FabBy50

Toni I so wish that even 10 months ago they would have pushed more for the sleeve, I had the band and then had to do a revision. The sleeve is nothing short of a miracle, you eat thats it!!. Well what I'm trying to say is that you eat a small amount of food and you are satisfied, no hunger pains. I never feel hungry I eat because I know I need to! I also had Dr Almanza for both surgeries and think he is amazing! Dr Betancourt is awesome too!!!

[Hi Samie Did you get a day set for your revision yet? I can tell you that you are making the right choice in getting the sleeve. I was banded in March, did great for awhile and then the problems started. The sleeve is night and day difference from the band, all I ever did was "work" with the band. And I mean work!! I had trouble eating, drinking anything associated with food. It was awful. I just turned 50 and wish I would have done this 10 years ago!! It is so much easier. You just pick what food you want and eat!! Amazing as that may sound it is true, I make sure I get my Protein, still struggle with getting enough water!! Good luck on your journey!!!!! You will love your sleeve, it is like being a normal person. You eat until you are full, and that is it!!

2be4me Hey I forgot to mention that I was cold in the hospital and the recovery house, so take an electric blanket and a heating pad. I wore jeans on the way down and sweats on the way home. Anything loose fitting but warm will work. And of course Gasx, it is a god send after surgery. I always take a good book for before the surgery, usually after you don't feel like reading. Lip gloss, is nice too. I did not take a robe and slippers but I wish I would have! Lots of panties, wear your worst pair during surgery because they will get messy. I brought bikini cut and they were perfect for the drain. Anything you don't have they will make sure you can get it. (except gasx) so make sure you take it with you. You will do great!!!

Tennessee You have a date, that is all that matters!! So happy for you, and the time will fly by for you. Are you a revision? or just a sleeve? Either way you will be on your way to a thinner you in no time!!! Good luck!

Good morning Kai You should be feeling much better this morning. The first 24 hours are the worst. It sounds like you know what you are doing, walk, rest, walk!!! It is so important to keep moving, you will heal so much faster. I just re-read your posts, you are a revision so yes you know what you are doing!! Just keep moving and you will be fine! I wish you a pain free recovery and quick weight loss!!

Hi Tiff I love chilli, if I don't do homemade I buy Nally's turkey chilli. I don't eat red meat so the regular version is out for me. Just a dab of cheese on the top and I'm good to go! My other favorite is refried Beans, and of course cheese on top!

Hi all I have had Dr. Almanza for two surgeries now. I had the band in March and then did a revision to the sleeve Dec 30th. I did not get to see the new hospital, but that is fine with me. Dr. Almanza is a very qualified surgeon, and they take great care of you! The nurses are good, some don't speak enough english. And the thing I like more than anything.......ask Dr Betancourt and it will be taken care of!!!!!!!! He is there to make sure everything goes smooth and you have a wonderful experience. If you don't have his # call your coordinator, and she will call him for you. I love the new recovery house, I had a huge room!! Private bath and walk in closet, I wish I would have stayed an extra day!! I like the fact that they have the patio where you can go and enjoy the sunshine too! For all of you wondering, YES I would recommend Dr. Almanza he is great!!! His english was not the best for my first surgery but you can tell he has been studying, he is pretty fluent now! And yes he is easy to look at!

Tiff I have those same bowls and I use them for everything, they are the perfect size for me. Oh BTW the chilli looks wonderful, one of my favorite foods in all the world.

Hi Kermit So glad to hear that the meds are helping, it sucks not to feel good after all of this. I still have trouble getting the Protein and Water in, I just can't take that much in. I'm off today so I'm headed out to find some more protein foods. I need to get more in, but it is tough. So how are you doing on the weight loss? I' pleasantly surprised at the amount that has come off. I need to get moving and get myself back into shape. I had 2 weeks before surgery where I did not get enough excersize and now 2 more weeks. I feel flabby, so I started walking 2 miles and will get more serious when I feel a little better. Are you only checking your weight once a week? That is a good idea, but I'm one of those who weighs everyday! Good luck!!

Sandy This is a wonderful site for support and information! I came here for exactly the same reasons, and have stayed and made friends. Good luck on your upcoming surgery!

Kai Congrats!! By the time you read this you will be sleeved!! So happy for you, it is an amazing tool! Wishing you a smooth recovery and speedy weight loss!!

Hi everyone Well for those of you who know me, my original goal was to have my weight off by my 50th. Well yesterday was my birthday and I did not make it! You know I'm not upset at all, I made that goal when I got my band in March. Well the band and I did not get along, so here I'm 11 days out from the sleeve! I would have been about 18lbs out from goal but with the sleeve I added 10lbs to my goal. I know I will reach my goal with the sleeve and be happy with it. The weight is coming off faster than I thought it would and I can actually keep food down! So far I love, love, love my sleeve!!

Hi Jpetty & Sandy The sleeve is amazing for weight loss so far, I have dropped 12lbs in 11 days and I feel stronger everyday. I had to have a revision, so I'm not bouncing back as fast as I would have liked to. Yes I think turning 50 will be okay!! I did want to be at goal by then, but I have revised it to be at goal at 50. That gives me a whole year and I only have 28 more lbs to go. With the sleeve I don't think I will have any trouble making it. Have a great day!

Have you had your surgery yet? If you have not, you will love it. The weight comes off so fast. Good luck to you in your journey!!

Thanks everyone!!! I really appreciate the birthday wishes and the encouragement! I so love my sleeve. I don't know if I would have loved it as much if I had not had the band first. The band is such a pain in the butt, too much work. The sleeve, eat and go! I really don't feel 50, well when I weighed 220 I did! I feel great, loving life and what it has to offer!

Hi Jilly I'm having trouble getting all my water in too, I feel so full all the time. Plus water tastes weird! I have been drinking vitamin water and that helps, but they are so sweet and I don't like a lot of sweets. I have been eating refried beans, cottage cheese, yogurt, pudding, soups etc. I love the fact that I eat only a few bites and I'm full. I have lost 12lbs in 11 days, and I don't have as much to lose, so you will lose even more and faster. I went back to work Friday, and I can tell you by about 5 hrs. I was feeling it. I made it through both Friday and Saturday, just tired when I was off. I took my stitches out today, well all of them except the ones around the drain. I had one spot that still is not healed enough so I will wait a few more days. I love my sleeve, I can't believe how fast I'm losing and that I'm not hungry all the time, it's great!!! I know you will love yours too, no maintenance no fuss!

Joan CONGRATS on your weight loss!!! That is so exciting to see the scale move so quickly! I have had Dr Almanza twice now and they are the best!! I love the way Dr Betancourt takes such good care of you!! I'm 11 days out from my revision and have lost 12lbs! Such an exciting time, I can actually see myself reaching goal now. When I had the band I did not think I would reach goal, in fact I added 10lbs to my goal after the sleeve. It is so much easier, no having to "work" with your food! Good luck and keep up the good work!

Kermit Did you get the nausea under control? and are you able to get some food down? I still have a little trouble getting in enough Water, I just feel full! Other than that I feel great and the weight is falling off, I love my sleeve! Bernadette

Jilly How are you feeling, day 4 you should be feeling a little better. I'm 11 days out and feel pretty good. I put in a long day at work yesterday and was sore after. But overall I feel great. Wishing you a speedy recovery and weight loss! Bernadette

Tennessee So by the time you get this message you will be a sleeved sister!!! You will love, love, love it!! I'm only 10 days out but it is the greatest so far! I wish you a speedy recovery, remember the first 2 days are the worst, every day after that gets better and better!! Bernadette

Jilly Isn't this just great!! And 6lbs already, you are on your way. I sooo love the sleeve so far, no more PB or sliming. I looked like that too after, I just now have gone down in my tummy. I have lost 12lbs in 9 days!!!!! I love my sleeve, I love my sleeve! Bernadette

Okay I'm a dork, I can't figure this ticker thing out!!! Wow You are doing great!! I was sleeved on the 30th and feel good finally. The weight is dropping off even more that I thought it would. You stated that all you can eat is a tablespoon? I can have about 4-5 bites, and then I'm done. I did push it once and could feel pain in my chest. Good sign that I did not need anymore! Keep up the good work! Bernadette

Wow Kira I was really starting to worry about you, I had not heard from you and no posts. So sounds like you are doing great! I love the fact that I'm just not hungry. Once in awhile I think about food but I'm not hungry. How was your trip home, mine was uneventful. 4 hours on the plane and back home. I went back to work today, just a little slower than I was. I have lost 10lbs so far and I'm thrilled!! Take care and keep us posted, I was really worried Bernadette