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 It's been 9 mos. since my surgery and I just had my follow-up appt. w/ my surgeon.  All of my bloodwork look great and am pleased with my weightloss.  Started at 250 and currently weigh 160.  Most people can't believe that I still weigh 160, so I know I have lost more inches since working w/weights my lose is very, very slow.  But, I'm happy and am loving getting dressed everyday!

Post Date: 1/2/11 10:07 pm Last Edit: 1/2/11 10:31 pm I am reading ALOT of you who are suffering from nausea, depression and buyer's remorse. I thought I would try and give you some of my tips since I had extreme nausea, depression and buyer's remorse for the first 6 weeks and I'm only 8 weeks out right now. I saw my Dr. every week and called his nurse at least 3x/week. In the begining, I was on zofran (for nausea) and carafate (to coat your stomach and prevent ulcer formation), then phenergan, all this plus my pain meds religiously. Then, I was started on a PPI and then reglan. Off and on with the vitamins and crushed meds. I was too ill to post on here, seriously. I could not do anything. I never vomitted, but wished I would have some days. It was a horrible experience. During all of this I was worried about not getting all of my protein in and looking back I realize it didn't matter. My Dr. told me to eat what I could, when I could and drink anything I can handle. Also realized I was lactose intolerant. Had a CT scan and found out my appendix was inflammed? No other symptoms, so jus****ching it for now. No leak and that made me happy. The week of Christmas, I decided NOT to take ANY meds and no protein drinks and only focus on liquids. Not sure if it was the prayer or stopping the meds or combination, but I had a nausea free Christmas and am feeling fine. Finally able to get out and walk the past few days. Started on a protein drink yesterday, (mixing Nashua Hot Cocoa with Lactaid and decaf espresso) today I added a multi-vitamin. Eating meals and drinking liquids. I will add one vitamin daily and slowly work up to the required amount. I think I just have a sensitive tummy post-op and obviously needed more time to heal. I drink decaf teas and realized that ginger is good for nausea. There are plently of decaf teas with ginger in them and you can also add fresh ginger. I was told about papaya enzyme and ginger pills and bought them. However these are capsules and I am not swallowing any pills yet, so haven't tried them. If I need to take a pill, I still cru**** as to not irritate my tummy. Just giving it more time. My point...everyone heals at different paces. Do NOT rush into any foods or food stages. You can read my blog for my first two months. I am a nurse and I'm still not back to work yet. Mid-Jan. I will go back. I am still weak, but getting stronger everyday. So, for those of you who are experiencing nausea, buyers remorse or do not love your sleeve...it WILL get better, I promise. It's still not the greaset thing for me and no, I do NOT love my sleeve....yet. But, it is working and now that I'm feeling better, I think I "like" my sleeve and love is around the corner! Especially since I eat small amounts of whatever I want and I do not deprive myself of any foods that I want. I might only have a tablespoon of that yummy dessert, but it's all I need and want. I eat most of my protein, in lieu of the protein shakes. Best of luck in your journey. There's no turning back now, only one hour at a time, then, one day and then, another week. Forge ahead and do the best you can do everyday. That's all we can do! Be kind and gentle to yourself during these first weeks. It's an emotional, physical and psychological ride! It gets easier with time. Best of luck to you all:) NOTE: Always consult your Dr. reagrding any issues, the above is about my personal journey.

Made it through Christmas and looking forward to 2011!  I am taking one day at a time.  My nausea has improved over the last week.  Still no protein drinks or vitamins.  I did have a CT scan done and it showed an enlarged appendix?  No other major signs/symptoms, so just watching it right now.  My weight loss has slowed down considerably.  I'm sure it is because of my lack of ability to eat correctly due to the nausea.  I eat more carbs than I should (crackers, potatoes) due to my nausea.  My Dr. just wants me to eat anything I can keep down.  First things first.  I am weak and still not back to work.  Right now I schedule to return mid-Jan.  This "sleeve" has not been my best friend, but I am trying to be at peace with it and everyday is a new day and I am grateful for feeling better.  I see hope for my future and am excited to start "working" this new tummy of mine.  It is a crazy ride and I'm hanging on!  Current weight 202.

 I am 1 month post-op today and I still do not love my sleeve.  Do I regret it?  Too early too tell.  I regret going through this last month of sickness.  My first awful memory was awakening during surgery, although my surgeon says he wasn't aware of this and it must have been at the end of surgery and he was out of the room.  I remember I was put out quickly and remember my anesthiaologist and circulator nurse, Julia telling me everything was okay and my arms being strapped down and the tube in my mouth.  Then, when I woke up in my room, I had a busted right upper lip and a nose bleed for several days from my left nostril.  Although I only spent 1 night in the hospital, it was the worst night/day of my life.  I had an epidural and my legs were numb.  I had several anxiety attacks (from anesthesia) and suffered from extreme nausea and pain throughout that night.  I NEVER want to go through that again.  I finally had anesthesia remove the epidural and within about 5-6 hours, I regained feeling and was able to walk.  I was determined to get out of there ASAP!  They would not let me leave til I ate some SF pudding.  Which I threw 2-3 bites in the commode.  Mind you, I am a nurse at a hospital.  I was told that I should be on clear liquids and was afraid to eat the pudding, as it is full liquids, so I didn't.  The nurse did not want to give me xanax until I had eaten some pudding...wrong!  Anyway, I finally left the hospital.

I had extreme nausea the first 3 weeks.  Saw my Dr. twice and continued to take more meds.  I have been unable to get any calcium down since surgery and today at 4 weeks, I've only had 1 nausea pill, which is a first.  I can eat about 1oz. of soft foods (mashed potatoes and gravy are my staple item and  about 2oz. of greek yogurt w/ honey and 2 Ritz crackers.  I cannot get all of my protein or liquids in yet.  This is all due to nausea.  That is why I know about Ritz crackers.  SF Popsicles are the best.

I had NO idea that my recovery would be this difficult.  I've had a total abdominal hsyt and gallbladder removal that were both easier than this.  I see others who have not had any problems and only wish that were me.  I expect to be out of work another month, at least.

This has been an emotional, painful beginning to a lifelong journey.  I am doing the best I can each day.  I can say that slowly I have gotten better, very slowly.  Patience, time and grace.  The day of surgery I weighed 230 and today I weighed in at 212.  I began this journey at 250.  Right now my focus is not loosing the weight, but to become stronger each day and not have to be on nausea meds.  To strive to meet my daily goals of protein, vitamins and liquids so I can be a healthier, ME!