nursing38

I HAVE MADE IT A POINT TO NEVER LET MY WEIGHT STOP ME BUT YES VERY EMBARRASSED WHEN I TOOK TENNIS LESSONS AND WAS TREATED LIKE A JOKE!! THEN THERE WAS THE TIME I WAS AFRAID TO ZIP LINE BUT WHEN I OPENED MY MOUTH THEY SAID NO PROBLEM WE HAVE DIFFERENT EQUIPTMENT BUT EVERYONE CAN DO THIS!! SO I HAVE SEEN BOTH SIDES AND TELL HER GO TO YOGA HOLD HER HEAD UP AND FOCUS ON THE GOOD SHE IS DOING!!

Doing the right thing, there. Good shoes are expensive sometimes, but the old addage, you get what you pay for, has never been so true when it applies to shoes. They can make such a HUGE difference in so many things that you do.

Good god Jamba juice is all sugar and no protein! But you have to choose the lesser of evils. Enjoy yourself in as Vegas and return to healthy eating when you come home

I just don't understand how a "doctor" could do this to someone with a 30 BMI, I just don't..... I rarely post here but when I read this site it upsets me. There are doctors doing crazy things all over the board with absolutely ZERO consistency. Pre op diets from none to 30 days, different post op eating schedules as far as puree, soft, and solid foods, some doctors making a lot of money selling you their crappy food for pre op and post op diets (that should NOT be allowed under ANY circumstances), different everything. It's actually bad, and there should be more regulation or industry/surgery standards in this area of medicine.

It is safe, but with such a low BMI, people will ask questions. Here in the US, it's tough to get a doctor to even consider doing a sleeve if you're under 40 BMI, unless you have co-morbidities like diabetes or sleep apnea. Even then, they usually aren't willing to take on someone with less than 35 very often, though I won't say it never happens, of course! That's why you're hearing so much concern. Don't worry, there will still be plenty of support, it's just a bit worrisome
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You're a 30 BMI and you want to get sleeved???? Why?? That shouldn't even be allowed.
Also, my surgeon MADE me go on a month long liquid ONLY diet before surgery. I lost 49 lbs in those 28 days. I am glad that he did it and believe that every sleever should do a month long liquid diet, it really gives you an idea what you're in store for. These 24 hour pre op diets are also rediculous and shouldn't be allowed.

I did the 3 day liquid diet and lost about 5 lbs before surgery. My BMI on surgery day was 35. I guess a lot depends on the particular surgeon, but I wouldn't worry too much about getting to Mexico and being turned away.
For the most part the surgeons in Mexico are very capable and I wouldn't hesitate to return there for surgery, but the fact is they do it to make money. Do you have a coordinator you can contact to address this issue? Don't be afraid to ask for fear you'll be put on a watch list or something:)

That's awesome!! The other day I was at the mall and I walked in Lane Bryant (my favorite store) and everything were too big for me now

Huge NSV today!! I got a new job at one of my favorite jewelry stores (yay!!) and the manager said my work wardrobe was too boring. I needed more personality (moi?? Gasp!!). Excuse to go SHOPPING! I usually hate shopping. There are no plus size stores in my town and I usually have to go 45 minutes away to find stylish clothes. I decided to try my luck in the plus size section at target to see if I could find anything that didn't resemble a sack. EVERYTHING THERE WAS TOO BIG ON ME!
I ventured to the regular sizes and tried on some really cute stuff in XXL and it all fit!!!!!!! I even got some stuff in XL!! It was the greatest feeling ever! I was in tears! I'm so excited to start dressing for work now.
I haven't been able to do this.... Ever! I'm loving my sleeve. I just wanted to share this NSV with everyone

Hi everyone,
One of the challenges of VSG is it's relative recent adoption vs the by-pass and the band; which leads to limited amount of info on long terms results of the procedure. I managed to stumble accross two studies that have measured the results of patients 8 years out. The results are quite encouraging. The first study shows on average patients managed to keep 46% of the excess weight loss off and the second study shows 68% of excess weight loss off. Here's the links for those of you who are interested.
http://journals.lww.com/annalsofsurgery/Abstract/2012/08000/Laparoscopic_Sleeve_Gastrectomy_for_Super_Obese.12.aspx
http://www.soard.org/article/S1550-7289(11)00579-X/abstract?elsca1=etoc&elsca2=email&elsca3=1550-7289_201211_8_6&elsca4=elsevier

Aaron, I think the best thing you can do to reduce the chance of saggy skin is keep up with your Protein and hydration requirements, and do plenty of strength training. I think the more muscle mass you can keep and develop, the better you will be able to fill out your skin.
Any evidence to suggest that skin can be made to shrink farther than it wants to naturally is purely anecdotal. It possibly will snap back some, depending on many variables like your age, how long you've been obese, genetics...no one knows for sure.
But yes, start pumping that Iron Aaron. I believe that's the best thing you can do. Not to mention it has many other health benefits. Maintaining that muscle will help keep your metabolism higher, which will help you burn more fat (which is obviously everybody's goal).

Fluctuations in weight are completely normal. No one has a completely straight line down when it comes to weight loss, even with the sleeve. And how much you lose in the first few months also depends on how much you need to lose. I had 80 lbs to lose and it took be 18 months to lose it all. I check my log, and at 4 months out, I had lost 45 lbs, so not much more than you. Plus, a woman's hormones can also wreak havoc on the scale. I can have weight fluctuations of up to 5-6 lbs throughout a month.
From what you write, you are doing what you should be doing. Try not to be a slave to scale, it will drive you insane. The weight will come off. Some of us are just slower losers than others!

Such a wonderful feeling! I felt the exact same way when just last week I had to go shopping so I had something to wear to a 4 day training class I'm in this week. I did all my shopping at banana Republic and Ann Taylor. Breezed right by Lane Bryant. I've never been so happy. Also cleaned out my closet of everything that was too big for me, hence the reason for the shopping trip. I literally had no business casual type clothes that fit.

It's official!....I no longer need to shop at Lane Bryant! I was in Nordstrom Rack today with a friend and where do I head as soon as I walk in the door - PLUS SIZES! And then I picked out about 10 tops in a 1x...my friend kept telling me - you are NOT a plus size anymore! But in my mind I still am (was) and I took the clothes to the dressing room. YEP - they were all too big! And shockingly not just by a little! I was shocked and very surprised! Do you mean to tell me that I can go back to looking and shopping in "regular" stores! Talk about a great day and incredible NSV!!!!! Wwwoooooooo-hooooooooo!

I was sleeved in MX on 3/12/12 this is what I was given. Hope this helps and please treat your tiny tummy and do this so you don't have any serious issues. like a leak. Also I see my primary care for follow up here in the states. She just did my labs for me a few months ago.
This was my post op diet
Days 1-3 Clear liquids only
Days 4-7 Clear Liquids and drinkable yogurt
Days 8-21 Clear liquids and full liquids
Days 22-35 Clear liquids and soft foods. Liquids try to get in 48-64 oz
Clear liquids: broth, penitential, diluted apple juice, Protein Water, Popsicle
Full liquids: Protein shakes, creamy Soups no chunks, (I blended chunky soup)
Soft diet: oatmeal, toast, crackers, tuna, mashed potatoes, puree vegetables, cottage cheese, apple sauce.
Days 1-7
only clear liquids
fruit juice diluted 50/50 NO nectar's
Gatorade
Special K Protein water
Vitamin water
water
tea (herbal)
clear broth
Popsicle
Days 7-21
Day 4-8 begin with drinkable yogurt 1/2 cup servings, with no pieces of fruit.< /span>
Day 8-10 add liquid Protein to the regimen, at least 30 g of protein a day.
Day 7-11 add creamy soups (no chunks)
if you can't drink it don't eat it
Week 4 Begin with soft foods 22-28
Tuna
cottage cheese
oatmeal
apple sauce
Ensure pudding
puree veggies
mashed potatoes
Week 6: increase food as tolerates, chew thoroughly, eat slowly.
No carbonated drinks
Take small sops, don't chug. Use a tablespoon at first.
Drink only what you can. Do not force feed. Do not take more than half a cup at a time. Meds should be cut up or mashed. Take your Vitamins each day. The idea is to not expand the stomach pouch. During the fist week, you will Not be physically hungry (careful with the mental hunger)
If you feel lethargic, or very, weak, it's because you are dehydrated, call or email the nutritionist.
Important changes:

Never combine solids with liquids. Liquids should be taken one hour later after your meal. Suck on an ice cube if you are thirsty.
No carbonated drinks. They can make your pouch stretch
Avoid high calorie drinks, juices, frappuccinos, milkshakes, alcohol... or you won't be able to lose weight. Or you can easily "dump"
Sit down for a meal and take at least 20 minutes for yourself. ( yes you will need 20 mins for 1/2 cup of food)
Take small bites.
CHEW!!!! 30 Chews per bite
Avoid productive burping (P'bing) eating too fast and not chewing food properly, eating solid food too soon after the surgery, drinking liquids with the meals or right after eating, eating too much at a meal.
If anything gets stuck, stop eating, wait for it to burp up and don't eat again. Resume your meal later.
Eat three meals a day ( solids, no protein shakes)
Each plate should have a serving of protein, green veggies, fruit and grain, and one serving of fat
If you feel restricted in the morning, drink something warm prior top your Breakfast.
If you do not exercise use a pedometer and take 10,000 steps a day.
Resume with your exercise 3 weeks after your surgery.

I asked my primary care doctor, prior to making my final decision, about aftercare. He assured me he could and was happy to request any blood tests and basic post-op care I might need, based on the surgeon's recommendation. He also reached out to some collegues and found a practice that routinely treats and does follow up care for bariatric patients for which they did not perform the surgery. With his willingness to treat basic stuff and a practice I know I can go to regarding any bariatric specific care, I'm not concerned.
I would highly suggest you ask your surgeon about post-op diet and care, too. I'm pre-op but have heard lots of feedback from other members of the forum indicating that their surgeons happily responded to their questions and concerns, even to the point of making recommendations to US based primary care doctors on post-op testing.
I think aftercare is a component that we need to keep in mind, even when we are going to Mexico for the surgery. The surgery can't be the end all/be all; it's the first step in the process. From everything I've read and seen, long term success really hinges on post-op support.
~Kat

I LOVE seeing everyone's before, during and after pics!
I've been updating this as I go. I just did it the other day because I felt discouraged over very little weight loss recently but I can tell in the face picture that my body is changing. The difference between the second and third image is only about 7-8 lbs but obviously there are still other changes going on too. The last pic in both is from Friday, down almost 90 but plenty more to go. 

A a current photo (I am not done yet, still in progress). The horse I am riding is on the smaller side compared to what I am used to.
My before photo is of me just standing. I will be honest, it is hard for me to look at that photo, but it is a good reminder of where I never want to go again.

Yup. 5 1/2 months so far. Shopping is WAY more fun now. Unfortunately!

Am I vet enough? I eat about 1500 calories/day
Typical day for me...
Bkfst is egg beaters with chopped up grilled chicken, bell peppers and 2% cheese on top
Or
A green Protein shake
At 10ish I'll have a Protein Shake or some turkey and cheese...maybe 150 calories worth
lunch will usually be a salad with chicken mixed in and ranch dressing made from Greek yogurt and skim milk (lots of protein)
in the afternoon I try to have some more Protein to get me over that afternoon hump, so I'll have a couple more pieces of lean turkey and maybe a bite of cheese and some raw almonds.
dinner will usually be another salad or some baked fish or shrimp.
My favorite Snacks are baby bel cheeses and raw almonds and I try to keep them around and with me at all times when I'm out of the house. And to me anytime is a good time for a Protein Shake. I'm one of those freaks who actually enjoys them. I can't help it.

I cannot it's been six months. SO much has been going on, I wish I had been posting all along, but something happened today that compelled me to tell you all, but I'm also going to fill you in on some major non-scale victories.
Since surgery on August 17th I have:
1. Traveled to the Dominican Republic on a mission trip. I was able to sit on the plane comfortably WITHOUT a seat belt extension. The trip was extremely physical as we were working with Hatian migrants, providing medical care and constructing additions to a hospital.I was able to work all day and had a ton of energy the whole trip!
2. For the trip, I ordered a size 2XL shirt for our group shirt. I was handed a shirt and put it on immediately as we were rushing to get through security. As soon as I put it on, it was snug. I was a bit disappointed, but knew that shirt sizes are subjective to manufacturers. While we were going through security, the leader of our trip said "Liz, I know you ordered a 2XL, but they sent me an XL, sorry." I almost had to do a double-take. I was snug in a XL? Wow! That felt amazing!
3. In general, I have felt so good. I have energy to work out everyday and I feel so wonderful. Yesterday a co-worker pulled me aside and said that I looked happy and healthy; that was such an amazing compliment, because I AM happier and healthier and that is more important than just looking good.
4. Today, I had such an amazing moment! I am a middle school teacher outside Boston. Today, after school an 8th grade student asked to speak to me privately. She told me that I was such an inspiration to her because she is slightly overweight and she saw the success I was having. She said that because she saw me, someone that she looks up to, taking care of themselves, that she was inspired to take care of herself. I work so hard to be a person that my students can look up to, as they are so impressionable. I never thought that my weight loss would affect them!
This is such an absolute gift and I am so happy that I decided to have surgery! I am just over six months post-op and 85 pounds down and just about halfway to my ultimate goal. I can't wait to see where the next year (and now the rest of my life) takes me!
Thank you all so much for your continued support and encouragement! I am so grateful to this community!
-Liz

Hey everybody on Fed 20th/2013 my 1 year Anniversary is coming. My starting weight was 255, surgery weight was 235 and my weight now is 130 :-) I'm so freaking proud of myself. My total weight loss is 125 pounds in total. Wohooooo . I just LOVE my SLEEVE!!!!!

I work med/surg 12 hour shifts. I waited 6 weeks as my job required I be able to lift at least 50# before releasing me. I enjoyed being able to just concentrate on my body and learning to eat again. if you can take the time.

thank you for all the wonderful info you have provided. I am barely starting on this journey. I have yet to contact Dr. Aceves, but he has done surgery on 4 people that I know and all has been great. I know I want the surgery but am still scared as I have never been in the hospital or had surgery for anything. trying to get up the courage at this point to call him.