Learning my limits

[serious 2]

I thought I would do the liquid phase for 10 days, move to the full liquid phase for 10 days, move to mushies etc. I thought this would be easy, afterall, I had to do this with my band.

Well, the mushy phase is definitely a learning process. During my research on the sleeve, I had read where people say, "once sleeved, it is a baby stomach, and you have to take baby steps with it." How true, how true.

I vomited once yesterday and again today. I am not getting "full" signals like others report: a runny nose, hiccoughs etc. I have a voice inside of me that says, "oh, you can eat one more bite."

No I can't. I now measure out 3 bites on my plate and put my spoon down between mouthfuls, and listen to my body. This is definitely a relearning process for me, relearning how to eat; learning how to listen to my body. Learning that my full, in the past, was damaged from years of abuse secondary to food addiction.

I am having to wrap my mind around the fact that this new full is normal, (for now), and that it's okay, and to take it slow, and to learn from my mistakes.

This new full is teaching me that no, you don't have to eat the whole container to be satisfied, and yes, you can throw what you can't finish out. It definitely is a new way of life.

[kareyquilts 1]

Serious: It sounds like you have a good attitude and will adapt and learn the things that you need to to be successful. I remember when I first got the band and started on mushies. The nurse told me to eat 4 TBPs if I could, but if I felt full to stop. I never felt full, but I thought what a miracle if I could feel full on 4 tbp of food. I guess you're experiencing that miracle.

[Oregondaisy 2,021]

Serious, I can't find anywhere that it says when you got your 2nd surgery. You and I were banded close to the same time. How long has it been for you since you had the vsg surgery?

I am looking forward to having my band taken out, but going through this again is worrying me, especially since not that many people even know I had band surgery, let alone another one coming up.

Did you have the same dr. do your sleeve as your band surgery?

[serious 2]

Serious, I can't find anywhere that it says when you got your 2nd surgery. You and I were banded close to the same time. How long has it been for you since you had the vsg surgery?

I am looking forward to having my band taken out, but going through this again is worrying me, especially since not that many people even know I had band surgery, let alone another one coming up.

Did you have the same dr. do your sleeve as your band surgery?

Hi Oregondaisy,

I had my revision on March the 11th. NOONE knew I had a lapband, and noone but one of my sisters knows I had a revision. My personal feeling is that it is noones business. I told my one sister just in case something happens where I end up unconscious or something, she can give my medical history information.

Dr Rumbault did my lapband. I did not go to him for a revision because I felt he has not done enough VSGs yet; although, I had no technical problems with my band, it didn't slip or erode, it just didn't work for me. I am liking the VSG much better, even with having to learn to eat again.

Edited April 7, 2009 by serious
wrong word

[serious 2]

Serious: It sounds like you have a good attitude and will adapt and learn the things that you need to to be successful. I remember when I first got the band and started on mushies. The nurse told me to eat 4 TBPs if I could, but if I felt full to stop. I never felt full, but I thought what a miracle if I could feel full on 4 tbp of food. I guess you're experiencing that miracle.

Thankyou Kareyquilts,

I was always hungry with my band, so I just learned to eat around it. The Sleeve is so different. I am 27 days out, and am starting to get hungry. But, when I eat I am getting full off of 3-4 bites. I had a good day today. I had a Protein shake for Breakfast, (otherwise I would not be getting in enough protein), for lunch, I had 3 bites of tuna fish salad. I have learned to take one bite, put my fork down, chew real well, and see if I want another bite. After the third bite, I felt like I had eaten a whole meal. It wasn't painful, but I was definitely full. :thumbdown:

[Elisabethsew 50]

Hi Oregondaisy,

I had my revision on March the 11th. NOONE knew I had a lapband, and noone but one of my sisters knows I had a revision. My personal feeling is that it is noones business. I told my one sister just in case something happens where I end up unconscious or something, she can give my medical history information.

Dr Rumbault did my lapband. I did not go to him for a revision because I felt he has not done enough VSGs yet; although, I had no technical problems with my band, it didn't slip or erode, it just didn't work for me. I am liking the VSG much better, even with having to learn to eat again.

I feel the same way. I told my sister and one other person I was getting banded and that's the way it stayed. When I went for my revision to a sleeve last week, the same 2 people knew. Others do well letting everyone know but for me, obesity has been a lifelong battle and I don't want to be scrutinized about my progress.

[Oregondaisy 2,021]

I feel the same way. My daughter will know. She is an RN and has been quite worried about me going to Mexico. I forwarded the information WasA sent me about Dr. Aceves and told her that Elizabeth is a nurse as well, and was very satisfied with Dr. Aceves, his staff and the hospital.

I didn't want people to know when I got the band because I didn't want people constantly asking me how much I had lost or watching me eat. I still feel the same way about the sleeve. My other friend who is an RN also, will be going to Dr. Aceves soon, to get the sleeve done, and she is the only friend that knows. I talked her out of getting the band.

[Elisabethsew 50]

I feel the same way. My daughter will know. She is an RN and has been quite worried about me going to Mexico. I forwarded the information WasA sent me about Dr. Aceves and told her that Elizabeth is a nurse as well, and was very satisfied with Dr. Aceves, his staff and the hospital.

I didn't want people to know when I got the band because I didn't want people constantly asking me how much I had lost or watching me eat. I still feel the same way about the sleeve. My other friend who is an RN also, will be going to Dr. Aceves soon, to get the sleeve done, and she is the only friend that knows. I talked her out of getting the band.

Maybe you and your friend could have surgery the same day! I work in a very large health care system and my speciality is critical care. I can't complain at all about the care I received in Mexico and the hospital was spic n spac clean. In the U.S. you certainly are NOT visited 3 times a day by your surgeon.

[*susan* 1,709]

Oh my gosh, Elisabeth, was it me, or was there someone always in one of the patient rooms in our section or the hallway cleaning? I mean, you could eat off the floors.

And you are right, I never have been in the hospital where the doctor has stopped by more than once a day. I have been over the weekend before and never saw the doctor then. Dr. Aceves and his staff were constantly checking on us. I can't believe the good experience I had there and how impressed I was. My husband is a believer now too, and he was very skeptical about going there.

[Elisabethsew 50]

Oh my gosh, Elisabeth, was it me, or was there someone always in one of the patient rooms in our section or the hallway cleaning? I mean, you could eat off the floors.

And you are right, I never have been in the hospital where the doctor has stopped by more than once a day. I have been over the weekend before and never saw the doctor then. Dr. Aceves and his staff were constantly checking on us. I can't believe the good experience I had there and how impressed I was. My husband is a believer now too, and he was very skeptical about going there.

It felt like there was either someone cleaning, an RN checking wounds and vital signs, an MD checking on your status, or dietary bringing liquids throughout the day. LOL.

[Oregondaisy 2,021]

I ordered a lap top from Dell. Unfortunately, it won't get here before my surgery date. I wanted to take it to Mexico.

Did you feel well enough to email from the hospital? I am thinking it's not going to be a big deal because I don't remember any of you posting right after surgery.

I wonder if my cell phone will work from Mexicalli. The only person I want to stay in constant contact with is my daughter.

[Elisabethsew 50]

I ordered a lap top from Dell. Unfortunately, it won't get here before my surgery date. I wanted to take it to Mexico.

Did you feel well enough to email from the hospital? I am thinking it's not going to be a big deal because I don't remember any of you posting right after surgery.

I wonder if my cell phone will work from Mexicalli. The only person I want to stay in constant contact with is my daughter.

The day after surgery I was up walking all over and on my laptop answering emails and even grading my students' papers. I started my post-op thread 2 days after surgery from Mexico. As for my cell phone, it picked up the American tower in the hospital so I could receive and make calls. The night in the hotel, I was on a Mexican tower so I could only text message and receive phone calls.

Have you looked into renting or borrowing a laptop? You could always call the Dell people and tell then you want to cancel because they can't get the laptop to you in time. Chances are, they will send it in time rather than lose the sale. If not, cancel and go to Best Buy. You have your choice of MANY brands (love my HP) and can have it THAT day.

[*susan* 1,709]

I agree with Elisabeth, you have almost a month until surgery and there is no reason why they shouldn't be able to get it to you within that time. That is ridiculous that it would take that long. I would call them, like she said and explain that you will be traveling out of the country and if they cannot guarantee shipment prior to that time, you wish to cancel your order. I am willing to also bet they will find a way to meet your deadline as opposed to losing a sale.

I wasn't on my laptop at all the day of the surgery. But, again, anesthesia really does a number on me and I was pretty much out of it all day. Then, the next day I had surgery again. But, by that night, I did sign on, answer emails and post here as well.

[Oregondaisy 2,021]

I don't have a Best Buy here. I live in the middle of nowhere. I have a Walmart and that's about it.

Sorry to hijack Serious's thread!

[WASaBubbleButt 41]

I don't have a Best Buy here. I live in the middle of nowhere. I have a Walmart and that's about it.

Sorry to hijack Serious's thread!

You can order them on line. I'll bet you it's a WHOLE lot cheaper, too.