LAN2k

This is an important topic. I hope this book tells me something I don't already know!

Thanks Donna for replying to my post. I don't know if I'm going to be able to afford it but I'm now down to 136.4 lbs. My breasts are entirely deflated, they hang with seemingly no visible muscle and zero fat. From my neck down to mid chest I look like skin and bones wearing a low cut blouse is embarrassing, because WHERE ARE THE BREASTS? If I wear an under-wire push up bra, it makes me look even more freaky. The breasts lift up like flaps of skin against the tight skin which covers my chest bones. I look all neck, skin and bones. If ever a boob job was needed it's with me.

Wow BJean, I just read that and your the 2nd person who mentioned anesthesia and how it effects some people. One of my mother's friends told us about someone who, having heart surgery, thought he was in prison. His thinking and reacting to his thoughts persisted for a few days. In my case it took a few months and medications to shake off those feelings.

I wish I could find a therapist that truly knew more than I do. At the end of the day I have spent lots of money only to watch someone nod their head and tell me what I already know!

Donna, August 15th I'll be 11 months out. I'm was 232 am now 138lbs, still a few lbs from goal and it looks like I should go down to 128 instead of the 135 I'd originally thought. My legs are improved but not yet lean down to calves and ankles where I carry the remaining excess weight. That said my breasts look like deflated condoms. I really would like to know under what conditions an insurance company would approve a breast makeover. Please if it's not comfortable to explain it here would you mind PMing me? I really need something I think since you can practically see my ribs through the pancake flat breasts that simply lie flat to my body. Thanks.

It's so odd how different things occur in people. I could not watch TV at all for many months after the surgery. TV literally freaked me out. I felt as if I were watching the dead, or as if it were some sort of evil carnival. Antidepressants and anti anxiety medications helped. Eventually I stopped the antidepressant medication but I still take Klonopin as needed for anxiety. Hope that helps.

Before the surgery I had blood tests and it was found that I was H-Pylori positive. I was put on a heavy antibiotic regimen. My surgeon did not retest me after I finished the prevpac (antibiotics) he seemed to think it was not necessary. I am now 3 months+ out from surgery. I recently asked my PCP who ordered full blood-work if she would also add an H-Pylori test to the lab work for my blood. She did. I just got a call from her office and I am H-Pylori positive. Her secretary called me and told me that I must contact my surgeon for treatment since this is post surgery and my PCP is not sure if the treatment will be different. Has anyone here encountered this before after having the sleeve? I am losing faith in my surgeon because pre surgery I'd asked him if I could be tested after finishing the treatment of antibiotics for the H-pylori and he said it wasn't necessary. Any advise. I am about to start an SSRI Zoloft today. I am already on Klonopin (generic version) for anxiety and now this. If there is anybody here who can advise me in any way I'd really appreciate it. Thanks.

I lived off that particular Naked drink for approx. 3 months maybe longer. If it weren't for THAT drink I would have been in the hospital for lack of protein. It was the best find and the ONLY drink out there that I could tolerate. I sipped it at first it would take me an entire day to finish a 20 oz bottle. I did live on it and my nutritionist and surgeon were fine with me drinking it since I was repulsed by every other drink out there and I tried them all. Isopure made me wretch and I returned all four bottles after only one siip of one of the flavors. Any of the whey protein mixes made me wretch too. I was eventually able to use Solgar pure vanilla bean "Whey to Go" mixed into warm farina type, or cream of wheat Cereal about month 4 and that was when here in LI, NY they stopped supplying the Naked protein drink to the stores. I loved it cos it had provided alot of whole fruit nutrition as well as whey protein and the carbs didn't have any effect on my weight loss. I lost so much weight so fast. I hope you will like it after you have the surgery. Best wishes.

You will need to complete the treatment. I had to prior to surgery. Also hereafter your blood will always show positive for H-Pylori, and the only valid test that is through a stool sample. I am confident that once you finish the course of antibiotics as prescribed you will be cleared for surgery. Just don't miss any doses and test again when your completely done with the treatment. Best wishes.

Some of the literature in OA mentions WLS as one of many measure the compulsive or, over eater will take in order to defeat and conquer the effect that food has over them. Some people at meetings had become bulimic or anorexic as a means to control their obsession with food. I found that in having WLS, weight loss and an inability to over-eat, emotional/spiritual issues are exposed if not emerging. This is very uncomfortable and exercise, (like a bike ride), helps but not entirely. Taking anti anxiety meds helps but only temporarily. Working through the 12 steps, making alliances with other people, and use of the "tools" in the program, appears to be a solid means to handle the raw feelings stifled for years by excess eating habits and bodily weight. I personally am grappling with other additional issues such as my middle age stage in life, my aging parents, an atheist vengeful daughter to whom I've given back her custody of her son to. He has been with me since he was in diapers but wants desperately to have his mom love him enough to take responsibility for him. I am watching him suffer again (as he did as a baby), at her ruthless, and selfish rejection of his needs and yet, he wishes to hold out and stay with her. All this is very painful for me and honestly would be so much easier if I could eat the volume of food I used to. I NEED 12 step group support. I hope you will find it rewarding. Give it at least 6 visits and if you don't like one group (too few people, too many people...), try some others. Best wishes. Hope you continue to share your journey.

None whatsoever! I have been embraced and strongly supported by members of OA. I find it an amazing program although I am only at the start of the 4th step and still in alot of emotional pain, (due to ongoing family issues). Although this venue is and continues to be a wonderful source of support, I do not think I would cope well without the support of people with whom I could physically connect with. Since I am dealing with a daughter who is an alcoholic (and an over-eater)-and is in complete, hostile denial, I am going to also look for Alanon meetings to go to as well. Not having food as a crutch really forces me to have to face my reality and I need as much support as I can get. Well put Roseib.

For those of you interested you may read my latest blog entry: http://verticalsleevetalk.com/blogs/lan2k/707-upper-endoscopy-report-relation-lpr-diagnosis-follow-up.html

No it doesn't sound stupid at all. It may very well be some sort of allergy. The thing is that this is not (in my experience) a normal sinus drip type thing going on here (but I pray I'm wrong). Right after the surgery symptoms magnified, like the excessive salivating and gagging every time I brushed my teeth...(still happens if I gargle on an empty stomach). It feels like something is really gone wrong and it's not easily identifiable (since I had a REALLY quick scope done by an ENT. I think this has been going on since before my surgery but being fat, full and oblivious I did not pay much attention to it. I hope it's not like cancer or anything serious. If an allergy maybe it's treatable. I already have 3 air purifiers going in a 1 bdrm apt. I have 2 cats! I dread being tested and finding out I'm allergic because I wouldn't be able to part with them. I will likely need to see an allergist as well.

Also any kind of whole grain hot cereal is good mixed with a little of whatever kind of milk you prefer, I like goat, organic soy, almond, hazelnut...then mix about a scoop of your favorite whey powder to up the protein count. I liked cream of wheat at the beginning, now I buy oat bran and other types of warm cereals. I also use "Stevia in the Raw" to sweeten it up w/ a squirt of raw agave nectar or maple syrup or a blended brand of both that is sold at Trader Joe's stores nationwide.

I have felt the same way. My surgeon did only ONE leak test while I was in hospital. A couple months later I met with him in the ER because I was having difficulty eating even 2 oz...I was not looking well and becoming dehydrated as well. He had me vitamin fortified and hydrated while there and did a second leak test. Then I read about people having leaks as far out as 7 months!! I know these are rare instances BUT I worried nonetheless. I suggest you take care not to do things that could possibly weaken your stomach muscle, like excessive weight lifting and or certain types of exercises...and be cautious of not creating too much pressure by over eating, which generally doesn't happen without having immediate negative results, like chest pain, "foaming", etc. Eventually you will not feel so vulnerable and by then your stomach muscle will have strengthened to full capacity.

Very comprehensive composite of your before and after pictures. You are restoring your body back to it's original curves and it's looking so good. Thanks for posting, and keep up the good effort.

THAT is commendable! It's so contrary to today's borrow and spend mentality! Good for you!! I wish you the best of success in your WL journey.

The Pain varies surgery to surgery, case by case, persn to person. Assuming all goes well, (best wishes to you BTW), you'll need to heal for a couple of weeks before being really active. I don't think you should need to be on pain meds for more than a few days...After your incisions close, and heal you will still be healing on the inside so the most important thing is NOT to lift anything more than 15lbs. Don't do anything that could risk a leak. Other than that keeping active and walking will be very helpful to the healing process and also it should help you adjust mentally to the lifestyle food consumption changes. Just be sure to keep yourself hydrated throughout!

The catheter was pulled from me around day 3 in hospital and it was a second of a sort of twinge sensation that's it. Now getting myself to urinate on my own was a bit of a challenge but warm compresses on my tummy and water running from the sink did the trick. My drain stayed in for about 4 or 5 days at home. At my first follow up appointment he took it out and I felt NOTHING at all, it just slipped right out. From what your saying about your surgeon I would not worry he/she seems to be competent. Best wishes.

Ditto on OA for me. I have found that WITHOUT the capacity to eat-use food as I have for all of my life, I have tremendous anxiety over life's issues. The sleeve won't allow me to use the food as a coping mechanism any longer so my feelings are really raw and I'm not accustomed to dealing with them on a relatively empty stomach. OA is full of people who are learning alternate methods of dealing with life issues without using food as a means of escape. So having the surgery: a quick route to weight loss--for me is not the answer to much of my life's problems and I highly recommend trying OA for a month or so...it really helps. Also there is a forum here on 12 step group help...but the best way is to get involved with people in person. Later if you have tried you may phone me as using the phone to reach out to fellow OA members is one of the many tools used in OA to overcome the emotional attachment and use of food. PM me and I'll give you my number.

Two whey protein shakes for me-one in the AM one for lunch and a meal of meat and veggies/salads for dinner. I lost 16 lbs in 4 weeks doing that and was satisfied. Best wishes.

I find it strange how I can put on 2lbs in a day from just a few bites of let's say a pie or a piece of cake! So I can eat a bowl of warm cereal in the morning with my scoop of whey, 2 ounces of cubed cheese with a few low cal/carb pita puff crackers for lunch...a fork full of sauerkraut with a 2 oz piece of Kielbasa sausage for dinner and then a small slice of custard/cheese pie topped with strawberries, blueberries and pineapple-and gain 2lbs the next morning!...That to me is INSANE and proof that my formerly OBESE body had metabolic issues cos otherwise no normal metabolism would gain weight from so little food as I just itemized! It's like really sickening and makes me angry.