Morgandobes

Hi all Just posting for those who have Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield. For MY employer(I hear employeers can have different coverages), They will cover the sleeve with pre-certification and medical necessity needs to be shown. They then cover 80% with a 1,000 deductible, then up to 2,000 out of pocket then they pick up the rest. Just in case anyone else has this insurance company. Lisa

Hi all I have been doing a bunch of research on the subject lately and had a question. The VSG started out as a part one of a two part surgery, the duodenal Switch. Since then has become a stand alone procedure. I was wondering, are they creating the Bougie's smaller if they expect that the patient will only likely need the VSG? What is the standard size of the pouch at this point? I would assume its created smaller? Thank you, Lisa

Hi all Just thought I would check in. About 2 weeks ago I decided the 800 cal 30 grams of carbs a day wasnt going to work for me. I felt like crap and couldent even get around the block walking or riding my bike without a rest. So, I switched over to Atkins. I am down approximately 10 lbs, feeling a lot better and have a lot more energy than before. The nice thing is that I can eat as much Protein as I want, as long as I watch my carbs. I am finding it works better for me. Besides its pretty much what a lot of the docs recommend. I get in veggies during the day, the doc cleared me for salads over a month ago, so I do salads with low carb veggies, which for me is like broccoli and cucumbers and lettuce, with a generous sprinkle of cheese, and a couple tablespoons of ranch or blue cheese or any other type of low carbd dressing. Plus, sometimes part of a chicken breast on top. In the mornings its usually eggs in some fashion, or the other morning I fried a pork chop. I ate some fore Breakfast and some for lunch and I was plenty happy with it. Anyway, an alternative to that 800 calories. Lisa

I felt terrible on 800 cals a day, could hardly climb the stairs in my house and couldent even make it around the block on my walks without resting. Now, I am keeping my carbs below 20 for Atkins "induction" stage, the may increase as I get closer to goal. The increase in calories is what did it for me I feel a heck of a lot better. Lisa

Yeah, like Oregon Daisy Said. Atkins Induction phase the first one you go on says 20 carbs or less. It switches your metabolism over from burning carbs for fuel to burning fat for fuel. And apparently you can eat over twice as many calories. So what I am doing differently is keeping my carbs below 20 and not worrying about my calories. It has made a huge difference in the way I feel. As you move thru the Atkins phases you add more carbs.

Hey Judy can you post a link to that disucssions from Jane? I am having trouble keeping my calories at or below 800, I would be interested to see what someone mentioned about 'upping your calories?' Thanks, Lisa

Wow, you had a gastrectomy and you only weight 167? I am down like 35 lbs, but my starting weight was 295, the bigger you are the faster you lose and vice versa..

Does everyone count carbs and calories? I was wondering what doing an Atkins 'type' diet would do, since it is SO hard to keep my calories AND my carbs low. Lisa

Thought I posted this last night but now I cant find it. I thought a thread on low-fat turkey products might be usefull, so I will start. Rave - Jimmy Dean's turkey breakfat sausage. 120 calories for 2 small patties which definitely filled me up completely. These were pre-formed and I think pre-cooked just stuck them in the microwave. A bit pricey, but oh-so-good. Lisa

Found an interesting blog on Dr Jossarts website. Post Op Day 58 May 7th, 2010 Posted in Bariatric surgery, Protein and calories, Vertical gastrectomy, Weight loss surgery results, surgical weight loss, weight loss plan, weight loss surgery | No Comments ? Hello everyone! I had to wait until I could articulate my feelings of late without crying. I was so happy and pleased with the surgical weight loss progress I had made when I last wrote. The weight loss has continued and I was at 348.3 on Friday, April 23rd. I saw the surgeon that day and my balloon did not last long at all. He was not a happy camper and I was taken aback. I was crushed, stunned actually. Having said that, I must also say that I have never had an appointment with a doctor that lasted longer than the scheduled 15 minutes until that day. I think he was with me for 45 minutes!! He was concerned that I hit a stall so big for so long and that I lost valuable ground. Apparently, every month out from vertical sleeve gastrectomy surgery, the amount of weight you can lose decreases by 10%. So, I essentially lost a month at a crucial high weight loss expectation point. He did emphasize that I had done nothing wrong and had followed all directions. He said that now I have to work that much harder to catch up and capitalize on the maximum rate of loss. The part about the 10% is complete new to me, I had never heard anyone say that. This was interesting as well, 10 lbs a week is a very agressive weight loss scheudle and this person was post op day 58. Well, needless to say, I am now only eating 2 ounces of protein at each meal. Everything else is the same. I have to also say that the scale continues a constant downward turn. Today, I am 343.2 pounds. My doctor wanted to see me lose about 10 pounds per week for the next 4 week s. Here is the link to the blog LAPSF Another interesting tidbit I would share. I noticed in my barium swallow the day after my surgery, I noticed a 'wing' shaped part of the stomach that was on my left side on the xray. then it seemed to narrow down to a small tummy at the bottom. doc said he did that to avoid the scar tissue left from my lapband, and that a lot of lap band revisions get into trouble if the doc cuts up to narrow and close to the esophagous as that is where many of the leaks happen, I wonder how this part of the tummy left will affect my weight loss journey. Lisa

I have watched this video of the gastrectomy surgery a couple of times on youtube from dr. Jossart who does the sleeves in San Francisco. [nomedia=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rRBKdTjY2Rg]YouTube- ‪Vertical sleeve gastrectomy procedure from www.lapsf.com‬‎[/nomedia] At spot 8.29 in the video, he does a comparison(looks like a barium swallow) on a patient at 1 year and at 4 years. The words he uses are "as you can see the stomach has gently dialated, but is still much smaller"(or something close to that), so I would tend to say it does stretch some. It looks to be at least twice the size as starting out. Someone proposed that it was just the swelling from the surgery, but at 1 year it would be hard to beleive there would be much swelling from the surgical procedure still. But then you have some surgeons who say that sleeve size isnt always the predicter of weight loss either. Aack!!! So many variables, howz a person to figure this stuff out? :-)

Hi all I am having trouble staying at around(mostly under) I am a month and a few days out and am mostly back to normal food. I have been trying to concentrate on Protein, but have had trouble staying under 800 calories. I start off with a coffee with some creamer and sweet and low, around 90 calories, then maybe have two scrambled eggs(200 calories) For lunch I do maybe a taco(around 220), or a couple three hot dogs plain(390). If I do maybe a pudding mid afternoon, I am up to around 700 calories before I eat dinner. I like chicken well enough, hate fish. So, trying to find some low calorie/low carb protein alternatives. Suggestions? Thanks, Lisa

Congrats on your weight loss, that is AWESOME!

I would definitely keep an eye on it. My doc told me a fever wasnt a fever till it reached 100.5, so keep on top of it and if it continues to go up, off to the the er with you! Good luck and hopefully its just a bug

Ok, Tiff,thanks for Looking! I have tried to look around, but get way too many hits on 'sleeve gastrectomy' + Stretching. I will keep looking :-) Thanks Christie, I need to go look at your blog again and get some ideas. I bought a foreman grill last night, sort of the middle of the road models and did some breasts on it last night. I made them with some of the packaged gravy, which isnt bad calorie wise, 100 cals for a cup, and it makes it slide down a bit easier. With some peas and some instant mashed. The family appreicated our first real meal again since my surgery. I was thinking of doing up some more breasts today and chopping them up for chix salad. I need to figure out how to keep the calories low in it tho. Anyway, hope everyone has an awesome day! Lisa

Yeah, that was my point to getting the surgery, is that ONE of these days I WILL learn to not take that extra bite, as its uncomfortable, even yukky. I will ge there one day, I will, I will, I will -)

Totally hear where you guys are coming from on this deal. My doc said my tummy would not stretch, that the stretchy part is mostly removed, but then I hear other stuff here on the board. I know there is a diff between being able to eat more because the inital swelling is down and stretching my tummy. but I worry, worry, worry. I am about 6 weeks out. Tiff had some information about stretching that she is going to post, not where she digs this stuff up at, but she is a wealth of info. I know we are supposed to stop eating when we are full..but seriously, would anyone have to have their stomach radically altered to prevent that if we could stop at that extra bite? It annoys me when people say 'stop when you are full' after the surgery. If I had that kind of control I wouldent be 300 lbs. Ok off my rant now

Thanks for the response Tiff We have a couple of the Panera breads here in the springs, but I was under the mistaken impression that they only sell bread, I will have to check one out. I guess part of the mistake I have made is I need to see if I can eat some veggies. I guess I could snack on cucumbers and lettuce to help fill me up. I have heard differing opinions on the board about eating veggies. A bit of salad would probably do the trick on the nights I am short on calories. Thank you! Did you find that information on stretching of the stomach with overeating after surgery? I am like 5 or 6 weeks out and am hoping I am not overdoing it so often that I am stretching anything! Sigh..something more to worry about. Worry wart I guess. Thanks, Lisa

Well, part of it is ease, I mean we all lead busy lives, so if I can just find something that is easy to make/grab that makes it that much better. I mean I am going thru the motions of counting my calories, but with having a full time job, a family, a part time business, grabbing something premade, etc works out well for me. But I get what you are saying. The rollups sound good, I hadent thought of that, I will give those a try. The turkey suggestion is good, but I have heard that some of the ground turkeys have as much fat/calories as burger. I could probably make my own taco meat at home with a leaner cut anyway. Thanks for the suggestions and the time to put that down on 'paper' Lisa

Tiff Can you expand on this? " It's been published that excessive overeating early out can cause stretching"? Thanks, Lisa

Verrrrrry Interesting Tiffykins! Thanks for sharing

No, I remember them being really greasy, like grease floating on top, but these werent that bad, and for 140 calories, they must have changed things up a bit with the 'healthy revolution" The other nice thing is that the "meat" is so pluverized that its nice and soft, so I can eat it on my 'soft foods' stage. Lisa

Just on a lark I picked up a can of Canned Tamales to see how many calories were in a serving and I was pleasantly surprised. Only 140 calories in a serving which is 2 tamales and it filled me up just fine. A dollop of low fat sour cream and I was totally in heaven. Satisfied my Mexican food craving! (a bit high in carbs and not much in the way of Protein, but sooo good)

I was on zoloft before surgery, but havent had any since, and I think I need to start them up again, does anyone else have to take these? If so, how are you taking them? I am 6 days out from surgery. Thanks, Lisa

Hi all I keep worrying my doc left my tummy bigger than I wanted. We negotiated a 34 fr, but he kind of hemmed and hawed when I asked him about it after surgery. I may be worrying for nothing and obsessing on "size" We got lunch today and I was able to comfortably finish a Taco Bell "pintos and cheese" which is approximately 4.5 ounces, and half of a seving of their rice. Maybe a 1/8 of a cup. I am comfortably full but dont feel I over did it. Isnt this a lot of food at this point? I did this so I would get satisfied quickly on a little food, I am worried that if there is any swelling left to go down in my stomach that i will be eating a cup of food at a sitting! Ack! Freaking a little here. TIA Lisa