scubadottie

From what I understand... when the doctors go in to do the sleeve... they are repairing the hernia that already exists. A hiatus hernia or hiatal hernia is the protrusion (or herniation) of the upper part of the stomach into the thorax through a tear or weakness in the diaphragm.

Congrats and I am sure you will be skipping down the halls in no time! Good luck!

Hope it all went well! Please keep us up to date. I am 70 days and counting until I'm in your shoes. Good luck!

You might try the protein shakes that GNC carries... they have quite a few low carb / zero carb types and RTD's. And they have a 30 day money back guarantee. I like the Isopure Zero Carb... and they have lots of flavors. We want you to be fully satisfied with every item that you purchase from www.gnc.com. If you are not satisfied with an item that you have purchased, you may return the item within 30 days from the order date for a full refund of the purchase price, minus the shipping, handling, gift wrap, or other charges. The item must be returned, unused or used, in good condition, in original boxes (whenever possible), and with all paperwork and accessories to ensure full credit.I

I use peanut butter in my banana or chocolate protein shake for alittle change of taste... and some extra protein.

Hi, My NUT wants me to take 500mcg B12 - Sublingual, complete Multi Vitamin Chewable with 200% Iron and Calcium Citrate 1500mg chewable. I take the B12 and my multi in the AM when I awake, and take the Calcium at lunch... so the Iron and Calcium don't compete.

Hi Juli, I have found lots of good snacks on dietdirect.com They have protein pretzels, chips, bars, etc. One of my favorites is the Ostrim Meat Stick Snack... a combo of lean beef and ostrich. 80 calories per stick, 1.5 grams of fat, 3 grams of carbs and 14 grams of protein. A great pick me up. They come in four flavors... I have tried natural and pepper... with pepper being my favorite. I have to lose 32 pounds before my revision surgery in September. I have been doing protein shakes for breakfast and lunch... and one or two meat sticks when I need a pick me up. I have lost 23 pounds so far with 9 more to go before my surgery. Cheers, Dottie

Hi Goddess, I am having Revision surgery (band to sleeve) in September. My surgery date is Sept 10th. I am having the surgery in Tijuana and will be there a week... from Sept 9th to Sept 16th. Good luck with your surgery! Cheers, Dottie

Congrats! It makes my decision going to Dr. Ortiz that much more positive. Thank you for all the great info! I have my Revision surgery scheduled with Dr. Ortiz on September 10th. Good luck and keep us posted! Cheers, Dottie P.S. My Mom lives in Myrtle Beach and that is where I will be doing my recovery time until I fly back to the Cayman Islands.

Amazon.com carries all the mocktail flavors... Margarita, Mojito, Appletini, Pomtini and Peach Bellini. All are delicious! My favorite is the Mojito... I take a container of it with when I go out to a party...and sip my Crystal Light not missing a thing.

Crystal light has some "mocktail" flavors that are really good! I have tried the Margarita, Mojito and Appletini. They are very tasty. I just ordered the Peach Bellini and Pomtini flavors... can't wait to try them. When I go out with friends... I take a container of my mocktail and have it served in a frosted martini or margarita glass and it is delish and makes me more comfortable standing around with my friends that are drinking. Good luck!

I use Isopure Zero Carb Protein Powder... two scoops has 50 grams of protein. I use skim milk, almond milk or soy milk (Silk) and 4 ice cubes. Plus, I peel and freeze bananas wrapped in foil and then put the frozen banana in my blender with the milk and powder.... makes the shake much more creamy and satisfying. And if I feel that I need just alittle more flavor... I add a spoonful of creamy peanut butter for some extra protein. Make sure that you are drinking plenty of water also. And I have a frozen banana when I am craving something sweet for dessert... eat it like a popsicle. Hope this helps. Cheers!

Hi Sleevers! I am scheduled for my Revision surgery on Sept 10, 2012. I have bought my airline ticket from South Carolina to San Diego. Splurged and am flying First Class... this is the first time that I have ever purchased a First Class ticket and I am as excited about that as my actual surgery. I am a self pay and booked myself in January... so, I would have plenty of time to get it paid off before my surgery. Anyone heading to Tijuana that week? Staying at the Marriott. Good luck to all! Dottie

I am having my Revision surgery with Dr. Ortiz in September. I had my LapBand with him in August 2007 and my Mom went with me... she was very impressed with the Clinic and Dr. Ortiz. He is a extremely excellent surgeon and that is why I am going back to him. He has had zero leaks with his sleeve surgery and has implemented some new procedures that other surgeons are following. He was also named in Newsweek Magazine as one of the Top 15 Bariatric Surgeons in America.... and he is a cutie! Good luck!

I knew I needed to do something about my weight... when I had to return a rental car because the seltbelt wouldn't close. And I am tired of asking for a selt belt extensions on the plane. I am looking forward to my panties falling off me! My surgery is scheduled for September 10, 2012.... 109 days to go! Cheers, Dottie

Hi Everybody, I know this might sound silly, but.... I have my Revision surgery (lapband removal & vertical sleeve) scheduled for Monday, Sept 10, 2012. I will be flying into San Diego on Sunday, Sept 9th early afternoon and departing on Saturday, Sept 15th early afternoon. The surgery center will be picking me up at the airport and driving me down to Tijuana for my surgery and then a 5 day stay at the Marriott Hotel. I couldn't ask for a better surgeon or center and I implicitly trust my doctor (Dr. Ortiz) and surgery center (OCC) ....but, I have been feeling anxious about being alone for my surgery and then 5 days at the hotel by myself. A good friend of mine has volunteered to go with me... I didn't ask, but I think she knows that I need/desire the moral support. She just told me that she wants to go with me and I am feeling so much better and feel alot more relaxed about my upcoming experience knowing that I will have a friend to hold my hand if I need it. The only hiccup is that her husband is worried about her traveling to Tijuana. I have had no such qualms... but, would love to pass on some positive feedback on how our safety is not an issue. Any suggestions or thoughts... I would greatly appreciate them! Thanks for listening.... Dottie

Hi Everybody, I am having my LapBand removed and Revision Vertical Sleeve surgery in September with Dr. Ortiz in Tijuana. The surgical center mentions that revision patients may be required to have additional testing preformed prior to surgery including a barium swallow and endosocopy. There is an additional fee for this. I was wondering of you all out there that have had the Revision surgery, did you have to do a barium swallow prior to surgery? Just trying to plan my finances and wondering what the chances are for this? Thanks for being there! Cheers, Dottie

Hi, I am self pay, so no insurance company to wait for. But, I can't get the time off work until September...so, I am scheduled and have paid two thirds of my surgery cost up front so far... and I still have 4 more months to wait... so, I know what you are going through! I have to lose 32 pounds before my Revision surgery and have lost 14 pounds so far... so, I guess I am also glad to have the time to lose some of my weight to make my surgery safer. Go luck and I hope all goes well! Cheers, Dottie

Thanks Butterfly... I got it! Cheers, Dottie

Hi Everybody, I live in the Cayman Islands and have my revision surgery scheduled for September with Dr. Ortiz in Tijuana. Yeah! I was just wanting to get some feedback on what everyone's post-op diets were like? How long on clear liquids and then full liquids, etc. How long before you were able to eat regular foods? Any recipe ideas or dos and don'ts when recovering from the surgery. I know my doctor will give me his guidelines... but, I just wanted to get an idea from some others who have gone through this before me. Thanks for your help! Dottie

Thanks Becca, Good to know! Like I said, I don't do caffeine... so I am sure a sip would help when I am feeling slow. I just found out that there is a GNC on Grand Cayman (the big island) and I am going to fly over next week and buy some of the different Protein powders to try. I know my taste buds might change... but, it's nice to know that I won't have to ship stuff down from the States... that's so expensive! Cheers, Dottie

Hi Everybody, Just a quick question... did anyone have pain around the port area prior to their Revision? I am feeling discomfort (soreness) at that area... I am assuming it is because I have gained weight and my innards are pushing on the port from the inside. Any thoughts? I have lost 5 pounds and have 27 more to go before my surgery in October. Cheers, Dottie

Hi Becca, Thanks... it is weird that our stomach changes our tastebuds. I will follow your advice and not buy too much in advance. Since, I will be in the States for a couple weeks after the surgery... I can try and see what I like and stock on some of that. I had a question about the 5 hour energy drinks... I thought we weren't suppose to do caffeine after bariatric surgery? I don't do caffeine now... it makes me too jumpy... so, I think I would be alittle afraid to try it after the surgery. Were you a big caffeine drinker before the surgery? Did you find yourself lactose intolerant? Thanks to all for the great info and I am getting so excited... even if the surgery is 7 months away. Cheers, Dottie

Thanks so much for all the great advice. I will be heading to the States for a few weeks before and after the surgery... so, I will be stocking up on things. I have been getting some samples of different Protein shakes that I will use during my two week liquids only pre-op diet. And since, I should still be in the States when I go to Full Liquids after the surgery... I can try them again. Does anyone know why we become intolerant to certain things... or why our tastebuds seem to change? Kind of odd when you think that our stomach influences our taste. Again... thanks for the good info! Cheers, Dottie

Hi Nicky, Congrats on the new sleeve! I am very excited and scared at the same time. How did you find out that you couldn't digest dairy anymore? Did it make you feel ill? Or does it come back up? Thank you for the feedback! Cheers, Dottie