birdEbird

Like this but no bangs?

I'm 2 weeks post op today and I could have written this post myself last Saturday. I was at my SIL's house and was very emotional when everyone was having ritas and beer with queso and chips while waiting on the burgers to cook. I excused myself and went home crying the whole way. My husband's family understood why I left and they know until I get past these next phases I may sit more gatherings out. It's what I have to do for me for now. As all the vets say it is so normal and this too will pass.

I am 5 days post op and Having a hard time with the mental aspect of the fact that I will never be able to eat "normal" again. I have lost over 40 lbs since the beginning of my surgery and am ecstatic. I am so glad! Although I know that eventually I will be able to eat solid foods again, it's bothering me that I cannot cook a meal and sit down to eat it with my family right now. I guess I just need to get use to the new "normal". And this goes to show that I WAS addicted to food emotionally and it's a good thing I did this. Also, I'm sure this is head hunger I am feeling, but I feel so hungry in the evening. And when I take a couple small bites of jello or something to that nature I feel extremely full. Any thoughts are appreciated.

If you think it may be the aspartame (which I will not touch), try the new Crystal Light Pure. It's sweetened with truvia (stevia). I'm really sensitive to the lemonade type stuff as well, but the berry flavor hasn't bothered me. Good Luck !

I went through an emotional phase about 6 weeks out. It was like I questioned whether I had done the right thing with the surgery. But, that has passed and I am now almost 4 months out and happy with my choice and losing 52 pounds!!

I'm not sure if this is a common side effect of the surgery, but for the past few days I have been crying at the drop of a hat! I'm not walking around depressed or anything, just will full on sob at the smallest things! Could this be surgery related?

Good for you! My Doc is more conservative, I still have one more week on full liquids, then mushies for two, then transition to solids. That's OK, I'm patient.

@jennyblue111 - do you mean your stomach seems insatiable now? Could read either way. If so, are you taking a PPI like Prevacid or Prilosec? Too many gastric juices will mimic hunger.

I am with you guys. Im on day 4 and it's getting to the point where i would rather stay hungry than Drink another sicky sweet protein shake. Ugh! I've been doing the broth thing and mixing the Isopure iced tea with water and lemon to make it bearable. I drink my weight in decaf herbal Hot tea and water. I also stuck a protein shake in my ice cream maker once which was interesting and not half bad.

I tried ungery, and hated it. I am doing Bariatric Advantage which isn't much better. Those were the only two options I was given. I like the Isopure drinks from Vitamin Shoppe but I am not supposed to be drinking them. I am just so tired of sweet drinks. I just want something savory...Yogurt, chicken, cottage cheese, eggs. I am just not a sweets person.

I am in my 2 week preop diet, and I am absolutely HATING it. I would be fine if all I had to eat was plain chicken for the next 8 days. I hate hate hate the meal replacement shakes. Can anyone help?

I have never had a protein shake. I began eating with Fage Greek yogurt, which has 23 grams of protein per cup and also counts as a fluid and I added other proteins. My nutritionist said to get all proteins from food as soon as possible and to definitely be off all protein supplements by six months.

Surgery yesterday went very well, I only felt
Crappy the first hour after I got to recovery and woke up, then slept rest of day cause of pain Meds, this morning I feel good, just sore when I take deep breaths in, gonna get up n walk today, n finally have some fluids after I go for my upper GI test this morning. My mouth n throat are so dry!!! And doc said prob go home this afternoon!! So happy I did this, now the rest is up to me, but I don't feel hungry at all, when I came in I was starving!!!

My appointment is 7:30 tomorrow morning!
I'm very excited...not a bit nervous, yet. I've gotten my house all cleaned up, my family all set for the week, etc. Now I just have to pack my bag and relax!
I'm somewhat new to this site but just wanted to thank everybody for sharing everything. I think reading all this has really kept me from getting nervous.
Catch you all on the flip side

Today is my 3 month mark, I've lost 50.9 lbs and for the 1st time ever I bought and successfully wore a pair of SIlver brand jeans. My friends and family are sick of my talking about myself but I'm just so flipping happy! Never thought anything like this would happen for me. It's a good day.

I am one week away from surgery and so excited for the next chapter. Thank you all for your post. It has made a huge difference for me. This site is fantastic!! Good luck to everyone.

I had my pre op appointment at the hospital today, it seems to be getting more real by the day. I keep having the nagging second thoughts of, "if I can loose this weight this way, should I do the surgery". has anyone else had this thought.
With that all said, I am still excited and scared, its like getting on the best roller coaster you could ever ride.

I am 2 months Post-Op and my biggest problem with my sleeve is eating out! It is not ordering food, because I am on regular food. It is telling the wait staff I do not want a drink with my food. I am treated like a space alien, when I say "I do not want anything to drink." The wait staff will circle back around and check to make sure I do not want anything to drink and look at me like I am crazy. I love it! On Thursday, The Olive Garden waiter felt I needed a water, so he brought me one, even though I did not ask for a drink. I think I am going to start telling them I have a water/soda allergy! Lets see how they react. Honestly, other than throwing up a few times from accidentally overfilling my pouch, that is the only problem I have. Pre-ops, feel comfortable knowing life goes back to normal pretty much after six weeks, but your stomach limits you and I love it. I just finished eating 10 wheat thins with cheese and I feel satisfied. Before, I would eat the box. So feel confident that the sleeve works out. Read my blog, if you want more tips! Happy Journey!

http://www.wlshelp.c...ve-gastrectomy/
I was reading some Pub Med articles on the sleeve and I found one on a conference that was held in Florida which was recently published. At the conference 25 international bariatric surgeons were questioned about Best Practices for the sleeve. These 25 drs were identified with the most experience performing VSG (about 13,000 patients among them) The above is a link to an article that is easier to understand that is a summary of the information gathered from these surgeons at this conference. Among the highlights discussed are bougie size, complications, etc. For example, 100% of them agreed that patients should not have solid food for the first 2 weeks.
You can read the abstract and the full original article if you click on the link below
http://www.soard.org...0764-7/abstract
which is the official journal for the American Society for Metabolc and Bariatric surgery

I used Dr Ganta and so did my girl friend Heather White from Kase101 radio... Together they saved my life! He is very focused and is extremely confident in him self and his abilities without being cocky. He listens and genuinely cares for his patients. There is no other surgeon I would have wanted I had the best and will forever be grateful to him!
I was going for the lapband self-pay no insurance for my company... Three days before surgery at my Pre-op check I had concerns of not seeing results that I felt I needed to see to make my mind know I didn't waste 18k on a surgery he was very honest and said with my personality I'd do better on the sleeve so we did.. I remember seeing him in the hospital the day of surgery and told him to make sure I come out of this and he squeezed my hand and said there is no other way too... I love this man, I'm 50 years old and I have a new lease on life and I owe to Dr Ganta for believing in me and listening to me I out my faith in him on what would be best for me and he made it happen!
If you have the pleasure of going to a seminar please do it's worth it to have it done by the right person and I will never run out praises and admiration for him!

I've allowed Dr. Pepper back in my life and I have no idea how I'm going to evict it. :/

I drink with every single meal or I end up with this horrible choking sensation.
I can not wait until I'm healed up a little more because there's a plate of chicken Alfredo at Olive Garden calling my name. No, I won't eat the breadsticks. Yes- I will eat the hell out of the Pasta.
Well, as many bites as my sleeve will let me have anyway.

Hello everyone! I am so excited! Things are moving along smoothly so far. I just recently introduced myself to the community here. So, now I will give some details about my journey so far.
I have been thinking about surgery for the past 5-6 years, but now is the time. I'm glad I waited because I am happy about the option of VSG versus the LapBand or Rouxen-Y. Not that those options are inferior or bad, but VSG is the best choice for me.
Back in October 2011 I attended a seminar at the Ohio State Univery Medical Center Bariataric Surgery Program. The surgeon himself spoke and then several of his patients spoke as well. I was happy with what I heard and decided to pursue it full force. I also did some research on all the programs here in Ohio and found many positive reviews about this program.
We had to make some health insurance changes so that the surgery would be covered. Overall, our insurance will cost more this year, but when the plan covers the surgery at 90% with a max of $1000 out of pocket cost, you can't really beat that.
So, after the new insurance was in effect in January, I called the program to schedule my initial consultation, which was on January 13th. Everyone was nice and great. I had my EKG done and spoke with the Dietician, which I really liked. I learned a lot from her. They gave me some follow up items to do, which included the Psych Eval.
My Psych Eval was on February 9th. Dealing with the psychologist office staff wasn't fun, but the psychologist himself was great and I enjoyed what he had to say. And just like with the Dietician, I learned a lot from him.
I received a call from OSU on February 15th and they let me know that they received the Psych Eval information and that I was cleared. Woo hoo! The next step was to submit my fle to the insurance company for an approval and schedule my nutrition classes. My nutrition classes begin on March 7th and my last class will be on March 28th.
Yesterday, February 22nd, I got a call that I was approved for surgery from the insurance company. YAHOO!!!!!!! So now, I just have to complete my nutrition classes, have my pre-op appointnent with the surgeon and then get a surgery date. I am elated that things have worked out so well. I have been diligent to be in contact with all of the different offices to ensure that they had everything they needed from me. I'm sure it was due to my persistent and constant follow up that things happened well. I'm positive they got tired of hearing from me. Lol.
I anticipate a surgery date no earlier than April, but most likely in May. I've already begun to adopt the lifestyle of a sleever by drinking Protein shakes and eating a diet of high protein and low sugar. I've already lost 11 pounds by doing this. My goal is to lose 20-25 pounds before surgery so that I am in the best health I can be before they cut me open.
I hope all of you are having a great week. I'm very thankful for this forum and to be able to share my journey, learn sooooo much from all of you and have the encoruagement of such a supportive community. God Bless you all!
ReeseMae

My wife and I went to a WLS seminar last Thursday and have been waiting back for insurance verification by the hospital. Just got the call last night that we do in fact have insurance (yes I know) and surgery is covered without a diet waiting period (Yes!!). We have our first appointment next Wednesday to meet with the surgeon, dietitian, and to have our psychiatric evaluation.
Does anyone have any relatively good timelines that it takes after our first meeting? I'm trying to fast track this as soon as possible, I am just so ready to make a life change.