TijuanaPlication

I got a nice no-name one from Walmart. It's wired, full cup, push up one and it does fine for my C cups LOL! They had quite a few to choose from and they're not expensive.

You're right about sweeteners. I just read another article about them here http://eatthis.womenshealthmag.com/content/12-secrets-beverage-industry-doesnt-want-you-know?article=4&page=1 You may want to try different brands of stevia as people say they can make a real difference.

I hope you're over it now.

Hi chowchows, I've experienced dumping pre-surgery. I had it on holiday when I went a bit mad visiting the dessert cart. I didn't know about dumping at the time but looking back it was definitely that. I got diarrhea within an hour of eating but felt better straight after. This happened a few times in the evening following my trips to the dessert cart... I've been better behaved since my op and it's not happened since!

If you're going to take a PPI again you need to try it for a couple of weeks in order for it to take full effect.

Oh dear. How much Prilosec are you taking? I know it's usually 20Mg once a day but I've heard of some people taking double that. Maybe your PCP will let you take more until it resolves. I know it's OTC but I prefer to run that kind of thing by a doc.

It should get easier once you get on to mushies as the food is indeed pretty much going straight through. You're not having many calories at all present, so have more!! Sip as necessary, soup, yogurt... you must be near fainting!

Proton Pump Inhibitor (or antacids). See here for more details http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Proton-pump_inhibitor

I didn't really have any fears per se leading up to surgery, although I did have a very vivid dream in the run up to my op where I was eating like normal person post op. I brushed it off as being just a dream, but unfortunately it turned out to be very prophetic! I read a lot on the internet and read almost everything on the plication section of www.verticalsleevetalk.com (that's where this site got launched from). I totally trusted my surgeon - you're putting your life in their hands and you have to be sure you have a good one. Saving money on surgeons can really turn out to be a false economy (both financially and health-wise).

I'm optimistic for you with your band over plication. Hopefully this will give you better restriction, but being in less need of fills you may have less problems than a lot bandsters experience. Jenn also had the same procedure as you but is further out.

This is a restriction only procedure, so in effect a 'diet'. If you restrict calories for long enough your metabolism can indeed slow down. With bypass (RNY) you only malabsorb calories for 2 years by which time the intestine adapts and this ceases. You still malabsorb nutrients and have to supplement for the rest of your life, but the 2 year malabsorption thing is why many RNYers regain and seek revisions.

They 'supposedly' do, but my doc was trying to push me towards the band on the day of my op given that I only just scraped in at a BMI of 30! I think it's not that easy finding a reputable doctor to do it (I think Dr Aceves does it). I liked the fact that Angeles Health covered any complication costs as I've heard tales of thousands of dollars of expense on different forums. Plus I spoke to a surgeon who only operated on BMI 35+ and he strongly recommended the plication. He's meant to be pretty senior in eastern Europe and given he wasn't going to get anything from me I trusted the advice.

Wow, I'm so sorry that this surgery didn't fix your reflux. BTW this thread may be of interest http://www.verticalsleevetalk.com/topic/23340-getting-off-of-the-ppis/page__pid__197442#entry197442 Calcium citrate is the supplement to take, especially if you take a PPI, but as someone mentions in the thread it's harder to find!

You may find the following of interest WRT your decision making: "overall weight loss was considered satisfactory in 78.6% of the patients who underwent gastric plication and in 97.5% of those who underwent sleeve." http://www.skrekas.net/surg_hemstatistics.htm

FWIW and IMO I'd say that this surgery appears to favor heavier BMIs. My BMI was 30 and Lena's was low 30s too. This surgery stops you having an outright binge, but I never really ate to that level. HTH

I used Nexium for the first month post op (sorry I don't remember the dosage). I then stopped, but went back onto Omeprazole 20mg (the generic version of Prilosec) for a couple of weeks to see if it helped with the hunger. It made no difference so I no longer take anything. You should exercise caution when taking a PPI as they can inhibit calcium absorption. Have you been advised to take a PPI long term? I can't imagine this surgery would really necessitate it (unless you had problems before), as it's a variant of fundoplication http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nissen_fundoplication which is used for treating GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease).

Hi Jimmez, sorry you're struggling with hunger. For some people it just doesn't go away. Taking an antacid helps some people with hunger. You'd have to try it for a couple of weeks to see if it helps. You may still be eligible for part 2 of a duodenal switch (DS). You're already half way there with the VSG. You'd have to really cut down on the carbs with the DS though, ie burger with half or no bun. You malabsorb 80% of the fat you consume with the DS and most DSers do fine with high fat and high Protein diets (a few have to experiment to find an amount of fat consumption that suits them). If the DS were a path you wanted to go down you'd have to get a reputable surgeon (see www.dsfacts.com). With DS you have to take NUMEROUS supplements (you may be able to get some from your PCP on script) and you'd have to consume >100g protein/day. If you're interested in the DS you really do have to research as it's not a surgery to be taken lightly. All the best and I hope you find something that works for you.

Not binged or been sick since my surgery (I'm 9 months out). What's being sick like? Is it any different to before? I've really been wondering about that one as I guess it'll happen one day and it'd be good to be forewarned what to expect. I was told that if I vomited in the first 3 weeks that could rip all the stitches apart so I've been afraid and therefore very cautious ever since.

I was hoping to lose >50lbs (given I did >40lbs with WW but then re-gained, I was really hoping to lose 70lbs). I barely have any restriction to speak of and can't really say I have much of a tool at all!

Yes, it was an interesting thread - I think this is the one you're referring to http://www.verticalsleevetalk.com/topic/21581-this-whole-not-drinking-while-eating/ We seemed to conclude that a few sips with a meal were OK.

Avoid TV too close to when you go to bed and start having the lights down low as your bed time approaches to help your mind to realize it's time to go to sleep. HTH (a little at least).

Sorry to hear about your problems. Some people become temporarily lactose intolerant. Can you try some lactose free milk? We have this in the UK http://www.lactofree.co.uk/ and there must be something similar in the US. You could try yogurt as a lot of people who have problems with lactose do OK with fermented products (that includes cheese too). I'd try just half a small yogurt to see how you go. I have IBS and I have a relative with crohns, so I sympathize with you. You could also try your protein drinks with water. If you still have problems it could be the protein powder itself giving you issues. I never did protein drinks as they make too unwell (cramps, bloating, etc). You should be OK to get your protein from real food now as you're nearly a month out. Just make sure you chew, chew, chew (fish will be easier on your new sleeve if chicken doesn't sit well just yet). All the best.

I'd ask what post op meds you're going to need. You may be able to get them cheaper through your PCP.

Nexium seems to be what most surgeons prescribe (including mine). A pill crusher for it would be good as you have to chew it and it gets stuck in your teeth. It's totally gross tasting and the only way to get it out is to brush your teeth. Crystal Light is handy to have as is broth. I had to change my dressings every day after I showered, so you'll need gauze and micro pore - unless you have one of those rare surgeons who insists on no showers for a week! For me it was clear liquids for the first week and you should be well enough to go to the shops by the end of that time. I had to have anti-coagulant injections for a month after surgery, but not all surgeons do that and it could've been because I had several flights in the few weeks immediately post op. All the best.

Kelly's advice is good. BTW I was scared of taking laxatives after hearing stories of people becoming addicted to them. I take Miralax as prescribed to me by my PCP.