SKCUNNINGHAM

Everyone's full signal is different. Some people sneeze, their noses run, or they get some signal from their stomach. Maybe you get the bubbles. Sharon

If you think my face looks 21, God Bless You for the compliment. It's been many years since I was 21. Sharon

Hang in there, it does get better. Here's why I was emotional after surgery. My body doesn't like being cut on, that alone takes time to recover from My body doesn't like being put under anesthesia, that takes time to recover from (weeks for me). My comfort foods were taken from me and I was having to face life (and emotional upheaval) without them. I felt like crap and was having trouble swallowing anything. My digestive system was torn up and I was having trouble "going". My stomach muscles rebelled every time I tried to sit up, lay down, or roll over. I didn't feel like having relations with my husband, which really put me in a bad mood. My disappearing fat cells were dumping estrogen into my system like crazy - making me an emotional wreck. So you are probably feeling some or all of the above. Believe me - in a few weeks it will all get better. Sharon

I take a prescription Pepcid morning and evening (still at 2 years and 9 months). What I would do when I got that feeling after eating is to take a GASX dissolving strip or chewable tablet, then drink something warm (cup of broth or tea). Seemed to make it go away. Once I was healed from the surgery, I tried not to eat more frequently than 4 hours. I would drink broth in the interim or other non calorie fluids. If I am really bothered by acid or reflux, I supplement the Pepcid with Prilosec morning, evening or both.

I like my cottage cheese sweet (with unsweetened fruit) I also like mix a few tablespoons of it into yougurt. The craziest way I eat it is to mix about 2-3 Tablespoons of Salsa into about 1/2 cup of cottage cheese. Looks awful, tastes good.

I would not let them deter your decision, you are an adult and it is up to you. You might also gently remind them that people who love each other stand by and are supportive of each other, even when someone is making a decision the other party doesn't approve of. I'm sure you could pull a few examples of where you stood by them even though you didn't like the choices they were making. Best of luck to you.

I used my weight from the day I had my consultation. It was pretty close (within 5 pounds) of my max weight. Never have been pregnant, so that wasn't a concern for me. Sharon

If you want an easy food plan to go on prior to your TT, follow the pre-surgery diet your doctor gave your prior to your Sleeve. Mine was liquid Protein drink 2X per day and a salad with lean protein on top for dinner. All the broth and no calorie liquid you could drink. Also - write down every morsel you are putting in your mouth and see what your patterns are.

I am a patient of Dr. Nicholson in Dallas. I think he is wonderful, so much that I have my testimonial on his website My process for picking a surgeon was to find out the criteria my insurance used for approving surgeons. I was covered on four different insurance plans while I was qualifying for surgery (long story). All of the policies required a "Center of Excellence" surgeons, so I limited my list to those surgeons in the area. Then I did research on what the risk factors are for the surgery and how to minimize them (I am a statistician, so forgive me for this approach). Two key things that can minimize the risk is 1) pick a surgeon that has done at least 50-100 of your surgery (sleeve) in the last 12 months. 2) pick a hospital that has supported surgeons performing your surgery (sleeve)at least 50-100 times in the last year. So I limited my selection to those doctors and hospitals. I was pushy getting this info - I didn't care how many bands and bypasses they had done - I wanted sleeve data. Then I went an met my surgeon candidatess. Pick the one you have the best raport with that practices at the hospital you want. My selection was Nicholson. Have never regretted that decision one moment.

This is one thing I never stopped doing. I had my hair done colored at between 5 - 8 week intervals from the time I had surgery. I made sure I had it colored right before sugery, so it wouldn't need to be something I had to think about while I was recovering.

My response is only my opinion - I am not a doctor or a nutritionist. I am 2 years and 7 months out from surgery. For the first 2-3 weeks, I primarily drank Protein drinks, then my doctor started moving me into real foods. There is no agreed upon "one best way" for VST post op care - so doctors do what they think is best. I think the doctors who work with dieticians in their practice are probably better informed. But I am the kind of person I did a bunch of reading on my own outside of what my doctor provided. Also a lot of it is personal preference and how much an individual wants to have to think / plan / prepare their food. Protein Bars and drinks can give you a balanced diet (except for fiber) with very little effort and can keep you out of the kitchen. I use to make a Protein shake (with powdered protein, fruit and yogurt) every morning since Breakfast food isn't my favorite. I use protein bars and drinks when it is convenient (flying on a plane, etc). I don't get as much satisfaction from them as I do with "real" food. I think the important things are to make sure you get sufficient protein, liquids, Vitamins and Fiber during the first year after surgery. Making sure you get quality protein in is more important than what the protein is. BEWARE - all Protein shakes / powders are not the same quality of protein. As you move into year two, you will find the things that work for you and it will become more routine. Best of luck to you Sharon

Congratulations! You are doing great. Your post really inspired me. I have been sleeved 2 years and 7 months as of today. I am looking forward to my 3 year anniversary.

I am 2 years and 7 months after surgery. I started taking Biotin as soon as I had surgery and was able to swallow the pills. My hair did thin, but it is now back to pre-surgery levels if not actually thicker than before. I think I eat better now, which is reflected in the health of my hair. It seems to grow more quickly, too. I continue to take Biotin. Hope this helps.

I couldn't handle chili at five weeks out. I would do a shredded chicken in broth, with a little rice, then mostly puree the whole lot. Or maybe a creamy, cheesy soup with some shredded chicken. Don't overdo! Be careful.

Lissa,I am so sorry you had such a scary experience with your attempted surgery and are still in pain with the gallbladder. I waited six weeks from diagnosis to surgery for my gallbladder, and remember how painful it was. I hope your surgeon can get it done soon, and there are no more problems with your heart. My prayers are with you. Sharon

I had two laparoscopies previously for female related issues. Both of those had fewer incisions than the five I had for my VSG. The two previous laparoscopic surgeries I had as day sugeries (on a Friday) and was back at work on Monday. For my VSG, I had it on a Tuesday, and went back to work three weeks later. I had a two hour drive each way to work and my doctor didn't want me to drive more than an hour at a time without geting out and walking around for a few minutes. The first week, I worked half days. My major side effect from all three surgeries was the recovery from the anasthesia. It takes me days to really recover from the anasthesia - I fall asleep at random times - I am really fatigued for a couple of weeks. I remember it happening before, so I wasn't surprised when it happened this time. The other thing people are doing during recovery from the VSG is dealing with the issues related to your stomach. It is going to be swollen and will not appreciate you putting things into it while it is in that state. But you will have to be continually drinking while you are awake to stay hydrated, and you will be learning what Protein drinks your stomach will tolerate. Your lower digestive track (bowels) will also be all out of whack after surgery and it takes people a while to get things back to normal after surgery. I did a full surgical prep before surgery (you know the routine, I'm sure). I think that helped me get back to normal pretty quickly. Good luck with your surgery. I hope it goes well for you. Sharon

As soon as I woke up in the hospital room after surgery, the nurse brought me Water and a clear Protein drink and some of those little cups they usually give you your pills in (smaller than a shot glass). She told me to fill the cup about 2/3 full (so I wouldn't spill it) and start sipping from it. She told me to start with about half of the liquid from the cup in my mouth at once. Sip, swallow - check to see if everything feels right, repeat. So it was maybe a teaspoon or so in my mouth at once. I took some of those little cups with me when I went home the next day and used them to gauge how much to put in my mouth at once. I sipped continuously throughout the day to make sure I was getting in as much Fluid as possible. As your stomach heals, you will be able to take in more at once. But you will need to focus on getting your fluids in, dehydration is something that is a very real issue if you don't get in a sufficient amount, No way I got in 64 ounces a day the first few days. I focused on drinking the clear (not milky) Protein drinks. My favorites were the Isopure PLUS brand (ordered from Amazon) in grape and punch. Each of those bottles is 8 ounces and 15 grams of protein. Good luck with your journey. Sharon

When I used to work out with a trainer, the plank (and all its variations) were his #1 exercise to strengthen the upper and lower abs. Another great one is the reverse crunch someone else listed. The one I could feel it the most in my lower abs was to lay on a work out bench, put an exercise ball between my feet (the large one you could sit on - you are going to have to squeeze it with your feet to hold the ball still). Slowly raise the ball to as high as you can comfortably raise it while doing a slow count to five. Hold it there while slowly counting to ten (five to start). Slowly lower the ball back while counting to five. Repeat. If you don't have a bench - you can do it on the floor, but the bench is more effective (I think).

I believe if you want to keep your surgery to yourself, that is your absolute right. If you plan on doing it that way, you need to develop an easy, believable story that will explain the radically different way you are going to be behaving after surgery towards food, drink, and exercise. Several people I have read about on this forum have done this. Once you have decided on your story you will tell, practice telling it until it sounds like the truth coming out of your mouth. I have started a new job and am not telling people about my weight loss surgery (for the most part). Not that I am ashamed or anything - I'm proud of it - to the point I made an ad for my surgeon. I really don't give a damn what other people think. I just don't want it to be the first thing they find out about me. People I lunch with know I am careful about what I eat, like to exercise, and only drink no cal non-carbonated drinks. It is easier for me now (16 months out) to do this. Good luck with your journey. Sharon

Amy - you are wise to be thinking about this. Counseling would be a great thing to consider - to find out why you have the problem you have. Hypnosis is another option that I firmly believe is a great help. Some people get strength from going to support groups (like alchoholics do wtih AA meetings) Reading books are good, too. I am struggling a bit right now with stress eating / grazing due to the pressures of a new job and traveling. This is a life long pattern I am working to change. That is why I have in my signature "the easy part is over, now the hard part begins" That refers to the mental part of STAYING THIN. The sleeve is a wonderful tool - but it isn't the only thing you need to stay thin. Best of luck to you. Sharon

Another thing to consider about the Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy ("VSG") - doctors have been performing gastrectomies on people for a long time for reasons other than weight loss. A gastrectomy is a surgery where most of your stomach is removed. The "vertical sleeve" is a reference to the shape of the stomach that is left. VSG are done with weight loss in mind and the pre surgery process and post surgery care are targeted for weight loss patients. A "regular" gastrectomy is done on patients who for other health reasons, need to have most of their stomach removed. I believe the VSG was developed as doctors realized that gastrectomies were really successful at helping people lose weight and maintain their weight loss. I personally had a teacher (band director) when I was in high school (approaching 40 years ago) that had a gastrectomy and lose about 60% of his stomach (due to ulcers). He is still alive and thriving. The safety and long history of successful surgeries is one of the reasons I felt very comfortable making this choice.

Bombshelle - I think you will do GREAT! I remember when I was in your shoes and joining this site. While you are counting down the days for surgery, spend your time that you normally would spend eating getting your house ready for when you come home. This site has a list of things you will need to take with you to surgery - search for it or ask for suggestions and you will get a bunch of ideas. Some things I was really glad I had with me - comfortable PJ's that were not tight over my belly, shoes that were easy to put on so I could walk the halls, my cell phone charger, a pen and notebook, lip balm, and hand cream. One thing that will be really helpful for you once you start losing is to arrange all your clothes by size - you will be changing sizes pretty quickly, and it helped me to be able to find a piece of clothing that fit while I was losing. Just because something fit you one day doesn't mean it will fit you the same way the next week - although now, instead of being tight, they will be TOO BIG (yea!). Also, think about what you are going to do with your clothes as you shrink out of them. THERE IS NO NEED TO KEEP THEM! Plan on how and where you are going to get rid of them. I gave my clothes to a thrift shop that supports a women's shelter - sold some at a consignment shop, gave some to friends, and gave some of my suits to a charity that helps women get back into the job market. Best of luck to you! Sharon

I would guess 4 - 6 weeks - ask your doctor and go with his/her advice. I love ZUMBA!

I knew I was on camera the entire time I was speaking to the director, but I had no idea they were focusing on my hands. I know I talk with my hands almost all of the time - my husband teases me that if I had to sit on my hands, I wouldn't be able to speak. I guess the camera man realized that, and specifically filmed them some of the time. I'm glad you like the shoes. I love my Chucks! I wear custom orthotics and a metal plate in one shoe, and the Chuck Taylors have room for all of that and still look stylish. I miss being able to wear pretty heels, so Chucks allow me to indulge my shoe habit and be nice to my feet simultaneously.

This topic rings SO TRUE for me. I can't judge my size relative to other people. I always think I am larger than they are. I can't tell if a pair of pants will fit me or be too tight - or a blouse. I never felt as "big" as I was before surgery,so I couldn't judge my size then, either I am making progress, though. I no longer see myself in the mirror and wonder for a brief moment "who is that?". I recognize and like the person I am now. But I haven't yet "calibrated" my head or eyes to my actual size.