PdxMan

Just be diligent in removing the strands, and I think you'll be fine. For me, the cost/benefit analysis shows it is too much work for the amount of flavor celery provides. But my celery de-stranding skills are a bit lacking.

Brat, I heard the sirens Sunday and read the story online. I'm guessing you're the 4 adults and 2 dogs? I'm sorry this happened so close to your surgery. As pointed out, stress can add another complication to recovery, so weigh your options carefully. Let me know if there is anything I can do to assist online or locally.

That reaction is called The Slimes. For me, and from my research on the topic from here, it occurs when eating something too quickly, too large of a bite or not chewing enough. Do a search on the forum for slimes. Sorry that happened to you, but it only happened to me once, as I am sure you are not looking for a repeat. Good luck!

My NUT told me to avoid bread, rice and pastas for at least 3 months as those items, once in the stomach, actually expand. This limits the amount of space in your stomach, which should be utilized by Protein and good carbs. For me, even at 3 months bread was very uncomfortable. I have just recently, at 6 months out, been OK having a couple bites, but my tastes have changed and I really no longer crave bread like I used to. But at 3 weeks out ... wow. And that is on the NUT's diet plan ...? My NUT's plan was pureed Soups and cottage cheese. Breads and alike were 3 months out. You might want to give them a buzz and clarify.

Like Rootman posted, coconut is the other fibrous food my NUT mentioned to avoid.

Anderson, check this thread out. http://www.verticalsleevetalk.com/topic/28313-can-we-get-back-to-support-and-stop-attacking-each-other-please/page__fromsearch__1 I think there are some good posts in there.

I quote other's post to put my reply in the proper context. Sometimes, I am replying to the original poster's topic, other times, I may be replying to a response to that original post, which I will then perhaps quote that response for clarity. I think it is important though, if you are not quoting the entire post, to be sure not to exclude anything remotely important. When in doubt, over-quote. I can't say I have really seen users use a quote to make their own post seem more important, though. It just helps to clarify what their response refers to.

Back off Anderson, this is her thread. She is the original poster. What are you bitter and jealous about? Don't post here. You have already hijacked this thread enough.

Just because something I post might hit home hard for you doesn't mean it is any less true or may help someone out. Are you going to argue the point that there is a population out there that think all they have to do is get a WLS surgery and sit back and all their weight loss issues are solved? Do you really believe 5 years from now it is going to be totally easy to maintain whatever weight you are at? I know a lot of people DON'T like my posts. I also know a lot of people DO like my posts. They are honest and straightforward. I don't pull any punches. I also don't talk out of my @$$ about things I don't know about or don't have enough experience in. If you think I am off base, please, by all means, let me know. But let's not hijack this thread. Either create a new thread in the Rants section for a public discussion or send me a message for a private one.

They are probably sitting in your stomach. My NUT says it can build up over time.

Yup, exactly what I'm talkin' about! I try to set myself up for success as best I can because Lord knows it's easy for me to fail. Either you don't think we should add our opinions or you should have an opinion on every topic ... I'm not sure. But why be cryptic? No need to hide behind private messages. Say what is on your mind, Anderson.

I just want to echo what Rootman said. My NUT told me the same thing. If I want celery, I have to remove all the strands. If you don't believe us, do a Google search on Celery and Bezoar. Remember, your stomach is the mechanical part of digestion, the intestines do the absorption. Your stomach does not have the mechanical abilities it once had.

... or maybe, he knows what he's talking about. I'm guessing he had his surgery awhile ago. He may also be treating many other pre/post WLS patients and have some objective insight to the whole process. We are all pretty green here and very quick to jump up and yell, "VSG IS THE GREATEST THING EVER!!" I said the the same thing about my first wife, and, well ... that honeymoon is over and I am wiser for it. I agree with you Rosey, one meeting can't be enough to determine this guy's worth. As for everyone else who thinks WLS is the silver bullet to solve all of their weight issues and they don't have to do anything else, well ... this honeymoon will also end one day. Do you have the tools in place to ensure your success? I'm not implying I do, but I do know that by itself, WLS does not work. It is a tool that I need to learn how to use. Sorry, don't mean to be contrarion, but I think he might have something there.

Yes, I had the same exactly. It wasn't terrible pain, just very uncomfortable. It takes a couple weeks, but it will pass. If you think about it, they *pulled* your stomach down so the portion sticking up over your diaphragm is back in the cavity and then repaired the gaping hole left by sewing the diaphragm close to your esophogus. There is going to be some adjustment to how things go down now. It's ALL different down there.

Yup, I didn't even know I had one. The surgeon fixed it when he was in there. I always had terrible reflux pre-surgery and have not had one bout of it post. I hiatal hernia is when the stomach has pushed up through the diaphram. The surgeon will pull it down and sew the opening tighter. I consider it a bonus free-b. I'm sure there's lots of good info out there on The Google.

search the site for ketosis. Lots of posts about it and how it makes your taste buds funky.

I wouldn't worry too much about it. It sounds to me like eating the chicken with the cottage cheese, everything is just slidding through. I can sit down and eat 8 oz of chili, no problem. Has meat, Beans, veggies ... and liquid ... ahh ... open, little pyloric valve ... OPEN. Now, if I have a piece of chicken or fish, I can have about 2-3 oz. Nowhere near the same amount of food and then I am STUFFED. Difference? No liquid. If you are looking to feel restriction, you can't have liquids with your meal. But you are only a month out. When you get to eating solid-solid food, stay away from liquids with your meal, whether that be a glass of Water, or liquids in the meal itself, and you will feel the restriction.

Check your local library for Wii game rental. Ours has them all. You can check them out for free, and if you like them, go buy them.

I asked before my surgery. Mine used a size 34 and he told me post that he was able to do a nice, tight staple line. Even if they use a size xx, it doesn't necessarily mean they were able to sew it tight up against it. It is merely a guide.

Hmmm ... if she was looking to lost fat, I would tell her to get a VSG!! LOL I thought she was asking about toning. Congrats on your toning Rootman. I, too, have been hitting it hard. Haven't been able to do the swimming, though. I like swimming, but I am enjoying running an awful lot.

Not quite true. There is no such thing as spot reducing. You can certainly spot tone. Your article supports this, too. And think about it. If you do nothing but arm curls, your arms are going to be far better toned than your legs. Of course, you have to reduce to get to that point where you can see the toning, which is not possible to do in spots.

You just have to know your limits, which you will. In my situation, I had just had another procedure and was on pain meds, so those kinda masked the restriction feeling. I went back to my old habit of taking too large of bites and not chewing enough. The good news is, it only took once to snap me back to reality. It is definately something I don't want to experience again.

Walking is for sure the best way to start. Keep pushing your distance and pace and then you can advance from there. For those unable to start by walking, there are the stretchy bands at Target, Walmart ... wherever and you can do band exercises from your couch. Google band exercises for routines.

All you need it one session with a trainer to learn how to do the exercises correctly. Should set you back only about $25-$30 for a 1 hour session. Surely you are saving more than that on food each month ... right? And, you want to be productive with your time at the gym, too, right? You'd hate to be going for a month and then learn you could have been twice as productive if you had just been doing _____. For me, everything has shrunk, well, almost everything (see The Man's Room). Arms, calves, rear, feet, hands ... everything. Toning will always look better than not. If you absolutely don't want a trainer, I'm sure there are some videos out on YouTube related to calf toning.

Always check with your CPA if there is any doubt about taxes whether it be about medical expenses or whatever. My sister was audited and trust me, that is not the enema you want. BTW, I believe it is based on your ADJUSTED GROSS income, but again, don't take my word for it ...