Bloodhound

Could it be an incionsal hernia? I have had a lot of pain about 2" below my hernia. Looks like it's an incisional hernia. Evidently it's the most common complication at about a rate of 33%.

I found acid-free coffee on Amazon.

On 9/18/2012 at 7:53 AM, MinaT said:

I am 3 months out and have zero problems with lettuce. I see no reason in drinking pop whatsoever, even though others do it. I was told the carbonation does expand your stomach (which it does while you are drinking it) whether or not it stretches is a highly debated issue on VSG.

There are those of us that would rather not take the chance. Should you get the sleeve and start eating candy bars, I would say the answer is NO, do people do it, I am sure they do. I have read people eating potato chips as early as a week out.

If you are going to go back to your old way of eating after surgery, then surgery should put off until you have enough psychological counseling to change the emotional eating issues, and get proper nutritional counseling to see the hows and why on how you gained so weight in the first place and realize that this is something you need to do for life.

The sleeve is for you if you want to make lifestyle changes. Can you gain the weight back after you get the sleeve and lose all your weight? Yes, if you do not make lifestyle changes.

The sleeve DOES stretch. It will never get to the size your stomach was pre-surgery, but it does get bigger and it is easier to eat more food as time goes on, so it has to be a lifestyle change.

I can eat just as spicy a food now as I did before surgery. I do not drink caffeine, pop, beer. I have had a glass of wine with no problem.

When I hit goal I will probably have a glass of champagne and deal with the bloating of my sleeve and come what may whether or not my sleeve with stretch a bit.

The issue is, people thinking it's okay to drink real coffee, eat what they want right after they get sleeved. Your stomach gets cut from the bottom to the top and it's a massive surgery. Your stomach is extremely swollen inside and out and putting things like caffeine (which could cause ulcers), carbonation which is very rough and acidic on your swollen stomach or foods that are rough could cause a leak.

After you reach goal I think what you can and cannot tolerate is up to you. If you start throwing high carb food in, you will gain weight. It's a lifestyle change, not just a diet.

I ordered the only (self-reported,) acid-free caffeinated coffee on Amazon. It's called Mellow Belly.

Awesome. Thanks everyone for your responses.

I heard a patch or nicotine gum doesn’t test the same as inhaled nicotine and won’t show up on some test. Would I be ok to use one of these with a ua?

Thanks, Vikingbeast. Can you tell me what the name of the test is that tests for nicotine? I didn’t see anything in my lab order that said cotinine or nicotine.

I suspect if he’s going to give it it will be the day of surgery via ua.

Did anyone who was self pay get tested for nicotine at Blossom?

On 11/27/2012 at 1:03 PM, Coykoi said:

9 days and counting!

I'm excited and nervous and scared and impatient and....

No pre-op diet for me, just a general urging to eat less and practice how I'll eat after surgery.

Where are you having your surgery done? I'll be in Torrance, CA

Did you use Torrance Bariatric?

On 5/17/2021 at 4:55 PM, STLoser said:

I was also self pay, but they did do a nicotine test before surgery. I quit smoking 22 years ago though.

Sent from my Nokia 7.2 using BariatricPal mobile app

Did they do a urine test or a blood test?

On 5/1/2021 at 2:41 AM, traceyingraphics@gmail.com said:

They never mentioned nicotine to me, but I'm self pay. I don't smoke but I do vape nicotine.

Did they test you? I'm self pay and am worried I lapsed on vaping. I understand it is counterproductive.

Hi all.

I had a lapse into vaping and have surgery the 13th. I'm self pay and am wondering if insurance is the main cause for nicotine testing. I'm afraid there will be a nicotine test before the surgery. I am aware it was foolish. Please just peoples' experience with insurance- not desirous of scolders or pleas, or the science of quitting. If you don't understand what that means, please refrain from posting on this thread.

Hi there.

I'm wondering if the Water sipping every 10-15 minutes is a forever thing. I am so irresponsible about drinking water now. I worry I will drop the ball. It's seriously making me reconsider in addition to other fears.

That's helpful, thanks!

The science of transdermal Patches are real, effective and proven. I can't speak for Vitamins or this brand. Ever heard of nicotine patches, prescription pain medicine patches or DMSO? That stuff is 100% effective. It uses a "vehicle" to transport the product into the skin. Your nutritionist may not know about transdermal patches. If you plied sanitizer or alcohol into a transdermal patch, theoretically it also could cross the skin barrier and enter the muscle/blood using whatever vehicle they use. Nicotine patches work. It might just be possible!

On 6/25/2021 at 11:08 AM, Kenda0928 said:

Actually, for skin/hair/nail/joint support, the studies are pretty encouraging and the emerging science wholly supports collagen as a viable supplement. There is less data around collagen for muscle building/repair, but that's not my goal in taking it, so not a concern. I understand it's not a complete Protein and therefore not a suitable sole source. Just wondering if, generally speaking, it should count towards overall protein goal. I don't want to short change myself, but also don't want to constantly be striving to hit a goal that I might already be achieving.

Sent from my SM-A205U using BariatricPal mobile app

I have been using Vital Proteins myself for the last year or more. I definitely notice a result in my skin.

I heard that you cannot drink within 30 minutes of eating on each end.

Just now, Bloodhound said:

You're not alone. I'm already depressed. I am a sugar addict and have questioned, "what's left after the food is gone? How will I find relief?" I've also questioned the point of anything going forward because, well, "what's the point if I haven't got my best friend food to support me?" I'm questioning whether it is a good idea to even get the surgery, however have been encouraged by two bariatric psychs that it's totally normal to grieve food. Food is 100% a drug for me. It's deeper-rooted than the cocaine, amphetamines, opiates, alcohol and sedatives I used to use. I'm assembling a team of online video support groups weekly, a bariatric psychologist and a therapist to help carry me through the next couple of months.

Rereading that, I realized there is a silver lining in that at least I am going in an alcoholic and addict and won't have that potential risk factor of transferring addictions since I am already such.

You're not alone. I'm already depressed. I am a sugar addict and have questioned, "what's left after the food is gone? How will I find relief?" I've also questioned the point of anything going forward because, well, "what's the point if I haven't got my best friend food to support me?" I'm questioning whether it is a good idea to even get the surgery, however have been encouraged by two bariatric psychs that it's totally normal to grieve food. Food is 100% a drug for me. It's deeper-rooted than the cocaine, amphetamines, opiates, alcohol and sedatives I used to use. I'm assembling a team of online video support groups weekly, a bariatric psychologist and a therapist to help carry me through the next couple of months.

I have been stressing about the Water intake with that very fear. Thanks for the opine.

59 minutes ago, catwoman7 said:

yes - injections are once a month. As for sublinguals, I do a megadose once every two weeks - it cuts down on the cost.

I will require injections? Oh, my.

9 hours ago, catwoman7 said:

you're right in that those won't hurt, but like the Patches, they seem to work for some, but not for others. Fortunately, most people don't lose enough hair that it's noticeable to others (although we definitely notice!)

I am dreading the hair loss! I'm vain and I wish there was some supplement or topical that would prevent it.

I'm probably going to try the collagen and Biotin supplements for skin and hair. I don't think it will hurt.

Good to know. I imagine they use a transdermal vehicle- I'm not a scientist but it's been effective for me for nicotine and there are other medical uses. But nutritionally? No clue.

I'm unsure of if these are good or not, but it seems like it could be suitable for someone experiencing nausea. They're dermal Patches.

https://patchaid.com/collections/patchaid-vitamin-packs

Thanks, River Moon.