stacyrg2

PPIs will not stretch your sleeve (you don’t have a pouch) but uncontrolled acid could cause lesions on your esophagus which could lead to Barrett’s esophagus and esophageal cancer.

I developed uncontrolled acid about 8 months after my VSG after never having an issue prior to surgery. I was on PPIs for a year before I had to revise to RNY since the PPIs didn’t control my acid and I had developed lesions from the acid. The meds didn’t stretch my sleeve and I was at goal at that time of my revision. In my opinion, if I had heartburn every single day there’s no way in this world I wouldn’t be taking Omeprazole every single day. If you’re concerned maybe consult with a gastroenterologist. Also in my opinion your surgeon’s advice is crap.

But what you don't understand is biology.
A Vitamin deficiency on a daily basis may not show up for years and once there, it's INIFINITELY difficult to correct (and expensive)!!
For instance: You may "think" your Calcium level looks great cuz your Ca is normal in your chemistry. BUT, serum calcium is tricky and the body is even trickier! The body likes homeostasis. If your serum calcium is low, then bada bing bada boom, let's grab some from this lovely full-bodied femur here. Or let's grab it from your iliac crest or teeth! Done! Calcium normal. Boom baby!
Oh, my hemoglobin and hematocrit are crazy beautiful! But here's the thing...it has very little to do with what's happening with what's happening with your red blood cells and hemoglobin, it's all about free circulating Iron (aka ferritin). For that you actually need a serum ferritin level. And people get to below 10 here ALL the live-long day and have a relatively normal hematocrit. By the time your hematocrit level starts to fall--you my friend are infusion bound and in deep doo doo.
There are others too. I could go on-and-on. But you can't argue with someone who is firmly believing in their own position. It's like trying to argue with crazy. You can't. There's no winning.
But I will just hide and watch for 5 years from now.
I have a VSG friend who was almost dead by the time she got to the ER cuz her iron was so low. She not only required bags of iron, but she also required blood transfusions. And I don't know about you, but with today's blood supply the way it is, I might as well be dead rather than accept blood from rando strangers. It's THAT scary larry.
But you do you. I'll do me. ((hugs))

I'm working through my weightloss classes now at Cedars-Sinai in Los Angeles - anyone have their WLS at Cedars? Curious to hear if so what your experience was like.

I don't really post here anymore but saw your post and felt compelled to respond. I had NO reflux prior to my sleeve. At the time of my surgery I also had a hiatal hernia repair. 8 mos post sleeve I developed horrific reflux. So bad that the only option was to revise to RNY. Don't be afraid of RNY. I would never, ever, never have a sleeve if I was previously diagnosed with GERD

@@jenn1 No actually. My surgeon has been really helpful. He's a runner and has a good handle on nutrition issues. He worked with me to figure out what I could eat prior to and during a run to maintain energy and it's been successful. Also the former dietitian in his office did a ton of research for me and came up with a menu plan that I used during my last 1/2 (I've done 5 since my VSG and countless 10ks). She never came back from maternity leave, so I'll have to meet with her replacement and see if she's willing to work with me. Also, with my sleeve, I had great restriction, but nowhere near as small as some people who post here. It was nice since it gave me the control I needed to get to goal, but I was able to eat enough to fuel my activity. It will be interesting now since I had to convert to RNY, I have much more food sensitivity than I did originally, and I dump on carbs, so a long run scares me. I've done 2 10ks since my conversion (both with my surgeon) and I was fine, but I'll have to see when I try to run double the distance. I was just saying to a friend of mine that I'm going to have to try Pasta before May to see how it sits, or I'm going to have to come up with a plan B.

I"m still too intimidated to try a full marathon. I have a half coming up in May, but haven't started my serious training. My calories in non-training mode stay between 1000 and 1200 (my MBR was tested at 1239) My surgeon would like me to be at 1200 consistently, but I gain weight and am very hesitant. I'm trying though, particularly since my runs are going to start ramping up. Like you, I increase carbs the week before a run since I can't carb load in the traditional sense the day before. Although the day before is also more carb heavy than normal.

Even when I'm not training for a run, my workout schedule is pretty intense. I run 2x a week, spin 1-2x a week, do TRX once a week, kickbox 1x a week and take random other classes (yoga sculpt, a HIIT class). That's why my surgeon is very unhappy with me that I'm below 1200 many days.

A bit of background so you know my playing field. Im 5'. Had VSG on May 12, 2014 and got down to goal when I started suffering from severe Reflux. I converted to RNY on 7/1. Prior to surgery, I gained up to 142 lbs (the only thing that brought any relief was Ritz crackers and I ate them by the sleeveful over the course of the day). I' down to 120ish right now but finding it difficult to stay there. I went up over the holidays and the weight is slowly coming off. I'm grateful for this thread and the experience you all have. No offense to any new post surgery people, but I need the advise from those who have been in maintenance for a while and can help me find balance.

I can post on the thread. What info should we focus on?? Lbs/food choices, all of the above?

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Me! I lost all my excess weight and have kept it off by eating on a schedule and eating every 2-3 hours.

2.5 years out, and it still works for me

Me too. Breakfast, snack, lunch, snack, dinner, snack. 2.7 months post op and maintaining a 130+lb loss.

I heard of a few people doing the "Pouch Reset". You basically go on the post-op diet that you did right after surgery, but instead of 5 weeks of that diet, it's 5 days. You could probably lose about 3-4 pounds while doing it. (I'm not 100% sure about this, but I've heard some success stories with this plan.)

Day 1: Clear liquids.

Day 2: Full liquids.

Day 3: pureed foods.

Day 4: Soft foods.

Day 5: Regular food (low carb).

In my opinion, this is a bad idea for someone who has been in maintenance for a while. Liquids won't do anything for you. To carb detox rapidly, I try to eat all Protein . . . specifically all meat or all meat/dairy. After the first few days, the carb cravings are gone and I can reintroduce healthy carbs (veggies, etc.) into my diet.

Here I am 2017.

I'm putting my foot in my mouth. I posted a while back that I don't feel like a bariatric patient. That feeling is GONE!

I'm looking for others in maintenance that would like to drop some weight. For me, maintenance weight loss is very slow. Take's me serious work. I'm looking for support and accountability.

I'm reevaluating where I'm at. I weight lifted and bulked up over the winter. I'm up to 141. I'm back on my bariatric low carb basics again. Detoxing off carbs now.

Going back to high Protein, low carb has worked for me. After the holidays I was up about 5 lbs. By increasing my Protein, lowering my carbs to approx. 40g a day and increasing my fluids (never a problem for me, but i'm drinking even more than usual), I've lost 3 lbs since Christmas. I know it's unlikely to keep coming off at that rate, but I find high protein low carb works for me and makes me feel my best also.

I'm in for both support and accountability!

I would get rid of the crackers. You list the nutritional content, but don't include the carb amount, which I'm sure is high. Babbs' idea of cheese crisps is a good one.

@@stacyrg2 hey!! Do you mind sharing your stats? @queenoftgetamazons congrats!!!!

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@@laly91 are we in the same class? Lol

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Sure. My surgery was 5/12/14. Date of surgery I was 237. Today I was 121. I initially had VSG but converted to RNY on 7/1/16 because of out of control acid. If you have any other questions, please let me know!

If I had GERD prior to surgery I would never choose sleeve. I was sleeved in May 2014. I never had GERD prior to surgery but developed a severe case as a result of the sleeve. It was miserable and the sleeve makes it worse. I wouldn't bet on the acid going away after surgery, even if you have a hiatal hernia repaired (I did, didn't matter). My acid was so bad I was forced to convert to bypass. It's just my opinion but if I had acid issues I would go bypass from the start

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I'm in so cal. Had my surgery at Cedars in May 2016. I'd be happy to share any knowledge I've gained living post op for 2+ years with all of you Californians so let me know if you have any questions!

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I converted to bypass from sleeve because of severe GERD. Prior to surgery, my Dr. told me I was unlikely to lose any significant weight as a result. And he was right. I've lost a whole 11 lbs in the 6 months since my revision. Sorry I can't give you any additional information about revision for weight loss, but if you have questions about revision in general, feel free to ask.

I am 2 years and 7 months post surgery. I looked like I was at a normal albeit curvy weight about a year post surgery. I'm currently 122 lbs on a 5' frame. While that is considered a "normal" BMI, I'm far from skinny. I started a new job July 2015 where no one knew me in my "fat" body. It's been an interesting experience. I'm completely used to my eating habits, but I guess to the uninitiated, my habits are odd. I eat small meals every few hours, that mostly consist of a type of meat. I can walk into our office kitchen and not be tempted by the Snacks (a better word for crap) that are left on the table. Over the holidays I got so tired of hearing the comments about how I was "so good" or how they couldn't wait for me to "cut loose" and "be bad" at the holiday party, that I outed myself. I took two of the staff members into my office, showed them before pictures, told them about my surgery and told them that I was doing what I needed to do to keep the body I now have. The comments have, for the most part, stopped and I'm happy about that. Yes, It's nice to no longer be "invisible" or treated with disdain. I'm learning to say "thank you" when someone compliments me rather than "thank you, but . . . ." and then draw focus to the parts of me I don't like. It's sometimes difficult, and odd for sure.

I'm starting to eat foods again. chicken and tofu are fine. But i tried a thin slice of 97% fat free deli ham and it doesn't matter how i ate it, my stomach wasn't feeling it. But i've never had issues with pork before surgery. Is that normal, will that go away with time?

So far besides that, everything else has been fine. I can even drink Water normally.

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I still can't tolerate chicken. I was sleeved on 11/18 and it still feels like it's sitting in my stomach.

I hear it's best to stay away from deli meats as much as possible because they are so processed. Have you tried other pork items? Doing so will help you determine if it's a pork aversion or just that cut of meat.

I eat deli meat all the time. Boars Head has a line of all natural meats that limit the additives. It's a lower calorie/high Protein food that completely works with my program

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Should I be able to eat one whole large scrambled egg with a fat free piece of American cheese ?

It took about 45 minutes but I finished it and felt fine

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Yes scrambled eggs are soft & should be something you can tolerate, provided there isn't a lot of butter or other fattening stuff with the eggs. It will take you a while to get it down. That's normal.

I was sleeved 11/18 & it still takes me about 30-45 mins. to eat a meal.

I'm much farther out than that, but I use a decent amount of butter when I cook my eggs. The butter helps keep the eggs moist. I don't have a problem adding fat. Your body needs fat to function. I use butter, full fat cheese, etc all with my dietitian's blessing. This is just another point of view, but just wanted to share that I don't fear fat

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Curious who your surgeon was eveyone? And what surgery did u all have? Cost?

I am in the inland empire and looking into a revision.

If anyone would like to share their experiences with me I'd appreciate it. Please msg me

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Dr. Miguel Burch at Cedars. He did my Sleeve and then my conversion to RNY. I needed to convert because of severe GERD that developed after my VSG. I'd be happy to answer any questions you have!

I am in Sherman Oaks too. Who was your surgeon? I am out of town for the holidays, but we should totally hang out once I get back.

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I'm in Sherman Oaks also

@@Moon Princess Sherman Oaks!

Where are you located? Love to take them if still available.

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They are! I'm in the valley but I commute to el Segundo every day, so I can meet you pretty much anywhere on the west side if that's possible !

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Just curious, where in the valley are you? I've never come across another Valley girl!

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LA that's great! Where are you at in your journey ?

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Sorry just saw this. I'm 2 years 7 months post surgery and at goal

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Uh... A few days out and you want to (even partially) load up on carbs? Stick with what you were told to do...and I'm sure it wasn't Mac and cheese and /or potatoes.

Okay... I'm moving on to another thread. Have fun.

Haha ok little b***h where did I EVER say I want to "load up" on carbs? You've had the sleeve done so you damn well know the most a person can eat 2 weeks post opp is a spoonful or two. No one wants to be on a liquid diet forever. Cut your bs trying to lowkey fat shame people when you should be giving helpful advice like you weren't big as a house at one point. Please.

Your nasty comment was not asked for and no one wants your negative comments on their threads like what's the point of you being on this app? I suggest you becareful with what you say to people online. Be very careful.

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I would suggest you run any deviations in your food progression by your surgeon or his/her medical staff. I know less than 2 weeks post op those foods were NOT on my plan (hell, 2 years and 7 months post op, they're still not on my plan). At this point, your body needs Protein to heal. Where is the Protein in those foods? And trust me, they will fill you up and you won't get protein in, until you become ravenous again and the cycle starts over again.

That is just MY opinion. You are free to listen or ignore it. What you are not free to do is call me names or threaten my ass. Rather than threaten posters who refuse to validate your choices you should consider their advice like a rational person since everyone who offered an opinion is much farther out than you and amazingly successful. If you want validation and not advice why don't you save everyone the trouble and state that in the subject line. And, in the brilliant words of Lipstick Lady, feel free to block me if any part of this post sets you off. Good luck with your future endeavors.

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I'm not in Orange County but I am in LA

My phone tracks steps automatically; I don't see the need for a FitBit at all. Just more status symbol tech toys.

"When all is said and done, usually more has been said than done. "

That's great if you constantly have your phone in your possession. I don't. I don't always have it in my hand or on my body when I get up from my desk to use the bathroom or otherwise walk around my office. I'm a lawyer and I'd get fined or, in the extreme, held in contempt if I attempted to be at counsel table or question a witness holding my phone so my activity gets tracked. I much prefer to have a fitbit on my wrist so that my activity gets tracked. Do I believe it's a perfect system? No. My fitbit will count steps from exaggerated arm movements, but it does give me a general idea of my activity and does act to motivate me to move.