Tiffykins

Some patients find they need to take it forever. I've read a few patients over on OH that can take an OTC prilosec or prevacid every 2-3 days without having a constant acid issue, but they have to watch what they eat on the days that they don't take it. Nothing too acidic, nothing too spicy. Some patients can completely go off of it without having acid problems again. I think it's pretty individualized from all the veterans that are 2-5 years out. I also read that one patient was able to wean off at about 6 months. She got pregnant around 18 months post-op, and had to go back on a PPI. She had the baby, and the reflux remained. I just not willing to risk feeling horrible or have the false hunger to wean off the Prilosec prescription I have. I see my surgeon late May or early June for my 12 month follow up, and I'm going to ask him to give me more refills for the RX. I get my RX for free (as long as I fill them on base) so there is no reason for me to pay OTC prices.

Girl, I'm right there with you. My mother told my 2 evil step-sisters about my revision. Hell she had lapband in Nov 2007, and she refuses to tell anyone, but she blabbed her mouth about my surgery. Seriously, my step-sisters are like the step-sisters in Cinderella. They made fun of me, they made comments about my obesity, they made comments about my mom being fat, it was horrible. I was so livid, and hurt that she told them. She used the excuse "well, I had to tell them why you were on life support" ( you know when I had all the complications ). Anyways, of course, they don't say anything to my face, but I know they gossiped about me. It's just who they are. It did feel pretty good going back home over spring break, and when they saw me they freaked out, and so did one of their husbands. Well, they freaked out because I am now way smaller than both of them. They were sweet about it, but they watched what I ate like a hawk after his prey. I was like, yeah give me a piece of that yummy Easter cake, and one of them said " you can eat cake, and stay that small?" I said "hell yeah, and I ate that steak and potato salad with salad before I had the cake." I only ate about 4 bites of cake, but I ate all the icing. Ha ha ha! ! ! I know it's frustrating, and I agree with you 100%, it's no one's business about your surgery. I am open about it when people genuinely ask, but I'm not waving a flag, or flashing a card out at restaurants letting the entire world of strangers know that I had WLS. It's so disrespectful, and I hope your mom quits telling people.

Perfectly normal, and in a few more months, you'll be able to eat a little more than you can at this point. I can eat substantially more than I could at 3-4 months post-op. Over time our bodies adjust to eating again. I have also learned different tricks that allow me to eat more per meal. I can drink coffee/warm tea or drink some warm broth before a meal, and I can eat quite a bit more than if I drink cold tea or Water. Also, eating for longer periods of time allow me to fit more in. Instead of limiting myself to 20-30 minutes per meal, I extend it to 45 minutes to get in more calories and volume of food. Last night, I ate 4 ounces of ribeye steak cooked medium, 1/8 cup of mashed potatoes, and 4 chopped broccoli florets with cheese sauce. It took me about 40 minutes to eat all of that, but I was not uncomfortable, nor overly stuffed. At the 6 month mark things really clicked for me, and eating. I realized I could eat more without causing discomfort, or overeating. It took a lot for me to accept that I could eat more. But, when I really looked at the amounts I was/am eating, I realize that it is probably still 10 times less than what I ate pre-op.

I'm with Lee on this on this one. I couldn't tolerate the smell. I did manage one time to make them, and the texture was deplorable. I stick with Dreamfields Pasta for the majority of my pasta meals.

Ohhh I'm so sorry that you are hurting. This type of experience is the exact reason I haven't even attempted to wean myself off the Prilosec. I struggled way too long to feel good, and I'm not willing to risk acid giving me issues this far out. I hope your meds kick in soon, and you are feel better.

It's funny you mention that because in the past, I've been known to sabotage myself. I'm typically a very positive, never let failure enter my mind type of person. Over the last couple of months, negative situations keep creeping in, and I let my emotions get the best of me. I did really great today food wise. I was able to tolerate everything without going to the bathroom which is a good thing. Usually within a an hour of eating when I'm stressed, whatever I've consumed is making an exit. I'm sure that contributes to some loss, but that's how my body has always worked. I just keep telling myself that things will be okay, and that I need to be patient.

Just to let you know, I can completely relate. Plus, I'm one of the few women in the world that believes anything over a 20-30 minutes in one session is considered exercise, and it loses it's appeal. This site is fairly graphic, NOT PORN, but it is cartoony figures showing positions and etc. I find it very useful, and especially now that I've lost weight and can achieve a lot of these, it has helped our sex life tremendously. Sex Tips and Advice

Wooohooo Paula, that is absolutely wonderful, and cheers to you and your success ! ! !

I've read plenty of statements from men over on OH especially on the Sex before and after WLS board discuss this very topic. I can tell you that my lady parts have shrunk, and I had the fat pad as well but it has since shrunk substantially.

I just spoke to my nut in March. I'll be seeing my surgeon in late May/early June. I probably should not stress over this, I know that I could gain weight if I truly wanted to do so. It's that eating "wrong" really bothers me mentally. I know that probably sounds ridiculous. But, honestly, it's tough to switch back to "fat girl" mode when it comes to eating. I'm hoping that it's just my body's way of handling stress, and when we're over this huge speed bump that we're dealing with right now, hopefully my weight will stabilize. In all honesty, this is from the bottom of my heart. I fear that if I keep losing, and my hormones stay out of whack, then our attempts to conceive are ruined. I fought so hard to get to healthy weight to carry and delivery a healthy baby, and now, it all just hurts to think that my body isn't cooperating. That's the big issue, and yes, I'm super emotional about it. Thank you for all of your support, and input.

Wonderful news Kelly ! ! ! Glad to hear you are doing so great, and keep us posted on your progress.

Many congrats on getting the go ahead ! ! ! You'll love the sleeve.

Woohoo Kathy, I'm so glad to hear you are doing great ! ! !

Brenda, many congrats on your upcoming surgery. Keep us posted on your progress, and I'll be keeping you in my thoughts as your date approaches.

This is exactly my thought process. I know that depriving myself only leads to an ugly cycle of binging on junk food. I did that for so many years, and refused to do it this time with the sleeve.

Great job to both you and your lovely wife. You hit the dreaded 3 week stall, and it's very common. I would have to estimate, from all my time on the various forums, that 98% of patients hit a stall around 3 weeks out. Sometimes changing up your menu, or routine helps get the scale moving. Even just upping your calories by 50 calories for just a couple of days can shake things up for your body. Also, take measurements because even though you may not be losing numbers on the scale, you may be losing inches since you're working out building muscle, and the fat is burning. A pound is a pound is a pound. Grant it, lean muscle takes up less space than bulky fat, but it still technically weighs the same as pound of fat. So, take some measurements, and check again in 2-3 weeks to see if you're losing inches. Keep up the great work, and stay focused! ! !

Congrats ! ! ! Sip, walk, rest, repeat.

There was no way I could do low carb and low fat. It just wasn't possible for me. I found that most low fat products had many more carbs, and sugar added to make the stuff taste better. I miss the full fat stuff, and healthy fat foods I was eating pre-gallbladder removal. I hate that I can not eat full fat salad dressing anymore, or avocados. I'm hoping it's temporary as I'm not willing to take any other meds just to be able to eat full fat foods. I have been cooking in olive oil, and adding healthy fats to my recipes lately because I honestly believe my body needs fats to function properly. I don't have any great suggestions because I didn't have to count fat grams. Hopefully, others can chime in along with Mini, and give you some more ideas. I do empathize with you on getting in more calories. I hate the feeling of force feeding that I go through every day.

My surgeon doesn't place drains for a virgin sleeve. He only places one if there are other issues that warrant a drain. He does all his leak tests under fluoro or ct scan.

I'm not in a position to order any just because I get all the Protein I need from food sources. But, a lot of people can't tolerate aspartame/sucralose sweetened protein stuff. I just wanted to find out so if someone wanted info I could direct them to your post. You may want to post the Peak information in the Food/Diet/Nutrition forum under the thread on where to order protein supplements. I was just asking for informational purposes. Thanks for the tips.

I'm so glad to hear you are feeling somewhat better. Right now, it'll be liquids in, liquids out. Once you get to mushies, it will get a little better. I bought baby wipes to help with the sensitive hiney post-op. I hated it, and couldn't use regular tissue. Some people find taking an additional probiotic helps to some degree.

My only problem was that I didn't mind the muscle milk light pre-op, and even a couple of others. But, once the sleeve revision was done, I hurled or gagged with the taste on so many protein drinks/mixes. What is it sweetened with? I think the Aspartame is what really turned my stomach, well that, and the texture of most just were not good for me.

Oh, yeah, and your tastebuds will come back to normal. At least, that has been my experience. Everything actually tastes a little better now because I eat so much slower than before.

I agree with Faith. Also, relax and enjoy yourself. Also, trying different positions, and finding out what really turns you on helps tremendously.

I had my revision in one procedure. But, the port incision/area was the absolute most painful part of the healing. I had a flipped port, and tons of scar tissue so that contributed to my pain/discomfort in that area. I've heard the same thing from several revision patients even when they had zero issue with their ports. Congrats on getting rid of the band, and best wishes on the revision to VSG. You'll love the sleeve.