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Virginia B.

Gastric Sleeve Patients
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Everything posted by Virginia B.

  1. Short update: I had my gastric sleeve procedure done in November 2019. I lost around 85 lbs and then stalled eventually regaining around 50 lbs back and a horrible case of GERD. I had never had symptoms of GERD before my surgery and about 3 months later, I had to begin taking omeprezole daily to deal with it. If I forget a dose I can tell by the afternoon. During the first year post surgery, I lost my husband (not unexpectedly but it DID happen 10 days post-op for me), moved across country from Florida to New Mexico, bought a new house and started a new job. My daughter is 1 year post-op and lost approx. 150 ibs on the DS. l just started the process to obtain a revisional surgery. Will be discussing the benefits of either the DS or ByPass. I had the upper GI completed which showed a small hiatal hernia with evidence of GERD. It also showed mild cricopharyngeal hypertrophy. Any suggestions regarding which of the 2 procedures would help with the GERD and to help lose the 130 lbs. that I still need to drop to get to my goal weight?
  2. They decided I needed an upper GI and noticed that I had a very small hiatal hernia and that I'm beginning to develop cricopharyngeal hypertrophy. Because of the test results of that, I am now scheduled for a motility study with impedence using manometry and a 24 hour impedence ph study. Can't wait to get these tests over with so I can take my omeprezole again. This GERD is killing me since I can only take Tums right now. Have to be off the ppi medicine for a week. This should help to get my revision scheduled.
  3. Virginia B.

    My Journey

    Looking at my before photos, I can actually see the weight loss. I am down 2 pant sizes and am looking forward to meeting my next mini-goal and hopefully be down one more size. Although my weight loss is starting to slow down quite a bit (it may be a plateau), I will keep pushing through.
  4. Virginia B.

    My Journey

    My Journey begins with a single decision. Here are the pics taken a few days before my surgery-front and side views. Normally I don't do pictures but knew they would be needed so show how far I go on this journey from where I began.
  5. Virginia B.

    Virginia Banks

    From the album: My Journey

    My 4 month headshot
  6. Virginia B.

    Virginia Banks2

    From the album: My Journey

    My before headshot
  7. Virginia B.

    4 month update B

    From the album: My Journey

    My 4 month update photo
  8. Virginia B.

    4 month update A

    From the album: My Journey

    My 4 month update photos.
  9. I had my sleeve done on 11/18/2019.  It's been a trying time this month but the dietitian says I am doing great, even with the stress level I have been under.  My husband, who has been on hospice since September, passed away on the 1st of December.  It has been a whirlwind of activity since then with the funeral planning and getting through the funeral itself.  In the meantime, I have completely cleaned the house and threw a lot of stuff away, gave a lot of the groceries that I can no longer eat at this time to my cousin who really needed the help, bagged my husbands clothes and donated them to a local church thrift store, and gave his niece and 2 nephews items that I knew he wanted them to have.  Although I have a gym membership, I am waiting until after the holidays to go back to my workouts (I am trying to get over a head cold at this time).  My weight loss is starting to slow down a little but it is still moving in the right direction and should pick up again once I can get back to the gym.  I can still only eat between 2-3 ounces at a time and I found that food I liked prior to surgery either makes me nauseous or gives me really bad heartburn.  The dietitian says I can begin trying some new foods to see what I can tolerate, especially vegetables.  Hopefully I can expand my diet to more than just soft foods.

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    1. vgs08282019

      vgs08282019

      You just finished your first 30 days. Take it slow and enjoy the restriction, which at this point is when the greatest weight loss occurs in comparison to what is to come. I actually found that I enjoyed the liquid and soft phase because I could cook my veggies to soft and make soups with them and blend them. The soup was very flavorful and full of great nutrition, which is really important. Good luck on your journey!

    2. Virginia B.

      Virginia B.

      Thank you! I am still sticking to mainly soft foods. I stocked up on different soups since I tolerate those the best. Whenever i something new, I use my scale to ensure I am not trying to put too much on my plate (it's actually a saucer). I can eat just a little and my dog gets the rest.

  10. Virginia B.

    Can't handle protein shakes

    GNC carries clear protein drinks from Isopure. I tried several and found the Green Tea the most palatable. A couple other flavors I tried were Fruit Punch and Berry. I use these for my protein instead of the powder or shakes. It also counts to your daily liquid intake. It takes 1-1/2 bottles a day to meet the 60 gram protein requirement.
  11. Welcome, Crystal. Like you, I had my sleeve done on the 18th, 3 days after yours. The pain was incredible due to the gas pains after the surgery. When I told one of my nurses that I was really in pain and have been unable to pass gas or belch, she fixed an ice bag and had me place it on my left side while she covered me with a very warm blanket. That seemed to do the trick and I was finally able to pass some of the gas. Gas-X helped with the rest. After I was released, I took a comforter and placed my pillows on it to simulate the head of the bed being raised. The first few nights, I had trouble sleeping for more than a couple hours at a time until my brain realized I didn't have nurses waking me up constantly. Make sure you are walking whenever you can. This will help with the pain and its reduction.
  12. Virginia B.

    One week post op and very hungry

    I definitely agree with everyone. Make sure you follow your doctor's orders and drink the protein shakes and your water. I have just begun soft foods and just one or two bites more than you actually have room for can be very uncomfortable. The protein shakes should help you to feel a little bit more satisfied until you start on other foods. You got this!
  13. Got through Thanksgiving with only slight discomfort-no hiccups!  I went ahead and ordered a food scale to help me with amounts to better avoid any discomfort.  I had to break down and order the Unjury unflavored since the clear protein drink I liked before my surgery now causes heartburn.  I'm going to try it tonight or tomorrow morning.

    I went to my brother's for dinner and was able to eat a little bit of mashed potatoes and a small amount of turkey.  I prepared a plate of food for my husband and took it home for him, although a lot of it will be fed to our very spoiled baby, Molly.  I am resisting the urge to get on the scale daily.  Keeping the faith!!!

     

    Molly.jpg

  14. Virginia B.

    I must be nuts!!

    My birthday "dinner" was chicken broth after watching my Buckeyes win their game! My brother is cooking the Thanksgiving dinner this year so I will go get my husband a plate of actual cooked food and hope he can eat it. He does love his turkey!
  15. Virginia B.

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    From the album: My Journey

  16. Virginia B.

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    From the album: My Journey

  17. I am nine days post-op with a 22 lb. loss so far.  The sleeve procedure is making me re-evaluate my life and the way I look (and eat) food.  I am still learning how to register being full.  Twice now I've thought I knew when I was full but within 10 minutes, the hiccups started and the uncomfortable feeling at the junction of my throat and stomach let me know I ate 1-2 bites too many.  

    A little about me:  I was never overweight until my late 20's (even after 2 children).  My weight then went up to around 180 lbs. which is a good bit for someone who's only 5'4" tall.  I finally had my 3rd child when I was 29 and my weight went unchecked after that.  I ballooned up to 356 lbs. in the 1990s. At that time, I had already tried a lot of fad diets and finally found the only thing that worked for me..an item the FDA has now banned-ephedra.  I managed to drop 140 lbs using this around 2001.  I finally thought I had the weight problem licked and was really having a great time without people saying "you would be so pretty if you managed to lose some of that weight."  

    I met my husband in 2002 and we got married on my birthday-November 23rd. Now the weight started to return.  Fast forward to 2019 and I finally decided enough was enough and began researching surgeons and programs in my area.  Began the long process of qualifying for the sleeve procedure.  Just before my approval came through, my husband had to be placed on hospice.  By this time my weight was holding steady at 288 lbs.  Once he was set up with regular nurse visits, my surgery date came through-November 18th.  Going forward, I now get to celebrate my birthday all week long beginning on my new birthday, November 18 and rejoicing through to November 23rd!

    I know I still have a long, difficult road ahead of me to learn my new normal and make the transformation that I know is possible.

    Quote About Failure

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