Tiffykins

Ohhh, Maddie I'm so sorry to hear of your complications. Please know I'm praying for you, and keeping you in my thoughts. Keep us posted, and know that we are here for you.

I'm below my original goal, but in a healthy BMI and weight range for my height. My husband and I both feel I am a bit too skinny, but apparently this is where my body is happy. I'm not having any issues with maintenance at this point, and all I did to get the weight loss to stop was to add more calories, and carbs. I went from 600-800 calories to 1500-1800 calories per day. Carbs were no more than 30gr per day, now I consume around 70-100gr per day depending on what I choose to eat. A lot of my carbs come from fruits and veggies, and a minimum of a white carbs, but I do eat breads, rice, Pasta, and potatoes. I was really worried back in February and March when I was still sporadically losing a few pounds here and there. Now, I bounce between 121-125lbs on any given day. Today, I happen to weigh 123lbs, but tomorrow it'll be different.

What amazing results Jim ! ! ! Many congrats to you. . . I spent a large part of my early childhood in Red Oak and Waxahachie, TX. About 1/3 of my family still reside there, and I miss it terribly.

I have a before picture on my the side of my fridge. I hide it when company comes over, but it's there staring at me every day. It's hard to remember that I was such a huge heifer, but that picture doesn't lie. So, when I reach for that honey bun, or little strawberry shortcake roll, I am reminded of where I came from, and where I'll be again if I can't keep my fat "head" out of the fridge and pantry. I'll be real honest, I'm petrified of getting fat again. I was hanging onto some of my fat clothes, but I finally let them go 2 weeks ago. It was liberating. Grant it, my closet looked bare, but I was glad to get rid of the clothes that no longer fit. I did hang onto some of my 8s and 10s because when/if I get pregnant, I would like to be able to wear those clothes while I can until I have to purchase maternity clothes. For me, I have already had a couple of moments of "what the hell" that led me to the fridge at 9:30 at night for a slice of cold Papa John's pizza. I wasn't hungry, I wasn't bored, I wasn't sad, or upset, stressed or any other emotion. I just plain and simple wanted it. No rhyme or reason, it just sounded damn tasty. The thing that bothers me the most is that I still lose. I know it won't last, and I better "behave" or I'll be posting one of those discouraging stories in another year. I really don't think it would take that much to gain again. I probably wouldn't be able to gain back 100lbs, but 30-40lbs seems fairly easy in the grand scheme of things. Eating is a lot easier now, I can definitely fit more in, and I have to really watch what I eat. So, it's definitely easier to eat more of the bad foods. The sleeve makes things easier, but it definitely isn't a cure all. I wish I had more promising news, but at a year out things are definitely different and I know that this is a lifetime commitment to myself and my health.

Don't ever feel like you ask too many questions, we all ask a bunch of questions. It's the best way to learn about all this stuff. To me what you are describing, sounds like an overly full feeling. If the food isn't on the approved list, it could also be too soon for your body to easily digest it. I try really hard to never get to that point because that feeling is very unpleasant. You can try to walk around, and get the food to move. I have to take a minimum of 20 minutes to eat because if I eat any faster my brain doesn't tell my body that it's full and I end up overeating. If I overeat, I feel like crap, and crampy. This is an interesting article with scientific studies listed to back up the 20 minute rule for eating. HowStuffWorks "Could I Lose Weight Just by Eating Slower?" Here's the particular paragraphs referring to eating slower, and the stomach/intestine to brain connection.

Umm huh, steak is the shiz-nit. I got the George Foreman 360 grill for Christmas, and since it's been so hot, humid and icky down here on the Gulf, the GF has been a godsend. I just marinate the steaks a little longer than I do for the regular grill. But, they are fabulous. Plus, I love that I can make the guys their eggs and french toast in the baking rack that comes with the GF 360.

My guidelines were 60grams of Protein, 64ounces of Clear liquids per day, 600-800 calories, no more than 30gr of carbs, and I didn't have fat intake guidelines. The first couple of weeks my surgeon was more concerned about hydration than protein intake the first couple of weeks. I didn't get my full protein in until I got to mushies. Prilosec and Prevacid are both over the counter acid reflux meds. The Calcium carbonate in Tums, Rolaids, Pepcid Complete can actually cause your acid to be worse. I take 20mg Prilosec once daily first thing in the morning, and wait 1 hour to eat anything. If your program has a nutritionist, you may want to give them a call. There are tons of guidelines out there, and your surgeon or nutritionist should be able to help you.

Honestly, the sleeve is completely different than the band. It does what a band is supposed to do without all the b.s. complications, and food restrictions. I'm still never hungry, and have great restriction. You'll still have to be mindful of what you put in your mouth. You can't suck down milkshakes and ho hos and expect results. But, you can eat Protein first, followed by a few veggies, and see results. Once you get to regular foods and out of the post-op diet stage, you can have a variety of foods, just in smaller portions. The basics of the sleeve are protein first and if you have any room, veggies, and last carbs. I can imagine it's scary to be put in this rushed position, and no one can tell you what is the right thing to do. But, I can tell you that the sleeve is not like the band. Can your surgeon remove the band, and give you a couple of weeks to research the sleeve? I would not have chosen RNY if VSG was not an option for my revision. I would have had my band removed, and stayed fat the rest of my life. Best wishes, and I'll keep you in my thoughts.

unjury makes a Protein powder that tastes like chicken broth. A lot of people enjoy it for a change of flavor. UNJURY is Medical Quality whey Protein Isolate. Best Tasting Whey Protein Powder. Most Trusted Whey Protein Powder Supplement. Taste the difference You can actually order samples there as well.

Wooohooo great news and congrats ! ! !

Hey Kathy, I have some excess skin. Is it a horrific sight, no. My arms are still pretty flabby, and kind of wrinkly, my stomach is wrinkly but has lifted and is rebounding nicely. I have a some wrinkly skin on my inner thighs and on the outside of the butt, like at the bottom and sides of my cheeks. I can build more butt muscle to help fill in the butt wrinklyness. I figure in a couple of years the arms, thighs and butt will work themselves out. I will have a tummy tuck after we have another baby. The boobs are a lost cause and I'll pay to have those fixed. I really don't let the wrinkly skin bother me. It's just part of me now, the fat rolls bothered me more. Some days, it bothers me, but for the most part I just take it all in stride.

Fabulous news, I miss seeing you around here. But, I'm elated that life is well for you. Definitely get that pain/bulge checked out. Hernias are no fun, but easily repaired.

I ate off a baby spoon for awhile Anna. Also, sitting down your utensil does help tremendously. I also get up and walk around the kitchen if I swallow a bit too fast. Don't get too discouraged. If you have discomfort when eating, then try some full liquid stuff. I know it sucks to go back to them because we are so tired of them, but honestly it helps your stomach relax and not hurt anymore.

I still can't eat half of a meal from any restaurant. My son and I share an entree, and I eat 1/3 of the meat portion, and maybe 4-5 bites of the side dishes. Around 3-4 months, I was still only 3oz of mushy meat with no room for veggies. Around 6 months things changed drastically. I could eat 4oz of meat with a couple bites of veggies/carbs and that is if I eat super slow. Now at a year out, I eat the same amount. 4-5oz of meat (depending on the meat and how it's prepared), beef/steak/ribs actually work better than chicken or turkey for me. It used to be chicken worked better. If I want more carby/veggies with a meal, I eat those first. I know that is not a rule, but I'm maintaining, and don't have to be as rigid anymore. So, I'll take 2-3 bites of mashed potatoes then have 3-4oz of meat. Even some days all I want is veggies. For one meal, I'll eat veggies or rice/pasta. I always make up my Protein in another meal. I honestly believe my body tells me what it wants and needs. I've actually ordered just sides off a menu. I can't eat very much of them, but I eat what I want and bring home leftovers. I'm pretty much still eating the same amounts I ate around 6-7 months out. If I eat just one more bite, I know it. Some foods have become sliders for me. Breads, Pasta, rice, crackers, chips etc, are all sliders now. I have to watch what I eat still, but if I want mac-n-cheese, I'm going to eat it.

Walk, walk, walk. I get horrible gassy pains when I eat fried foods. My body just isn't used to it anymore, and it rebels. Constipation can also set in if you aren't getting fluids in. Try a heating pad to help with the discomfort. Keep drinking and walking.

I agree with Anna 100%. Stacy made a good point that I recall very vividly. It is a lot of socializing. If I'm going to workout, pay for a membership, I want to bury my mind and body into it. I don't want to know about the daily drama with your neighbor who is screwing the gardener.

There's a great forum on obesityhelp.com for DS patients and those that are researching that specific procedure. If you'd like to solicit business for this particular surgical group, you may want to find a DS site similar to this one, or visit the OH forum. I appreciate your desire to have everyone do their research, but this sounds like a push for this particular group of surgeons that perform DS. They probably are great surgeons, and congrats to your friend that has had DS with great success. I've lost more than 140lbs in less than a year with VSG, and zero malabsorption. Oh yeah, and I lost it with eating ribeye steak and my cholesterol, and other labs are picture perfect. With DS, patients malabsorb more than just 10% of their fat intake. If we're going to tout all the good of a particular surgery, let's be real honest and disclose some of the disadvantages as well. Vitamin and nutrient deficiencies are common even for some of those that are very diligent with their vitamin/supplement regimen. I've read plenty of personal experiences showing that not all DS patients get to goal, or maintain their loss either. So, it's not foolproof. Each patient that chooses to have any of the weight loss surgeries must make a lifestyle change, and deal with their food demons. None of us can rely on our surgery to do all of the work.

That's the standard "band behavior". I remember I few days I'd puke on Water, and had to survive on chicken noodle Soup. Then 2 days later I could eat chicken breast or even sometimes steak. It is weird, and it's a horrible quality of life in my opinion. My mom has had her band for 2.5 years. She has lost 75lbs with another 30-40 to go, but she pukes 2-4 times a week. She just "lives with it" because she's lost most of her weight. I just couldn't continue to live that way.

You have to do what is best for you. Check with your surgeon, and just make sure they know what's going on with you. The sugar is going to give you spikes of energy so don't be surprised if you crash after eating that stuff. It happens to me now at a year out. Since my body runs better with Protein and a few carbs here and there, when I splurge on something with sugar, within an hour I'm ready to nap. The Protein drinks will give you more energy that the sugary stuff.

When food gets stuck with the band, typically, we get that slimy spit filling up the mouth, or productive burping/foaming from trying to get it unstuck. Shana- I would definitely not deal with that only because of the damage the band can do to the stomach. Being skinny isn't worth your health. Have you had an upper GI or endoscopy to see what is going on with your band if your puking that much?

Great post Katt. I don't have the pouch at the bottom either. Every surgeon has a little different technique, and I know that through my reading that some surgeons stay closer to the pylorus when stapling off, and others give more space. The difference between a 32fr and 40fr is a mere 2.3mm. And, our own anatomy and specific surgeon technique plays a bigger role in sleeve capacity once the swelling has decreased. I can consume double the portion sizes that I could at 2-3 months post op. But, I am eating the same quantities per meal that I did at 6 months. My surgeon believes my sleeve is at maximum capacity for life. I can now chug water/fluids, I no longer have to chew, chew, chew everything to mush. I still chew well, and eat slowly, but nothing like the immediate months following surgery.

Hey there and welcome. You'll love the sleeve. I promise the sleeve is so much better than the band. If you need anything, let us know. We'll all be scooting over on the loser's bench for you.

Jerry, I'm so ecstatic that you had a great experience with Dr. Althar. Melissa, his receptionist, is just about the sweetest, most genuine, and caring human I know. I researched Dr. A extensively because of his VSG experience. The most admirable trait is that they admitted due to my band complications that I should find a surgeon with more experience with bands and band removal. I found that to be so honorable. My insurance would not cover VSG by a civilian, nor a revision, so I was looking at him for self-pay. They could have easily taken mine money, and told me that he was comfortable doing the revision. I was highly impressed with him, and his office staff.

My surgeons instructions allow meds immediately post op as long as they are not controlled release or extended release, and the pills are no larger than the size of a regular M&M candy.