iegal

Oh hun; This is not about carbs so much as you were just sleeved. Your body is used to enormous amounts of calories. And now it is not getting the calories, sugar, carbs or Protein it once got. Add in lack of caffine maybe. Yeah, your body is in recovery and healing. Do you best to stick to your prescribed diet by surgeon and keep hydrated. If you are dizzy or see spots, call your surgeon's office. Um, try a little bit of low sugar ice cream, maybe a bite or two. When I was sleeved last year another Sept sleever suggested this and it made helped me a lot. You will feel better each week and learn what a new normal is all about for you. Congrats on being sleeved.

Welcome to the losers bench...it is great over hear. Sorry to hear about the adverse effects. But this will pass. I know, I barfed for two days solid. Hated my life then. But, things get better. Not always sunshine on this journey yet the results are there. Again, congratulations!

AAwww. I am so sorry to hear your experience. You opened your self up with honesty and were questioned. Well, I am your sleeve sister and I say you did the right thing. Let's Celebrate your choice to be healthy and change your eating patterns with restriction. You are are the road to losing your weight forever. No more yo yo diets. WLS is not always an easy road as others percieve, I will always grapple with my weight issues and need to make decent choices not only to keep at a decent goal weight but to also be healthy. Hugs for you Peacequeen.

Ooooww. You are so close to surgery date. Congratualtions!!!!! I highly recommend peppermint tea. Calms that gurgling tummy a little. How about some chicken broth, I used istant Lipton very watered down. Good taste after all the sickingly sweet protien. Also, do you have any clear protien, not the frothy/milky shake kind? I had a hard time with the protien shakes after surgery for several weeks. Next, try to have your liquids at room or slightly warm tempatures. I usually had ice in everything and this made my stomach cramp a little. Also - check out the "office what you will need for surgery" thread. A lot of information to cull through sadly but some of the suggestions are great Prayers for your speedy recovery. Please keep us posted.

You found my happy spot, my collar bones. They are lovely. I am a freak and stare at them in the mirror now. Who knew these babies were lurking under all that layering? Makes me so giddy. Sorry, I obviously have a developed a little "fetish." Before VSG, my one part of my body was the large chest. Well, those are now long gone. Not much to be proud of prior to VSG and I look back at my "before" pictures and now have a hard time imaging what it was like. Thanks for feeling the same way about collar bones. You are right - they are cool!

Bad news. You will be buying "new" clothes often. Can't expect to 50-100 lbs and not need new pants, right? But having to buy new clothes is the good news too since it reminds us of our constant changing body after VSG surgery. YEAH. Laughing at your underwear story. I had an experience like that wearing a dress and my panties slipping down. That FORCED me to go out and spend a few bucks a WalMart for ugly but fitting underwear. So - bargin hunt, if you can just barely fit into the smaller size - buy it. If it is a steal bargin, buy it in a smaller size. I blew right through one size in one week, hence I recommend keeping reciepts for things that are returnable. Clearance shop, talk to others at your surgical group to see if they have a clothing swap, search consignment stores and take in your barley used clothes, seek out decent thrift shops. Buy the basics only. One pair black dress pants, one work skirt, one pair of jeans. My staples until I hit goal. Tops were gathered in with a belt when too big. Belts are not longer our enemy. Oh - I tried the alteration route for an important expensive clothing piece and by the time alterations were completed, I had lost more weight so I ended up tugging up the dress (strapless) all evening long. I did not wear the dress, the dress wore me sadly. Oh and once you hit goal don't repeat my mistake. I hit my personal goal - celebrated by buying several hundred dollars of clothes for my new desperatly needed wardrobe. Bad idea. I lost one or two more sizes (depending upon maker) in the following four months with only losing an additional 5 lbs. Body readjusts and weight distributes. When I complained at one of my surgeons support group sessions - the Dr recommended not spluring until a year after goal. Money is tight, be frugal but don't walk around looking sloppy. This journey is mental as much as physical.

That is a wonderful story! I love it. Wow.

You are so lovely! Thanks for sharing your pictures thus far. Looking forward to seeing you lose even more! Congrats Jenny, you look great.

I am getting my sub-liguual b-12 from Trader Joes, but not as inexpensive as Wal-Mart. Right now I am taking Barriatric Advantage pills still since I am horrible at taking my suppliments as my follow up appointments have shown. Bad me which is not good for my health. So, I spend the money because I am too lazy. I got my calcium from Longs Drugs after my Barratric Advantage chewables (taste like starbursts or tootsie rolls) Hope you find a great answer and share your results.

So...why did I get the sleeve? Why am I so very happy with the choice of the sleeve vs. gastric bypass? Well, let me tell you about my girlfriend who I just got home from a 10 day vacation in Hawaii with - she had Gastric Bypass. In my opinion, what a mistake. She dumped twice. Yep, lost her um... well, let's just say we had to go back to the hotel so she could change her shorts cause she had an accident from eating too much sugar. Part of a shaved ice. I ate shaved ice too, but stopped when I felt full. She dumped. Look it up, nasty side effect. She belched all the time. Yep, there we are having dinner out at Ruth Chris and she is belching during the meal. She is horribly embarassed. I am embarassed to, but not for me, but for her. Now, she burped at every, and I do mean every meal. Not me. We had to pull over after two separate meals because her suppliments and meals were too much. So she purged (threw up). Often she was tired. She ate and drank at the same time during meals. I learned after a while to carry a plastic shopping bag for these emergencies and why she carries wet wipes with her at all times. Yikes. I am so glad I got the sleeve and did not have bypass. Just my observations here. I love my friend and wish she had thought through all of these "Side effects" before going in. Just my rants. Love my sleeve!!!

Hi: Wow, impressed you are already thinking about your flight! Way to go. My disclaimer is that I did not fly out to have surgery but I do travel via plane often. So - saying that...in my opinion you should go with what is most economical for you. Is purchasing two seats in coach cheaper than one first class r/t? Things for you to also consider: Can you get a nonstop return flight? The less you have to move on the way home (switch planes) the better off. Next: No matter which airline, I highly recommend you ask for a wheelchair assist on the return flight home. This will get you through the airport without being josseled around and you also are the first one on the airplane so people are not pushing on you. You can get in your seat, close your eyes and rest. Good luck on your upcoming surgery!

Here is another one. I have four or five more so if you want those, send me your email address and I will PDF over to you. Please remember to follow your own surgeons advice. VSG plans can vary of when to eat and what to eat. sleeve-gastrectomy-diet from northwest.pdf

Exciting to see your before and after pics. Congratulations!!!!

Always talk to your surgeon since this varies depending on sleeve pouch. Great to hear you are wanting to excercise...rooting for your weight loss and a speedy recovery.

Hi Diamond; I have been there and done that torture 2 week liquid only diet. Hated every minute and I suffered so much. But I was totally comitted to making the sleeve work for me. Now, understand I was a complete failure as so many diets. WW, JC, every diet advertised on TV, gym memberships, special meals delivered home, shady diet drugs and so many other pathetic attempts to control my weight. Oh I lost weight only to regain. Sure your story is similar, right? Preop diet has two purposes and it is mandatory that you follow diet without any further cheating, okay? First - you diet to shrink liver so surgeon can safely access your stomach. Second - diet is so you learn to follow post op liquid diet. After surgery if you cheat you can damage your healing stomach, even possibly getting a leak. Buck up and put your big girl panties on. Dig deep inside of your self to find out - How badly do you want surgery? How badly do you want to lose the weight? Get up and mark off one day at a time. Today you will not cheat...not one bite. Yes you will be hungry, cranky, tired, miserable. You are an addict to food and now is the time to gain back a small portion of control. Show your self you are the boss and in charge over that soon to be gone stomach. Get some beef Jerky (no more than 1 oz a day) and chew on it as your reward for making it through the day. This road to surgery is long, solitary and never easy. But you are a winner, you are strong, you want surgery more than you want anything else. Remember... YOU CAN DO THIS. Yes, you can do this. Hugs.

Congrats Lil Dave! Thanks for the update on your recovery...nice to hear you are doing so well.

Hi NewLife; YEAH - congrats on being sleeved and welcome to the losers bench. Our goal is the same...to lose weight. We can do this together regardless of our preop diet...or not preop diet, right? Hugs to you and again congratulations! iegal

Veda has great advice. Be honest but you do not have to be specific on type of medical procedure. Before you have this conversation know how much time you plan on taking off. Talk to your surgeons office and find out what you can expect to be back performing. Doc's office will need to know type of work you do...desk job, lifting it, or standing for long periods to give you a somewhat normal timeframe. When you discuss let boss know that you have a medically necessary procedure...that their insurance will not be paying for, that is scheduled for date of XXXX. You will be off of work for XX days and back ready to perform with a smile on your face. Good luck and congrats on both a new job and VSG!

Sorry, no feedback on natural laxitives or stool softeners. But, I can sooo remember that feeling. Once a week was like a miracle from above. I wanted the family to clap for me after exiting the loo. Good luck and hope you find great results.

Definately understand about not being right there in your face about surgery so soon, but I do encourage you to eventually share with your friend about VSG if you are with her often. So an excuse but not a lie. Hmmm. How about ... would love to walk with you this weekend but I am unable to walk at our normal pace. How about a short juant and then come back to my place for a some tea/water so we can catch up? Good luck and congrats!

Interesting read. http://shine.yahoo.com/channel/beauty/what-size-are-you-really-the-truth-behind-vanity-sizing-2532831/

Hi; Sure we are at the same place/cost for self pay surgery here in So-cal. You might be better posting this elsewhere within this forum to more responses. if you are willing to travel. Of course, if cost is the total consideration (safety in mind too of course) there are many on VST who have gone to doctors in Mexico. Good luck to you!

Hi NewLife; You are aware VSG surgery can be done with just a little discomfort and not require post op drugs? Oh - I went home (that same day as surgery) with pain drugs to take if needed. Yep, did VSG as an outpatient almost a year ago. I was home that same night I slept in my own bed and did not endure what most on this site do after sugery. Took no pain meds after sugery and didn't require any...and those who know me are aware my motto is "no pain, no pain", not " no pain, no gain." Total wussy here, I avoid pain at all costs. I gained (or lost as it may be) without pain. I had outpaitient surgery for VSG and so did SEVERAL members on this website. Have read from those who did not just use my surgeon but across the country. This is the new trend. The most update to date VSG method is a scarless VSG surgery with one entry point where a tool which looks like a three legged spider goes out. Tool is called a SPIDER. The "DR's" TV show aired VSG sugery in November 2010 again this spring 2011 ... guess you missed those episodes about the latest and greatest VSG surgery when doing research. Suggest you go and watch before responding again. Oh and when you watch...that is my surgeon you will be watching who is "the" go to surgeon when medical companies such as Allergan, Transerix and media outlets including 20/20, Newsweek, ABC, plus more for advice and news for WLS. Even Alex, thecreator of VST web site has even posted about these new procedures and my surgeon. John Hopkins does have information on VSG...I have the diet guide book if you would like me to forward to a copy? No Hopkins surgeons do not use a drain anymore for VSG. Nor does University of CO Weight loss, Dr. Craingle, Cornell University or many other well known institutions or WLS centers I can continue to rattle off. NewLife - I am not here to mock you, nor to have a newbie mock me. Hurt that you would laugh at modern methods you are not aware of yet. Why the attack? As a newbie you are here to gather information, right? Again, I wish you the best.

What you are feeling is perfectly normal. Be excited, be happy, be joyful. Tomorrow is your day!

Hello NewLife - I agree the preop diet was torture. But, if you can not handle a two week liquid diet how are you going to handle eating after surgery? Yes, there is a reason behind the preop diet...a medical reason. You are reducing the fatty liver which then makes it easier for surgeon to navigate around your liver. If you take a look at anatomy of where stomach is located, it is partially hidden behind liver. Fatty liver is slippery and lapriscopically surgery is easier when not working with a sliding. A nick of the liver is nasty. Suggest consider doing your own modified preop diet, I would not want a surgeon who takes ANY risks although I hear your surgeon is good. Better safe than sorry is the best you can do. I think the comment about experience is out of context or mistated. Those surgeons who are even more experienced than yours have different methods. At the risk of sounding defensive here - especially to those on this site who respectfully have chosen to go outside US to get surgery. Currently. are more updated accepted procedures than your surgeon of choice uses. Many experienced surgeons (mine included) no longer use a drain, the # of entry points are much less now with smaller entry points, no hospital stay is requred, no pain meds needed, no catheder and so much more (or less). Experience proves - preop diet is needed. Glad you are getting VSG - best wishes. No regrets.