MissKay

I can have mashed potatoes next week... but I was warned that opting for them can definitely slow weightloss, which I understand. Honestly I may have it once or twice, and then that's it. Definitely not much of it. Just enough to get a bite or two of flavor of something that isn't a damn liquid. I had horrible pain with my sleeve. I'm two weeks post op, and it's only been about 5 days since the gas pain subsided. They definitely gave me pain meds through my IV and that helped a lot.

I just got this one after my original one went wonky. I know it's accurate because the day after my weigh in I had a doctors appointment and it was only a pound off, and I'm assuming that was clothes + shoes. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01ATYK3M6/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o04_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I'm aware. I have 0 plans on doing so until at least 18 months or 2 years down the line. Right now is about me and my health, I don't want to have to focus on a newborn while still trying to get myself healthy.

When I was a teenager I was in a relationship with a boyfriend, we were together nearly two years, and I hate to admit idiocy, but we were not as careful with birth control as we should've been. But because of this, it piqued my attention and realization that even though I had a regular cycle back then, that something was off. I never got pregnant, even though there were times where I should have gotten pregnant due to our negligence. I worried even back then that something was causing infertility, and I spoke about it with my mom and sister and they told me not to worry, it'd happen when it was meant to (obviously not as a teenager). It wasn't until age 19 that I started gaining the weight. I was always between 130 and 150lbs in high school, and for my height was normal, and I felt good. Then when I was 19, the pounds kept coming and wouldn't stop. I had a pretty physical job, so it wasn't like I was lazy. We didn't eat healthy 24/7, but we didn't eat horribly all the time. I never understood it. And then my periods would be few and far between. It worried me and stressed me, and just added to everything. So finally at the age of 21 when it only got worse and I decided to goolge symptoms, I learned about PCOS. I ticked nearly every single box, and was absolutely terrified. Sure enough, I got diagnosed. It explained the weight gain, and the infertility. At this point I'd been with my current boyfriend for 4 years. While we weren't trying to conceive, we weren't stopping it from happening either. Yet I never got pregnant, and this all explained it. I was told that to see any relief from the symptoms that I'd need to lose the weight, but then on the flip side, to lose weight having balanced hormones is important. I felt stuck and it wasn't fun. I even tried phentermine. I lost about 40lbs on my own, but then got severely sick and wound up gaining it all back once I was taken off the phentermine. Many other diets, regular exercise, etc. And I just couldn't seem to do it. Fast forward to now. I'm 26 years old, almost 2 weeks post-op, and I can already feel changes in my body. Ones that I'm hoping continue and will help me see positive results with regaining my menstruation, and ovulation, which can hopefully lead to pregnancy down the road. At this point I'd be entirely grateful just for one child. Reading along with this, I just kept nodding, because it all fits together and makes sense. It sucks, but I'm willing to work my butt off (literally) if it means regaining my period and someday having a child of my own.

I have PCOS, which also causes missed periods. I've seen a few different postings here and on a PCOS forum I'm on of people who lost weight and actually was able to get pregnant. Also check out this post that was posted today: http://www.bariatricpal.com/topic/370994-healthy-weight-healthy-pregnancy/

How long was your post op? Mine will be 8 days tomorrow.. Sent from my VS986 using the BariatricPal App I had them removed at day 7 after surgery. So I had surgery on 6/13, they were removed on 6/20. My doctor told me 7 days, no longer than 10 days.

@@Valentina is right. If you didn't have some doubts, you wouldn't be normal. @@HanSolo1977 Mine started one I started the pre-op diet. I kept thinking about the fact that I could never go to a party and get a 'regular' plate of food. That I won't be able to finish a hamburger. That I couldn't ever be a real foodie like I've been and wanted to be. I grew up poor, and we barely had food on the table. My weight gain was thanks to me wanting to eat things I couldn't afford before + my PCOS. So all this swirled around in my head, and I really doubted that having an irreversible surgery was the right choice. I was terrified. But then I bit it all back, I took a deep breath, and I reminded myself WHY I was doing this. To ensure and hold myself responsible, so I could by the cute clothes without paying nearly twice as much. So I wouldn't cringe whenever someone wanted to take a picture of me, and so I could actually have the opportunity to have kids and be there for them as they grow up. Leading up to surgery, you're going to doubt it, second guess it, everything. What it comes down to is whether you can hold yourself to your current diet and keep it going and keep it off (I never could). Or if you need that insurance.

I had regular stitches for my incisions, and just had them taken out yesterday. Just a simple thing of snipping each one and them pulling them out. No pain at all.

My doctor allowed low-fat creamed Soups (strained) made with skim milk or Water. That helped tremendously. But also get tons of water, and aimed for at LEAST 60g of Protein, but usually made it 90g a day. On day 4 is usually when things subsided. Our goal was to keep under 50g of carbs, which was the hardest part of it all. I actually did a food log (for most of the time, life got hectic towards the end). Here it is just to give an example: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1r8HZ238jfN1rTAl84k0AYuEQcGEtmivPSyj1oEEyEZ4/edit?usp=sharing

@Moorefamily0214, I'll just echo Chasity on this one! I was sleeved with Dr. Illan on June 13th. You can read about mine here: http://www.bariatricpal.com/topic/370663-its-been-a-bumpy-one/ Seriously, join the Facebook group, we're all very open. No question is a dumb one!

I'm a stomach sleeper, and for the first 5-6 nights (I was also sleeved on 6/13) I slept on my back, but I have a comfy bed. It was finally last night or the one before that I was able to finally turn on my left side comfortably. I imagine it's going to be a month or so before I can resume sleeping on my stomach.

Yeah, it sounds scary and sketchy, and some of the places in Tijuana even look sketchy. But the team was amazing, I was well taken care of, and they really made the entire thing easier than I expected. The pre-op was rough for me. It was a challenge to not everything in sight, and also it was slightly emotional and eye opening about my eating habits. I found it extremely hard to stay under the carb limit, but extremely difficult to even reach the calorie count that I was allotted. As for the surgery itself, I was really surprised by the amount of pain I experienced. Mostly people kept saying they didn't feel any pain, just discomfort from the gas. Maybe my pain was from that, I don't know. But it took about 2 days for the pain to subside. The gas pain itself is real though. I'm still taking gas-x here and there for it. Every day is easier and better. Tomorrow I start my second week of all liquids (the first week was clear liquids). I'm just excited to have some fat free yogurt.

The decision to have WLS is a very intimate and personal thing, I think. So I can understand you not wanting to tell her. On the flip side, you may not be asking him to lie, but you're asking him to hide something from his wife. Not the best idea, and I can understand why he's now settling with not wanting to do so. If you're comfortable with it, and want him there, perhaps tell him he may divulge it to her but that you don't want to have any discussions with her about it, etc. etc.

I'm only about a week post-op! I was sleeved by Dr. Illan as part of the BariatricPalTeamMX in Tijuana as I had to self-pay. However, I'm super glad. I got amazing care, and I'm feeling good! Tired a bit, but I imagine that's my body adjusting to the lack of 'normal' food I'd usually be eating. Incisions are healing, and I've been good so far with all the broth and drinks I've been able to have.

This is an older thread, but I'm in the TC as well! Nice to see other sleevers floating around.

I'm post-op, and over here in the Tri-Cities, but still wanted to pop in and say hi!

I'm in the Tri-Cities, so hello!! Just had my surgery a week ago.

Oh dear god, okay, so I stopped reading at page 4 so I apologize if I echo anyone. First off, some of you are being extremely judgmental and not wrapping your heads around what she was asking. We're all adults here, let's remember to act like it and being supportive??? Secondly, @@WitchySar while yes clearly it won't force you to change what you eat, it WILL HELP you. Kind of like hitting a reset button. The 2 week pre-op all liquids diet was rough as hell, but a real eye-opener for me. I'm now a week post-op, and seeing the foods I once loved is hard, and I still think they look and smell great, but I have no appetite for them. At least not yet. I know eventually I will want to eat these things. Will I? Probably. But the difference is that I'm re-learning eating patterns, I'm learning proper portions, and where I might have had 1/3 bag of cheetos at one point, now if I do decide to have them in the future, I may have like 4 or 5 and call it done. A small taste, and then move on. But always Protein first, then veggies. As long as you are committed to changing the foods you eat, then this will still help you. Because like I said, in a way, it's like hitting a reset button. I didn't have anyone teach me the proper foods to eat growing up. We were poor so we ate what we had and could, nutrients didn't matter. I didn't gain weight until after high school, but it was still that mindset that followed me around (plus the lovely PCOS hormonal imbalance) that screwed me. So, yes, it may help. But with this it's more in your hands than it is the sleeve being the main tool.

It's funny (not literally), because it really can be a wild ride, and that includes family reactions. My siblings were all supportive. It was my boyfriend (of 8 years) who the first thing out of his mouth was, "Really? Surgery? Or you could just exercise better portion control..." As time went on, I continued the process. I was disheartened by his attitude and his words, but I did it anyways because this is for ME, not him. I hate looking in a mirror and hating what I see. Or never finding cute clothes that fit me. I think it was oddly enough when I started leaning towards opting to self-pay and go to Tijuana (this was in April) that I sat him down and was like, "Look, you can support me or not, I'm going, I'm doing this. I'd rather you be there and be the partner you are. But if you can't, tell me now so I can find someone else who is going to be supportive to stand by my side." Not in a threat to break up, but more that I'd take my sister with me and she could help me. However, I think it was mostly just fear of me having surgery, fear of a strange country, fear of how it would impact his life too. Most partners think that when we drastically change our lifestyle, their's will have to change too. And while I'd LOVE it if he wasn't eating pizza or chips in front of me, I can't resent him for my own battle and needing the help to get things under control. So I answered all his questions, added him to a support group on Facebook that is filled with patients from my surgeon's history, and allowed him to read their experiences and everything. I even would bring some of them up in conversation, and when I recognized that someone was messing up, I'd point out how they weren't following the diet or doctor's orders, etc. I think it really solidified showing him that I was 110% serious, dedicated, and that I meant business. This wasn't just another temporary thing. Honestly, sitting down and having a heart to heart with him would be your best bet. Try to find out why he's changed his views, but also make it clear that you're not going to put your health on the back burner just because of him. You need to do what's best for you, even if he can't see that this is what is best for you (right now). Good luck!

I had mine on June 13th, and I'll parrot the, it gets better as it goes. I know the feeling you mean, only it doesn't bother me so much right now as it helps me determine whether a new liquid I'm introducing is causing gas pain or not. BUT, I can see why it'd be bothersome. It's definitely not as bad now as it was the day after surgery, or even the second day after. Just give it time!

Hey there! So I understand this perfectly. My boyfriend of 8 years went with me for the surgery down to Mexico, and I'm now 5 days post-op and he hasn't changed his eating habits in the slightest. Pre-op, this was really difficult for me. I really loathed him for it. Since post-op, I haven't had an inkling of hunger. While the food looks good and smells good, it's easy for me to ignore it. Basically, what I've learned, is that I cannot expect those around me to change their eating habits just because I have an issue with weight and had to make a drastic change. Would I like for him to? Of course! But I don't blame him. And with your wife if her surgery is coming up in August, the chances are she is trying to eat what she wants and can now since soon she won't be able to. I honestly did this all the month of May leading up to my own surgery. As for your kids, they may be young, but I'd suggest correcting that behavior now. It may seem harmless because they're unaware, but it could turn into more. And your feelings matter even if they don't grasp that concept yet. Besides, I'd guarantee once your wife is there and they do it to her it won't be as okay with her.

Yeah I've slept the first 5 nights elevated, and it's helped. I did the full 2 week liquid diet and still had a lot of pain, so I'm not sure. I just know everyone is different, no experience will be the same. Mostly just prepare for the worst, but hope for the best.

My journey started only about 9-10 months ago when I first learned about the VSG. I approached my doctor, she agreed, and we started the process for insurance. However, by about April of this year I was entirely fed up with the constant hoops they were making me jump through, and the co-pays I was having to pay even just to meet their requirements. I started looking into self-pay with little hope as I don't just have that kind of money lying around. Then I saw Alex's post for the $4399 surgery in Mexico. My brother had suggested looking at Tijuana surgeons, but I had shot it down. I did some digging, educated myself, asked a ton of questions, and within a month I had a down payment, and a surgery date scheduled with the BariatricPalMX team led by Dr. Illan. This all included getting picked up in San Diego, brought to Tijuana, the surgery, 2 nights stay in the hospital, 2 nights in the recovery condos. And then, voila! Time to go home. Being picked up and brought over was non-stressful, easy peasy. Stacy, who works for the BariatricPalMX team, did a great job at easing my mind on the drive over. She was so warm and welcoming! Once arriving at florence Hospital, I had blood drawn, an IV put in, and chest x-rays done. Soon after all the doctors started coming in (sorry, I don't remember all names). Everything was explained to me, every question I might've had was answered. I think the first time something happened that I wasn't expecting was straight out of surgery. I was in the recovery room outside the OR and I was in PAIN. Most people didn't seem to experience much pain, but I did. Whether it was gas pain or actual pain, I don't know. They gave me two doses of morphine, and that didn't do anything other than make me extremely warm and nauseas. After another hour or two, a different pain medicine was administered with some anti-nausea, something for gas, and then eventually something to prevent infection. The rest of that day I was really weak, really uncomfortable, and did some walking and breathing exercising as much as I could. I also will say, don't expect to get some restful sleep, haha. Nurses in and out every hour or two hours. But this is just a testament to how attentive and on top of it the staff was during this time. Which was truly appreciated and made me feel taken care of. The next morning I was taken for my leak test, and once that was passed, I was given some ice chips, Water, gatorade and apple juice. Of course coming off from the liquid diet I went straight for the apple juice. It tasted like heaven, but my new stomach didn't really agree. The sugar content didn't settle well. So I backtracked to the water, took that slow, and had to take a sip of the Gatorade (not G2) every 30 minutes or so to kind of work up to it. By late that night/early that morning, I was able to drink the Gatorade just fine! (btw Gas-X strips will be your best friends!) Wednesday we came here to the recovery condos, I began just been relaxing, sipping away at water and gatorade, working out the new timeline for the medicines that was prescribed. There was a very helpful packet outlining phases and what to have and not have. Luis was wonderful and took us out into TJ and we went to Caesar's where Josh (the boyfriend) had a good looking fish dish and I had the beef broth. It was delicious and I have yet to feel full, but have stopped myself in fear of taking in too much. While we were in the hospital, Roberto was great and always checking in on Josh and getting him food and drinks whenever he needed it. He was well taken care of even though he didn't want to leave my side. Dr. Illan came in and checked on my incisions the day before we moved to the recovery condo and to see how I was doing. Again, everyone was very attentive and caring, and just been great. I couldn't have asked for better attention and being put at ease. I'm so incredibly thankful and am now just easing forward and looking forward to healing and getting my life back on track now. Thank you to everyone! Dr. Illan, Bill, Stacy, Roberto, Luis, Rosa, Jessica, Denise, and every other doctor, nurse, or staff member who's played a hand in this and helped me reach this goal and start a new life.

Well, mine was mid-June? I had mine on June 13th. Everything went great. Though I will say I had more pain than I expected to. I don't know if that was just a /me/ thing, or if that was a 'people aren't fessing up to it' thing. But lots and lots of gas pain. Gas-X strips will be your best friends! And don't be surprised if some things give you pain at first. Like I was given ice chips, Water, gatorade, and apple juice after I passed my leak test. The apple juice was what I went for since over the course of the pre-op diet I was lacking flavor and really missed juice. However, my stomach did not agree. The moment it hit, and you can feel it, there was instant pain. The high sugar content was likely why. Gatorade did this too at first (it wasn't wasn't the G2). After about 12-16 hours I could drink the Gatorade, I still have to dilute the apple juice, though.

Mine was 35 minutes, and an hour in the recovery room.