Dr-Patient

HI, PG! How are yo doing? And, did Green Tea...have revision (of a sleeve, or...?) I'm curious to see how it goes. God bless.

Congratulations!!!! You're doing great!!!! Your weight was high, so a quick drop at first is not surprising. Enjoy it!! Don't worry...it will slow down at some later time: those dreaded stalls. So enjoy it. Good for you!!

I'm an old girl (VSG 2013), but am trying to mostly do protein shakes and tea for the next two weeks. Your protein shake journey can help me, so keep us posted re: your weight loss at this stage. Hang in there. I found a pretty good tasting one at Ross the other day! It's a "Belgian Chocolate" flavor and I like it.

Check if it's okay with your doctor, but some [nasty-tasting] Magnesium Citrate would ~ clean you out and get some of the built-up stool out of your intestines. If so, use it (the afternoon before the day of your surgery, so you'll be finished with that by bedtime (and won't be pooping on the way to surgery, nor on the OR table). :-) Note: MgCitrate can remove a lot of water from your gut; so again, see if they are okay with your using that. They wouldn't want to deplete your potassium or have you get ~ dehydrated pre-op. (It also would make your intestines flatter and less at risk of operative injury.) Less dramatic a stool might come with Perdiem (or at WalMart, the Equate brand BM aid/yellow bottle). But with that, it's a granular pill, and little particulate matter might remain. MOM is another alternate, but it's ~ milky/chalky. See what your doctor wants you to do. Just some possible thoughts here.

Why? Mainly because it's your doctor's orders for you. It's what he/she prefers for your best outcome. Many/Most docs prefer clear liquids for the first week; then advance to full liquids, etc. Compared to Jello, tea and broth, yogurt is more solid, more dense...and is considered a full liquid (or even a soft food, depending on what's in it). So, just follow your doctor's orders for a few more days at this stage. Why chance it?

Regular broth may have TOO MUCH sodium. Don't indulge in the sodium. Again, I first say, check your blood pressure, and if it's a lot lower than your normal, just a tongue-tip taste of salt granules might get you over the hump. But drinking regular broth with regular amounts of sodium will increase your weight.

I really didn't have much post-op pain, thank God. I was a bit tender at the few incision sites, but I only occasionally took the pain meds. I don't think I took any after day two. But...I do have a high pain tolerance. In any case there will be pain; you're having surgery. But keep your eye on the prize and you'll just deal with it. It won't last forever. There is a new you in the future. That is the goal.

Hello. I'm confused. You had your last surgery on July 2, weighed 251, and in 4 days you're 142...? You've been through a lot. God bless.

Can you check your blood pressure? It might be low. You might need a little bit of sodium (not much!!). Maybe sprinkle a little bit into your palm, or mix with water. But again, not much. Try 1/4 tsp. I'm proud of you that you've hung in there for 7 days with liquids!!! How much weight have you lost in the 7 days? I'm trying to get back onto a liquid restart now almost 6 years out. Feel better and good luck this week!! Look forward to happier, thinner living.

Where do you find these? They are protein powders, or basically flavorings?

I did that same thing! I still have that picture...though I need to get back to it. And I will. But it's a great thing, sight and feeling: that first reentry into Onederland!!!

Are you actually "eating" the first week out; as in, actual food--solid or even semi-soft food? Stretching is one thing. But at just one week post-surgery, the primary concern is complications to the stomach's incision line. As one said above, leaks; or even particulate (small) matter--food--getting into your incision line, etc. That would NOT be good. **The particulate food particles can get stuck in the incision line, cause poor healing; and in turn, increase a chance of leaks due to the food particles interfering with the approximation of the cut edges. Also there's a risk of intraabdominal infection, etc. You want/need that incision line to close/heal completely, without 'contamination' by food particles. Did your doctor permit actual food--solid food--or by "eating," do you mean your liquids? For many (myself included), I had a hard time [for weeks] getting my water in because I felt full so quickly [Alas, that's not the same now, and I actually gained back some weight {very depressing and mad at myself}]. But check with the plan per your physician and make sure you're not ingesting too firm a food and not taking in too much.

Why were you even attempting fruit salad at 2-3 weeks? Was this on your doctor's allowed full liquids, or soft foods suggested foods list? For one, that is a LOT of sugar; also a lot of digesting your incision line had to endure. Don't rush things, Don't push it. Check with your doctor's nutritionist or whomever. Those first few weeks post-op are crucial for having a sure, uncomplicated closure of your stomach's incision line.

Hello, wls comrades. Five years ago today, I entered Onederland after a VSG Dec. 2013. HW: 271. SW: 257.2. Lowest weight: 180.8 (1/23/17). I wanted to get to 175, but my face was getting so thin and I was looking older/wrinkled. My Onederland weight was "197.8" and I smiled so broadly!! Alas, today, I weigh 206...ten pounds heavier than that day, and 27 pounds above my lowest weight. Grrrrrr. I am bummed, as I'm having a hard time getting back under control. I'm mad at myself. Just saying. I'm considering having a re-do...a second VSG later this year...because I don't want to be in that fight again. I'll see how I do between now and July. Keep me in your thoughts/prayers. Although I had NO complications, was done outpatient and did great, I don't want another surgery, but more...I DON'T want to be in that fight again, nor be over 200 pounds. But I'm told that ghrelin returns after 5 years; I'm approaching 6 years, so...'Hello, Heartache... here we go again..." My thought is...if I have another VSG ~205 pounds; lose 50-60 pounds, get to ~140-150. Then if I regain 20 pounds after five years (when i'll be almost 70 y.o.), wth. :-) I won't worry about it then. lol. When I was at 180 pounds, I was a near-size 10, feeling real good, etc.I can 'finish out' around that weight. Just thinking. Any thoughts? I may try that old "Master Cleanse," if I can hang in there the first few days. I'm open to thoughts to get back on the food track. If I can do that and get over the hump, I may be able to lose again. Hmm.

You can. It's possible to stretch your sleeve , and if so, the stretched part can be cut off again. I'm going to see how I do this summer. Two pounds down since Sunday. Thanks.

Thanks so much. I've lost two pounds this week, walking away from the bad carbs. I agree that if I can slow down my eating, avoid ALL bad carbs, I will probably get the stomach shrinkage I had and will have better control. I'd saved a few of those applesauce cups (4 oz), so I'm putting my food into those. That's helping with portion control; that and drinking some lemon-tea with ACVinegar. I had many friends die in the past 6 months and I 1) was busy caring for them as a friend (not as their doctor/surgeon). One friend had a major medical mishap after her heart surgery [!!], She survived, though, thank God; and 2) I had so many home repairs to be done--now completed--so big money was flowing out, etc., I eased up on my usual habits, and had unusual 'emotional/compassion fatigue." I was emotionally spent, and began grabbing whatever, and eating fast. So... But friends have done what they were going to do--those who were dying, died [just sayin']; others are out of the hospitals/ICUs, etc, doing well--so I can get back to caring for me :-) Thanks again !!

Thank you so much for your words of encouragement and support! I appreciate it...and you. I've lost two pounds this week, so I'm refocusing. 2-3 days without the bad carbs is the needed trick for me, so...so far, so good this week. It should get easier in another 2 days. I revisited the BP site because I know others can relate to the journey. Thanks again!!

Enjoy it as long as it lasts. I'm 5.5 years post-VSG, and I wish I had no taste for food. I'm still down 70 pounds, but I've gained ~20+. I'm in the battle. So, enjoy your lack of food appeal. Send it my way, please 😇

I'm hoping not :-). I'd suggest that folks do all you can to NOT get back into the bad carbs thing, nor resume eating too fast. Also, if you can exercise, good. I have two shattered discs in my L-S spine, so serious sweat burning, running, etc., is out. Also, products with Splenda/sucralose don't work for me. I don't lose weight with that substance (and that's what's in practically all the protein drinks, etc.) "Everybody" may not need to be re-sleeved; but ghrelin can and does return, so keep that in mind. I'm going to keep trying. I'm making some tea now to have it ready in the morning. But like I said, i don't feel like being in the 'fight.' I've succeeded at everything else in my life; but that 'weight' thing... The VSG was the BEST thing I ever did, and if I have to do it again... it just might have to be. But...I'm trying!!! Thanks.

The navel is the key point of entry for the majority of all laparoscopic procedures. It's 'home base,' so to speak, for the best viewing of intra-abdominal organs, and manipulation of the instruments, camera, etc.

I had my VSG on Dec. 4, 2013. Ootpatient. Overall, I lost ~ 90 pounds, but alas, I have regained 20, and currently, am not still in "Onederland." I am not happy with that--as in bummed!!!. But this week, I am sticking to protein and working hard to avoid bad carbs. Pray for me, 'cuz I was really happy at the near 175 weight and a size 10 or so (down from a 22). I WILL get back to 180 or so. I WILL. How are the rest of my December 2013 sleevers doing? Share your stories and if any struggles. Share pics if you choose. Let's still be helpers one to another. And despite all--even if any slip-ups--congratulations on what I trust has been a slimmer, happier life, post-VSG five years ago this month.

I've resisted the urge to eat potato chips (my weakness). I haven't bought any. I've stopped the bad white carbs, etc. So it's been meat--burgers with lettuce, tomato, onion; eggs; salmon (tired of that, but...). I just marinated some ribs (isn't hi-protein great!!?) and will cook them tomorrow. If I get an Egg McMuffin, I pull the bread away. I've added vinegar to my water (that helps me lost weight); for snacks, I've had almonds, or maybe some pineapple or blueberries. A friend made a salmon crepe/omelette; she made a few revisions, and it was delicious. It looks doable for us wls folk. I'm going to try that next week. If it turns out well, I'll share the name of the dish, or the recipe itself. So basically, no starchy carbs, etc.; and I'm TRYING to not rush my food; trying to slow it down.

You look great. Congratulations. I've been good since I posted, and have lost 5.5 pounds. It's a start. Thanks for your words.

Thank you. I'm trying to hold on. In fact, not trying; I MUST and WILL. I do not want to get fat again. If I may...what do you mean you gained all your weight back? You just had surgery in March. Or did you have previous surgery, regained weight and then had the VSG in March? Expound, please. Thank you.

I forgot to say that my surgeon told me that, at this stage, my ghrelin has returned. It is up/elevated. So I keep telling myself that; and I am working hard to NOT eat so fast. To stick to protein. To avoid my love of potato chips that I can woof down, then feel bloated from the carb and sodium load; and even to not eat the bread in an Egg McMuffin. I bought some Syntrax Lemon-Tea powder, because I am tired of the milky-type drinks. Although, I didn't drink many of those because I don't lose weight with splenda/sucralose. So... Just sharing the additional processing I'm amidst.