RareGold3000

Caffeine is also an appetite stimulant. Again, all docs have different guidelines. I was told that you don't have to give it up forever, just for awhile until you can get at least 64 oz of fluid in a day easily. I'm not a big caffeine drinker but I do enjoy a 1/2 cup of hot tea a few times a week, and a low caffeine tea at that. I only started that a week ago though and I am now 7 weeks out tomorrow.

WOW a huge difference, you look great!! Your pics really show your awesome progress, keep up the good work!!

500mg 3 times per day!

Congrats, and the color of the shirt looks great on you!!!

Hello PA VSG friends!! I live in Lancaster County, PA and had Dr Joseph McPhee!! He is awesome and it doesn't hurt that is is so handsome as well!! LOL. I had surgery on 8-21-12, so I'm 6 weeks out!! Best of luck to us all!! Karen

I think each surgeon has different guidelines. I asked that question 1 month post op 2 weeks ago and he said wait for 6 months. Others on here I am sure have done so beforehand. So, I'd just ask your surgeon what his guidelines are.

Great pictures! What a huge transformation, and yes I agree, beautiful family, you are blessed. I can't wait to post pics as well, but maybe at like 6 months out, I'm only 5 weeks since surgery. Thanx for sharing!!

Hi Dana, No problem! I wish I had known this site was here before I had my surgery, because I see so many of the same questions I had prior and never thought to ask. But, I am glad that I found it 10 days post op, so I can continue to stay informed. I get so much information from this site, it's great. Keep asking, and one of the many will answer for sure. Karen

All surgeons are different in their requirements for sure. But, that is what my surgeon told me, for him he wanted a 7 day full liquid only diet to shrink the liver, so it's not an issue during surgery. I am glad that I did that though for the 7 days pre op, because he had me on a 2 week post op full liquid diet before I moved on to pureed/soft foods for the next 2 weeks. It helped to prepare me for what was coming the 2 weeks after surgery. Hang in there, I know it's hard, I never thought the days would pass fast enough. But, you'll get thru it and then wonder where the time went!!!

I doubt as early out as I am or you are that we'd even be expected to get 1000 calories in. I think it will take months to get to 1000 calories a day. I am so far at the lower end of the 600-800 calories a day, close to 600. I am sure each of us is different as far as how many calories we take in a day at any given stage of our journey post op.

I am only 4 1/2 weeks post op, but this is what my surgeon said when I asked him the similar questions. The first few weeks I was getting in 300-500 calories a day, full liquids, then pureed/soft foods. He said this in fact puts your body in 'starvation mode' holding onto calories to survive. But, I lost a good amt of weight, so ok. Then he said once I start getting more calories in, like now 600-800 per day, my body will start to realize it's not 'starving' and you'll be able to lose the excess weight, since it will start to burn the calories. Eventually he said I'll be up to 1000 calories a day and will still be losing weight, no problem.

I just asked the same question to my surgeon this past Thursday at my 1 month post op. He said wait for 6 months for alcohol and not alot. I rarely drink so it's not a big deal, but it's good to know!! Each surgeon might give different answers though so it's best to check with your's. :-)

Lancaster, PA

LOL I was thinking the same thing before my Sleeve surgery on the 21st of August. I've had 4 C-Sections. C-Sections in my opinion were much worse than the Sleeve surgery, since the sleeve is done laparoscopically (unless it's an open surgery). My sections were vertical though so more was cut thru the muscles each time. Others might have a different experience. But, I thought of it this way, IF I could handle 4 sections, the sleeve should probably be much easier and it was!! After you have the sleeve, let us know what you think!

Thanx Bufflehead, I'll remember that the next time I hear that I did take the easy way out, your comparison to birth control, never thought of that. I do sort of understand what some of my friends mean when they say that it's the easy way to lose weight, SORT OF. They say "oh well, see I have to control my portions by myself where as you'll be controlling yours due to a smaller stomach, so it's easier for you, your stomach won't allow you to overeat". I agree somewhat, but again, it's a tool, and eventually I could stretch my stomach, not like it used to be but it's still a life style change. Don't they remember when I spent 5 days a week at a gym, an hour on cardio each day and lost so much weight, only to gain it back when my back went out, and left arm went numb? And, then until that was all figured out, it was something else. Didn't they see me go thru a 3 month pre surgery program, meetings after meetings after meetings and the gym again? I think many will see what they want to see, and we can't change that view. I think when I hear this in the future, since I'll be going back to work in a week, I will have to kindly just say "I really don't want to comment on that, you can feel how you want to feel." and leave it at that. We can't change others, we can only change ourselves, AND we will!!

Mine was removed on day 2 right before I was discharged from the hospital.

Yea, I did the update first on my patient profile and then saw the ticker did not change and then went ahead and deleted it and then created a new one but it went back to the old weight. And, it's been hours now. Hmmmm.....thanx for your help. Maybe I'll try again, who knows.

How do you update your ticker? I deleted my ticker and created a new one with the new weight, but when I finished it, it gave the old number still? I must be doing something wrong. I even went back to 'update ticker' and that doesn't work.

Very inspiring, thanx for sharing!! Awesome!!!

I've had scrambled eggs, hard boiled eggs, and egg salad in the pureed stage, which I am in now for another 1 1/2 weeks. My doctor combines pureed/soft together for 2 weeks. I chew them up well, and don't have any trouble with them.

I think it's very common. I had it from day 10-14 after surgery. I was on full liquids until day 14. Now on pureed/soft and it's not an issue. As they say.....liquid in, liquid out.

I had to do 7 days of a full liquid diet before surgery to shrink the liver. My BMI was I think 41 prior to surgery. Not sure why some require it and some don't. I know that I was glad I did it the week before, that way I was prepared for the 2 weeks post op with the full liquid diet. I lost 8lbs that week doing the full liquids which didn't hurt either!!

I agree, as well. Time will tell, but I think I made the right decision, although it's only been 2 1/2 weeks, so I'm no expert, but only my opinion.

Sorry, not sure how to delete a blank post

Not sure what pain you had with the band, as I've never had that done. I've had 4 C-Sections and now the Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy. The Sleeve was a little bit painful right afterwards but you have meds in the hospital and when you go home you are sent home with liquid pain meds if you need them. I would use the term 'uncomfortable' rather than constant pain. I was in the hospital for 2 nights and was walking from 4hrs after surgery and up walking every 4hrs since. I only needed the pain meds twice since I came home and I am now 2 weeks post op. Since it's done thru laparoscopy it's not as invasive as if you have to have the 'open' surgery. I guess that would be the next question if you are having it thru laparoscopy? I took 4 weeks off of work, but everyone's situation is different. Some I know go back after 2 weeks.