Babysteppin

Hi there. I'm only 11 days post op, but today I've been experiencing reflux of what I'm assuming is bile. I get pressure in my lower esophagus/chest, and then the bile just slides up in mouthfuls. (Sorry, gross!!). I'm due to have my 1st post op visit soon, but wanted to see if anyone else out there has had this happen? Is it a sign of anything serious??

::waves from the SouthCoast of MA::

I'm down heah in New Behfid, the "ahmpit of Cape Cawd",

OMG I love this. Hahaa! Good to find you here too! There's not a whole lot of New Englanders on here.

For me, I feel like all the anxiety before the surgery was worse than the surgery itself!! You will be so relieved once it's done. The first few days aren't "great"...but they're doable. You'll be surprised by how strong you really are, and how you'll naturally step up to the challenge. But after that, I can honestly say it gets better with each day! Sipping does become your full time job while in recovery...but I just come on here to pass the time as I sip! lol

Hi! Where did you have your surgery done? I'm doing good. Struggling with the same thing. So ready to start soft foods! !! Who was your surgeon? I used Dr. Sandor. I had a wonderful eXperience at winchester. No complaints at all.

Glad you're well! I cannot wait to start soft foods either!!! So sick of sweet shakes! We're almost there though. I had my surgery at Mt Auburn by Dr. Kim. Really great staff there also. The actual wt mgmt center is in Waltham, so that's good for all my f/u appts. Great to hear that WH is going great for you. I'll have to tell my sis!

The way I figure, we should plan on going to the doctor, support groups, and nutritionist for the long haul. Even though it seems redundant at times, it's vital to our long term success!

I'm in stoneham. Had my surgery on the 22nd at winchester hospital.

Hi Steph! That's great! I live in Winchester, and I had my surgery on 4/22 also. Small world. How's it going for you so far?

The first few days were rough for me, but I seem to be feeling a bit better each day. For now the biggest challenge is getting enough liquids and Protein in. It's like a full time job!

Btw, my sister is thinking about going to Winchester Hospital for VSG. Do you like the team there?

I hope you're doing well, and it's good to hear from a local!

Maybe I need to write a cookbook/romance novel. "Fifty Shades of Grey Poupon"?

LOL. I'd read it!

I am having surgery on Monday morning. I've been careful, thorough and dedicated all along, but now I find that I'm TERRIFIED. Not so much about the surgery (though some about that!) as about post-surgery. What if I regret it? What if life isn't normal and fun any more? Am I making an incredibly drastic decision??

I know I can't lose what I need to lose alone. And I hear everyone here say how thrilled they are. I want that.

Please help with my last minute jitters!!!

I'm right there with ya, Sarah!! My surgery is also on Mon, and a whole barrage of thoughts/doubts/fears are running through my mind - especially about life after the surgery. Right now I'm just trying to remind myself of the lengthy process to get to this point: the research, the questions, the appointments, more questions.... Ultimately I know that I didn't impulsively make this choice, nor did I make an uneducated decision. It's helping to remind myself of that....yet I think it's only natural that we're still scared sh**less!!! You're not alone. Best to you

So what is it that you want us to say? Congratulations you ate a cheeseburger!! Or why would you want to eat crap fast food......................I hope that it is the latter.

This seems harsh and passive agressive to me. (Not what VST is supposed to be about.) In my opinion, why post at all if it's not constructive? Better to just leave it alone and move on to a different topic that you can add value to.

YESS!! They got him! And he's alive!! I hope we'll have the opportunity at some point to find out why he and his brother did what they did. Huuuge sigh of relief across MA in the meantime!

Got a text at 6am saying that work is closed, and to "stay inside until further notice". Never have I flown outta bed so fast at 6am! Such an eerie, tense scene here right now. The city is shut down, including many surrounding suburbs. Everywhere is on lockdown...they say over 1 million people are staying inside their homes/work right now. I know of a few VSG'ers who are supposed to be coming home from the hospital or have family visit, but can't because no one can go in or out. I graduated with the critically wounded transit officer...sat next to him in 3rd grade...heck, he's having surgery right now at the same hospital I'll be having mine on Monday! Way too close to home...way too close to everyone's home. *Prayers*

Hey there April Sleevers, Where are you? I'm set to have my VS in 2 days and I'm ready!!! It's not the surgery that is bothering me but the journey after... I want to get started and see everyone stories. Let's share our experiences and pull for each other.

Hope some others will join me

Hey Adeltaflower! Wow, super exciting! Mine is on 4/22, and I can't wait. I too am more nervous about the 'after' part of the surgery. I've been logging on to VST a lot to read everyone's stories, and I recently joined a wonderful April Sleevers group on Facebook! If any April folks are interested in being added, just private msg VST user: curvymama (Khloe) with your email address, and she'll add you! Best of luck this week

I'm from Philly. I will have my surgery at Penn Medicine, nervous excited!! I had my last visit of my 6 month insurance requirement. My coordinator submitted my paperwork yesterday. Now, I'm waiting to hear from the insurance company, which takes approximately 10-15 days. Crossing fingers, surgery date TBD.

Yay, Letty1!! Almost there now. I feel like it's a long journey, and then BOOM! Surgery time all of the sudden!

I had surgery once before, and I had the same exact reaction as far as my monthly bill coming on suddenly...stopping...then going on for over a month. My doctor said it was likely a combo of physical trauma and hormonal shifts from having been operated on, and also partially because my body was reacting to the anesthesia (that's what had initially brought it on). I'd still check on it with your doctor, but at least you can know it's not unheard of! Hang in there

I'm pretty sure my entire problem is that I wasn't smoking Lucky's.

My problem was that I stopped smoking them 10yrs ago and gained 50lbs! Apparently nicotine is the answer. Yeah...that's it...the 'answer'.

Hahaa! Boy, they sure have!

what have I done wrong ? It has been only 1 week of real food and I gained !!!

I almost feel like a person's 'weekly' weight loss/gain isn't a true indicator of how well or how poorly things are really going. I've had various NUT's tell me that before too. Really, our bodies fluctuate so much in their Water balance, muscle activity, etc throughout any given week, that it's not best to even try to compare it to last week's final weight. It's almost better to only weigh in 1x month...or every other week even. Easier said than done though! I wanna know NOW!! Hope this idea helps, or at least is comforting for when you see numbers from one week to the next that you weren't expecting.

Hi everyone .. I got the news today my sleeve date is April the 22nd if I can lose 10 to 15 lbs that is..... My birthday is April 26 th so this should make for a great birthday present I think !!! Good luck everyone

Awesome, congrats! I'm on 4/22 too!

I guess I will have to start weening off the coffee as the surgery date gets near. It going to be rough.

I know...it's a tough one! I've started brewing my coffee using half "high test octane", and half Decaf. But I haven't made the switch over to ALL decaf grounds yet of course. *gulp*

WebMD knows it all I guess.

You can change your own title any time you like. Read mine. It used to say "Life Saved by VSG". I change it whenever I get the whim. Go to your profile and you can do it easily.

Cool, thanks! I don't see it as an option on my 'edit profile' page for some reason though. [Womp woommp]

My NUT told me that I should plan on avoiding caffeinated coffee for the first 6months to a year. The caffeine can lead to dehydration when you're early out, because it's a diuretic and it's challenging to get enough fluids in to compensate for the Water loss. The caffeine can also be an irritant to your sleeve while it's still trying to heal, and while the swelling is still there. But my NUT said after that, there shouldn't be a problem with incorporating it back in. In the meantime, Decaf will have to do I guess.

Welcome Jennifer! This site is wonderful. I hope you'll find it as helpful and supportive as I do! People are totally open and honest, willing to share, and help each other out which is rare to find.

Actually...I've even used it to make a Thai peanut chicken dish!

May sound strange but....What is PB2??

It's a jar of powdered Peanut Butter. Basically they grind peanuts, and dehydrate it into a powder form. They drain off like 80% of the oils and fat in the process so it's better for the waistline. You just add Water to it to make a spread...or you can blend it into stuff or bake with it. It's pretty good!

I've been using it for years...love it! I tend to like the more natural organic peanut butters, like Teddy...so I think that's why I like PB2 so much. I blend it into shakes, puddings, and also like making it as an actual Peanut Butter spread. Never tried the chocolate PB2 though. I figured I'll just keep adding unsweetened cocoa powder to it to make my own.