ShellMilliner

Congratulations, you look like an entirely different person. You have done amazing. Based on your motivation you will have no problem maintaining a healthy weight for life. Congrats again!

@debbie813 Yes, it took a few days after all the fluids and the shock to my system for the weight to come off, but it definitely will. Blues are so common. You are not alone and it likely won't be the first time you experience them. First, your anesthesia can really mess with your head as it leaves your body as does any major surgery. Your body is trying to figure out what just happened! Second, hormones (estrogen) are stored in our fat cells. As these cells are broken down our bodies are flooded with hormones so think baby blues, pregancy, PMS and the change all at once. It gets better! Everyday is different. When you start feeling down, go outside and take a walk it really helps. Stop by here anytime. I'm only four weeks out today and I've had my share of ups and downs but many more ups! Sending you a virtual hug!

My husband works with a gentleman that was sleeved a little over 6 years ago and he has kept the weight off. But like @@AussieSam said, he remained diligent. WLS is only a tool, if you slip back into old habits you can stretch your pouch with a RNY or sleeve. It is a life long commitment.

Warning: Thread highjack! Thank you for your service Sir! You will be up and moving again soon. Wishing you an uneventful surgery and a quick recovery.

You both hit some of my big goals. I so miss riding horses, that was such a passion of mine growing up. I also want to be able to spend time at the barn mucking stalls, grooming, etc...without dropping! We live very close and are annual passholders to Disney. Generally, their rides are accomodating for size, however, I want to be able to ride in the same seat with my husband and daughter and toddler. And I want to ride the rollercoasters at Universal (they are not so accomodating). Additionally, I want to be able to sit in an airplane seat and not need an extender or get "those looks" from passengers. You know the ones, "please don't let her sit here." Most of all I want to live life and be there for my children!

Don't foget your shakes and broths count toward your 64 oz goal. But I'm 4 weeks out tomorrow and still usually only manage about 48 oz of water/day and about 65-75 grams of Protein. I'm a SADI so I require 80-100 grams/day. Some days you will find are easy than others. I don't beat myself up I do the best I can do day by day.

@HopeandAgony We have the EPPO so I bet that might be part of it.

I don't know the rules in Mexico but for sure in the states a doctor can not discuss details of any other patient with another person, especially without a signed release. This includes cause of death those details your would need to obtain from the patient's family.

@Kristomoto The pre-op isn't as bad as your head is letting you think it is. The first couple days are rough and your body makes adjustments. By day 3 most of what you are feeling is head hunger. Drink lots of Water and warm tea. Warm liquids trick the brain into feeling fuller. Because pre-op diets vary so much between doctors I'm not sure if you are strictly on liquids/shakes or not. You can also ask your NUT or doctor's office if you get hungry if you can add another protien shake in. Usually, they are accomodating. The pre-op is not about losing weight but shrinking your liver, your body does this by going into ketosis so the biggest factors are no additional carbs and low fat. Believe, me after day 3 you will be surprised, just keep your eye on the prize.

I was thinking sleeve initially. But after discussions with my doctor, my BMI (50.2), sleep apnea and extremely high triglycerides this procedure was the best fit. Cholesterol, diabetes and trigylcerides resolve very quickly with this surgery type because of the malabsorption component only about 20% of fat is absorbed. Also, the amount of excess weight lost is better with this surgery said to be 80-90% excess loss. I did a lot of research because this is a newer procedure and while it is similar to a DS there are some key differences. I can say I have not experienced dumping or any bowel or excess gas issues. Maybe it is my diet or maybe it is the surgery type.

@kingcake You basically are a carnivore when you do the SADI or SIPS. Because of the malabsorption you are required to get 80-100 grams of protein/day and you will need to take Vitamins that are higher in ADEK (I use Celebrate). I take 3 of the Multi (high ADEK)/day, Calcuim with D3 3x/day, pepcid 2x/day, Iron with C 2x/day, and B12 weekly. I imagine like pre-op doctors are differ in their regimine this was mine. Days 1-3 (once I was cleared with the swallow test) Clear liquids. Water, broths, Jello, SF pops Days 4 - 14 Full liquids - cream Soups, cream of wheat or rice, yogurt, part skim ricotta, cottage cheese, pudding, unsweetened apple sauce Days 14 - 30 - Soft foods - can be cut easily with a fork or spoon, Cheese, deli meat, ground meats, chicken, fish, eggs, tuna Day 31 on - Regular diet

It is amazing how different carriers of BCBS differ greatly. I have BCBS of IL and I had a BMI of 50.2. They only required the psych eval, meeting with the NUT, EKG, ultrasound and blood work. It took about 2-2.5 weeks for approval.

@carolm1965 It think this varies with doctor and surgery type. I had the SADI-S procedure so generally speaking you are NPO for at least 24 hours, unless you had an NG tube placed. I did have the tube and I was allowed ice chips, one small medicine cup full every hour. Once the tube was removed I was able to start drinking that was the upside. The downside was one the tube was removed oh man the gas hit.

@@WAEE01 Hi, I was in a very similiar situation. I have a 6 year old daughter and 2 year old son. I had the SADI so I was in the hospital 3.5 days. My son is a mama's boy, although when I'm not home he does just fine with dad. But believe me I was worried, every minute before surgery. What if he won't let daddy give him a bath? He's going to cry and miss me. Will he sleep okay? Will dad wake up if he cries in the middle of the night? And so on... First, they both did just fine. They came and visited me in the hospital on the 2nd day. I had a NG tube in the first 24 hours and didn't want them to see that. My son wanted to see and hug me but was a bit apprehensive. My daughter was fine. She visited me in the hospital when she was almost 3 going on 4 after her brother was born (C-section). She was pretty apprehensive at that time too. I think it is the IVs and the hospital bed that throws them. I told my daughter because I knew she would want to know what was up. I told her that mommy has tried to lose weight lots of times and that the doctors were going to do an operation to help me. I told her being very overweight like mommy was is not healthy and can cause me to be sick and not do as many things wth them, like run around and play and go on rides. I told her just like after having her brother I would be sore and need to rest but that I would heal up and as I did I would be losing weight and that we would be able to do so many more things this summer and it would help keep me healthy for a long time. She understood and was very excited for me. You don't have to detail any bad things or risks when talking to her. I also told her she needed to help her daddy as much as possible because he would be the only one having to drive them places, pack lunches, get them ready for bed and up in the morning. She was very proud to get to be mommy.

Glad to hear you are recovering. Take it slow, ice chips and ice pops were my friend during the first week. I would even back down to just broth before doing cream soup again.

I'm 43 years young, 5'6", my starting weight was 315 and I weighed 298 on the date of my surgery. I had a 13 day pre-op diet that consisted of 2 high Protein shakes and a single meal with lean meat, non starchy veg, (low fat/no carbs). I could add an additional shake or a handful of nuts if needed for hunger. Then for the day before I was on Clear liquids and nothing after midnight.

I did not have to have a colonoscopy for the procedure. I had an EKG, ultrasound of my liver and gallbladder, bloodwork. I have had a colonoscopy several years ago to rule out polyps or diverticulitis, turns out I just had IBS. And it was nothing! The bowel prep the day before was not fun because you do spend a lot of time on the potty. The procedure if for some reason you are required to have it is very simple. You go in get an IV, they give you an anethesia, you go to lala land and you wake up to them telling you not to go skateboarding that day or operate heavy machinery because of the drugs. No pain, no memory...easy, peasy, lemon squeezy!

You need to track those inches lost. Muscle is much more compact than fat which is where the saying that muscle weighs more than fat comes from. While pound for pound yes it is equal, but because it is compact and based on your workout schedule you are adding muscle. The more lean muscle you have the more work your body will do to burn fat even while resting. The pounds will come. It is frustrating, I was right there with you about a year ago (pre-surgery). It is frustrating because we are all fixated on the numbers. But have faith in yourself, the scale will move and likely a big jump once it does.

I didn't experience that but I had injections 2x/day for my hospital stay and I looked like I was in a fight. The injection was never painful but man o' man did I ever bruise!

There's a really great thread here that has great ideas. Me I brought my kindle (which I never actually looked at), my cell and charger, slippers, robe, comfy shorts and baggie shirts and of course personal products. I never actually used anything except my slippers, robe and phone (and personal products). The hospital gowns were comfortable enough and I didn't want to mess up my own clothes incase of sickness, blood, etc... I really just walked and slept in between getting poked and prodded. Here is the thread: http://www.bariatricpal.com/topic/181994-the-official-what-you-will-need-for-your-upcoming-weightloss-surgery-thread/

@Smye Haahaa, I write and edit for a living and was so confused until I let myself read through the entire post. When you said my wife and I...I said okay lesbian, but my brain said sex would not make a baby in that case. Since I'm about to go all sorts of PMSy in the next week, welcome to our world. I hope your morning sickness clears quickly.

Isopure also has pre-mixed fruit flavored drinks with 40g of Protein per/bottle. They are very sweet and remind me of an extra sweet gatorade or fruit punch. Most GNC's have them in their cooler and they are buy 3 get one free. The only ones I really liked were the grape and the apple melon. I still have some in my fridge I'm thinking of making them into popcicles.

Mine was BCBS of IL and it was about 2.5 weeks, first letter approval.

I hope that is fear talking, because I can't see that as love. I was fit and slightly overweight when I met my husband and we were dating. I was about 244 lbs when we married I remember crying one day and he told me he loves me and will love me if I weighed 300 lbs. If he is more worried about skin than your health, I think there is an issue. I don't really mean to come across harsh I know that messages do but to me that was a shallow remark and meant to sting.

Everything that @@CanyonBaby said. You need to remind them that obesity is a disease and it is not a matter of willpower. Tell them the path you are on WILL lead you to an early grave and your biggest desire is to be there for your children (that was my motivation). Let them explore this site. I believe there is even a section for friends and family. Is surgery risky? Yes, but the risks A. are very low most are rare and B. the benefits of a LONG healthy life far out weigh the any risks. Good luck to you.