jerryvic

Finally after a discouraging stall, I am now celebrating " ONEDERLAND". People I don't see very often are amazed at the way I look. Doesn't that feel great?

If you are drinking protein shakes then add a tablespoon of Clear and Natural Metamucil. It has no taste and will help because of the fiber. As far as dehydration try improving the taste by adding a small package of Crystal Light. It adds no calories and really makes taking liquids easier.

Dr. Robert Althar, from Pace, Florida (near Pensacola) did my surgery and I could not have been in better hands. I highly recommend him.

I, like several others that have replied to you, did not require any pain medications. I was walking two hours after surgery (I should say I wobbled two hours after surgery not having totally recovered from the anesthesia). I had the SILS surgery (single incision laproscopic surgery) which is about a 1 1/2" incision at the belly button which I think helped in rapid recovery. I only had soreness, especially in getting out of bed, but it was not bad. I think you will be fine to resume your semi-normal activities but like others I suggest you "sip,sip,sip" and DO NOT DO ANY LIFTING of objects for about 3-4 weeks. I felt as weak as a sick puppy for a couple of weeks but it was nothing which I now think is one of the greatest inventions, the NAP, can't cure. Good luck on your upcoming season. Go ________s!!! (you fill in the blank)

When I was sleeved , a culture was done on the removed stomach. I was informed that I had Helicobacter Pylori bacteria in my stomach. This is the bacteria that can cause stomach ulcers. I was given a Rx for a Prev Pak which I am presently taking. My problem is that it changes the taste of everything I eat, it gives me a vile taste in my mouth that lingers, and I get sick when I eat. Sometimes I throw up whatever I have eaten.:001_tongue: I would like to know if anyone else has had these problems taking a Prev Pak?

Because you are a Type I diabetic, there is no cure, there is only better control. With a HbA1c that high indicates you have poor control. I have been there and I know the effort it takes to get the HbA1c down to the 6's or 7's. The sleeve surgery is a tool to help you, but without the effort required it can be defeated. One year ago I had a HbA1c in the 11's. I was eating anything and everything I wanted. I was a Type II diabetic on insulin. Now, I am under better control and am off insulin after the surgery. You will always be on insulin, but after the surgery it will be much easier to control and you will be able to take less insulin and feel better. Please do yourself a favor and do what ever it takes to control this "horrible, horrible" disease. I understand what you are going through. I had the surgery to help me and it did.

Tifftykins forgot to mention the mortality rate of RNY, I have read and had confirmed by my surgeon that it is around 2%. That is two out of a hundred surgeries go bad. With the sleeve the mortality rate is .003% That is an very large difference. I went with the sleeve because of this and the other things Tiffykins commented on. Have you asked your Dr. "have you had any deaths associated with RNY surgery?" " What was the most major complication associated with RNY you have had?" Ask the same things about VSG. Also ask how many VSGs have you done? Statistics can and often are manipulated by the person wanting to prove a point. ie.. It does not matter if he has never had a death associated with RNY if you are the first. I don't want to scare you, but the fact is there are more deaths and complications associated with RNY than Drs will let on. It is your life, so ask him/her. Then make a decision from all the facts you have been given.

MissSparkle, I think if you go to one of the last forums, "Ask Dr Jossart" you will get a wealth of information. I agree with MiniMe that the size of the stomach remaining is important. Dr. Jossart (a prominent San Francisco surgeon) recommends about a size 32 Bougie. Ask your surgeon what size he/she prefers. Anything larger than a 36 or 38 may be too big and you will not lose as much in the long run. Good luck!

<TABLE id=post56891 class=tborder border=0 cellSpacing=1 cellPadding=6 width="100%" align=center><TBODY><TR><TD style="PADDING-BOTTOM: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 0px; PADDING-RIGHT: 0px; PADDING-TOP: 0px" class=alt2><TABLE border=0 cellSpacing=6 cellPadding=0 width="100%"><TBODY><TR><TD noWrap>jerryvic <SCRIPT type=text/javascript> vbmenu_register("postmenu_56891", true); </SCRIPT> Registered User </TD><TD width="100%"> </TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap>Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 53 Gender: Male City: Daphne State: AL </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR><TR><TD id=td_post_56891 class=alt1>Another arthritis medication question for Dr. Jossart <HR style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #d6dadb; COLOR: #d6dadb" SIZE=1>Dr. Jossart, if I understand you correctly, and I hope I do, is that NSAIDS are safe to resume after a week or so. I had terrible gouty arthritis about 5 days after surgery. I tried to tough it out, finally I got prescribed steroids for 1 week, it helped but only when I restarted my meloxicam did I finally got resolution. I have been on meloxicam or seldane for years. Is there a NSAID available that is less prone to cause stomach problems, ie ulcers? __________________ Jerry "I exhort you also to take part in the great combat, which is the combat of life, and greater than every other earthly conflict" PLATO </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><TABLE id=post56891 class=tborder border=0 cellSpacing=1 cellPadding=6 width="100%" align=center><TBODY><TR><TD style="PADDING-BOTTOM: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 0px; PADDING-RIGHT: 0px; PADDING-TOP: 0px" class=alt2><TABLE border=0 cellSpacing=6 cellPadding=0 width="100%"><TBODY><TR><TD noWrap>jerryvic <SCRIPT type=text/javascript> vbmenu_register("postmenu_56891", true); </SCRIPT> Registered User </TD><TD width="100%"> </TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap>Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 53 Gender: Male City: Daphne State: AL </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR><TR><TD id=td_post_56891 class=alt1>Another arthritis medication question for Dr. Jossart <HR style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #d6dadb; COLOR: #d6dadb" SIZE=1>Dr. Jossart, if I understand you correctly, and I hope I do, is that NSAIDS are safe to resume after a week or so. I had terrible gouty arthritis about 5 days after surgery. I tried to tough it out, finally I got prescribed steroids for 1 week, it helped but only when I restarted my meloxicam did I finally got resolution. I have been on meloxicam or seldane for years. Is there a NSAID available that is less prone to cause stomach problems, ie ulcers? __________________ Jerry "I exhort you also to take part in the great combat, which is the combat of life, and greater than every other earthly conflict" PLATO </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE> Dr Jossart, I had the VSG on 20 May 2010, surgery went very well, but 3 days later I developed a gouty arthritis. I tried to tough it out and was told no NSAIDs. I received steroids for a week and they partially helped. Finally, in desperation I restarted taking Meloxicam and things got better. I understand why with bypass patients why they shouldn't take NSAIDs but the VSG is different. Is there a good reason I should not take them if I develop gouty arthritis? Are there any other NASiDs that are less prone .to cause stomach ulcers, etc..? Thank you

Alan, thank you for Terri's update. We are all very happy for her. Having recently gone through the procedure, I understand what she is feeling. Her first thought will probably be , "What the hell have I done?" That will pass quickly. She and I chat often in the evenings, so tell her the Jerry will be the first one to move over on the losers bench. Continued best wishes.

Dr. Jossart, if I understand you correctly, and I hope I do, is that NSAIDS are safe to resume after a week or so. I had terrible gouty arthritis about 5 days after surgery. I tried to tough it out, finally I got prescribed steroids for 1 week, it helped but only when I restarted my meloxicam did I finally got resolution. I have been on meloxicam or seldane for years. Is there a NSAID available that is less prone to cause stomach problems, ie ulcers?

I sympathize with your situation, yes it does appear to be a more potent non-lethal way of attacking myself. You should do what I do, take a fan into the throne room and blow the gas out into areas where it makes other people gag. Ha

I feel great first thing in the morning, but like goodlife, I can't hang. I get tired and have to take a nap. I also am going to bed earlier at night. I really have to force myself to get up and go walking when I feel run down. I have confidence in my surgeon, and he said it will improve.

If you are still on Protein shakes, and havn't been having regular bowel movements then I suggest adding a large tablespoon of the Metamucil, clear and natural, tasteless Fiber into your shake prior to blending it up. You will never know it is there until you get the pleasant urge to go "Potty" the next day .