So, I'm a little over 2 weeks out and everything is still going pretty well.  I was weighed 283.8 at my NUT office on Friday.  I weighed myself at 283 ...so, I'm saying I'm 283 since my clothes probably played a factor at the NUT's office.  I only weigh on Thursday so I'm anxious to see the scale keep moving to 270's. 

PROTEIN
I saw my NUT on Friday and got some tips on getting in my protein.  I thought I had found the perfect solution.  I was taking the New Whey Protein bullets for my protein.  42 grams of protein in one 4 oz bottle.  I would take half in the morning, half in the afternoon and another half in the evening.  I thought I was getting in 62 grams of protein that way and "eating" high protein foods like greek yogurt, cottage cheese and stuff.  I thought I was set...until she told me that the bullets were primarily made of collagen protein and that's not the best protein for us.  So, back to ground zero with this protein. 

I had bought Isopure zero carb drinks.  I liked them before surgery BUT they are too nasty to me now.  I can't take it.  I bought the Unjury unflavored which I have been adding to some of my soups and yogurt.  That's been working out.  I also have the Unjury chicken soup but I can't stand lukewarm soup...I like my soup piping hot...which you can't do with the Unjury.  Oh well. 

The Protein that I'm enjoying the most right now is Kiwi-Strawberry Nectar.  It's pretty good and I can definitely tolerate it better.  So, I can be a little more confident with my protein intake now.

PAIN
I am still having some pain where my drain was.  I spoke to the nurse and she said that's normal but I probably need to take it easy.  She's probably right.  With a 2 year old and trying to get back into regular life I've been probably pushing myself too hard.  I'm trying to start taking it easy.  So, no gym for maybe another week or two.

VOMIT
I threw up for the first time today.  OMG people!!  It DID NOT feel good.  I made scrambled eggbeaters this morning mixed with some milk and scrambled with cheese.  boosting the protein a little bit.  I've had it before and it's good.  I must have eaten too much (of the 1/4 cup), or too fast becase first I felt the food stuck in my throat.  Then I started to feel queasy.  Then I started to have that "I'm about to throw up" feeling.  I went into the bathroom and started heaving.  And sure enough, I started throwing up.  I felt completely fine after I did it.  And continued with my day.  Lesson learned!!

SEX
My boyfriend and I had sex for the first time since surgery last night.  ALREADY better!!!  I don't know if my mental state has changed so much already or what but I felt sexier and it DEFINITELY felt better.  We haven't had sex like that in a while.  Something else to look forward to everyone...lol

Hey all,
Melissa here!!  I'm feeling pretty good today.  I've always been a quick recoverer (is that a word?...lol)  I have been up bouncing around for the last day or two. 

I bounced a little too much yesterday.  I went to the grocery store with my mom and by the time we were finished I was hurting!!  Aching all over and feeling like I was going to pass out...too much too soon! It didn't help that I hadn't taken my Tylenol that day either.

Still have minor pain on my lower right stomach but otherwise the pain is in my shoulders and back.  I can control it with the tylenol.

I weighed myself today.  Thursday will be my weigh in day.  I started this journey at 311.  I was 304 at the beginning of my no-carb diet 2 weeks before surgery.  I was 296.4 the day of surgery.  According to my scale, I am (drum roll please)........................287.  That is almost a 9 pound loss from last week.   Crazy!!!  I should also mention that my "aunt flow" showed up 2 days after surgery...that wasn't fun so she may have messed up the numbers somewhere. 

Anyway...I'm excited although I don't feel like I earned the weight loss yet but I guess there isn't really much that can stop it. 

Hello all
Seelessofme22 here...aka Melissa.  I was sleeved on Thursday, Feb. 17 at Johns Hopkins Bayview by Dr. Schweitzer.  Thank you so much for all of the kind words and support that you all have given me.  I love this OH community.  I had 2 sleeve sisters to call me in the hospital and they are awesome...Romy and Fay...love you guys!! 

I am doing progressively better from the day of surgery.  It seems that every day has been a new adventure and I've had to figure things out as I go along.  No matter how much you think you know before surgery, you quickly find out how much you didn't afterwards. 

Here's my story:  I woke up at 5 a.m. got dressed kissed my son goodbye and we left the house.  Everything in preparation went off without a hitch.  Checked in, they got my info, put me in a gown, hooked me to an IV and gave me a little blue cap.  Surgery weight was 296.8.  Down from the 304 of 2 weeks ago.  All of the staff, nurses and doctors asked me a billion questions...and I was fine with that.  To me it meant they knew their job.  They were ready to take me to surgery.  Gave me some feel good potion on the way to the OR...gave me the real good stuff and I was gone...I don't even remember falling asleep...lol

I woke up in the recovery room like I was in a dream...I open my eyes for 30 seconds and fall back to sleep...open for 10 seconds, fall asleep.  I don't know how long that went on but I came to and was in some pain.  On a scale of 1-10, I'd say it was a 6.  Not crying pain but definitely uncomfortable.  But then they showed me the button I could press for more pain medicine and I handled that problem in short order...lol  Dry mouth was a problem as well.  You can have liquids by mouth until the next day.  Hopkins supplied these little sponges where you could coat your mouth with water.   And thank goodness for the blistex because my lips were dry as well!

Once I got to my private room on that first day...I pretty much slept a lot.  They got me up to a walk a few times but I was hitting that pain med button like I was playing a video game...lol  The meds kept me drowsy. 

The 2nd day in the hospital was better than the first except for the GAS.  Holy Jumpin' Christmas!!  lol  The pain is TERRIBLE people.  I didn't see it coming.  I heard people say the gas was uncomfortable but it was KILLIN' me.  And there is no relief.  They recommend walking but I must not have walked enough (though I really felt like I did) because it would only give me minor relief.  I've never been so excited to start passing gas IN MY LIFE!  lol  Burping and passing gas relieved some pain but the 2nd night was bad.  I was off of the pain button but I was dosing myself with liquid pain meds enought to keep me asleep.  From about 7pm to 7am I was asleep. And the itching from the anesthesia was annoying to boot.

The 3rd day was better than the 2nd.  And I'm going home this day.  The morning always seems so much better and then as the day progresses the gas builds up again.  I was miserable on the ride home and couldn't wait to get home and take my narcotics.  I got home around 8 and was in bed by 9 drugged up...lol

The next two days have been better.  I'm managing the gas better.  It's moved to my shoulders but not TOO terrible.  I'm finding it hard to get all of my nutrition requirements in without that stuffed chest feeling.  So, far I've figured that warm liquids I do better with...chicken broth and hot tea.  As I've heard, one of the protein drinks i thought I liked I can't stand.  So, if anyone wants to sample Apple Melon Isopure I'll send you a bottle...lol

I got my drain removed today and that was a whole new painful experience.  I really didn't expect the pain.  It wasn't terrible but I wouldn't sign up for it again. 

Having said all of this about this procedure.  I would do it all again.  I know I'm on my way to a healthier, happy life and the pains along the way were expected and wouldn't stop me from making this choice.  I weighed in at 293.8 today and that's a 2.6 pound loss from 5 days ago.  I'm ready to keep it movin!!

I got my surgery date!!!!!  My surgery is scheduled for Feb. 17.  OMG!!

I'm sorry I've been MIA.  I've been so busy the last few weeks down time has been minimal.  But I am so excited right now...I had to find time to share.  I am approved for the vertical sleeve gastrectomy!!  I was really expecting to have to fight with my insurance company about it.  I had heard so many stories about a$$hole insurance companies and how difficult they can be so I was really expecting SOMETHING.  But I wasn't expecting to be approved with NO HASSLE.  I am so excited.  I couldn't stop smiling at all yesterday.

Here's the story.  My paperwork was submitted to insurance on 1/5/11.    I called them the next week and they said it wasn't in the system yet.    The financial coordinator, Teresa, sent me the names of the people she spoke with.  I called back a few days later and they told me it was pending.   On Wednesday of this week Teresa emailed me and said that she was told they would know something by Friday.  Around 3:30 yesterday I didn't hear anything so I figured I'd call the insurance company and ask about it.  The first lady I spoke to was like "I'm sorry I don't see anything in the system".  I asked her to speak to somebody else I'd spoken with because I know they had it.  When I was transferred the woman told me I was approved and that letters went out that day and they had called my surgeon's office to let them know.  I was so excited!!  And not 15 minutes later Teresa called me to let me know the good news as well.  It's official folks...I WILL BE Sleeved!! 

I posted a video to youtube about this as well.  Check it out!!  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AbSfnJc7clY