mistysj

Globe, I know you asked for a PM but there seems to be general interest so I will put it out there. GERD can cause cancer. If you are not controlling it with a PPI you need to be proactive. The sleeve increases the pressure inside your stomach causing stress on the valves at the top and bottom. Some of us seem to be able to handle it and others not. I was not only having GERD but bile reflux from my intestine back into my stomach. Bile is caustic like lye and reacts to stomach acid sort of like vinegar and baking soda. I had ulcers in my stomach and intestines. In addition if bile and stomach acid reflux into your esophagus you can get Barret's Esophagus which is a precursor to esophageal cancer. Not trying to scare you but just to be real.
The RNY splits your stomach or sleeve into two parts. An upper part which connects to your esophagus and your small intestine about 100 cm down from the normal place, and a small part that connects to the common bile duct and then connects to your intestine. So the food and digestive juices don't mix until they get together in your small intestine (which is where digestion happens anyway) and reflux is basically impossible.
My surgeon said that the part of my sleeve that he used for the bile part is only about 10 ml (2 tsp) and I am already close to my pre-revision capacity a month out. I've had no issues. Even my poop is kind of normal for the first time since my sleeve surgery.
I know most of us chose the sleeve because we were dead set against the bypass but I am sure seeing a lot of sleeve to bypass revisions now because of GERD, both here and on Thinner Times. I hope the word gets out to pre-op folks so they can make more informed decisions.

I just want to step in and say to Frumpy, regardless of the weight gain, please take the GERD seriously. I am just a month out from revision to bypass that was necessary because of multiple ulcers and inflammation that occurred despite me taking nexium since my surgery in 2013 and never actually feeling heartburn. We don't have much stomach left after sleeve and we can't afford for GERD to damage it. Gastric bypass makes GERD practically impossible because the bile duct is in a different part of the system from the esophagus and stomach after the bypass. I'm not saying you need bypass but you need to be monitoring the situation with your doctor.

This is what I ate in purée, along with yogurt and Protein shakes.
http://www.bariatricpal.com/topic/251749-how-to-puree-chicken/
http://www.bariatricpal.com/topic/251750-chicken-burrito-puree/
http://www.bariatricpal.com/topic/251752-chicken-casserole-puree/
http://www.bariatricpal.com/topic/251755-spiced-pumpkin-ricotta-puree/
http://www.bariatricpal.com/topic/251754-tuna-casserole-puree/

I just want to step in and say to Frumpy, regardless of the weight gain, please take the GERD seriously. I am just a month out from revision to bypass that was necessary because of multiple ulcers and inflammation that occurred despite me taking nexium since my surgery in 2013 and never actually feeling heartburn. We don't have much stomach left after sleeve and we can't afford for GERD to damage it. Gastric bypass makes GERD practically impossible because the bile duct is in a different part of the system from the esophagus and stomach after the bypass. I'm not saying you need bypass but you need to be monitoring the situation with your doctor.

I just want to step in and say to Frumpy, regardless of the weight gain, please take the GERD seriously. I am just a month out from revision to bypass that was necessary because of multiple ulcers and inflammation that occurred despite me taking nexium since my surgery in 2013 and never actually feeling heartburn. We don't have much stomach left after sleeve and we can't afford for GERD to damage it. Gastric bypass makes GERD practically impossible because the bile duct is in a different part of the system from the esophagus and stomach after the bypass. I'm not saying you need bypass but you need to be monitoring the situation with your doctor.

Thanks for the welcome back. I have to say I can't get used to all the ads though.
Surgery went fine yesterday morning. It took two hours including a massive hiatus hernia repair (had it repaired as part of the sleeve surgery too but it came back). This morning I had clear fluids for Breakfast with no trouble (about 6 ounces total I would guess). The expected amount of pain. Everything seems easier this time around even though the sleeve was very easy too.
I'll be out of the hospital tomorrow and on full fluids for two weeks, mushy for two weeks, then gently back to normal. I expect to be back at work (desk job, work from home) next week.

It's tricky to say as it was "silent" reflux. I didn't really ever have proper heartburn. So I'll find out at my 4-week appointment. Because of the way the bypass works I was told it would be almost impossible for me to have reflux afterward.
It's hard to tell with the diarrhea as well. It seems like it might be a smidge better but I am still on liquids so it's still not expected to be "normal" yet I suppose. So just waiting a bit longer to see.

I'm home now. Tolerating free fluids fine. My capacity is better than with the sleeve. I'm nursing a Protein Shake now. It's funny not to be so worried about the calories as I was the first time. To maintain I probably have about 1600 and I don't really count anything. So during the liquid phase it will be nearly impossible for me not to have a deficit. It's also weird to realize that this time my goal is to maintain, maybe losing a couple of kg but it's not a priority at all.

Thanks for the welcome back. I have to say I can't get used to all the ads though.
Surgery went fine yesterday morning. It took two hours including a massive hiatus hernia repair (had it repaired as part of the sleeve surgery too but it came back). This morning I had clear fluids for Breakfast with no trouble (about 6 ounces total I would guess). The expected amount of pain. Everything seems easier this time around even though the sleeve was very easy too.
I'll be out of the hospital tomorrow and on full fluids for two weeks, mushy for two weeks, then gently back to normal. I expect to be back at work (desk job, work from home) next week.

It's tricky to say as it was "silent" reflux. I didn't really ever have proper heartburn. So I'll find out at my 4-week appointment. Because of the way the bypass works I was told it would be almost impossible for me to have reflux afterward.
It's hard to tell with the diarrhea as well. It seems like it might be a smidge better but I am still on liquids so it's still not expected to be "normal" yet I suppose. So just waiting a bit longer to see.

Thanks for the welcome back. I have to say I can't get used to all the ads though.
Surgery went fine yesterday morning. It took two hours including a massive hiatus hernia repair (had it repaired as part of the sleeve surgery too but it came back). This morning I had clear fluids for Breakfast with no trouble (about 6 ounces total I would guess). The expected amount of pain. Everything seems easier this time around even though the sleeve was very easy too.
I'll be out of the hospital tomorrow and on full fluids for two weeks, mushy for two weeks, then gently back to normal. I expect to be back at work (desk job, work from home) next week.

eggs
cheese
Yogurt
Cottage cheese
Cereal with milk (like Special K or other flakes, soaked in milk)
Porridge with Protein Powder stirred in after it cools a bit
Canned Soup with extra rotisserie chicken added
Beef mince with gravy or Bolognaise or other sauce
Canned chicken mixed with mayo, onion, and gherkin relish (aka chicken salad)
Refried Beans with cheese
Hummus
Canned peas
Baked beans
Custard with Protein powder stirred in
Sashimi
smoked salmon
canned tuna

I saw a section for band to sleeve and one from band to bypass but not one for sleeve to bypass. I will look again. Note that this is also different from sleeve to duodenal switch. Thanks!

It has been a while since I was posting regularly here. I had vsg in May 2013, reached my goal weight and a healthy BMI in about 16 months, and have had no trouble maintaining. I've been very happy with the sleeve overall.
But I have had some trouble the whole time. Basically I dump (severe diarrhea and sometimes severe hypoglycemia too) after almost every meal. We are talking agonizing, clear-the-ladies-room, stuff. I actually experienced it right after surgery in the hospital and they said it was normal and would go away. It never has. I've worked with my surgeon, dietitians, other gastroenterologists, I've had all kinds of tests including numerous endoscopes and colonoscopies. I tried going dairy free, gluten free, low carb, low fat. I had my gall bladder removed after a severe attack and hoped it might help. I took Questran at 4x the normal dose. I tried Calcium. I tried eating g things that tend to block other people up. I ate 120+ grams of low fat Protein a day. Nothing helped.
Now I have another problem too. Despite being on nexium since surgery, I have severe acid reflux and bile reflux that have caused my stomach and upper bowel to develop severe ulcers. The acid reflux is a relatively common long term complication of the sleeve. The bike reflux is often genetic and doesn't cause a lot of trouble with a full size stomach apparently. My current gastroenterologist is going to revise my sleeve to a bypass, which will eliminate both types of reflux because it will be impossible for the acid and bile to reach the pouch from the blind stomach. He also thinks that the bile reflux is causing the dumping because it is impeding the break-down of food, which is passing through me only partially digested.
So I will be having the revision Monday morning and I get to re-experience the joy of the 6 week post-op diet. My surgeon is confident that any weight I lose will only be temporary, since I really don't need to lose more. I may actually gain a bit because I will be absorbing more nutrients.
I don't know how many sleeve to bypass revisions there are, so I wasn't sure where to post this. Hopefully it is helpful to someone.

I never said people couldn't have intolerances. I said that paleo's reasoning behind it is unscientific. It's not because grains are so "new" and vegetables are so "old." I am only talking about the science of evolutionary biology. Check out the links if you want to know more.

This is what I ate in purée, along with yogurt and Protein shakes.
http://www.bariatricpal.com/topic/251749-how-to-puree-chicken/
http://www.bariatricpal.com/topic/251750-chicken-burrito-puree/
http://www.bariatricpal.com/topic/251752-chicken-casserole-puree/
http://www.bariatricpal.com/topic/251755-spiced-pumpkin-ricotta-puree/
http://www.bariatricpal.com/topic/251754-tuna-casserole-puree/

I'm about 15 months out. I think I've had this the whole time but maybe it's just annoying me more. I get like air bubbles / trickles that constantly bubble up my throat. Like tiny little burps. But not like a burp, more like bubbles in champagne. They make a little bit of noise and it makes me self conscious. It's not like a real burp where you can sort of stifle it.
I don't drink with my meals. I don't drink anything carbonated. I don't use a straw. I don't think I eat as slow as I should, but I have always struggled with that. But I wanted to post here and see if anyone has ideas. It is not what I would call a real burp so I have been having some trouble searching.
And yes it seems very trivial after some of the other things posted here. Sorry about that.

This is my absolute favorite dressing for salads, for dipping seafood into, etc. I love it and it is so simple. Here is my recipe for a single generous serving. It could probably serve two.
1 tbsp rice wine vinegar
1/2 tsp soy sauce
1/4 tsp sesame oil or a few drops if your container dispenses that way
1/2 tsp jam, jelly, preserves, or marmalade of your choice -- raspberry or orange are my favorites
Optional: 1 clove garlic finely chopped, a sprig of cilantro finely chopped, a sprinkling of chopped peanuts, or a dash of hot sauce
Mix it all together and pour over your salad or use as a dipping sauce. I have to stop myself from licking the bowl.
Around 45 calories and 5 grams carbs. High in sodium if that worries you.

Grilled chicken thigh and stir-fried chard with chillies

I had 3/4 of a homemade burrito last night. Flour tortilla, steak strips (I diced mine after they were cooked, refried Beans, Tomato, salsa, shredded cheese, a little lettuce. The amount of filling was small by the standards of pre-op but it tasted amazing and went down fine. I left about 1/3 of the tortilla and about 1/4 of the filling behind. But this is another point about being able to have your favorite foods again. If I ordered a restaurant burrito I would use a knife and fork, and pick out what I wanted from it and probably leave 2/3 behind, but it would still taste great.

This is what I ate in purée, along with yogurt and Protein shakes.
http://www.bariatricpal.com/topic/251749-how-to-puree-chicken/
http://www.bariatricpal.com/topic/251750-chicken-burrito-puree/
http://www.bariatricpal.com/topic/251752-chicken-casserole-puree/
http://www.bariatricpal.com/topic/251755-spiced-pumpkin-ricotta-puree/
http://www.bariatricpal.com/topic/251754-tuna-casserole-puree/

I don't know about you, but I was intimidated by the thought of pureeing chicken. Here is how I did it. It turned out great.
Ingredients:
4 chicken breasts, boneless skinless
2 cans or one carton chicken broth
Use a wide pan with a flat bottom and a lid, like a sauté pan. Place the chicken breasts in the pan. It's ok if it is a tight fit.
Use enough broth to just cover the meat.
Put the lid on and cook on the lowest heat that will produce a slow boil. Once you get to the slow boil, set your timer for 20 minutes. If the broth gets too low, add a bit more.
After 20 minutes the meat should be so tender it is falling apart.
Put one breast in the food processor with about 1/4 cup of the broth. Blitz until it is puréed. Check for chunks. Repeat with the remaining breasts. I recommend freezing the purée in 3.5 oz (100 gram) portions.

Thanks! I am back at my lowest weight and slowly inching down. Size 8 jeans in Australia sizes so size 4 US. Size 10C bra! Who would have thought? I started at a 20DD and should have probably been an E! About 3 kg from ultimate dream goal.

MFP
Endomondo to log exercise
Fitbit to log my daily steps
Fitbit Aria scale to log my weight and body fat percentage and send it to MFP automatically
Kitchen scale
Lots of real tupperware containers because they don't leak. The snack cups are a perfect size especially in the early days and still hold a snack size of cottage cheese, yogurt etc. and the Tupperware tumblers with snap on lids are great for Protein Powder to be turned into a shake by adding Water
A carafe to chill water in the fridge
chewable Multivitamins, Calcium and Iron that tastes like candy and keeps me taking them every day
Really good Zojirushu vacuum flask to keep my coffee piping hot for 10 hours because sometimes it takes me most of the day to finish a cup and I like it HOT
My kindle paperwhite which has let me read so so many books about WLS and nutrition and the psychology of successful weight loss after surgery
Good running shoes that really fit

Kefir is the oldest method of culturing and thus preserving milk. It doesn't need refrigeration so that was good before fridges existed. It is also self-perpetuating. Yogurt culture only lasts a few batches before it stops making yogurt but there are kefir cultures that have been around hundreds of years. You strain out the grains (they look like tiny cauliflower) and just add them to new milk. We used to have dairy goats and this is one of the ways we used the milk. Kefir is a little stronger tasting than yogurt.