Tiffykins

Thank you all so very much. This is a truly a life changing experience. I kind of feel like I learn something new every day. It's had it's ups and downs, and I'm honestly grateful for each of them. I know that I could not have made it this far, and learned as much as I have without all of you in my corner, supporting me when I didn't think I could do it anymore, and truly being my biggest cheerleaders. Many may not understand it, but as a military spouse, we tend to meet a lot of people, have tons of acquaintances, but we make very few solid, long term friendships. We move so much, we see different people and families come and go so fast some times that we rarely have the chance to share as much of our lives that I have been able to share with my VST family. I can't express to y'all just how much the continued support, encouragement, and love that y'all have given me over the last months means to me. I don't get this kind of support from my own family so this site, and y'all are a blessing in my life. Many thanks ! ! !

I started off at 270, and if you look at my before pictures, you will notice that I was extremely round and carried all of my weight in my upper torso with a large portion of my weight sitting in my abdomen. Because of my weight loss results with VSG, and my intense ab/core workouts starting around 5 months post op, my abdomen has shrunk immensely, and I no longer have the apron. I have a little fat roll on my lower abdomen with some excess skin, but essentially my stomach has shrunk up significantly. If someone would have given me the option to have just my tummy fat removed or VSG, I would have chosen VSG. I won't ever have a flat tummy without plastics. I had a severe c-section, and my scar stretches from one side of my lower abdomen clear to the other side right about my pubis bone. I'll never get rid of the little flap without plastics, but it has lifted, tightened and shrunk immensely in 11 months. Least to say, when I stand in front of the mirror, I have zero issue seeing my private area. Before, I could not see it because of my hanging stomach fat. I was pretty much shaving blindly, now it's so much easier to maintain certain areas because I can see everything. I do not wear any shapers, girdles, or anything of the sorts at this point.

Here's another study: Page 9, 3rd full paragraph. http://www.bodybybaltasar.com/Lap_sleeve_gastrectomy.OBs_Surg_paper.pdf Other than that one, I am not having any success finding anything that hasn't been swiped from LapSF and the information from Dr. Jossart that I posted earlier. I did find some articles on gastrectomy surgeries for cancer or ulcer patients, and it is a contraindication for those patients because of the existing diseased tissue of the stomach being removed, but the risk of recurrence is obviously high considering the tissue is diseased to begin with.

Tomorrow is a new day, and I hope you feel better soon. I think it's more than our tummies we have to get used to even months out.

WOOOHOOO Chickee ! ! ! I'm so happy for you, and I can't wait to see your progress. If they send you home with a RX for liquid lortab, you can get it flavored at the pharmacies.

As for eating too much to "bust" the staple line, I agree that there would be major discomfort in eating that much to cause that type of complication. I'm pretty sure I would puke if I ate that much food at one meal. Now, eating a little too much early out, or eating the wrong stuff, etc, causing a pin hole leak and the symptoms being missed or confused for something else, the leakage would cause infection or the leak could get worse over time. I could see that happening before eating so much to bust a gut (pun intended).

Stomach stretching is very unlikely with the sleeve due to the portion of the stomach that remains is very muscular. If you drink sooner than the prescribed time (I only wait 30 minutes per my surgeon), it can either hurt because the food has taken up all the room, you could actually vomit up the liquid because there isn't any room, or it could go in and liquefy the food essentially pushing through the sleeve faster which may leave you less satisfied, and wanting to eat in between meals.

WHEW Swift, honey, hit that little pump button one more time ! ! ! Keep sipping, walking (with assistance), repeat a lot.

Yep, I heard the same thing. I'm happy to report that I've now lost more weight than some of those very people that told me I'd never get to goal with VSG alone. Well, I did, and I don't have 99% of the issues they have. I have several friends in real life that were extremely supportive because of the issues they have with their RNY around 4-7 years out. I can't even list all of their long term complications and I'm extremely grateful that I had VSG as an option for my revision. If VSG would not have been an option, I would have seriously had my band removed, and just lived the rest of my life fat. Don't doubt yourself based on people that are only a few months out from surgery. That's called the honeymoon phase. 95% of patients love their surgery for the first 6-12 months. Go check out the Revision forum on obesityhelp, also the failed weight loss surgery forum, and the Hunger/Food issues forum. I would venture to say that 85% of the posts are from RNY patients that are 4-10 years out that have A) gained back a significant amount of their weight back, and they want a revision :001_tt1: they are having Vitamin and nutrient deficiencies and are so lost on how to get their numbers back up to be healthy C) they have a mechanical failure with their pouch or stoma, D) Their bodies are no longer malabsorbing calories, but they are stuck with a lifetime of vitamin and micronutrient malabsorption (that little part of the RNY that most people don't realize is that malabsorption of calories only lasts 18-24 months). Most opt to have what is called an ERNY. That's where the surgeon goes in and shortens their common channel (cut away more of their intestines) which causes more malabsorption until the body adjusts again, but the vitamin/nutrient deficiencies increase. The other 15% of patients are band patients that have had their band for 2-5 years and the complications are piling up. For me, RNY just wasn't worth it. With the sleeve, patients being compliant and changing their relationship with food is the main component to success. I've read of people stop losing or gaining back 10-20 pounds. When they get real honest with what they've been eating, it's pretty obvious what the issue is. None of the surgeries fix our food demons. That's all on us. For me the sleeve was the most logical option for a normal, and least complicated life post-op. I've gained a few pounds by making bad food choices while on vacation for a week. I had those 5 pounds gone once I got back home. I went back to my normal meal plan which is pretty lax to begin with considering the other surgery dietary guidelines. Just my 2cents. Trust your gut, trust your research. Best wishes, and we're all here for you.

I'm not sure how we can have classic dumping sydrome considering we have a pyloric valve. That's why RNY patients dump, they don't have one and the sugars/carbs dump directly into the intestines and cause the dumping symptoms. They also don't have a remnant stomach for the food to dump into like band patients and that's why band patients don't dump. They have a pyloric valve like we do. Our stomachs are anatomically changed by size only, not the mechanics of the organ. I'm not trying to argue just simply stating my understanding of our chosen surgery. I've eaten up to 4 Snickers miniatures, 1/2 cup of Reese's Peanut Butter cup Ice cream, 1/2 of strawberry shortcake with vanilla ice cream, and about a 1/4 of that sinfully delicious cookie sundae thing at Chili's, ya know the one with caramel and hot fudge all over it. I've never had any issues eating any of that stuff, and definitely didn't have any dumping symptoms. Dumping symptoms are rapid heartrate, vomiting, the shakes, fatigue, diarrhea, and sometimes headache, flushing, cold sweats. It's pretty volatile from what I've witnessed with my friends in real life with RNY that actually dump. I only got that feeling when I wasn't on a PPI. I got it every time I ate and it didn't matter what it was that I ate.

Hey Shellie, I had a band as well, and only had it for 8 months. I've had the sleeve nearly 11 months, and I can tell you that the 2 procedures are completely night and day. Here are some links from obesityhelp of patients that are 2-4 years out. Most of the long termers end up just going on about their lives, and rarely post. We really don't have any long termers here that I can think of off the top of my head except for 2. Maybe they'll chime in as well. At the bottom, in the research links, you can see a study by LapSf Dr. Cirangle that is for patients 5 years out. Also, you can research gastrectomies for stomach cancer and ulcer conditions as those have been performed for decades upon decades. I did that and it helped me realize that the sleeve was the way to go for my revision. Best wishes in your research. I wouldn't change one single thing about my decision to go with VSG. I love my life post-op. I have absolutely zero issues eating, drinking, or any other problems. Grant it, I'm not that far out, but my future looks pretty bright at this point. I'm pretty optimistic about my future based on the research I did. Long-term Sleeve Experiences - 2 Years on January 15, 2010 9:11 pm Diligence-is-always-required Stalls-Happen Update-from-a-2-Year-Post-Op-VSGer 2-year-surgiversary-and-feeling Two-and-one-half-years-post-op TWO-YEARS-YALL Just-Passed-My-2-Year-Surgiversary questions-for-post-ops-2-years-out-or-more 2-years-out-food-amount-info anyone-2-years-out Happy-2-year-anniversary-to-me 2-years-post-op-TODAY 2-5-Years-After-a-VSG Everday-life-at-2-5-years-out 2-1-2-year-update Has-it-really-been-2-years 2-1-2-year-update Two-Year-Surgiversary 2-year-update-portrait-of-a-heavyweight-a-bit-late Two-year-surgiversary 2-and-1-2-years-later 2-years-since-my-surgery-any-advice-on-face-lift 2-year-post-op-pics Two-Years-Before-amp-After-Pic 2-year-update-portrait-of-a-heavyweight-a-bit-late Thought-you-might-enjoy-an-update-with-a-few-pics Busybusymom-is-back-2-years-post-op TWO-YEARS-BABY Any-old-timers-still-lurking-the-boards Long-term Sleeve Experiences - 3 Years on June 8, 2009 10:43 pm Three years out Three and a half years after Vertical Gastrectomy My Story A quick 2 year and 3 year VSG update Third Year Surgiversay Not always easy but always worth it Very Discouraged 3 years out Links for researching the VSG on March 15, 2009 11:18 pm Here are some links I've collected when I was researching the sleeve. LapSF Educational presentation to FACS - includes some 2 year results LapSF Two Year Study LapSF Five Year Study - abstract only LapSF Five Year Study - presentation (requires Windows to play) Literature review on the sleeve - requires $$ to get the full text unfortunately Sleeve best for over 50 crowd Video of a sleeve with lots of education discussion Video of a sleeve that is more about the operation Ghrelin levels after RnY and sleeve Ghrelin levels after band and sleeve Diabetes resolution in RnY vs. Sleeve Comparison of band to sleeve - literature review

I drink soda weekly, but I'm a lot further out and have surpassed my goal weight. I avoided them during my losing stage because it's just wasted calories. The first time I had soda there was a bit of discomfort, I burped and it was gone. It used to take me all day long to sip on a soda to get it down, and I'd have to drink Water in between. I can drink a soda in a couple of hours now, and have no issues. When I drink soda, sometimes I burp, sometimes I don't and it never hurts. I'll throw out there that my surgeon and many others do not believe soda will cause stretching. We have a pyloric valve meaning liquids go in, hit the valve, and they leave our stomach. The Fluid is not sitting in there brewing. We drink, burp, it's done. Even some patients that have RNY state that their surgeons do not back up the theory of soda stretching their pouches or stomas. Overeating is more likely the cause of pouch stretching. It's nearly impossible to stretch our sleeves considering the type of tissue that is left behind. Esophageal dilation is more common with sleeve patients overeating instead of stomach stretching. When we eat, the food literally has no where to go except up which causes the esophageal issues. I've been drinking soda for well over 5 months now on a fairly regular basis, and my sleeve is definitely not stretched. I'll have to see if I can get the milli/centimeter measurements from my surgeon when I see him next month or in June. He should be able to get them from the endoscopy report.

YAY YA so glad to see a post from you. I hope you feel better soon, and am excited to follow your progress.

I take enormous Calcium citrate, and have taken those huge Nyquil and Dayquil liquid caps on several occasions post-op without any issue with the size of my stomach. I will say that the slower motility issue early out is understandable, and I think that is why my surgeon suggested the liquid children's Motrin to ensure that my stomach would not be bothered by the ibuprofen. I was also taking enormous Cipro tablets, Metronidazole tablets, and other drugs after I was hospitalized in July which was right around 6-7 weeks post op. The cipro did give me sterile gut, but it always did that to me pre-op as well. I ate yogurt before and after taking it to help keep my bacteria balanced in the GI tract. I have seen a lot of materials supposedly for VSG patients, and they refer to our stomachs as pouches. Then you can look at the RNY material, and it's pretty much verbatim. So, when I talked to my surgeon about med restrictions, we made sure to discuss all the possible issues. I promise I'm not trying to argue with other surgeon's recommendations. I respect them just as I respect my surgeon. I'm just curious as to the "why". Y'all know I just super geeky when it comes to this stuff, and it's always interesting to get as much information as we can.

I'll go ahead and admit epic failure on my part for today. I have a luncheon this afternoon, and then I have to go shopping for science project supplies for the kiddo. I also have to find a bolero jacket to wear with my ball dress since I can't find one online. Even at David's bridal, they are only available in store. So, I'll skip my work out today. Thursday, I have key spouse training on base all day. I have to go so the commander can get my appointment paperwork turned in. I honestly suck this week at working out.

Mary, I'll be completely honest with you. I was almost doing fricken cartwheels in my living room while reading your post. I guess it pretty much was "hi, pot meet kettle" post, and it was something that I wanted to state several times when this debate comes up, but I'm not as eloquent or well, truthfully nice as you were. I truly applaud you for making some of the most valid points that I've attempted to discuss and something just seems to get lost in translation along the way.

Wendy, I'm so happy to see your update. Many congrats on your sleeve, and each day everything gets better. Sip, walk, rest, repeat.

You know you got my prayers and good healing thoughts coming your way. I'm glad you're up to posting on the forum. Please keep us updated ! ! !

Laura, I'm so stinkin' proud of you ! ! ! I knew you were gonna hit onederland, many congrats :thumbup1:

Chapstick of some sort A front closing/snap loose support sports bra (I got a cheap one at wal-mart for like7bucks totally worth it) I wore flip flops bc it was June I took my own lotion, and I took my make up because I refuse to look horrible even with major surgery recovery. It makes me feel better. I was putting on make-up in ICU, seriously. I can't go without my mascara. But, that's just me. I bought travel size bottles of Pantene bc hospital soap/shampoo all suck. I took my Iphone charger. I couldn't use a straw early out. But others had no problem. Sip, walk, rest and repeat as often as possible. Sipping and walking are the top priorities. Rest bc our bodies need to recover. Stick to your prescribed post-op diet guidelines. I stocked up on sf Jello and popsicles, decaf herbal tea by Celestial Seasons, and those chicken broth cubes. I could control the level of taste with the cubes. Let people help you. Don't overdo even when you think you feel good, I paid for that thought process the next day. Good luck and keep us posted on your progress.

Skipping sizes is the coolest thing in the worlds ! ! ! Congrats chickee, you're so fabulous! ! !

You've done really great thus far, and I promise every day, week, month gets better. Right now, it's tough to be perky when we're so low on calories and food, but it does get better as the weight comes off. As for eating, once you get to more solid, dense protein sources, the restriction is really noticeable. I didn't eat more than 3oz of meat for almost 4 months, and that's all I could get in. No extras. Now, further out, I can still only eat 4-5oz of meat, and couple bites of veggies, and when I say bites, I mean like six steamed green beans, or 2 broccoli florets with a little cheese sauce. I'll be 11 months out next week, and have lost 140lbs in those 11 months. I lost the first 113lbs in the first 6.5 months. So, it can be done, you will be successful, and you'll feel more fabulous with every passing day.

Hmmm, I'm not sure. Next time you run to Wal-Mart or by a pharmacy, seriously pop over and ask the pharmacist because they know best. I ask my pharmacist at Walgreen's crazy stuff all the time, and she really is awesome. Especially, when I started taking more supplements, I wanted to make sure nothing would interact with my other meds.