smg

I really have a hard time believing your surgeon said that smoking wouldn't impact your surgery. I would question that for sure. My surgeon gave deadlines for people that smoked in my class and if they failed quit by the deadline (2 weeks prior I think) he would push back the dates. One girl said that it was mentioned to her that she should try electronic cigarettes for a while as studies showed they didn't have the impact post-surgery that real cigs do (I can't confirm this, just repeating what they said to me). Quick research will show that smoking can slow the healing process and increase the possibility of infection after ANY surgery, not just WLS, which is why i find it so disturbing that your surgeon seems to not care. While I don't think smoking is healthy at all, I would imagine that if you could kick it 2 weeks prior to surgery and then for about 3-4 weeks after surgery, the major healing should be well on track by then. But of course I wouldn't be doing you any favors if I didn't at least say that I think you should consider giving it up altogether. If you google it, the first thing that comes up at the top is this: "Smoking can slow down and interfere with the healing of bones, skin and other body tissues. You are more likely to have wound infection after surgery, longer healing times, problems with new scars opening up and bad scarring." Use this as a time for a complete reboot.

Glad to see an article embracing fruit for a change. Too many times I see people talk about how fruit will "destroy" their diets and it makes me cringe every time I see it. Fruit doesn't have the same effect on our bodies as candy or even fruit juice because of the fiber included in the fruit. It's like a "barrier" of sorts whereby it shields the sugars from being digested and absorbed too quickly and allows our bodies to process them over time, which doesn't cause our livers and pancreas to go into overdrive. Fruit juice, on the other hand, doesn't have that protective fiber anymore which is not a good thing. I think a lot of the confusion people have derives from this misunderstanding. I see a lot of people liken eating fruit to consuming fruit juice and the two couldn't be more different. Thanks for the article!

Yeah I agree with the others, each surgeon has their own program and they should give you a pretty good idea of what to eat and what to stay away from. Also, you need to watch some of the commercial veggie burgers, as they can be extremely high in carbs, and a lot of them are heavy on soy-based Protein if that's important to you. Best of luck!

I felt that the full-calorie version of Water was too heavy for me, so I've since moved to the lighter, healthier, Water Zero™

I didn't like the Unjury brand of protein powder either. For a clear liquid source I liked the About Time Drinks and for protein shake I like Quest. Also I like the Growing Naturals organic rice protein powder for a vegan choice. It's a bit lighter tasting and I like the change now and again.

Every surgeon and nutritionist is different and offers different plans to their patients. You really need to contact the surgeon who is familiar with your particular situation and see what they recommend. They should provide you with a plan.

The ones in green are easy to carry with you. Would love to hear other suggestions as this can definitely be the most challenging thing to come up with various snack foods that help you avoid social eating if the food options aren't ideal. Homemade beef jerky Raw Almonds Dehydraded Macademia nuts Walnuts Pecans Real cheese Cubes or real cheese string cheese (not the processed string cheese) Baby Carrots Sugar Snap Peas Parmesan Cheese Crisps (minimal ingredients and minimally processed) - http://amzn.to/2brnKap Various Fruits & Veggies Smoked Salmon Frozen Blueberries Frozen Grapes Bean Sprouts (easily done in a sprouting jar or even just a mason jar)

Well I don't know you, so I won't challenge whether or not you're a personal injury attorney, but I will say that either (1) you missed the warnings (every reputable surgeon in the US would include them...without fail), which would be difficult for me to accept that a personal injury attorney would miss that, or (2) I would question whether or not your surgeon was indeed reputable or not because the number of REPUTABLE surgeons that would fail to include a warning (several, actually) about alcohol after a WLS procedure (or most others, as well) is absolutely unequivocally ZERO. (This is especially true since the procedure typically includes a prescription for some sort of pain killer). That being said, I personally waited about 60 days and received clearance from my surgeon before taking a few sips of wine. As I mentioned in another thread, the biggest things with alcohol is that they are empty calories...just like refined carbs/processed foods. They don't "feed" you and with the limited amount of calories you can intake during the weight loss phase, making those calories count is extremely important. I would definitely echo others and say to try a few sips in the comfort of your own home first, to see how your sleeve reacts. Best of luck!

I did as well. Hiatal hernias are pretty commonplace and I think there are more that have them than don't when speaking of WLS patients.

I might say check with your surgeon to see if they repaired a hiatal hernia during your sleeve procedure. It's pretty common for them to do so and it might explain the sensation, although, I still get it if I eat too much or too fast and I'm over 90 days out. The feeling is not as pronounced now as it was right after the procedure though.

Some surgeons will allow and offer financing programs. Check before dropping your retirement money just in case there are better options for you. Best of luck!

I use the patch MD Vitamin B-Complex patch which I think is labeled as "energy-patch" or something like that. I like it, and I've definitely noticed increased energy when wearing it vs. when I'm not. Never tried the multi-Vitamin Patch but I'd assume it works as well as the B-Vitamin patch. My nutritionist recommends them and she's pretty strict on what she feels are acceptable vitamins/supplements based on the quality/quantity of ingredients, as well as the source of ingredients (nothing from china). Couldn't hurt to try it for a while and see how they feel for you specifically!

Everyone's plan is different, and I would recommend that you stick with whatever your plan states for you. If you are unaware, ask your surgeon or NUT and I'm sure they'll have an answer for you. For me, it was at about the 60-day mark when I had a few sips of wine. I didn't try to push it beyond that, and I don't drink very often at all. My nutritionist labels any alcohol the same as refined carbs -- "empty calories"...and they are just that. When you can't eat very much nutritious foods during the day, you learn very quickly to become stingy with the calories that you can consume, and so I try to opt for things that are nutritious and will actually feed my body. Alcohol just isn't one of those things, no matter how much I wished it was. I do believe that there are some very real antioxidant qualities in red wine though, so I will have a sip or two now and again, but only after I eat and only on special occasions...it's never really been a regular thing for me. But best advice would be to speak with your NUT/surgeon to your specific plan and be stingy with those calories! Make sure what you do consume is nutritious! Best of luck!

Here's some information on teavana teas that I found on myfitnesspal. Doesn't look like a complete list but it covers some of them. http://www.myfitnesspal.com/nutrition-facts-calories/teavana-tea Hope this helps a bit

What is a list of some refined carbs, still new at all this. Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G920A using the BariatricPal App The best way to approach it is to just steer clear of anything processed when possible. Stick to a diet rich in whole foods and lean protein. If it comes in a box, it's most likely processed... Anytime things are "extracted" they are not the best way to consume them, with a few exceptions. Juicing vegetables will allow you to consume a lot more than if you were to only eat them. Juicing fruits on the other hand separates the sugar from the fiber, and that's a bad thing. A good rule of thumb when trying to add more fruits/vegetables into your diet is to "juice vegetables and blend fruits". Blending fruit keeps the fiber intact and still allows for some delicious drinks! You could also add some blended fruit smoothies to vegetable juice to mask the taste of some of the stronger greens, but I prefer green juice with some lemons and ginger. There are a couple of exceptions that I make to the "don't juice fruits" rule, which are lemons, maybe an apple once in a while (only if trying to mask lots of greens), cucumbers (yes they're a fruit..a melon actually), tomatoes, and peppers. White rice would be refined because the germ is removed. Brown rice would be the better choice (if you choose to eat rice at all). I think quinoa is the best choice for any grains, and perhaps farro once in a while. These are grains that you can eat in their "non-refined" state, so they take longer to be digested giving your body a chance to digest the natural sugars and carbs in them as opposed to eating refined carbs like Pasta, chips, wheat breads, or fruit juice, or anything with added sugar which causes your liver to go into "overdrive" trying to process everything quickly. When that happens, your liver just starts converting it to fat. It also wreaks havoc on your blood sugar levels and just throws everything out of balance. I would bet that for most of us who have had procedures done, when you really look at the foods that got us into trouble (not the reasons for eating them), that refined carbohydrates and processed foods were at or near the top of the list. I think the easiest way to approach it is to eat foods that are as minimally processed as possible. Stick to whole, fresh foods and lean Proteins and you'll be on the right track. Best of luck!

Any statute of limitations would be from the date that you have discovered, or through the use of reasonable diligence SHOULD HAVE DISCOVERED the issue. @@sc101071 is absolutely correct in that you should run, not walk. to anyone who can offer legal assistance with this. This is not to say that you should start suing everyone involved, but you do NEED to know what happened, for all of the reasons mentioned by @@LipstickLady and others....and you need to know ASAP. If further action is warranted and you feel that it's necessary, that's between you and your attorney, but you absolutely need to know the entire story of what actually happened and what specifically was done to correct it. I stress the red portion of the statement above because there's a large part of the responsibility to find out what is wrong placed on you. Document your attempts to retrieve the information. This is where the attorney comes in if the surgeon is not willing to provide that information. I had a follow up with my surgeon 3 days post-op, where he specifically went over all pictures and the entire surgery report. Then he gave me the whole folder and also sent copies to my GP for reference in the future. It's imperative that this information is made available to you so that if you ever have any issues down the line (for any reason), then your history is complete and correct. Best of luck!

Yep I agree with some others here...it really depends on what food you're eating that will determine the amount you can eat. Denser foods may take less to give you that full feeling than lighter, or "softer" foods. This is why I think refined carbs are so important to watch and steer clear of...they are "empty" calories, and most people can eat quite a bit of them before feeling restriction. There's not much by way of nutrition in most of them, so you're filling yourself with nothing, and therefore you get hungry again a lot sooner, and then subsequently eat more...thus starting a never-ending cycle. Protein on the other hand is dense. Good carbs like those found in whole (not juiced) fruits contain Fiber, again giving you that full feeling a lot faster while at the same time actually feeding you. You'll figure out which foods will be easier to eat and how much of it you can eat a bit further out. For now, eat what you can, and just make sure your choices are nutritious. Best of luck!

Regardless of the procedure you choose, commitment to change is the most important factor in my opinion. If you're not willing to change, there's always a way to get around anything and not get the results that you desire. I think that you need to choose your procedure based on what you feel will give you the best opportunity for success, but it shouldn't be based on which one you can or can't "cheat"...because if a person (generally speaking...not meaning you directly) is not going to commit to change or making healthier choices, then I don't believe they're a good candidate for any procedure. If you are committed, then either surgery is a great way to "reboot" everything and change the way you approach food and nutrition in general. You should make an appointment with a surgeon, and speak with them about the differences between the procedures, and then make your decision after thorough research. Best of luck!

Sounds to me like you've had great progress so far and if you're still losing 1-2 lbs per day, I wouldn't call that a stall! It is normal for things to slow a bit, or even stall as your body is going through a lot of changes. Now and again, it "takes a break" to recharge. Sounds like you're still doing great so keep doing what you're doing!

I didn't crush any. There was one that I broke in half, but didn't crush any...and my Omega-3 pill is big....but haven't had any issues. Because my surgeon gives us Vitamins through IV on the day of surgery, and a Myers Cocktail 4-5 days post-op, we don't actually start taking vitamins for 2-3 weeks post-op. I did take the fish-oil supplement, as well as a magnesium supplement with no issues however. Breaking up your pills would be fine in most cases for vitamins/supplements, but some prescription pills are time-release and so you'll need to check with your doc beforehand. Most are fine...it's normally just the time-release ones that you can't "crush".

I feel a bit differently. Though I agree with the concept overall in the video that exercise does not necessarily lead directly to weight loss, I do feel that it's necessary to some degree for people that have had bariatric surgery and can eat a limited amount of calories. The reason is because that our bodies will burn stored fat for energy, but as we drastically lose a lot of that, the body will look for other sources of energy as well. That's usually muscle tissue. The body can convert muscle into energy and so I think it's extremely important to build that muscle back up through moderate weight training. There are even several studies available that suggest the body will burn muscle BEFORE stored fat, because it's less "protected" than stored fat. This is also another reason that Protein is soooooo important post-op. Intake of protein can provide the body with the much needed amino acids and therefore slow it down or prevent it (to some extend) from breaking down existing muscle tissue.

So prior to surgery I was informed by my GP to "make sure I watch my Vitamin B levels after surgery", and I heard it again from doing research online, and then I heard it again from my Nutritionist in my pre-op class. Obviously, all Vitamins are important, but Vitamin B is what I heard the most, and that made me concerned, but also curious as to why. What is Vitamin B and why do we need it? Why are bariatric patients prone to Vitamin B deficiencies? What are good food sources that are high in Vitamin B? I did a lot of research, confirmed my findings with my Nutritionist and surgeon, and thought that I would share them here for those still in the research phase pre-op, or even those that have concerns post-op about Vitamin B. **DISCLAIMER** I am not a Doctor, Nutritionist, or Medical Professional. Please consult your Doctor before starting or changing any recommended supplements. This is simple research that can be found on the Internet and should NOT be taken as medical advice!!! WHAT IS VITAMIN B AND WHY DO WE NEED IT? First off, let me clear up one common misconception. "Vitamin B" is not actually a singular vitamin. It's a class of vitamins. It's 8 vitamins overall that make up the Vitamin B family, they each play an important role in our bodies, and they are often classified under various names aside from "Vitamin B-1, Vitamin B-2, etc". The biggest role B-Vitamins play in our bodies is maintaining cell health, as well as keeping us energized. Each B-Vitamin plays its part, and each come from various sources. Foods or supplements that contain all 8 B-vitamins are known as Vitamin-B Complex. Knowing where each comes from and what it does is important for everyone, especially those of us who have had bariatric surgery as we are at greater risk for deficiencies in these important vitamins. Other factors contributing to a higher risk of deficiency are; older age, pregnant women, people with Crohn's disease or Celiac disease to name a few. Below is a brief summary of each of the B-Vitamins, what they do, and what foods they're in. Vitamin B-1 (THIAMINE) Description: In short, Vitamin B-1 helps convert food into energy. It is a coenzyme in the catabolism of sugars and amino acids. Deficiency: Symptoms of Deficiency in Vitamin B-1 can include emotional disturbances, encephalopathy, weakness or pain in extremities, irregular heartbeat, edema, heart failure. Food Sources: Whole Grain Wheat, oatmeal, Flax, Sunflower Seeds, Brown Rice, Whole Grain Rye, Asparagus, Kale, Cauliflower, Potatoes, Oranges, eggs, Liver (Beef, pork and chicken). Many additional foods are fortified with Vitamin B-1 in the United States. Vitamin B-2 (Riboflavin) Description: Vitamin B-2 is an essential requirement for enzymes to perform various actions including the catabolism of fatty acids, but it is also important for maintaining good eyesight. Deficiency: Symptoms can include cracked lips, sensitivity to sunlight, sore throat, edema, tongue swelling, dermatitis, hyperemia. Food Sources: Milk, cheese, Eggs, Dark Green Vegetables, Leafy Vegetables, legumes, mushrooms, almonds, liver, kidneys. Many additional foods are fortified with Vitamin B-2 in the United States. Vitamin B-3 (Niacin) Description: Vitamin B-3 is needed for many metabolic processes. It helps convert food into energy and also aids in proper digestion and appetite. Deficiency: Symptoms can include digestive issues, nausea, cramps, aggression, dermatitis, insomnia, weakness, mental confusion, diarrhea, dementia Food Sources: Liver, chicken Breast, Beef, Fish, Eggs, Venison, Avocados, Peanuts, Leafy Greens, Broccoli, Asparagus, Dates, Tomatoes, Carrots, Sweet Potatoes, Nuts, Legumes, Seeds, Mushrooms, Peanut Butter, Tofu Vitamin B-5 (Pantothenic Acid) Description: Vitamin B-5 aids oxidation of fatty acids and carbohydrates, and used in the synthesis of Coenzyme A (CoA), which is important in energy metabolism. Deficiency: Deficiency is rare but symptoms can include acne and parasthesia. Food Sources: Whole Grains (not refined), meat, Avocados, Broccoli, Alfalfa, Fish, Mushrooms, Brown Rice, Yeast. Vitamin B-6 (Pyridoxine) Description: Vitamin B-6 helps convert food into energy. It also helps the immune system fight off infection. It also helps women who are pregnant or breastfeeding to help babies brains develop normally. Deficiency: Symptoms can include dermatitis, pink-eye, epilepsy, neurological issues, anemia, depression, confusion, nausea, rashes Food Sources: Tuna, Salmon, Chickpeas (Garbanzo Beans), Whole Grains, Beef Liver, Ground Beef, Chicken Breast, Watermelon, Potatoes, Spinach Vitamin B-7 (Biotin) Description: Vitamin B-7 is necessary for cell growth. It also plays a key role in the production of fatty acids, and the metabolism of fats and amino acids. It also assists in various metabolic reactions involving the transfer of CO2. It may also be helpful in maintaining a stable blood sugar level. It's often recommended as a supplement to promote strong hair and nails, but the scientific data supporting these claims are weak and heavily scrutinized. Deficiency: Deficiency does not typically cause symptoms in adults, but can impair growth and cause neurological defects in infants. Food Sources: Peanuts, Swiss Chard, Leafy Greens, Egg Yolk, Liver, Saskatoon Berries Vitamin B-9 (Folic Acid) Description: Vitamin B-9 helps with the growth of red blood cells. Folic Acid helps reduce birth defects. Folic Acid is also used by the body to make and repair DNA, as well as methylate DNA. It's especially important in aiding rapid cell division and growth during infancy and pregnancy. Deficiency: Symptoms can include anemia, diarrhea, and deficiencies in pregnant women can cause birth defects. Food Sources: Whole Grains, Leafy Greens, Beets, Meat, Fish, Legumes, Liver, Citrus. Many additional foods are fortified with Vitamin B-9 in the United States (cereal). Vitamin B-12 (Cobalamin) Description: Vitamin B-12 helps regulate the nervous system. It also plays a key role in red blood cell growth, the production of bone marrow, and the cellular metabolism of carbohydrates, Proteins and lipids. Deficiency: Symptoms can include anemia, confusion, fatigue, weakness, irritability, depression, tingling in extremities Food Sources: Vitamin B-12 is found primarily in animal based foods, and those on a strict vegan diet can be at more risk than others. Eggs, Cheese, Milk, Fish, Shellfish, Liver, Kidney, Beef, Red Meat WHY ARE BARIATRIC PATIENTS AT RISK FOR B-12 DEFICIENCIES? Vitamin B-12 relies on proteins for successful intestinal absorption in the human body: Haptocorrin (transcobalamin) secreted by the salivary glands is essential in protecting Vitamin B-12 while traveling through the acid of the stomach. Intrinsic Factor: This is a glycoprotein that is produced by the cells of the stomach. It is essential for the absorption of Vitamin B-12 in the small intestine. Because bariatric patients of certain procedures have up to 85% of their stomachs removed, the majority of the cells that produced intrinsic factor are also removed. Simply adding a Vitamin B-12 supplement may not be enough in these patients as some supplements still require intrinsic factor to be properly absorbed. There are two major types of Vitamin B-12 found in supplements: Cyanocobalamin: A synthetic form of Vitamin B-12, This is the more common form of B-12 found on the market, because it is the easiest to make, not because it's the best (certainly not for bariatric patients). This form is made with a cyanide element that is excreted. The presence of cyanide in this amount is nothing to be alarmed about (although I gasped the first time I saw it). The problem with cyanocobalamin is that it needs to be methylated before the body can absorb it properly. To do this it requires intrinsic factor, which is reduced in bariatric patients. Basically your body needs to convert Cyanocobalamin into Methylcobalamin before it can be used by your body. Methylcobalamin: Vitamin B-12 in this form remains in your body for longer periods, and at higher levels than cyanocobalamin, making it available to your body for a longer period of time. Because this form of Vitamin does NOT need intrinsic factor to be absorbed by the body, it is far more available for use by your body as a bariatric patient, and you are not restricted to oral use. sublingual (under the tongue), melts, Patches, sprays, and creams are alternative ways to use this form of Vitamin B-12 and make it available immediately. When researching supplements and vitamins, make sure to look at the label. The label should read: "Vitamin B-12 (as Methylcobalamin)". Be sure to look. As I mentioned previously, Cyanocobalamin is more common because it is cheaper and easier to make. I hope this helps someone during their research and those who have questions about the B-Vitamin family. If I missed anything, please add it below and I'll edit this post. Best of luck!

I haven't experienced hair loss (yet), but there's not much you do to stop it. If it's going to happen, it's going to happen, and it's going to run its course. There is a lot of "speculation" and inconclusive science that Biotin (or any B-Vitamins) actually promote hair growth or prevent hair loss. I don't think any amount of it is going to help you, unfortunately. But in almost all cases, it grows back.

Is it the widest incision? That's the only one that was ever uncomfortable for me, and it's the one they pull the removed portion of stomach through. If there is redness, swelling, or liquid seeping from it I would check with your doc about an infection just to be sure.

Congratulations!