melodymouse

Yes I go to a support group where I see people it is at San Antonio Military Medical Center which is where I was sleeved. I wasn't mistaken about what my surgeon told us in the seminar about sleeves not stretching (if done right ) as others have chimed in and also stated . I have to say that I did read an article written by a Bariatrician in which he said while a sleeve won't truly stretch it may become more compliant over time if you force it to and it may hold more but when empty it will be the same size kind of like a balloon you fill with air once the air is gone the balloon goes back to original size mor or less but even with this he's says you would still feel restriction.

That being said I never said I was going to eat a ton of popcorn or challenge the size of my sleeve by stuffing myself. I can't believe if you go to an actual group where you see actual people you haven't met anyone who stringent eating does not work for that is not fat again.My group has a huge variety of people and no 2 do things exactly the same way and most are successful thus far:)

Clearly you are not reading my whole posts before you reply. My best to you and yours!

The only way a sleeve can be stretched to that extent is if it wasn't formed properly in the first place.

I'm betting the picture he showed was from an RNY patient. Since their pouches are formed from the fundus which is very stretchy.

The sleeve on the other hand removes the fundus leaving only the muscular portion of the stomach.

Well' date=' maybe if you cut a personal pan pizza into 10 slices <img src='http://www.bariatricpal.com/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/wink.png' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='' />

[/quote']

It was a sleeve. It was also done in the earlier stages of VSG development so who knows. She does have a RNY now because they could not or would not redo the sleeve but only convert it to that. Someone did ask if it had been done incorrectly (something I think deep down we all fear) and the answer was no. It was deemed patient abuse!

I admit I am overly cautious even sometimes a little paranoid. I had a freak thing happen at 3 weeks. My intestines twisted. While I was on liquid I had some discomfort but things still went through. As I progressed to solid food I developed an obstruction and had to have a second surgery to correct it. It was brutal! It was also a blessing in disguise because I was given a lot of additional information. I have more scar tissue which makes me more susceptible to another obstruction and that is something I definitely would not want to go through again. It was the worst experience of my life!

I share what I have been told because I believe Knowledge IS Power. I'm not saying these things are going to happen to anyone else. I didn't even think something would go wrong for me, but it did. Fortunately because of what my primary had put me through before the surgery, I was prepared to deal with it. I would just like to see people be as well informed as possible. My primary does not approve of this surgery. It took three years of going to classes, seminars, counseling, support groups just to get her to approve me. Another blessing in disguise. I learned a lot on my journey. She gave me a wonderful gift by making me earn it. I will be eternally grateful!

You can't stretch your stomach back out it has been stated time after time.My surgeon and most if his colleagues have stated that over and over. It is about choices. I have seen the "Oh I eat better than everyone"judgemental patients stop coming to support group too after they gain weight from all their graze binging. Not to say that everyone who choses to "eat right" does this but some do. Just as some people who chose to have a treat in moderation fail to lose weight' date=' gain weight, or regain BUT some don't.I for one refuse to let food take hold of me again in any extreme way where either I love it can't get enough or I am afraid of it like some people are....[/quote']

So NOT TRUE!! Do you go to an actual support group where you can physically see people? A doctor came to ours and brought surgery pictures of a woman's stomach who had to have hers redone. 3 years out and she was eating 10, that's right TEN pieces of pizza at a time. You couldn't even see the staple line anymore because it was buried in FAT!! This is such a potential problem that my health plan has instigated a policy that they will only pay for this surgery once and may not cover complications if they are a result of deliberate patient abuse.

Your stomach can MOST DEFINITELY STRETCH BACK OUT!!!!!!!

scales don't always tell the whole truth! Too many influencing factors. Something I did to keep my spirits up during apparent stalls was to try on a tight article of clothing. Even tho the scale wouldn't show a loss, the clothes would. They were clearly getting looser. It was a great day when I stopped having to record my weight daily for my surgeon and could do it once a week instead! Really took away the pressure, anxiety and frustration!! Hang in there!!

Sometimes when I start eating after a few bites I feel discomfort and then I stop eating .. And then I get hungry not to long after that

Make sure you are taking infant sized bites for your new infant sized and chew until there is nothing left. I used the 30 Chew Rule. If it was gone after 30 chews, I would spit it out. If your teeth can't pulverize it, there's no way your stomach will be able to break it down easily. Also remember it should take you close to 30 minutes to eat. Its real easy to eat too big of bites and too fast. I'm over 15 months out and STILL measure things. It is the best way. Also stop eating when you first feel that pressure sensation so you don't over eat. You can always wait 15 minutes and eat some more if you're afraid you're not getting enough. It took me close to an hour in the soft and early regular food stage because the curve at the top op my stomach was so tight. Hang in there. It does get MUCH better!

It can also happen because sleeve surgery/reducing the size of your stomach also reduces the number of receptors that trigger saliva production. Your body will adjust with time!!

Focus on the positive and Enjoy that bad taste. It is the exhaust of BURNING FAT!! YEA!! HOORAY!!!!!!!

It's a nasogastric tube and it can't be used because it could puncture your stomach.

Actually they can be used, they just need to be inserted with extreme care. But trust me, you never want to have one! They are truly a miserable device created by a cruel person! I had to have one for 8 days @ 9 weeks out when my intestines twisted and had to have a second surgery. I was so grateful when the Chief of surgery came in and said, "this clearly isn't working! Want to take it out?" I felt like jumping out of the bed and kissing him! Thank you again Dr. Yamanishi!!

Most surgeons use opiate based pain killers which when you're not used to taking them can impair your ability to drive. Many states consider driving under their influence a felony not just a misdemeanor.

My hospital also required a driver and wouldn't check me out until he was present. You can ask their policy.

Do you have a friend who can pick you up? Is anyone staying with you post surgery?

I would love to know the 'never forever' list.... Is Kasier available online? I'm only 5 days out' date=' but don't know of any foods that I can never eat again....? This would be helpful, I think![/quote']

Danelle, my surgeon gave it to me with my surgery packet. It was listed as foods to avoid in the meal plan. It is things that are hard to digest. popcorn, larger seeds like in blackberries and boysenberries. also seeds with a hazardous shape like caraway seeds that can get stuck. Coconut is another thing that your body does not digest and can create a blockage. Your stomach can't "flush out" the way it did before surgery unless you stretch it back out. Things that are fibrous like asparagus are also more difficult but you may be able to eat those by cooking them until they are tender, eventually. Most healthy things you will be able to eat the farther out you get.

My NUTs and PA said to achieve long term success you have to accept the reality that there are things you will never eat again. I am in this for the long haul and the only person I hurt by eating unhealthy foods for my redesigned tummy is Me. Drew Carey after losing over 100 pounds once said, "Eating crappy food isn't a reward, it's a punishment!" He was right. Some people may choose to continue to eat wrong, but I am NEVER going back to where I was and am willing to do whatever I have to do to accomplish that! I know too many people with a cavalier attitude about what they are eating, believing that their surgery would save them, and the scales are climbing. One by one they stop coming to the support group. They all bragged about what they "could" eat. What they would eat and now say they wished they never started eating those things again. For me this surgery tamed my hunger beast. The last thing I want to do is wake it up. Think of feeding yourself as if you were feeding a baby. There are a lot of things you wouldn't give them because they are too hard to digest or just simply not healthy. That's really what this surgery does. It gives you a second chance to do it right. It really is just common sense. And most importantly it IS up to you!!

Today I discovered that I have some weird funky brownish' date=' orangeish, iodine splotchy looking things on my hands. What in the world are, and where did they come from? I read that it could be b-12 or Vitamin c deficiency, but I take both of those vites daily.

I attached a photo to this post. I put circles around the discolorations. I was sleeved on April 8th, 2013. Thoughts?[/quote']

I i find that I bruise much easier now but on the palm of your hands is strange. Almost looks like jaundice. Do the whites of your eyes appear yellow?

MM the Preacher says: When in doubt, check it out! Better to feel a little foolish by contacting your doctor than wind up with a serious problem! Lets us know what you find out, please!

You are the first person I've heard of who was told not to take Vitamins. I would check again with your doctor especially if you are having trouble getting Protein in. Keeping hydrated is really important and can really zap your strength. Is there any liquid you can tolerate?

Gross fact! There is a reason for that. Obese people carry around undigested food in the folds of their intestines. When you start to restrict your intake, your body uses that "stored food" up. That's why most people usually have a bigger weight loss in the first couple of weeks on any diet! You may not necessarily be losing fat during those first weeks but just cleaning out your intestines.

In addition, your body is trying to recover from major surgery. Be patient and stick to your program guidelines. It will happen!! = )

They are not letting use my Gas-X should i use them anyway?? Im so glad this is common i was scared.. Jello hurts me broth more than 2 spoons hurts me. Water lord let this pass.. Un a good note other than that i feel great

NO!! The gas you feel is not in your intestines so the gas x won't help anyway. They fill your abdomen up with an air mixture to give them more room to move around. It has to be absorbed through your cells. The more you get up and walk, the faster it will go away! As for the other, remember to take tiny sips and try not to swallow air. It takes practice but does get better. Glad you feel great otherwise!

Asked my Dr's nurse today' date=' she buzzed him he asked why I wanted to know.[/quote']

I told him we had to find something else to obsess about now that our food obsession is behind us. They both laughed! BTW, he uses a 34 FR which is equal to one cm. With the success I have had, it must have been plenty small enough!

Asked my Dr's nurse today, she buzzed him he asked why I wanted to know.

Good luck to you JennyBeth!

We were told that because caffeine dehydrates you, we needed to drink an additional ounce of Water for every once of a caffeinated beverage to compensate. Plus, because it is a stimulant, it can also stimulate hunger. Definitely true for me.

Agree that the nectar sweets including double stuff cookie and chocolate truffle are really good with water!!! They are probably a reason for my success to lose my sweet tooth. Still drinking Syntrax nectar sweet shakes 10 months post op.

Good to know! I haven't tried the DS cookie flavor yet for fear it would trigger an old craving for the real thing. I'll have to try it!

Just wanted to offer some encouragement to you slower losers. I have heard many professionals in my program say that when you lose it a little slower, it is less likely to come back! So keep up the good work!!

My surgeon made us record our weight everyday. It really sucked! It was a happy day when I could stop. Now I only weigh in once a week! = )

I'm going to opine on this.

WLS will not "fix" you. Your (I'm using "your" as a generalization' date=' not specific to any one individual) hang ups with food are still there. You're not cured, you're being treated.

Focusing on bougie size, of which there is very little size difference, rather than your weight loss journey in its entirety can be an indicator that you're expecting the surgery to do all the work. That the most minuscule sized bougie will make all the difference in your success. That ghrelin reduction wil cure your hunger...

The fact of the matter is, we as individuals make all the difference in our success. Period.

The surgery helps us, a LOT but it is not a the cure. It's a powerful treatment.

Don't focus on bougie size or the ghrelin hormone being reduced. Focus on how you can use your Sleeve to the best of your advantage and have optimal results.

The tiniest of tummies will not guarantee you success. We can still set ourselves up for failure by not working hard and making our own success.[/quote']

Well said, Amanda!!

Good Lord' date=' this scares the crap out of me. I eat popcorn once a week. And I personally dont want anything "trapped" in me that they have to surgically remove. I had Diverticulits before I had this surgery (doesent seem to bother me now) but its kindove the same thing things get trapped in inflamed pockets in your colon, and you feel like you are going to die. VERY painful.[/quote']

My husband suffers from that. Brought him to his knees! Glad it's better for you now.

As always you should follow what your own doctor says. They know your medical history. For me, I really trust Kaiser. Their bariatric program is outstanding! The doctor who ran the program in my area for years before recently retiring, IS the smartest man I will ever meet in my lifetime when it comes to weight issues. It is his life's passion and I would not be where I am today without the gift Of his knowledge!!

Popcorn is one of the things on my NF list. (Never Forever)

Where did you hear this?? My NUT has popcorn on approved list of foods?

Just wondering?

My NUT in my pre-op classes and my PA at my one year check up. I also printed info on it for our support group from the NIH (national health institute) website.

That is good news! How far out are you from surgery? If you continue to vomit you might want to let your surgeon know.

JennyBeth, could you share what your doctor did for your stricture or what you did to overcome that so others will know?