PdxMan

Welcome to BariatricPal. This is a great forum to research and ask any questions you may have regarding WLS procedures. The search functionality it great to put in search terms you need more info on or are just curious about. There are several sub-forums you have already seen, so go explore and check it out. Welcome again.

Figured out how to merge the threads. I was in Siesta Key a few years ago. That beach is just bizarre. Highly recommend a visit to anyone. Your lucky you got that poison ivy just on your arms!

Having a bad day? Where did I cast judgement? You must be judging yourself and feeling guilty because at no time did judge anyone. Yes, I judged a potato as not having the bang for it's real estate buck, but that's it. I was talking to the OP. They asked me what I thought about mashed potatoes. I gave my opinion. Check yourself. Of course, always follow your medical team's suggestion. If you have a list of suggested foods and are following it, then I'd say you are good to go.

Mashed potatoes ... what is the point? Eating SOMETHING for the sake of eating SOMETHING? I mean, come on ... those things are nutritionally irrelevant for the amount of real estate they take up for a young sleever. No Protein. Amount Per 0.5 cup, diced (75 g)100 grams1 Potato small (1-3/4" to 2-1/2" dia) (170 g)1 Potato medium (2-1/4" to 3-1/4" dia) (213 g)1 Potato large (3" to 4-1/4" dia) (369 g)1 Potato medium (2-1/4" to 3-1/4" dia) (213 g) Calories 163 % Daily Value* Total Fat 0.2 g 0% Saturated fat 0.1 g 0% Polyunsaturated fat 0.1 g Monounsaturated fat 0 g Cholesterol 0 mg 0% Sodium 13 mg 0% Potassium 897 mg 25% Total Carbohydrate 37 g 12% Dietary fiber 4.7 g 18% Sugar 1.7 g Protein 4.3 g 8% Vitamin A 0% Vitamin C 70% Calcium 2% Iron 9% Vitamin D 0% Vitamin B-6 30% Vitamin B-12 0% Magnesium 12% Who here can eat a whole potato? Grab a piece of ham or turkey. Spread a little cream cheese on it. Got Soup? Turkey chili with veggies in it and you can puree it to whatever consistency you need. Got tuna? Put a little ranch in there and put it on a piece of sharp cheddar. It is a huge learning curve, for sure. For me, I had to remember that what I had been doing for the past 40+ years was wrong and I needed to change it. Things only change when you change them.

Sorry but that last statement is not true...You can die as a result of this surgery. The complications can lead to death...I know I almost died. My surgeon was very clear before he did this procedure that I knew there was a small chance that I could die...I almost did!!!! The fact is though that only a small percentage do die....Every surgery is a risk.....even having your teeth removed...There are numbers out there to support it... Some day I will tell my story in print so that I may help educate people about what can happen... But I have no regrets. I see this surgery as a miracle that gave me back my life although a year + out I am still struggling with the complications of WLS... I think you miss understood my last very last point, my dr said I would not die, not the rest of the population , just a conversation pertaining to me; however he did make it well know. That I could die from complications after the surgery for the first 8 weeks! My statement wasn't untrue , not at all! He was talking to me, but I picked amazing drs that are confident an do not do any procedures unless they feel the outcome will be a success! That being said, any procedure can become fatal! Knowing 49 people that have died from wls is insane to all of us! Point is, the lady is a crack pipe! Sorry, I have to agree with RJ here. For your Dr to say that you will not die from ANY surgery is ridiculous and irresponsible. If my Dr were to say that to me, then I would love to see his reaction when I refused to sign the consent forms releasing him and the hospital if "anything should happen". There was an article in CNN today about someone who they are ready to pull the plug on after having a routine tonsillectomy. I recall a fire fighter who died from having surgery on his wrist a few years ago. People do die from routine procedures all the time. For the doctor to say you will not die from this surgery is just plain wrong. And I am talking about you, not the population as a whole. Your statement wasn't untrue ... we believe your doctor told you this. We just believe it is untrue that it is possible to guarantee a person will wake up from ANY surgery, not just VSG. And I don't know if the blogger is a crack pipe, but I will put her in the bucket of a crack pot, anyday. (I know, auto-correct makes me crazy, too) http://www.cnn.com/2013/12/19/health/routine-surgery-complications/index.html?hpt=hp_t3

If you are throwing them back up, then you may also take a look at some other things. How well are you chewing? Are you taking smaller bites? Are you putting your utensil down after you take your bite? Do you evaluate how that last bite felt before taking another? You can't eat the same way you did before and that is a difficult aspect to modify. Doing this will help with reintroduction of foods.

Mine was discovered during surgery as I had no scope prior to surgery. Like Arts said, added minimal time to surgery. Non issue. I also haven't had any issues with reflux. That was a big issue for me pre-surgery.

Uhhh ... no its not: http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/bougie?s=t The 34Fr or 34F part is the unit of measure, meaning 32 french, which is the unit of measure.

Have you contacted your medical team? They are going to be your first, best spot for advice as they know your medical history and what your recent blood work looked like. That would be my first advice. Are you meeting your liquid intake goals they set for you? How about Protein? What is your caloric intake? To prevent dehydration and ending up in the ER, you need to be getting those liquids in. If Water isn't working for you, get some Gatorade or the like. Try different temperatures. Have a bottle with you all through the day. Set a timer on your phone for 15 minute intervals to help remind you. Find ways to ensure you are getting your liquid in. Diarrhea is common post op as your body has no solids to process. This can suddenly change to constipation, so be wary of this. Contact your medical team and follow their advice.

I love the Trader Joes Turkey Jerky. Any flavor.

I don't know what it is about eggs. Must be the high Protein or something, but I was the same way. A lot of folks can handle them fine, but like you, I could not. I can eat them now, but they still do not satiate me the way they used to. I think in part because I loved me some bread, hash browns, sausage and bacon with them, too. Today, I could have about two bites of each, one if I include the toast. This is a whole new process for you. Experiment with foods and find what you can tolerate. Don't push the reintroduction of foods too hard. Their day will come.

Indeed. Getting your liquids in should be your first priority, then your protein, then calories. You can end up in the ER with an IV bag due to dehydration, but being short on protein isn't going to lay you out. I know early out I felt like all I did was sip and eat, sip and eat. Made me crazy. I was dying for anything with texture. But, this too shall pass. Just keep sipping and eating. You'll be fine.

Also know that Protein is more difficult to process. Now, I know it is a liquid, but we're talking about 30 grams of protein here. Heck. I just finished off a chocolate Premier Protein shake myself not 45 minutes ago. I am quite full. From a shake! They are filling, make no doubt about it. More filling than any other shake I have tried. If liquids were liquids, then it is easy to think it should feel just like drinking a glass of Water or Gatorade, but anybody who has had a Premier Protein shake can tell you, they are very filling.

I hear you, Roo. Personally, I think a lot of those test pre-op are completely unnecessary. Myself, I did not have a scope at all. When I asked my surgeon about it, he said he would be looking at everything when the procedure started. If there was something extraordinary, he would stop, but he has done so many of these procedures, there really wasn't anything he couldn't deal with. He was going to get a better, more complete analysis with all the tools the procedure provided anyhow. I also didn't have a leak test post, which, after his explanation made a lot of sense. The tissue is so swollen anyhow post surgery, it wouldn't reveal a leak if there was one. Having a leak test post op come back negative was no assurance that a leak would not develop, so why even do one? Made sense to me. I was self pay, so of course, my surgeon is looking to keep costs down, but when the insurance IS involved, just the opposite can occur. Somebody else is footing the bill, so LET'S ORDER EVERY TEST UNDER THE SUN! At the end of the day, we have to research our surgeon and the procedure ourselves. Have done that, we then need to believe they are going to give us the best care, but of course, questioning anything that doesn't seem right. Everything you have described about your friend doesn't seem too far out of the ordinary which you will see as you continue to read similar threads on this site. Good luck to you and your friend!

Are you starting each meal with Protein? I know for me, it makes a huge difference. Early out, I also avoided the starchy carbs as I have found they are a trigger for cravings, which can easily be misinterpreted as hunger. I wrote a reply on another thread recently where I reflect on eating out of habit rather than being hungry. When I come home from work, I usually have a snack. cheese on a cracker or something like that. But the other day when I came home late because of the office holiday party, I did the same thing. Went to the cupboard to grab the crackers, but the thing was, I wasn't truly hungry. I had just eaten turkey and ham at the party and was quite full still, but out of habit, I went and grabbed something to eat. So, this is something that I have to be constantly vigilant of. I am eating because I am truly hungry or am I eating for another reason? I am my own worst enemy. When I do the right things, though, like eating my lean protein, it is easier for me to put down whatever else I am wanting to put in my mouth.

Not to be curt, but it happened because you just had 85% of your stomach removed. For a few more weeks, your stomach is going to still be swollen from the surgery. Just imagine what things look like in there now. It is not the cavernous entity it once was. With it being swollen, there are going to be pockets of air (gurgles) all over and as you and it moves, these are going to move. Yes, for a while it is going to be a bit uncomfortable. Let's not forget what we just went through. 85% of your stomach ... gone. The uncomfortable issues do pass, but I am almost 2 and half years out and my wife is still amused by all the noises my stomach makes. Small price to pay.

Have you been to Eggface's site? http://theworldaccordingtoeggface.blogspot.com/

Well, this could be a lot of things. Of course, my first piece of advice would be to contact your medical team. If for nothing else, keep them abreast of how you are and any issues you are having. They know your medical history while we don't. Are you able to get your liquids in? How about eating? What are you eating? How many calories are you getting in each day? If you aren't meeting your Dr's quotas on these, this would be where I would start focusing.

Oh no, I am not implying that at all. I love your shares. I'm talking about myself.

Indeed such deep thoughts. So, you know puberty? I have a daughter embarking on this journey right now, so I am learning that I know nothing. Isn't it amazing how, in our children's eyes, the older we get, the dumber we are. I suppose, to a point, that is true. But anyhew, the topic. Like most things in life, there is no finish line. It is about the journey. Just when I think I have something under control, if I leave myself teachable, I learn something else. I think that is the key for me right there. Being teachable. If I believe like I "Got this", then I lose my ability to learn something else. Worse yet, I begin to tell everybody else how to do it, no matter what it is, which takes me and my ego down a dark path. So, I try to enjoy the journey and leave myself open to being teachable.

McButterpants and I had the same surgeon, so, I, too, was outpatient. (My that was a lot of commas ... did I use them correctly?) In at 6:00 and back at the Golden Nugget taking a nap at noon. But that was our surgeon, not anybody else's. Each surgeon is going to have a protocol they are familiar and comfortable with. I don't know about you, but I want my surgeon to be as comfortable as can be when they are working inside me. Just because one surgeon does it one way versus another doesn't necessarily make it better. They are going to make these decisions based on a number of things most of which we are not privy to. So, as I'm sure you have read on these forums many times, comparing yourself to others does absolutely no good. Why were you on a 10 day liquid diet and your friend was able to enjoy lean cuisines? Because that is what each doctor has recommended before and it has sized the patient's liver to a size they are comfortable working with. Why do some people get a catheter and other's not, especially when the surgery is only supposed to be less than 45 minutes? Because that particular doctor knows that if the surgery should go longer, they don't want to take the time to catheterize you mid-process. They just want to eliminate the hassle by just doing it, while others are fine pausing for a catheter insertion, again, if needed. Why the drain for some and not for others? Because each has witnessed different results using them. There is a tipping point for using drains as there is also the belief that drains themselves can cause issues, so one has to way the risk/benefit of using them. It would appear laparoscopic VSG is one of those procedures that sits on the fence. As far as how we react to anesthesia and surgery, well ... that is a highly individual thing. Two people can undergo the exact same process by the exact same surgeon and have two completely different outcomes. I couldn't drink hardly a thing afterwards, but I have always been a sweller. Meaning, that my body gets swollen easily by the least bit of trauma. I know this attributed to my inability to drink early on, but of course, I got past it. You say you don't want to be a negative Nelly and want to truly be happy for your friend, then do just that. ** EDIT ** So, I just re-read this and I can see where it could be interpreted as coming off harsh, but my intent and tone is just the opposite. I just want you to be focused on your journey and make the decisions that are right for you. When we start to compare ourselves we often take the track of being "less than", and that, for me, is just one aspect of my destructive behavior.

I went to Dr Thomas Umbach in Las Vegas. I had a great experience with him and would highly recommend him. He has a cash price of $10,400 and also has financing option available. There are several of his patients on here. Do a search for his name. You will find great reviews. I am over 2 years out and still have excellent restriction. I lost 120# and have been at goal for quite a while, now. Plus ... you get a mini vacation in Vegas. I took the wife and stayed at the Golden Nugget, $44 a night. I used miles to fly there, but usually airfare to Vegas is pretty cheap. We rented a car off Hotwire for less than $100. Pretty easy decision for me and absolutely no regrets.

At 6 months post is when I started to lose my hair. I thought I had it nailed as I was taking Biotin, Vitamins and getting all of my protein/water in. If you go back 2 years on this site, I'm sure you can find some snarky posts from me stating I had found the answer to avoiding hair loss. Then, I started noticing hair on the shower floor. It continued until I had lost about 50% which was about 3 months time. Good news is, it all came back, and then some. I think the biotin helped generate more hair all over my body as I have never been hairier as I am now. So, I think there are people who can go through this process without losing their hair, but they are the exception. IMO, the hair loss occurs as a result of the rapid weight loss. Hormones are stored in your fat and when they are released in relatively large amounts due to rapid weight loss, your body reacts. If you were perhaps not so compliant with your post-operative guidelines and lost weight at a slow rate, I'm guessing you could get around the hair loss thing, too. But, I also believe you have an optimum window for weight loss, so once you get a little ways post-op, weight loss is going to be harder and you risk not reaching your goals. From what I understand though, is it isn's so much about the hair loss, as we constantly are losing hair, but it is more the fact the next hair growth cycle doesn't begin, and this is due to the higher hormone levels. I am not a Dr, but this all kind of makes sense to me.

I agree with Laura and others who feel this article is written by someone with very skewed feelings. It is not objective whatsoever. I love how she relates this story: I have mixed feelings on this. First off, anybody who even is sitting in pre-op not knowing what the side effects are should be denied the surgery due to sheer stupidity. Really? You are going to have a surgery and not have a clue as to what is going to happen? Ok ... sure ... let's just believe that for a second and combine it with a medical team who is not going to mention anything about possible side effects. If you don't know the side effects of ANYTHING a medical professional is doing to you, then sorry, you shouldn't be getting the procedure. Come back when you have done your research. As far as the sexual dysfunction, I would love to see what her research in to male ED revealed. It is an easy search to conduct but again, this would not support her skewed view on WLS, so of course, she doesn't report on this. I'm not saying there aren't men with decreased performance post WLS, but the research suggests their issues may only by tangentially related to WLS. More likely other underlying issues were present. The bottom line is you will always be able to find the contrarian viewpoints on any topic and when they deal with personal issues, they will be even more stauncher in their defence. God bless them. The world needs people like Rush Limbaugh in the world ... right? Hmmm ...

Wow, 14 hours. That is quite the day of travel. The tight feeling in the morning is just a part of the healing process. It will pass. You may want to try your liquid at a warmer temperature. I drank room temperature Gatorade for the first couple weeks as if it was cold, I couldn't get it down. Water wasn't even an option for me unless it was about an ounce.