breekahouse

so i met my surgeon today. all went well and i am still very excited. there are some concerns i have. first off, when considering another surgeon for lap band (prior to my research on the sleeve), the other surgeons list of pre surgical was extensive. exerciise stress test, cardiovascular ultrasound, upper gi series, sleep study, pulmonary functuon test.....My surgeon on wants the upper gi series blood work and a ekg and chest xray w weeks before the operation. anyone have the surgery with minimal pre surgical testing?

Wouldnt consisder myself a success story yet, but here goes..... I had surgery on 3/15/10. The surgery literally saved my life. There are times when I still see 342lbs when I look in the mirror, but then there are times when I will catch my reflection and say “damn, I’m skinny!”. Is that weird? Anyhoo, a year later, I still have great restriction. Some days more than others. I can usually pack in 2-3 oz of dense Protein plus about 1-2oz of veggies in one sitting. 5oz max (meat and veggie) at one time. My hunger hasn’t really returned, I just get an empty feeling in my belly, though cravings have come back and usually attack me around my TOM. Too much sugar makes me sick and if I don’t get enough liquids and protein in, I will stall. I haven’t really exercised all that much in the past year. Practically not at all. I probably would be at goal if I had. I did recently buy a bike and as soon as the weather breaks, I will be taking up cycling and running. I am planning on doing a 5k in September. Life is better and I am looking forward to the future! To those on the fence about having wls; just do it! it will change your life.

Thank you so much! I still have a little ways to go. AND, i am still working to become consistently active. When I've gotten off another 40lbs and I exercise at least 4 times a week I will feel more comfortable consisering myself a success. I am still so VERY lazy!

Awww, sweetie! Thanks. It can be done. If I can do it, anyone can. I pray that you find a way to have the surgery. Its the best decision I have ever made for myself.

**blushing** skinny, me?!?! I've been hearing that a lot lately and I love it! Thank you!!

Thanks Lady!! You'll be approved in no time and you are going to ROCK IT!!

I wouldnt go as far as to say that I am eating perfectly. I have my moments and my weaknesses. The difference now is 1) i dont have that "all or nothing" mentality. If I make a bad choice its easier to get back on track rather than just saying "screw it" like I would have before surgery. And 2) theres only but so much damage I can do with a tiny little stomach! Thanks God for the Sleeve!!!

I have definitely noticed a difference in my libido! My hormones are raging. I am almost always horny! Its can be very distracting. Also, I thing that now that I have lost 100lbs my cycle is regulating itself and I can pinpoint ovulation based on how amorous I feel.

Not much to report other than 10lb loss in two week. I went to see my PCP on Thursday and was pleasantly surprised at my loss. 10 lbs in 2 weeks is huge! I am so excited. Pretty much eating whatever I want. I strictly limit my carb intake during the week, but on the weekends I make allowances for certain things. Still not really eating bread and rice, though i had a little brown rice yesterday. Didn't really miss it. Exercise... I have been trying. I've gotten on my elliptical machine a few times in the past 2 weeks. not nearly as much as I should be doing, but i am working my way up. I go to my surgen in about a week and a half, hopefully i will have more weight loss to report!

I rarely get hungry. In fact, the only time a really feel hunger is around 3 hours after having my morning protein shake. So, today I didn?t have a shake and I decided to get a soft scrambled egg with cheese and ketchup with some bacon. I was only able to eat half the egg and 2 slices of bacon. At 12:00pm, I started to feel really hungry. This type of hunger I don?t have very often. So I go out to my usual spot, its like a cost per lb buffet. I t has really healthy options; tons of fresh veggies, salads, grilled chicken, fruits, ect. I usually walk out of there with having paid any where from $2 to $3.50 for my lunch. I am usually only able to eat about half of what I buy and a couple hours later I will eat the rest of it. Anyhoo, today I really felt hungry. I didn?t buy a lot, I got the amount that I usually get, but I found myself thinking that I was so hungry that I would probably be able to eat all (or close to all) of the food at one time. So, after about 2 ounces of the grilled chicken breast, one broccoli floret and 2 chunks of carrots, I was totally full! I know this is not big news to any of us here, but after almost 2 ? months, I am still amazed at how little my tummy can hold! Just had to rave a bit...

Wow, June 23rd is right around the corner! The day will be here before you know it. Do you have a pre-op diet? My surgeon didnt require one, than goodness. I had a hard enough time on clears only 24 hours before surgery. Where is Lawernce Hospital?

Thanks! Its the best decision I ever made. my surgeon is Dr. Edwar Yatco out of Lenox Hill Hospital.

Bklyn Lady, that's really frickin fast! I thought my process flew by but yours is supper fast. You've done all that in less than a month?!? It took me three months from the day of the seminar which was on December 16th. I think the only reason it took that long was because it was around the holidays. After medical clearance from your PCP, you will be on your way!! I am so excited for you!! You might get a surgery date at the end of the month. Mary - thanks! Its been very easy so far. I know it wont always be easy but I am loving the journey so far. Good luck in getting your surgery date. the waiting is the hard part.

I am feeling really good. lost almost 40lbs so far. more energy, knees dont hurt any more. I can climb stairs without getting winded. Clothes are starting to get really baggy and people are really starting to notice the loss. I have no complaints what so ever. having this surgery is the best thing i could have done for myself.

Hi! sorry i am just now getting back to you. They really are busy there. But i understand how you feel. I had do get really insistent with being informed of my status. that is the only issue I had with the office staff. Once insurance approves, its going to move fairly quickly. documentation was submitted to my insurance at the end of February and by March 1st I was approved. I was also able to track, via my health insurance website the status of the authorization (I have HIP). The coordinators say that it can take up to 30 days for insurance to approve, but it may go faster depending on your provider. What insurance do you have?

I was sleeved by Dr. Edward Yacto at LH hospital. I received the best care ever. Thenurses were wonderful. You will be in excellent hands. Who is your surgeon?

Well, I had an appointment with my surgeon yesterday. I am not to excited to report that I have lost 5 lbs more. That makes a total of 28 lbs in 6 weeks. I expected the 3rd week stall/slow loss. almost everyone goes through it. I thought I was immune somehow. so while I expected not to have numbers like my first weigh in I was still hoping to lose a lot more. My doctor said that there is no reason for me to be disappointed, that I am doing great and that I need to relax. He said that VSG'ers are still losing at 1.5 years out and it has only been a bit over a month since my surgery. So...I am going to take his advice and relax, be happy with my loss thus far and start exercising too!

Thanks for the encouragement, everyone! I have dusted off my elliptical machine and I have dug out my weights. I am ready to start working out and. I can't wait for the pounds to start melting off!

Russell, congrats on being three weeks out! I am just a bit over 3 weeks. Since the surgery, I have also been waking up around 3 or 4 and have a little trouble getting back to sleep. Its strange because it happens no matter how tired i am. Prior to the surgery I had no problems at all falling and staying asleep. Interested to know if others have the same issue.

Hi all. I had my post op follow up with the surgeon yesterday. So far I am down 20lbs. Everything is slowly getting back to normal. I return to work on Monday (blech!) and I am looking forward to adding in exercise. Doc said that I am doing well but I need to do better with hydration. I have only been getting in about 32 ounces of liquid (water/crystal light) he wants me to double that. He gave me the go ahead to start adding in soft foods as tolerated. That is good news because I cant even look at Soup anymore. Out of the many different types and brands i have tried, I only like 2! Can't stand sugar free Jello, and only recently have I found a protien drink that doesnt make me gag with every sip. Needless to say I am excited about the progression in my diet. When I came home from the doctor I tried some salmon and grits. I was only able to get down about 1 ounce of the salmon and even less of the grits. This morning I scrambled an egg with some american cheese. I almost finished it. I left about 2 bites on the plate. I think I will have a Protein shake as soon as my stomach empties. Next appointment in 3 weeks. Probably won't weigh until then. I am trying not to be manic with the scale. I am so excited about beginning my journey. I cant believe I am finally on the other side of the operation! Thats all for now. Will try to update regularly.

Hey bonafidediv! I have been thinking of you. We had the same surgery date. How are things progressing with you?

Thanks John! I can't believe it either. 20lbs in less than a month is awesome. A lot of it is Water weight though. I only had to be on clears the day before surgery and I pretty much ate whatever I wanted to leading up to the surgery. I can't wait to see how much I lose in the next 3 weeks.

Anna, switching phases has been awesome! I've had scrambled egg with cheese, shrimp, grits, deli meat, and 1/4 of a veggie burger. All yummy things but in MUCH smaller quantities. Not looking forward to returning to work at all. I'm dreading it actually...

Wow, 2 weeks on clears? I was ready to rip my hair out on full liquids. Congrats on making it through and on feeling better!

Wow! Congrats! I used to really enjoy running. Can't wait to get back into it.