Gastric Sleeve Surgery Forums

Tomorrow I start my pre-op diet and will be sleeved in Houston, Texas by Dr. Garth Davis on August 17th. I'm looking for support from those already on the losers bench or someone to chat with who is at the same stage of this wonderful journey. I have great support from my family but think a sleeve buddy would be fun! Thanks everyone!:confused1:

Question for Post-Op patients of Dr. Aceves in MX Hello! I?ve been scoping these threads for the last few weeks. Originally my intent was to stay here in the US and picked top surgeon Dr. Cirangle in San Francisco, CA. His price is a bit high and I am self pay for a revision surgery from Lap-Band to VSG ? and the sooner the better. I have grown some interest in Dr. Aceves as I?ve only heard such wonderful things about him and his staff. Not to mention his cost would be about half what I would be charged with Dr. C. Granted I can pay for the surgery but it will leave me near penniless, and I don?t like that too much. So if you are a past patient of Dr. Ace…

At the Int Hospital in TJ. I have the procedure last evening around 6:30pm by Dr. Osuna. She is a great surgeon and this hospital is awesome. Nice and clean, friendly staff, modern. I have horrible gas today and trying to walk it off. If I sit for to long it get's worse, I also feel ravished I could eat a whole cow. I hope that dimishes. I can't wait to get home and back to my normal life. Cheers! Will

Just wondering if anyone knows one way or the other. The last time I had surgery (year and half ago) I was told no green tea for 10 days before surgery due to blood thinning effects of the tea. Did anyone get this warning for the sleeve procedure?

Hello my Fellow Sleever's.... Quick question for ya... Has anyone notice a change in shoe size ? Length or width doesn't matter... I've always wondered about this, especially for us folk that have plus size feet.. :thumbup1:.. do they shrink with the weight loss ???

Don't do it, don't do it.... I've been doing great and dropping weight consistently. Happy as a Tuna in a can until this morning.... I was scrubbing the bathroom floor like a madman and got to where the scale is. After cleaning the thing I thought, "Hmmm.... I'll just take a peek..." (since I seem to be the only one that cleans the damn thing). So I stepped on... Big mistake.... A little background. Up to this point I have been religious about weighing myself once a week on the same day at the same time and that's it! That is until this morning... Up 3lbs. GAWK!!! spoiled my whole morning. I had to remind myself why I only do it once a week. I can go up and do…

:scared0:Seems that's what he like to do - plus he's consulted with his peers and they advised this also. Where the band is - is the location for the greatest chance of leaks -- from 3% to 20% chance of a leak if I have the revision in one surgery so band out - then wait 9-12 weeks for next surgery --- aaaarrrrggghhhhh I want to be safe so I'll deal - but my Fluid has been out of my band since Thursday and I've been starving - and NO it's not head hunger it's pit of the stomach I am hungry going to be sick feeling I have not had in 3 yrs

So with every little sip I feel like I swallowed a meatball whole. I was told it might be stomach spasms? And a result of having such a swollen stomach. Anyone else feel this? How quickly did it go away?

Anyone here get VSG from Dr. Cirangle in CA/HI? Hi everyone!! I am going to be revising from Lap-Band to sleeve very VERY soon! Probably in about 3 weeks to be exact. If not then by mid-September? I am going self-pay through Dr. Cirangle in San Francisco, CA. I live in Sacramento, CA and he has a clinic set up here. I have been hearing so many awesome things about him and his staff. If I am going to shell out my hard earned dollars, I want to ensure I have the best care and best surgeon available to me in my area. I have a few questions for those who have had him as a surgeon, if you don?t mind answering some questions! J Thanks in advance! Were yo…

Best Way - Skin-Tightening Exercises | eHow.com this link has a few little exercises to help tighten loose skin. I was under the impression that exercise... although great for you... would't solve the skin problem. Its hard for me to understan how it could since it seems to be an issu of collegen and esasticity. I'm going to give it a try though. I've got a little tukey neck and the area just above my elbows is pretty loose.

Hi everyone. As is probably true for many of you, I learned from a pulmonologist shortly before my surgery that I have sleep apnea. That's a condition that is often caused by obesity. So I was wondering if any of you veteran sleevers out there have discovered that the apnea went away after a significant amount of your weight loss had occured. I must say that I really don't like this darn cpap machine :mad0: and I cannot wait to get rid of it.

Hi everybody! I just joined to site after lurking in the shadows over the past week. I've been researching WLS, first concentrating on the band surgery. Needless to say, I've decided the sleeve is better suited for me. I've just started on my journey, haven't even had a doctor appointment yet. Would love to talk to some post-op people, especially those who encountered problems. I'm the type of person who likes to know the worst case scenario, so I can expect the worst, then if I don't get it, I can be happy, lol. Thanks to anyone who replies. Have a great one!

I'm puzzled - I'm 4 months out and 4 times I've had diarrhea "attacks" - yesterday I ate at a restaurant and by the time we paid the check I knew I had to use the bathroom - I stopped at 3 bathrooms and the last one I was in a huge department store, went up the escalator, got off the escalator and had diarrhea - went down my legs before I could get to the bathroom - and I know people saw this. I had to ask someone to get me a towel so I could get out of the store - it was awful!! And NO I did not eat too much - does anyone have any idea? I need help. This was humiliating. Thanks.

I would really like to get a group together in the DFW area. We could meet once a month or more, exchange contact info, etc. It would really help to have others to contact to help get through every stage of this incredible process. Of course, we could meet and walk too.

i'm getting the sleeve done on June 15. they are taking out my lapband and doing the sleeve procedure on me since my band has been causing me problems. i've read through some of the posts and noticed that everything i have read has been positive. i haven't seen anyone say they've had problems once they've had the sleeve done. so my question - have you had ANY problems since you've had the sleeve? if so, what type of problems did you have and are they better? my MIL has heard of several people having blood clots and wound infections and she's nervous about me having this done.

I started a new job last year and I hate it. Its largely administrative, where I prefere to be a practitioner. The problem is.... admin pays significantly more. Anyway... before surgery I was trying to get things straight in my head (psychologically speaking). I was trying to be realistic about what VSG would and would not change in my life. For instance, I repeatedly told myself that VSG was not going to make me love my job. Well, turns out thats not quite true. I wouldn't say I love it, but I do like working now. Its easier without the morning humiliation of trying to squeeze into cloths I don't like that are too tight. I feel good about myself and enjoy…

I am having surgery on July 31 with Dr. Alvarez in Piedras Negras. I haven't told my boss anything about it. I'm struggling with 2 options-not telling him anything or telling him the whole story. He is a general surgeon and I'm sure he will have a problem with me going to Mexico for surgery. I've also thought about just telling him I was flying to Texas for it....not a lie. My only problem with not telling him anything is that I would need more time off when I get home. How many days did everyone need off from work postop? Any advice is appreciated.

hey guys! Just wanted to say bye... I will be away for about the next month! I really want to thank everyone here for all your advice, info and support. It has really helped me alot in making my decision!!! So... go go go - to everyone on or starting their pre-op diets! ( I will be starting mine soon too) CONGRATS ahead of time to all those having surgery while I am gone!! My thoughts will be with you! Wishing everyone an uneventful operation and speedy recovery! Have a good August! See and talk when I get back! (yahoo.. by then I will be REALLY close to my big day!!!)

Hi, I am so confused with which surgery to go with. I have read so many things about both bypass & the sleeve that I'm totally torn. My Dr. first suggested bypass, but said I could do either one. I'm just curious what made you choose the sleeve over bypass?:scared0: Thank you for your help!!!!

Surgery was Monday in Mexico, and after a few days of pain and suffering, I am back home and recovering. I did have some regrets after surgery, but im sure that is normal :001_tongue: Now i'm just working on the yogurt and chicken broth and juices, ready to get my energy back so i can get to exercising again! I hope that everyone is doing well!! Oh, and 7 lbs down in one week! Mostly Water weight of course but it is so nice to just see the scale go DOWN instead of up for once!! Jillian

Maybe it's a newbie thing (I'm about 3 weeks out now) but I am having the worst "mental day" ever. Physically, everything about my surgery has been perfect: no nausea, no complications, I love Protein shakes, my tastes didn't change post-op, incisions healed quickly. I'm losing slowly (Week one and two at 5 lbs a week; week 3 at 2-3 lbs). My physical energy level is fine (but I don't feel like doing anything--no motivation). Today was the worst. I feel like I'm not losing fast enough, I'm not going to lose fast enough or maybe at all, I won't reach goals--all kinds of negativity. I am in a bad mood about having to go to the grocery store and cook--which is weird because…

Hello, IM not sure what to call this discussion other then my own stupidity. Im about 12 days post op and was doing very well. Down 27 pounds since July 23. Yeah go me, here is the kicker...... my husband bless his pain in the rear soul, made my favorite food tonight. Those fall off the bone Pork Ribs.... well dummy me did it, yep I snitched about a T of meat, couldnt resist it was callin my name..... I chewed and chewed and chewed, then chewed some more just to be sure..... it was muush... or so it felt..... 10 min later was getting sick, not much came up, think it was stuck........ have been having some pressure like pains...... figures Karma is come back to bite m…

I had my surgery on March 17 and lost a good amount of weight in the first month. But in June and July things slowed down to a crawl. In June I only lost 1.4 pounds, even though I was keeping my calories under 900 per day. I was so depressed and just at my wits' end!! In July I decided to step up my exercise a little, and I also re-focused on getting all my Protein in. I doubled my weekly tap dance classes to twice a week, I added in a nice power walk a time or two a week, and two weeks ago I bit the bullet and signed up for personal training at the gym. Lo and behold, in July I lost 7.4 pounds and am almost halfway to my goal sophomore-in-high-school weight! I a…

Hi, I am a patient of Dr. Corvalas in Mexico. I am 21 days post op. I had the GASTRIC SLEEVE PLICATION. This is a new procedure and difficult to find other patients to share information. I am interested in corresponding with potential "plication" patients or comparing notes with post op patients.

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Not on a regular basis. It seems to happen when I swallow too much of something I drink, or if I lie down too soon after taking my medication. And luckily the nausea happens fast, and then it's gone as soon as I finish heaving. But it's not fun, not one bit. Anybody have any tips? I'm thinking about taking prophylactic doses of anti-nausea medication, which I already have a prescription for. I'm already taking Gas-X twice a day, since the vomiting seems to be linked to bloating, as well.

I was hoping to find others here to comiserate with. I had my surgery last August 2008. I lost 45 lbs in 4 mos and only 7 lbs since. And that soesn't even count because it was surgically removed. What now. Lost motivation to keep going. Lisa:confused1:

Hi all! I was sleeved 20 days ago, and am looking for a buddy. I've posted threads with questions and concerns, and the responses I've gotten are priceless. Thank you! I'm from Los Angeles, and am in the process of looking for a local support group. I need all the support I can get, so I'm reaching out to a buddy here too. I currently don't have a cell phone, but we can chat via email and facebook. Email: Brisamari@aol.com. You can look me up in facebook under Maria Carbajal. Thank you and God bless you all with much health and peace!

Today was a bad day. It was the first time that I was questioning things. I could tell I was sad/depressed...whatever you want to call it. Perhaps some of it was 'acceptance'... I had my surgery on the 19th. Now, I KNOW I'm a newbie. So, I'm asking stupid questions. But.....Right now, I can only eat a few bites (like 5-6) and then I feel full (I'm learning my body daily). But, is it always going to be like this? I mean...am I always going to have the stomachaches, the extremely small portions..... I'm not sure what I'm asking. I know I will always eat considerably less than what I used to. But will there ever come a day where eating won't be an 'issue'? I won't have t…

Eating Well After Weightloss Surgery There's apparently several others available, but I'm going to buy the USED version of this one and see how I like it. I took a peek inside the table of contents, and it looks like there are a lot of yummy recipes that myself and family would enjoy. It has over 140 recipes for WLS patients. Y'all know I've become a little obsessed with new recipes, and thought I would share this find with everyone here. [ame=http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1569244537/ref=oss_product#noop]Amazon.com: Eating Well After Weight Loss Surgery: Over 140 Delicious Low-Fat High-Protein Recipes to Enjoy in the Weeks, Months and Years After Surgery (…

OK vsg family! My divorce has been final for a year now! Just found out my first love got married and I'm a little sad! I wished him the best anyway! I am so ready to have the surgery to start a new beginning and be happy. I have a 3 year son with a very very partime dad! I'm ready for change y'all. Is this crazy letting the sleeve represent a new beginning for me

So, my surgery was on Tuesday. YEAH!!!! And on Thursday I was released to go home. I had emptied my drain around 6 pm and there wasn't much there. However this morning around 4:30 there was a lot more. I'm not sure if that's normal or something to have checked. Do you know how often you're supposed to empty the drain? I thought it was 2 times a day - but maybe it's supposed to be more often? Any help on the subject would be greatly appreciated!

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OK vsg family! My divorce has been final for a year now! Just found out my first love got married and I'm a little sad! I wished him the best anyway! I am so ready to have the surgery to start a new beginning and be happy. I have a 3 year son with a very very partime dad! I'm ready for change y'all. Is this crazy letting the sleeve represent a new beginning for me

I am 3 weeks out from the sleeve. I have lost a total of 6 pounds. I am so disappointed!. I am eating 6-700 calories. Getting 65 of protein and carbs around 50. I wonder if I even had the procedure the way the weight is not coming off. Please help me.

I am in the process of getting a sleeve set up. I would have to fly to Mexico. I am 470lbs and I am seriously scared of flying. Not because of the plane, but because of my size vs the size of the plane inside. I will purchase 3 seats (2 for me 1 for spouse) all in a row. I have already spoken to airline customer service and gotten seat dimensions, belt extender info, and how to board prior to everyone else. None of that seems very reassuring to me though. I have read some of the airline industry forums and one of the biggest peeves is fat people. Since my spouse and I are getting three seats together, no one else should be inconvenienced, but you know how it ca…

I got this off another weight loss site and if you can watch, you will learn so much. I have come up with more questions to ask my doc. ACTUAL FOOTAGE!! ORLive, Inc.: Weight Loss Surgery: Gastric Sleeve

Anyone seen or heard from Loser? Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy Surgery (VSG) Forum - View Profile: loser I was thinking of him the other day and see that he has not posted since April when he said he was getting out of the hospital and coming back on here soon. :001_tt2: :frown1: :frown1: :frown1: :frown1:

Hey Guys, I finally have a date for my sleeve op, 9th September! Woohooo! The time can't go quick enough, so I've been hanging in there by thinking of the things I'm looking forward to post-op. Not having sore thighs from them rubbing together! Finding some jeans that fit me Not eating the same amount as all the men in my family and still being hungry! Being able to wear all my gorgeous high heels without feeling like a transvestite! Not sweating like a fat old man when I'm exercising! Seeing my ex, and knowing that I look great! What are yours? :thumbup: xxxx L xxxx

hi all, I have not actually posted this, just bits and pieces out there, so I thought I would put it all together in as short a thread as I could: I was going into my 8th year with the band, but last week it was removed due to complications. I was banded at 135 kg, in 15 months I was down to 56 kg. I maintained this for years, actully the first 5 years were the honeymoon for me. I actually had no adjustment to the band in over 4 years, then the 6th year I started with heartburn, no big deal, loosened the band a little, took medication, and gained about 9 kg bringing me to 65 kg which was ok with me, since I was on the thin side. So then the fun starts, in my 7th yea…

I do not care how hard I try, I am doing good to get in 40 gms of protein a day. I am drinking a 10 gram shake, and 2 protein bars a day. I get in a little more other stuff...Maybe 10 more grams on good days. Oh yeah, I also try to get in a 10 gm yogurt but not every day. It is like every thing I put in my mouth needs to be super protein charged and I still NEVER get 70 gms. I just can not eat that much. How do ya'll do it???

Hello everyone....I could really use a mentor friend...I have had the VSG almost 6months ago...but feel that I dont have anyone I can talk to about my surgery...or feelings relating to my surgery...or just the changes that I am going through....feels like nobody really understands. I would really love a buddy or buddy's that I would be willing to email or facebook. I would appreciate the support. :frown1:

We all know that excess carbs can slow weight loss by adding too many calories, and also cause us to become Protein deficient; but have any of you found that carbohydrates cause increased hunger and appetite? My nutritionist gave me a plan that can is somewhat high in carbohydrates compared to what many of you are eating. She said that if it didn't work for me, we can adjust the plan. I have found that ever since moving to solid foods and including carbohydrates, my appetite is much stronger than it used to be when i was on the first month post op diet of mainly protein and very restricted carbs. I didn't find it hard to resist food because i didn't think about i…

Hello all I am in the begining stages of my pre op diet, waitingfor a date. I am a Chef and have allways been able to walk around and just pick up something and put it in my mouth ( almost involutary and not allways the best for you foods, almost never good for you foods) now that I am on my pre op diet and haveing to journal everything. I have been trying to pay more attention to what I put in my mouth, but am still finding it way hard to be surounded my food 10 -15 hours a day and not want to pick. Also trying to reduce my carbs ALOT so I am going through carb withdrawls at the same time(no fun). I hope ot gets easier just trying to keep in mind that I want weight loss …

I am 4 mo out and have been doing great. I just seem very tired last 3 days. I am wondering if it could be lack of protein or vitamins or something like that. I drink my protein shake with vitamins every morning, but this last week end did not. any suggestions. has anyone else seem tired ever?

I woke up today, a little more than three months out and about 45 pounds lighter, with an unusual feeling of energy. I am generally very low key, very laid back, very . . . okay, let's say it . . . LAZY. Today, I was not a lazy slug. I didn't feel the need to sit, lay down, rest. In fact, it never crossed my mind to stop doing all of the things that needed doing. Laundry, dusting, vacuuming, errands, cooking. What the heck is going on here??? Have I been taken over by an alien life form? Has this happened to anyone else? Should I call Ghostbusters?

:scared0:the last one was 18 months ago and I had a tiny pouch (all was normal). I Just looked at CD of todays Upper GI and I have a big weird shaped one - sorta like an enlarged upper pouch where my esophogus used to be? Plus with a 3.5 cc fill in a 4cc band the barium went thru very fast and the doc made me keep drinking as if I was guzzeling a shake. anyway - I have letter from my PCP and I wrote a letter to Aetna and I have my band doc appt on thursday where we'll discuss the situation. this will be a long week! donna - banded since 7/07 and looked for a revision to the sleeve

So today I go for an upper GI and in August go to sleep center to be tested for apnea. All this to try to go from banded to sleeve. It is like I am back at square 1. My BMI is under 40 as it was 5 years ago but insurance companies (I have Berkshire Health) have gotten pickier about non-morbid obese patients. I could gain 20 pounds and qualify as a morbidle obese patient...no I don't think so. I thought maybe if they consider the band to not have worked that would be enough to get the sleeve. I am so bummed about this. it also means all the other tests, including the psych, would have to be repeated. It's as if i never did anything.

next tuesday is the day! i'm so excited to get this band out and have the sleeve done. however, i am curious about the pain after surgery. is it pretty similar to the pain/discomfort you had with the band? personally, i didn't think the pain after the band surgery was bad at all. i never took the pain medicine they gave me. the only discomfort i had was trying to find a comfortable way to sleep for the first few days. i know everyone is different but i wanted to find out what you thought of the pain and discomfort. thanks!

OK - quick recap - banded almost 5 years, stomach dilation, converting to Sleeve - Insurance approved and surgery scheduled for 9/7/10. I made all of these plans before really getting to question my surgeon about the sleeve so I had an appointment on 7/14 and we spent quite a bit of time talking about sleeves. He usually uses a 36f bougie and oversews. I'll be in the hospital for 2-3 days and I will have a drain - yuck. I will be his 6th or 7th sleeve but as he put it "in Boston that may be the most any one surgeon has done", now I don't know if that is true but I do know that my surgeon is GOOD. I have full confidence in his surgical abilities - he is the Cheif of Mi…