deletedsally

Sorry you are having trouble with this Lis...You may have already searched this out, but there are some foods that tend to aggravate problems with reflux. I've had problems with GERD in the past, and some of the foods that seem to make mine worse are chocolate, Peanut Butter, green peppers, & artificial sweetners. I can trigger a problem with reflux very easily just by eating chocolate--it causes the muscle around the esophagus to relax. I hope your doctor is able to help you with this, and that you start feeling better soon! Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease Diet Learn how the new prebiotic soluble fibers benefit bowel health and many GI disorders Purpose The esophagus is the tube that carries food from the throat to the stomach. However, it is not just a simple tube. The lower esophagus has a specialized muscle around it that usually stays tightly closed, opening only to allow food and liquid into the stomach. It acts to prevent the reflux of stomach acid into the esophagus. Symptoms occur when this specialized muscle weakens and allows stomach acid to splash up into the esophagus. These symptoms include heartburn, chest discomfort, and bitter Fluid flowing up into the mouth. Chest discomfort can occur. If the stomach juice trickles into the breathing tubes, hoarseness, cough, and even shortness of breath can occur. This entire problem is called GERD (Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease). A number of factors, including certain foods, may cause the lower esophageal muscle to relax, causing GERD. Nutrition Facts A diet designed to prevent or reduce acid reflux is usually easy to follow. The basic food groups of cereals, vegetables, fruits, dairy products, and meats can be eaten with only a few limitations. So, this diet generally meets the Recommended Dietary Allowances (RDA) of the National Research Council. A Vitamin C supplement may be needed if an individual does not tolerate citrus foods such as orange, tomato, etc. Special ConsiderationsThe lower esophageal muscle can be weakened by factors other than food. The following recommendations may be helpful in reducing symptoms: Stop using tobacco in all forms. Nicotine weakens the lower esophageal muscle. Avoid chewing gum and hard candy. They increase the amount of swallowed air which, in turn, leads to belching and reflux. Do not lie down immediately after eating. Avoid late evening Snacks. Avoid tight clothing and bending over after eating. Eat small, frequent portions of food and snack if needed. Lose weight if overweight. Obesity leads to increased reflux. Elevate the head of the bed six to eight inches to prevent reflux when sleeping. Extra pillows, by themselves, are not very helpful. The following foods aggravate acid reflux, and should be avoided: fatty or fried foods peppermint and spearmint whole milk oils chocolate creamed foods or Soups most fast foods [*]The following foods irritate an inflamed lower esophagus and may need to be limited or avoided: citrus fruits and juices (grapefruit, orange, pineapple, tomato) coffee (regular and decaffeinated) caffeinated soft drinks tea other caffeinated beverages [*]Spicy or acidic foods may not be tolerated by some individuals. Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease Diet Learn how the new prebiotic soluble fibers benefit bowel health and many GI disorders Purpose The esophagus is the tube that carries food from the throat to the stomach. However, it is not just a simple tube. The lower esophagus has a specialized muscle around it that usually stays tightly closed, opening only to allow food and liquid into the stomach. It acts to prevent the reflux of stomach acid into the esophagus. Symptoms occur when this specialized muscle weakens and allows stomach acid to splash up into the esophagus. These symptoms include heartburn, chest discomfort, and bitter fluid flowing up into the mouth. Chest discomfort can occur. If the stomach juice trickles into the breathing tubes, hoarseness, cough, and even shortness of breath can occur. This entire problem is called GERD (Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease). A number of factors, including certain foods, may cause the lower esophageal muscle to relax, causing GERD. Nutrition Facts A diet designed to prevent or reduce acid reflux is usually easy to follow. The basic food groups of cereals, vegetables, fruits, dairy products, and meats can be eaten with only a few limitations. So, this diet generally meets the Recommended Dietary Allowances (RDA) of the National Research Council. A Vitamin C supplement may be needed if an individual does not tolerate citrus foods such as orange, tomato, etc. Special ConsiderationsThe lower esophageal muscle can be weakened by factors other than food. The following recommendations may be helpful in reducing symptoms: Stop using tobacco in all forms. Nicotine weakens the lower esophageal muscle. Avoid chewing gum and hard candy. They increase the amount of swallowed air which, in turn, leads to belching and reflux. Do not lie down immediately after eating. Avoid late evening snacks. Avoid tight clothing and bending over after eating. Eat small, frequent portions of food and snack if needed. Lose weight if overweight. Obesity leads to increased reflux. Elevate the head of the bed six to eight inches to prevent reflux when sleeping. Extra pillows, by themselves, are not very helpful. The following foods aggravate acid reflux, and should be avoided: fatty or fried foods peppermint and spearmint whole milk oils chocolate creamed foods or soups most fast foods [*]The following foods irritate an inflamed lower esophagus and may need to be limited or avoided: citrus fruits and juices (grapefruit, orange, pineapple, tomato) coffee (regular and decaffeinated) caffeinated soft drinks tea other caffeinated beverages [*]Spicy or acidic foods may not be tolerated by some individuals.

As I said to Jeannie in a PM...it has become increasingly clear to me that there are some people who seem to take advantage of the "distance protection" offered them by this internet form of communication, as a means to unleash their emotional reactivity, arrogance, negativity, immaturity, and general lack of manners. Let's try to remember that we are all here for support and encouragement, and be polite.

LOL...you know, it probably won't matter, because when we all get thin, it will just be raining men everywhere we go...

Congratulations on GREAT weight loss!! Muscle spasms and cramps can be caused by calcium and/or magnesium deficiencies. You might want to try increasing your supplements to see if it helps.

I agree with this, and some guidelines even say that you aren't supposed to drink fluids for an hour after eating.

Hi Jillian, The nutritional guidelines from my surgeon are not available online, but lots of others are. I printed out multiple guidelines that were online prior to my surgery. They were all fairly similar, but I got different ideas from each one that helped me. Try these links and see what you think. Also, I found that if I had some form of pureed Protein, I stayed full for hours. I used baby food meats sometimes for convenience, but I preferred the taste of fresh stewed chicken that I cooked with onion and carrots and fresh herbs--pureed it all in my food processor. I also cooked fresh steamed broccoli and pureed it in the food processor. I did really well with that. http://www.cornellweightlosssurgery.org/pdf/dietary_guidelines_sleeve_gastrectomy.pdf http://www.hopkinsbayview.org/bariatrics/docs/nutrition_sleeve.pdf http://www.bethesda.med.navy.mil/patient/health_care/surgery_services/bariatric_surgery/bariatric%20nutrition%20guide-sleeve%20gastrectomy.pdf http://www.iabsobesitysurgery.com/Media/Forms/SleeveDietGuide.pdf

Jillian, it's hard to know what to say at this point because I don't know anything about the dietary guidelines you were given by your doctor, and I don't know how your surgeon approached the construction of your sleeve given the small amount of weight you had to lose. With respect to your food choices: I can only tell you that I was instructed to stay on clear liquids for 4 days post op and on full liquids for 4 weeks before starting the mushies. On the full liquid stage I was able to have pureed and strained foods only. Cream soups--strained. Baby food meats mixed with soup. Protein shakes. The only foods on my list with any texture at all were cottage cheese and cream of rice cereal. For me, the mushies started 4 weeks plus four days after surgery. If you are having this much hunger, you may want to check with your doctor about how to approach this, so that you protect your sleeve.

100 pounds in 4 months??? That's absolutely incredible! Great job!

My surgeon writes all his patients a prescription for Reglan prior to surgery and asks them to take it for 6 weeks postop. It helps with motility in the digestive tract, helps keep food moving through your system, and can help reduce nausea. BUT there is a class action lawsuit that is being advertised right now because Reglan can cause irrreversible problems with tardive dyskinesia that may develop as late as 7 weeks after taking the medication. It now has an FDA black box warning. I talked with my MD and told him I was not comfortable taking Reglan and he said that the problems generally were only for people who had taken it longer than 6 weeks. Maybe... but I'd rather take my chances with a little short-term nausea than end up with permanent tardive dyskinesia.

I think most people have heard horror stories about people who have had serious problems with RNY and they assume that VSG will be similar. Many of my friends and family members were supportive of me, but not necessarily supportive of the surgery, because they were afraid I would have serious complications and come to regret the surgery. Then there are those people who have never had significant weight problems, who think that those of us who struggle with obesity are either uneducated about nutrition ("don't know how to eat"), or gluttonous, or lazy, or totally lacking in self-discipline. I can't tell you how many times I have heard, "Well I just ___________" (blah, blah, blah) Yeh...well I've heard all their self-assumed dieting expertise. It makes me want to barf. Come on...why does being at a normal weight give a sister who eats Lucky Charms for Breakfast and a big bag of M&M's every day for lunch the idea that she is entitled to give me dieting advice??? (I kid you not on that one.) As someone who has lost well over 500 pounds over the span of 30 years, I think that I know a little bit about how to diet. I also know that diets have had a horrible effect on my metabolism, fat storage hormones, and appetite regulating hormones--and actually sabotaged every reasonable effort that I have made to maintain any weight loss. I refuse to honor people's uninformed, presumptuous opinions about anything related to my weight or weight loss decisions. I've been valiently fighting a battle with obesity my entire life, and I think that this surgery is the best option that I have to improve the quality of the remaining years of my life. I don't expect anyone who hasn't fought the same battle to comprehend why I would voluntarily allow a surgeon to remove 80% of my stomach...how could they even begin to understand? You deserve whatever it takes to be healthy and have a better quality of life! Would anyone dream of telling someone with breast cancer not to have a mastectomy if they had previously elected to have a lumpectomy, but were still having problems? Hardly. Don't let other people make you feel guilty or ashamed. Do your research and trust yourself to make the best decision for you!

Super weight loss Swiftflow. Congratulations!!

I took half of a sublingual Zophran at bedtime for about the first 4 weeks. Same symptoms you describe. Felt OK during the day, but I would wake up during the night feeling very queasy. I never knew what caused it, it just gradually improved. My MD prescribes the Zophran for all his patients (with refills) and encourages his patients to take it as needed.

I'm only 8 weeks post op and I had a piece of a cuban sandwich. Philly cheesesteak couldn't be any worse than that. It was great and I didn't have any problems with my sleeve. I had about a fourth of the size of sandwich that I might have eaten before, and I still ended up taking about half the bread off--but the taste was there and I was really OK that I couldn't eat more. It was enough to satisfy the desire to have an old favorite.

Hi Gloria, I don't want to be controversial either, but I think it may be important for us to look more closely at what you were told by the nutritionist. As I understand it, fat soluble vitamins can be stored in fat cells for a period of time, while water soluble vitamins are not stored in the body. In addition, even though your fat cells may contain some fat soluble vitamins, you can still have a deficiency. For example, I learned from my pre-op blood work that I was deficient in Vitamin D, which ironically, is a fat soluble vitamin. I attached a brief explanation: Vitamins Hang Out in Water and Fat There are two types of vitamins: fat soluble and water soluble. When you eat foods that contain fat-soluble vitamins, the vitamins are stored in the fat tissues in your body and in your liver. They wait around in your body fat until your body needs them. Fat-soluble vitamins are happy to stay stored in your body for awhile ? some stay for a few days, some for up to 6 months! Then, when it's time for them to be used, special carriers in your body take them to where they're needed. Vitamins A, D, E, and K are all fat-soluble vitamins. Water-soluble vitamins are different. When you eat foods that have water-soluble vitamins, the vitamins don't get stored as much in your body. Instead, they travel through your bloodstream. Whatever your body doesn't use comes out when you urinate (pee). So these kinds of vitamins need to be replaced often because they don't stick around! This crowd of vitamins includes Vitamin C and the big group of B vitamins ? B1 (thiamin), B2 (riboflavin), niacin, B6 (pyridoxine), folic acid, B12 (cobalamine), Biotin, and pantothenic acid. Feed Your Needs

I bought a liquid vitamin "Floradix" at our local health food store. It doesn't upset my stomach at all. It doesn't have minerals added and it may not be the best vitamin for a sleever to take long-term, but I figured it was fine for now until I was more healed. Even at 7 weeks out, the Bariatric Advantage really bothered my stomach.

Yippee! Each day gets easier! Congratulations!

Look under the Forums link and scroll down the page. You will find a link that takes you to instructions on how to put the weightloss ticker on your signature. Even gives you pictures of how to do it.

Rogaine and Nioxin are just products that sometimes help some people with hairloss-depending on the reason for the hairloss. I don't know any products that are 100% guaranteed to stop all hairloss--nothing stopped mine. If there were entirely successful products for all people, I would have been using them years ago. If your hairloss were only in response to the surgery/rapid weight loss, it would probably be time-limited and grow back on its own. Because you were experiencing sigificant loss long before the surgery, it would be in your best interest to seek medical attention and try to determine the medical basis for your problem. It would be more likely for you to find a solution if you knew the cause. Hopefully the Zophran will help with the Vitamin issue. Dehydration can cause more problems with nausea. Keep sipping fluids to stay hydrated! Hope you feel better soon.

8 weeks out and no regrets other than the fact that I didn't have this surgery available to me when I was younger. So many years of my life could have been so much better...

Glad you joined us. I had my surgery 8 weeks ago today. I've lost 40 pounds and already feel like a new person. I'm sleeping better, walking with less pain, have more energy, and am off all prescription medications! The first advice I would offer you is to stay connected to the members of this board and you will have a wonderful resource for getting information and making your sleeve a great experience. Second, plan to take it easy as much as possible after your surgery, I felt tired and weak for several weeks. Don't try to eat too much too soon--follow the plan. Liquids may seem like forever, but they aren't, and being conservative with your food choices will allow your stomach time to heal. Take your time and get lots of fluids. I love my sleeve!

YAAHHHOOO! Great news!

I'm sorry you are struggling with this. It's been a chronic source of embarrassment for me too. When I was in my 30's I ended up cutting my hair very short because it seemed to me that any tension on the roots of my hair seemed to make it worse. Short hair wasn't what I wanted, but it did seem to slow the loss and when it was short I could fluff it up a little and make it look a little thicker. Hopefully you will find a doctor that will be able to suggest something that will help correct the problem. There is another shampoo that is frequently recommended for people with thinning hair--it's called Nioxin. It is not the same type of shampoo as Rogaine. It is sold in many hair salons and is supposed to be very effective ast cleansing the hair follicle to allow for healthy growth. There is also some research that suggests that many people with thinning hair have a sensitivity to demodex mites that are frequently found in hair follicles. That might be another possiblity to research. Hope it gets better!

Wow! That is super! What a wonderful thing to see after 10 years...Bet you felt like doing a jig!

I'm so sorry to read about everything that you and your family are going through. I wish there were something we could do to make everything fast forward to a time of complete healing and recovery. I am praying for that to happen as quickly as possible. Your wife is very blessed to have your love and support, and I believe that she will eventually have a wonderful success story to share.