partofme!

When my husband and I first started dating, I was about 40-50 pounds lighter. We tied the knot this August and my wedding pics are nice, but I I felt embarrassed being that big. I tried to diet but nothing worked. Then, a few months after the wedding, I noticed my DH having issues with staying hard during lovemaking. While he sometimes has issues with this off and on, and he swears it isn't me, deep down nothing he says really can change my mind. A part of me died the day that happened-the last time, after quite a few times of this.
I jumped on that plane so fast, he didn't even have time to object. I have lost 25 pounds so far in a month and while I still have a long way to go, I am already feeling a bit more confident. I cannot wait to be the sexy, beautiful woman I feel I am on the inside-fully and completely.

When my husband and I first started dating, I was about 40-50 pounds lighter. We tied the knot this August and my wedding pics are nice, but I I felt embarrassed being that big. I tried to diet but nothing worked. Then, a few months after the wedding, I noticed my DH having issues with staying hard during lovemaking. While he sometimes has issues with this off and on, and he swears it isn't me, deep down nothing he says really can change my mind. A part of me died the day that happened-the last time, after quite a few times of this.
I jumped on that plane so fast, he didn't even have time to object. I have lost 25 pounds so far in a month and while I still have a long way to go, I am already feeling a bit more confident. I cannot wait to be the sexy, beautiful woman I feel I am on the inside-fully and completely.

That's awful-I have never heard of a story like this-I have already had my surgery, and thank the lord I am ok...but I am so so so sorry for the pain your sister and family have gone through.

Oh my gosh. I had to go back and keep looking at the pics-you have taken literally YEARS off your appearance and life, I am sure. Congrats on your success!

I wrote in my blog about this topic-yes you need to bring them. In fact, if you are in a group, many forget and you can name your price in the recovery room haha....kidding!
Gas strips are more important than clean underwear...you need to walk a lot after surgery to alleviate clots but its pretty darn hard when you have incredible gas pain in your back, chest, tummy, shoulders....the nurses would come around and tap us on the back to help move some of it. Also, I reccomend getting a light massage (no adjustments) a few days after to help. You will have gas pain for at least a week...bring the strips.

I cannot believe it - I made it to goal today!!! Wow, what do I do now?

Hello, VSG family! I am about 2.5 months post-op and I have some issues with eating. Some days, I am able to consume about 800 calories a day. Sometimes, it is 600-or less. And getting in protein-I hover around 50 Gs a day. It is volume-I just can't seem to get things in. I have tried drinking shakes-they take me forever. My sleeve does seem to agree with fish-that and cream of wheat. It is incredibly frustrating to eat ok one day and the next, it seems nothing sits right, I feel uncomfortably full after a few bites, and my kids are starting to wonder what is wrong with me...they do not know I had the sleeve. A week ago I went out for dinner and ordered tuna-I thought it would be safe to eat. It came on a bed of greens. Well, I had a few bites, all of a sudden I felt incredibly full and uncomfortable, had to lay down immediately in the car and we left the restaurant. This isnt the first time this has happened. Another diet example is even what I ate today. I had an egg mcmuffin with no cheese...and removed part of the bun...so about 200 calories. I had a small lobster tail for lunch, at 80 calories. For dinner, I ate an ounce n a half of beef, with a few bites of salad, and the fullness kicked in. My questions are: Is this normal? How do I change this to take in more Protein without being in pain? Any advice on what I can do? When should I go to the doctor? Thanks so much!

I know how tough it is, but you need to be strong for the surgery...there is always a story popping up on here after surgery where someone ate something post-op too soon and were afraid they caused a leak. I can honestly say that my tastebuds have changed....you just dont even think about the food you once loved after awhile. And if you do taste it...ie: ice cream, it is good, but for me, it tastes SOOOO rich. Like, I could eat a few tsps and it seems like I just ate a HUGE bowl! I am so sorry you are having a hard day, I had a few of those myself. Experience it , then move forward and surround yourself with tons of support to get you through the next few months All the best to you

Initially I could not eat a scrabble egg - it just sat on my stomach. I was soooooo disappointed. what I had to do was measure out 1/4 cups of whatever I needed to eat 1/2 of that then wait 2-3 hours. Sipping on Water and then Protein Drink between. How thick is your cream of wheat - thin it out may help. I am doing so much better now. A couple of occasions I pushed it and had to wait it out as you did. Most IMPORTANTLY call your doctors. They are the professionals and should check/double check to see if there is a physical problem. Insist that they help you through this and do not let them dismiss this until you feel it is resolved.

That's awful-I have never heard of a story like this-I have already had my surgery, and thank the lord I am ok...but I am so so so sorry for the pain your sister and family have gone through.

Please go get a leak test to be safe

There is a forum on here called Self Pay & Mexico Vertical Sleeve Surgery. If you search there, you will find lots of info about Dr. Garcia.

Congrats! I have another 9 pounds to get there!!!

I was sleeved by Almanza Nov 21st and I am still breathing. (rolling eyes)
I have read ALLLLLLL the good bad and ugly on Almanza. I agree it comes down to heresay. A few years back, our very own Mrs Canada, or, Melanie Wildman, was sleeved by Almanza himself. She then posted negative things about him AFTER she stopped referring patients to him and switched to other Mexican doctors for - here it comes - her own surgery referral biz in Canada. While her posts seem very genuine, there was a lot of slander going on and with all she said, I am hoping she was able to back that up for her business's sake.
After that, there were fake patients, real patients and everything inbetween posting stuff about him-and other doctors as well. I think it is important to look at a persons profile and history. Two posts and they all of a sudden write a flaming review? Just keep your eyes open, is all I am saying.
Were there better options for me? I am sure there were...there is always better out there, right? But at the end of the day, what matters to me is that I had a safe surgery, no issues, infections, good treatment, feel good, and I am losing weight.
One out of a hundred patients will have complications...more will have pneumonia..... .3 out of a hundred will have a leak.
My experience personally was that I was in a van with maybe 5 other patients. He did 4, maybe 5 surgeries that day. There are only 8 beds in the hospital to recover in. There is no room for anyone else. You cannot move anyone around because there is nowhere to put them. You cannot move them to the hotel...they need the IV and such and the hotel would not allow that.
Also, some people need to stay for observation for another night for vomiting, or issues, for example...the girl that stayed next to me after my surgery was vomiting and not doing well. She was there two nights.
Everyone in my group had great success and we have all kept in touch and are healthy, no complications or issues, etc. Yes, it is in a strip plaza...they have numerous medical facilities throughout the facilty...two in that plaza, they own the xray clinic, and are building a new facility. They are not using the recover house anymore-its all at the hotel where you recover and you have your nurse there 24/7.
I had comfort, privacy, a nice hotel, in-room patient massage.....I am sure it is just a matter of time before they will need to expand the facility as the one they have now is small. But it is clean-so clean....not a hair, smudge, piece of food, nothing. You have to wear booties entering their facility.
Maybe they went through a tough time or growth issues or who knows what...I don't know. All I do know is that they have a tonne of patient testimonials on youtube that are posted daily by happy patients that make endless comments on the cleanliness, attentiveness...it sounds like they are really trying to turn whatever bad rap they had a few years ago around.
I have nothing bad to say about them-it was a great experience!

If you want to chew something, try cottage cheese-that helps. I totally agree with the diet plan up there...that's pretty much what I did, but stuck mostly to cotttage cheese, Protein powder mixed with a banana in Water, and no other dairy at all as I was sick (Still am).
I also found in week three shrimp from a plain ol' shrimp ring were very well tolerated, chewed in small bites-these have actually become my "snacking food" until I can eat veg totally...as they are like 6 calories a shrimp and no fat, so no guilt annnnnnd some Protein to boot!
Its funny how quickly our snacking rewards change, eh
Hang in there!

I am so thrilled and just had to share this because a few days back, I was feeling bummed about being stuck. I started adding up my numbers and getting panicked that my surgery was a waste of money. I know I am not alone in this as I had read similiar trains of thought on here as well. I was doing everything right, I was adjusting from pureed to solids a bit and stalled in week 4. Also, I have lost ten pounds now since I came home from surgery-lost 18 pounds in the first week. Some things I did change was incorporating simple exercize now, and also increased my Protein a bit. And VOILA! off went three pounds in two days. Also, I tried on my wedding dress as I got married in August this year, and wanted to see if it fit differently. It almost fell off of me! I was not at my highest weight...in fact about only ten pounds havier, but the inche are definitely less than when I wore that dress-it felt great! I have dug out all my old clothes and right now have a room full of piles of stuff...my jeans are falling down my butt....it feels great.
Yay! Here i a pic of me in the dress that doesn't fit anymore...lol

Hello there! Welcome!! I am 10 days post OP and have been very blessed so far in my recovery, with minimal pain and getting in my fluids and Proteins ok... This is definitely a great resource for VSG info and to read about both positive and negative experiences... Try searching in subject lines for "leak" "emergency" or something like that... Also I recommend reading a post by Kapoorvilla about her near death experience that she just posted in the last couple of days... Good luck in your decision!!

Bravo!! Tomorrow is my 4 week anniversary and I haven't stalled yet.........I keep waiting to....and with al the info on this site I think I won't freak out when I do stall.
Your dress is beautiful!
Keep uo the good work.

Lisathe above salad is delicious - i have had it 3-4 times - vinergette dressing, i think its healthy and a good alternative in a pinch
i've never had Wendy's chili but i've heard its good, and a safe choice
Snacks such as Protein bars, yogurt, tuna (i buy the one already mixed up in a small pkg) yes its got mayo added it, but i think its still ok on an occassion
i'd be remiss not to say - you are starting a new life - doing many new things - new habits - so try harder not to forget to bring your lunch - is it ok that i said that??
but we can't always be perfect not even me
good luck

OMG My Sleeved Tummy-I have to thank you so much! We got hit with a big winter storm so I was bored...so Iwent over to our local Indian grocer and stocked my pantry with goodies and made your gravy. It was so good! My daughter, who is incredibly picky and doesn't eat indian food ever (unless it is the simple recipe I posted above) wolfed it down with a big piece of naan. I ended up adding some pureed yogurt and a touch of coconut milk and then did matar paneer with the gravy. It was so flavourful-had almost a cup for lunch and having a few bites now. I froze the rest of my gravy for another time and everyone loves it! It's the real deal-tastes just like an authentic Indian restaurant's would. I even felt brave enough to drop some off to my brother, who is a bit of an Indian food snob as well and he loved it!

If you want to chew something, try cottage cheese-that helps. I totally agree with the diet plan up there...that's pretty much what I did, but stuck mostly to cotttage cheese, Protein powder mixed with a banana in Water, and no other dairy at all as I was sick (Still am).
I also found in week three shrimp from a plain ol' shrimp ring were very well tolerated, chewed in small bites-these have actually become my "snacking food" until I can eat veg totally...as they are like 6 calories a shrimp and no fat, so no guilt annnnnnd some Protein to boot!
Its funny how quickly our snacking rewards change, eh
Hang in there!

Back up...you are on the treadmill daily? Wow. I want to kick your doctor in the teeth. Seriously. You are doing amazing. Don't listen to him, just keep on keepin' on!

I am very concerned for you, because I am not sure if you realize how serious this is.
First, your stomach is still healing and does not feel the fullness possibly as it is tender. Think about it like someone punched you in the face over and over and over then tore it open, then numbed it, then punched it again-I mean, you had a part of your stomach cut off. It is probably still quite numb and tender, so you cannot trust your stomach anymore. Zero. Not for at least six weeks or more...so think of your brand new stomach as your newborn daughter. Would you give your little infant baby girl popcorn and chicken, after just being born? Hopefully not. But your stomach is just as new, tender and sensitive as hers, and you can KILL yourself doing this...even if your new stomach is ccrying for food, your head needs to tell it what it needs, not the stomach or cravings.
Hey look, I am not perfect and I have fallen off the wagon a few times too, but in the first week my concern for YOU is that it is so soon in your surgery.
For now, please avoid all situations and outings that involve temptation, join a support group and also call your doctor or surgeon and notify them asap of what you have eaten to be on the safe side.
In the meantime, please stick to a strict liquid diet-no exceptions!!! of Protein shakes and pureed in another few weeks. If you need help with a diet please ask and I am sure people will share what worked for them.
Movie theatre popcorn is nutritionally an abomination-the sleeve is a tool but without the whole toolkit in use, you might as well of just lit your money on fire.
Be safe. Be smart. Take care of yourself, k?

yogurt (kroger carb master, danon light smoothie/yougurt)
low fat cottage cheese,apple sauce (will be hard to find sugar free bc of natural sugar)
cream Soups (solid pieces strained, you shouldnt be eating any chunks!)
broths.
Protein shakes (3 gram rule. no more than 3 grams of fat/sugar per serving)
Dont exceed 4oz per meal
Just because its a liquid doesnt mean you should eat it lol.
Thats the list my surgeon has given me. I will have to do that for 3 weeks.