catwoman7

elevated liver levels are common the first year or two after surgery. It's evidently because rapid weight loss is really tough on livers. Mine finally normalized right around year 2. So yours may just be related to that...

you won't feel restriction until you're on solid food. Plus some of your nerves were probably cut, too. And once you do start feeling restriction and your nerves have regenerated (at least to the point where they're talking to your brain again), feeling full could feel different than it does pre-surgery. I don't feel full the same way I did before. Now I just feel - uncomfortable. Like a slight pressure in my chest. And I've learned if I keep pushing it, I'll throw up. Others have other various "full" signs - some people's noses start to run. It may take awhile to figure out what your "full" cues are. In the mean time, just measure out what you're supposed to eat and just eat that. At some point you'll know...

you're not going to need much because they'll have you in a hospital gown and slip-resistant socks, and you're probably going to sleep much of the time you're there. Phone and charger for sure. And wear comfy, easy-to-put-on clothes that you can wear home, too.

like the above poster, I ended up having to add protein powder to various things, too.

I bought most of my clothes at Goodwill or other secondhand stores. I was blowing through sizes every month or two, so I would have spent a fortune for clothes (and not gotten much use out of them) while I was in weight loss mode.

it's the three week stall. Almost all of us have our first major stall sometime during the first 3-6 weeks after surgery, and it's usually the third week (hence, the name). If you do a search for three week stall on this site, you'll find over 15,000 posts on it (and no, I am NOT kidding). Just stick to your plan and the weight loss will start up again. Stalls usually last 1-2 weeks, but occasionally longer. Stay off your scale if you need to and know that it'll eventually break.

you're probably not going to find anyone that far out because a standalone sleeve surgery isn't that old. It became popular 5-10 years ago when they started phasing out the lapband. Although there may be some long-time DS people (who have a sleeved stomach) who might be able to address this although I don't know about VSG per se (since it's a newer surgery), complications that far out from WLS are pretty rare. GERD is the most common complication of VSG (although the majority of sleevers never have issues with GERD), but it'll usually appears within the first couple of years if it's going to appear.

it's pretty common after any major surgery, and especially this one since your calorie intake is so low. It'll probably last a few weeks, but will get gradually get better and better....

as long as you stick to your surgeon's food plan the stall WILL eventually break. They're frustrating, but they're part of the process...

pain is all across the board, but just so you know, most people seem to have little to no pain with this surgery. I had virtually none and didn't even bother opening the bottle of pain killers they sent me home with. Recovery in general was easy, too. Even if you're one of the minority who has pain with this, they WILL send you home with pain pills to manage it. Just take them on schedule to keep on top of it.

I quickly glanced a few items on that list you posted, BigSue. I do remember being freezing all the time. And my rear end hurting from sitting. Both are better now, thankfully!

I quickly glanced a few items on that list you posted, BigSue. I do remember being freezing all the time. And my rear end hurting from sitting. Both are better now, thankfully!

RNY here (so not sleeve). However, all patients (VSG and RNY) at my clinic were told to wait a year. I waited three years, but then, I never was much of a drinker. I probably have a glass of wine two or three times a year now (and I can definitely feel it after just one glass!)

I paid for it -- but I used some inheritance money I got when my dad passed. Some people take out home equity loans or loans from their 401(k)s (although I wouldn't recommend the latter unless you're desperate) - or like you said, personal loans.

I just edited my response and added more info. I was OK going back to Chicago for follow-ups since it wasn't too, too far. But those who have their surgeries far away seem to stay in the area for a week or two to get their early follow-ups, then their PCP takes over once they get back home.

I live in Madison, WI, and I had my PS in Chicago, 2-3 hours away (depending on traffic). With both surgeries, I spent one night in the hospital and then another two nights in a hotel in the Chicago area just in case there were issues. I had my first follow-up appointment the morning I was scheduled to leave to go back to WI and he told me whether or not it was safe to do so (and both times, it was...). I think I may have only had a drain with one of the two surgeries, and he said it was OK to take it out at that appt, so he did. If the drain wasn't ready to come out, he would have waited until my one-week post op or maybe had my local MD do it when it was time to come out. P.S. I drove down to Chicago for additional post-ops. I think I had one at one week out, then another a month after that - and then maybe at six months out. I suppose my local MD could have done it if necessary. After one of my surgeries I had either a staple or a suture (that I'd "spit") that had to be removed, and the PS said my PCP could handle that - and she did.... people who have surgeries really far from home often stay in the area for a week or two, and have their early post-ops with the surgeon. Then their local PCP can take it from there.

they usually recommend bypass for people who have GERD, because for a significant minority, it does get worse. Although there are people on here whose GERD actually improved. And for others, it stayed the same. It's more likely to get worse than better, but then, it's all a giant crap shoot. It's hard to predict how it'll turn out for you since it's an individual thing.

I have the same issue. As the above posters said, it does get better over time, but it's still there. I've had plastic surgery on my body but not on my face/neck. I'm starting to consider the latter.

I had occasionally stalls throughout my whole journey. They seemed to be more frequent and lasted longer the further out I went. There were three or four times when I thought "well....this is it...", and then I'd start losing again. It finally stopped at 20 months out. So you may still have a chance!

do you think you might just be in a stall? They typically last 1-3 weeks. Otherwise, if it's been longer, I agree with the above poster that I'd start looking at what I've been eating.

not everyone's GERD gets worse. Some people have reported theirs actually got better....and with some it stayed the same. But it (getting worse) does happen to a significant minority of people - so it's a risk, but it's not inevitable. Also, you wouldn't necessarily need another surgery if yours happens to get worse. It can sometimes be medically managed (i.e., with PPI's). People with really severe cases sometimes have revisions - but I don't know what the overall percentage of that is. It's not everyone, though.

there are some health considerations that would make one or the other surgery more appropriate for you, but if those conditions don't apply to you, then it comes down to personal preference. Of course, many surgeons will honor your preference even if they advise you against it. I had GERD before I had surgery, so my surgeon strongly recommended RNY, although he said if I really wanted sleeve, he would do it. But I did follow his advice and got the RNY.

oh wow - thanks!!!

I didn't gain any, but I think what saved my butt is that I bought a used bike back in May (since I wasn't able to go to the gym anymore) and have been biking 4-5 days a week. Otherwise, I'm sure I would have gained a few pounds. I'm going to have to do something once it gets too cold to bike, though. Probably cut a couple hundred calories a day, which I'm going to hate, but...not sure what else I can do with limited exercise options.

yes - people have gained all their weight back. You have to be really committed to doing this and stick to your program. You can "out eat" any surgery.