xxjosettexx

I had VSG June 15, 2015

HW: 357 pounds/size 24

Goal: 185 Pounds

CURRENTLY: 140 Pounds/Size 2

I couldn’t be happier, you’d never know I used to weigh more than double my current weight. I reached my goal in January of 2017, had a Tummy Tuck April of 2017, and continued to lose weight after for some reason. 13 pounds of skin removed.

Following this thread because I have severe GERD as well and my doctor proposed this as an alternative treatment. I’m 4.5 years post op. I have an endoscopy next Tuesday to see what the damage is. I have been looking into different options aside from bypass because i don’t want to Frankenstein my intestines up more. There is a device called a LINX, that I’m going to ask my doctor about, and one other option that I forget the name of, that can be done before doing gastric bypass. I only weigh 140 pounds, down from 357 so I DO NOT want Gastric Bypass since regain has not been an issue for me. I have the same concerns that I will become malnourished if I have the bypass because I am way below goal weight

I’m 4.5 years post op VSG surgery. Down to 140 pounds from 357 pounds. My partner and I are TT , and I think I might be pregnant. I missed my period but just by one day so far. I know breast changes are usually the first sign, and mine feel a little different than usual and also are a bit swelled. but I’m wondering since I was so large and my breasts were stretched before, if I will really feel the changes/soreness that non-wls people have? I’m going to wait another day to test, but I’d love to hear some experiences about symptoms and what the first signs you had were! Thanks in advance 😊

I will call my surgeons office and ask. I am pretty good about getting in my Vitamins in, so maybe that could work. With the depo shot 10% bone density loss is expected, but maybe the Calcium supplements could cancel out the bone density loss from Prilosec and work until August at least... @@BLERDgirl you've given me some things to think about

I suppose I should disregard the scale for the time being, and just focus on my daily goals. It is so hard though, It just has some sort of hold over me, which is terrible. And self acceptance is just hard when your image of yourself has been negative your entire life (but I'm working on it in counseling). Not to mention I have my parents breathing down my neck to know exactly how much I've lost to see if their "investment" is paying off.

My surgeon recommends and prescribed Pepcid for heartburn. I also drink Water with baking soda mixed in to neutralize everything and avoid tums at times.

I could start Prilosec in August when my shot wears off, but my pcp really advised against Prilosec and Depo together, as it's like a sure fire way to osteoporosis

I was sleeved 6/23/15. I have had the most terrible heartburn since day 1, but now it has become constant with no relief at all. It's gotten to the point where I take pepcid 2x a day, which does nothing, so I also take Zantac 2x a day, and even that is not really effective, and I have to keep a bottle of tums on me at all times. My throat is constantly burning and I can always feel the acid in it. I am just at a loss as to what to do. Does anyone have any suggestions that i haven't tried?

I won't take Prilosec since it causes bone loss, and I already take medicine that is proven to cause bone loss, so my physician recommended against combining them.

Thanks!

So I was sleeved June 23rd. My starting weight was 346, I lost 18 pounds on my two week pre op, so surgery weight was 328. Exactly a week and 1 day out of surgery I lost down to 314, and my scale has not moved since, and I am now two weeks and two days post op. I can't really get my Protein in since whey and dairy makes me so sick, but I've been trying to get in liquids and the occasional Greek yogurt (like 1 per day).

I'm not really sure what to do and it feels like I am failing already, and with my high start weight this slow loss does not seem promising. Has anyone else experienced this? How did you break your stall when you can't have anything but Protein Shakes and yogurt?

Thanks!

Forgot to mention though, after my extra hospital stay I felt great, almost like I'd never had surgery in the first place. I hope you start to feel better!!

If you think you are dehydrated, then by all means go to the hospital!!! I got dehydrated after my sleeve and had to be readmitted, but I thought I was fine because I could sip apple juice. Well I wasn't fine, and it took them 20 IV sticks before they could get the needle in because my veins were so collapsed. And if you've seen iv needles, they are really long. They stuck me in my arms, neck, feet, shoulders and finally got it in a deep vein but they had to use an ultrasound machine. If you go to the hospital they can also give you medicine to take down swelling (torrdal), which will help you to get liquids down. Please don't let yourself get to where I was

I was dairy & meat intolerant for the first 6 months, i used Syntrax Nectar Protein powder which i mixed with Water. I am extremely fond of the fuzzy navel flavour - tastes like a watered down orange juice. Only thing to watch out for is when you mix it, you end up with quite a bit of froth. Its best to make it the night before and leave it in the fridge overnight for the froth to settle down.

I will definitely look into Syntrax, that sounds delicious!

If you live near a whole foods they often have single serving packets. Many people like hemp Protein. I tried Vega and wasn't fond of it either. The trick with Protein Drink is a lot of the time it's trial and error.

As for non dairy milks and yogurts, be careful. Many are low in Protein and high in fat and carbs. I believe either hemp or flax have the highest amount of protein. I haven't tried either. I drink unsweetened almond milk sparingly but I only like Almond Breeze brand. Anything by Silk taste like wallpaper past to me.

Sadly the nearest whole foods is 40 minutes away, but the drive would be worth it if I like the hemp protein! I like the silk vanilla coconut milk.. It tastes like PF Changs coconut cooler but without all the sugar haha. Silk original/unsweetened is not so good though! The best I've found is trader joes non dairy stuff!

I have been having a similar problem. I was sleeved on 6/20 and I have been pretty good about getting my Protein in. I have been drinking dairy milk mixed with my Protein Powder since Friday and everything was ok until Sunday. The last couple of days I have been nauseated when I drink my Protein shakes. I wasn't sure if it was the protein or the milk so now I am going to switch out the milk for almond milk and see if that helps.

Let me know how switching goes! I might need to switch from coconut to almond or rice dream, even if just for a different taste lol

Have you tried Jay Robb egg white Protein? A lot of people really like it, and the numbers look better to me in terms of grams of Protein vs. carbs etc. You can buy samples so you don't have to commit to a whole bag. Also, I mix my protein shakes with cashew milk or almond milk -- no dairy, lower calories, tastes good.

http://www.jayrobb.com/protein/egg-protein-samples.asp

I'll check out that protein! I mix my shakes with coconut milk at the moment!

You need to hit above 20 gms not only to heal, but to lose healthily. What vegan protein shave you tried? I liked the Biochem vegan powder but I found I needed to blend it in the nutra bullet to remove the grittiness. Another option would be the protein waters. Both Isopure and Syntrax make those. Special K makes some you can buy at the market but they are lower in protein.

Alternatives would be Beans, nut, lentils, tofu, dark green leafy veg like spinach or kale. If you are still on puree or soft foods blend them and add them to your broth. It is important to find ways to get your protein in.

I have tried the VEGA brand from GNC. I looked into isopure, but it uses hydrolyzed whey protein. I'll check out syntrax!

I can easily... EASILY relate to this. I was sleeved on June 16th, 2015 and I've even had to get off the Protein Shakes because of how nauseous they made me. What I've done with the dairy is I've started to use Lactaid Fat Free Milk and it's 100% lactose free. I'm doing just fine with it. I also have a problem processing fats now, at all, because I also had my gallbladder removed, so I tend to be very picky (while not wise) as to what I can take it.

How long does your doctor have you on clears, though? Because for me it was only a week. Everything does get better once you're able to start doing purees and soft foods. Just remember to get those Proteins in !

My Dr's program is a 4 week long liquid diet (including yogurt/pudding) after surgery before moving into soft foods, and adding foods in as tolerated at one month out. There is no puree phase or anything so I have to find a solution for the next three weeks lol

Nioxin sounds like it would work well if it urges re growth, but make sure you choose a system that protects the hair that is still on your head as well!

This is gonna sound like an ad, but I started using Aveda's "Invati" system.. And I stress that you must use the complete system. It's specifically made to treat and prevent thinning hair, and to nourish the hair follicles. It's not made to address hormonal Hair loss, such as male pattern balding or menopausal thinning, that nioxin is made to treat however. I went to an Aveda cosmetology school and our product rep specifically mentioned that Invati can be used to prevent hair loss during massive weight loss or weight loss surgery. It does this through the serum, which penetrates the scalp and protects and nourishes the hair follicle. The Shampoo clarifies the scalp so that the serum can be fully effective, and the conditioner thickens each hair strand. Invati is made to protect the hair in the first place, and protect your remaining hair from falling out. IN addition to the Invati system I am taking Biotin, Vitamins and amino acids

My surgery went the complete opposite. I had my outpatient surgery on the 23rd, and ended up not being able to take my pain medicine or get any fluids down once I got home, due to swelling, and had to be readmitted for severe dehydration and pain management (gastric sleeve surgery with no pain medicine sucks). 20 IV sticks (worst dehydration case the hospital had seen) and a torrdal shot later I was fine, but I should have done inpatient in the first place

You can add me if you want! I'm also a week out, my mfp is xxjosettexx (:

So, I was sleeved June 23rd 2015. Before surgery I was dairy sensitive, and never drank milk or ate yogurt (it made me nauseous and bloated). For pre-op, I could get in my whey Protein Shakes and Greek yogurts though, since my stomach was tougher, and I'd just feel crappy afterwards, since it was just a means to pre-surgery weight loss.

Now since surgery Protein shakes/dairy, and I, do not get along. I have been so nauseous from the whey, that I haven't gotten a full Protein Shake in since surgery. broth, Jello, Popsicles, and drinks do not make me sick at all. Vegan protein is literally so disgusting to me (texture, taste), but I have to do what I have to do. Here's to hoping my protein levels hit above 20 grams one of these days!

@@PChayy05 oh my gosh that sounds crazy! I hope all is well with you! I'll keep you in my thoughts!

As far as your pain goes, it will get better!! I was sleeved the 23rd and I'm feeling good. My pain is basically gone except for where the muscle was stitched under the skin. I can barely get my Protein in though, and anything that has dairy or is creamy/rich is giving me nausea, which means my Protein Shakes lol. This phase is so hard for me only because of the nausea. But then again I've always been sensitive to dairy food (stupid whey protein). I can't wait for soft foods in a couple weeks!

Thank you for all of the support! I haven't weighed myself since then and I won't be weighing until week two! This thread has definitely relieved my worries about starting out strong!

Don't freak out and don't weigh everyday. You probably gained Water weight after surgery so you have lost that plus the 3 pounds. Some people gain as much as 10 pounds with the surgery. I gained about 7. I remember waking up in the middle of the night about 6 days out and felt like a peed for an hour lol. And there went the rest of the IV fluids. What you are going through is normal.

In the beginning your body is kind of in shock. Keep doing what you are doing and the pounds will come off. I thought I hadn't really lost that much, but now looking at how much I've lost in 3 months I'm doing great. Don't stress.

Weighing every day is definitely one of my weaknesses. Thank you for the support, I will just have to take it slower and not get so caught up on numbers!

I'm 5 days out and can drink lots of liquid too. Top that off with only a 3 pound loss since surgery, and that really scares me!

I'm 6 days out and I've only lost 3 pounds, and from a very high starting weight. Super discouraging!

I'm consuming an average of 450 calories daily, and have been walking moderately.

I'm 5'11 and my goal is 165. I know they say "shoot for healthy" but I'm young now and I wanna have the body to match! haha. That being said, I'm five days out and only down 3 pounds