info and hear many share their story/experience and it does help, BUT one additional issue I deal with in general is I have an anxiety disorder and sometimes that seems to amplify the thoughts and fears that I am dealing with. =( I want so much to be successful in my weight loss journey, I have struggled so very long with many obstacles in the way that have prevented me from having any success (in the past). I am trying not to look at the #s right now, but it is difficult. It is difficult and a back and forth battle of being thankful for what I have already lost, (something I haven't been able to do in over 4 years) and wanting to have more success and lose so much more than I have. I know that everyone's battles are different and I know not to measure my journey the same way... but I just needed to reach out and share from my heart because I am struggling and if I didn't voice this out and continued to hold this in, I know it would continue to overwhelm me.

Hello. I was just sleeved on August 4th and things seem to be going well overall. I have lost 16 lbs pre-op and 5 lbs post-op.... though I am thankful for the 5 lbs post-op I am starting to struggle with thoughts and fears. I have seen a lot of helpful info and hear many share their story/experience and it does help, BUT one additional issue I deal with in general is I have an anxiety disorder and sometimes that seems to amplify the thoughts and fears that I am dealing with. =( I want so much to be successful in my weight loss journey, I have struggled so very long with many obstacles in the way that have prevented me from having any success (in the past). I am trying not to look at the #s right now, but it is difficult. It is difficult and a back and forth battle of being thankful for what I have already lost, (something I haven't been able to do in over 4 years) and wanting to have more success and lose so much more than I have. I know that everyone's battles are different and I know not to measure my journey the same way... but I just needed to reach out and share from my heart because I am struggling and if I didn't voice this out and continued to hold this in, I know it would continue to overwhelm me.

Thank you both so very much. I agree this journey is so much more than weight loss, it truly is a chance for better life, and more quality of life.... which is what initially made me choose to move forward with this... I am still happy about my choice, I will continue on... Thank you for reaching back with encouragement, it truly does help and is appreciated. =)

Hello All, I was sleeved on August 4th. I am getting ready to move up to purees/chopped food... I can relate to thinking or dreaming about other foods.... Just wanting to have a regular type of texture other than liquids. So far I lost a total of 21 lb total (16 lbs pre-op and 5 lb post-op) I am looking forward to the days ahead. I cannot believe how good i feel already. I am trying to fight the anxiety moments of feeling too good to believe this will work, (if ya know what I mean)... just wanting to have success for so long and struggling so long, it almost feels like a dream that it will happen... but i am holding on to that hope.... and am thankful for the support and encouragement of others. I look forward to sharing in the joy of other peoples success... =) Best wishes to all.

Congratulations! This is an exciting time... best wishes on your journey... =)

Hello everyone. I also was sleeved August 4th (@10:30am...to be specific...lol) I am really excited about this new start and it is great to see how y'all are doing. I am at 7 lbs lost post-op, still on full liquids, but days away from moving to puree (which I am counting down to) I still cannot believe how good I feel.... but I am thankful. =)

The next day after I came home from the hospital, I battled a temp like that... but it passed within a day or so. (I kept watch)

Best wishes to you both! It is an exciting time that will stay exciting even after your sleeve. =)

I can totally relate to what you shared. I have been going through the whole mix of emotions and thoughts and fears. It does help to find and read other peoples' journeys.... as you said it is a helpful encouragement and a good reminder that we will get through this with success as others have. =)

Congratulations! I am 8 days post-op and sometimes it still feels 'unreal'. This truly is one of the best choices I have made and I look forward to the days ahead! =)

I am so glad to have found this post though I am not sure if anyone else will see it or my reply because it is a post originally from Feb. 2014. Anyway, I just had to say "thanks" for posting and sharing, this was helpful and encouraging to me as I am 8 days post-op.

Ok, so I see this is an old post..... BUT I am so glad I found it. This is exactly what has happened with me (so far). Pre-op I lost 16 lbs and 1st week post-op only shows 5 lbs. I started to feel like there may have been a problem, but from what I read here.... I am seeing it a lot differently and in a better light. Now I can breath a sigh of relief.

I am so glad to see this post. I was sleeved on August 4th, and I am going through the same things. Things seemed to be going almost too good..... plus I was concerned about being able to drink so much. I even called my bariatric nurse, who said this is normal. Surely, I know everyone is different but it helps to know that there are others who may be experiencing a similar situation. I am still on liquids and look forward to the next phase, as this one is a small struggle, but it is a struggle in my mind I think because of it being liquid meals.... and usually the liquids are associated with beverages (aside from soup/broth). I am guessing that once I advance to puree, it will be different altogether in how I continue to adjust and I am hoping it will help give a boost towards my weight loss. (not sure if that makes sense)

Hello. Though I am not yet at that phase (I am on full liquids). I think the posts previous to mine... are wise and good to know, as many have shared similar experiences. One other thing that came to my mind is perhaps it may have been a combined issue that may have triggered vomiting... perhaps the pill that you took prior to eating was the other trigger... I know that for me, in general... with certain meds, I cannot take pills on an empty stomach... so I usually have a little bit of something to buffer my stomach. Now that I am 6 days post-op, I have used a little bit of applesauce or yogurt to buffer my stomach from the particular meds I know would normally upset my stomach. Hope that rough patch passes and you are feeling better.

Hello. I can imagine how you feel. When I was first searching and researching to find a bariatric surgeon, I had a couple of references that were given, but I also wanted to search for myself. Well, a particular doctor's name (I will call him Dr. W) was given to me by a patient who had him as a surgeon, but also one of my doctors mentioned Dr. W. as a good reference. Well, while I was researching online, I used vitals but also used healthgrades, and though there were many good references listed for Dr. W. I also looked at the specific info other than patient reviews. On healthgrades, they have an area that shows sanctions, malpractice, and disciplinary actions too... and long story short it showed that Dr. W. had disciplinary actions in his file 3 years in a row and they were recent years. That was all I needed to hear and I immediately knew I was not comfortable with meeting him for an eval. Now, please know I am not saying this to make it more scary or upsetting... I just wanted to share a similar experience but also wanted to say that you will know the right choice and decision for you (whether to go with the doctor you referenced), I would say to go with your gut (no pun intended)... I usually go with whether I have peace about it, but I know that in general the beginning stages of this process can cloud those peaceful feelings just because of nerves in general about having this surgery (as it is a major one) Also, I would say if you sense or have any feelings of "a red flag" or "hesitant warning" .... continue to think through whether or not to change from this doctor to another doctor you will feel comfortable with and confident in. Bottom line is you will know deep down what the right decision and choice should be for you.. I hope that helps a bit, (sorry it was such a lengthy reply) Best wishes, sincerely, Angi

I am so glad to have found this post/ topic. I am 4 days into post-op and am battling the same feelings about the liquid diet, but I am also knowing what many of you on here have shared.... this is just a start and temporary phase. I know in time this will pass. At one point I was thinking perhaps something was wrong with me, because I was craving "food" more than I thought I would be, but from what I can tell, it seems like it is the normal process. I am also battling with wanting to step on the scale more than I should... I have lost 5 lbs so far since Aug. 4th (surgery date), and while I am thankful to have any weight loss because I have not been able to have success with it in so very long (for various factors) I need to try to keep my thoughts in check, because in my thoughts I was hoping it would be a larger number..(I know that sounds a bit crazy since I am only 4 days postop) I am just trying to proceed forward and adjust to this new life start....(which includes adjusting to new levels of insulin, which I pray will not hinder my weightloss... that is another fear I am battling) Anyway, Thank you all for sharing this, because it really is helpful. I am thankful for this place of support. =) Sincerely, Angela (Angi~2014)

Hello. I can relate to a lot of what you shared.... I just had my surgery Aug. 4th and have had many of the thoughts you are dealing with too.... fear I am not losing enough, I think some of it (for me) is that I have struggled and battled and failed for so long, that fear is still there. I am on clear and full liquids and am struggling with wanting to eat something other than liquids, but I just keep waiting and toughing it out to allow my stomach to heal. I also battled within my mind, when I see that I am able to consume more liquid than I thought I could (even without overdoing it) Bottom line, I think we are doing great, and just need to take it one day at a time, knowing we have made the right choice for us and remembering this is not a "quick fix' but it is a tool to help us. Keep up the good job, you are doing fine! =)

Hello, I am making my way closer to my surgery day... which is expected to be in July 2014. I am very excited, but also battling nervousness... which I know is normal. One fear that seems to be hitting me is the fear of proceeding with this surgery and not losing all the weight that I need to. I hear of many that lose in 90s and 100 pounds, and please don't misunderstand me, that is outstanding... really, I am not making light of that (I am not making light of any amount loss, because all that is lost is a victory) I am just getting a bit scared because I know that I need to lose over 100 pounds and it scares me to think it wont happen. I am doing my best to keep positive and keep pressing toward that goal. What didn't help me was, looking up information in the hopes to encourage me and finding many places that tell me the opposite, saying that there are limits to the amount of weight you can lose even with having the sleeve... that truly made my heart sink, but also it created confusion too. I know that the sleeve is a tool, and see it as such... so I am thinking that if that is so, why would there be a low limit of weight to lose ...*basing that on if you still need to lose that weight and put in the effort* am I making sense with this rambling..lol Long(er) story short, has anyone come through this losing more than what was 'predicted'? Has anyone with a similar challenge lost over the 100 pound mark? ANY AND ALL INSIGHT, ENCOURAGMENT, ETC. WOULD BE TRULY HELPFUL... Sincerely, Angi

I am pre-op and do not have a hernia, but have GERD..which has been mostly controlled. I have heard different things... some have had their GERD resolve, others still need meds... I am not sure where I will be, though I am guessing I may still have to use my meds on and as needed basis. Best wishes on your journey.... and one thing to remember... God is in control! =) PS~ I totally understand what you shared about humor... and what your husband shared is funny! I have to share that with my husband... he will laugh too, as he likes to make me smile and laugh no matter what is going on... he tries to bring joy and laughter...lol =) Sincerely, Angi

Thank you for sharing. Though I am not there yet, I can relate to what you are sharing. I am looking forward to the restriction too. I know it wont be an 'easy' road.... but it will be a joy to be able to have a small portion of a healthy food and be able to walk away... (know what i mean?) It will be good to have a stomach that will feel full on a lot less food. Congratulations! on your awesome journey.... Sincerely, Angi

Than Thank you for sharing this. This is truly what I was thinking and believing in my heart... but it is good to hear you and others confirm it. What kept tripping me up a bit was hearing more of the 'moderate' results that were being mentioned by doctors. It truly had me fearing that it would be hard to get beyond that point.... It is good to know for sure it is possible to go farther than what may be mentioned... as long as it is the right and healthy thing to do for you... (though every person is different with different challenges etc.) I am so glad I started the initial posting, because ALL of these posts have truly helped. =)