Tiffykins

Alleve Liqui-Caps quick dissolving, no issue with NSAIDS and the sleeve, and I get relief within 30 minutes of taking one.

I also use a straw, but I could not early use one early out. Some patients can and are given straws shortly after surgery. I found that using a straw helped me get in my fluids.

Many congrats, and I'm so glad to hear you are doing so wonderful ! ! !

I've heard the same thing, but I've also read plenty of the articles regarding this subject. It appears that most of them are in agreement that the body can and does assimilate as much Protein as we feed it as long as we are also getting in the necessary amino acids that help digest the protein. The ASMBS says that it is a myth, and here is an enormous article on nutritional guidelines for WLS patients. It explains protein, Vitamin and supplement deficiencies and absorption. It's extensive, and is not VSG specific, but does contain some very impressive information. http://www.asmbs.org/Newsite07/resources/bgs_final.pdf

Many congrats ! ! ! The cramping gets better, try warm fluids as well. You'll feel better in a few days. Keep us posted on your progress.

Yeppers, Miralax is by the other stool softeners and laxatives. It used to be available only by RX, and then went OTC. It's really great stuff. I have only had to use it a couple of times since surgery because a good 4 oz of coffee keeps things moving for me.

Many congrats Cajun ! ! ! I definitely miss you around here as well.

Miralax is the very best thing in the world. NO cramping, no gas, it just softens everything and gets things moving. I tried other laxatives, and OHHH EMMM GEEE that was the worse pain in the world. I used 1/2 dose of the Miralax mixed in about 4oz of juice, and I let it sit for about 10 minutes until it all dissolves. No taste, no texture. Works within about 4-6 hours for me.

Broccoli didn't work for me the first time I tried it either, but now I can eat it like a champ. I only eat the top of the florets none of the stems. I usually eat it steamed or in a casserole so it's always super soft.

You should just be able to click on the link for Photos, and on the top right above the ALL ALBUMS, there is a tab for ADD ALBUM. Click there, and you'll be able to add pictures directly from your computer. Set up the album, and then click Browse. Find your Picture folder on your PC, then click whichever pics you want to upload.

If you had a leak, you would know it. The pain is excruciating, and chronic. You would probably have a fever, chronic nausea, rapid heartbeat, and constant pain. This is a normal side effect of the sleeve, and it seems to happen with several of us. It lasted over 2 weeks for me when I was released to drink/eat. Strictures can happen, but the stomach cramping is very normal especially early out. Trying sipping warm liquids. Decaf/herbal teas, broths, etc seemed to help me when I had this issue. And, even to this day, when the humidity is high here in Florida, I still prefer to drink warm drinks because it seems to help relax my sleeve. I hope your surgeon calls you back soon so you can get some answers.

It is super frustrating. When I was waiting on my revision, I gained 16lbs pounds over 3 months. Totally frustrating, I still had my band, but no restriction, so I just ate more protein than carbs until I had my food funeral then I eat anything and everything I wanted for about a week.

I can take pretty decent sized gulps of Water, juice, gatorade. It does sometimes cause me to burp, but no discomfort. I couldn't take big drinks until about 2 months ago.

Thank you, I've technically lost 133lbs in 9 months. I maintain between 127-131 on any given day. Go to tickerfactory.com set up your ticker to your liking with a PIN number for editing later. Copy the bBcode then come back here to USER CP, PASTE the code into your signature, and hit Preview Signature. Ensure it is how you want it, then click SAVE SIGNATURE.

It takes months to shrink a truly fatty liver. Most of the time the liquid diet pre-op will help shrink the fatty deposits on the exterior of the liver making it easier for surgeon to move the liver out of the way with the liver retractor tool, and it isn't all slippery thus reducing complications. Insurance companies are sneaky, and make people do a 6 month diet and then they fall below the BMI requirements and hand the patient a denial letter for not meeting requirements.

Completely normal. It's definitely tough the first week or so. Just keep sipping, and make sure your urine doesn't get too dark, and that you aren't getting dehydrated. If you haven't already, try something warm to drink. Like warm tea, or maybe even some broth. It may help relax your sleeve. I still do use this method when I feel tighter with the humidity down here in Florida.

Hey Bernadette, Upload your photo to Image hosting, free photo sharing & video sharing at Photobucket Then right click your mouse, hit COPY on the Direct Link Code, come back here and in the REPLY box click on the little box at the top that looks like a stamp with 2 mountain peaks (it's a funky yellow square right next to the globe and Font color A, it'llpop up a little box and then PASTE the direct link code there in the box. Your picture will pop in there automatically.

First off, hello and welcome to VST. To answer your questions: 1) I had the band, it sucked the life out of me, I only had it for 8 months, I was miserable for those months, in chronic pain, and it destroyed my stomach tissue. I have had the sleeve for 10 months, am below my surgeon's goal, and loving life every day. That's the cliffnotes version of my band to sleeve revision story. Seriously, the sleeve is much better than the band for so many different reasons. 1 in 4 band patients need another surgery to either repair, reposition the band or port, or remove the band within the first 5 years. Fills/unfills are a nightmare. The band has the slowest and lowest weight loss stats out there. Massive food restrictions, and complications with the band are long lasting. Check out the complications forum on Lapbandtalk.com and the failed weight loss surgery and revision board on obesityhelp.com to see just how many problems the band causes. I really thought I would beat the odds with the band. I did lose initially then complications took over, and I had to get rid of it. 2) I don't have any idea on time with the self-pay. Insurance covered both of my procedures. But, since you are self-pay, I would definitely look at the cost of fills/unfills and maintenance of the band. My mom has had a band for 2.5 years, and has had over 20 fills/unfills trying to find her sweet spot for restriction. Well, guess what, she has been at a stall for a year now, and pukes 2-4 times a week. Last week, we were in Tx visiting family/friends for spring break, and she puked after eating 1/4 cup of oatmeal and it took her 30-35 minutes to eat that small amount. Her band is pretty useless because either she has no restriction or too much which causes puking, and she is left having to eat mushies/full liquids instead of solid foods. 3) Your surgeon should give you a pre-op diet. Mine for both surgeries was low carb/high Protein for 1 week before surgery, and the night before surgery nothing by mouth past midnight. Some surgeons require a liquid pre-op diet for 1-2 weeks. Preparing yourself for smaller portions isn't a horrible idea. Slowing down when eating is a big challenge for a lot of patients, so try sitting your utensil down in between bites, take 20-30 minutes to eat, eat your protein first, then the veggie, and carb last. Avoid white carbs as they are not typically recommended during the losing phase. 4) Complications with the sleeve typically happen early out during the healing period. Long term complications haven't been documented as the sleeve as a stand alone procedure has not been performed long enough for there to be definite evidence of complications. The longest studies out are 5 years, and there were no notable complications within those studies. The sleeve is however the first part of the Duodenal Switch procedure which has been performed for much longer than the sleeve as a stand alone procedure. Don't ever feel like you need to apologize for questions. We'll try to help as much as we can.

I avoided fruits and high glycemic index veggies due to the heavy carb/sugar counts early on, and now I do enjoy about 8oz of grape juice every day. I only started because I'm burnt out on water, and I can't tolerate aspartame sweetened stuff like the Crystal Light packets, etc. I'm the only one that drinks tea in the house so it's pretty wasteful to make iced tea when no one else drinks it. So, I stick with water and my little 8oz of juice. I'm maintaining at this point, and don't have to watch my carbs/sugar intake as strictly as I did during my losing stage.

Thanks Diane, I love it here, and am always glad to help when I can. If you ever need anything, know that you can always message me if needed.

food funerals are pretty normal during the pre-op stages. Just be aware that there is a member here that had her surgery date, went on a major food funeral then her BP spiked super high, and her surgery was postponed until they could her BP under control. I promise that once you are off the post-op "letting your new baby tummy heal" diet, you will be able to eat anything you want. Of course, it will be smaller portions, but you aren't going to be restricted. Some things make take longer for you to be able to tolerate, but you'll get to have your favorites again at some point. The sleeve, especially early on, really does help you beat those cravings, and desire to eat huge amounts of food. I didn't believe the veterans until I went through it myself. The sleeve really does help us, the tiny portions really do satisfy us, and there will be challenges/speed bumps, but the victories and hooray moments definitely outweigh them.

It makes perfect sense. I really hated food for awhile. So, I stuck with stuff I knew that tasted somewhat decent. Also, I could not talk while eating early out. I had to eat in silence because I felt like I was sucking air in if I tried having a conversation while eating. I hope it gets better for you soon. One day things just kind of "clicked" and I didn't have the "nothing tastes, looks, smells good" moments.

I love your posts ! ! ! Keep up the great job Lee, you're an inspiration with your positive attitude, and I know I thrive off of your energy around here.