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Thank you for creating this topic, @@cgshrink! I am currently looking into having this revision because I did not do well with the sleeve at all and I followed the correct diet for a year (then I got frustrated and started giving in to slider foods)! I also have reflux issues. @@cgshrink, can you tell me how you felt post-surgery? I might have to go to Mexico alone and I am worried about being weak and/or in a lot of pain. I went alone when I got my sleeve and I was fine, but I guess I'm more worried about this because it is a revision and a bypass. Thanks.

I had surgery with him on Jan. 17. Here is a link to the (long) post I wrote back then about my entire experience: http://www.verticalsleevetalk.com/topic/65606-my-experience-so-farnow-with-details/ Short version: He's skilled and experienced and has a good beside manor and I recommend him.

Hi All, I was sleeved about 8 months ago and I was pretty active on VST in the 3 months leading up to my surgery until about a month or so after surgery and I've been pretty absent since then. There are a variety of reasons for this, including the fact that I am a grad student working on my Master's thesis and I don't have a lot of free time right now, but probably the biggest reason that I have been absent is because I hit a months-long stall from about 2 months post-surgery until the 7th month after surgery and I was feeling very much like a failure. I lost around 40 pounds within the first 2 months of surgery and then virtually nothing--well, maybe 3 pounds that I kept gaining and losing--for 5 months! I know that I am not the only person to have this type of experience and it seems logical to come to this forum for support, but I personally have this tendency to withdraw when I should reach out for support the most (and I suspect that others do too). I can only speak for myself, but I also didn't post for a while because I didn't want to come across as negative about the surgery and wind up discouraging anyone because I would definitely still choose to do this if I had it to do over again. For whatever reasons, I think that a lot of the people who are struggling don't post on here nearly as much as the success stories, so it gives a skewed view for both the newbies who are considering surgery and the veterans who feel like they are somehow failing at this. I know that when I was reading here pre-op, I definitely felt that losing quickly was the norm and slow losers were in the minority and mostly people who started out with a lower BMI. I think this forum is a wonderful resource and I'm not trying to scare anyone, but my number one advice to anyone considering surgery or anyone who has had surgery and feels like it's not working or that they've failed is to remember that this is not magic and to know that there may be a fair amount of work on your part (mentally, physically, and emotionally) beyond surgery to reach your goals. My number one wish for everyone, on the other hand, is that the pounds just fly off quickly with no stalls and that maintaining goal is a breeze, but I don't think that's terribly realistic. Anyway, I had gotten really discouraged because I felt like I had tried everything (exercise, more calories, fewer calories, more carbs, fewer carbs, more fluids, etc) but then I talked to someone I know in real life who has had the surgery and, although I'm convinced that her surgeon made her stomach really, really tiny - she's 4-5 years out and can still only eat very small amounts, like 3/4 of a hot dog w/o bun, based on our conversation I changed my diet to consume fewer calories but much more Protein and this seems to be working. I have lost 10 pounds in the past month and I have a renewed hopefulness that I can and will get to goal. Now that I'm not in the deepest part of despair, I have come to my senses that it is helpful to have support on this journey, so I'm reaching out to the VST community again. I'm also on MyFitnessPal with the same username if you care to add me. My school quarter starts tomorrow and I have to finish my MA thesis within 10 weeks, so I may still not be online very often until I'm done, but I will try to check in on both sites as much as possible. Best of luck and/or continued success to everyone!

As of yesterday, Jawbone Up works with MyFitnessPal, in case anyone was still basing their decision on this.

I just found this post and thanks for mentioning this. I just made an appointment to discuss getting this procedure. Really excited at the thought of getting rid of my Mirena and being off hormones.

I had surgery a little over 3 months ago with Dr. Elias Ortiz at Mi Doctor. If you want to read a really detailed (long) post about my experience, it is here: http://www.verticalsleevetalk.com/topic/65606-my-experience-so-farnow-with-details/

It's normal to feel this way. Most surgeries go smoothly, remember that. One of the best pieces of advice that I got was to get up and start walking as soon as possible after surgery. Not only does it help get rid of the gas, it helps to avoid the nausea that can come from the anesthesia. Good luck!

You must be so excited! I remember when I was getting ready to leave for surgery--I could hardly sleep! Wishing you all the best and much success!

You look fantastic! I also have to say that I love how in the last pic, which is a rear view of you, the cat decided to do a rear view pose also

I just bought this one on Amazon the other day and it's pretty amazing: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003N4AVKE It's also on sale for an additional 20% off, so it comes to $39.96.

I love spicy foods also and, thankfully, I am still able to have them, although I can't quite tolerate the same level of heat (super hot) as I used to pre-sleeve. Medium-hot is fine, though. I think I tried my first spicy thing as soon as I got on mushies and was fine.

I will definitely keep you in my thoughts and prayers. Wishing you a healthy and safe trip home and continued health and success.

I'm not aware of vitamins aiding weight loss, which means that they also should have no effect on a stall; however, there is a whole section in this booklet on nutrition after VSG that explains why vitamins (& minerals) are so important for us post-op.

My experience was great--I would highly recommend Dr. Ortiz. Dr. Lopez actually was not there when I had my surgery (he was in PV that week), so even if Dr. Lopez does not assist, I still trust Dr. Ortiz to be very competent. He checked in with me everyday starting the day of surgery (before and after) through my last night at the hotel (to remove the drain), so there were lots of opportunities to ask questions. I've also heard that Dr. Ortiz speaks better English than Dr. Lopez, so there's that.

I'm sorry you've had some difficulties, but it's great to hear that your surgery is done and you're on the road to recovery and a new you! Congrats!!!

Thanks for the tips! I've got to ask because I love exotic foods--how was the yak meat?

Thanks, as always, to everyone for the well wishes!

Happy birthday to you as well!

This is great news! Glad that you have this support going in to surgery.

I'm doing great! I might be in the 3 week stall, but I lost 2 pounds in the past week, so I don't exactly consider it a stall. I lost 15 pounds the week before that, though, so it's a big difference. I'm just trying to be patient with the process and pay more attention to how I feel and how my clothes fit. I'm down from a tight 22 to a comfortable 20. My birthday is in 2 days and I already feel like I've given myself the best present

I'm so happy for you! What great accomplishments!

You look fantastic! Thanks for sharing your progress--very inspiring.

Welcome back! You're gonna do great--flying is easy.

I'm not sure which doctors you're choosing between, but I just wanted to say that I spent only $4500 for my surgery and I had it done at a hospital in TJ, so it is possible to have it inexpensive AND in a hospital.

I ate it about 10 days post-op with no problems.