Catgirl29

I am 52 - 5’9” and weighed 241 when I was sleeved on Nov 14. I wasn’t “huge” but people would have described me as “a bigger lady”. I was wearing size 16 to my mortification. My problem is that have arthritis (not a qualifying cormorbiduty) and my bp kept rising and my cholesterol was not helped by the keto diet I had tried for 2 full years. I’m 11 weeks out and weigh 207. This makes my BMI 30.6. I’m almost overweight and not obese! My bp is in the normal range. My clothes are too big. I was able to buy a well fitting large, rather than XL shirt. I’ve had zero complications. Wish I had done it sooner (you’ll hear this a lot). By the way, the band - man, people are constantly talking about how it slipped, etc. sounds like a nightmare.

Oh my gosh, it went fantastically well. I did not love traveling from Atlanta to Las Vegas during Covid but that worked out OK. My companion, my husband, was a little bored in Vegas, given that we were being so careful. The hotel was wonderful, the staff was wonderful, my surgery went off without a hitch. The in-room fluids and next day fluids were lifesavers. I was back at work five days after surgery. Here is where I am - 5’9” - 52 years old HW - 255 SW - 237 - BMI 35 CW - 217 - BMI 32 GW - 165

I was so very fortunate and very impressed with my program at Blossom Bariatrics. They leave no stone unturned and no question unanswered.

It’s so amazing how all programs are different. Mine actually has videos about the air that they put in your abdomen and they talk about having a companion beating (percussing) your back to break up the air and how much walking you should do to eliminate it.

I got mine from Sam’s Club but I think Costco has them. Walmart and supermarkets might sell them individually. The chocolate and vanilla taste like milkshakes and since it’s ultra filtered there isn’t any lactose - no bubble guts for me.

I was sleeved last Saturday. I just gagged down a Fairlife Chocolate shake. It’s one of the least sweet options. I never liked sweet anyway. I can start on some real stuff the day after Thanksgiving. Getting in the protein is a chore for sure.

Sorry about the heartburn. I’m 3 days post and I’ve had none of that whereas I did before. They repaired a hernia while I was out so I’m hoping that helped. Did the doc say you could take something for it?

Dr. Matt Apel. It seems the surgeons switch off for a week at a time so Dr. Apel did all 7 surgeries on Saturday. They also now have Dr. Rogers. I guess Dr. Umbach rarely operates anymore. I think Dr. Sakata went back east where she’s from. I met with Dr. Rogers in my consult and he’s great - very experienced but ultimately, I was happy that Dr. Apel did mine.

If you can do Gatorade zero and any sort of broth, it helps break up the monotony.

I had my surgery yesterday at Blossom. The whole experience was awesome I must say and I feel really good today. You have 10 days before your surgery. I hope that your cold clears up. They are constantly checking temperatures and making you use hand sanitizer and like. We fly home to Atlanta tomorrow. The biggest threat to travel, I think, are all the maskless people grabbing a bite to eat in the airport.

Officially sleeved yesterday. I feel awesome today. A little bit of achiness from the largest incision and yesterday I had the worst dry mouth. All is well though. For me, it’s been a piece of cake. I feel very fortunate.

I’m in Vegas - hungry, sleep deprived due to jet lag and waiting for my first day of appointments at Blossom Bariatrics. Surgery on Saturday.

Are you on your way to Blossom today?

People recommend Smooth Move tea. I think my surgeon will actually send me home with meds for constipation.

I leave on Wednesday for Vegas. I’ve told my boss and a co-worker. The others think I’m just using up PTO. The two that know asked me today if I was excited. Oh, sure, it’s like going to Disney - lol! I am decidedly not excited for surgery but looking forward to having it done. Best of luck to you.

Have you talked to your surgeon’s office? Will they let you try again? Do you want to try again? Seems like a ton of buildup and work not to see it to completion. If they can determine what happened so they can use a different anesthesia protocol, it seems like you should be able to do it. They may want you to talk to a psych to see it it was panic/fear if not medical.

I don't drink milk often because it can make me gassy/upset stomach so for my one week pre-op diet, I'm using vanilla unsweetened almond milk and Orgain vegan protein powder. I like mixing the chocolate and peanut butter flavors because it cuts down on the sweetness. The resulting "shake" is really yummy. It's best blended to keep out the lumpies.

Understandable! I hope you’re doing better.

Sorry that happened but why do you have a port? My uncle had one for chemo.

I am BMI 35 and am having the sleeve procedure in a week and a half. I don’t have enough comorbidities for my insurance to pay but I am going to a clinic where they will bill insurance for what they can and I am paying a set price. I’ve never cared what other people think about my actions and I’ve never been considered unreasonable. I, like you, tried for several years to lose even just 30 pounds. I did it but the minute I went off of my low-carb diet, it all started coming back.

My “week one plan” is to enjoy a few things (within reason) that I will consciously give up for the foreseeable future. Best of luck in your journey!

I just saw this. My surgery is on the 14th. Don’t have to start until a week before. 2 protein shakes per day plus lean protein and veggies for dinner.

I’m on November 14. Sleeve at Blossom Bariatrics in Las Vegas.

I'm a few weeks before you at Blossom - on the 14th. I fly out a week from tomorrow. It's getting real now!

Congrats on the cessation of the cigs. My mom is a heavy smoker and always has trouble healing. All the best in your healthy new life!