Tiffykins

Many congrats on getting your consult scheduled. I was a pro-dieter, I could lose fabulously, but keeping it off was my issue. The sleeve definitely changed the way I think about food, and it makes decision making a lot easier. I would start doing little things to change habits. I did this when I was waiting on my band surgery. Stop bringing a beverage to the table with you when you eat your meals. Sit your utensil down in between bites, and stretch your meal out over at least 20 minutes. Try to eat until you just satisfied not stuffed (this was the hardest habit for me to break), I loved that "ohhh that was so yummy" now I need a nap meals. Try waiting 10-15 minutes after your meals to drink anything since you'll need to wait 30-45minutes once you get the sleeve. Just some ideas on how to prepare for the big changes that come post-op. I'm 33 as well, and feel like wasted all of my 20's being fat. The best part so far is I feel like I'm making up for the lost years, and finally enjoying life. Best wishes and keep us posted.

Many congrats ! ! ! You've done amazing through these 9.5 months. I can't help you on the muscle situation, but my tailbone is chronically inflamed and painful. I have to sit on one cheek or the other. I can not sit on hard surfaces (like bleachers, or boat seats) for long periods of time. I've seen 2 docs now about it, and both of them tell me there really isn't anything they can for me medically. I was advised to do more squats and butt toning exercises in hopes that some fat will shift with building muscles.

Many congrats on your surgery, and a great recovery ! ! !

Anna, I can't believe it's already been 2 months. It just seems like last week you were preparing for everything. I'm so glad that we met, and I am super proud of you and your determination to make this a positive, lifelong change for your future health, and happiness. Congrats on all your victories, scale and non-scale ! ! !

It's kind of close, but definitely not the same. I wish I could sneak it in, but I know that he would figure it out since cilantro is the only that makes his mouth taste funky.

I think I've finally found a balance in maintenance, but I am not following the losing stage rules. I eat carbs more now that I ever did and my calories are double what they were. If I go back to 600-800 calories and no more than 30grs of carbs per day, I lose weight very easily. I currently have been bouncing between 121-125lbs. Yesterday, I weighed 121 and today I weigh 123lbs. The only reason I am not losing weight anymore is because I cut cardio out of my work out regimen, and double my carbs and calories. That's the only way I've been able to maintain. Don't sell yourself or your sleeve short. You lose those 20lbs, and I believe you'll get there. Just focus on the positives, stick to the basics, and believe in yourself.

Some people rely on protein drinks for their protein goals for different reasons. My surgeon prefers that all of his patients get off protein supplements as soon as possible, and get all of their protein from actual food sources. I could never tolerate protein drinks so I didn't get my protein goals until I was able to eat mushies/soft solids.

I was instructed to walk as often as possible, and tried to walk at least once every hour. I was limited on how much walking I could do early out, but I usually managed the once every hour that I was awake. Hope you are feeling well ! ! !

I had mine removed at 8 months post-sleeve. My surgeon only has about 1/4 of his patients have gb issues so he prefers to not remove them unless there are existing issues or a history of gb attacks. I had zero issues with mine pre-op, but my father, and most of the members of my family on his side have had theirs removed. I do have issues with certain foods now post gb removal. I have to watch my fat content now, not that I ate a lot of fat before, but I have to steer clear of full fat salad dressing, some nuts, and I couldn't eat avocados for a couple of months. My other issue now post gb removal is I can not tolerate any type of red marinara, spaghetti sauce. Too much ketchup, or salsa gives me major grief. I can eat a small amount, but if I go over by just a little, I will regret it. During my losing stage, I would have been screwed trying to adhere to my carb counts because low fat and fat free stuff is all loaded with sodium and sugar which increases the carb counts on most foods. So, I'm grateful that I didn't have it removed during my revision. I hate fat free stuff because of the sugar counts, and additional sodium that is added to help make the FF stuff taste better. I also refused the medication to prevent gallstones. Our livers work double time during rapid weight loss, and I was not willing to take another pill that my liver would have to filter due to my own personal medical history. I had gb symptoms for 2 months that I didn't recognize as gb issues. When it became so inflamed and full of stones, I could not eat or drink without pain in my abdomen. It was by far the most painful thing I've experienced post-sleeve. I hated it, and had instant relief when I woke up in recovery.

I have zero medication restrictions. Now, there are other surgeons that do not want their VSG patients taking certain drugs. But, I've taken an entire slew of different prescriptions since my sleeve without issue except sterile gut on heavy duty antibiotics. I can't imagine the pain you are in. I get a crick in my neck and I'm whining for some Aleve.

LOL, I've had 2 friends in real life have it done, and it failed miserable for both of them. One then had a band placed around her severely overstretched pouch, and the other is now saving to have an ERNY done to get malabsorption of calories for another couple of years. This is one of the biggest reasons why RNY was not an option for me.

Gary, you've done absolutely amazing. Aren't all the victories just wonderful ! ! ! Cheers to you and your success.

It has a high failure rate. If you check out the revision board on OH, you can find tons of information on Stomaphyx. They go in and reduce the existing pouch and stoma size after patients stretch it out, but it's no where near close to a VSG procedure.

YAY YAY for your appointment. Productive burping. For me, it was that burp that brought up little hitchhiker food particle and slime. Totally not pleasant.

Champ, I am so very sorry with this recent news. Please know that I'm praying for your wife, you and your children.

Congrats on getting your date. Yes, I lost hair, and a significant amount. I would estimate that I lost half of my hair in volume. It did start growing back in before the shedding stopped, and now I have tons of new growth all over my head. Good luck and keep us posted on your progress.

Thank you for sharing with us Helen. I have a major addictive personality, and have dealt with addiction in my past. I don't deny it, and have to watch myself carefully because I too could easily be a "nightly drinker". This is a reminder to me and I'm sure many others that transfer addictions are far too common, and we need to know ourselves and triggers. I hope you are able to remain sober, and heal after your accident.

YAY YAY I'm so proud of you ! ! ! Many congrats, and no matter what you'll get to goal and keep it off.

I'm really sorry you're struggling with meats. By 6 months, I was able to get meats without many issues. Something kind of clicked around 6 months for me, and it became easier. I did have to stay on mushies longer, and couldn't get in more than 3oz of meat from months 3-5. Has your surgeon given you advice on what is going on?

I can only get 3-4 of the drummettes down from Wingstop, I have to peel off the skin before I eat them and I am almost a year out. Fried foods didn't work for me for a long time, and even now I avoid them. But, chicken wings are my downfall. I do have to use ranch or blue cheese to cut the grease. Can you get more ounces of other meats or is this the only time you've had issues getting more dense Protein down?

I can't tolerate heavy tomato based anything. I have to be super careful or I feel horrible. It could just be my stomach, and a sensitivity to acidic stuff. I also can not tolerate grapefuit juice, orange juice, or lemonade. I can have lemon/lime in my tea, and rum/cokes without issue, but I could never sit down and drink an entire glass of tomato or orange juice. This all started once the gallbladder came out in February. Except the OJ has always been an issue for me.

There's an explanation from someone else on here about red wines. I quoted them above. I still haven't tried many reds. I'm not sure why, but I can drink red plum Japanese wine on occasion with zero issue. Maybe my surgeon just gave me that little tidbit because he's more conservative about alcohol. I honestly don't know because I just trusted him as much as anyone else trusts their surgeons when they are told something. My surgeon also requires that his bariatric patients wait a minimum of 3 months before trying alcohol. Other surgeons let their patients try it around 6 weeks out.

My surgeon only staples. I was his first and only leak, and my leak was directly related to the damage from my band.

I haven't had any issues with Soups, or the broth flushing the stuff through faster. I do not ever stop drinking 30 minutes before my meals. My surgeon does not require this like with band and RNY patients. Our stomachs pretty much dump liquids pretty quickly instead of a pouch that holds onto liquid longer.