samuelsmom

I understand your mom's view completely. My mother was very anti-surgery unless it was absolutely essential. Bariatric surgery, as you probably already know, is considered "elective." That being said, almost everyone going this route has struggled for years and this "elective" surgery can be life-saving. Obesity is a disease with a myriad of treatment options. For some people, non-surgical works, for others it doesn't. I'm sure you have thought long and hard about this. Don't second guess yourself. You can respect and appreciate your mother's concern and still stick with your decision and treatment plan. Good Luck!

I think you need to ask the surgeon for more details. What you have described is very unusual for bariatric surgery. Hope you feel better soon!

The first time I had popcorn was about 6 weeks post-op. I enjoy it for a snack with the 100 cal. bags; especially if I am watching a movie!

I'm sorry you've had to go through all this! The sleeve has actually been around quite some time. And there are stats from several years, although, not nearly as long as the RNY. Both the sleeve and the RNY are completely different surgeries from the band, so it is unlikely that you would have the same issues. I had the sleeve 2 months ago and have not had any problems. I can eat anything in small quantities and have had good weight loss so far. I am a fan of the sleeve because I couldn't handle the idea of rerouting digestion and I really didn't want malabsorption and dumping. However, I would recommend that you continue to research this and make the best decision for you. Good Luck!

Good Luck! Hope it all goes smoothly!

If there is a certain amount of required weight loss, your surgeon or nutritionist should have informed you of that. Mine did not have a number. The only requirement was that you couldn't weigh more when you got to the hospital than you did when you went in for your pre-op physical. I started the liquids on Wednesday night, had my physical on Friday, and when I got to the hospital for surgery the following Wednesday was down 5 pounds! The liquid diet for a week was not bad. After surgery it was tough getting an ounce of Water down. I absolutely had no interest in having anything for weeks. It made it easier to follow the liquid diet after surgery!

Every surgeon is different, however, there is many different opinions among the medical community on if the pre op diet is necessary or effective. When I say Pre-op diet I am referring got the liquid Protein diet shortly before surgery. My surgeon has everyone do it for one week and a few have to do it for 2 weeks based on medical history. If your surgery is next week, I would recommend starting the pre-op diet now. You body will have the immediate benefit. So get started! Good Luck!

Except for the immediate post op period and maybe when I've had the flu, I have never experienced this! I enjoy my meals and look forward to every one of them!

You are wise to really consider this surgery as it is a major change. However, you have waited a year for this which tells me that this is something you want to do. Don't let last minute nerves discourage you. If you have seriously thought this through, then don't second guess yourself. I was ready to back out until they got the IV in and then 15 minutes later was wheeled into surgery. I remember being ready to walk out and then the 3rd nurse got the IV in and I thought, "Oh, crap, I guess I'm going through with it." Today, I am very happy that I did. I am down 60 pounds and very excited. The last time I weighed under 240 lbs was when my son was a baby and he is 22 now! It feels so good to be successful. Best of luck to you!

I couldn't handle the bed either. Once I got into a recliner was much happier. Walk, walk walk! It will get better!

I think you have gotten a lot of good feedback on this thread. I agree with everyone else that professional help would be a great benefit. If one of my younger friends was in this situation here is the suggestions I would have: 1) Don't say anything about his weight or surgery except encouragement. From what I read it only leads to a fight, so don't do it. 2) Don't take the "bait" when he criticizes. In other words, if he says something about your workout, say "thanks for sharing." 3) Reconsider your living arrangements. IMO you are both too close and need some space to sort this all out 4) Read the book "Crucial Conversations" It gives great tips. Good Luck to you.

Thanks for that post! Very encouraging. I too had been skating by with good genes. After spending a year losing and regaining the same 15 pounds, I had an epiphany back in July of 2014 that realistically, that good luck was going to end. It was not an "if" but a "when." Although I did not want WLS, I made an appt. and have not looked back. Surgery was November 19th. I am down 58 pounds and just thrilled. The only time in my life that I have gone through the holidays without gaining weight! I do have fears of not reaching goals but I try to put them out of my mind as that is counter-productive. BTW- people at work started noticing the weight loss right about the 50 pound mark.

@ greatestnameever Make sure you are getting enough Protein and fluids. If you are then I would call the doctor. You may need your diet upgraded a little bit. If you continue to feel this way, don't try to "tough" it out, this should be called in to your health care provider.

@@chip305 I couldn't possibly follow that plan. I know one of the dangers of WLS is grazing, however, I just cannot eat that much at one meal and am hungry about 2 hours later. A snack of greek yogurt or a cheese stick works great for me. If this is something you can do, great, however, I would recommend a call to the nutritionist if not. For Protein ideas: Fish, eggs, and meat are all good sources. As are lentils. Peanut Butter (if you can tolerate it at this point) is a good protein source also. I usually do have one protein shake a day to help me meet my goals. I also think it a good idea to ask for a sample menu as recommended in a prior post. Good Luck!

Fear not! January will be over soon and the weight loss rush will slow down as New Year's resolutions fade...

Don't feel bad. Guess what? You're human and you messed up. It's done. Just kick those negative feelings right out the door. Start fresh! Don't let 21 days of hard work be for nothing!

@xmaleemgyx Good Luck! It's been 2 months and I can honestly say, it was the easiest surgery I've ever had. About the catheter, see if you can negotiate. Catheter use was once standard, however, it is becoming used less. If the surgeon knows it's important to you, maybe you can go without.

If the issue is not head hunger, acid, or inadequate fluids, and you are genuinely hungry, maybe adding vegetables to your diet would be a good idea or trying different Proteins. It sounds like a talk with your nutrtionist wouldn't be a bad idea. I see you have had great success so far, so obviously you're doing something right!

A Weght Watchers leader who had lost 150+ pounds told me what she did for stalls. She said that the body likes things to be the same so "change things up." This may be by doing a week or 2 straight vegan or perhaps doing a week of the pre-op diet. For people who are not active, it might be adding an exercise routine. By changing this up, it jump starts the weight loss. I have found this to work. For me, when things stop for a couple of weeks, I do 1 - 2 days of H20 and Protein and that gets me losing again. Don't lose heart! You can do this!

HI Folks, As an old RN for the past 33 years, I can guarantee you that there is a great variance of opinion and knowledge among health care providers. It is not a good idea to blindly accept and/or follow anybody, including your health care team. That being said, I have the utmost respect for my surgeon and the team I worked with. I also know that I have to live with any health care decision that is made, so it is in my best interest and the entire team's best interest if I have the best information possible to make health care and lifestyle choices. A good health care team will not be upset or threatened by an informed, questioning patient.

What are the program requirements? Are there specific goals you have to meet to get approved? How many surgeries has he or she done? What is the practice's complication rate? What is their pain management protocol? What is their nausea management protocol? I know my doctor put everyone on anti-nausea medication- a dose was given IV pre-operatively and then around the clock IV post-operatively until discharge. This was great for me. I too have experience nausea after surgery, however, with this protocol in place, I had none! What a relief!

If you are having the sleeve, then dumping is not usually a problem. I am 2 months out and think I could probably handle a trip now. i have been fortunate and haven't been sick at all. If your doctor can get you in before the end of the month, or maybe the first week in Feb, I would probably go for it. After that, probably not. I was approved the first week of November and had my surgery on the 19th and I have read quite a few other posts where people have had surgery within a few weeks of being approved. I would recommend calling your surgeon's office right away and discussing this with them.