Rev Me Up!

Hang in there - we all counted the days in the beginning. Keep up with your doctors orders, stay hydrated, and walk away from the scale for a few days. Your body needs time to catch up with what you've done. You can do it!!!

Hi there- At a few weeks out, 3 tablespoons is too much. A lot of folks are on liquids for 3 weeks after surgery and then we graduate to mushy / soft and maximum of 2 tablesppons at a sitting. I used a baby spoon for a while. I also bought the tupperware 1/2 cup containers - I would only fill them half way to equal a 1/4 cup of food. That helped me to not over eat. In the beginning I MEASURED EVERYTHING. I will still eat too much if I don't measure. Measure your food, eat slowly, and stick to mushies if you can't take the solids. A lot of us didn't get to solids until the 4th or 5th week after surgery. Your tummy is fragile! Good luck---

Hi, There is a plication thread on the main page - you may find some more input there. Of course, almost everyone here has VSG and will sing it's praises - myself included. As a former lapband patient, I would warn against any surgery that promises to be reversible. Each surgery has it's possible side affects. Good luck!!

Don't know if it was because I was a low-BMI patient, but I did not empty my band until the day of surgery. Literally 3 hours before surgery. The surgeons rep said I didn't have to empty it before-hand. On the plus side, I remember them sticking the needle in the port and almost crying, thinking to my self that it was the last time I would have to endure the port / needle poke. Fantastic feeling!!!

Holy moly! That sounds terrible! You will have to jump through a lot of hoops to get the surgery covered - it will give you a lot of time to think about the surgery and whether or not you are comfortable with it. All of us band to sleevers have dealt with the feeling of failure and thinking that a second surgery might just be a waste of time / money. Just make sure you get an excellent surgeon who understands your helath history. Sounds like it might be complicated with the previous scar tissue. Good luck---

I have found that eating frequent meals throughout the day kept me feeling good . I still eat 5 to 6 times a day. It helps with the acid, keeps me energized, and keeps me from eating too much in one sitting. What types of foods are you eating? I stick to low carb, except for oatmeal. If I eat bread, my acid kicks up something fierce. The first couple of months is all about experimenting to see what foods are good to your new tummy. I eat full fat cheese every day, yogurt, whole grain crackers, granola, and lots of chicken (with the skin!!). Hang in there - it gets better!

Mine are disappearing at a fairly equal rate to the band size. I was 40DD and now am a 34 DD or 34 DDD depending on the bra. The problem is that it is all skin and they don't push up and together like they used to. The skin wants to pour over the edge of the bra rather than fill up the bra. I am going to wait a year and see if there is any tightening - I know my boobs were a wreck after I had my daughter and managed to shape up a little a year afterwards. If I hate them in a year, I'll consider plastics. To be honest, my stomach is bothering me a lot more (stretch marks and sagging skin - sexy!!). Get a new bra every 8 weeks or so if you notice it isn't fitting right. I have been determined to keep the girls supported through this process to minimize the damage. Plus, you will look much better in clothes with a properly fiting bra.

Regarding Kaiser - I am in Southern Cali and they have been fantastic about working with me in the bariatric after-care program. I suppose they know how much cheaper it will be to cover you in the long term if you lose weight. In fact, the bariatric coordinator stalks me if I don't get my labs done on time :-) I had bloodwork at 3 and 6 months. My 3 month bloodwork showed I was deficient in Vitamin D so I was prescribed a large dose - all covered under my insurance. I was a little disappointed that they don't do the stomach x-ray that Dr Aceves recommended, but I am eating fine so I suppose it isn't necessary. As far as regret over surgery, we all go through it. It is drastic and no amount of research can prepare you for what it is really like. My first month was MISERABLE. But, I started to feel better and see good progress. Just follow dr.s orders and take care of yourself. In a few weeks you will feel much better. Hang in there-

I'm not sure, but most people have a burp or hiccup when they get full. You should be measuring everything right now to make sure you don't over eat. Then you will get to know the sensation of fullness before its too much. I bought 1/2 cup tupperware containers and only filled them half way (to equal a 1/4 cup) with food. I would take them with me to work so I knew exactly the volume of what I ate. For the first 3 months, I couldn't even finish the 1/4 cup - but I knew for sure that I wasn't eating too much. To this day, if I eyeball my plate without properly measuring, I will eat a little too much. Give yourself a chance to feel the different sensations. Also, you do need to eat slowly - at least a minute between bites - so your food can register in your stomach. Don't worry, you'll get the hang of it! Good luck---

Thanks, everyone for the well-wishes!!! This board kept me afloat for the first 3 months. I remember being on this site for hours a day during the first 2 weeks - holy moly, that was tough!!! This is such a great, positive place and a great source for information. This site is the reason I got the revision, the place where I found my surgeon (shout out to Dr Aceves!!), and where I met some really fantastic people. Wow, I'm getting emotional now :-) Anyway, thanks to everyone for your support!

Today is my 6 month surgiversary. I have been wanting this day to come for so long!!! I remember how miserable I was the first 8 weeks after surgery. Sometimes the only thing that would get me through it was knowing that I would someday be right here - near my goal, eating more normal food, and living a good life. I was not sure what to expect from this journey - and it continues to surprise me. In some ways I am more limited than I thought I would be. However, I am also a lot more successful than I thought I would be. As of today, I have lost 52 pounds, gone from a BMI of 31 to a BMI of 23, gone from a size 18/20 jeans to a snug size 10, gone from a 40DD bra to a 34DD bra (which is still hard to find). This surgery was everything the lap band promised to be, but wasn't. It has forced me to change my life. These changes are not always easy to make, but you really have no choice. I still struggle with the emotional side of eating certain things. I am still restricted to just over a 1/4 cup of food, but I find that I am able to eat again within an hour - this is where I have to try and be disciplined. It's always easier when I am busy :-) I find that I have no physical sensation of hunger, but I do have powerful cravings - something I still have to work on. I can't drink alcohol because of a burning sensation I get when I drink it. I could probably triple up on acid reducers to fix that, but I figure I'm not missing out on much by not drinking. I also stopped eating bread because of reflux issues. I find I can skip my acid reducer altogether if I eat clean and I eat small portions - it's worth it to me to try and eat the right way and skip the meds. I've been off the acid reducers for about 3 weeks. My weight loss has slowed down a little. I think I am eating between 1000 and 1200 cals a day - more on the weekends because I have more idle time and I will snack a little. My report says I have lost 5.5 pounds in the last 30 days. It seems to come off in small bursts now - no weight loss for 2 weeks and then 2 pounds in a few days. That cycle is fine with me :-) I would be happy at this weight forever, but I am curious to see where my body wants to settle. On a personal note, I got engaged last month. I went wedding dress shopping and my biggest fear is that the dress will be too big for them to alter when it gets here. Crazy. It's 2 months till the wedding and I am hoping that I don't lose too much. Oh well, we'll deal with that when it happens... Finally, I'll talk about health. I don't exercise - I know, I know, it's terrible. I just haven't been able to force myself into regular exercise. I do walk A LOT more than I used to - to the store, around the block, by the beach, etc. I don't take the Vitamins anymore and my 6 month bloodwork was perfect. I stopped taking the acid reducer last month and I noticed the weird taste in my mouth went away and I have more frequent BM's (sorry if too TMI), I get about 60 grams of Protein a day - all from meat / yogurt / cheese, I eat about 50 grams of carbs - mostly from granola or oatmeal. I still eat 5 to 6 times a day. I have 8 pounds until I reach my "made up" goal. I know in my 20's I was very healthy at 120 pounds which would be another 20 or so to lose. I don't know if I want to go there - at this point I feel like I am along for the ride. If I lose 10 more, great! If I lose 20 more, great! If I stay where I am, great!! Bottom line: right now, I am really happy. Good luck to all----

I have no real cravings for food usually. I eat what I like, I don't want for sweets or anything "bad". Then that special time of the month comes around and my brain thinks that I am back to my "old" self. I crave cake, pastry, ice cream, chocolate - what the hell???? I crave it so much that I mistakenly think I can eat a few bites of them - and then I feel sick and crappy. It's so weird, my brain just forgets all the experiences of the past several months and the cravings are exactly the same as they were before the surgery. For a day I get really worried thinking that the magic of the surgery has worn off and then I remember that hormones are very powerful. By the end of the week I should be back to my new normal and these compulsions will be behind me. ANyone else have this happen to them? I also notice that my hot flashes come back during this time.

The first month sucks!!!!!!!!!!!!! Honestly, take it easy - you are still very early out. It can be dangeorous in the heat wit your limited intake, so be very careful. This is the hardest part, for sure. Try to take it easy. Within a couple of months you'll be chronically freezing and your pants will hang down because they won't fit anymore :-)

Its way too soon to count! Some folks carried the Fluid from IV for a couple of weeks after surgery. A lot of people lose a chunk of weight in the 2 weeks after surgery and then stop losing weight altogether for a couple weeks after that. Step away from the scale for a few days :-) Get your fluids in and do te best you can - the weight will come off. Good luck

I may not be very popular in saying this, but I never was able to meet my Protein requirements during liquids for this reason. All protein liquids made me sick. I couldn't even smell them. I spent the first 2 weeks drinking full sugar gatorade (diluted), Water, iced tea (unsweetened), and some Soup broth - no protein. As soon as I was cleared for full liquids I started drinking liquid yogurt, kefir, and milk. I didn't really come close to my protein requirement until I was able to eat chicken and cottage cheeese, and even then it was a small amount. Really focus on your hydration right now - that is the most important thing. Get liquids in and then do your best with the protein. You might want to dilute the Isopure 50/50 with water and see if that helps. Don't worry about the weight, it will come off either way.

Also, make sure you are only eating one or two tablespoons - that's it!! seriously, measure what you are eating. it should take 20 minutes to eat the 4 small bites of food you are trying to eat. Chew them really well, down to paste, and then give the tummy time to process. I know my tummy made all kinds of noises and fuss about any food I ate, and sometimes I could eat all 4 bites, sometimes only 2. It's very touchy in the first couple of months. Good luck---

New foods are all an adventure. I remember craving rice pudding in the first 3 weeks after surgery, taking one bite and then feeling HORRIBLE for an hour afterward. I had a really tough time finding stuff I could drink / eat. Just keep trying :-) It will get better!!!

Nothing to add, except this topics had me giggling at my desk. You guys are too funny!!!!!!!!!!! The whole staff there are really fantastic :-)

Yikes! That's the toughest post op diet I have ever heard of. Usually the Mexican doctors are the toughest, but your doc has them beat by several weeks. You'll have to see how you feel after the surgery. I was supposed to be clear fluid 1 week, full liquid 2 more weeks and then mushies. I started drinking liquid yogurt in the second week because I could not handle the protein drinks and I was having dehydration and nutrition problems. In fact, my American bariatric follow up doctor was horrified that I was not moving on to food sooner. Everyone is different. Do your very best and listen to your body - you will be a little fragile for a few weeks after. Good luck!

I always went to Mexico for fills because it was convenient for me and they always do it under flouro so you can really see what's going on. Good luck!!

Hey, you did it!!!!!! You'll be in a size 2 in no time :-) Keep us up to date on the surgery!! I just don't know if I will have the energy for a plastic surgery after all this, but I can use you for inspiration...

Hi, I had a tough pregnancy and a c-section, so I think I can relate. Surgery-wise, no contest - VSG is much easier. I was completely off pain meds of any type within 4 days. The only residual discomfort was from where the drain was. It was a weird ache in the morning when I got out of bed and lasted a few minutes. The duration got shorter and shorter. Gas pains suck, but I lived with my heating pad on me 24 hours a day and it absolutely made a difference. It felt so comforting - I slept with that heating pad for weeks :-) The hard part is the fact that you can't eat anything. I had really bad exhaustion (not everyone has this) for almost 8 weeks. So bad that I could barely hold my head up at work - seriously. Your tummy will sound like it is fighting with you when you drink Water. You may or may not like the taste of your liquid nutrition. This makes it mentally tough, but not painful like a C-section. Even though you do not have pain like a c-section, it is important to remember that your insides have significant incisions that are healing. Pay attention to the post-op diet and if something you eat makes you feel bad, stop eating it and try it again in a week or so. Good luck--

Everyone is so different :-) I am also 5'6", but I carry my weight in my stomach and my boobs. The stomach always means my pants have to be a much bigger size than anything else. I just bought a casual dress with an empire waist in a size small (?!?). Great because I am skinny on top (except for the boobs) and it skims over my stomach. I couldn't get close to a size 12 pants till I got down to 150 pounds. In underwear, I still wear a size large and my tummy can still overwhelm them. Just a fact of life for me... Nice to know we are not alone.

Hi Loou, Maybe I didn't catch it in your first post, but how long have you been battling with this 3 or so pounds? My first thought when I was reading your post is that you may need to add some carbs. It is excellent for the Fiber to clean you out and keep your brain sharp. Some people are more sensitive to carbs than others, but it really woudn't hurt to change it up a little. I have a little flax oatmeal and a couple of multi grain crackers or a little organic granola every day. Also, I don't really count calories, but I know I come in at least 900 and sometimes more. It sounds like your body has gotten used to your routine and you need to change it up. Also, never weigh yourself twice in one day. In fact, you should only weight once a week at the most. Your body can change daily from Water alone - it isn't a true measure of progress. I only weight first thing in the morning, after I go to the bathroom and before I take a shower. That way I know I am consistent. Hang in there!!

The first month is hard for all sorts of reasons. food longing is different for everyone. My shock was more about how I was terribly exhasted for up to 8 weeks after surgery. It was depressing. And, yes, I have had very frustrating moments when I wanted to eat something for an emotional reason and I knew I couldn't. It is hard because the sleeve forces you to do the RIGHT thing. It makes you do what you could not otherwise do on your own. This causes some emotional strain, but it is different for everyone. Good luck---