Tiffykins

You are amazing, and have had fabulous results thus far ! ! ! Keep on rockin' your sleeve, and cheers to your many victories.

myfitnesspal has a free Iphone/Itouch/Ipod app, I use it and love it. I used all the other ones out there, and I love, love, love that I don't have to sync my data from my Iphone to the web version, it all translates over on it's own. Plus, I have never found one food or drink item that myfitnesspal didn't have in their database like many of the tracking websites that I tried and got frustrated with pretty quickly.

My surgeon uses a 32fr, and I'm able to consume 1500-1800 calories per day with zero issue. I do eat at least 6 times per day, but getting in enough nutrition for a healthy pregnancy is not an issue. At almost 1 year out, I can easily eat 1 hard boiled egg, and some meat. I can consume 1 cup/8ounces of mushy foods. I can fit in about 4-5ounces of dense meat in one meal. I don't feel weak, or lethargic with my calorie intake at all. Partial and total gastrectomies have been performed for decades upon decades for stomach cancer and ulcer patients. My comfort level with VSG came from reading many personal stories and research articles on patients that have part or their entire stomach removed. They lived fairly normal lives and many into their late 70s without issues related to their gastrectomies from 20-30 years prior.

It's geared towards RNY, but I found a lot of the information very useful, and some of the recipes sounds pretty tasty. It's 160 pages, and I just skimmed through a lot of it. I think it's a good thing to just have for other ideas, and excellent info on vitamins/supplements/deficiencies. http://www.pamtremble.com/uploads/-Protein_Book_updated_10_09.pdf I'm feeling geeky and thought I'd share. My favorite piece of information included is this statement ! ! !

You won't miss that big stretchy piece of stomach that allows you eat a bunch of food. . . I promise :thumbup1:

Lillie, that is fantabulous ! ! !

The gastric imbrication or plication and super sleeve are 2 different procedures from what I have read. With the imbrication or plication there is no gastrectomy involved at all. The stomach tissue remains and it is just sutured over itself like pleating, or an accordion anatomy remains in the abdomen. So, it's not a sleeve gastrectomy at all. Gastrectomy means removal of part of all of the stomach. The imbrication doesn't remove any of the stomach tissue. Here is a thread of a couple of members that have had the procedure done. http://verticalsleevetalk.com/band-sleeve-revisions/3963-band-gastric-imbrecation-need-help.html Here is another thread that explains the difference between the "super sleeve" and plication/imbrication. http://verticalsleevetalk.com/pre-operation-vertical-sleeve-surgery-vsg-questions-answers/6032-super-sleeve-gastric-plication.html

I have seen this advertisement for "super" sleeve, and I honestly don't think it's any different than a sleeve made with a 32fr -40fr size bougie. It's been published that anything smaller than a 32fr bougie can see more complications such as strictures and stomach twisting. They've been using 40fr and smaller bougies for at least 5 years now for stand alone sleeve procedures. So, before falling into a marketing ploy of "super sleeve" just find out what size bougie the surgeon uses to measure your stomach and where he staples off. If it's 40fr to 32fr, you're getting the average sized sleeve that 98% of sleeve patients receive. The word "super" sounds like a marketing or advertising tactic to make their sleeve sound better than the next surgeons. Here is Stacey's Profile link. I do believe she had her surgery with Dr. Rodriguez in his Tiajuana facility. You can contact her via her profile, and get her take on the procedure and experience. Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy Surgery (VSG) Forum - View Profile: stcyt

Absolutely not true. Many of the patients that travel to Mexico have very supportive PCP and other specialist docs that take care of them post-op. If your PCP won't take care of you, find a new doctor. As for your food issues, VSG will not fix that, they operate on our stomachs not our brains. So, all those issues with food filling a void, and being a comfort need to be dealt with separately. There is no way you should go into this unprepared for the mental aspect of this surgery. It's an entire lifestyle change, and while some still lose weight and don't follow the guidelines, there are many that don't follow the guidelines and they don't reach goal, or never lose the desired amount of weight. You'll get from your sleeve what you put into it. Being compliant, diligent and positive is the best recipe for success.

Are you tracking your calories, Protein, and carbs? If your loss has slowed down go back to basics, you don't necessarily need to go on liquids. That's just crash dieting again, and that isn't going to give you long term results. We can't really "shrink" the sleeve, but going on something like the 5 day pouch test can get you back on track. I'm not sure how much you're eating, and exercising, but changing things up or getting back to basics may give you better results than just hopping on liquids for a week.

Maybe it's just the guys I know, and they just don't talk about that kind of stuff. I don't think it's wrong to keep it until the relationship progresses. It's a comfort level thing, and it's probably because I'm super open with just about everything.

It's rumored that this ingredient is a product of boiled cow hides and various other glue like parts. Now I have zero published info to back that up, that's why I said rumored. Like I said, I used them, but they are nutritionally not the best option. But, with the whey isolate and concentrate in there, you'll be getting some of the better quality of protein. They are pretty thick and sticky, kind of like cough syrup in consistency.

You've done an amazing job, and I am so very proud of you. I knew you could do it ! ! ! You're definitely an inspiration chickee, keep rockin' your sleeve.

Not all Aetna plans cover VSG. If it's an employer's policy, the employer/company can opt out of bariatric surgery coverage. With that said, I would check the policy specifics before switching insurance policies. It should not be considered pre-existing condition, but again you'll have to check the specifics of the policy.

You can contact members i1Linda, Avilda, TexasT, TxSam, HappyDestiny, and Zephra. Those are the ones I can think of and there may be more in this thread. http://verticalsleevetalk.com/usa-local-vsg-support/163-looking-texas-sleevers.html If I was back home in Bedford, I'd definitely be there for you. I hope you can find someone to help you out. The Dallas group I met with at the first of April are a fabulous group of ladies. Best wishes on your surgery, and keep us posted on your progress.

I agree 100% with the above post from ouroborous. The ASMBS even states that there is absolutely zero scientific evidence to prove the 30gr of Protein myth. The key to protein assimilation and absorption is to ensure that we are getting the proper amount of amino acids necessary to break down the protein for maximum digestion. Most of those shots are collagen protein which isn't the best form of protein source, but my nut told me some protein is better than none. I personally used them early out with the band, but could not stomach them with the sleeve. Instant hurl fest. Plus, they are super sweet tart like and tasted super rough post-sleeve.

Today was such a great day. I went to the informational seminar with a friend today because she is interested in having VSG done after seeing my pictures and reading my story on my Facebook. I was super excited to find out that my original surgeon returned from deployment recently, and today was his first day back on rotation. I talked to a lady about the sleeve vs. bypass at the seminar, and then I went down to the surgery clinic. Dr. Michel walked out, and his mouth dropped open. We hugged, and he told me how amazing I looked. Dr. Riley (the surgeon that assisted in my revision and picked up my care when Dr. M deployed) told him "there's a skinny lady in the waiting room wanting to see you." Dr. M didn't know that it was me, and he didn't recognize until I said something to him. It was amazing to see him after all this time. The last follow up I had with him was September 15th, and a lot of has transpired since then. He told me how proud of me he was, and for me to schedule my 1 year follow up so we can talk more. It may not seem like much, but he was very hesitant to set a goal weight, and wasn't sure how I would really do as a revision patient. Least to say, today was a victory for me. I not only proved to myself, my family, my friends that I could succeed, I proved to my surgeon that I would and did WIN. We went through a lot together as patient/surgeon. I even told him at one point that he was the 3rd most important man in my life next to my husband and son. Literally, that man saved my life, and truly made living this life possible. He was fabulous during my recovery, and we were both upset when he got orders to deploy. He was my support system here while my husband was gone. Remember it's the little things.

YAY so very glad to hear you are doing so fabulous especially with your labs. Congrats on your loss thus far ! ! !

Many congrats on getting your sleeve today ! ! ! Best wishes for a smooth surgery and recovery.

Since I have a kiddo, I used the one ounce measuring dosing cups that come with the OTC meds. I also was given a couple in the hospital, and I stowed them away in my bag to bring home.

I have the WiiFit+, but it doesn't hold my attention. But, that is just my personality. I know others that absolutely love it.

I'm with Globetrotter on this one. While it is a private decision, I firmly believe that since he has noticed the abnormal eating habits, it's only fair to at least tell him about surgery. Explain to him that you have kept this private because it is your medical and personal information, and would ask him to respect you enough to not blab his mouth to your shared social circle. Men aren't typically "gossipy" or chatty about personal stuff. I am all for not volunteering information. Honestly, I do respect the fact that you aren't ready to tell him. BUT(you knew there would be a but), if you plan on establishing a long term, committed, solid relationship with someone, I firmly believe that having open communication and upfront honesty is more appropriate and constructive than keeping something like this from him. Men don't like to be left out of the loop, they don't like to feel that we are hiding things from them, at least that's been my experience. Has there been a situation that you could discuss WLS in general to get a gauge on his reaction? Maybe talk about a "friend" that you talked to recently, or visited lately that had WLS and see how he reacts. That would give you an idea of how he may react to your 'coming out' about your decision.

I take an Omega3 with DHA and EPA, and I also use ground organic flax seed in most of my casseroles, salad dressings, and when I bake.

I looooooooooooooooove it Hope ! ! !

It's pretty normal to experience these changes post-op. Our bodies have endured a lot, and chemical changes, anesthesia and hormones all are out of whack. Everything should return to normal as you continue to recover. My husband was in Afghanistan during my recovery so I didn't have any firsthand experience. Once he returned home, all was fine in that department.