aquamama

When I was in hospital - and I stayed 3 nights as I was having a lot of pain and had difficulty getting liquids down, so needed to stay on the drip - they gave me Jello, apple juice, broth and camomile tea... so zero Protein. I'm guessing in the really early days or first couple of weeks you shouldn't get too deficient. I'd be interested to hear others' opinions though.

The first week is kinda rough - just swallowing takes some getting used to. I would not worry about protein unless you are still not getting much in after a month. A week long fast is hardly enough to make hair fall out. I am just entering week three after surgery and I can eat and drink almost anything. I am still adjusting to how my new stomach communicates and overeating is a real pain. I would say go slow for the first week and just work on your liquids. It is amazing how fast our bodies heal from such a drastic change. Be patient. PS I hated the tea and apple juice.

Hello, all. I was "sleeved" on Nov 18. I lost a lot of weight preceding the surgery (40 lbs) thanks to Phentermine. Then I lost another 15 pounds in the week around the surgery because those Protein drinks (isopure) are only 160 calories each. But once I started in on Soups in phase 2, I just stopped losing and haven't lost a pound in the last two weeks. In fact, I gained 3 pounds. I feel hungry a lot and can eat nearly 2 cups before my body says "stop" (hiccups are the warning). Is that normal? I don't want to overstress my stomach but also expect the surgery to help out in the Portion Control.< /p>

Since I lost so much before, I'm not too worried, but I'll be concerned if I don't start losing again soon. I suspect that the problem is that liquids aren't constrained by the size of the new stomach, so I can eat more before feeling "full." I also suspect that the weight gain is just recovery from the surgery, not a gain in body fat. But I don't know what to expect.

Anyone else able to eat more than they thought a 60ml stomach should hold? Any advice about portions and hunger management? Anyone else gain weight after surgery? How long did it take until you started losing again?

Thanks for your comments.

I am only two weeks after surgery and finding I can eat almost anything but very little of it. I did gain weight three days after surgery which I know was Water weight. My biggest problem is I am full long before my taste buds quit. I feel great except still sore in my insision area. I can not even drink more than a half a cup of liquid at a time.

I am totally pleased with my sleeve. I understand what the plication surgery is but can't for the life of me understand why anyone would ever want to keep their stomach around in case they want to reverse the procedure??? Why would someone want to reverse it?

I will be 11 weeks out on Monday and am eating just about anything that I want, just very small quantities. The key for me is that I get just as full as when I was eating huge amounts so there is virtually nothing that I am missing out on.

I am just amazed at how the sleeve has changed my life! I can't even imagine ever wanting to reverse any of it.

I see you had surgery with Kaiser. Our Kaiser would not do the surgery unless we lose 10% of our body weight - no exceptions. I lost 16 of my 24 lbs and kept it off for months but could not get the rest off. After 4 years I just went to Mexico. I like you am very happy although only 2 weeks out. I am still figuring out what the signals my body is sending me means - I have pain but do not recognise it as hunger pain but it goes away when I eat. I LOVE the idea of being able to eat anything and yes it is really amazing how little I am eating compared to before. Now my only problem is getting back on board with Kaiser because they essentially told me I would fail without the 10% weight loss and I know I need to be monitored down the line just for health reasons.

I believe that it is your gall bladder. I have had two bouts with mine both of them assoicated with pregancy. When the first one struck, it happened as you described night after night until the doctor was the only choice. They guy I went to was greeted by a women who had not sleep for three nights and not a happy camper. He sent me home with 2 cases of milk of magnesia and told me I had an ulcer. It took a couple weeks but I eventually improved. He had me convinced it was my stomach.

My second bout was in Canada where I was working at the time. The pain was excrutiating and I has not going to tough it like the last time so I went to the doctor straight away. He first gave me a pain killer and than a short bout of antibiotics. He said it was in inflammed gall bladder and he was right. Within hours I could function again.

The pain is a stabbing pain emminating from your back to front but it can hurt so bad it is hard to tell exactly where it is. Now if I get a sharp pain in my back after a meal I know it is my gall bladder. I do not believe I have ever had stones but and inflammed gall bladder is one of the most painful things ever and once it is upset, almost anything will set it off again.

I still have my gall bladder and am 10 days post surgery. I noticed a new dull ache in back after eating mushy stuff with meat. I went back to my cholesteral medicine, thanks to the posts on this blog because I believe my poor organ is trying to keep up with the changes I have put my body through and it has not been called upon to work hard so when it is it is in overdrive (a guess on my part). I hope that the medicine helps the overload situation and it does not progress to stones but who knows. It is really a journey of getting to know my innards again.

How are you doing now? You have my sympathy.

I had my surgery on the 27th so I am 4 days post operation. I was in a LOT OF PAIN for the first two days and am still very sore but thankfully better. I find that when I rest my tummy - dont move or drink things are quiet no pain but when I become active or drink it comes back. The antacid they gave me seems to help and coats things so I would definately try that before eating or drinking.

I also had a hernia repaired at the same time. Compared to my tummy there is very little pain with it at all. I do have alot of gas and its hard to sort out which pain is caused by surgery and which is caused by gas but I do feel better and my bowels are beginning to move. I will say though I weighed myself yesterday (day 3) and I had gained 3 lbs. I can know this is Water from the IV but it is depressing none the less to go on the longest fast of my life to gain weight. It just is not fair.

I just had my surgery the 22nd and I am in liquids 3 weeks ( pureed after 2), no mushies until week 4. I feel some intensely uncomfortable pressure if I swallow too big a sip, but if I take small ( about 1/3 of an ounce) sips, there is no pain. Did the surgeon correct a hernia? I have heard that can cause more pain. I hope it passes soon and keep us informed.

to Newnatalie or anyone else -

I am having the super-sleeve surgery though BeLiteWeight and after reading it seemed the absolute best choice because:

It is reversible;

it involves no cutting;

there are no foreign bodies;

no nutrient deficincies through lowered uptake.

The following is some of the info they sent me:

Laparoscopic total gastric vertical plication (TGVP) is a new restrictive technique for the treatment of morbid obesity. This operation may be considered as an advancement of the well-known sleeve gastrectomy and is carried out with the use of pure non-absorbable surgical sutures.

In TGVP the gastric capacity is diminished without gastrectomy (removal of the stomach,) or foreign implants. Due to the lack of gastric strictures TGVP does not cause any food intolerance nor impair patient’s dietary habits. The excess weight loss is about (62-67% EWL.)

In comparison to other modern restrictive bariatric techniques, (laparoscopic gastric banding and sleeve gastrectomy,) the advantages of TGVP are minimal risk of acute or late complications, and it’s reversible, (removing the gastric sutures will allow the stomach to go back to its normal form.)

As I said in an earlier post, I tried with my health provider Kaiser - went to all the classes, saw the psyc, read all the materials but was unable (my husband said unwilling) to lose 10% of my body weight which is an absolutely mandatory requirement. I have weighted within the same 10 lbs for the past 10 years and within the same 20 lbs for the past 20 years which would be great but it is 100 lbs over what I should weigh. Now as I am aging, this weight is beginning to slow me down, make getting up and down difficult and my blood sugar is slowly rising ie it is killing me. If I could have lost it without surgery, I would have and here I am.

I am having mine on 11/27 and getting the "super sleeve" in Mexico. From what I have read it is the best choice out there and after being 100 lbs overweight for 20 years anything moving me in the right direction will be great. I am excited and nervous for both of us but my coodinator says I have about as much chance of having problems as being hit by a car. That made me feel loads better. Still with no one to talk to I find this site a good spot to try.

Hello Everyone,

First of all , let me say these forums have truly been God sent. I am inspired and informed! Congrats to all of you have have taken the step to a healthier life.

I am 280 pounds and only 5 feet and 1 inch. My goal weight is about 170 pounds (I don't want to be skinny)! I was originally scheduled to have LapBand on Tuesday, November 30, 2010. I went to see my doctor this past Thursday for a pre-surgery consultation and he begged me not to have LapBand and have the Sleeve instead. He said I would be pleased with the results of the Sleeve and not be as sick as I would be with the Band. He also mentioned the number of revisions he is doing!

I was numb initially! I had spent weeks toiling over having LapBand and Gastric Bypass:unsure:. I had briefly looked at the Sleeve, but had not given it serious consideration. After having several friends with serious ByPass complications, I finally decided to have LapBand. Now my doctor is confusing me all over again!!!!

I came home and began to research. I watched You Tube videos and then I found this site! After days of reading posts on this site, I contacted my doctor today and changed my procedure to VSG! I am nervous, yet encouraged.

Your support is so needed! Please post any pre-op or initial post-op advice, do's and don'ts. Thank you in advance for your help. This site truly helped me make my decision. I am looking forward to the new me!

NewNatalie

Scheduled for VSG - November 30, 2010

Start Weight: 280 pounds

My surgery is in Tiajuanna and is on Sat 11/27. I too am nervous and all this blogging is a little scary because there are problems I never considered. I tried for a couple years to meet Kaiser's requirements (10% of my body weight off and held off). I did OK for the first 16 lbs but after that I hit a flat line and kept that weight off for almost a year. However Kaiser is very strick and does not budge on that requirement. My weight started creeping back up and I decieded to go for out of country solution and here I am a week from surgery. I am set to have a super sleeve and want any advice to make things go easier and smoother. I did all the Kaiser classes, talked to a psyc, attended classes and support groups so I guess it is time to make it really happen. I really really really hope it goes smoothly so anyone out there with some tips - please pass them on.

My VSG is scheduled for 11/29 with Dr. Tallal Zeni/Mi Bariatric Institute, and I am soooooo nervous. Went to my pre-surgical class almost 2 wks ago and it scared the shit out of me....I started to panic...."WHAT?! No more Diet Pepsi?....No caffeine?....No more comfort food when I need it?!" Yup, I literally freaked out and went and ordered a burger and a diet coke. I have since come off of my freak out anxiety roller coaster by going over the book they gave me. It is all starting to sink in now. I am in the process of completing my testing. My last one is the Endoscopy. It's scheduled for this coming Tuesday and I am even anxious about it as well. I work in healthcare and have seen a lot..... which doesn't help me any. I just hope everything turns out ok....I can do this because nothing else has worked and I am not letting my fear and anxiety get the best of me.