Webchickadee

Hi former_vbg! I don't know much about your situation other than what you've got in your signature. But I do see that you've been VERY successful with your sleeve! Congratulations on a job well done, and being an inspiration to those of us still on that road. I wanted to point out a couple of cautionary things. You mention in your post that you've "developed a taste for crunchy / salty things in the past several months". That's okay in moderation, but as you've identified, it's not easy for you to control. One of the problems many of us obese (formerly obese in your case!) patients share is food addiction and the inability to manage our cravings. You've clearly done VERY well in managing things to get to your goal. Now is not the time to let that self-control slip away from you! You can indulge your love of salty foods "once in a while", but as you mention, it sounds like going cold-turkey with the pickles will help prevent you from going down a slippery slope. The sodium not only contributes to water retention and weight gain, it also stresses your kidneys, creates an electrolyte imbalance in your entire body, and increases the work your heart must do (greater resistance in your blood vessels means having to pump harder to distribute blood - a classic cause of high blood pressure!). I'm not saying a day or two of pickle-fixation is going to create any long-term problems......and we all have cravings we occasionally need to fill. Heck, we're only human! Just keep an eye on yourself and your behaviors and nip them in the bud if they look like they could become a problem. FYI, I also love pickles, but I usually have 1-2 a week with my lunch and that's it. Luckily my current fixation is with sashimi and since it's all Protein, I'm okay (LOL). I go VERY easy on the soy sauce and wasabi. Congrats again on doing fantastic with your sleeve and getting to goal!

LOL. That is what I call my thighs too....makes my husband laugh every time!

I'm 5;4" (on a "tall" day).... My pre-op weight was 319 lbs and I was having some challenges with various size 28 pants (depending on the style). I'm now down 52 lbs and can get comfortably into most size 26 pants (with room to spare), but even fit in to a variety of size 24 pants (again, depending on the style). I carry most of my weight in my hips, butt and thighs, but my abdomen is/was no slouch either! Someday (not too far away) I hope to fit easily into single digits!

I had a lock on my suitcase that I bought before flying. It was one of those locks that are part of the airport security system (the inspectors have a universal key to open and then relock at the airport when you're not there to open it for them.....protects your bag from theft by other staff, baggage handlers, etc.). It won't prevent a determined thief (they'll just break or cut off the lock), but it should prevent spontaneous theft and it would leave evidence that there was tampering. In my case, my surgeon was Dr. Kelly in Tijuana, and his assistant Omar offered (before I even had a chance to ask) to take my bag with him and lock it in his car until after my surgery. I wasn't really concerned about leaving it in my hospital room, but I let him take it "just in case" and it gave me extra piece of mind. I got it back right after surgery (I was still asleep in my room!) and all was good. Perhaps you could ask for something similar from your surgeon's coordinator?

I'm so glad! Some days, it's just hard to keep up your motivation....but the great thing about life is that a fresh new day is coming! And then you get to start all over again!

Post-op pain in the shoulder is often just a sign of the gas that was injected into your abdomen migrating upward under your shoulder blade. If however, you are concerned, and/or if you have nausea, trouble keeping liquids down, fever, pain (new), etc. then please get yourself to an ER right away and have it investigated!

Try to be patient.......I know it's hard! I stalled at week 5 for 11 days. And now I'm stalled again (started 2 days before my 2 month surgiversary), for the past 9 days..... Looks like I'm going to be losing 2 1/2 to 3 weeks, then stalled for 1 1/2 weeks. A frustrating cycle! But when I ended my first stall (didn't change anything really, just kept on "keeping on"), the weight was really falling off fast 14 lbs in less than 3 weeks! So I guess if I'm able to lose about 15 lbs a month, I'm going to be quite happy with that (with periods of frustration every month!).

You're already 60% of the way there according to your ticker (6 lbs lost, with only 4 more to go!). You can do this! Protein first every day to fill you up. Veggies after, to give you good nutrients and vitamins! Keep the carbs as low as you possibly can (especially breads, Pasta, sweets, etc.). Watch the sugars in your drinks (they are sneaky carbs!). You can do this! I believe in you. Others here do too! Now you have to believe in yourself............stick with it.

The advice you're getting to walk is great if the pain is due to gas. Myself, I had alot of pain when drinking post-op for the first two weeks. It due to the swelling and inflammation in my stomach from the surgery. Every drink, especially if I didn't take very small sips was a new experience in cramping, twisting stomach pain! I was really worried it would be that way forever. But it soon resolved, and now I can drink several sizable gulps in a row without discomfort.

That is fantastic and fast, but as Lissa points out, don't expect it to go that fast every week or for months at a time! The initial loss is usually quick dramatic due to many reasons. You're losing Water, so that is quick. You're eating VERY little post-op as you begin healing and learning what you can and cannot tolerate. You stomach is quite swollen, so you capacity is tiny. It will get bigger and you will eat more. On the flip-side. Those of us who have more to lose (starting with BMI >45 or >50) tend to lose faster. It's probably tied to the fact that our new calorie intake is so dramatically less than what we were eating prior to surgery, just to maintain our larger size! Now we're eating tiny amounts and still having to use up energy to move our big bodies around. This creates a significant calorie deficit, and the only place the body can turn to for that energy gap is our fat! Which is fantastic! That's what we want! Use up that fat darn it! Beware though, as we get smaller, our calorie requirements decrease, and our food intake will remain roughly the same. That means a smaller calorie deficit and slower loss. That's usually why VSG patients have to "crank up" the exercise as they get closer to goal. To introduce more of a calorie deficit (we can't cut back on our intake, after all, it's already very low!). Enjoy your "shotgun" start! And keep up the great work!

I paid an upgrade fee to fly to San Diego (and back) for my surgery with Dr. Kelly in Tijuana. I didn't really need the "pampering" for the flight there, but I wanted to treat myself. It was MUCH more comfortable, and the service difference between first class (called Executive on Air Canada) was AMAZING. Only 20 seats in Executive and we had an attendant all to ourselves. drinks before we even left the terminal......nuts in an individual ceramic dish......Free headsets, newspapers, pillow, blankets, 4 course meal in real china with stainless steel cutlery, free alcohol, Snacks. Unbelievable difference! Of course, as I was on a clear liquid diet, I didn't get to eat anything, and no alcohol. But it was still really comfy and pampered! If you can afford the upgrade (or talk your way into one), you should go for it!

I posted about this yesterday. Here's a repeat! You may be experiencing excess acid production and sometimes this leads to reflux. Many VSG patients have reflux post-op. For some it resolves with time, for others it ends up being fairly permanent. The good news is that it is quite well controlled with medication (a proton-pump inhibitor (PPI) such as Omeprazole (Prilosec) often by itself or in combination with another med). There are many theories as to the why patients develop Gastro-esophageal reflux disease (GERD) post VSG surgery: 1. The new long narrow shape of the stomach make the mobility of the acids more easily progress up into the esophagus. 2. The sphincter muscle between the esophagus and the stomach many have mobility issues post-op due to the surgery. Often these will resolve with time and healing. In some cases, there may have been some scarring or injury to the sphincter during surgery that can result in a more permanent condition. 3. During post-op healing (which can take up to 6 months to fully heal), the lining of the stomach is very sensitive and more likely to react to the acids being produced. This can cause some spasms that may push the acids upward into the esophagus. 4. Some patients may develop a hiatus hernia. A hiatus hernia is a widening of the diaphragm at the point where the esophagus passes from the chest into the abdomen. When you have a hiatus hernia, the stomach slips into the chest and the sphincter at the end of the esophagus is less effective. The hiatus hernia can be surgically repaired (and often patients have this pre-op and it is found during VSG surgery and it is repaired during the VSG!), which should also help resolve the sphincter mobility problems. 5. And of course, eating foods that irritate the stomach or cause excess acid production, such as citrus fruits, tomatoes, garlic, onions, spicy foods, foods high in fat, alcohol, and caffeine should be avoided in the early post-op stage. If you are progressing well following the elimination of many of the foods suggested above and are taking a PPI, you can begin to try to reintroduce one of these foods at a time and assess your tolerance. Laying down after eating can also increase the likelihood of GERD and should be avoided. Good luck!

Benjammin, you are so CUTE! Thanks for making me smile!

Very possibly. Many VSG patients have reflux post-op. For some it resolves with time, for others it ends up being fairly permanent. The good news is that it is quite well controlled with medication (a proton-pump inhibitor (PPI) such as Omeprazole (Prilosec) often by itself or in combination with another med). There are many theories as to the why patients develop Gastro-esophageal reflux disease (GERD) post VSG surgery: 1. The new long narrow shape of the stomach make the mobility of the acids more easily progress up into the esophagus. 2. The sphincter muscle between the esophagus and the stomach many have mobility issues post-op due to the surgery. Often these will resolve with time and healing. In some cases, there may have been some scarring or injury to the sphincter during surgery that can result in a more permanent condition. 3. During post-op healing (which can take up to 6 months to fully heal), the lining of the stomach is very sensitive and more likely to react to the acids being produced. This can cause some spasms that may push the acids upward into the esophagus. 4. Some patients may develop a hiatus hernia. A hiatus hernia is a widening of the diaphragm at the point where the esophagus passes from the chest into the abdomen. When you have a hiatus hernia, the stomach slips into the chest and the sphincter at the end of the esophagus is less effective. The hiatus hernia can be surgically repaired (and often patients have this pre-op and it is found during VSG surgery and it is repaired during the VSG!), which should also help resolve the sphincter mobility problems. 5. And of course, eating foods that irritate the stomach or cause excess acid production, such as citrus fruits, tomatoes, garlic, onions, spicy foods, foods high in fat, alcohol, and caffeine should be avoided in the early post-op stage. If you are progressing well following the elimination of many of the foods suggested above and are taking a PPI, you can begin to try to reintroduce one of these foods at a time and assess your tolerance. Laying down after eating can also increase the likelihood of GERD and should be avoided. Good luck!

It's true the those of use in the 300 lb mark when we start may not get down to the 130 lb mark in a short amount of time, but MANY of us do get down there (I'm planning on it!) with lots of hard work, dedication, attention to our food and exercise. I'm actually not wanting to lose it all TOO fast, as hopefully that will help prevent massive skins issues. I am certain I will need cosmetics in the end (being 42 years old and over 300 lbs for the last 15 years, and obese since I was about 10 years old). A slower loss many help some areas "bounce back" and reduce the number of surgeries I need post-op and at goal. Have faith that you can do this! I know many doctors talk about the statistics (60-70% of excess weight lost in the first 12 months for the average compliant patient). But there's no reason you can't be a part of the top end of the bell curve and loss ALL of your excess weight. It doesn't have to be in the first 12 months either (though it gets harder to lose as you get closer to goal). Don't let the statistics about EWL (excess weight loss) dissuade you from this surgery, if that's all that holding you back.

One of the main reasons so many of us begin our weight loss journey (other than to improve our health and longevity) is to recapture the social aspect of our lives. We gave food the power to hide us from so many of our friends, social events and activities. Now you've taken BACK that power. Just because some of these events are centered around meals and food doesn't mean you can't go, enjoy reconnecting with old friends, relive some good old times and stories and show off your fantastic new fit figure! If others are eating, you can nibble along to fit in...and if anyone notices you've eaten so little, you can simply say you're too busy talking or listening to everyone else to worry about eating! As to the extra costs.......you only get an opportunity to go to a 40th class reunion once in your life. And by the time the next reunion comes around (probably the 50th), there's a good chance that some of your classmates and old friends may not be able to attend for health reasons, or worse! Don't pass up your chance to see them now. You'll have a fantastic time, I'm sure of it!

Fantastic. What a difference! I have a Fitbit (got one for me, my husband and my sister). My husband and I use it to "compete" against one another! It's really got him moving, and I find myself doing more exercise too, just to stay ahead of him! Great work! Keep it up!

Wow! Don't you just LOVE surprises like that? You thought it was a FUTURE NSV and it was today's! Happy Sunday! Keep up the great work!

So yesterday was my 2 month post-op Surgiversary! Overall, I'm feeling pretty great! Down 49 lbs (1 lbs away from my first goal!) and nearly 27% to my goal weight! My measurements are surprising! I didn't lose that much in inches in the first month (-12.25 inches), but I lost more weight (-21.9 lbs). In my second month, I've lost less weight (-15.3 lbs), but significantly more inches (-21.75 inches)! Not sure what to attribute that to, perhaps the first month was mostly Water weight and less reflected in measurements? In any case, I'll take it! Here are some pictures of my progress: I don't see that big a change in these pictures (my body image is messed up....I know). My husband says he sees a dramatic change already (he's so sweet and supportive!). I do see quite a change in my face though, which is nice, as I look at myself in the mirror in the morning (tooth brushing, combing, etc.) and it's a good way to start off the day!). Yippee!

The best birthday gift you could ever give yourself....good health! Hope your day was fantastic and your future filled with more good scale news!

Yes, increasing your dose may help (make sure your doctor agrees!). Of course acidic foods (orange juice, pineapples, raw tomatoes, etc.) will exacerbate things. Carbonated soft drinks (even diet!) are killers for stomach lining inflammation and excess acid production. So you will definitely benefit from eliminating those from your diet. And since carbonated drinks are a BIG "no no" post-op, getting them out of your life now will be very helpful later on (not to mention ditching the caffeine addiction that comes with it). There is a good chance that your incidence of GERD pre-op is related not only to your diet but also to an accumulation of fat in your thorax that is pushing on your internal organs (including your stomach). This will hopefully significantly decrease post-op as you lose weight and will reduce the pressure on your organs. That will probably help reduce the upward progression of the acid in your stomach, up into your esophagus. As well, you may need to have an assessment of whether you have a hiatal hernia, which is also common in obese patients, and can contribute to GERD. Many patients have their sleeve and hernia done at the same time, and sometimes, a patient doesn't even know they HAVE a hernia until post-op when the surgeon tells them they found it and repaired it during the VSG. Good luck!

I had increasingly bad heartburn (GERD) prior to my VSG (May 14, 2012). I was taking a 20 mg Omeprazole (Prilosec) in the morning and it helped some, but not enough. Now, post-op I am taking a 20 mg Omeprazole 2x per day (morning and dinner) and it helps alot. But I do find times when I have a "hunger" sensation and if I don't put something in my stomach, it gets worse. I am certain it is due to excess acid production, even with the 2 tabs/day. I'm hesitant to increase this amount, as I'm still early in my post-op recovery and learning which foods I tolerate, how much I can eat per meal and how to manage fluids, etc. I am of the belief that things will improve over time with regards to my GERD and I will manage nicely with the Prilosec in the long-term. Hope that helps!

In a pinch, you could actually take a SF popsicle and "chop" it up with a chef's knife, or one of those "slap chop" devices. Then you're still getting the small amount of calories, no sugar and all the taste.....plus the texture you like, and you can use a spoon! My 2 cents worth...

Ah yes....the "good" old days (not!). My standard meal was something like this: 1-2 Egg rolls (lots of plum sauce!) General Tso chicken 1/2 Singapore noodles 1/2 "house" fried rice Cantonese chow mein Sauteed mixed vegetables Easily 2000 calories, and I would ALWAYS feel sick afterwards from overeating. Never seemed to stop me from doing it again the next time though..... Can't even believe that would all fit in my pre-op stomach! Mega carbs, mega volume.....it's amazing the vegetables even made it in there somehow (LOL). I think it would take me a week to eat all that food now. And I'm not even tempted!