Tiffykins

I agree with the bolded. Also, ghrelin is made in the pancreas as well, but mainly in the fundus of our stomachs. If the blood flow is not compromised, and the tissue is still there, it's really hard for me to wrap it around my head that it would give the same decreases ghrelin plasma levels.

Over the counter stuff like Tums, Pepcid complete and Rolaids can actually make your acid issue worse. Zantac may help a little, but it won't stop it from overproducing. Prilosec 20mg Over the counter may take a 7-10 days to kick in to give you relief. I'm not sure how long Prevacid OTC takes to kick in, but these 2 are the only true proton pump inhibitors that will stop the acid production. All the other stuff will only soothe the symptoms once it's out of control. And, yes not getting in enough Fluid can contribute to slow weight loss. You could be retaining Water if you aren't drinking enough. If you're staying within your calories/carbs/protein goals, then maybe increase calories by 100 a day, and see if that helps get the scale moving.

I got this in an email and thought I would share with all my Protein loving friends. I love Omaha steaks. I know they are pricey, but they are far better than grocery store bought steaks. They have several specials going on right now, and some have free shipping which is always a bonus ! ! ! Purchase Steaks, Lobster and Gourmet food Gifts Online | Omaha Steaks Special Offer

From the limited info out there I have read that it is being recommended for patients with lower overweight BMIs that do not want to lose 85% of their stomach. I know I've read about a couple of patients that were band to sleeve revisions who were at goal, and didn't want to go full blown sleeve. As with any new procedure, the longest I can find is 16 months out as of last September. It shows that it gives similar results to the sleeve. ProMedica Bariatric surgery consulting - Bariatric research There is one 3 year study out of Iran that was published in 2007 Mary Ann Liebert, Inc. - Journal of Laparoendoscopic & Advanced Surgical Techniques - 17(6):793 When I read this study, and it indicates 57% of EWL at 36 months for 11 cases, does that mean only 11 people out of 100 reported that they had maintained 57% of the EWL, or they could only follow 11 patients at this point, and could not include the other 89 patients in their statistics? So, I'm not sure how to decipher these numbers. It says the mean follow up time was 18 months. So, does that mean some patients stopped participating in the study, what was the outcome of the other 89 patients at 36 months? Maybe I'm reading it wrong, I don't know but that one is confusing for me. For me, the lack of ghrelin hormone when the fundus is physically excised and removed from the body is very appealing. I had a band, a restrictive only procedure just like the sleeve and imbrication except I had a "pouch" that held food, and I did indeed have my pyloric valve intact. I had satiety with my meal, then the food would go through and hunger would set in again. There are studies out showing the VSG gives the highest reduction of Ghrelin plasma levels several years out between VSG, RNY and the band. With the imbrication, the fundus is left behind, and while I can see how patients would be "full" and hunger is decreased just like it was with the band for me, the fundus is still there making that evil hunger hormone. As the months progressed with my band, it was a forced diet for me to lose. I never got the resolution of hunger that the sleeve offers. I think it's interesting, and a viable options for some. I never went into WLS with the thought of wanting it reversed. But, I do understand and completely respect patients that choose this surgery, or any other WLS. If I would have been given the choice between the 2, sleeve vs. TGVP and I had read similar stats for both procedures, I would still choose the sleeve only because the Ghrelin is gone. The studies show RNY and band do not offer the same level of Ghrelin plasma reduction at several years out. I can only make an educated guess that the plication would give the same results due to the fundus being left intact. I've also read that they've been doing plications for acid reflux even in children so it's only new to WLS just like the sleeve was several years ago. Just my 2cents.

All of my surgeries from knee, lapband, revision, c-section required removal of all of my piercings regardless of location.

I had to not lift anything over 10lbs for 6 weeks. After that time frame, my surgeon advised to just slowly increase the weight increments slowly. When I was working out at the gym, I was definitely using more than 50lbs of weight for some of the exercises. I wasn't dead lifting, but I know that I was using upwards of 80-90lbs on certain machines. I know using the various machines isn't the same as dead lifting, but I was benching 75lbs at 5 months out.

I'm not sure what guidelines you have for calories/carbs/proteins, and every program is different. I was still on full liquids at 3 weeks into my post-op diet so I can't help you with that part if you're already eating solids except always eat Protein first, then low carb veggies. You're doing fabulous with exercising so keep it up. My guidelines for losing were: 4 meals a day consisting of a minimum of 15grs of protein. No Snacks. 600-800 calories 60gr + protein 30gr of less of carbs steer clear of calorie or sugar filled liquids Adhering to those guidelines the first 4 months gave me 80lbs lost. The 3 week stall is pretty inevitable it seems like most go through it. A few things to look at maybe is to ensure you are getting in enough calories, and Clear Liquids especially with your exercise regimen. If you are eating a lot of slider foods that are higher carb, it can slow down losing. I know once I started adding in more carbs, my loss slowed significantly. Now that I don't limit carbs, and eat a well balanced diet, my loss has stabilized and I'm maintaining. If you're following your program, have faith, and the scale will move. Also try taking some measurements. Once we start working out, our muscles get little tears/rips in them. To heal, they retain Water thus sometimes we don't lose weight even when we are doing everything "right". You could be losing inches because fat is bumpy/lumpy and muscle is lean and more dense. Your clothes may start fitting different, and you might see changes that aren't scale related. Hang in there, the scale will move ! ! !

Honestly, I wouldn't wait. You'll only be on the post-op diet for a 2-4 weeks. Once you get to mushy/puree, depending on your guidelines, you can have pretty much anything that can be mushed up manually with a fork or your teeth. You won't be eating much, but you will still be able to enjoy time with your family. And, you'll probably feel better while losing weight than you have in a long time so the eating around people will be just an afterthought. If you don't plan on telling everyone and anyone questions your lack of eating large meals, just tell them "I had a big breakfast" or "I'm just gonna snack for now, and have more later." For me, very few people ever commented on me eating small portions. It was mainly the servers/waitstaff at restaurants that wanted to ensure that my meal was satisfactory. I still didn't tell them about my surgery. I just told them that the meal was fabulous, and I'm looking forward to my leftovers tomorrow for lunch. I attend a monthly luncheon with 30-50 other military wives. Some know about my surgery, other don't and no one ever seems to really notice that I eat a tiny portion of the huge lunch that is served. In the fall, there will be another excuse. "Why don't you wait until after Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years so you can Celebrate and enjoy the big holiday meals?" So, you might as well get it done and over with and really start living. I think you'll be able to entertain, host, and enjoy these outings with your family post-sleeve. Just be prepared, and ask your family to support you in your efforts.

We have the same kits, but for me, I prefer to do it with my own stuff. I'm trying my best to get away from all pre-packaged, boxed, prepared meals. There's stuff that I can't help but buy, like Rice A Roni LOL or Velveeta cheese. If the husband and kiddo would eat whole wheat, or the whole grain wraps, I'd make all my tortilla dishes with them. Unfortunately, they can taste the difference, and the griping begins.

I have been craving a juicy hamburger. I've not had a traditional hamburger in at least 11 months. So, as I was perusing allrecipes.com I found an amazing recipe that I'm making tonight. This is by no means low fat, but just smelling the meat marinating in my fridge and the smell of the sauteed onions and turkey bacon, makes my mouth Water. I don't think I've been this excited about a hamburger EVER. I'm patiently waiting for John to get home so I can start cooking them. I made changes for our personal tastes, and I'll add them. Easy Bacon, Onion and cheese Stuffed Burgers - All recipes Ingredients 3 pounds ground beef 1/4 teaspoon salt 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper 3 tablespoons barbeque sauce 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder 1/2 pound bacon, cut into 1/4 inch pieces 1 medium onion, finely chopped 3/4 cup shredded Cheddar cheese 6 hamburger buns, split I omitted salt, barbque sauce, and garlic powder. 2lbs of lean ground sirloin 2 tsp of white pepper 2 Tbsp of coarse ground black pepper 1/2 cup of A1 thick and hearty steak sauce 3Tbsp of minced garlic (jar, or you can use fresh if you prefer, about 3-4 large cloves) 1/8 cup of Worchestershire Sauce 4 slices of Turkey bacon 1 chopped sweet onion 4-6 slices of Sargento's Reduced fat Pepperjack cheese slices (or whatever cheese you prefer) I mixed the first 6 ingredients in a large mixing bowl and refrigerated for one hour. Cook turkey bacon over medium heat until crispy. Add onion to skillet with 2Tbsp of extra virgin olive oil and 2Tbsp of lime juice. Increase heat to medium-high, and cook onions and bacon together stirring frequently until onions are transparent. Form thin, about 1/2 inch patties, lay them out on wax paper. Place a small amount 1-2Tbsp of the onion/bacon mixture with 1/2-1 slice of cheese into the middle of the patty. Place another patty on top, and press the outside of both patties sealing them tightly. I will be cooking these on high heat on my George Foreman 360 grill.

I had a follow-up with my PCP for a couple of different issues. Low blood pressure, had my little "skin irritation" documented , and had an in-depth discussion about my PPI (Prilosec 20mg) for the last 11 months. He confirmed everything that ouroborous stated. I am not post-menopausal, I'm taking 800-1200mg Calcium Citrate with Vit D which does NOT need an acidic environment to be absorbed properly, therefore he is not overly concerned with my continued usage at this point. I have a follow up with my surgeon next week for labs, and an in-depth discussion will be had with him as well. Honestly, this having to take Gaviscon, and having the reflux, in my opinion, just isn't worth it. I know that makes me sound like a wuss, but why fix something that isn't broken? For me, nothing is broken for the time being, and unless my surgeon has any major concerns with my continued usage, I plan on staying on it. If I were 20 years older, heading into menopause, I would have more concerns, but seriously, I know women that have been on some sort of PPI for years and have zero issue with bone density.

Many congrats ! ! !

Maddie, I'm glad to hear you are home. Rest and take care of yourself. Keep us posted, and we're all cheering for you ! ! !

Here's a new one I ran across today. . . MyBariatricPantry.com's Protein Sample Page

Congrats Nadia ! ! ! Keep walking, it only gets better from here.

Beth, glad to hear you got the band out. You'll love the sleeve, and if you need anything let us know.

You may have to puree, or mush the dense Proteins up before eating them. I stayed on mushies for the majority of my meals all the way through the first 2-3 months post op. I could eat some dense proteins, but it would take a long time for me to chew everything down. My body just wasn't ready for solids even when they were chewed to a mush. I had to make sure everything was soft, and lived on tuna/chicken/egg salad. Refried beans, yogurt, cottage cheese, pudding, boiled fruits and veggies are all pretty much sliders because our stomachs just move them right on through to the intestines. I blend my chicken and tuna salads with my cheapo mini food processor. It made getting in my protein much easier, and I didn't ever get that stuck, stuffed, sternum discomfort feeling by doing this.

YAY YAY I'm so excited for you ! ! ! Glad surgery went well, keep sipping, walking, and resting. . .

I literally lost half of my hair in volume. I lost the majority from the top and back of my head. I had regrowth coming back in before the shedding stopped. It didn't leave me with any bare spots, or needing a wig. I had extremely thick, coarse hair pre-op. It's growing back, but I'm assuming it will take a minimum of a solid year, maybe 18 months for my hair to return to pre-op volume. I have a lot of new growth ranging from 3-8 inches in length. I have lots of little chia pet hairs sticking up at the crown of my head. My stylist told me to avoid blow drying, or other heat processes during the losing stage. Also, to stop coloring and highlighting my hair. I had my hair colored and highlighted one last time in mid-September then didn't do anything else to it until January when the shedding had stopped. I chopped my hair off, and layer stacked it up the back to give the illusion of volume. Here's an article that explains why we experience this hair loss, and why it can happen with any trauma or surgery. It's not all related to us having weight loss surgery. Telogen Effluvium: eMedicine Dermatology My multi has Biotin and zinc and that didn't stop my losing. I lost for a solid 3.5 months. I also got in Protein from food sources from around 6-7 months out. It happens, it's temporary and the hair does grow back. It's frustrating and scary. Believe me, I never thought my shedding would stop, but it did.

I prayed I wouldn't end up pregnant before my surgery. My husband was deploying and I made sure that we used 2 forms of birth control before he left just to ensure that I would not end up pregnant. I refused to get pregnant when I was fat, and I sure wasn't going to do when I was having issues with my band, and knowing that I was going to have to revise to VSG. It just wasn't worth it to me. Just to let you know, I've been cleared by my surgeon and PCP to TTC. We've been not preventing for the last 3 months. Nothing exciting to report yet, but my body is still adjusting, and I figure it's on God's time, not ours.

Deb, I really wish I had better news, but you just have to wait it out. I had gallbladder surgery February 4th, and guess what? Yep, my hair is falling out again. It started at the end of April with just a little, and I thought it was just normal shedding. But, now it's coming out pretty heavily again. I know it's discouraging, but hang in there. You're doing everything you can. The regrowth will start coming in, but nothing is going to stop the losing. I used the Folicure extra care shampoo to help with regrowth.

I have not had any voice changes. People that haven't seen me in months mainly recognize me by voice. I look completely different than I did just 8-9 months ago, and people always say "I only recognized you when you started talking". I have a very heavy "Texan" southern accent, and nothing about my voice has changed. If I see anyone else posting that happen to be singers, I'll send you links to their profiles/posts so you can connect with them.

I am so elated for you. I know that sounds horrible, but I have been where you are, believe me, you are doing the right thing. I'm proud of you for having the courage to make those first steps. You'll do great, and keep us updated. I know it's tough, but you deserve the very best. Never settle for anything less than everything ! ! !

The food probably is backed up a little. You may be taking that next bite too soon. It'll get better, just take it super slow, and if you have to sit your fork down in between bites to help you eat slower.