LucianaVictoria

Hi August Sleevers! I just had my sleeve done yesterday!!!!! I'm sitting in the hospital recovering as we speak!! I would love to connect and follow/support anyone else who is in the same ball park as me. Surgery August 18, 2014 SW: 200 lbs GW: 130 lbs Height: 5'6 3/4" (almost 5'7") My goal was to lose 50lbs to get to 150 lbs. Doctor said no, your goal is 130 lbs. You can expect to be there in 6 months. (given I follow the rules and do as I'm told.) I have struggled for just the past 5 years since I was 29 with weight ever since I first got pregnant. I had my second child 2 years ago and gave myself a strong 2 years of strict HCG/low carb/HIIT training -and could never get past 175. This was under the supervision of my physician. This is, I feel, the last tool in the tool box to regain my life!!! Stop hiding behind my kids in every picture, stop passing on parties with old friends because of my embarrassment of my body and to bring my sexy back in the bedroom that I once had!!! ((((husband jumping up and down in the background))) lol Please connect with me if you are in a similar boat. I'd love to find some buddies who are going through a similar experience as me.... (Lower BMI, athlete under the fat, working mom, etc) Cheers!!!!

@@JDD713 - I was in the same boat as you. I am actually on my 1 month anniversary today. Exactly 20 lbs lost. Although the day of surgery I was 207, which I was never really at for more than a day or two (perhaps from my "last few meals were "big or go home" festivals".) lol. But today I'm 180 lbs. I'm 5' 7". I've been working out for about a week - I've never had issues with exercise. i actually love it. I was a collegiate athlete... which is why I think I have an issue with food as I used to eat however, whatever, whenever I wanted - and if I gained 10 lbs EVER... I could work it off and drop it in a week. Fast forward 15 yrs - I'm 35 yro. I have a 2 yro and 5 yro. I could not break 175lbs after my second baby and that was after 21 days of STRICT HCG protocol. The second i went off of the diet... I popped right back to about 185. That is also with 2x a day workouts. I paid $17,500 out of pocket as I don't even come close to the "requirements" for insurance to help out. However, I sleep through the night amazingly, my scars are less than a quarter inch, which is amazing. and I hope to have the 50 lbs totally gone by Thanksgiving. :-) Best of luck! I'm so glad I did this. I'm glad I didn't wait a second more than I did. I'm going to still have at least half of my 30's to rock it out hot and confident. :-)

I just had the most aggressive phone call with my surgeon, Dr. Cirangle. I had my sleeve done Monday (5 days ago) and left the hospital on Tuesday. I was given liquid pain meds (hydrocodone-something) - and it was prescribed as 10-25ml every 4-6 hours. I was taking the meds on a reactive basis and on Weds, the IV drugs clearly left my system and I was in horrible horrible pain. I called his office, his physician's asst. almost scolded me for not taking the pain meds as subscribed and that I should take them regularly every 4 hours if I was in that much pain.... BEFORE I got pain. So I did. Exactly as told and as it was prescribed on the bottle. I took my last dose this morning around 4 AM and my husband went to the pharmacy to get the refill. They said they couldn't refill it until Monday. So I called the Dr. Cirangle and was berated and told that I was taking too much and that I shouldn't even be in pain 5 days post op. I did the math. 1 pint = 473ml Prescription called for 25 ml every 4-6 hours. 473ml/25ml = 19 doses 24 hours a day/4 hours = 6 times a day I should take the meds 19 doses, 6 times a day = the medicine should last me for 3.16666 days. I'm on day 5. He said it was supposed to last for 10 days. Am I missing something??? And at day 5 should I not be having sharp pains where I can't stand up, roll over, or bend over? (He says no.) I have discoloration/brusing like color around the area that I have the pain. No where else do I have this discoloration. I'm supposed to have a follow up this week. AND I never want to see him again. I feel so violated after being so vulnerable to trust and be open to him only to be screamed at and told to "stop being so dramatic." Feeling totally alone and so upset. There's one thing to not have bed-side manners... it's another thing to be a complete asshole to your patients who are reaching out to you for help.

I know this thread was going on awhile back but just curious how your progress has been coming. I started out at 200 exactly day of surgery and actually was at 185 the majority of the past 2 years - just in the past few months before surgery (like 3 months) I gained another 15 and was my final tipping point to go through with surgery. I feel really great. I've only had 2 days where I've felt really "hungry" or wanting to eat some meat! (Like gyro meat with my husband or some salami.... ) but otherwise I've been around 500 calories, under 20 cards, strictly only for the health wise drinks - and I've only gone down to 191 lbs in the first 14 days. That is 9 lbs in 14 days. I'm 5'6" I guess I'm just curious if things picked up or were there things, like drinking extra Water, that really helped move the progress along? I'm feeling like I could start exercising, even though I'm only 2 weeks... maybe light elliptical --- but feeling slightly disappointed as I thought I'd at least pop to 185 quickly again. would love to hear some thinspiration moments :-) if you have some to share xoxo thanks in advance

Just curious if anyone had just stayed on liquids + Vitamins for more than the first 2 weeks post op. As well - did eating soft foods slow down your weight loss?? I totally love the drinks and since I'm never hungry - they are quite convenient. (this must be what they mean by the honeymoon stage)

Not sure if you know of this brand ...they are from this company called, Health Wise!!! I too could not deal with the crap from GNC but these are all 0-2 carbs and usually 17-20 gr of Protein, and around 60-100 calories each. They are awesome. I called the company while I was in the hospital because my hospital had ready made drinks like you get in a Vitamin Water bottle - but they only sell whole sale to hospitals and clinics... but I did call, not realizing my own dr. office would be sending me home with a 2 week supply of the same brand, just in the powder form. The other AMAZING drink I love is Syntrax nectar Sweets - chocolate Truffle - a scoop is 100 calories, 23 gr of protein and I blend it with 1 1/2 cups of unsweetened vanilla almond milk. So filling, rich, smooth - doesn't taste like the GNC "Protein shakes." Plus - the GNC - I can't find anything with as low of calorie count with as high of protein as these 2 brands. As much as I would NEVER recommend anyone to my surgeon's office for any reason, Dr. Cirangle (who is an absolute horrifying individual) - his online estore is the cheapest I've been able to find though. Look under health wise drinks: http://www.lapsf.com/estore/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=65&products_id=192 I personally love the hot chocolate and orange pineapple, and wild berry. And the tomato Soup. It's not even close to tomato soup, but I love everything tomato and it's a nice hot option away from the broth and the "sweetness" of the juice and sweet chocolate mixes. Hope that helps!

No offence here! :-) Yes - I had a refill on the prescription but it wasn't to be refilled for 8 days. And I was on day 5... but again - doing the math and per his assistant's instructions - take the 25 ml every 4 hours... a pint will only last 3.1666 days :-) I'm actually feeling way better today. It is like night and day from Saturday morning and the previous days. Today I only took tylenol and have been fairly active walking around with the kids, doing dishes, making dinner... resting in between of course. I'm feeling positive towards the decision and cant wait to get back to exercising as well!! No food cravings or real hunger - I guess it's why they call it the honeymoon period!! I'm going to do whatever it takes to follow the protocol exactly as prescribed - no messing around. (especially since I paid $17,500 out of pocket!!!) I can't wait for 6 months to pass and say "it was worth every penny!" :-)

Yes - you are right. My husband just said the same thing to me 5 seconds ago. He said to not even mention it - to just drop it. I most likely won't deal with him after this initial check up anyway. I'll try to see what I can do to augment my follow ups via my regular physician as well. Big Girl Panties On? CHECK! lol thanks!

Thanks for everyone's responses and support. I'm feeling so much better after taking the day to rest. I'm not trying to be dramatic... but I just don't know how I am supposed to follow up with him?? I know a huge part of people's success is their follow up with their doctor and their staff from 1-2 years after! I'm literally afraid to ever put myself in a position to have to speak with him ever again. Let alone be in a room alone with him. If he was that horrible over the phone... I can't imagine how he's going to be alone in a room towards me. What should I do? What would I be missing if I never returned to his office? ((I am just 5 days post op)) :-(

Yes VSG Anne - I'm going to switch to just Tylenol moving forward for the rest of the weekend. My husband, who is very supportive, wasn't neccessarily taking on all the responsibilities with our two young girls (2 and 5) - and so even as I got home from the hospital the first day, I was brushing their teeth and putting them into bed and bending over and moving around alot to make all that happen. After the call this morning, he actually said - you stay in bed today and just rest. I'll take the girls out for the day. So maybe he just didn't realize how serious it was for me to stay resting and not running around after 2 kids. And yes - maybe it was the meds that were making me cry after that call when normally I wouldn't. But Dr. Cirangle was seriously very abrasive and incredibly aggressive and dismissive. I like the advice to move to Tylenol. I am going to do this. thanks

Thanks, FineDiva. You are right. My internist is so amazing. I feel like he could be family. Perhaps you are right, some surgeons may just be focused on the outcome of their work which, in all honesty, that's the most important part. It is why I went with him in the first place. ANd thanks for the note on the crying. I seriously don't know why but I could not stop crying after this phone call with him. Like... weird crying. I don't cry like that usually. Or like... ever! The tears just wouldn't stop! A few hours have past and I'm looking back already asking - why did I get so emotional??? That's so not a normal reaction for me. (((Hugs)))) thank you - I am feeling so much better atm. xo

While the doctor self claims to have done more Bariatric sleeves than any other doctor in the world, do not expect anything more than a clean procedure from him. I was familiar and had heard about his reputation about being incredibly rude, aggressive and straight up, an asshole, to his patients. It almost comes across as a personality disorder. Read his reviews on yelp. I personally spoke to his office manager before hand and asked her about her opinion about the situation of his reputation. She said he's a great surgeon, but that when people gain weight and cheat even a little bit or don't follow his instructions, he won't hold your hand and coddle you. He will get on your case, but for your own good. Ok, sure. I can handle tough love. I had my sleeve done 5 days ago and per the instructions on the prescription on the bottle and by his physician assistant, took the medicine as prescribed. When I ran out and the refill wasn't available for another 2 days, he accused me of overtaking the medicine and said I was being dramatic about my pain. (my husband verified that it should have lasted only 3 days... not 5, thus, me undertaking the pain meds as prescribed as it was.) So if you don't care about how you are treated and if you feel you can handle being spoken to aggressively and offensively when asking questions and speaking your concerns about what's going on with you before and after your surgery, then you should be fine with Dr. Cirangle. If you want to have a relationship with your doctor, one where you can have a respectful conversation and open, honest dialog about what is going on with you, then you should certainly consider the other Bariatric doctors in the bay area. I hate that I have to see him for future follow ups. I would do anything to go back and choose a different doctor. The way he treats his patients is not tough love. It's down right mean, aggressive and offensive.

Thank you! Yes - I didn't take any tylenol because the post op instructions specifically said "no other pain medication." I'm not a fan of narcotics and would gladly just take tylenol.... I will ask the pharmacist what she thinks in regards to what I've had and the impact the tylenol will have on my liver. (I think that is the big concern.) The bruising is just yellow and black - like when you bump into the edge of a table... almost as if it's 3 days old. (not red.)) It's on my top right side, I feel like I must be doing damage to myself every time I sit down, bend over, roll over, etc. It's like a knife is stabbing me in this specific spot everytime I move. The rest of the incisions are totally fine. Mild discomfort, but nothing to lose sleep over. ((p.s thank you for your response and support. feeling so alone at the moment and, I don't know why, I feel stupid and like a total loser. I don't know why I'm so upset. I'm not a depressed person, nor do I normally feel this way - I guess I'm not used to being yelled at and attacked like this.... especially by a doctor.)

So I'm 48 hours post surgery. I wish I was still in the hospital as the ivy drugs made me feel like I could start doing squats. Once home, it's much harder. Stay on top of the pain meds. I gulped 3 big gulps of Water in the middle of the night totally forgetting about the small sips and almsot fell over and died. I called the doctor and got my scolding as this is a big no no. Have forced myself to drink my Protein drinks which I quite like. But zero appetite. A level 5-6 pain level (I was like a 1-3 range in the hospital) - but I mistakenly stepped on the scale just to "see" - and was 10 lbs heavier!!!! I have to guess this is from the drugs and surgery. Tons and Tons of swelling. Would love to know how long this swelling goes on for and when I can walk and function normally again. I guess it's a long 2-4 weeks of 10 min walks and broth based liquids. Would love to hear other's story's! On2Living! Good Luck this Friday! I'll keep my eyes out for your next posts!!!

I'm so glad to read this thread. I'm 5'6" - 35 yro (female) - my starting weight is around 200 lbs (give or take depending on the day) - I am having my sleeve in 2 days, Monday, August 18th, 2014. My doctor thinks 135 is a reasonable goal for me. He, and my therapist, both are advocates and speak at conferences that the sleeve is not just for the morbidly obese, but that people with lower BMI's, like mine at 31, can expect to have the best results and effects of this surgery. i've struggled for 5 years since having my first child and was always 135-140 my whole life, but could never get under 170 since my first daughter was born. I was happy to just be at 150 lbs as my goal, but my doctor said 130 - 135 lbs is what he would expect from me. I couldn't help but just cry in his office when he said this. The idea that this would be possible again just seems like a whole other time in a previous life I once had. To get back to this point seems almost impossible to even dream of. Please feel free to connect with me! I don't expect this to be easy, but am looking forward to the extra help the sleeve will give as I make this final journey to my life-long new self and get back to the person formally known as... the real me. :- )

Hi! I'm desperate to see if those who had surgery were on antibiotics right before their surgery or did antibiotics use cause a delay in surgery? I'm scheduled for August 18th, next Monday, to get my sleeve and of course, just got the worst UTI in the past 48 hours. My reg physician gave me antibiotics just now over the phone but said he didn't know if it would effect my surgery..... I can't reach my surgeon's office (as it's past 5) but I desperately don't want to wait till 9 AM when they open in the morning as small amounts of blood are appearing. UGH. The question is - Was anyone on antibiotics the 7 days before their surgery and was there any problem with having to delay the surgery? Thank you - thank you - thank you!

Hi SnowKitten - I asked 2 pharmacists and they both said, at least with the meds I'm taking for the UTI, that there will be no issue. Also, looking on other forums - I didn't see a single person comment that there was an issue with taking antibiotics of a variety of kind just prior to their surgery because of a last min issue. Best of luck!!!!