pumpkin07

I'm not sure, but if I was single I would have saved a lot of money on food after surgery. So be sure and factor that into your budget. I was probably eating more than $350.00 a month in food I didn't need.

Hmmmm....that is very interesting that your family feels you can't do it. But I guess the sleeve takes the willpower away if that is their concern. I do still have the same wishes AT TIMES that I could stuff my face, but guess what - I CANNOT. After this surgery you physically cannot make a habit of overeating b/c it honestly is a miserable outcome. Overeating isn't exactly PLEASANT so once you do that a few times you figure out that is not the route to go. For me I made the decision to have surgery BECAUSE I could eat the same but less than I would normally, and because I wanted to be here for my kids longer and my husband longer. I didn't have major co-morbidities yet but I was really starting to show little signs of developing them. Since the surgery, which I've only lost 30 lbs so far (6 weeks) but I was just a little over 200 to start with, I no longer snore and physically I feel more capable than I did before the surgery. At home I now weight 184 and that is pretty cool - I haven't seen that weight in almost 12 years. I'm sure my cholesterol and tryglycerides have probably gone down which they were slightly elevated, but I haven't had them checked. But I've lost like all the weight I gained at least in the last 12 years so far so I'm certain it made a difference. I mean, given a choice, better to do this when you are overweight but relatively healthy otherwise , right? Also, an overweight parent can teach their child really bad habits. I did with my first who is 11 now and already has a weight problem. He eats terrible, even worse than I did as a kid I believe. My youngest one has more of a chance of not developing a weight problem b/c I have some control. Honestly now that I have some control it hurts me to see people eat terrible things constantly. Not in a judgemental way exactly, but like wow, I would hate for them to have to have surgery later to correct their problem in the way I did. Like my son downing Dr. Pepper one after another and eating candy and Cereal too much. We just started him in counseling and I hope it leads to a weight loss program for him but I need to get his head around it first. He is so resistant. As for me, if I did not have this surgery I would not stop eating wrong/over eating, period. I could never stay on a diet, just no will power. I have friends/relatives that can diet endlessly. I could not. So this made sense for me and I did it. Saying that, I had true regrets after surgery for a week or two and wanted to go get my tummy from the trash and put it back in. I was in shock b/c I was totally used to eating whatever I wanted/whenever I wanted. After surgery was a total panic state for me for a little while. I cried, I regretted, I mourned the big ole piece of fried chicken I was afraid I'd never taste again and the pizza pig outs with soda in hand, trips to Mexico eating everything/everywhere. But I just shed those tears to get them out and after a few days I got a grip. You have no choice with this surgery b/c once it is done, that is it. Those days are gone. While your stomach is healing your mind is starting to get itself around the new you. A taste here and there of those favorite things begins to satisfy, it truly does. Yesterday for lunch, at Sam's, my son ordered a hot dog and I helped him eat it - together we only finished half (he is almost 3 yo). I chewed really well. My husband had Sam's pizza and I snagged a corner of it and ate that and enjoyed the couple bites. The pepperoni was kinda crunchy and great. But no one finished that piece of pizza. Then for dinner, we went out b/c we were busy all day. My son bought a big hamburger at a nice restaurant last night and instead of ordering dinner I took a part of that, probably 1/5 of it (it was a huge burger, 1/2 lb) and we ordered all the toppings on the side. I took my piece and dressed it up with all the trimmings and ate it slowly with a fork and it was fantastic. I had lettuce, tomato, bacon pieces, mushrooms, onion, and mayo. I didn't eat all the bread b/c I honestly didn't want so much bread - but the meat, some bread, and some trimmings. That was my choice - focusing on the Protein, etc. Then my husband had some great shrimp tacos (at the same hamburger dinner) and I was full from the burger but I tasted a little piece of shrimp and it was good but guess what I WAS FULL. I could have brought it home, but he ate it all. I have seen people on this sight get sick and stay sick. There are risks. It worries me so much. I think surgeon's skill and your body's ability to heal well is a big part of it. But also, you do need support from someone just to listen to you without being critical. Perhaps the doctor can best assess your body's ability to heal. Maybe take a trip down there with your support person to see how things might go. There are great surgeons here in the states too. My insurance did not cover and they also did not cover complications (shame on them). So I paid cash here and really worried about complications, but I really didn't have anything major.

I had nausea in the hospital also. I kept throwing up old blood and maybe medication. It seemed like I was going to throw up until every little speck of it was out. I realized this and started not taking the nausea medicine b/c I wanted to get it out of my system. That worked for me. I was in the hospital 3 days and I felt horrible and was totally out of it and kinda scared what have I done, etc. But hang in there, once they tell you to take a shower and go home you will probably rise to the occasion and feel better.

Remember "Loser", he had gotten sick and has not been on in a while. I PMed him and no response. He is in my zip code but no idea how to find him. Just Loser, if you are out there please let us know how you are and if you need any help/support. If anyone knows how he is please let me know b/c I find myself worrying if he is okay. Thanks.

Yeah word to the wise - don't plan surgery near your menstrual cycle dates... I started the day AFTER surgery but worried a lot while on the 'table'.

I'm thinking WHISH WHISH HELLO? HI SO NICE TO HEAR FROM YOU? HELLO? HELLO? CAN"T HEAR YOU UNCLE BOB. WHISH SWISH MUST BE A BAD CONNECTION. LOVE YOU WHISH WHISH WE WILL TALK AGAIN SO- "CLiCK"

Well, I know something about food, just can't address the physical sleeve issues. When you cut a steak a lot of the juices leave the steak, even as it is sitting on your plate same thing is happening and you wind up with something pretty dry to bring home. If you reheat steak that has already been cooked to temperature the first time, you should steam it or reheat it slowly in a little beef gravy (making roast). What happened to you is VERY scarey because of the pain you felt. I guess you met your sleeve today. I guess the advice to back off to really soft warm foods and see how it goes is good. Very scarey indeed. I know you are concerned, but hopefully 9 weeks was plenty of time for a good bit of healing. I've only thrown up twice since the hospital and it was actually so smooth with no pain. That steak must have hit your sleeve or esophagus all in the wrong position or so.

UH YEAAAAHHHHH you are being too hard on yourself. 84 lbs in any period of time is SO WONDERFUL!!!!!!!! I am just so happy for you!!! Aren't you happy for you? What changes have you seen in 84 lbs? How many clothes sizes? How much are you dreading bathing suit weather as compared to last June????? I think you are great.

Sounds so terrific and great fun. You have built a great life for yourself. Sounds like you are in a great place to have this surgery.

I would make my husband go first and take care of him carefully and then let him do the same for me. I would do it with a girlfriend at same time, but not my husband. But that is just me.

I am still trying to find where the sleeve is, so I guess I don't feel it. I have felt my esophagus and my belly button, but where I assume my stomach to be I don't feel it.

You are smart! I never worried about that until I had the sleeve and then went holy crap, what if I can't stop losing weight. But already, 6 weeks out, my weight loss has slowed and I honestly am not worried about it anymore. As my aunt would say, "Give me a little of that anorexia!" Bad joke, not nice, but she really struggled with obesity. But I guess our strength is keeping weight on, and I don't think the sleeve will keep us from being less than a normal weight. In fact, after six weeks I am finding I'm going to have to work a little harder at losing bc eating less was enough for the first 30, but after that it is going to take some harder work.

I had my surgery a day after you and I did have salad a couple times now and I did fine. I couldn't eat much though. I ate it with grilled chicken. It was so great. Some things I eat are very heavy in my stomach like Beans. It is like I take a couple bites and feel like I can't eat for hours. It wasn't like that with salad though. Also, I ate some steamed spinach a little undercooked, that might satisfy you if you cannot eat salad yet. I've eaten tomatoes here and there and that was fine for me. But I just don't feel like there are many raw veggies I could handle and I stopped there. I take prilosec when I need it, but most days I don't. But I also feel hungry. It is hard to describe how things have and have not changed. I eat less, that I know. It has taken a while to adjust to that mentally but I feel like I'm there. I need to focus on Water and exercise because my weight loss has really slowed. But hunger is generally still there for me and feels the same as before, I just don't want the same foods if it feels like they might make me sick. I don't sit around craving pizza or chinese food, but I want food when I'm hungry.

I am soooooooo happy for you. What did that staple wind up being that was in your drain tube, I didn't see another message about it. But seriously girl, I am so happy for you.

Hmmmm....with your history I would think it would be advisable to have a lot of counseling beforehand and during. Believe me, if food is your comfort/security and your fat is a wall to protect you from the world then you could really have some emotional issues after surgery. Food has played a big role in most of our lives. I do not have a sexual abuse history but used food a lot. I was uncomfortable fat, but also a little afraid of being thin. There have been a lot of head games going on. Mostly, I wouldn't hide the problems you are experiencing from anyone. Try to have a good support system and just let things come as they may. I cried a lot in the first couple weeks after surgery, mostly b/c I was afraid of not being able to overeat again. I was very nervous. Now I'm six weeks out and am a littler calmer about it. I think I've tested the sleeve a lot to see what I could tolerate and now I'm not as worried about it. I don't want sweet things often, but I have had a treat and I lived to tell about it. I understand, I was a lot panicked myself. Just don't hide the problems you are experiencing even if it means rescheduling your surgery until you've had time to deal with your emotions.

We just got back from Mexico to Laredo and Monterrey where we traveled by truck. We did get stopped twice in Laredo for a bogus traffic stop (a cop wanting some cash) and a routine check, but I'm sure you will not be in your own car. We saw a lot of army looking guys in camo carrying machine guns. This is normal to us now. I really looked a lot at those guys, and they were not on high alert. They were talking on cell phones, listening to music, and jamming. They are there for the presence of military and it made me feel good to have them there. Just young boys...glad to see they were working and had a job/future. There are random acts of violence in Mexico, mostly one drug cartel against another which may be the norm thesedays, but rarely do they hurt anyone outside of that circle. You'll see enhanced security but think of it as a good thing. I would never travel during the night in Mexico b/c there are petty thieves and bad roads. I know it is scarey, but just get your surgery and come home. Plan your flight times where you will not travel at all during the day and you'll feel more comfortable. You will not see as many Americans there, we didn't see any on this trip. I always plan early morning flights when I'm nervous anywhere cause I figure the bad guys are still asleep from the night before. If totally uncomfortable with the concept, maybe find a doctor here. We got to Mexico often, but I opted to pay more and get my surgery at home. If it doesn't feel right, just don't do it.

Well, I had my first son at 34 and my last at 43. It can be done! They are both healthy. I just wasn't ready before then. A few people have made comments, but for us it works. Hang in there...you'll be nuts like the rest of us soon. It does help to be a smaller weight to chase them.

Sleeved February 9th. I've lost 29 lbs. I haven't exercised really and don't really follow a diet at all b/c I just can't right now, although I tend to focus more on Protein, a little carbs, a little fat. Kind of eat what I can. I'll buckle down if I need to, but I'm not particularly interested in losing super duper fast b/c I don't want any issues with hair, gallbladder, etc. I'm hoping to be down another 10 lbs by my husbands bday in early June. I also LOVE seeds, like sunflower seeds, like crazy. Maybe I need the sodium and protein? It is possible. It is something I can do that doesn't really fill me up, so every couple days I have some. I'm happy with my weight loss. I'm still a little sore around belly button some days from the moment I wake up (my surgeon cuts there as the major site, just 1 other short cut somewhere near my ribs). I think it is b/c I sleep on my stomach, kind of like when you are pregnant and not sure if you can/should be sleeping there. But it is no big deal. I have my 6 week follow up next Tuesday so we'll see what he says, but I think I'm fine. Still wondering where the sleeve is, since I only feel my esophagus like if I eat too much or my belly button. Funny how I never felt the sleeve itself so I guess that is good it is working fine.

I was sleeved right before you and I get empty stomach hunger too. It is a physical need for food, which is different than a craving for pizza after eating a hot dog and oreos lol. Of which I've had none of those. lol Nor do I intensely crave these type things. Just walk your arse off and it will fall off on its own.

I too have very dry skin. AND it feels like winter will never end...in Houston...whichi s really weird. Your weight loss is great Lee!

I had a revelation this weekend right in line with what others have said. What used to be comfort food now is the food that gets stuck. For instance, we eat a lot of Mexican eggs, Beans, and tortillas. B/c I can't eat salsa well, so it is like trying to get cardboard through my throat b/c I guess it is all thick. Even if it is without the tortilla, it is just too dense or something. Beans by themselves are better, but no eggs. Just no satisfaction there. Same with Chinese, which was a major part of my diet. It just doesn't work for me right now and I did stop trying totally b/c I would gag on it. It has been a bit difficult to know what to eat. We went to Mexico this weekend and I didn't want to be a problem or create a problem for myself so I was pretty careful. drinks were tough and I drank a lot of Water. Halfway through the trip I had an AH HA moment and I finally just stopped trying to eat like I always have there before (sniff sniff). I am such a hardhead. What tasted GREAT was the natural orange juice, fresh tomatoes with anything, the flavor was incredible. Things more mild in spice but a bit crunchy worked too, like chilequilas. I did have a corn cob and didn't have the problems Tiffy has had with corn. The corn wasn't served hot enough for me and I couldn't eat much, but that appears to have a lot of flavor to me now. Seems like veggies, but not cooked, are on my list of good things now. Just real fresh produce. I have not had a lot of fruit the past 5 weeks, but that orange juice (fresh squeezed) was like heaven. I had my first lettuce salad on the way back (probably 2-3 oz) and it was great too and I wish I could have eaten more. It is true it is a total re-evaluation of what works and what doesn't. I am 5 weeks out and really just now accepting this. It seems like the lighter the meal the more full and comfortable I feel whereas the heavier stuff just doesn't want to go into my stomach and I suffer for 20 minutes or so and never really feel full. I keep trying and trying to drink coffee b/c I have always LOVED coffee but now find the brand I always used (100% COLUMBIAN) is way too heavy now. The sweet breads from Mexico - totally don't appeal to me much. I'd rather munch on sunflower seeds. I gained a lb on the trip. But I'm sure it was just too much salt on those darn seeds which I gotta get away from for a while. I was just having too much fun tasting things. I never liked salty/vinegary things much, whereas now that seems to be something I like and I may find a good pickle soon. It is weird and interesting how things really do change. I guess it is okay just to eat totally differently. Too late to go back, gotta go forward. It is just so weird after a lifetime of eating a certain way. I'm thinking no more seafood gumbo either - shrimp just has the wrong texture now for me. And forget the rice. Wow - it is hard to imagine that I could live without these staples in my diet. But honestly, they don't taste so great to me anymore. I haven't totally given into it, but I can see I'm on my way.

I got a kidney infection about 3 weeks afterwards - got antibiotics. It worked. Similar to bladder infection, but further up. I know mine was from such drastic changes including not enough of the right fluids.

Stacie - well, maybe this will be part of the answer as to why it didn't heal. Let us know what happens.

I have a favorite chicken and veggie dish at my chinese restaurant and I have gagged both times I tried to eat it even if I puree it. Their chicken is very course for some reason...and a few other times I've gagged on chicken. Slimes and all... I gag on eggs too. For different reasons. I have somewhat of an aversion to eggs, coffee, chicken, whey Protein, and Vitamins. Dunno why...but the chicken I know where that aversion came from...it was that chinese food I tried to eat. And it is in sauce. But still very course.