iegal

YEAH on your date! Talk to sleeve 4 me, she was Kaiser too and I believe Kaiser uses your start weight, not your surgery weight.
My advice, start to learn new eating habits now. Stop drinking with your meals. Eat more slowly, count to 20 while you chew and then swallow, eat your Protein first, watch your liquid intake, get used to taking Vitamins and other needed suppliments.
Keep us in the loop. Thrilled for you!

Goal in less than 5 months. I love my sleeve. Follow your surgeons diet plan, excercise and stay hydrated and you will be at a place you never dreamed possible. The other day Sleeve4me and I were laughing over her buying a size 4. Giggling really. But the crazy part was a year ago we both would have been estatic with a size 14. Now we are both wearing size 4. NEVER did I dream this big or "small"
No regrets. I love my sleeve.

During the soft food stage...and even today I had a really hard time with scrambled eggs. Only time I retched up any food was with scrambled eggs. But - read a post Tiffykins made and she said to try deviled eggs. Wow - love em. Okay, I don't LOVE them but I can get them down and they are a great way to get protien in the morning. Yeah Deviled eggs...just remember to chew, chew and chew.

What a dumb dude! Sending you a video with comments like that could be hurtful.
Honey, confident you were beautiful at your highest weight and are even more lovely now. So what? Don't let some drunk guy disappoint you.

Hello Leslie - first of all congratulations on your incredible weight loss!
LOL - No name for my stomach yet but I find myself talking to friends about my stomach was a seperate entity from me.
We are similar in a couple of ways: stomach talks to me all the time, but I do not always pay attention
I have to constantly be on guard to be vigilant about eating or I just forget
liquids I can consume more than 2 oz, but solids about the same as you
Try to remember that you are just a little more than a month out so still healing, things should get better with more volume. Keep a notepad so you can ask your NUT next appointment. Again, congratulations!

NSV shout out!
At the movies with my loving husband this week. End of movie we are laughing like two teenagers. He PICKS ME UP and gives me a piggy back ride out of the theater. I have not been picked up in decades as his 50somthing back would have snapped. Can not stop smiling. I love my sleeve.

33bmi start - lost all my weight in 5 months - my goal in 6 months for a 22 bmi.
How? I was a vigilante on the carbs. Yes, I agree, they are the devil. Read a post pre-op from another VST lady who kept her carbs to below 30gm a day until hitting goal. She went into ketosis and stayed there. Since I was a self pay for this surgery in the US (big $$$$$) no way was I going to fail again.
So, cut out the crap. Be serious about this and as Nancy Reagan said...Just say NO until you hit goal. You will be thrilled with the results. The less sugar you eat the less your body craves it. Geez, I need to take my own advice,
PS - now that I have let carbs and crud back into my diet, I have regained almost 10 lbs from my lowest. Still under surgeons goal but I struggle. My hunger is back....

So you know my bias - I did not even tell my own mother for over three months that I had surgery. My dad still does not know at one year out. My child did not find out except by reading my diet paperwork when i was out of town which was left out by me accidentally.
This decision was so deeply personal to me. My husband did not find out about my desire for WLS until the day before consult and I sought out counseling prior to consult to ensure my dedication to this path. I paid for WLS here in the US, caught by not being medically obese enough to have surgery paid for by insurance yet doomed to slowly gain weight in oncoming years.
So - why did I only tell my husband and two dear friends? Because this was all about me. Did my decision affect others, yes but indirectly. Am I ashamed I needed help? Somewhat.
Today when a friend annouces to a store clerk...she has lost 80#'s this last year or to TSA agents who see my DL picture and do a double take - I confess about WLS. To those at work, church, neighbors, family members? No, I say I was under doctors care while drastically reducing my intake. I do not minimize the diet or work faced to lose weight, regardless of surgery or not.
I was not and am not ready to face the rawness of the emotions which are so transparent to those who know me well. To acquaintences, YEAH VSG surgery. I scream YES for those who need WLS. Putting on my mask of bravado is easy for stranger so yes, I open up easily to others of no consequence in my life or those who have had a history with me. My weight really bothered me more than I admitted to anyone, enven myself. But the choice is yours always on surgery or another diet to lose weight.
WLS is not shameful, just emotional and personal.
Hugs on your choice. I have no regrets.
And as my surgeon says - It takes courage to show who you really are.

I was overweight by 75lbs for so many years with yo yo dieting. Would lose 20, gain 25, lose 30, gain back 35 and so on.
As long as you and your surgeon are good then do this. Also you will need to self pay because insurance will not pay for VSG with a low BMI. Good luck - the sleeve works!

NSV shout out!
At the movies with my loving husband this week. End of movie we are laughing like two teenagers. He PICKS ME UP and gives me a piggy back ride out of the theater. I have not been picked up in decades as his 50somthing back would have snapped. Can not stop smiling. I love my sleeve.

Hope this helps you out on your VSG journey. Remember to follow your own surgeons plan as each surgeon has different methods. These are just so you can see what others are saying about how to reach goal.
Me? Generally I tried to stay above 60 gm of Protein and below 30 gm of carbs. This is what worked for me and may not be right for you.
Hope you like!
Bariatric diet guidelines.pdf
bariatric nutrition guide-sleeve gastrectomy.pdf
diet guide vsg.pdf
dietary_guidelines_sleeve_gastrectomy.pdf
nutrition_sleeve from hopkins.pdf
sleeve-gastrectomy-diet from northwest.pdf
Sleeve Cookbook.pdf

Well, I am almost 9 months out and life is very different than from where you newly sleeved people are living today. I love food. I love the smell, texture, presentation of food and well as the taste. Ethnic food, YUM. Down home southern goodness food - YUM.
Being sleeved does not mean I have given up food. I still love food and subscribe to several food magazines. I still cook. Now I am satisfied with a smaller portion. The smell does not tempt me because I eat more slowly and slow down to enjoy the taste. While others are shoveling in as fast as they can, I am smelling, chewing slowly and savoring. Don't worry, being sleeved does not mean you give up anything, except the large dining out bill. I now share a meal with my DH and we are both happy. Half the cost, same pleasure. Only all you can eat buffets (food was never great there anyway) are a waste.
Things only get better. Congrats on your sleeve, don't fret, life as a VSG is good.

Last meal was Moscato and popcorn. DANG - we need to meet. That was my meal one night just last week. Of course I added butter. Love this sleeve and being a goal where I can indulge every now and then.

http://www.abc15.com/news/national/dozens-injured-during-weight-loss-surgery-in-mexico

Last meal was Moscato and popcorn. DANG - we need to meet. That was my meal one night just last week. Of course I added butter. Love this sleeve and being a goal where I can indulge every now and then.

Interesting read. ABC News video link at bottom of page.
LA Times
By Thomas H. Maugh II
June 18, 2012, 12:11 p.m.
A major new study confirms previous sporadic reports that weight-loss surgery increases the risk of alcohol abuse, researchers reported Monday. In the second year after having a gastric bypass, technically known as Roux-en-Y surgery, patients were 30% more likely to have problems controlling their alcohol use, a team reported online in the Journal of the American Medical Assn. and at the annual meeting of the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery.
Previous reports have suggested that alcohol abuse could be a problem following bariatric surgery, but the studies have been small and generally involved collecting data at some point after the procedure. In the new study, a team led by epidemiologist Wendy C. King of the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine began studying 2,458 adults before they underwent bariatric surgery at one of 10 hospitals. Of those, 1,945 could be monitored for one to two years after the procedure.
The team found that 7.6% of the patients suffered from alcohol-abuse disorders (abuse and dependence) in the year before the surgery. At the end of one year after the procedure, the percentage was about the same, 7.3%. But by the end of the second year, the prevalence of such disorders had climbed to 9.6%, a 30% increase. Virtually all of the increase occurred in patients who had undergone gastric bypass, with no increase among the roughly 30% of patients who had a banding procedure.
Some research suggests that the increase in problems arises because the metabolism of alcohol changes after gastric bypass. "Given a standardized quantity of alcohol, patients reach a higher peak alcohol level [in the bloodstream] after surgery compared with case-controls or their pre-operative levels," the team wrote. In other words, bypass patients get drunk faster and with smaller amounts of alcohol.
The excessive drinking may be a greater problem for bariatric surgery patients because alcohol abuse can affect Vitamin and mineral status and liver function, which are already potential problems for the surgery patients, King said. She urges clinicians to perform a better job of screening patients for abuse before surgery and to offer counseling to help them combat the problem.
ABC VIDEO LINK: http://abcnews.go.com/Nightline/video/gastric-bypass-fuel-alcoholism-16600168

I was a "low BMI" too. Was vigilant about taking supplements, low carb, 60+ gram of Protein and did a little bit of exercise to take off the weight. Recommend more exercise than I did, but I know you can do this much better than me.
Remember each of us loses weight differently. What to expect? Expect to be amazed....I love my sleeve and have no regrets!

Hope this helps you out on your VSG journey. Remember to follow your own surgeons plan as each surgeon has different methods. These are just so you can see what others are saying about how to reach goal.
Me? Generally I tried to stay above 60 gm of Protein and below 30 gm of carbs. This is what worked for me and may not be right for you.
Hope you like!
Bariatric diet guidelines.pdf
bariatric nutrition guide-sleeve gastrectomy.pdf
diet guide vsg.pdf
dietary_guidelines_sleeve_gastrectomy.pdf
nutrition_sleeve from hopkins.pdf
sleeve-gastrectomy-diet from northwest.pdf
Sleeve Cookbook.pdf

A note from an "old timer" who rarely posts here anymore. I miss the old days before points where old timers could state truth as truth, if you didn't like it, you had to only present facts against facts. Don't miss the posters who would advertise for thier surgeon with thin lies. Argh, the misinformation became too much for me.
Sleeved is Sept 2010. Read Oregon Daisy - a shout out to her, Coops, Miss Diva & Tiffykins posts like a bible. Would read them once, twice, a million times until I could almost quote them. I can't begin to express as nicely as Happy Camper how much wonderful direction these vets have had in my life. Hopefully I have in return encouraged a few newbies too - mostly I PM'd.
Still have several of Tiffykins posts saved in PDF which are reread when I wonder why extra lbs are on my mid section. We are friends on Facebook. Diva had a bad experience and moved on. Like most of us, life continues and the sleeve is no longer new friend but an old friend who we know without much conversation needed.
Any success I have achieved is due to VST veterans. Hugs to all my new and old vet friends.
I love my sleeve and have no regrets - iegal

You can gain back weight, that is a fact. Surgeon is altering size of your stomach and not doing brain surgery. If you decide after surgery to eat junk, hello weight gain. Even a person with thier jaw wired can gain weight by sucking down unlimited malt shakes and smoothies.
So - saying this I want to encourage you that you ARE going to keep off the weight. Choose to make permanent changes BEFORE surgery. The sleeve is only a tool allowing you to lose the weight. I am at 3 1/2 years out. I am still right around surgeons goal. Sure I have bad days were I choose to eat junk. But one day does not determine permanant gain. I choose to make the sleevie wonder work.
Be a loser forever. I love my sleeve and have no regrets.

Decaf Mint tea to calm the tummy
Poweraide Zero to keep up your body in balance (WalMart, Target, etc)
liquid Power Protein (24 per carton - I liked the chocolate) from costco (if you are a member) with 30 grams of protien per box
Isopure 40 gram Protein from a Vitamin store like GNC (these do not taste great but they were not thick so I could choke them down)
A shot glass (set a timer and ensure you are emptying that shot glass every 15 minutes)
Drink liquids at room tempurature or luke warm. Cold drinks made my stomach cramp.
Best wishes and keep us in the loop. PS - there is an entire subject on this topic in this forum, be sure to get more tips from there.

You can gain back weight, that is a fact. Surgeon is altering size of your stomach and not doing brain surgery. If you decide after surgery to eat junk, hello weight gain. Even a person with thier jaw wired can gain weight by sucking down unlimited malt shakes and smoothies.
So - saying this I want to encourage you that you ARE going to keep off the weight. Choose to make permanent changes BEFORE surgery. The sleeve is only a tool allowing you to lose the weight. I am at 3 1/2 years out. I am still right around surgeons goal. Sure I have bad days were I choose to eat junk. But one day does not determine permanant gain. I choose to make the sleevie wonder work.
Be a loser forever. I love my sleeve and have no regrets.

Decaf Mint tea to calm the tummy
Poweraide Zero to keep up your body in balance (WalMart, Target, etc)
liquid Power Protein (24 per carton - I liked the chocolate) from costco (if you are a member) with 30 grams of protien per box
Isopure 40 gram Protein from a Vitamin store like GNC (these do not taste great but they were not thick so I could choke them down)
A shot glass (set a timer and ensure you are emptying that shot glass every 15 minutes)
Drink liquids at room tempurature or luke warm. Cold drinks made my stomach cramp.
Best wishes and keep us in the loop. PS - there is an entire subject on this topic in this forum, be sure to get more tips from there.

Exercise regularly. Failure in this department and my weight shows it. ARGH, I have seen the enemy and it is me.

Exercise regularly. Failure in this department and my weight shows it. ARGH, I have seen the enemy and it is me.