lsereno

Heh heh. I'm hoping it saves all of us time in the future! Be sure to add any good info you have about a topic in the comments. Thanks! Lynda

A bougie is guide that is used to help the surgeon size your new stomach. Once you are under sedation, the bougie is passed down your throat and into your stomach. The surgeon cuts your stomach around the bougie. Typically, surgeons now use between a 32 and 40. The smaller the number, the smaller the guide's circumference. Early out, surgeons used bougies as large as 70. There is a huge amount of controversy about bougie sizes. But bougie size is not the only factor in determining how large you stomach will be. Some surgeons oversew the staple line. Some cut closer to the bougie. Some people have longer stomachs. All these factors affect how much smaller your stomach is. And your stomach size is not the only factor in your success. How compliant you are with your program and how resistant your body is to losing weight are important aspects to consider as well. The pic I've included of bougie sizes is one that periodically makes the rounds on this board and others. If you want more details on bougie size and it's effect on your success, read Carmelita's blog entry on this over on Obesity Help: http://www.obesityhe.../2011/03/31/-2/ Lynda

I have started a blog so I can have a permanent place for answers to many of the questions I see here. My second entry lists several VSG guides that are available online: http://www.verticalsleevetalk.com/blog/2552/entry-6419-bariatric-program-guides/ Lynda

Yes, everyone is different. Some people have the swelling go down sooner. This doesn't mean you will be able to eat more solid food than anyone else. Lynda

If your WLS program provided a guide, I suggest you use that. But many people do not receive a program guide when they have WLS. If you fall in that boat, here are some links to guides that I have saved from this forum over the years. If you have any to add, post a comment with a link. Kaiser Fremont Bariatric Program Guide (this is my program's guide and it covers VSG and other WLS) http://mydoctor.kais...rics/binder.jsp The Cornell Weight Loss Surgery Program: Dietary Guidelines for Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy http://www.cornellwe...gastrectomy.pdf Institute for Advanced Bariatric Surgery: Preparatory Surgery Guide http://www.laplose.c...urgeryGuide.pdf Institute for Advanced Bariatric Surgery: Sleeve Gastrectomy Surgery Diet Guide http://www.laplose.c...veDietGuide.pdf Northwest Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery: Laproscopic Gastric Sleeve Diet http://www.northwest...ectomy-diet.pdf Ellis Medicine Program Guide http://www.ellishosp...pGuidelines.pdf Here are some additional guides posted by Misty (read her post here: http://www.verticalsleevetalk.com/topic/85182-list-of-vsg-post-op-diets-from-surgeons/) Auckland Weight Loss Surgery (New Zealand) - Patient Information Book Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy http://aucklandweightlosssurgery.co.nz/downloads/Laparoscopic%20Sleeve%20Gastrectomy.pdf Brigham and Women's Hospital - Dietary Guidelines for Sleeve Gastrectomy http://www.brighamandwomens.org/Departments_and_Services/surgery/services/generalsurg/WeightLossSurgery/PostOpSleeveGastrectomyDiet.pdf Columbia University - Sleeve Gastrectomy Discharge Instructions http://obesitymd.org/postop_sleeve.html Goodnight Surgical – The Sleeve Gastectromy Guide (PDF) http://goodnightsurgical.com/doc/Sleeve_Gastrectomy_Guide.pdf HealthPoint (New Zealand) - The Sleeve Gastectromy Information for Patients (PDF,Must be downloaded, can’t be viewed online) http://www.healthpoint.co.nz/download,267405.do Johns Hopkins - Vitamin and Mineral Supplement Guide http://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/johns_hopkins_bayview/_docs/medical_services/bariatrics/nutrition_sleeve.pdf London Bariatric Group (UK) – A guide to eating and drinking after Sleeve Gastectromy http://www.laparoscopicconsultant.co.uk/pdf/post-op-sleeve-gastrectomy.pdf London Obesity Clinic (UK) - Eating after Sleeve Gastectromy http://www.obesitycliniclondon.co.uk/pdf/eating-after-sleeve-gastrectomy.pdf Miami HOPE Center - Patient Education Booklet Sleeve Gastectromy http://www.miamihope.com/docs/Patient_Educational_Booklet_Sleeve_Gastrectomy.pdf Murfressboro Surgical Specialists - Dietary Guidelines Post-Op Sleeve Gastectromy Procedure http://www.murfsurg.com/dietary_guidelines_sleeve_gastrectomy.htm North London Obesity Surgery Services (UK) - Eating After A Sleeve Gastrectomy http://www.whittington.nhs.uk/document.ashx?id=1948 Northwest Obesity Center – Laparoscopic Gastric Sleeve Diet http://www.northwestobesitysurgery.com/pdf/sleeve-gastrectomy-diet.pdf Peachtree Bariatrics – Gastric Sleeve Patient Manual Guide http://www.peachtreebariatrics.com/docs/Gastric-Sleeve-Patient-Manual.pdf Pinnacle Health (Australia) - Sleeve Gastrectomy Surgery Patient Manual (Word Doc, must be downloaded, cannot be read online) http://www.pinnaclehealth.org/pinnacle/media/Images/Sleeve-Gastrectomy-Patient-Manual.doc St. George Obesity Surgery (Australia) - Sleeve Gastrectomy Pre and Post Operative Information for Patients http://www.stgeorgeobesitysurgery.com.au/pdf/sleeve-gastrectomy-booklet.pdf St. Joseph's Healthcare Hamilton (Canada) – Bariatric Surgery Guidebook http://www.stjoes.ca/media/PatientED/U-Z/PD%206000%20Bariatric%20Surgery%20-%20Gastric%20Bypass%20February%2029%202012.pdf University of Missouri - Guidelines Before & After Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy http://www.muhealth.org/documents/bariatric/Bariatric%20Booklet%20VSG.pdf Upper Gastro Intestinal Surgery (Dr. Talbot, Australia) - Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy for Weight Loss http://www.uppergisurgery.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/sleeve-2011.pdf Virginia Hospital Center - Your Complete Guide for Nutrition and Exercise Following Sleeve Gastrectomy http://www.surgicalassociatesvhc.com/Nutrition-and-Exercise-following-Sleeve-Gastrectomy-82011.pdf Walter Reed - Nutritional Guidelines Handbook http://www.wrnmmc.capmed.mil/Health%20Services/Surgery/Surgery/Bariatric%20Surgery/Shared%20Documents/Nutr%20Guidelines%20Section%20Handbook.pdf Walter Reed – Nutrition for Bariatric Surgery Presentation http://www.wrnmmc.capmed.mil/Health%20Services/Surgery/Surgery/Bariatric%20Surgery/Shared%20Documents/Nutrition%20for%20Bariatric%20Surgery%20Presentation.pdf

After more than two years post-op and almost three years on this board, I've decided to create a blog. I never made one before because I didn't want the responsibility of keeping up with new entries and dreaming up fresh and exciting content to share. But I've come to recognize that blogs, even when they are abandoned, can provide a permanent link to some great information. So, I'm going to use my blog to answer questions that I see come up over and over in the online VSG community. I'll put each topic in a separate entry so they are easy to link to. A bit about me: I'm a retired techie. I wrote techincal documentation for end-users, administrators, and programmers. I also worked on websites and UI design. After retiring, one of my projects was getting healthy. After years of trying to lose weight including a stint with Weight Watchers in person, Weight Watchers online, hiring a personal trainer, hypnosis, and a brief fling with Alli, I decided to try weight loss surgery. At first, I wanted the band. After learning more about it, I decided on the sleeve. I had VSG through Kaiser Fremont in May 2011. I got to my personal goal in March 2012. I've been staying there since. I hope you find the information I provide useful. Lynda

Here's an interesting article about why some may have a hard time losing or maintaining (spoiler alert: it's gut bacteria!): http://www.motherjones.com/environment/2013/04/gut-microbiome-bacteria-weight-loss?page=1 Lynda

Congrats! Lynda

Coops! Congrats on 21 months of no regain! I've loved sharing the journey with you. I'm hoping the 5:2 will be the silver bullet for you. Either way, I'm with you: I like Coops! Lynda

I went cold turkey. I was miserable but so glad I got it out of the way pre op. I love my coffee. I drank decaf till I was cleared for coffee again at 3 months post op Lynda

Congrats Grace!! I like the occasional odd outfit and I just wear it loud and proud no matter what anyone says. Can't wait to see a few pics of the new you. Lynda

I was sleeved at 54. Check out my before and after pictures in my gallery! I think I look younger. I sure feel younger! Lynda

My Dr. let me go back to the gym at 6 weeks, but he specifically said to avoid the ab exercises for longer. I started doing ab exercises at about 12 weeks. Lynda

This forum is not private because it contains valuable information for newbies. It's not a forum to vent about newbies, but a forum for vets to find support and information. It also gives newbies a window into what life will be like further down the post-op road. Lynda

Everyone's program is different. Mine allowed fruits after week 2, and I ate tiny amounts of them. I got my Protein in first and that very little room for anything else. Measure your fruit. The best way is to weigh it. 100 grams ( a little over 3 oz.) has 46 calories. Only exercise I got at a month out was walking. I wasn't cleared for the gym till after week 6. Stay on your eating plan and the stall will go away. Lynda

Be happy to! I'm not sure exactly what equates to soft food because each program is different, so you may not be able to eat all of these: 1% Fat Cottage Cheese: 1/2 cup has 81 calories and 14 grams of Protein Fage 0 Greek Yogurt: 1/2 cup has 65 calories and 12 grams protein 98% Fat Free Ham Lunchmeat (costco brand): 25 calories per ounce and 5 grams of protein Most cooked chicken breast meat: 46 calories and 9 grams of protein per ounce Dungeness Crabmeat: 30 calories and 6 grams of protein per ounce Cooked Shrimp: 25 calories and 5 grams of protein per ounce Dennison's 98% Fat Free Chili (now marketed as Fat Free Chili): 1/2 cup has 105 calories and 10 grams of protein Anderson Split Pea Soup with Bacon: 1/2 cup has 70 calories and 5 grams of protein Frigo Lowfat string cheese: 50 calories and 7 grams of protein eggs ( I don't like eggs but I can't leave them out of this list!): 80 calories and 6 grams of protein

I agree that she should be reported. You are not the only person she has done that to. I wouldn't have said much to her F2F. Everyone has a right to their opinion, but it a medical setting, it is not her right to express personal opinions. Lynda

I eat Beans now that I can eat more food. I have seen lots of people who eat refried beans early out, but I preferred more dense Protein with less calories.I did eat low fat turkey and beef chili with beans. Lynda

I used unjury chicken flavored and GNC's Gold Standard Whey Protein in Vanilla. My trainer recommended the GNC Gold Standard Whey and my Dr. recommended the Unjury because I had a problem with lactose post-op. Lynda

Not everyone struggles with fluids. Some people do not have as much post-op swelling and they can fluids down easier. It doesn't mean you won't have restriction when you start solid foods. And not everyone loses their hunger. Are you on a PPI, such as Prilosec? If not, you may have excess stomach acid which makes you feel hungry. Ask your Dr. about a PPI if you are not taking one. If you are taking a PPI, you may need a different one. Some people are stuck with the hungry feeling, but most report it is better when you can eat solids. Lynda

I started right around 40 too. I simply couldn't get under 200 lbs after years of trying, including Weight Watchers in person, Weight Watchers online, hypnotherapy, cognitive behavior therapy, 3x per week with a personal trainer, and a brief stint with Alli pills. This surgery was my "hail mary" to regain my health. Lots of people told me I was too small. I told them "My doctor and I have decided this is the best option for my health." This surgery forces you to change the way you eat for a while. It carries very real risks. It can be expensive. Only you can decide if it is the right option for you. Lynda

I know that fear. I'm still worried about year 3-4. I've seen a couple of long term post-ops say that it's harder to lose any little gains then. I reset my bounce range to be more like yours - just two lbs over goal. I had set my range for 130-40, with 135 my goal. I have only dipped below 134 when I first went into maintenance. I got up to 140 around the holidays last year and I realized that setting my range for 5 lbs over goal allowed too many junk food parties. So my current bounce range is 133-137. That stress/guilt cycle definitely needs to go! I've got two thoughts that help me with that, both from online WLS groups. One is from writergirl, who has recently posted a couple of thoughtful entries on her journey. She mentioned that she realized self soothing should not be self destructive. And the other is from Elina over at the OH VSG board: "You can't hate yourself thin." Next time you are feeling bad, channel that acquaintance and look at yourself with those eyes and those thoughts. I love having this vets area to talk about long term struggles. Lynda

My weight watchers coach once said a weight loss journey has to be "all about me" and she was so right. You have to be the one to decide. You could take him to the pre-op appts with you or to a support group meeting. Lynda