PdxMan

$10,400 for VSG in Las Vegas (baby!) No hoops at all.

Pink, did you have a hiatal hernia repair?

Mamamia, I suggest going to a running store and have your gait analyzed to ensure you have the right shoe to support you. It can make all the difference in the world as far as injuries, comfort and ability to go that extra mile. Having the right shoe not only impacts the feet, but the knees and hips, too. They can ensure proper alignment during walking or running. You don't have to buy them there, either. They will analyze your gait for free and tell you whether your feet: pronate, supinate or a neutral gait. Then you can go online or whereever you want and get the shoe you need.

Do you think you have changed how you eat? I have to take smaller bites and chew really well. I also wait about a minute or so for the last bite to go down before I take the next bite. Basically, I set the fork down. I think if I took the same size bites and chewed the way I did before, I would feel the same way.

I was in the same boat. The Protein drinks I loved pre-op were intolerable a week post-op. I tried several and settled on Premier Protein drinks from costco. I hear what you are saying regarding spending the $$ to find a drink that works for you. I probably dropped $100 in my search, but, I found one that works. You have Costco not too far from you. Give them a try. They are very light-weight and not sweet, IMO. I usually tell people not to worry about protein the first week or so and to concentrate more on the liquids, but you are getting to the point where protein is a necessity.

Seems they should be able to do some kind of x-ray/sonagram/scan thingy to see exactly where the staples are in relation to where the VSG stitch line would be ... seems a prudent course to take. I would ask him if there was any way to scan externally to see where they were at. Don't ever feel bad for questioning a Dr. They are still human and don't always think everything through. I could tell you stories ...

I was about 8 weeks post-op when I started. Probably could have started a bit earlier, but that was when it felt right.

Well ... it depends. Tell us about your calories. If you are getting 1200 calories eating ice cream, chocolate and potato chips, then yes ... there is a problem. If you are getting them eating chicken, shrimp and tuna, then that tells us something entirely different. Are you exercising? Are you drinking with your meals? Are you eating lean Protein first? What are you eating on an average day?

Check this out: http://www.verticalsleevetalk.com/topic/33349-1200-1500-caloriesreally/page__p__291866#entry291866 Do a search on basal metabolic rate, too. Google or here. Exercise is always a good thing ... even if you don't see the scale move. Get spinning.

I believe Brat suggested Sunday, the 27th ... I have a race I am running Sunday ... rats!

You should talk to your medical team. They are the ones setting your diet. Follow what they say. If there is an issue, you don't want to be outside of their guidelines.

Well ... I guess it depends on what you call a snack. Which is a snack? A banana or a piece of cake? Are they both Snacks or is one a continuation of the last meal? How do you want to justify it? That is the question. For me, I don't know where the last meal ends and the snack begins. Or, where the snack ends and the next meal begins. I do take half hour breaks and take half an hour to drink a glass of Water. I suppose that is what I consider my delimeter. Should I call what is in between a snack or is it just another meal and I eat 5 times a day instead of 3. I think the bottom line is that as long as what you are eating is healthy, you are fine. Stay within the rules: No drinking with or within half an hour of your meal Eat lean Protein first Exercise Now, if your eating chips ... yeah, that's a snack. chocolate chip Cookies ... yeah, that's a snack. But do we have to stay away from all snacking ... yeah, right. Sorry, I am human and I am going to have a snack. Moderation is the key.

I am 10.5 months out. There is nothing I can't eat, but (usually) my choices are far healthier now and my portion sizes are far, far smaller. Today: Breakfast: Premeir Protein shake AM Snack: Banana, half slice of cinnamon/apple bread Lunch: Leftover shrimp fajita with a small piece of homemade naan bread (super easy BTW) I have about 6 oz of lunch, so it will take me the rest of the afternoon to eat it all, but I am going to the club tonight for an intense workout, so I need the calories. Usually, I would have an apple, orange and prunes. When I get home from the club, I will probably have a romain/spinach salad with ham and blue cheese crumbles with a honey mustard dressing. I'll finish the night with a small bowl of ice cream or some crackers and cheese.

So, yesterday, I had my annual physical. I had to do the fasting blood test. Had nothing to eat since 8:00 the night before. Had the Dr appt and went down to get the blood draw around 10:00 am, about 14 hours since I had anything to eat. While I was sitting there, I did a little self assessment. Was I hungry? In the conventional, pre-sleeve sense, I could honestly answer: No. Did I need food? Yes So, what was I feeling? Pre-sleeve, the hunger, after 14 hours, would be intense. The craving for anything would be huge. It would have been all I could think about. I was no where near that. What I felt was a lack of nutrition. My body felt drained. Now, was that a sugar low? Probably. I don't know for sure, but I do know I could have gone several more hours without eating. It wouldn't have been healthy, but 11 months ago, I would have torn down walls to get to the cafeteria. How much of that is mental vs physical? I don't know. But what I do know is I don't have those feelings anymore. Also know that I am a very active sleever who pretty much eats and drinks all day long to get the calories and nutrition in my body needs to maintain this level. I was able to cut my intake out for 14 hours and mentally, I was fine.

Trust me ... they won't. I'm glad to see you realize that. It is a necessary revelation. And the fingers pointed at your hubby are not of your concern. Work on those pointed at you. Those are the ones you can change. That is your side of the street to keep clean. He is responsible for his side of the street. Keep yours clean and he might like the look of yours and decide to clean things up a bit.

I talk about it a bit on my blog. As Wheetsin points out, it does get easier, but for intense activity, you do have to make some adjustments to the frequency of drinking. Where before you could go on a half an hour run without bringing hydration, now you need to bring it. You will learn the new signals your body gives you.

Well, thanks, ladies. My wife thinks I share a little too much sometimes, but if my blunders and triumphs can help anybody, then it's worth it. I have been down ... suicidal, in fact back when I has going through this experience 10+ years ago. It's a tough path when you think the world is against you and there's nothing you can do. Ooffa, you can't change your husband and it is silly to think you can. I'm not saying he won't change, but it goes back to what I was saying earlier. Things only change when things change. There's an old saying about the definition of insanity ... "Doing the same things over and over again, but expecting different results." It is so true. Sometimes to initiate change, we have to lead by example. If your behavior doesn't change, why do you expect your husband's to change?

I agree with CowGirlJane. This is about yourself. I wouldn't be asking your husband for a divorce tonight ... but you do need to address how you cope with stress. Hormones are stored in fat which is being flushed at a rate never seen before in your body. You are going through changes which can't be ignored. Going to a therapist tonight with your husband is great, just keep an open mind. Again, this is about yourself. It is not your children's or husband's fault you smoke to deal with stress.

Believe me ... I was scared $h!tless. But I had to do it. I had to make a change and things weren't going to change doing what I was doing.

I just want to start out by saying my comments are based in concern for you and your family's well-being. I'm not the kind of person who gives back-rubs and says, "Don't worry honey, everything is going to be alright." There is a forum on here that discusses cross addictions. This is a common issue for not only folks who may have abused food, but others recovering from other addictions. Recovering alchoholics turning to gambling ... gamblers turning to eating ... It is based in the allusion that this is something you can control or it gives you control over something else. Many people have said (and it has come out of my mouth years ago) that you cannot get addicted to pot. While that may be true directly, the coping mechanism can be addictive. It is a way to tune out of your stressfull life, but when you come down, the problem/stress is still there but usually it is even worse because time has passed. So, instead of dealing with the stress head on, you go back to your coping mechanism and the problem remains. A little over 10 years ago I went through this with alchohol and pot. I didn't get my mail for weeks because there were so many bills waiting for me. I had to park my car in different locations because it was going to be re-possessed. I didn't accept phone calls from hardly anyone. I was spiraling out of control and it was only going one direction ... straight down. How could I really expect things to get better when I didn't deal with them. A bill doesn't get paid while it sits in the mailbox. Laundry doesn't get clean if it never makes it into the washing machine. I went to therapy to get some direction. First step was to get sober and off of the alchohol and pot. 1 week in rehab. Saved my life. The councelors helped me organize all of my issues and make a plan to address them all. Next step was to do it. Actually make the calls and talk to the people. First step was to break up with my girlfriend as she was bringing me down and keeping me in this world of dependence and not dealing with my life. Second was to go to 12 step meetings. Third, see a therapist. Doing this allowed me to deal with all of my creditors, have a relationship with family members and most importantly, with myself. I didn't have to lie anymore to anybody. I started to have a better self-image. I was making good decisions in my life and things were working out for me. Over the years I have been slowly working on improving myself with my latest project being my weight. Started at just under 300 and am now just under 180. Feeling great about myself and my life. But believe me ... it could have never happened if I didn't deal with my issues instead of trying to escape from them. Now is your chance. It is up to you and you alone to make a change. Things only change when you change them. Your choice. Nobody else is going to do it for you and it's nobody else's fault except your own. Inaction or action. Choose now.

I have one that is raised, but I hate to admit this ... I kinda pick at it. I know ... gross ... but, we try to be truthful here as it may help someone else. I'm a picker, though. Scabs, fingernails ... drives my wife nuts. I should just put some ointment and a bandaid on it and leave it so it can heal, but ...

I really like the Premier Protein ready to drink shakes. Get them at Costco, Sams ...

Do a search on Ketosis. Very popular topic. Acetone get secreted into mouth and throws everything off until you can get your carbs up.

I went to Dr Patterson's seminar, but my insurance did not cover it. Her self-pay cost is $35.000 for VSG. Crazy, in my books ... But she is energetic, for sure. Definition of a type A personality, which I want in a Dr. Good luck, and if any of y'all want to get together for a coffee, Brat and I live near the Tannasbourne area. I'm sure she would get together to answer any questions you have. She's a sweetheart.

Been there, sleeved that. Ask me any question you like. Had a very good experience with the Medical Tourism Corp and Dr Umbach. You don't have to use them, though. Go directly to Umbach, though he may still route you through them. What are they charging these days?