coco517117
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Everything posted by coco517117
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Anyone else sleeved on or around Feb 27th 2010?
coco517117 replied to tiaras's topic in POST-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
I was sleeved on 2/15/10. My pre-op BMI was 33 @ 184 lbs. I seemed to have hit a stall...only lost 20 lbs as of today. Getting frustrated. My daily intake is quite small - getting in 60 grams of protein via meats/fish/eggs with plenty of exercise. Are there any liteweights stalling out there? Any advice? Doc said should take 6 months to reach my (short) goal of 130 lbs - wow - 6 months to lose 50 lbs! Gees.... -
Feeling frustrated...
coco517117 replied to angel96049's topic in POST-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
Me too - feeling frustrated. My pre-op BMI was 33. Only lost 22 lbs in 3 months. I understand light-weights have a harder time losing..and at a slower rate - but don't understand the theory behing this. My eating habits are very smooth - no issues with getting protein/water in and I play 2 hours of tennis 3x week. Calories are under 1,000. Don't know if a stall is normal at 3 months - still hopeful that the scale will move below 164lbs - would hate to think I did this for only 22lbs loss :thumbup1: -
One month post op today!
coco517117 replied to FireFly's topic in Tell Your Weight Loss Surgery Story
Also one-month out; down 16 lbs. I'm not really having trouble eating anything - I just avoid bad carbs as it fills me up too fast - just healthy Proteins. My Regular day is 1/2 banana w/morning chewable Vitamins. Wait 1 hour to have egg whites. lunch is usually Gorton's grilled fish filet with 1/2 can peas. I eat sooo slowly - lasts over 1 hour. By dinner, I'm eating a small slice of my oven-baked turkey loaf, shrimp & chicken bisque (blender), etc. Snacks during the day usually include a sneak of cottage cheese, or smooth Ricotta cheese. I seem to be doing OK - slow loss, but consistent and I'm never hungry or feel deprived. Just losing a lot of hair - had to buy Rogaine and still keeping warm compresses on my infiltrated veins from surgery. -
I'm in my 4th week and desired coffee for the 1st time. I tried a teaspoon of freeze-dried Instant Decaf with some half-and-half. I only seem to desire it in the morning - by 11 am I'm on to teas, crystal lights, etc. ... Does anyone know if drinking instant decaf once per day is aok?
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Is it ok to swallow softgels? My b12 and Omega is a softgel and cannot be crushed... I'm 2.5 weeks out...
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NO prob - you can find all online c/o The Vitaminne Shop. They also sell the Vitaminne Shop's own plastic 8 oz shaker ($1) - it shakes very well - a few lumps - but if you don't wish to use the blender all the time or on the run - its great. If you want a little more chocalate or vanilla taste - throw in a bit of Slim fast powder. I would have loved to use Slim Fast as a primary source of protein, but each scoop has not as many grams of protein - so I used it for taste mostly. Best,
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Mr. Muscle has a nice vanilla shake (powder) 26 grams per scoop. Also, I dissolved whey powder (24 grams/scoop) in chicken broth..can't really taste it. My favorite however, was Nature Plus Spiru-Tein Cappucino flavor. This soy/rice/pea powder is so powdery and yummy. Tasted like a fluffy latte when whipped in a blender. 24 grams of protein +8 grams from skim milk = 32 grams! I'm on mushies now - but hope this helps...
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Pre-packaged/frozen meals that are better than some
coco517117 replied to Tiffykins's topic in Food and Nutrition
I just tried Gordon's Grilled Tilapia fillets (2 per box) in the frozen section. Didn't expect much - but I have to say, it was delicious! Each fillet is perfectly sized (for my sleeve) and has 14 grams of protein. I added a little more lemon and a small side of veggie - perfect lunch or dinner. -
what size bougie, and amt loss you have
coco517117 replied to determined1's topic in PRE-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
Dr. Alvarez used a 40-bougie on me with an oversew. My starting weight was 190 with issues of hypothyroid and tendonosis. My goal is to keep and maintain 65 lbs off. I'm 2 weeks out and have had no drama. Everything goes down without painful restriction and reflux - I feel the pressure to stop eating after a few ounces and have lost 15 lbs in 2 weeks. Hope this helps :001_tongue: -
Yes, surgery went very well. I have to say the worst part (from NY) was travel thru intense turbulence/snow, & 2 hr drive thru deadlands. It was right out of a Quentin Tarantino movie. I was petrified the entire drive! Worst part - our flight back from Austin-NY was delayed as we watched a Piper plane smash into the gov't building in Austin (u remember that?) Again, as a NY'er, planes cannot fly into buildings! Are they crazy!?
All kidding aside, I had so much appreciate for the ranches & agriculture on the return drive. Surgery was a huge success...silly glitches in the hospital (no heat/hot water) but room was comfy. Dr. A was amazing.
How are you doing? Can you please give me a sample day of what you eat @ 3months post op?
Best,
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I think I am ready!
coco517117 replied to WeekendWarrior's topic in Tell Your Weight Loss Surgery Story
Just Sleeved by Dr. Alvarez on 2/15 - The leak test wasn't a "barium" nor an upper GI. It was actually a thick, nice-tasting liquid that was shown in real-time as you swallowed in front of a camera. He only allows you to take a small sip from a straw so you can both follow it pass down (on the screen). After that - you're graduate to ice chips! I was also conflicted with oversew vs. buttressing material. Dr. Alvarez provided me with the option for the Fibrant Sealant (Tisseel) - but, didn't find it as strong as the oversew (despite the fact he makes more money on the sealant - extra $500 per staple fire). He felt safer with oversew regarding leaks - I was always able to change my mind as the hospital was fully equipped with buttressing products - but I chose his experience/advice in end. Read in an article that US hospital operating rooms are very expensive, and so many surgeons opt to quickly put a sealant over staple line - and not spend the $$$ time to oversew. Sounded logical given our high costs of hospitals/healthcare. Hope this helps. -
Hi there - I was sleeved on 2/15/10 by Dr. Guillermo Alvarez - only down 5 lbs on Clear liquids. Start 2nd week of full liquids in two days. Can't wait - feel like I desperately need Protein and Vitamins. My incisions are a bit tender - stomach constantly growls, moans, and adusts itself. I'm drinking a lot - however, when I drink when sitting down, it feels a bit tighter than when I'm standing. Dissolving Protein powder (unflavored) into my beef/chicken broths is a great way of fitting in some protein. I'm hoping to see much more weight loss, however, my BMI was on the lower side (33) - I believe I read that the loss is a bit slower with lower bmis. Nervous about week 2 post op as most "issues" come up during this period - need to take it day by day. Anyone else get nervous -?
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I'm only 5 days out - drinking Clear liquids and truly feel hungry. I feel like I need to have some substance - not sure I can last 2 more days for full- liquid stage. My starting BMI was lower - 32.6 (185 lbs) - only 178.5 now...but I understand lower BMIs lose slower. Hoping I can hold on.
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Really frustrated with surgeon
coco517117 replied to excited2lose's topic in POST-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
May I ask who is your surgeon? -
Me too! Just sleeved on 2/15 - home now trying to sip down 64oz liquids. Sometimes my gulps are too big, feels horrible going down. Incisions a bit sore - unwilling to take pain meds as soreness isn't too terrible to deal with. My stomach is making funky sounds, sometimes a little pressure when I switch up the liquids from sodium broth to sweet Gatorade. Any one else experience Week 1 this way? Feel very tired all the time - hope will pass
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Feb 1st, for a sleeving good time
coco517117 replied to loser's topic in Tell Your Weight Loss Surgery Story
I'm getting sleeved by Dr. Alvarez on 2/15 - getting nervous. So happy to read recent patients have a nice experience with him, especially post op success. Particularly concerned with IV's - my veins always collapse. Hoping that the procedure is uneventful and painless. -
How are you doing? I'm schedule to be sleeve (along with my mother) by Dr. Alvarez on 2/15 - we're both nervous - especially as my mom is 62... Have you had any complications or advice in hind sight that you can offer? Was the anesthesia prep difficult, post surgery discomfort, etc. ? Thank you, Ann
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Feb 1st, for a sleeving good time
coco517117 replied to loser's topic in Tell Your Weight Loss Surgery Story
I'm seeing Alvarez on 2/15 - along with my mother/sleeve-sister. We've very nervous, mostly with the process - flying 4+ hrs to Texas, driving 3hours to Mexico, and crossing border next morning for surgery. Seems a bit barbaric, but we didn't feel comfortable with anyone local. The testimontials for Dr. A were very convicing. If anyone has advice insofar as what pain meds to bring home, antibiotics, etc. - I would be sure to ask in advance. Please keep me posted on how you're doing! -
Hey Girl - you sound very well and that your recovery seamless! I will be sleeve with my mother as my "sleeve-sista" on 2/15 with Dr. Alvarez. I am nervous for both of us. I have already asked dr. A for a larger bougie (40) as I don't want too much stricture/reflux potential. He is very nice and hospitable is every way. Your advice about what to pack was key - can you tell me if you brought any liquids/proteins for the night in san antonio and day after with your flight? I may bring a powder to slip into my water. Hope your continued recovery is successful... Best, Ann
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Hi there -
I noticed your message that you selected Dr. Pleatman for your VSG. I am also in consideration to use this DR for my VSG...but have noticed that on his YouTube video, he does not perform a leak test on the sleeve, only on the stomach specimen removed. Can you extend on your experience? Was there another leak test perform INSIDE your body, rather than the remnant taken from it. I understand from another forum patient, his theory is that if the specimen doesn't leak, and you don't have a fever within a couple of days - you're OK. But I do know some staples expand when water (edoscopy flush) is sprayed inside - a nice visual if everything is OK while you're still in surgery.
Your words are appreciated. Thank you in advance,
Coco
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Seeking a surgeon
coco517117 replied to sfvbabygirl's topic in PRE-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
Hi Shutterbug - I am also seeking Dr. Pleatman for my vSG - my bmi is a bit on the low side (32-33) so I am a self pay... Wanted to ask you if Dr. Pleatman conducted a leak test. His YouTube video only tested the stomach specimen which was removed - not the sleeve remaining in the body. I assume his theory is that if the staples are tight on the disposed stomach - the remaining should be fine - but..gees, who know if a staple didn't catch properly, etc. Why wait for a fever or rapid heartbeat to develop. I am flying in from New England - and couldn't stay in MI for 6 weeks for a wait-and-see period. Can you extend on any advice on your experience regarding leak tests, and his overall treatment of your VSG? Thank you in advance - your advice is greatly appreciated. Ann