youknowit

Here's a sticky of the things Dr. Aceves recommends that we do before surgery, what to bring with us, etc. I hope you find this helpful: http://verticalsleevetalk.com/pre-op-post-op-diets/1822-dr-aceves-information.html

I am so glad to hear everything is healing up in your arm, and that you're on the way to 100% recovery! Thank you for the update, Barbara!

Hey all. Thought you might find this article interesting... it's from Harvard Health. Being that many of us are on proton-pump inhibitors (Prevacid, Nexium, etc), this was very insightful for me. FYI... Do PPIs have long-term side effects? :smile1:

I'm glad this thread and info is helpful to you... I've discovered in the last 6-7 weeks (since being sleeved) that no one has even noticed that I've lost weight, nor said anything about my eating (with the exception of one friend). Having the H. Pylori has given me an out on the eating... I told my friend that they FINALLY figured out what has been going on with me and my anemia and my stomach, and I need to chill on eating and take my meds and heal. She bought it... And, I doubt it will come up again. I have a very close friend with the band who told EVERYONE about it, and she has experienced similar things to the person you know... people are always asking, or worse for my friend, they feel like they can comment on her weight, and that it's ok to do that... My friend lost ALL of the excess weight with her band at one point (it was too tight, and she was kind of sick for a while), and people started calling her Bobble-Head because she was so thin. It was mean, but for some reason they thought it was ok. It really upset me when they would do this, and I even told a couple of these "friends" perhaps they should keep it to themselves... Of course, they just say it behind her back now, but that's better than hurting her feelings I guess. UGH. Anyways, I support anyone who tells or doesn't... I just know for me, my personality is to keep things to myself. And, sadly, I don't feel like I can trust people with my secret (having seen what they did to my friend), so I'm glad it's only me, the friend with the band, and my brother who knows... It feels good to know I can control who does and doesn't know... Just as I'm sure it feels good for many to tell it from the rooftops. best to you in your journey! :smile1:

I will say this... knowing that I've probably had this bug in my stomach for YEARS, kind of pisses me off... my doctor's here in the US (even when I got a colonoscopy and endoscopy last year) NEVER CHECKED FOR THIS. I've complained of problems like "always feeling hungry in my stomach" and have had other serious problems like severe iron deficiency (they thought I had leukemia last year, my hemoglobin was so low), which are ALL side effects and off-shoot problems of H.Pylori. It's a shame. Additionally, I think this nasty bacteria might have something to do with why my band eroded so severely, at the bacteria eats into the lining of stomach. Ugh. Anyways, I'm getting started on the prescription meds for this, which are pretty tough to get down, but hopefully it will kill the bug and I can move on... Will keep you guys posted! :smile1::smile::smile:

Has anyone been able to find, and try, the SKYR yogurt yet? This stuff is by far the thickest and most high-Protein (and DELISH) yogurt I've found, besides the FAGE (Fa-Yeh). I have discovered that in both, I like the "plain" but it gets a bit boring, so I've decided to add a smidge of low/no-sugar added preserves for taste, texture, and to change it up... Good call. :smile1: Best to you all! - a http://skyr.com/products.html

I think the before pictures is a great idea! Also, I do have a few "skinny" pics from when I was down below 150 with the band... I might break those out as well. Visual stimulus is a great idea! I think walking my dog and listening to the IPOD is the best I can do to get my ass in gear for the moment... I'll keep it up and will keep you guys posted... :smile1:

No problem. Speaking of "different" kinds of jerky... I saw BUFFALO jerky at Trader Joe's yesterday, too. I guess this Bison/Buffalo thing is becoming popular? I will try it in the future and report back. Figured, I have plenty of this stuff in the house right now, so I'll wait... Let me know how the new stuff is that you try! :smile1::smile:

Tiff...You read my mind (or sent me an idea across the continent) as I JUST put the individual pre-packaged snack sized of the Jerky in my glove box too! I still crave certain fast foods, which I know I just cannot even bother to try, so I think this will help! I found at costco they have the "monster" bags of jerky and the also had pre-packed sizes, so I bought both. Put the pre-packs in my purse, car, and will take them to work. Viola! Highprotein snack on the go. LOVE IT! I read on the back of one of the jerky packs that you can refridgerate it to keep it moist, and I tried that with one of the big bags... it's SO much tastier and easier to eat out of the fridge. Let me know if you guys try it, and if you like it! :smile1::smile::smile::smile:

Thanks! I decided to try it... Took an extra one last night, and we'll see if doing this for a couple of days makes things feel better. I already did feel a hint of calming in my tummy last night about an hour or so after taking the extra one. Best to all! - angie :smile1:

Perhaps I'll switch to Prilosec and try it once my 5 bottles of Prevacid run out. If you can take it twice a day, I'm going to venture a guess that it's "possible" to do it with the Prevacid. I'm going to dig around online for an answer and will let you all know what I find!

Do you think we could take two in a day? One in the morning, one towards night? I'm thinking about trying it... What you described is EXACTLY how I'm feeling...

Great thoughts and advice all! I appreciate it! :001_wub:

Hi all! I seem to be going through this kick of being motivated for a couple of days, walking for 45-60 minutes, then falling off the wagon and getting "ready" to go for a walk, or to the gym... and I can't get my a$$ out the door to do anything. Thoughts or suggestions for motivation? I've tried setting up times to work out with friends, and they are as flaky as me in this regard. :wink: Would love some reasonable advice... I feel like I'm slackin! :thumbup:

Still taking the Prevacid... but, I think maybe I need a higher dose, as by about 12 hours out from taking it, I feel hungry and grumbling, even after I've eaten. Especially at night, which is way past the time I took the pill (I take it IMMEDIATELY upon waking up in the morning). Anyone try taking this twice a day? I know I have been diagnosed with H.Pylori, so that might be why I have these hunger pangs, I guess we'll see when I get the meds started for it... Hope everyone is doing well! :thumbup:

This is the VST website. Type Almanza (or whomever you are searching for) into the search function, you'll find a lot of info. I'd be happy to share my experiences with Dr. Aceves (and another doctor in MX whom I had my band with - but I won't post it here). Just PM me if you want more details. Here's the most recent posts with Almanza in them. I can search for Rodriguez or anyone else you might want help with as well. Hope this helps! http://verticalsleevetalk.com/vertical-sleeve-gastrectomy-vsg-surgeons-hospitals/1334-dr-mario-alberto-almanza-reyes.html http://verticalsleevetalk.com/pre-operation-vertical-sleeve-surgery-vsg-questions-answers/4244-going-dr-almanza-04-09-anyone-else.html http://verticalsleevetalk.com/pre-operation-vertical-sleeve-surgery-vsg-questions-answers/3895-dr-almanza.html http://verticalsleevetalk.com/tell-your-story/3253-schedule-sleeve-feb-18th-w-dr-almanaza-anyone-else.html http://verticalsleevetalk.com/post-operation-vertical-sleeve-gastric-surgery-vsg-questions-answers/3005-what-emmanuelle-jerusalem-clinic-like.html http://verticalsleevetalk.com/pre-operation-vertical-sleeve-surgery-vsg-questions-answers/3578-getting-sleeved-early-march-mexico-need-buddy-dr-aceves-dr-almanza.html Best! :thumbup:

I say GO FOR IT! :thumbup:

And something we need to remind ourselves... this is weight GONE FOREVER, not gone just to come back. It's nice to know, if it's 1 pound or 20, it's GONE GONE GONE! Yahoo!

Tiff... Where did you buy this shampoo? I was thinking about buying some Nioxin to be preemptive (lost hair after my last two surgeries), but wasn't too sure. Seems like things are ok thus far, but as you know, 3 months seems to be a magic mark in time for the hairloss...

I'm an Aceves patient... but you're right, you can't prove I am (or not) and I guess unless I show you my discharge docs, I can't prove it either (of which, if it might help you, I'd be happy to scan them in at work tomorrow, and email them over to you). Nonetheless, I think a healthy skepticism on any discussion board is a GOOD thing. :kiss2: I cannot find it here on the boards right now (perhaps someone with a longer memory can help) but Dr. Aceves stats are very good... in fact, if you ask them, they WILL give you hard facts, like if they have had any deaths (2) or any complications (depends on specifics). I read here on the boards, and have been told by Nina that they have had 2 deaths EVER, I believe they were due to severe comorbidities? Additionally, from my own experience, I can't say if anyone else has ever had a leak... HOWEVER, I know they did indeed do 3 leaks tests on me, and I know they biopsied the removed stomach, as they reported the test results to me (of which I have H.Pylori bacteria that must be treated). All in all, I would say again that it's important to be open minded, skeptical, and smart in your research on here, and elsewhere. Best to you in your journey. :scared0:

Thank you for this info... I wonder if that "fruit and veggie" wash stuff might work? It worries me that I could get it again... I sure hope it goes away and I'm done with it soon! I really appreciate your help on this, and I'll keep you posted. :scared0:

To help with the hair, try taking Biotin and Iron supplements every day. The last two surgeries I had, hairloss started to hit me pretty quickly, but thus far things are going well, with little to no hairloss. Also, being sure to get the Protein in is key to preventing the hairloss as well. best!

The first couple of weeks are hard, I know... but you have to do everything you can to protect your staples and new, tiny-tummy. This isn't "food" time... is what I kept telling myself... "it's healing time". At a couple of weeks out your body is still getting the Ghrelin out of your system, which will make you feel hungry, which I experienced, and I won't deny it was hard. BUT, you can make it through. I'd really wait to start anything other than clear or full liquids until you have to move to food... It's worth it to you and your healing sleeve. :smile::smile:

By the time I got back home to the States, I didn't really need the pain pills... I've taken some liquid Tylenol on occasion, for aches mostly, but nothing more than that. Getting the sleeve was a great experience for me (as opposed to having the band removed, which was tough for me); I've felt better and better every single day since the second day after surgery (the day after surgery is tough, but you're there in the hospital, so you will be A-OK). :smile::smile::smile: Don't be afraid to ask for pain or other meds at the hospital with Dr. Aceves staff. They are VERY good about giving you what you need, and helping with anything at all! I have been to the Almater Hospital with Dr. A twice now, and I wouldn't go anywhere else. Best to you! :smile::smile:

You are such an inspiration, Tiff! Thanks for all you do for us here on VST, and here's to you being one sexy mama! XXOO :smile::smile::smile::smile::smile::smile: