TijuanaPlication

Hi Lex, did you have to pay for both procedures or did you get them on insurance?

This link may be of interest to you

Way to go!

As my username implies, I didn't have either (not the best decision, but I went with what info was available at the time), anyway, if you do go for VSG it's a relatively straight forward procedure to revise to the DS. Note that 2 stage DSers tend to be slower losers as you'll already have had some weight loss. You *might* not need to revise to the DS which is partly how the VSG came about (ie it being stage 1 of a 2 part DS). If you don't think you can keep up with the Protein and Vitamins that the DS requires then VSG is a good choice. RNY I don't believe is such a good choice. It's very difficult to revise from (possible, but it has a lot more complications). With RNY you're no longer able to take Non Steroidal Anti Inflamatory Drugs (NSAIDs, eg ibuprofen and who knows if you'll need them in the future). Also you only malabsorb calories for 2 years whereas you malabsorb nutrients forever so you still have to be diligent with protein and vitamins. This is why so many RNYers get regain and then seek revision (think of what Carnie Wilson got down to and then regained back to over 200lbs). Also 40% of RNYers suffer from dumping, search for it on youtube and you'll soon see it's something you seriously want to avoid (people look like they're dyeing of a heart attack). HTH.

Yep mine was at 8am and I stayed in 3 nights after. I was having problems getting in enough fluids so I wanted to stay on the drip a bit longer. The day of surgery I had nothing but a cup of ice chips. Years go I ended up being re-admitted a week after having my uvula removed (surgery resolved my sleep apopnea - similar to apnea) and I was scared of this happening again. It didn't - I had no problems getting enough fluids by the time I was discharged.

I've read about artificial sweetener increasing cravings for sweet stuff. Apparently your body doesn't like being cheated and isn't satisfied until it gets what it wants. I beg to differ though as I used to be a total sf gum and diet cola addict in my teens. I was well within the healthy weight range. In my 20s I became intolerant to artificial sweetener and things went down hill from there. I used to use gum much like many smokers use cigarettes, ie I'd only eat when I had strong growling stomach hunger and was happy to stop eating to continue chewing gum!!

Most docs seem to recommend 3-6 weeks after. I'd say that the important things is when you're no longer getting pain - there's no point rushing to exercise and giving yourself an injury. Walking is permitted off the bat so get started with that and build up gradually from there.

Hun, I'm so sorry you're having a bad time. My thoughts and prayers are with you. When was your surgery? Have you got a TPN line? Please keep us updated. We're rootin' for you. BTW Tiffykins had a leak (she was a band to sleeve revision), and look at her know. So be assured that things can work out OK despite the leak. Best wishes and ((hugs)) for a super speedy recovery.

Are you having a surgery in a hospital and staying there for recovery? If so, it's probably too much. I stayed in my hospital gown the whole time I was in hospital (I used my personal dressing gown to cover the back). Maybe you could ring them and check. I also took books which I didn't read as I was so tired from surgery I was either walking the halls with my drip or in bed with my eyes closed.

You were fortunate. At Angeles Health I got apple juice, full sugar jello and chamomile tea at every meal. At lunch I got some broth (would've loved to have that for breakfast and dinner too). I was sooo sick of sweet stuff... and I have a sweet tooth LOL!!

The point about the protein in Greek yogurts is correct, but Greek yogurt isn't liquid. This would be fine in week 3 when you go to mushies.

Hi, I've heard of people with BMIs of 70 getting the Duodenal Switch. DS is a VSG plus intestinal re-routing. You can talk to some ex-high BMI patients here http://www.obesityhelp.com/forums/ds/a,messageboard/board_id,5357/ The intestinal part of the DS causes malabsorption, which helps with weight loss (80% of the fat you consume and 50% of the Protein is malabsorbed), but you you have to be very diligent getting in protein and taking Vitamins.

I had my operation at Angeles Health in Tijuana and I was told clear liquids for the first week, so there was no option got get protein during the first week. You can have juice to get some calories and I had Crystal Light and miso soup. The early weeks are all about getting your fluids in, so don't worry about the protein just yet. Week 2 was what the nutritionist at Angeles Health described as 'full liquids' ie anything you can get through a straw, so milk and yogurt drinks were permitted. Week 3 was mushies. I didn't use a blender but I chewed and chewed and chewed my food to pulp. Fish is a nice easy one when you're on mushies. Potatoes and beans are definite no nos in weeks one and 2. When you're further out you can have them, but you should fill up on protein first and only have them if you then have space. To stretch your sleeve you'd have to eat repeatedly to the point of vomiting. I'm 7 months out and haven't vomited once since my surgery. When I was on the liquids stage I had water any time I wanted it, as you're concentrating on trying to get enough in. Liquids can make solid food leave your stomach sooner than if you don't have them, but this isn't a concern when you're a liquid only diet.

Sarah I'm rooting for you and sending positive thoughts your way!

A lot of bandsters revise to the Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy. Take a look on http://www.verticalsleevetalk.com/

How does it monitor your sleep?

BTW if you hear about StomaphyX and the ROSE or POSE technique don't bother. People only lose about 20lbs and then gain it back when the restriction goes... been there, heading that way.

Hi Sarah, long time no hear. You're brave. Please keep us posted. I stalled the same as you so I'm definitely interested. You may want to post on http://www.sleeveplicationtalk.com/ too as I'm sure they'll want to hear. My thoughts of revision options were that it might be possible to get the intestinal part of the Duodenal Switch if you meet the criteria (I'm not heavy enough - BMI ~29 at the mo). If you did go that route you'd seriously have to be committed to taking your vitamins, getting in 100g protein/day and getting regular labs done. Good luck and ((hugs))!

There's an interesting youtube vid on bougie size here

Bummer! Maybe your sinuses are playing up because you're run down. I think at one month out I was still getting tired really easily just from the anesthetic. Try to take things easy and relax, rest as much as you can until you're feeling better.

Hi mednar, I take Fybogel which is similar (made with ispaghula husk instead of psyllium). You just have to stir it well and then knock it back as quickly as you can. It may need a midway stir if you don't drink it fast enough (it'll go thick and sludgy if you leave it too long). You can take it up to 3 times a day. Try it for a few days to see if it helps.

A small percentage of VSGers to seem to continue to get hungry. This seems to more of an issue with the plication, so hopefully you'll be OK with your VSG.

How much Protein are you getting in? Are you keeping your carbs low? They mess with your blood sugar and make you hungry when you shouldn't be.

Are you taking an antacid? That seems to help some people, as excess acid can be very like hunger.

Congrats, that's amazing!