Plumbum

Hi Ga Sleevers! I am so glad that I received the invite to this group! I am almost 3 years post op and I feel like I have failed myself. My 3 year anniversary is on February 12th and I have only lost 32 pounds. Everything was going great for the first 6 months. The weight just fell off all on it's own. But after some time it was as if I had never had the surgery. I mean I still couldn't (and still can't ) eat any significant amount, but since I had surgery in Mexico I had no support group around me that kept my mind in the game. If you do not surround yourself with peoole that have been through what you have been through you forget and you pick up bad habits again. I just finished eating two chocolate chip cookies, my gym stopped teaching body pump, so I have not been to the gym in months and I jsut in general have started feeling like a fatty again and actually gained 20 pounds since my lowest weight post surgery. I need some help!

Hi girls! It is so strange to read all your posts. This is my first time back on here since I had my surgery last February. I read all your posts and I remember all the issues I had back then. The thirst will be an issue for a while because you just can't drink enough volume. I ate a lot of posicles, which helps with the burning thirst sensation. I did however have to have IV fluids after the first few days and I have to tell you I felt sooooo much better after that. It is the dehydration that makes you feel so week and puny. So talk to your doctors and see if maybe they can load you up once or twice to help get you over the hump. Don't try to start exercising until you feel better. There is simply no point in it. Give your body time to adjust. You have basically been in starvation mode since surgery. Several of you were talking about eggs. Eggs are rough on a new sleeve. You probably won't be able to handle them till later. I always had luck with Pasta. I know its not Protein, but in the beginning you will not get all your protein in no matter how hard you try. Drinking the Isopure (available at GNC/ 40g of protein per bottle) helps a lot for the thirst and the protein. just rember that this is a huge transition for your body and it will take time. Keep on truckin' sisters!! You can do it! :-) Plumbum Sleeved Dr.Acevez 2/12/10

Just a thought for those of you having a hard time only drinking the sweet protein drinks. Optifast makes two different kind of soups, chicken and tomato. They are both pretty good. They have 14 grams of protein in them and you would have to be on full liquids (they're kind of thick). I really like them. You can order them online or from some WL docs.

I am pretty good at avoiding food poisoning (which you can get from food too but I wasn't sure how the sleeved stomach handles excessive vomiting... Thank you all for your oppinions and advice. I have gone ahead and submitted my paperwork. Oaxaca here I come! (Well...in July :-)

Hi all, I need some of the "oldtimers" to give me some advice. I am getting sleeved next week (2/12). I have just gottne an opportunity to spend the summer in Mexico for a seminar on mesoamerican cultures all expenses paid. I am concerened that i will be able to handle being in that situation food wise so soon after getting sleeved. Of course I can take supplements and stuff with me, but I wasn't sure if this was a good idea or not. Any advice?? :thumbup1:

Thanks Chancie, Yeah I am pretty excited about this opportunity to spend the summer in sunny Mexico. :thumbup1: I'm wondering too though, how bad is it if I get like food poisoning? Can I weather that without danger to my sleeve so soon after surgery?

I don't play well with Morphine either. It makes me itch. Can they give you something else in the epidural? I am going to Dr. Aceves as well. (11 days and counting!!)

I asked my insurance if they would cover complications (I am self pay also and my insurance has a WLS exclusion) and they said, since I do not have a pre-existing condition exclusion that they would pay for any incidences. Of course, I have not had my surgery yet and have not put that to the test ( I hope I won't have to...).

Hi Girls! I too am single and so far have gone from one big frog to another...I am not sleeved yet, but will be on 2/12. I have also done my fare share on online dating, but that has backfired very badly for me. So, now I am really just hoping that once I find myself and reach a point of happiness within me that the right guy will just show up. Everybody always tells me he will show up when I stop looking... :- I am sort of dating a dud right now, just to not be alone. But I don't think he's the one. But, I have to say, he is one of the only guys I have ever dated that has never said anything about my weight.

My problem is that I am way to excited about having WLS to keep it to myself! My surgery is in two weeks (2/12) and I will tell anyone who stands still long enough. I am not too worried about people judging me. I know they judge me being obese, so if they want to judge me being skinny...go for it. I get a lot of crap for going to Mexico to do it too, but I know I have done my research and people who give me the "oh-my-God-surgery-on-a-dirty-kitchen-table" look just don't know enough about it.

Lol. I am sooo glad you asked this question. I wasn't sure how I was going to ask my surgeon since my dad is going with me to Mexico and to the hospital!

Maxcat, you are actually better off because your flight is in two stages. That way you are walking quite a bit when you are switching flights. I have had a blood clot before, so I will be on anticoagulants after surgery, but I will still be wearing my compression stockings. You can buy those at most pharmacies and I would recommend it for any time you fly. I will also be getting up and walking during my flight. I would rather inconvenience other people than go through another blood clot :-

Hmmm, not sure anybody is still active in this thread, but I was wondering if you could get you vitamins in with vitamin water? That would be one less pill to take. On the other hand, I was always told that multivitamins were a waste of mony becasue of several vitamins compete for the same receptors...? I have always taken my vitamins as individuals (B complex and C and then my supplements like Zinc when needed and bioflavanoids). This is all before surgery though, I am not sure how I will be able to get everything down post surgery which is why I was wondering about the vitamin water, like propel.

I don't have to start the full pre-op diet for another week, but I have started going all protein with the exception of fruit. I am hoping allowing myself the fructose and tapering down the glucose will help since I am a huge carb and suger eater. So far, so good... :-/

Wow, Carol...I'm just a few weeks behind you...not sure i'm liking the epidural idea either... Stef

It is very unlikely that you have a blood clot since the swelling is in both legs. Yes, swelling is a possible symptom of a blood clot, but the excruciating pain usually lets you know if you have one first. (I had one that progressed to multiple pulmonary emboli from a different surgery). It is probably just an after effect of surgery, but I would have in checked out just in case it is cardiac, or kidney related.

I am also having surgery in Mexico in February and Dr. Aceves only does the basics for pre-op testing. Which should be fine if you do not have any issues. However, since I have a somewhat complicated medical history I am under medical care with a cardiologist and hematologist her in the US already. My cardiologist ran extensive tests (nuclear stress test, echo, etc) and my hematologist is going to put her two cents in as well to make sure that I am good to go. If you have no other issues though, you should be fine with the basic tests. I would maybe have that discussion with your PCP and if he feels like you should have some tests run, they can run them here as diagnostic for comorbidities or symptoms and they would be covered under your insurance that way. But as I said, I have some health issues that warrented those tests.

Hi Guys, I am also pre-op and as of a few days ago made the decision that I need to get of my butt and get to working out again like I used to. I find that I am way to tired to go work out after work, so I get up a little bit earlier and go to the gym for 20 minutes on the elliptical before work. Even thoug hit has only been a few days I feel a much better and am much more energetic throughout the day. I want to be pretty "fit" before my surgery in order to cut down the risk of complications.

I tried to get Nina to give me the January special. But she said she could not. She did give me a deal for $9000. I just got approved for my loan today and am super excited! I feel like I am so unprepared though reading about everybody else's preparations. I was not told to buy vitamins. What vitamins do I need?? I have been researching protein supplements though and I have also started working out regularly. (I am totally panicked that I will be all flabby after weightloss.) Wow, it looks like four of us will be there at the same time!

Hi All, I am having surgery with Dr. Aceves on February 12th. I am contemplating going by myself and was wondering if anybody else would be there the same time. I would never have considered it, but after reading about everybody's experiences here on this forum, I feel fairly good about going by myself. I would have to pay the plane ticket and stuff for a friend, so I'm thinking I can do it by myself.

Wow, Dreaming, it would be awesome if we could go together! I haven't paid my deposit yet either. I am still trying to figure out the money situation as well. I am planning on flying over on the 11th for my preop stuff and then have the surgery on the 12th. I can't remember the exact price they quoted me, but I will look and get back to you.

ic4rest, I understand what you mean by being scared to go by yourself. I really wanted my mother to go with me, but she won't take the time off in February (even though she very easily could...). She would go with me in the summer, but now that I have made my decision I do not want to wait that long. I am penciled in with Dr. Aceves February 12th. (Just trying to find financing). I have asked a friend to go with me though. I would love to hear from you during your journey. I will only be a few weeks behind you hopefully! Good Luck!