meggiep

You know I think one of the problems for all of us is that there is no one way to respond to this surgery! Some people sail through with little pain, and are bopping around in no time- others are really lid low for a while and are much slower to move forward. Some can drink fluids etc. with o problem, others really have trouble getting the fluids in for the first few weeks or longer. However- I think fever is a warning sign and you are right to see your doctor. Just today our daily poster Crosswind was found to have a double ear infection 19 days out- she had felt wonky and had also had a low fever now and again.

And now I am laughing out loud again! Fact is with my fentany patch and 90 dilaudid a month I am the last person to seem to be snarky about vicodin!

Unfortunately I don't think it is that simple. Carbs like ice cream cake, Cookies, etc. slide right down through our sleeve rapidly and easily, leaving you hungry for more, and it will require work bot the lose enough of your excess weight and to maintain your weight loss if you do meet your goal.The fact they dissolve into liquid is the problem! The sleeve is not going to automatically guarantee that you lose weight and keep it off, unfortunately. My doctor, who has done the sleeve for nine years, says there is a window of from 18 months to 2 years for losing weight and that the people who are most likely to meet goal are those who count carbs strictly and keep their calorie intake low during that window of time. After that you have to be vigilant for the rest of your life because it is too easy to eat around the sleeve and gain weight again. Most of us have eating patterns involving emotions as as well as addiction to food and the people who know to really work the sleeve and learn how to deal with those emotions and addictions replacing them with healthy things are the ones who will maintain their weight for life. To me- and I am saying this because I care about you and everyone here- it is a warning sign to be anticipating the foods that may have helped you get to the point of needing to have drastic surgery such as the VSG. For me- I have to stay away from my trigger foods or I will soon be down the wrong path again. The sleeve is not a magic bullet that will take the wieght off because of your small stomach. Would that it was so easy!!!

OMG no wonder you have been feeling so wonky! Although my Jonesing for Crosswind post seemed to have offended everyone with my off attempt at humor, I really was worried about you as the day went on without you posting. I hope my post did not offend you I have nothing but mad love for you, I think you know that! DO your ears hurt? How very bizarre to have that happen right after a surgery that is so unknown to you that you couldn't recognize you were sick- and to have all that stuff swirling around your system while adjusting to the greater part of your stomach being gone. And now you have to mess up your stomach again with antibiotic- make sure you eat yogurt with acidophilis if you can stand to- and maybe some chicken broth would help? Do you have someone to take care of you? Aha- now the psychedelic experience at the beauty shop for the pedicure turns out to make sense as a fever dream ;-P Feel better sweetie- you should be on the med soon with the antibiotic. Kisses and hugs to you.

OH my goodness that is not what I intended- I was joking! I adore Crosswinds daily updates and was merely expressing how sad I was not to find one- and it turns out I was right to worry about her. The vicodin in the wineglass, if you have been reading her updates you would understand what I was referring to! I am sorry if I seemed offensive, I am mortified to have been interpreted in this way. I even mentioned my own presumptiveness in feeling she should put aside her own life to post for us. No rudeness intended, truly. I have nothing but love for you all.

Unfortunately my doctor would consider the GNC one a no-no as he says you need to pick one that has double digit protein grams but single digit carbs. Alas! If you want to count carbs that makes sense too. Sigh.

My doctor said to look for double digit grams protein and single digit carbs.

I myself believe the sleeve will become the surgery of choice. Aside from not thinking it great to have my intestines rearranged, I find the malabsorption aspect of the RNY really undesirable. Though removing part of your stomach is extreme, I like the fact that the route from mouth to colon is the same. That is a BIG thing to me. The lack of dumping is a big thing too- I have a lot of physical issues and I don't need that. I am the kind of person who does a lot of research before doing anything and I chose the sleeve.

Do you live near a costco? I have been told their ready to drink Protein drinks (premier) are liked by almost everyone- and they are relatively small for 30 grams of protein. The unjury of course is also highly recommended. One thing I can say- dont invest in too much of anything until you see if your taste buds change after your surgery! I have heard that is a problem. I plan to have the costco premier shakes in the main, as well as some syntax nectar ( that comes in a variety of fruity flavors). There are some great resources in the nutrition part of this board that rate the various protein powders and also make all kinds of great recommendations.

I feel for you. My friend who had the RNY and is in my water aerobics class warned me that the two weeks before is the worst of all- afterwards you are on your journey and have your sleeve to keep you from being so hungry- before you have every craving and you still have your big tummy! I start my two weeks on the 25th....not looking forward to it. Just keep your eye on the prize!

You look MAHVELOUS! I love the way you have that little hip jut action going on - feeling saucy and looking fab. don't forget to do a video ;-P

Hey girl- what part of "You are required to do these forever" don't you understand? Don't you get that checking your latest update is an intrinsic part of my day? That was what I have been mainly thinking until it turned to Uh oh-are you ok? Are you passed out on the floor with a wine glass full of vicodin in your hand? Now I have to look and see when you last posted... Oh dear oh dear oh dear... oh wait...could it be, no it could not possibly be that you , say, have a life?

As you add more and more Protein it is more and more important to drink your water so as to help your kidneys. I would really try to keep increasing it as you get further out. Weight loss is awesome but you are in this for the lon haul and you have to keep your body healthy- get your water and your supplements and your protein.

Hooray! What- no video in the recovery room?

Awesome! Have you been able to discontinue the diuretic?

I am really praying that your L shape will straighten out on its own- I am heartened that a poster mentioned that happening. It is so wonderful that you are home!

My doctor is pretty adamant about the fact that you do need to count calories, carbs, etc. - we have about 18 months- 2 years window for the most loss and that is the way to maximize the loss. The sleeve is a great tool to help us do that as we should be without the hunger that usually sabotages us, along with the much smaller capacity. But we are still accountable and need to control our food.

Did you switch to the sleeve? (I hope so!)

There is a wealth of information here- threads about what to have at the hospital, etc. are in various areas. Spend some time relaxing and reading- this place is amazing. One thing that has really helped me is to watch You Tube vlogs from many people who have had the surgery as they post pre and immediately post op- some even IN the hospital! YOu can search i You Tube fo Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy and find TONS and I also started a thread in the Post Op ares abvout You Tubes. If you want some links PM me. My surgery is May 9th so my own VLog will not give you much info. Good luck!!!

Congratulations on being on the losers bench! Yipes on waking up so soon ...ouch! Interesting about your stomach size- I wonder if some people are almost doomed to obesity by their stomach size because it takes them more food to be full but they don't have the ability to metabolize it! It really makes you wonder... Well, you wont have that problem now!

My advice is chill chill chill it- put it in the freezer as when it is cold it tastes better. I just hope your sleeve can handle it chilled and I just hate the stress you will be putting on it- when I say purge- you purge and purge and purge. I just had this two weeks ago....

I didn't realize this thread was here! I a thrilled to add to it- my surgery is May 9th - my surgeon is Dr. John Feng and my surgery is at Sequoia Hospital here in Redwood City- he is with the Palo Alto Medical Foundation , has done tons of sleeves and studied with the doctor in New York who developed it. He recently gave a lecture to a passle of doctors at Stanford about sleeves. I start my two week liquid diet on April 25th.

I did a really silly Vlog wearing a party hat and waving my letter! I'm having my surgery 5/9 so we can support one another! Congratulations!

Welcome! You are among friends- the best group of loving supporting people ever. If your approval-I will say WHEN your approval goes through you and I will have our surgeries very close together- I am on May 9th. I would be happy to be along with you on your journey as support buddies. As for your fears- this will be fourth surgery, and I understand your fear of anesthesia. I was terrified my first time too- wrote a will, and went through a lot of emotional trauma - and though I wont tell you there is no risk you need to remember all the tests you have just gone through- I have NEVER been so completely evaluated as far as my ability to do the surgery! Actually now that I have had all these tests I am kind of surprised how little they tested me for my back, knee, and elbow surgeries! The other thing to remember is that you face a possible early death if you don;t do this- you are going for LIFE and health- have faith. As for the fear of not losing- I think we all feel that way. I have this fear that I will have every single bad complication, and will hardly lose any weight. That is really not likely! Though your PCOS may slow you down a bit- just know that if you are faithful to the rules- take your Protein in, drink your Water, limit your carbs, and exercise- you WILL lose. You will be give a wonderful tool that will make you full really fast and that is fabulous- that will end up doing the trick for you in a new and better way than any other time in your life. Don't be afraid! We are all here to help you along the way.

Congratulations!