SassySenior

So, my wife today again used the "S" word to describe me - Sickly. She says I'm getting too thin, and need to put on more weight. I don't know how to stop. I think I may be leveling off - I was 178 a few days ago, 180 yesterday, and 181 this morning. I don't want to start going in the wrong direction, but she doesn't understand that. I've told her several times that it hurts me when she says that, and that it isn't helpful, but she won't stop. Come to think of it, she's never really been very supportive of me, post-op. She had the surgery also, so you would think she would understand. But when I would be excited about the weight loss, or breaking a stall, I would get little or no reaction from her. I'm not quite sure what her issue is, but it is maddening to me. Maybe it's because I'm thinner than I've ever been in the 17 years we've known each other. Maybe it's because some of my clothes don't exactly fit me too well, and my neck looks tiny in the too-big neck holes of my tshirts. Who knows? Oh well, everyone else tells me I look great, and I feel great, so I'm going to try to not let it get to me.

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

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

So, you're saying that I have to CRUSH all my pills and swallow the powder?
 
Do you know how disgusting that propanalol tastes before crushing?
 
I don't think so.
 
Liquids?
 
Most of my meds don't come in liquid.
 
Put the powder in water? Then I have nasty tasting water with particles in it.
 
Hide it in pudding. Great but what about after surgery? you know, those first few weeks?
 
Seriously, how did you get your medication down without gaging or puking?
 
Just my random question of the day.
 
Judy

It is hard to imagine that 1 year ago this month, I had the VSG surgery procedure. I remember the agony of finally deciding to have the surgery after years of saying, "Never", then having to wait those several months to wait for surgery. Now looking back, I do see value in all those hurdles I had to jump! It has been a relatively easy time this year. My loss has been very slow compared to many others, but I have always been the slow loser! I have had 2 significant stalls during this year. The first one lasted almost a month and was 6 months after surgery. The second stall was almost 2 months and lasted from November to january. I started getting panicky, so I went on structured plan to make sure I am not overeating without realizing. I also cut out all carbs except fruit (2 per day). I am eating mostly lean meats and lots of low-carb veggies. Now my total loss is 87 pounds, 57 of which came after the surgery. One can see that i averaged about 1 pound a week this first year. I won't be winning any weight loss awards, but to have lost this much is a miracle and a true gift!
 
For those of you who, like me, struggle with metabolic and endocrine issues such as thyroid, PCOS, diabetes, I do have some advice. It may or not apply and I hestitate to claim any knowledge, but here goes:
 
1) No matter what your weight, start working on fitness. I started 7 years ago, exercising 20 minutes twice weekly. At 282 pounds, it nearly killed me. I would literally climb into bed EVERY day after exercise and go back to sleep. I was so exhausted that I could not stay up on my feet. It took everything I had to get out of bed in the morning to exercise, but I did it for the fight of my life. I gradually increased my exercise over then next four years. I was still gaining weight, but I was plugging along. Now looking back, I can see the wisdom in the exercise. My core is strong, my muscles and spine are healthy and strong for my age. My coordination is good and my exercise recovery is so much better. Now, my exercise schedule is as follows:
M, W, F - 6am walking partner for 50 minutes (about 3 miles)
T, R - some cardio, but mostly resistance, core and balance training
In between, I take a zumba or circuit class once or twice a week and I dance on the weekends with my hubby once in a while.
 
2) Start looking inside! I journal, and now looking back it is helpful to see how much healthier I am inside and out. Journaling for me is a conversation to God. It leads me to God and helps sort out my thoughts. I also listen and write down things I sense that maybe God wants for me. It is a very deep and sweet place some days, light and superficial others, and agonizing once in a while. I use scripture along with this for my meditation and I am blessed in a deep place as a result.
 
3) Face your fears- I am facing my fears, my insecurities and my failings. Facinig my fears was so important for my success. For me, that meant taking swim lessons. I actually dove head-first finally, and cried when I did it because it was such a barrier to me. I am also teaching some kids spanish, and this is forcing me to tackle a very insecure place in my life. I left south America at age 11 and was very sad about it. I stopped speaking spanish and began to feel insecure to talk to others in spanish. It started with lessons and now I am helping others.
 
4) Face your failings and forgive yourself and others - Facing my failings has also been important and this journey has taken me to some uncomfortable places. Sometimes it meant being honest with myself and my food. Sometimes it meant looking at a specific event where I made a poor choice in a relationship, or responded poorly to others. It has even meant dealing with unforgiveness of myself and others. In one situation, someone slandered me very painfully and unfairly. I held on to the unforgiveness because my reputation mattered to me. It was 2 years later that I finally went to this person to ask her what I did that led to this situation. She told me there were "Lots" of things,but could not think of anything specific right then (she said I should have given her time to thinkabout it). At that moment, I was given a release from the torment of the situation. I was able to forgive her, and ask her to forgive me for whatever it was that led her to slander me. It was like a ton of weight was lifted from me.
 
5. Be honest about your food.
6. Find a good practitioner. Find a practitioner who understands the complexities of dysmetabolic syndrome, HPA axis disorders (hypothalmus, pituitary, adrenal), and has holistic approach to healing.
7. Reward yourself!