Bornagainbabe

Throwing them away is a sin in itself isn't it??? They will just have to be eaten then - not yet though. I shall save them for when I really NEED them!!!

Janette, my surgeon assured me that if he considered it to be too risky then he wouldn't be carrying it out and would just remove my band. I know that's not what you want ideally but I should imagine from what you have said that yours is experienced enough to not want to take any unnecessary risks. Helenxxx

Hi Janette, I had open lap band to VSG revision surgery two weeks ago and I, like you, was having my doubts right up until they wheeled me down to surgery. Open surgery is when they cut your stomach open rather than doing it laparascopically and it is usually preferred if you have had surgery before. I had had several operations on my stomach and my surgeon told me from the start that he would need to open me up. I had had my band repositioned last year and then it slipped again and that's why I came to the decision to have the VSG and, like you again, all my family were concerned. I won't say they were against it but they were worried about the surgery mainly as a result of all the media attention. But, as has already been said ALL surgery carries some risk. You really need to discuss this with the surgeon if you can and find out how much revision surgery he has done. Here in the UK there aren't all that many bariatric surgeons, in comparison to the US and elsewhere, and our services are absolutely swamped with people wanting surgery. My particular surgeon has got the monopoly on it in the Yorkshire area and has carried out loads and loads of operations and is held in wide regard across the whole country. He had also carried out my band surgery and abdominal surgery so he was well familiar with me and my personal situation. He was absolutely confident that performing the sleeve op was the right thing for me and as a result I had to put my trust in him as I would most certainly have regained all my previously lost weight. He did point out the complications to me and did tell me that there were more risks involved, but, as I say he was absolutely confident in his ability to perform the op successfully and help me. Talk to your surgeon, find out how much revision surgery he has done and then take it from there. I am two weeks out and am fine. I have had very little pain from my VSG op and am progressing well with the diet. And don't worry about open surgery either. I have had loads of open surgery and although I have a nice big scar running right down my front it is nothing compared to all the extra weight I was carrying and still am! Good luck in your decision. I know it's not easy. Love Helenxxx

Good luck Jeff. I can only add that you will find lots of support and friendship here as everyone is in the same boat. I hope it all goes well for you and that you are soon on the losing side xxx

Too much knowledge is not always a good thing is it but I think the answer is to try to push those fears to one side and focus on the benefits of the surgery and the possible consequences (heart disease, diabetes, cancer etc.) if you didn't go for it. Good luck. You will be a 'loser' very soon. xxx

Oh yes, it was heavenly and I only had a little bit, but I shall have to stronger. I just couldn't prevent it from flying into my open, drooling mouth (Homer Simpson- style drooling)! I have got a HUGE box of chocolates 'hidden' in my room upstairs that my mother bought me when I came out of hospital! I said, "Mother, thankyou, but I can't eat these!" to which she replied, "But you moaned last time you had an operation that no one brought you any chocolates!" I said, "Yes mother, but I hadn't just had three quarters of my stomach removed in obesity surgery!" She still didn't get it and insisted I kept them and didn't let my family get their hands on them. Think I may end up letting them have them though and not tell her!

Well done. That's brilliant! Very encouraging!

I have just been out to the fridge in our extension for a bottle of water and lurking there on the top shelf was some chocolate. Before I knew it it was in my mouth and having the life sucked out of it. It wasn't my fault. I just don't know how it could have happened. Will I go to Hell for this?

Hi Beth, I had my VSG the day before you so I am at the same stage as you. Diet advice and guidelines are slightly different over here in the UK but basically we are doing the same thing. I am on blended foods at the moment and it is getting very boring. Then I go onto to crunchy foods (breadsticks, melba toasts etc.) and more solidy foods before venturing on a normal diet. I have been taking advice from the American websites though as well as they seem to have more information. The bariatric surgeons over here are great but the aftercare seems to be a little 'fluffy' in places. I did have a lap band prior to my VSG though so I ahve got a bit of experience. Anyway, you will find everyone here extremely friendly, helpful and supportive. I do, even if I don't always know what they're what they are talking about lol!!! Hope you're feeling fine now and don't worry too much about your initial weightloss. I have only lost 8lbs since surgery, which is better off than on, but not the drastic loss I was expecting. You will find you have periods when it drops off you and others when it's very slow. Don't get disheartened because you are now on the losing side and will be looking and feeling fab in no time. Love Helenxxx

Yes, I am finding that if I put too much on my plate I will keep going so I am now limiting the amount I dish up. It's strange because when I had my band I would automatically stop at the first sign of being full (maybe that was more down to a fear of things getting stuck and me vomiting) but now I am craving for things and if I like them really want to finish them off. Does this change one you go onto normal solid foods? I am avoiding being sick at all costs at the moment as I have this abdominal repair to consider as well.

I don't know why I wasn't told. There is quite a lot of info on the net that I haven't been given. We are quite a long way behind you over here in the UK and whilst our surgeons are fine some of our family doctors aren't very clued up. I was in my doctor's surgery on Friday and I could tell that he didn't have a clue what a sleeve gastrectomy was and then proceeded to ask me why I needed a repeat prescription of Lansoprazole!! No doubt we will catch up eventually... xxxx

Hello Barb, the support and info on this site is just great and everyone is really friendly and helpful. Helenxxx

I can second that! I'm nearly 2 weeks out and sick of liquids! BUT it is worth it all and if laparoscopic sleeve surgery is anything like band surgery (I had open but that's because I had had previous abdominal surgery and required further surgery at same time as my sleeve revison) then I can also second that the pain will be minimal and you will be back on your feet within days. Can't comment on the hair issue though as it hasn't been a problem for me. Good luck Helen xxx

Hmmm, try living in the UK...rain is ALL we ever have:thumbdown:

Hi Vegas Angel, do you blend the Soup up and at what point of the post-op diet is this suitable for? I want to give it a try as never had anything like that before and can easily get hold of those ingredients. Thank you Helenxxx

I can't really add anything to what has already been said but well done on getting through everything you have been through and making what isn't always an easy decision. I am certain it will be the right one and not only will you feel great you will look great and that will boost your confidence further. Good luck xxx

You could be onto a nice little earner there!!

Don't worry Stimpy. It sounds like you have done just fine. Your surgeon will have trouble finding your liver, let alone your stomach!!! You have really cut down on fats and that's what your surgeon wants. I have seen programmes where the patient has cheated all week on burgers and fries and all sorts and surgery has still gone ahead. I'm not advocating that though as the surgeon has known straight away and had difficulties. But he won't with you so stop worrying. It's a tense time for you now but good luck and let us know how you get on. Helenxxx

Hang in there Bob. I know it's horrible. I, like Susan, had to do the pre-op diet both for my band 2 years ago and again this time. Mine was a milk and yoghurt diet - that was all I was allowed and it was foul because I don't particularly like either. I did stick to it though as it makes surgery easier and that is what you have to keep in mind. The only thing I allowed myself when I was getting sick of all the sweet was an oxo drink and that helped a bit. Different doctors prescribe different diets and if you are really feeling totally lousy give your surgery a call and see if they can offer any advice. Good luck. Not long until the big day and then you will be on 'the other side'. Helenxxx

Thanks, I am sure you are right and that I am just worrying needlessly at the moment. I was never told to take any meds after, but I was on Lansoprazole prior to surgery so maybe they assumed that I knew I needed to continue taking them. I shall do from now on anyway so thank you for that advice. Am worrying about swine flu now...........

Hi, I have been worrying myself all day today over leakage, not that I have any symptoms, but it's something that concerns me all the time as I am a compulsive worrier. From what I have read, a lot of leakages seem to emerge 2 weeks post-op. I have an idea of the symptoms but is there anything you can do to prevent it occurring other than following the diet to the letter? I worry that I may eat too much and may staples my burst as a result. Can leakage occur further down the line - say at 6 months etc and are there foods that are more likely to cause this damage. I have been fine since surgery last week but have just started with indigestion, which I guess is pretty normal considering what my stomach has been through, but after years of suffering from it, and acid reflux really badly to the point where I had to vomit I am not impressed and hope that it subsides. I have taken some Lansoprazole again today which has helped. I have also been really sore and uncomfortable today inside (I had full open surgery with my stomach muscles being restitched up as well) but am confident again that this is just part of the healing process as I did have two ops in one and it's bound to take a while for me to fully recover. I was so happy and confident that all was going well the other day but now I am just worrying myself sick and I know it's probably unfounded. Thanks for humouring me whilst I have a mini panic attack! Love Helenxxx

Some of those sound absolutely delish Susan but seeing as I can't get hold of half of those ingredients here in Blighty do you think you could make me up a parcel, all recipes made up of course, and post it over to me as soon as.....:biggrin:

During the day I would be inclined to let the air get to them whilst you are resting as that will encourage them to dry up. Cover them at night and when you are dressed and active. xxx

Welcome and good luck with your op. I am 8 days post-op and feeling fine. You will be too. Helenxxx

I keep dreaming of King Prawn Madras with bhajis! Don't think that would do me much good right now!