Two Questions...

[GI283 35]

Hey everyone...

This is my first posting but I can't tell you how much it has helped following everyone's conversations and questions. Thank you VERY much!

I've confirmed my surgery date of July 12th with Dr. Aceves! Like most of us, I can't tell you how much I'm looking forward to it but the questions just keep coming to me.

Right now, I have two questions - one for everyone in general and one for Dr. Aceves' patients... (There's a chance that answers for these are out there somewhere but let's throw them out again and see what everyone has to say...)

For Dr A's patients... How was your energy level on your travels back to San Diego and home? Did you feel like it was difficult and a struggle or did you feel ok?

For everyone in general... How was your energy level at 2 or 3 months, six months, a year, etc? When did you feel like you were really starting to feel good again and have your energy back?

Thanks!

[thinmymind 107]

I'll be watching the answers, my surgery is next week.

[brandymarie81 108]

I would say my energy level was back to normal around 2-3 weeks out..now however my energy level is triple what it used to be. I feel amazing and am so glad that I had this surgery! I am 3 months out now and actually WANT to take a vacation and go to Sea World with my son!

[LadyIvy 159]

My energy level was fine by about 3 weeks out. However, I broke a stall and started dropping a lot of weight in the past week and now I am REALLY tired again. Enough that I actually feel drugged. I am 2 months out on the 9th. Apparently, it goes up and down for some of us for a while.

[clk 3,519]

Congrats on choosing a great surgeon!

I was sleeved 15 July 2010 by Dr. Aceves. I flew all the way from Germany to San Diego. My energy by the time I left the hospital was enough that travel was no more exhausting than usual. I was really fine until I had to spend 1 hour standing while clearing passport control and customs once I returned to Germany. Yuck. Avoid standing for long periods while you're still sore and you should be fine. I was a bit achy on my trip and I remember being annoyed that the flight attendants kept trying to force food at me. I swear, as a big girl I felt like they never fed me enough. But your perspective changes when you can't eat anything!

I was very tired for several days once I got home and in the routine of things (chasing then 2.5 year old twins around) but I think that was mostly because I'm a stomach sleeper. Once I started sleeping in the recliner at night I was fine. I needed to go to bed a bit early and I was a bit worn out (the very low calories will do it to you) for about a week to ten days from the date of surgery.

After that, I was fine. If you get on your B12 and take it seriously and eat a well-balanced diet that includes a healthy amount of carbohydrates (we need them for energy!), you should be able to avoid feeling fatigued for a long time. I wasn't so diligent about the B12 and around one year out was dragging and forgetful. Just a few months ago I started on B12 shots and a new Iron supplement and WOW, it's like I have more energy than I ever had before. So make sure to get a panel done 6 months and one year post op to be sure you're on track nutritionally.

Good luck!

~Cheri

[GI283 35]

Thanks for all the info... That definitely helps!