Shae

Not yet... Maybe once I loose the extra person I'm carrying around! LOL!

I have some of the same emotions that you are going through. I became addicted to apples in the 7th grade, was a smoker by 8th grade, have been on and off various drugs, and finally when I got myself together and quit everything except cigarettes on 9/9/99, I turned my addiction to food in general. It got really bad when I quit smoking 12/17/2003. I finally figured out what it was about four years ago. I was surfing the web eating what was once a family size bag of Doritos and came across a WeightWatchers ad. I "thought" that I might try it because at that time I was 226 lbs. That thought led to anxiety and although I had already eaten most of the bag of Doritos, I felt starving. That was the moment that I knew I had transferred my addiction. 12 step programs are not my thing but they work for some. What has worked for me is the knowledge that I will always be a food addict or an addict of something. I just need to try to get addicted to something beneficial to me or someone else. Now the question is what... Counseling has helped me alot. I have found that seeing a LCSW rather than a Psychiatrist or Psychologist is more beneficial. They seem to be more interested in helping you rather than pushing this product or that med or this book, etc. But the key is finding someone you can connect with. It is very hard to do. I can tell you with authority that beating yourself up and being down on yourself will only make things worse. You need to try to wake up one morning and just do the following: 1. Go immediately to the mirror and proclaim as loud as you can, "I AM BEAUTIFUL! I DESERVE TO BE HAPPY! I CAN DO ANYTHING I SET MY MIND TO! I AM STRONG!" (or something to that effect. You will feel a little silly at first but then you will believe it. 2. Let yourself cry and mourn the loss of the person you use to be pre-surgery. Sounds silly I know, but you divorced the pre-surgery person when you had most of your stomach removed. If you have not let go of the old you, your new you cannot shine through. 3. If you know that you are going to crave something, don't allow it in your house (or at least not in an area of the house that you occupy). I have a teenage son who is 5'11" and all of 125lbs soaking wet. He has to keep his high calorie stuff in his room so that I do not have to see it. 4. You did this for you. I don't have all the answers and Lord knows I have my moments, but we all have to realize that they are just that, moments. They do not define us. I hope that this helps! Shae

I was sleeved 10/19/11 and although I have known for years prior to surgery that this was the best decision for me, I have had moments since surgery when I wondered, "What in God's name have I done to myself!?" I suffer from depression and have for years. One of the things that was not mentioned to me was that while in the hospital, I would not be able to take my four different medicines that keep my mood stable and my emotions in check. For three days, I did not take the medications and on the fouth day, I was a wreck. My mood swings were all over the place, I cried, I laughed, I was pi$$ed at the world, lonely, anxious, hopeless, and just generally UNPLEASANT to be around. I tried on day four to crush the meds I desperately needed (only two of them because one is very tiny and the other is time released) and that was a big mistake. Applesauce was my method of delivery and the cold, bitter, and now medicine filled half spoon made me soooo nauseated and a few times I felt like I was just going to loose it. I was told in the hospital that throwing up could be very dangerous so I should do everthing possible not to. I managed to hold it down but the next day, I just swallowed them whole with a Protein shake. Now I am just over two weeks out and as long as there is a little something protein rich in my stomach, I can take all of my medicines with no problems, even the timed release ones. With the medicines back on board, I expected to be back to normal. HA! Pre-surgery normal is what I was looking for and, well, I will never be that way again. I am slowly coming to terms with this. As well I should because I had this surgery to change my life so I should not ever expect to be my pre-surgery "normal" self, duh! Having this epiffany has made me re-evaluate myself, my goals, who I am, and what I am about. I am still thinking like the "Fat Girl" or the "Fat Lady", two of my favorite pre-surgery terms for myself. My husband said to me just yesterday that as long as I think of myself in that way, I will remain that way emotionally (the sleeve won't let me be that way physically). Another epiffany: The Fat Girl or Fat Lady and I got divorced at the same time that 85% of my stomach was removed! I need to think of myself as free from her and be HAPPILY Divorced! Healing, both physiologically and psychologically, takes time. Physically, I feel fine. Psychologically, not so much. I have been obese for the last 11 years and overweight most of my life (I was called Skinny Mini until I was about eight or nine). I have to learn not to think of myself that way any more. It won't be easy, but it is definately something I can do!! Shae

I didn't know what it was when it happened to me today for the first time. I was getting on here to ask when I found this post. I have been able to eat rather quickly so I measure everything. Today I felt the heart feeling weird thing (had no idea it was called Tachycardia) after I ate just a little more than I had measured out (one big bite chewed and swallowed slowly). About two minutes after my heart started feeling really weird and I started to get scared. Just when I was about to tell my co-worker that something might be wrong, it subsided. I wonder why I don't just feel full?

I had my surgery on 10/19/11 and am having troubles... For one, I feel like I'm hungry every hour and a half or so. Or at least I think it's hunger. I on full liquids still and some Soup or yogurt usually makes the feeling go away. Yesterday was bad because it seemed like I never stopped drinking. I sip everything at a rate of about 4 sips a minute so it takes a while to finish what I think is the "right" amount (about 1/4 to 1/3 cup). Will this type of fast digesting go away once I can have soft foods? Today my pants even fit tighter... For two, if I try to ignore what I think is hunger pains, they get intense and more frequent. They feel like cramping or spasms just below my sternum. They make me feel like I have to sit up really straight and try to burp or stretch it out. Is this really hunger or what? Lastly, I crave veggies! I even made some split pea soup puree out of nothing more than a can of peas and some powdered ham flavor. Needless to say, this did not help with the desire for raw carrots, peppers, celery, cauliflower, cucumbers, lettuce, spinach, etc, ect, ETC. Is anyone else going through this or has anyone else been throught this that can offer any advice?

I am experiencing the pain less and less. I too find that I can consume a little more liquids than mushies, but the mushies keep me satisfied for about 3 to 4 hours. I figured out what not to do (swallow too much at a time) to aggrivate it. I do seem to be able to eat rather quickly with no problems so I have to measure everything and stop when I am done (usually 1/4 cup of mushies or just over 1/3 cup thicker liquids). If after 20 mins I am not satisfied, then I have another bite of something or a square of light cheese. Usually does the trick.

I am 8 days out and really missing my Strattera. My focus is all over the place and I feel a bit discombobulated most of the time. I was on liquids for the first four days (first day nothing, second day Water only, third and fourth day clears) and I have been on full liquids since then. I am supposed to wait until the three week mark to switch to soft foods and probably won't make it that long because I am going out of my mind just drinking everything. I would kill to be able to chew something other than ice, gum or Flintstones! LOL! Liquids just have never left me feeling full or satisfied. I am learning to notice when the pouch is full but it doesn't help the urge to chew. Once on soft foods, I should be able to take my time released meds like Strattera, right? Then I will have more than just liquid in my stomach to buffer the meds. What are some of your experiences with time released meds and being able to actually wait until the three week mark for soft foods? Shae

I was also sleeved on 10/19. I did not have the problems with gas but I know that if it's gas inside your stomach pouch and not in your abdominal cavity, then Gas-X will work. But if it is in your abdominal cavity, Gas-X will do nothing. The only things that really work are time and movement. Wear loose pants to avoid added pressure. Your body will absorb the extra air eventually.

LOL! I have the same issue. I have attributed it to nothing solid going down my throat to "clean" it. I have the same problem on my teeth. I have to brush them 4 to 5 times a day to get the "hair" off because I can't stand the way it feels. I crunched on some ice chips last night and was amazed that the "hair" was not there after chewing. Today, I am chewing gum and it is working. I figure my throat will clear once I can swallow something that is not just liquid.

I am only 8 days post-op so I don't have any Sleeve-specific advice. I have had to deal with addiction to certain foods / drinks in the past too and can offer a little advice on what worked for me. I always had to have a 20 oz Sunkist in my hand. No matter what, I had one. Once I realized that I really needed to get off of it, I started brainstorming. I tried just buying a limited amount, hiding them, leaving them at home, denying myself, etc. None of these things worked for me but the one thing that did work was to dilute them. I would drink a few swallows and then add back that much ice or Water. By the time you get about half way done, it doesn't taste good any more. So then my option was to put a dollar or two in the trash or finish the diluted product. I eventually got to where half water and half soda was palatable. So then I started diluting it more. You get it. Eventually, the thought of having water with a few caps of Sunkist added to it was no longer appealing so I just drank water. Good luck, Shae

I really appreciate all the advice and am taking it. I did have to go now that you mention it so that may have been it. I have not been moving as much as I should and really don't have any excuse for it other than not taking the time. You have been a blessing. Thank you so much.

Ok, I took the advice and actually took 45 minutes to drink a 1/3 cup of beef broth. When I was almost done, I got a faint feeling that I might be "full" but seeing as how I have never felt full before, I was not sure. I dumped out the rest and about 30 mins later, started chewing up some crushed ice. That pain came back after about 4 bites (over 20 mins) so I stopped. When I woke up this morning having not consumed anything for about 7 hours, that pain was there again. I took two regular strength tums over the course of 10 mins and it still persists. I tried a bite or two of my Breakfast (sugar free yogurt) and the pain is gone. Do you think that I maybe need more of the tums or the extra strength? Does it seem like I did anything that may have triggered the pain (except fot he ice, I know that did)? I'm mainly confused about the cause of the feeling this morning.

thank you. This will be really hard since I have always been a gulper (food and drink). I will try to switch to Tums and make myself sip much more slowly. God help me! I am determined to do this right. I thought going into surgery that I understood that this would not be the easy way out, but rather the only way for me to control my eating. Now I know that I have a lot ot learn. Thank you for the advice. I will keep you posted.

This rings true for me too. I had people let the door close on me after holding it for the "normal" sized woman ahead of me. People snickered at me in the cafeteria at work when I put something on my plate. I had meeting organizers not count me as being in the meeting for cying out loud. I was almost 260 lbs and pretty hard to miss, I thought. It really sucks that people treat you so differently based on your size. I have a friend at work who is a beautiful person and happens to be about 325 lbs on a 5'10" frame. I have seen the same behavior exhibited toward her. I will never allow myself to treat anyone the way I have been treated. I think God had a plan for me that included being obese and now heading down the path to a healthy weight. I know what it's like and will never forget.

I am taking Nexium 40 mg by opening the capsule into a spoon of yogurt (applesauce is too acidic). I tried sipping water today whenever I felt the cramp coming on and sometimes it headed it off, other times it made me hiccup painfully. I tried to just let it be to see if it was just a burp but it hasn't been so far. Do you think I need to change from my Nexium to something different? How do I know what I'm feeling (hunger, acid, or gas)? Stupid question I know but I don't know how to tell the difference at this point.

There is no way to know how long it will take YOU to feel comfortable going back to work. That said, here is my story: I was sleeved on 10/19/11, released from the hospital on 10/21/11 and back at my desk job 10/25/11 only because I don't like my jerk of a boss and decided I needed Monday as a "me" day. My doctor said he wanted me out for at least two weeks but I cannot just sit at the house for that long (especially since my time off was unpaid). I heal rather quickly though. The biggest challenge for me so far has been my emotions. I was not allowed to take my birth control (hormone balancer), my mood stabilizer, or my antidepressant for three days. This threw me WAY out of wack emotionally. I am just starting to get back to my normal self. Another challenge has been that I work in a large room of cubicles with about 200 other people who all seem to have great smelling lunches. Oh and there were back to back pot luck lunches yesterday and today. Smelling all that food and then drinking my lunch is tortorous! This too shall pass once I can actually chew something. At home, I don't have a problem. I hope I have helped you or someone else in some way with this post.

Does anyone know if there are protien drinks that are not sweet? I am a savory person and do not like sweets all that much. Any suggestions?

Thank you both for ths information. I am a true meat eater and can go for weeks without anything sweet. I am trying to get myself prepared for post-op and have heard that finding the Protein drink seems to be the most difficult thing to do. Thanks again for the info.

Has anyone had the VSG at Keesler Medical Center on Keesler AFB recently? I am just beginning the process and am interested in hearing other's experiences.

I would love to know what I need to do!! I have been trying to find a way to have the sleeve since I heard about it 4 years ago. I see a civilian PCM who is on board with me getting the procedure. How do I give you my contact information without posting it here?

Can you please share the name and location of your MTF? I am in Biloxi, MS and as far as I am aware, Keesler AFB's 81st Medical Group at Keesler Medical Center no longer has a Bariatric department due to cutbacks. Thanks in advance Shae

I too have TriCare Prime and they have said that they do not cover the Sleeve because it is considered experimental. How did you get them to cover it?? Did you have to petition them or is it because of any unique conditions you may have? Did you have to fail one of the other types of surgrey? I am desperately trying to get the surgery as I am 5'2" and weigh 251 lbs. and increasing. I am in Biloxi, MS and I have TriCare Prime through the South region. Any information that you care to share with me would be fantastic.