slatond

I won't miss going to my Daughter's school for an event and not being able to sit on the gym floor w/ her because I knew I'd never get up or at least not w/o a major scene. Even the pregnant Mom could do it w/ grace. I look forward to feeling healthy / and exercising w/o feeling judged.

I had surgery w/ Dr Ariel Ortiz in May 2012... I'm down almost 80 lbs in 6 mo. My experience was great. I highly recommend him and the staff. Please feel free to PM me if you have any specific questions.

I was going to comment that all the b4 and after pics I see of people they look younger, happier, and healthier ...I'm not quite 6 mo out and feel TONS better/ younger and I think my pics reflect that too...

The Costco suggestion sounds wonderful... But I have a question. My plan specifically mentioned it had to be Calcium citrate ... and the description of those said Calcium carbonate? Did I misread? What is difference?

Good question ... and it looks like some good tips from other posters. I might try some of them myself. Oddly, I was never a night eater b4 VSG but since I do tend to want to eat in the evening. Lately I have started having a cup of hot tea / decaf coffee or protein hot cocoa and that seems to do the trick. If I just have to chew on something I get 1 oz. of beef jerky if my cal/prot allows. Good luck!

MIne was about 4-5 mo out as well. Like others I stalled @ the 203-204 and thought I'd never drop below 200... But it happen. Now I am stalled @ 181.4 :-) Sounds like you are doing great!

I definitely be interested in seeing b4 and after pics 2 ...Esp on the arms.

Thank you for your post... I am 5 mo post op and like you haven't had any issue with constipation until the past 3 wks. I could have just about written your post and definitely considered a picture of the 3 lbs "log" I felt I birthed. I was still going everyday but I've had 3 episodes. I am upping Water and trying to up fiber. But now I haven't been since Sunday which was episode 3.. ( 3 whole days )...VERY UNLIKE ME! I've added the no sugar fiber gummies.. but dang that is only 5 gr fiber I've added fiber rich veggies .. greens, Beans Had a Quest bar ( high fiber)... Added miralax daily for last 3 days Took Magnesium last night. (now I'm afraid I will explode) I really don't want this to happen again! And can't for the life of me figure out WHY NOW!? when I didn't have issue for the 1st 5 mo. I tracked on MFP and haven't really change the food intake. Was sure hoping for magical solution under your post. I will look for some chai seeds.

I am 5 mo post op and yes, I lost hair btwn 3-4 mo. I have relatively thick hair but it was noticeable. To compound my hair loss my scalp was dry (which I'd never ever experienced) so I had breakouts. I stopped coloring as that aggravated my scalp and had my hair cut short. I actually love it. I'm using a cheap shampoo ( Tresemme for color conserve) which had an article in the newspaper aboutt helping hair growth. I have a head full of peach fuzz under the cut abt 1/2 -1" long so definitely will have hair soon and the scalp has returned to normal. Now to decide if I will get my hair colored this weekend or if I will "go grey"?

Hmm.. in my case it wasn't a super bad feeling and I never got sick. But when I say I can't tolerate a specific food .. ie. reheated poultry. The sensation is similar to haven eaten 2 thanksgiving dinners... I feel overstuffed and a little uncomfortable even though I've had 1 bite (chewed well) . I normally just stop eating and wait until the feeling passes. Then eat something I know I can handle better. This has only occurred with Shrimp ( early solid food time), poultry and egg salad. I can tolerate all these now but re-heated poultry is still something I avoid. If I eat to fast or an item has too much sugar ( i.e. happen w/ Atkins prot bar ) I get real HOT! ( almost like a hot flash or temp. ) and feel slightly disoriented. ( might be too strong a word).. But I feel a little "out of it!" This usually passes w/in 15-20 min as well. If I eat close to "full", I get hiccups. I try to stop well b4 hiccups.

I was definitely in 50's BMI... Had surgery in MX 5/28 -- down 65lbs. No complications surgery wise :-). Need to add a little fiber to my diet is only issue I run into occasionally :-) I'm thrilled w/ results and looking to lose more!

I take the Celebrate (multi vit w/ Iron) Celebrate calcium citrate Celebrate B12 I like them ok.. Designed for WLS patients.

I thought I'd seen someone mention having hot chocolate protein drink?! If so, where did you get? Name of good one.... I would have loved to have had hot cocoa last night.

Sam's carries Pure Protein Bars.. ( 3 flavors ), they are: Calories : 200 Fat: 5g Total Carb: depending on bar 15-18g ( Sugar 3 g) Protein: 20 gr They taste pretty good ( but not "too" good) So they work pretty good 4 me. I only use them for emergencies. Keep one in purse all the time.

I too had surgery w/ Dr Ariel Ortiz @ OCC and can't say enough good things about him and all the staff. They responded to emails b4 and after. Sent followup surveys on my health every Monday for several weeks. I marked one small comment on one and got a phone call from the doctor w/in 1 hr of response to discuss.

Wheelchair -- No I didn't request wheel chair. It was actually WONDERFUL to be able to walk. It was a long day w/ 2 flights. We left @ 8:30AM from hotel and didn't arrive @ destination until almost midnight. I was anxious to walk every chance I got. Early boarding... I'm not sure early boarding is needed. BUT I HIGHLY recommend making sure you get an aisle seat. So if flying SW or an airline that doesn't assign seats then early boarding might be best. I did request early boarding on the 2nd leg of flights as we were on SW and I wanted to make sure I got an aisle so I could get up to go to bathroom or walk if needed. It was a 5 hr flight. Sick or not?: No, Never felt sick @ ALL. I did pay extra for pain medication for day of flight as original prescription from Dr was finished day b4. However, I think I could have done w/o it. Never felt pain. TMI -- only other thing on the day of my flight... It was my first BM day and I am so GLAD I had my gatorade that day. I would definitely make sure you consume your liquids and if you think u might need the electrolytes purch a gatorade to sip on after you check bags!

Thanks for asking the question... I am having bleeding gums as well. Like you no other problems, take my vit's and B12... mouth feels fine. Just when I brush I noticed. * had surgery end of may

7 days post op… sharing experience (this is very long) I traveled 5/27…. (I was on liquids which did include protein shakes (so not clear liquids only) per OCC. I packed Atkins shakes in checked bag with no problem. Also took individual packet of Syntrax Nectar in carry on. It was easier to travel on liquids than I expected. Marriott Hotel was nice and restaurant was very accommodating to OCC patients. Just advise them you are OCC patient and they bring you broth and Popsicle (covered by OCC). The bottled water IN restaurant is not covered. Your chicken broth can be enhanced w/ pepper and lime for a little more flavor. The day of surgery, patients met to take shuttle over to OCC together. It was nice getting to meet and greet each of them and educational in learning tidbits they shared. Once @ OCC we were ask for printed copies of our survey. I recommend printing a copy and taking with you. Then I met w/ Dr Miranda to discuss post-op diet. Then Cardiologist. We were asked to put on booties before having blood work done and IV’s put in. Then I was taken to room where Dr Ortiz introduced himself. While in room I was given sublinquil medication for pain and nausea as well as something in IV. It made me feel so calm and relaxed…. Then off to surgery. I remember being introduced to anesthesiologist and before he finished talking I was “out.” Next thing I remember is being back in room and told to “WAKE UP”. I was a little groggy from the anesthesia but up walking w/in the hour. I did have to go to the bathroom quite a bit so I was up walking the halls back and forth to the bathroom. Visitors have to leave @ 4PM. About 6 I was up and wandering the halls and discovered 2 computers for patient use. I checked FB and sent some messages to friends to let them know how I was doing. Next day, IV came out and patients gathered for trip back to Hotel. Only one patient (the last surgery of previous day) stayed a little longer. The rest of us were good to go. I slept on and off most of day 2 post op. (but I was able to sleep on left side with no issues) Day 3 we went back to OCC for drain check… Then walked to Wal-Mart for shopping and had the broth of a soup @ Chili’s w/ another patient. We stopped at a small convenience store across from Marriott for Popsicle on the way back. They had mango Popsicle which were WONDERFUL. (store has a big donuts on outside of it) Day 4 was drain removal..(Which pinched a little but nothing bad) and travel back to SD thru customs and check into the hotel we chose. We ate @ Red Lobster and I thinned down some Lobster bisque. Then we walked to a strip center and shopped, had mani-pedi’s and toured the grocery store Von’s where I got Earl Grey Tea. Felt more like vacation than post surgery. Day 5 was a long day of travel but again, I did GREAT! We left @ 8:30AM in taxi to airport and didn’t arrive home until 12:15 PM that night. I did purchase an extra dose of the pain med and did take one that AM just to be on safe side but probably could have done it w/o it. I have had little to no pain. Just a little discomfort occasionally from gas (TMI). Actually felt so well when I got home I might have over done it just a little. I kept popping up to do something else and was using my legs more for the up and down from chair. My knees hurt a little but stomach is still great! I am having no trouble sipping or consuming full liquids. I actually do seem to know when I get hungry and need more. It is still early so I am only getting about 500-600 calories and 30 grams of protein right now. But that is what is expecting per diet plan. Pre-diet I never dreamed that would be filling but it totally is. OCC gave first class care and can’t say enough good things about my experience w/ OCC and Dr Ortiz. Never would have believed it would have gone this smooth. Back @ work 7 days post op. I'd lost 18.5 lbs prior to surgery, gained 7 during surgery (expected) but by the time I got home day 5, I had lost the 7 plus 5 more for a total wt loss of 23.5 lbs.... Hopefully, this story helps anyone planning to go to Dr Ortiz/OCC to give you some tips and calm any concerns. ( every experience is different but mine was GREAT! )

I was sleeved by Dr Ortiz (5/28/12)... Wonderful experience!! U should be able to search, I told my sleeve story and it is posted on this forum /sub forum.

Loved your photos and reading the notes.... While I had a different surgeon and different Hotel, it brought back memories of my experience. Mine was similar w/ meeting sleeve sisters and basically feeling like a vacation instead of a surgical visit. So glad you had such a positive experience.

I've never posted a pic and this will be b4 and "during" not after. I am about 12 wks. I am not sure this will work!? Sorry didn't work!

I posted my experience here : http://www.verticalsleevetalk.com/topic/40736-occ-dr-ortiz-and-my-experience/

I 2nd Maxskillz... I used to drink Atkins (but they are higher in fat content)... Moved to premier protein (30g prot) and low carb / low fat. Once I switched, I actually liked them better!

there are some suggestions on Pinterest .. if u do that! I just started noticing mine coming out in clumps the last wk or so. I order Aveda shampoo /conditioner for that. I love Aveda products anyway so hoping this will help some.

The microwave @ the office went on the fritz... but luckily I had an taylor made asian salad mix in frig so had that w/ small can of tuna and the asian dressing. YUM! I need to MFP it to see what the cal/prot was. Just MFP'd .. 216 cal and 20 gr port.