Gastric Sleeve Surgery Forums

sleep quality of insomnia patients can improve with moderate exercise, a study found. * Improves mental health. * A study found that exercise reduces migraine suffering. * Reduces the risk of heart disease and cardiovascular problems. * Helps improve survival rates of patients with cardiovascular diseases significantly, as this study found. * Stimulates bone growth (high impact aerobic exercise), reduces risk of osteoporosis. * Increases stamina or endurance. Aerobic activity increases the body's ability to store energy molecules such as fats and carbohydrates within the muscle. * Increases blood flow through muscles. * Impr…

From the WHO: Mexico. But both counties have no new reported cases since the last WHO update. Good news! ;o) Although it hit the US harder (more confirmed cases) there were more deaths in Mexico. US reported cases: 13,217 Mexico reported cases: 5717 US Deaths: 27 Mexico Deaths: 106

I am getting my sleeve June 12th, anyone else set for June?

Have people who don't know you've had surgery noticed you're losing weight? Do you still look in the mirror and see the same person? A few people where I work commented that they noticed I am losing weight and given me compliments. As a life long fat human being, I'm used to negative comments, looks, and stares. Strangely, I think I'm even more comfortable getting nasty comments. When I was leaving work this AM, I got an unexpected glance of a reflection of myself and was surprised that I did look a little smaller to myself. So, how does everyone else handle comments about their weight loss? Are you adapting easily to your changing body?

Weight Loss Surgery Works Even For Moderately Obese 4/15/09 Surgeons once recommended weight-loss surgery only for severely obese patients who failed to drop pounds with conventional weight-loss methods, but a review now finds that bariatric surgery helps the moderately obese lose more weight, too. "Until recently, only people with severe obesity with a body mass index (BMI) greater than 40 were considered for bariatric surgery," said review author Jill Colquitt, Ph.D. But studies, such as those included in this review, now examine the effects of surgery on people with a BMI of 30 to 40 who have diseases such as type 2 diabetes or hypertension that potentially cou…

Hi, I'm Carol. I got my sleeve April 20th. Is there anyone else here that got their sleeve in April? It would be fun to have others of the same time period to go forward with.

Flax Seed Oil.... It is safe as long as you do not take it with other supplements. It tends to DEcrease absorption of other supplements if you take it at the same time.

Bariatric Surgery: Waiting Times Too Long In Canada 6/5/2009 Obesity is now acknowledged as a chronic disease with a number of related complications, and its prevalence has reached alarming epidemic proportions. While bariatric surgery is effective at treating the disease, access to this procedure is still too limited in Canada. The latest article published by Dr. Nicolas Christou, of the McGill University Health Centre (MUHC), in the June issue of the Canadian Journal of Surgery assesses the waiting times for this procedure. According to the study, the average waiting time for bariatric surgery in Canada is 5 years, a timeframe that is long compared with the 8-week…

Desserts that give you a whole day's worth of calories in one dish. For a heart-healthy lifestyle, the average person needs only 2,000 calories a day and should limit their intake of saturated fat to 20 grams, and of sodium to 1,500 mg. Bear this in mind while you peruse the following list. The "winners" of the 2009 Xtreme eating award include: * Cheesecake Factory's Fried macaroni and cheese which contains 1,570 calories and 69 grams of saturated fat. "You would be better off eating an entire stick of butter", said the CSPI statement. * Olive Garden's Tour of Italy invites you to pile Lasagna, chicken Parmigiana, and Fettuccine Alfredo onto a very large d…

sleep apnea (i.e., patient meets the criteria for treatment of obstructive sleep apnea set forth in Aetna CPB 004 - Obstructive Sleep Apnea); or 4. Medically refractory hypertension (blood pressure greater than 140 mmHg systolic and/or 90 mmHg diastolic despite optimal medical management); and 2. Member has completed growth (18 years of age or documentation of completion of bone growth); and 3. Member has attempted weight loss in the past without successful long-term weight reduction; and 4. Member must meet either criterion 1 (physician-supervised nutrition and exerc…

Do you eat fast food often? I'll bet you cut back on how much fast food you let your kids have after watching this. It is a documentary, please watch it. Watch Super Size Me Online | Streaming Full Length Movie | Fancast Here is the same documentary on Hulu.com: http://www.hulu.com/watch/63283/super-size-me It's worth the time to view it.

Water to face scrub, and found that many detox claims were "meaningless", said a BBC report. It follows an earlier report titled "There Goes The Science Bit..." published with the charity Sense About Science about a year ago, where the authors exposed "dodgy" science claims by phoning manufacturers and asking questions about their products. After the first report was published the authors received offers of help and lots of examples where the word "detox" was used, and this led to the latest investigation. According to a BBC report, the advertising regulators said they would look at such issues on a case by case basis. The Advertising Standards Authority said: "If a…

food Allergies Are Making You Fat 4/7/09 Study Confirms: Your Hidden Food Allergies Are Making You Fat Medical researchers from Dubai reported in the April '09 edition of the Middle East Journal of Family Medicine (The Effect of The ALCAT Test Diet Therapy for Food Sensitivity in Patient's With Obesity) that patients unable to achieve goal weight loss by calorie restriction alone were significantly aided in their attempts when they avoided foods that had been shown by a unique lab test to excite their immune response. The authors, led by Dr. M. Akmal of the Dubai Specialized Medical Centre, pointed out that hidden food allergies, or food sensitivities, are unique to…

Here are some links I've collected when I was researching the sleeve. http://www.asbs.org/Newsite07/resources/sleeve_statement.pdf ASMBS position paper on sleeve - includes reports of early studies http://www.facs.org/education/gs2004/gs33lee.pdf LapSF Educational presentation to FACS - includes some 2 year results Vertical gastrectomy for morbid obesity in 216 pat...[surg Endosc. 2007] - PubMed Result LapSF Two Year Study SSAT - SSAT 2008 Annual Meeting Abstracts - Laparoscopic Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy for Morbid Obesity: a Report of a Five-Year Experience with 750 Patients</b> LapSF Five Year Study - abstract only SSAT - Five Year Study - presentatio…

All went well. Dr. Aceves and Dr. Compas are both great. They pay a lot of attention and I never saw a doctor so often when I was in a hospital before. The surgery went smoothly. I was up and about a few hours later and felt pretty good. A little wobbly, but good. During the night my i.v. ifiltrated and started pouring out all over the bed and into my arm instead of the vein. They fussed with it all night but it did not improve, just deprived me of sleep. In the morning they tried to start another one in the other arm. They were not being successful so I made them stop and said I would speak to the doctor. When Dr. Campos came in he said I was drinking…

Hey maybe this belongs in the food section. I have been eating those little cans of chicken salad. I am doing that mainly because my dad is in the hosptial and I can take them anywhere. What are some good ideas and portions for those of us just starting out? I am about to go down to the cafeteria to try to eat dinner. It will be the first time not eating in front of my brother since I got here, so I can be more daring. I didn't want to have a problem around him so I have been sticking to Soup. I know Elizabeth said she likes 100 calorie English muffins. What are anyone else's favorite things that are small and tasty? what's good and the right portion size?

food, indicating curcumin did not affect appetite, but mice fed the curcumin supplemented diet did not gain as much weight as mice that were not fed curcumin. "Curcumin appeared to be responsible for total lower body fat in the group that received supplementation," said Meydani, who is also a professor at the Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy at Tufts. "In those mice, we observed a suppression of microvessel density in fat tissue, a sign of less blood vessel growth and thus less expansion of fat. We also found lower blood cholesterol levels and fat in the liver of those mice. In general, angiogenesis and an accumulation of lipids in fat cells contribute to…

Appetite Increased By Action Of Ghrelin Hormone Leading To Accumulation Of Abdominal Fat 5/21/09 Appetite Increased By Action Of Ghrelin Hormone Leading To Accumulation Of Abdominal Fat The ghrelin hormone not only stimulates the brain giving rise to an increase in appetite, but also favours the accumulation of lipids in visceral fatty tissue, located in the abdominal zone and considered to be the most harmful. This is the conclusion of research undertaken at Metabolic Research Laboratory of the University Hospital of Navarra, published recently in the International Journal of Obesity. Ghrelin is a hormone produced in the stomach and the function of which is to t…

The day before your surgery. You must be excited and scared at the same time, I was. Anyway, you won't believe how fast a week goes by, tomorrow will be my one week post op and it flew by. My experience was that every day was exponentially better than the day before. It is amazing, best wishes to you. __________________ Originally posted at www.lapbandtalk.com

HI Everyone, :laugh: I am really really struggling...I am seriously having the fight the insurance co & my PCP blues. Pasted below is draft copy of a letter that I am working on to send to the insurance co. and maybe even the insurance consumer division. Although a really tight squeeze for now, I am working on Plan B. Dr. Alvarez in Mexico, 9750 for sleeve. Here struggling...having gained 18 pounds since September 15--all of my clothes are fitting way way way toooooo tightly! Bumming Here's my letter! I just dont know what to do.... Any insight is greatly appreciated! I am not sure if I should be outright saying I want to request an appeal or …

I'm 2.5 weeks out of surgery and my doc says I can resume Vitamins and supplements. However, I'm a little hesitant because a couple of my pills are kinda big. My metformin 1000mg is the largest. Then I have fish oil liquid gels, etc.:laugh: Now obviously I can cut the pills but then they have sharp edges. Also I can crush and I can have liquid versions but they taste awful. The pills are easy. And considering all my other energies directed toward diet and recovery, I'd like to have a break and just down the pills. So, any dangers or problems going for the pills? Any stories about going back to pills out there? Thanks in advance. __________________ Originally …

:thumbup:Hi All, My surgery is today, in a couple of hours. :scared2: It's my gamechanger day!!! Thank you all for all the advice and support! You all guided my decisions and i may not be at EaglePass right now....waiting....if it had not been the love you have shown me through Lapbandtalk.com __________________ Originally posted at www.lapbandtalk.com

I am on my 8th day of the Optifast diet and I am quite hungry. The thought of going to clear liquids after the surgery (next Wednesday) is unbearable because I am so hungry now. :thumbup: The NP told me I won't be hungry after the surgery so it won't matter. Is this true? And I was told no pork, ham, or beef for at least 6 months. What's up with that? __________________ Originally posted at www.lapbandtalk.com

I just saw the NP today for my first step towards the sleeve. She gave me a two week "Optifast" diet that costs about $150 and is almost entirely liquids. Or I can go to a supplement store and buy "whey protein isolate" and put that in water and drink it. Has anyone done either of these diets? Is this common? __________________ Originally posted at www.lapbandtalk.com

I am so so happy I am scheduled for Feb 18, 2009 for the gastric sleeve. But I am trying to decide if I need to get help the first few days after surgery. I have 4 kids and the oldest is 7 and youngest are 4. Am I naively thinking I will be okay the next day to get them up and send them to school? And just caring for them when they get home. Or should I expect my husband to take off work and help with that? And if so how long? How do you know when you have eaten just the right amount of food? Is it trial and error, where if you vomit you have just learned that yep, that was too much? Or is it painful if you overeat? I am not planning on overeating but I wou…

Hello all, I am scheduled to have lapband surgery on 2-6-09 and now I may be having cold feet. Does anyone know if the sleeve is better than the band? I have been reading and doing alot of research and just cant decide. I like that the band is ajustable but I also like that the sleeve requires little maintenance. I am cash pay so I have to make the right decision the first time. I am also worried about something happening to the band and needing to have it removed, since I am cash pay this would be terrible for me. I just need a few words of wisdom if any of you could spare a few it would be appriciated. Thanks, Ann __________________ Originally posted at w…

I was banded just before Thanksgiving, and yes I have lost, I feel funny to put my original weight up here, its horrible to think (and see) how bad I have let myself become. I spoke with my physician this morning about the possibility of getting a sleeve (to help with the initial weight loss, my weight is pretty high, ok very) and he said absolutely no for now. I know the band will work, its my lifestyle that I am changing, but I really would like to know if there is anyone out there that has done both, or knows a physician that will do a sleeve after a band (within 6 months after the band), I do not want to remove my band, I would like to do both in conjunction with ea…

Hi everyone, I just joined tonight. I meet with my surgeon today and he asked me to attend an orientation that discusses the three bariatric surgery options: lap-band, sleeve and bypass. I know that I do not want the bypass because it is too invasive. Did anyone consider the sleeve before banding? I was sure about getting the band until I talked to him today. He said that he has complaints that those that have been banded are continually hungry and are not happy. Do you agree? I am attending the orientation on Monday, but would like anyone's feedback if you get a chance... Thanks for your support! Linda 261/261/135:confused: __________________ Originally pos…

Here are some links I've collected when I was researching the sleeve. Site with info culled from OH - Answers all the basic quetions ASMBS position paper on sleeve - includes reports of early studies LapSF Educational presentation to FACS - includes some 2 year results LapSF Two Year Study LapSF Five Year Study - abstract only LapSF Five Year Study - presentation (requires Windows to play) Literature review on the sleeve - requires $$ to get the full text unfortunately Sleeve best for over 50 crowd Video of a sleeve with lots of education discussion Video of a sleeve that is more about the operation Ghrelin levels after RnY and sleeve Ghrelin lev…

Obesity Surgery Performed Through Vagina, U.S. First __________________ Originally posted at www.lapbandtalk.com

How long did you stay at the hospital with the sleeve? What did you eat the first week? What about dumping syndrom with the sleeve? When did you go back to work? When did you become pain free? __________________ Originally posted at www.lapbandtalk.com

Hi there, I was banded in Feb 2003 and went from 133 kg to 60 kg. Unfortunately the band slipped and I had emergency surgery in May 2008. Living such a different life which included working out 5x / week, cutting out sugared drinks etc, I thought I could keep the weight off, but lo and behold ... it was not to be ... and I have since gained over 20kg = > 44 lbs. Have gone back to the surgeons and have been asked to consider either the sleeve or the gastric bypass. Would greatly appreciate any thoughts / inputs from all you experienced folks. Maybe if I give u a little info about me, it may be easier for you to give me your input ... I just turned 33 ... sin…

Hello all, My name is marlena, I'm 24yrs old and I was banded in 2004 with an Inamed (smaller/older) lap band. My gastric surgeon (who has been supportive every step of the way and has seen me through more over/under fills and ulcers then anyone) has drawn the line at the sleeve. He says we should do a barium swallow followed by a gastroscopy once again (have been through this twice before to no avail) to judge why I am having such little success and so many problems. I have so far (in 4 years) lost 20kgs from my start weight and I'm sitting at 115kgs. My all time low was 100kgs on my 5'10 frame achieved by being so overfilled I would eat and throw up just like a bu…

Too bad I can't predict the future though. But today I got my team jacket at work and I had ordered a medium thinking that I wouldn't fit into it right away and IT FITS!!! __________________ Originally posted at www.lapbandtalk.com

Well that pretty much says it all. I had really been thinking about the lap band (hard), then ran across what the VSG is on the internet and it sounds like a good solution also. Anyone have an opinion? Thanks in advance! __________________ Originally posted at www.lapbandtalk.com

How long do you guys take to finish your meals and how many oz are they? I have a hard time making my .5 to 1 oz. meals last even 10 min. let alone the 20 min. I was told was the minimum. __________________ Originally posted at www.lapbandtalk.com

Ok, so you all have heard my sorry...lapband removal! Well, I just got the final hospital bill....initially it what $19K, it has now increased to $38K! :eek:This is ridiculous....but thank GOD for insurance, as I am only responsible for $250 copay.:confused: Now, I just continue to pray that this great insurance coverage continues and covers my revisional wls to vertical sleeve gastrectomy. Best regards! What's been your experience with the staggering hospital bills/charges? __________________ Originally posted at www.lapbandtalk.com

Hi Ladies & Gents, I have an update for you. Today, I visited my doctor and received a good recovery report ( I had to have emergency surgery to have my lap band removed due to slippage & a 20 month ordeal of unsucessful fills & unfills--I could never go longer than 3 wks without having to get an unfill--it would have been 2 yrs in December since lap band implant). Additionally, we began the process to submit for approval for a revisional wls to my insurance company. Wish me well! I decided upon vertical sleeve gastrectomy. We discussed all of my questions about his protocol with the procedure & I am convicted in this decision as being the next best …

Okay, so I am starting to go to a new PCP, he has been doing my pre-ops for worker's comp case, and when I mentioned that my former PCP mentioned me getting a lap band, he said, you should have the sleeve gastrectomy, aslo he is going to get me the info on a doctor who does breast reductions...yippee! So my question is, what is the advantage or disadvantage of having the sleeve gastectomy over a lap band? :confused: __________________ Originally posted at www.lapbandtalk.com

I posted an update to my blog on where I am at one month out. Fatty Fights Back: One Month Out Plus an updated pic of my scars: Fatty Fights Back: Scars - 1 month out Enjoy! __________________ Originally posted at www.lapbandtalk.com

Hi, I've been reading the sleeve threads for awhile now. I've enjoyed reading about the experiences of all of you. I have a date for my revision. I will get my sleeve on October 20th. I will be going to Mexico and having it done by Dr. Aceves. I have been very pleased with the personal attention given me by Nina the Patient Coordinator. I got the band in March of 2006. I have had great success! I went down from 200 lbs to 125 lbs (low of 115 lbs). My problem is similar to WASaBubblebutt. I am currently on 3 weeks of liquids in order for the doctor to do everything at the same time. He wants to make sure I don't have a slip or any swelling at the time of surg…

Hi I am anxiously awaiting my surgery and would really like to know what is a realistic weight loss goal for a 6-8 month time period. I was supposed to be done with all my requirements at the end of October, but I just got a call from the sleep study center and they want to do another sleep study with that stupid machine. Sadly, they can't get me in until towards the end of November which of course is now screwing with my surgery date. At the rate I am going, I won't have the surgery until January. My brother is getting married next summer and I really want to go, however I refuse to go looking the way I do. I have not seen my family, other then my mom and my brother, in …

I am now considering the sleeve instead of the band. I am worried about all the f/u required with the band, & was wondering if anyone knows of any surgeons who do this surgery in the US or Mexico? __________________ Originally posted at www.lapbandtalk.com

Hi, I am a newbie to this site and just lost my band and am convinced that the vertical sleeve is my next best option. I am writing to inquire of the "sleeved" about their experiences with pbing, sliming or food getting stuck? Is this real? If so, is it similar to the band experience? How long does it take to pass? What are suggestive tips to get the food to move along since "being too tight" and getting an unfill isnt an option? Please advise. Thanks! Sheena __________________ Originally posted at www.lapbandtalk.com

I'm back from getting my sleeve. The operation went well. I don't have a *lot* of pain but I am also taking all my painkillers quite faithfully. My hospital stay was like something out of a Fellini film though. You can read about it on my blog. I won't even try to summarize here. It's just too weird. __________________ Originally posted at www.lapbandtalk.com

Hi!!! This is my 1st post....I am 36 y/o 5'7 230lbs. I am currently in the pre-testing phase for a clinical trial for what is called the TOGA proceedure. It basically creates a gastric sleeve, but they go down the esophagus with a scope, and create the sleeve that way. No insicions at all. I am sooo excited. They have done alot of these overseas already...the trial is just getting started in the US...1st one was done is ST Louis about 2 months ago. If I make it through the screenings, I will be the 1st patient to be done in Columbia Mo. I am kinda scared though, not of the proceedure, I am worried that I will have this done, and not loose any weight!!! Is tha…

Hi All, I too was definitely planning on having a band placed yet when I began to do sosme research about life after the band surgery I changed my mind and decided to go ahead with the vertical sleeve. I weighed 238 pounds and wore a size 24, 2 years ago when I went to Mexico and had Dr. Huacuz do the sleeve surgery. It was the best decision I ever made in my life!!!! In less than one year I had lost 112 pounds and felt great. Another year later and this is what my daily life is like with the sleeve: I can eat anything I want,just in small quantities. I never throw up and I have never had any feeling in my throat that something felt stuck. I eat about 5 or 6 times pe…

It seems like no time to me but it's been a whole year since my vsg! I thought I'd stop in and say what a wonderful year it's been and how happy I am with my decision to have the surgery. I haven't regretted it for a moment. My weight is now the same as it was when I got married almost 22 years ago. If you want to hear more it's on my blog... Shrinking Pamelalala __________________ Originally posted at www.lapbandtalk.com

I was banded 11 months ago and here I sit, only about 4 pounds lighter than I was a year ago. I have nobody to blame but myself. I know the band is just a tool, it's up to me, etc, etc. I was hoping the band would force me to not eat the way I was eating but it really hasn't. I can't stand the way it feels when my pouch is "full". Its uncomfortable in my chest and makes me want to gag. It feels like I can't breath and I panic so I drink to wash the food down. Then, I eat more. They've done x-rays and say my band is in proper position. Those who have the sleeve, is this how it feels when you are "full" or is a more normal feeling of being full in your stomach? I…

Has anyone heard of this done together? I seen Dr. Eldo Frezza in Lubbock, TX, and this is the surgery he does. I have been trying to find info on this, but only find info on each procedure done alone, not done together. Any info would be very helpful. Thanks, Jesse __________________ Originally posted at www.lapbandtalk.com