dropdeadweightdiva

Great posts! !

@@*Lexie*
Thank you for your kinds words, that's sweet. So anyone who says the sleeve isn't as effective as RNY, so there..

I am home now all good
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@@xmaleengyx
I can drink socially now a year out... Just be aware that it hits you much more quickly so be careful and it's not something you want to do on a regular basis. Also I can now eat anything anyone else eats, just way less. It is more than worth the effort of surgery, recovery, adjusted eating, Vitamins, etc etc etc.... I know some people do have aversions to certain foods post op, but they make it work by discovering new options. The only regrets I have ever seen are those with complications and even then further out most say they would still do it all over again. You can always set a date and if you aren't absolutely certain when it rolls around, cancel or postpone it. If you have the opportunity to set a date, take it! Others on here would mame and kill for your opportunity to be that close lol
As far as a catheter goes I never had one, and I believe it isn't common practice. If they do it goes in while you are under and it is uncomfortable to remove but because they want you up and walking very soon after surgery the likelihood of needing one is next to zero.. They only do them for those who are unable to get up to use the washroom with or without help.
The first week of recovery sucks, expect that. As long as you did your research on your doctor, trust your team. VSG they parallel to having your gall bladder removed, same stats ish lol...

I was sleeved on Dec 27th 2012 - it was a cold, rainy 2 weeks after surgery, so I didn't get out and walk like my doc told me. I just paced around the house.
On those times when I was disappointed (when I thought I wasn't losing fast enough) I tried to remember how fast I wasn't losing weight before surgery. I tried to remember how (pre-surgery) I would have been ecstatic to lose even 1/2 lb a month, as long as I was going down.
Hope this helps, and try not to compare your weight loss rate to anyone else's. We all lose weight at different rates - genetics, exercise, hormones, and diet all play a part in it.

Maybe you should get up and move.
FYI, I lost 10.4 pounds my first month post-op. And I was moving.

Sorry, I just saw this question.
The answer is no, not all are done laproscopically. In the event that your liver is enlarged or too fatty and the surgeon is unable to safely complete the procedure laproscopically, your surgeon may either opt to perform your sleeve open, or to close you back up and reschedule until after your liver has reduced to a manageable size.

DISCLAIMER: This FAQ is in no way intended to replace or undermine the advice of your physician. Every person is different, every surgeon has different guidelines, and no two situations are identical. Therefore if any of the answers below are unclear or contradict your physicians’ instructions, always follow your physicians’ instructions. The responses given are a compilation from multiple sources and references.
How do I embed the weight loss ticker? Click on the liquid stage? During your clear liquid stage you can have anything that you can sip through a straw that is translucent, meaning see through. For instance: Water, juice, broth, sugar free popsicles, sugar free Jello, Isopure Protein Drinks, Gatorade, Powerade, Decaf tea just to name a few. Once you move on to full liquids you may add liquids that are not translucent. For instance: creamed Soups, soups with the chunks strained out, milk, Protein shakes etc…
When do I start mushies/purees? Every surgeon has different guidelines for the progression of your post-op diet. The majority of post-op diets progress as follows:
Day 1-7 Clear Liquids
Day 8-14 Full liquids
Day 15-21 Purees
Day 22-50 Mushies
What’s the difference between mushies and purees? The major difference is that purees are anything that has been blenderized/pureed to a baby food consistency and has no chunks. These should not be watery, but instead a thicker pudding like consistency. Mushies are soft foods that have not been pureed.< /p>
Should I be counting calories or carbs or both? Both. Again, every surgeon is different, but the majority of sleevers will be on a 600-1000 calorie/day diet with carbs kept at 60-80g or less. The general guideline is this: When eating, protein is always first, veggies are second, and if you have room carbs/starch last. The majority will rarely have room for the carbs.
How much protein should I be getting per day? The recommended protein intake may vary from 55 to 100g per day, depending on your individual needs and the bariatric diet provided by your surgeon or dietitian. The generally accepted minimum protein requirement for women is about 50 to 60g per day and men need at least 60 to 70g of protein per day.
How much liquid do i need for the day? About 60-80oz
When can I eat salad? Once you reach the point where you’re on normal solids you can try salad. Start with a small amount and see how your sleeve tolerates it as it can be difficult to digest.
Best Protein Shakes? This one depends on your particular tastes, however most seem to enjoy powders? utm_source=BariatricPal&utm_medium=Affiliate&utm_campaign=CommentLink" target="_ad" data-id="1" >unjury.

What else counts as a liquid? Anything that can be sipped through a straw or that will reduce back to a liquid. For example: Jello, sugar free popsicles, frozen yogurt/ice cream (these are generally no no foods)
How long will my surgery last? Typically about 45mins assuming there are no complications or other procedures (ie: hernia repairs) being done at the time of your surgery. Every surgeon is different so for a more accurate answer you should consult your respective surgeon.
Why can't I tolerate plain water, is this normal? It’s called water nausea and it is completely normal. This is very common during the first few weeks following surgery and should eventually subside.
What is sliming/slimes? Sliming or slimes occur when you eat or drink something and then regurgitate a slimy, foamy, saliva like substance, usually when belching.
What is grazing? Grazing is when instead of consuming your standard 3 small meals and 2 small Snacks per day, you simply munch all day grabbing a handful here or a bite there. The rule is that your meals should take you 20-30 minutes to eat and should be about 3 hours apart with only fluids in between.
What do all these acronyms mean?
In no particular order:
WLS – Weight Loss Surgery
NSV – Non scale Victory (ie: smaller clothes, compliments, climbing a flight of stairs etc…)
NUT – Nutritionist
PCP – Primary Care Physician
VSG – Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy
TOM – Time of the Month
SF – Sugar Free
WFL/WFD – What’s for Lunch/Dinner
How much did you lose at 1 month etc.? How much can I expect to lose in what time frame? Everyone’s body is different and so is everyone’s journey. There is no set amount you should expect lose in a set amount of time, and you should never compare your journey or your progress to someone elses. As long as you’re sticking with the program and following your surgeons guidelines, the weight will come off.
What is a stall? How long does it last and how do I break it? A stall is a point at which the scale stops moving for a period of time. The length of the stall varies from a few days to a few weeks and sometimes a few months. Non VSG’ers typically call it a plateau. Stalls are perfectly normal and to be expected. As we lose weight so dramatically, our bodies need time to catch up physically - this typically happens during a stall. While the scale may not be moving, you may notice an increase in compliments. This is because while the number on the scale isn’t getting any smaller, you are physically getting smaller. There are many tips and tricks for breaking a stall (increase your fluids and protein, increase your activity, up your calories…) but the reality is it will break on its own.
When can I have sex? When you’re ready. Keep it simple for the first few weeks post-op and don’t attempt any tricky positions. Be careful until you’ve been cleared by your surgeon for strenuous activity.
When can I start exercising? Typically right away, though the types of exercises you can do will be limited. Most surgeons restrict weight training/resistance training for about 3-4 weeks after surgery, but you should be walking/speed walking at least 30-45min daily starting from the day you get home.
What do I do with flabby skin? What's the best exercise etc.? The severity of the flab will vary based on many different factors. While there’s no way to tell how bad it will be or whether it will even be bad, there are a couple of proactive measures you can take. Make sure you’re using a moisturizing lotion with Vitamin E and Keratin several times daily. The vitamin E will help add elasticity back to your skin and the keratin will add moisture, both of which may help your skin bounce back as the weight falls off. The best exercises to target your problem areas are resistance and strength training in order to tone and build muscle to replace the fat. Lastly, be patient. Just as your weight stalls while your waist catches up to it, your skin will sag until it gets the signal to shrink. While it probably won’t ever be as tight as you’d like, it will shrink.
Will I lose hair? How much? What causes it? When does it return? Do Vitamins help? The truth is, yes, you probably will lose hair. Because of the drastic changes going on that are caused by the extreme reduction in protein and vitamins coming in as well as the hormonal fluctuations caused by the rapid weight loss, it takes our bodies a while to adjust. Don’t worry, as our hormones level out and our bodies get used to the new us, it will come back. There is no set time frame for it to do so however.
I’m constipated - what is it okay to take, especially in the beginning when newly sleeved? Will it get better? Worse? In the beginning a simple stool softener like Colace should do the trick. You don’t want to take a laxative or anything that may irritate your new sleeve. While you’re in the liquid/puree stage, Constipation shouldn’t be an issue, but as you reintroduce solids you may have to go back to your stool softeners. If you do find that stool softners are only offering temporary relief, try increasing your fluids and Fiber and decreasing your cheeses.
I’m having very loose bowel movements, is this normal? Totally. You do need to monitor stools of this consistency to ensure they contain no blood, but very loose stools, even watery stools, are completely normal for a few weeks post-op. When in doubt – ask your surgeon.
Will I feel fatigue? Will fatigue go away? Yes and yes. Your body has just undergone major surgery and it needs to heal. While it’s healing you will feel more fatigued than normal. Subsequent to having such a large portion of your stomach removed is the fact that you can no longer take in as much food (read: fuel) and therefore your body has to adjust and find a new fuel source. Your body will eventually begin to burn fat for fuel and some of the fatigue will subside. Your surgeon should also prescribe a B12 supplement which will also help with energy.
When can I go back to work? How much time should I take off? That will be entirely up to your surgeon. Most return to work within 2-3 weeks.
How many days in the hospital? Your hospital stay will depend on your recovery. When you are able to keep down liquids, are up and about and walking as directed, and your surgeon and nursing staff are confident there are no complications, you’ll be released. Your surgeon should be able to give you an expectation of the length of your stay.
Do the staples dissolve? No. The staples used to close the stomach are titanium and do not dissolve. The stomach tissue will eventually grow over the staple line. Your staples do not make metal detectors go off or make you ineligible for an MRI. They are completely benign.
Why am I always hungry? The most likely culprit is either head hunger or reflux/heartburn. Head hunger is a false sense of hunger triggered by boredom/emotions/the clock or any number of things which make you think you’re hungry when you’re really not. Heartburn is the most common culprit of constant hunger. Even though you may not feel as though you have heartburn, you may find that a simple antacid will eliminate that constant hungry feeling.
What is a stricture? A stricture is what happens when scar tissue builds up in your esophagus (sometimes caused by reflux) that causes your esophagus to narrow and makes swallowing difficult.
What is a leak and what are the symptoms? A leak is an opening along the suture line of your sleeve that allows bile and other digestive fluids to leak into your abdominal cavity. The symptoms of a leak vary but the most common symptoms are pain radiating across the abdomen, fever, rapid heart rate, shortness of breath, dizziness, vomiting, nausea, fatigue, and abdominal cramping. It is important to note that leaks are rare and only occur in about 1 out of every 100 cases.
Can you get a leak any time after surgery? Or is it just immediate? Most leaks happen very soon after surgery, but there is still a risk for about 4-6 weeks after. Again, it is important to note that leaks are rare and only occur in about 1 out of every 100 cases.
Some of my incisions are oozing - is this normal? If they’re oozing a green or yellowish Fluid, absolutely not. Green and yellow are the colors of infection and should be reported to your surgeon immediately. If your incisions are oozing a pinkish or clear watery fluid it’s your body’s way of keeping your incisions clean and isn’t usually a concern. When in doubt, ask your surgeon.

Well, hopefully you can get a lot of your questions answered in detail at your appointment next week. I can't help you with the Medicare and surgery date questions. As for your medical conditions, most of those should definitely improve with the surgery and weight loss. Acid reflux may continue to be an issue, as it is one of the common side effects of VSG. Prior to surgery, I often had heartburn and acid reflux when I was at my heavier weights. Meaning it was definitely triggered by obesity, as is common. However, post-op, even though I'm at a lower weight now, my reflux hasn't resolved itself as it had in the past at lower weights, so I am now taking 20mg of Prilosec daily and that keeps it at bay the cvast majority of the time. I have not, however, had any issues with heart burn post-op.
Your pre-op and post-op diets will be unique to your surgeon and nutritionist. Some surgeons don't require a pre-op diet at all! Some require very strict pre-op diets. That's definitely something only your specific surgeon and nutritionist will be able to help you with.
As for throwing up and bowel problems post-op, again, it's entirely individual. I personally haven't thrown up once since my surgery 19 weeks ago, but some people throw up every single day. I also haven't had any problems with Constipation, but for some people it is a MAJOR problem post-op. No matter what, you will definitely have a steep learning curve when it comes to getting used to how much to eat and how fast to eat. I'm 19 weeks post-op and I still sometimes overdo it to the point where I am in extreme discomfort (I feel like I'm going to burst!). With every single meal you will just have to be conscious of how much you are eating, take your time, and listen to your body.

@@xmaleengyx
I can drink socially now a year out... Just be aware that it hits you much more quickly so be careful and it's not something you want to do on a regular basis. Also I can now eat anything anyone else eats, just way less. It is more than worth the effort of surgery, recovery, adjusted eating, Vitamins, etc etc etc.... I know some people do have aversions to certain foods post op, but they make it work by discovering new options. The only regrets I have ever seen are those with complications and even then further out most say they would still do it all over again. You can always set a date and if you aren't absolutely certain when it rolls around, cancel or postpone it. If you have the opportunity to set a date, take it! Others on here would mame and kill for your opportunity to be that close lol
As far as a catheter goes I never had one, and I believe it isn't common practice. If they do it goes in while you are under and it is uncomfortable to remove but because they want you up and walking very soon after surgery the likelihood of needing one is next to zero.. They only do them for those who are unable to get up to use the washroom with or without help.
The first week of recovery sucks, expect that. As long as you did your research on your doctor, trust your team. VSG they parallel to having your gall bladder removed, same stats ish lol...

I don't think you know what gastric sleeve surgery is all about yet. I encourage you to keep studying.
You seem to think it means you can't drink or eat post-op, that VSG surgery causes malabsorption like gastric bypasses -- it doesn't, or that you have to eat some odd diet the rest of your life, or that you have to take expensive, strange combinations of Vitamins and minerals. It doesn't mean any of that, at least not to me.
At not yet 5 months post-op, I go out to dinner with friends, I have a glass of wine, and I can eat everything I want (although because I'm still losing weight I choose NOT to eat everything I want). I take a Centrum senior chewable Vitamin and two Calcium pills a day (no biggie).
Obviously, we choose post-op to eat in a way that helps us lose weight. But long-term, the folks here who are maintaining eat (typically) 1400 - 1600 calories a day. That's what normal people eat. They also exercise and/or move more than they used to.
HOWEVER ... if it bothers you that in order to be successful long-term you won't be able to eat 2,500 - 3,000 calories a day and eat lots of carbs, then this surgery is not for you. In fact, no weight loss regimen will be successful for you if those things are important to you.
You've read it before (or maybe you haven't) that the sleeve is a very helpful tool for long-term weight loss and maintenance success. But it is a tool that YOU have to use. You have to be committed to weight loss and weight loss maintenance.
Good luck to you.

Thank you @@dropdeadweightdiva

@@Dolce_xxv
If you are feeling very thirsty you might want to track how much Fluid you are actually taking in. This early out if you are getting enough you really shouldn't feel thirsty all the time. My advice would be to use a container, thermos, cup or what not that is labelled with measurements. I used to use a shooter glass and keep it full most of the time from a larger chilled thermos. Used an app called 'eat slower' and set it to the max of 3 minutes and took a sip or 2 every time it went off, as I couldn't down the entire shooter glass over the first little while. It would take me an hour or more to do a prepackaged Meal Replacement shake which I can now do easily in less than 10 minutes.. Consider how often you feel the need to use the bathroom as a good tell on how much Fluid you are taking in.. If you can't remember the last time you felt the need to do so that's an issue. If you are having headaches, or muscle pain besides the side pain, that's a sign.
As for the pain in your side this early out it is very likely gas and just the fact that you had major surgery recently, that pain could easily be related to incisions or previous instrument insertion annoyance.. I had a drain for 2 weeks and although it came out on my left side the tube itself was inside on my right. So if you had or have a drain... For gas, walking is basically the best option to remedy it. Check your incisions on that side, any redness or raised skin beyond what it was like before get it checked could be an infection. If you do have staples the site will get itchy as it heals, that's normal. Later on as the muscles start to repair you may feel a 'pulling' at the incisions sites, internal sites that is, as they tighten in their repair.
The growling again is gas moving around your newly adjusting tummy. My family used to get the biggest kick out of it as they could hear it across whatever room we were in. I remember being sooo mortified and worried that it would never calm down as it sometimes travels up your throat and voila, nothing you can do but smile.. if it happens to you, you'll know it's not quite a burp either.. just laugh it off.. if you annoy your tummy it gets louder.. Mine never hurt but considering it is a gas and digestion thing, gas pain is normal and as long as it abates and doesn't last long and is accompanied by said growl I wouldn't worry about it at this stage.
The number one rule is to trust your gut, no pun intended, if you feel that something is wrong, or it gets worse, or that feeling just doesn't go away, go see your doctor! Congratulations on joining the greener side of life!

Or when I felt my hip bones for the first time in years and thought they were rumors! Freaked myself out for a minute!!!

Or...when your coccyx bone hurts from sitting even in the most cushioned chairs.

When you toss out your last pair of granny panties.

My surgery was yesterday and it went great! Pain was minimal, and everyone at the hospital is awesome. Passed the leakage test today and get ice now. I've been up walking around without much assistance and feeling way better than I thought. Thanks to everyone on here for the support.
Anyone getting ready for their procedures, take an extension cord and Chapstick. The best things ever.

I have been stalled now for almost 5 months just 5 pounds from goal, (thinking surgery is the only way it's going to come at this point) BMI now 24.2... but the slow down started when I was 156 so 26.8 BMI
BMI in the 26's seems to be the culprit.

Thank you both!

I am 58, 59 next month. Everyone says I look much younger than I actually am. The first pic is 15 years ago, before my lap band. The other pic is a couple of months ago. I'm having a sleeve in the next week or so, due to complications with the band.

I agree it hasn't been around very long and I am only 2 weeks in but I love it so far. Have so much energy and the weight is falling off. And havent had diabetic drugs or insullin since liquid diet a month ago. Very little pain and was back to work in a week.

Thy have me on a morphine push every 6 mins doing ok now
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I'm out all went good I'm in a lot of pain
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Here we go
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I can sympathize with you! I lost 10 my first week...then only like 4 lbs over the next 4 weeks! I was shocked because I was hardly eating. I felt horrible but after week 5 I got into a steady loss cycle. I only get on the scale every 7 - 10 days and I stay away all the other days. I was obsessing about the scale and it was not good. Now 12.5 weeks post op I am down 63 total from my highest weight. Hang in there! Don't get discouraged it really has not been that long. I know it feels like that number should be moving faster - I do know! Keep drinking Water, get your Protein, exercise...take your vitamins!