froufrou

Can your husband do some of the calling? He probably would love to - it's really hard for our spouses when this happens... they feel so powerless. Don't be afraid of making her 'angry'... she is being paid to help you! It just sounds to me like you need to actually get in front of her, with your husband, and ask some questions and get her to clarify. That is her job and her responsibility to you. If she truly can't help you, then she should refer you on to someone who can! Let your husband be your advocate if he wants and can ❤️

I totally get the whole not knowing anything driving you crazy - that's how I felt too. Nobody could give me a plan or an idea of what was going to happen. I absolutely get it. But, they should be working with you and giving you some kind of roadmap. Does it matter if the other doctors know your current doctor?

Cathy, I really think you need to see either your surgeon or someone new. You must get some answers regarding your situation. I mean, they cannot tell you when it will heal... it's like asking 'how long is a piece of string', but they can at least let you know what some options are. Your leak is in the same place mine was - it's a classic place to get one, so I'm not sure why they are telling you it could be 6-8 months to heal when a stent will help it heal quicker. Sometimes you have to be a pain in their arse to get them moving - be that squeaky wheel. Do you have someone who can help you with these calls and help support you?

If you have ANY doubts, check with your doctor. That's what they are there for. And if it gets any worse, go to your ER. It's not worth taking risks if you feel something is wrong.

This is basically what they do when you have a gastric sleeve leak

A stent is a kind of tube they put in to keep the area open and covered so that the hole can heal up. Yes, they put you to sleep to have it put in and taken out. The first 2 attempts at putting it in both failed. The guy was going to do it a third time and I told my surgeon I felt like I was dying and to please not let this other man do it again - he didn't intubate me and so I had terrible problems on the operating table with my breathing... I swear I was close to being a goner. The stress of it made me soil myself and so when I came round I was swimming in my own filth... which I was left in for days. Jeez... I can't believe what happened. So I was sent to a specialist who sewed the stent in place. God was that uncomfortable, but it worked... well... it came undone once and slipped so had to be done again, but 4th time worked.

I've been getting rid of mine as I go along - taking them to charity shops or keeping them aside to sell on ebay. I kept a couple of pieces of my largest size, just to remind me.

I am still losing, steadily. I haven't been eating very well lately, so I need to figure that out and actually get some nutrition. It's just a busy time of year. But, the great news for me is that as of this morning I am no longer morbidly obese! Just obese hahaha. I'll take it! Well done for reaching your goal Anna! What a great Christmas present. I know you are concerned about losing too much, but hopefully it'll even out and you can figure out how to maintain. Maybe some veterans on the board can help you with that.

For those who want a sub - jimmy johns does mini versions of their big sandwiches. Perfect size.

p.s. I know exactly what you mean about carbs being easier to get down - I've been telling my husband since my surgery. If I eat protein it comes back up... after sitting like a brick in my chest. If I don't eat carbs I'll die from not eating at all! My surgeon wanted me to do a scope a while back but then it seemed to be ok... or maybe I just wasn't thinking about what I was eating. Anyway - I have the EXACT issues you have.

aaaah crap! I have this same issue and I was hoping it would just go away. fml. Guess I know what I'm doing in the new year.

It's not going to hurt! If they were soft and it was just a taste it's not going to do anything. You're fine. Just remember to be careful with yourself - you've been through a big surgery and are probably feeling really fragile emotionally and physically right now. Cut yourself some slack. All of us have a lifetime of habits to change - it's going to take a bit of time.

ugh, that sounds awful! You poor thing! The stent can be uncomfortable... I had a fair amount of regurgitation but I think I was supposed to take that liquid... can't remember the name, starts with a C... nobody told me to take it until AFTER my stent came out! I think with that I would have been a lot more comfortable. As soon as I had the stent removed, it was instant relief. I mean... you have to have it if you have to have it, but know that there is an end. Hot water bottles on my chest became my best friend. I don't know how many my poor husband had to make for me! My stent was actually stitched in place because the first 2 times didn't work. 3rd time the stent slipped... 4th time worked. This is a hard road and I know exactly how you feel right now, both of you. But there is an end to it. It may not seem like it now, but it's worth it. We are just the 'lucky' few who have this happen.

People self sabotage because it’s very hard to undo a lifetime of a way of thinking and eating, no matter how much work you do. It’s a journey and it’s an individual journey. I’m sure the OP has realised that eating that much so soon was a bad idea. Sometimes that’s just what you have to do. I went through a phase recently of making some bad choices - I rearranged my thinking and now I’m back on track. It can be done

I’m constantly light headed when I stand up.

Oh you poor thing! I completely sympathise - I had a leak after my sleeve and was in hospital for 3 months. Had 6 surgeries to try to put stent in. As soon as the leak healed they took the stent out - an instant relief from the pain I was in. I can’t remember when I came off TPN... I think around the same time. Let me know if you have any questions.

You will get to cook again! But this time you will feel fitter and more able bodied whilst doing it. Kicking back and enjoying life can be done without food being at the centre. Remember why you made the decision to go through with this in the first place and hold on to that. You can do it! We are cheering you on!

What are your reasons for not wanting RNY? Why are you choosing Sleeve over RNY? What do you see as the pros and cons of each one?

I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving. I had a really good one and even lost a pound! I had everything I wanted - just small amounts. I LOVE this way of eating now. I saw everyone else with their big plates of food and I was really not envious. I actually felt grateful I didn't have to stuff all of that in haha. (no judgement on them - they are all skinny-pinnies anyway).

The first couple of weeks are hard, until you get into your groove, but I assure you it will get better. With water remember just to keep sipping. The sleeve has more restriction in that respect, so just take little sips often. You'll get through this... these are just the hardest days and they will be behind you soon. Hang in there x

Wonderful news!!

I had more restriction with my sleeve for fluids, so I would just sip a lot. Since my bypass I can drink everything just fine... just not at the same time as eating. I get the foamies. I'm 9 months out from Bypass.

I really think planning and rehearsing in your mind is a good thing. I mean... sometimes I go off the rails, but most of the time if I plan and prepare and figure out what it is I'm going to allow myself, then I stick to it. This year I've decided to have a mince pie and mulled wine evening. Haven't thought of the date yet, but I'm going to have one mince pie, some mulled wine and watch a Christmas movie (before xmas) and thoroughly enjoy it... instead of my usual which is eat ALL of the things and then find the mince pies at the end of xmas or the new year and eat all of them too! haha

Yes, I think they do come back. Mine are back too to an extent and I flirted with it for a bit... a bit too much chocolate over Halloween, but I've realised it doesn't satisfy me. It just increases my craving. Instead I've been having a couple of sugar free mints or if the craving is really bad then I do have some stevia chocolate in my cupboard - you can have half a bar of it for 170 calories. The salted almond is the best in my opinion. I dunno... I'm just kind of trying to retrain my brain, which is incredibly stubborn! But sugar is a drug for me - I'll always have to be on my guard.

I had a mega stall... plus a blip in my eating habits. Back on track now and losing again. Just stick with it. The worst thing that any of us can do is give up what we are doing and think 'eff it I'll just eat'. That's how most of us got here. Just keep doing what you're doing and it will come off. I'd say go back to basics... log food intake, weigh yourself, make yourself accountable. Tweak any bad habits you might have got in to (putting extra on your plate, having that extra starbucks, etc) and get back to how you should be eating. Our bodies definitely seem to have to recalibrate though and take pauses along the way. Don't lose hope!