educationrulz

Why on earth are you trying to eat 600 calories a day?! :ohmy: I don't think that would keep an invalid's body going all day. That doesn't seem like a healthy amount to intentionally eat and it's going to cause big stalls at some point. Sorry...off topic.

I dealt with this for a couple of weeks postop. It gradually returned to normal. I didn't do anything special to get back to normal because I was too busy trying to choke down some fluids.

I'm sorry to hear about what's happened with your sleeve. I guess this is one of those outcomes that many of us worry about. It sounds like you're finally getting some solid info that you can work with to make an informed decision. Hopefully you'll be able to get enough info from your surgeon about the specifics of your sleeve immediately postop (such as how small it was, oversewing used, stretchy part remaining etc.) to be able to decide if the revision or DS is the best option for you. If possible, I would consider getting a second opinion - just to be cautious. Best wishes and please keep us updated. I know everyone else will be rooting for you as much as I am.

If she's throwing out clothes left and right, it sounds like she's right on track. Take her shopping. That usually makes us ladies feel better. Keep up the good work - both of you!:biggrin0:

OOWEEEE!!! Baby, when I can fit into a pair of size 12 jeans, they'd better look out. It's gonna be ON! :thumbup1: Keep enjoying yourself.

Congratulations Jane on the positive changes you are seeing - despite what the scale says. Keep at it and you will see results with the scale too. As for the issue of how many meals per day, I've never understood the three meals per day thing. Although that's what I typically did preop, I knew it wasn't for the best. I tended to overeat at each meal. Most diet plans tell you to break your meals out into smaller meals throughout the day. We know that when athletes are training to be in peak physical conditions they eat multiple meals throughout the day - typically high Protein stuff. So why any medical person would suggest that we stick to three meals a day is beyond my comprehension. I sometimes think that people assume this philosophy will keep patients from overeating but it's bad advice especially soon after WLS. My postop diet has progressed from 6 to 5 to 4 meals a day in the normal diet phase. Now, in practice, I don't always get in my 4 food meals a day these days. I tended to get in more meals in the earlier phases because on liquids and soft foods you need to replenish more often. Now that I can eat dense Proteins, it stays with me longer. Like a lot of others here, I just don't want to eat for a long time after a full protein meal. I do try my best to get that 4th meal in the form of a healthy snack or a Protein Drink. I noticed that when I added in the extra meal as a Protein shake my weight loss sped up noticeably. I now get in my protein shake every morning between Breakfast and lunch, and sometimes do another protein drink after dinner. I seem to be zipping right along now.

After making it through a whole month without weighing myself (http://verticalsleevetalk.com/post-operation-vertical-sleeve-gastric-surgery-vsg-questions-answers/8561-made-through-scale-strike-won.html), I strangely have no desire to weigh myself anymore. I have absolutely no idea how much I weigh. But, I do know that I bought a designer suit from the misses section for the first time EVER in my life two days ago. I can't wait to go back for another one after payday. I don't own a scale yet and usually weigh at WalMart during my Saturday shopping trip. Today I was there and it crossed my mind, but I immediately dismissed it. I didn't want to take the chance on getting on the scale and being disappointed. I'm continuing to drop in clothes size and having a ball with shopping these days. Why ruin my high?!

I'm tolerating spicy foods just fine overall. I've never been one to eat anything with the words "nuclear" or "suicide" in the name but I do like a little kick now and then. I regularly eat medium hot buffalo wings and sometimes put hot sauce on stuff. I found a great spicy chicken enchillada Soup at a local restaurant and get that every couple of weeks. The only catch for me is that postop I tend to notice it more in my stomach as opposed to in my mouth, the way it was preop. Sometimes it hits a little heavy and burns in the stomach after eating something spicy. I'm not sure if it's because I'm having more acid issues postop than I ever had or if my stomach is still adjusting.

I had one food that I didn't tolerate well earlier on (a cheesy, potato dish - I know, bad me!), but I had it again this past week and no problems. Take note that when I say I had this dish, it amounts to about 2 teaspoons max - after I start with my Protein. I haven't had anything that really bothers me. I do indulge in a treat here and there because I don't do well with feeling forbidden from certain foods - it makes me rebellious after a certain point. At three months out, I still have quite a bit of restriction so a few bites of a cookie or piece of cake really doesn't do any damage. I tend to not want any more after that. I'm trying more things every day now that I'm in the normal diet phase. Even though I'm still losing, I want to be able to eat normally out in public (as much as that's possible with my stomach). So, I try different things every now and then at home to know how I will tolerate them in social settings. I tried a piece of cupcake at home so that if I was at a birthday function at work, I would know if it would be ok for me to have a few bites of cake without falling out in cold sweats or running to the bathroom. I'm just starting to try foods with nuts in them here and there and no problems with those either. I just knew they would ball up into a knot in my stomach and send me to the ER. NOPE!!! I've also broken down and experimented with diet soda this past two weeks after reading several stories here on the boards about sleevers having no problems with carbonation. I bought a diet mountain dew 20 oz bottle. The first time, I poured a little in a glass and stirred alot of the bubbles out with a metal spoon. I took a few slow sips with no problem and then poured out the rest in the glass. A few days later, I decided to be brave and sip a little straight out of the bottle. After two sips I felt fine and left it alone so I didn't push my luck. Same thing a few days later. There's still over half a bottle left in my fridge and that overwhelming urge I had to drink some soda is fading away. I'll probably continue to drink a few sips here and there, but don't plan on making it a habit. I just want to be sure I can do it safely in public if the situation calls for it. I'm still curious to know if anyone tried soda and ended up doubled over in pain or feel as if it has stretched their stomach. I have yet to hear of this from anyone despite the dire warnings we get from some doctors. Still haven't tried alcohol or salad...

I asked at my preop appt at the hospital and was told that the acrylics were fine as long as the polish was clear or light enough to see through. So, I just changed my polish to a see through color before surgery. I agree with someone that technology has changed quite a bit and they can work around stuff like this. When I had my first surgery about 15 years ago, I was told absolutely no nail or toenail polish and certainly no false nails or overlays. The last couple of surgeries in the past few years, it didn't seem to be such an issue. Just ask someone in time to take them off if required, but I doubt you'll have to.

Glad to hear it's getting better. I noticed the thing with my breath too, but that seems to have gone away - except when I drink a creamy Protein drink. Whew! I feel like sticky dragon mouth every day after I have my Protein shake. I've always kept a toothbrush at work for after lunch, but for awhile recently I was brushing after the Protein Drink. Since that's impractical and makes me look wierd, I put some Mentos gum in my desk drawer and chew a piece for a while after my shake. I'm not supposed to be chewing gum at work but if anyone says anything I'll give them a taste of the old dragon breath one day and see if they have any further complaints about my gum chewing! :laugh0: My real problem lately has been my armpits - to put it delicately. I've been smelling them ALOT in the last few weeks and it's driving me crazy. I'm not doing anything at work to be getting musty and my Secret deodorant has worked like a pro for 20+ years. I remember someone saying in another thread that body odors can be more pronounced post op with the hormonal changes, so I decided that was the problem. I switched to Degree deodorant a few days ago. It seemed to vanish the odor for a day or two, but it's back today. I think it's just me that can smell it but I'm not sure. My nose is somewhat defective so I"m thinking if I can smell it, it must be bad. I work with a couple of people with world class noses who can smell stuff a mile away and identify the most obscure smells. I think I'm going to have to break down and ask a friend at work if it stinks. I'll be totally embarrassed to have been walking around like this for week but at least I'll know where I stand. Anyone have suggestions for a deodorant other than Secret and Degree that might take care of this? Do I need to try one of the clinical strength brands? Or is it something I'm going to have to wait out like the breath thing? I don't mind trying different deodorants but I don't want to waste my time and money if it won't make a difference.

This was a BIG concern to me preop also. I was the type of person who never sat down to a meal or snack without something to drink - the sweeter the better. I tried to practice preop, but I couldn't give it up. I did give up the high calorie drinks and switch to diet preop. But, I had pretty much accepted after my research that I would not be able to eat and drink at the same time. It was actually way easier to stop this habit than I thought it would be. I think it was easier for me because I had so much difficulty drinking early on that it wasn't something I enjoyed doing. By the time I started solids, I didn't want to do anything to add to my discomfort so I didn't even attempt to sip with my meals. Now, at almost three months out, I'm in the habit of not fixing a drink with my meals. I don't even keep any liquids near me while eating because I know it would be easy to unconsciously reach for the drink. I also don't order a drink with my meals when I go out. (I could always order one later if I'm there long enough.) I have found that this is the best way to break the habit. I don't fix a drink for myself until my 30 minutes have passed. I focus on chewing my food well and have no problems swallowing - not even with chicken.

I eat broccoli all the time as a small followup to my protein. Haven't had a problem yet. Still a little nervous about trying the salad though but I guess I'm far enough out to give it a go when the opportunity presents itself.

Thanks for the info Carrie. I have heard of Seasonique and figured they were related in some way. I'm definitely going to ask about Seasonique when I go for my followup in a few months. I was a little nervous to start with that since I haven't taken BC pills in 6 or 7 years. I also have noticed a change in my cycle post WLS, so I'll be interested to see what happens when I go back on the pill I used to take years ago. There's no telling what's going to happen. My PMS and cramping has increased significantly after this surgery. I hope it works well enough to keep my cycle regular. That's what I really want. I'm tired of counting weeks and keeping up with when it will start. I figure the few extra pounds it used to keep on me won't matter now that I've had WLS. :thumbup:

I personally don't think malabsorption procedures are appropriate for people who are not going to be compliant with supplements - even if they might "need" the dumping to keep them straight. Someone who won't take their supplements, despite the obvious signs of malnutrition, probably won't be deterred by dumping. They'll find a way to work around it - like only eating ice cream in a comfortable setting so they can run straight to the bathroom. I think your mother-in-law and others like her would be better candidates for the VSG, plication, or (yikes!) even the band. Better for her to stall out with weight loss from overeating than to be totally malnurished.

Hey Lis. Congratulations on making it through a year relatively unscathed. Everything is relative, huh? :thumbup: Whoever said this is the easy way to lose weight is off their rocker. But, we all have our reasons for doing it so I guess we have to trust that once we make this difficult decision it's the best path for us. I hope that things continue to improve for you and that you are happy with your results. Best wishes, Mary

I agree. The C-section was worse! And I don't think my C-section was totally awful. But having that much muscle tissue cut does not mix well with getting up, sitting down, standing, walking, rolling over, moving, etc....:laugh0: The VSG surgery was only painful to me because of the hiatal hernia repair. That aspect alone was as bad as the C-section (for me anyway). But the other aspects of the sleeve surgery were minor in term of pain. Now, if anyone else here has had fibroids removed, you know that that's the mother of painful abdominal surgery. OMG! That trumps the C-section any day! I was miserable after that one. Not sure I would do that again...

Anyone have experience with Seasonale? I mean in general, not necessarily related to WLS. I'm about to start back on a low dose pill, but I'm intrigued by the idea of 4 periods a year. I would love to hear from someone who's been on it for a year or so. How are your periods? Is there alot of breakthrough bleeding and how bad is it? Did it cause you to gain weight or slow your weightloss?

I didn't pay much attention to the insurance info given to me by my surgeon's office. I figured out at the patient seminar that some of the info they gave differed from what I had been told by the nurse case manager. From then on, I only followed the guidelines of the insurance company. I did have to do the six month supervised diet, psych eval and 6 months of counseling. But once that was all verified, I was approved in about a week. UHC gives some of the quickest approvals from what I've been reading on the message boards.

I don't think any plastic surgeon worth their salt would do a reduction on someone in the middle of drastic weight loss from surgery. Why risk needing to go back and have something else done after you finish losing? My unprofessional opinion is that even if your breasts don't lose an inch, the rest of your body will be totally different proportionally after you reach goal and the placement of the breasts is dependent on your body. Believe when I say I know the pain you're going through. I made the decision to have a breast reduction back in 2004 when my neck and shoulders were hurting so bad (for the millionth time) that I couldn't turn my head or hold a phone to my ear. I scheduled a consult that day and never looked back. Now, I'm waiting to see how the girls are going to hold up post WLS. So far, they seem to be holding up well. I suspect this is because I shelled out the extra bucks to add a lift to my reduction procedure. But, time will tell. If they look REALLY bad after I reach goal, I would consider going back for another lift or implants. Crazy...I know. :thumbup: Despite how great it is to finally be losing weight for good, I still say the breast reduction was the best gift I ever gave myself. As for Medicaid, I think I've heard that they cover reductions. You could probably find this out pretty easily with a basic web search or call to a patient rep. Hopefully you'll start getting some relief as your weight loss progress.

I didn't have a drain with my sleeve surgery. I didn't notice any side effects that might have resulted from not having a drain - other than maybe a little extra abdominal swelling that went away on its own. I did have a drain with my breast reduction years ago. I didn't realize it until the drain was taken out, but it seemed to sap my strength while it was in. I suspect this was because it was pulling some of the blood from my body along with the Fluid drainage, but it wasn't that big of a deal. I just felt the need to drink more when I had it in. I think you'll find that it's the least of your worries post op. :thumbup: Stay hydrated!

Please tell us EXACTLY what kind of support you want since what's been said so far isn't adequate. Then, maybe only those people willing to provide that type of support will respond. Ultimately, we are here to support each other as best we can.

I took a list. Here's what I asked. http://verticalsleevetalk.com/blogs/educationrulz/702-questions-asked-surgeon-preop-appointment.html

I wish I had known how painful the hernia repair can be. I woke up from surgery feeling like there was a hot poker in my esophogus. Don't mean to scare anyone, but it's the truth. I would of course still have it done in hindsight. I mean, who wants to get a whole new tiny stomach and still have it deformed because of a hernia? But, had I known to expect the pain, I would have been more mentally prepared. This was a total bummer on my mood early on. In all my research, I knew to expect the gas pain and nausea, but I missed the painful hernia part. Luckily, it went away after a few weeks and I'm glad it was fixed. On a lighter note:wink0: I wish I had known how great it feels to be satisfied with such a small amount of food. I still have occasional moments of just wanting to "chow down", but for the most part it's very liberating.

Hang in there Susie! :thumbup: I remember feeling exactly like you :scared0:. Unfortunately for me, it took me almost 4 weeks to start feeling normal again. But, I did get there. I hope you'll be one of the 2 weekers. I'm now eating totally normal foods (except nuts - I can start those at 3 months out). I'm getting around great, buying clothes in the Misses section (YEAH!!!), and enjoying the changes in myself. I'm still figuring some things out, but it's all good. You'll be there in no time!