Stephanie Stroup McIntosh

The main difference is that sleeve only limits how much you can eat, but bypass limits you and then limits how much you absorb. The bypass does have a higher rate of weight loss, but the difference isn't huge. I was 30 when I started the process and weighed 295. I am 5'3". I weighed 275 when I was approved for the procedure. While all the options were presented to me, it was ultimately my decision. I told both my PCP and My surgeon that I wanted to do the sleeve and they were both happy that i chose that. I am now 2 weeks post op and am down to 245. How much willpower do you have? Will you be able to CHOSE to eat healthier foods? Will you exercise? Weight regain can happen with either procedure. It boils down to what procedure you are more comfortable with and what your surgeon thinks is the best. Your surgeon knows a lot more about WLS than your PCP. Talk to both and see why they recommend one over the other. A lot of people don't realize how long the sleeve has been being done and automatically suggest the bypass.

I take Opurity Vitamins. They are a fraction of the cost. Check out InsureNutrition. Its a website that will help you get free Protein drinks. Think of it this way too. I chose ready to drink Premier Protein. I spent $1.50 per drink. For my pre-op diet I was supposed to drink 4 per day. Thats only $6 per day. Most people spend more than that per day. I am 2 weeks post surgery and am lucky to get in 2 per day. Even when you transition to "regular" food you will be eating so much less that your food costs will still be way down.

Most docs want you to lose 5-10%. It shows that you are committed and will really make the process easier. You have to be ready to make a life change. This isn't a quick fix and they want to make sure people will really do what is necessary. For my insurance I had to be on a 6 month documented diet. Every doctor and insurance company is different, but your doctor should be able to tell you exactly what they expect.

Start exercising and reducing sugar now. The better you prepare yourself the easier the recovery. For 6 months prior to surgery I really concentrated on exercising and even though I didn't lose as much weight as I would have liked to I felt a lot better and my nurses said it definitely contributed to me recovering so well. Good luck!!!!

Every surgeon has a different diet. The point is to shrink the liver. In order for the liver to shrink you need to have very little sugar and fat. My surgeon required a 12 day liquid diet. I had 4 Protein shakes per day and was allowed broth and sugar-free Jello. The first 3 days were the hardest and then my body adjusted. I advise cutting out sugar as much as possible now. Ween yourself down and that will make it easier.

Good luck tomorrow!

I am so sorry that you don't have a great support system. I am fortunate to be surrounded by a lot of people that really do support me. Surprisingly some of my coworkers have been the most supportive. I would really suggest finding someone who you can talk to about everything. I know its really the most important thing going on in my life right now and it is what I want to talk about. Feel free to facebook me or e-mail me. Smileystephanie1@aol.com

I would also like to join. I haven't done this before so let me know what I need to do.

At this point...why not try make a broth by cooking crawfish and veggies or whatever you like. Let your husband eat the crawfish, but you can have the broth.

Your weight varies based on your hydration. Maybe you were just more hydrated today. I wouldn't be worried at this point unless you have been eating things that you aren't supposed to eat.

I see your surgeon doesn't recommend Protein drinks, but I really think you should be getting more protein at this point. I also drink Premier Protein and find it pretty good. It doesn't have too much of a texture. 1 drink is 160 calories and 30g of protein. You will need to have it in a couple of settings, but it is considered complete nutrition.

I am a movie popcorn addict. Thats the main reason I go to the movies. You are just to early in the process to eat popcorn. It is something that is hard to digest and you just aren't ready for that yet. If you are looking for salty foods try some low-fat Soups or mix unflavored Protein powder into foods that are on your approved list. You just don't want to hurt yourself or delay the process. It will get better and you will be able to have popcorn again. but not for a few months. Stay strong

You may get constipated still. Ask your doctor for a stool softener. For a while you will only be eating Protein so it is harder to go. The more Water you drink the easier it will be to go as well. Good Luck

I am also a week ahead of you, having surgery on 3/23. I will happily talk with anyone who has any questions. I have 6 more weeks off of work and am starting to get bored. The best thing I can tell you right now, is that it does get better. Everyday I feel a little bit better. I think I am doing really well in all actuality. I have been able to get down 2 full shakes throughout the day now which is hitting my Protein goal. I drink the premier Protein Shakes. 160 calories and 30g protein. I also like unjury products. Sometimes I mix some of the unjury strawberry powder with my chocolate premier. Yum Isopure is a clear kool-aid type drink that can also add a lot of protein if you are struggling. It has a weird texture, but its not too bad. Good luck and feel free to reach out. Smileystephanie1@aol.com

A bowel movement will come. It just takes a few days. Remember you really haven't had anything in your system. You were probably on a liver shrink diet before surgery and then fasted the night before and have only had a few sips of protein so far. I had surgery on Monday 3/23 and didn't have a bowel movement until Friday 3/27. It was all very loose until this week when i was finally able to start getting enough protein. The more you walk the better you will feel and the more it will move things through you.

I am going to guess that your issue is just how close you are to your surgery date. I am 12 days out at this point and have been getting better. Your pouch is still pretty swollen so as it heals you can fit more in. That being said, I am not always getting all the Protein and Water that I need, but I am getting better. Give your surgeon a call and see if he/she has any advice, but I think you are probably ok. Day 4 for me included 1 Protein Drink (11oz-30g protein) and about 40oz of water. Everyday should get a little easier.

I am 12 days out and have felt a similar pain. Mine goes away pretty quickly. I have noticed it happens most frequently if its been a long time since I have had something. I don't know if its normal or not, but I know that mine is not happening as often as it was. I am doing better at smaller sips.

That sounds like a great idea!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I had my sleeve surgery on Monday 3/23. I was the last surgery of the day and never got out of recovery and into a room until about 9 p.m. I woke up in so much pain. After the pain meds started working I was much happier. Everyone kept asking if I was nauseaus but I wasn't. I just had pain. I walked quite a few laps throughout that first night. My nurse told me to stop and get rest, because I was walking so much. The next morning they took me for the swallow test. The constant up and down out of the wheel chair was pretty painful and I needed to rest for a few hours before I could do anything. That first day I was only able to eat a popsicle, a few bites of jello, and a few sips of tea/water. I was more successful with sucking on ice than trying to drink water. They tried to switch me to oral pain meds on Tuesday, but I have some allergies and what they tried to put me on, didn't really help the pain. I went from being very mobile to needed help getting out of bed so they put me back on IV meds. I still didn't have any nausea, but it hurt to swallow. THe pain was in my stomach, not my esophagus. I chose to stay in the hospital until Thursday. I could have left on Wednesday, but I felt like my pain wasn't managed enough to leave yet. Today is Saturday and I am still recovering at home. I am still taking pain meds, but not as frequently as I was before. I was told I could take 2 pills every 4 hours and I am taking 1 pill about every 6 hours. I hope to be off them completetly in day or 2. My problem now is that my throat and tongue hurt. THey feel raw. My tongue even looks weird and white. Chewing my vitamins hurts my tongue and throat. I hope that clears up soon. It is very painful. I do feel like i could be more active than I am, but I am trying to take it easy since I have a tendency to over do it.