Tiffykins

Across the board for leaks, I think it's generally 1-2% for leaks. It takes months to shrink a true fatty liver, but the pre-op diet will definitely help get rid of the slippery fatty deposits on the outside of the liver which will help the surgeon move it out of the way to get to your stomach with the liver retractor. Start chewing slower, sitting your utensil down in between bites, half your portions, and eat your Protein first, take a minimum of 20-30 minutes to eat your meal and then see if you are full/satisfied with smaller portions, steer clear of white carbs, take a good quality multi Vitamins, destress as much as you can because stress slows healing, stick to the post-op diet don't progress it early just because you feel "good", mentally prepare yourself for the many changes that immediate follow surgery, and have faith in your surgical team and more than anything, have faith in yourself and your ability to succeed.

YAY YAY I love when people haven't seen you in awhile, and they are genuinely happy for you. Many congrats on your success thus far, you're amazing! ! !

I absolutely love India Arie, and have been listening to her music for years. I'll have to check this one out as I haven't heard it yet. If you've never heard " I am ready for love", it is one of the most breathtaking songs. It centers me, it calms me, and it gives me so much peace in times of turmoil.

Agree with everyone else about the stomach tissue stretching. But, I'm 10 months out and I can eat a lot more than I could at 3-4 months post-op which is completely normal. It's not really stretched, I still can't hold more than 3-5 ounces of dense meat/protein, nor more than 6-8oz of mushy/full liquid consistency foods. You can still suck down a 3000 calorie milkshake with a sleeve, it's still all about choices once we're healed and trying to maintain. On the reflux issue, I didn't have reflux with my band, nor before my band. I did develop a little reflux issue post-op, and have been on Prilosec 20mg once daily without issue ever since. I could try weaning off of it at this point, and keep saying I should try. But, I feel amazing, and I'm worried if I go off of it, then I'll get the false hunger that a lot of VSG patients talk about when they aren't on a PPI. I also don't want to experience reflux. I had reflux when I was pregnant and it wasn't pleasant. I definitely don't want it now. The sleeve is amazing. I absolutely love life post-op and am so grateful I was able to get rid of the band.

I had trouble breaking the habit when I was first banded so I didn't have the issue with the sleeve. But, I had to never bring a glass to the table when I ate. If we went out to dinner, I never ordered a drink. Now it's a little different, I don't have any issues not drinking during a meal. I may take a few sips if I am eating something super spicy, or salty, but I'm much further out so it's not uncomfortable and it doesn't make me anymore hungry, any sooner. It's a tough habit to break. I still set my utensil down in between each bite, and do not bring a glass to the table when we eat at home. You can do it, if you have to set a timer for 30 minutes after you finish eating so you know you can a good sip after you've eaten. Put your bottled Water in the fridge so it's "out of sight, out of mind" until after you eat. You just have to trick your mind, and form a new habit. Don't give up, you can do it.

Many well wishes for an uneventful surgery and smooth recovery ! ! !

There is a study out there about leg cramps, and general muscle cramps being relieved with Calcium with Magnesium and Vitamin D. I would have to go dig through google to find it again, but apparently taking the Calcium Mag/Vit D combo at night before bed can help with general muscle soreness and cramping.

Jen, I'm so very sorry to hear that you are going through this right now. I didn't experience any of these issues personally, but I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers. You may want to contact Shontel, I know she did develop an abscess post-op at one of the incision sites. Maybe she will be able to help you a bit more. Take care of yourself and keep us posted on what's going on.

YAY YAY I'm so glad y'all enjoyed it. John asked me to make again this week, but I'm not in the mood for it. I made it for him last week before I went on vacation, and he apparently ate it for 3 days straight. Maybe I'll want it by the end of the week, but right now I'm having this severe craving for chicken and ribs. It's so weird how things change every week.

After 33 years, there is a definite comfort level, and now he knows things are gonna change. Things will change for him too, and that could be a big part of it. To post your pic, got to USER CP at the top and hit "EDIT AVATAR" upload a pic from your PC or a photo hosting site such as photobucket.com and use the DIRECT LINK code in the URL box for the Avatar. Then your pic will show up with all of your post. If you ever need to chat, feel free to shoot me a private message. You're gonna love the sleeve, and I'm glad you are moving forward. You deserve the very best, and should never have to settle for less than everything you've ever wanted.

As sad as it is, typically when someone shares a bad experience, or even a differing opinion, people get their panties in a twist, and want to attack the person and point an ugly finger when they forget they have 3 fingers pointing back at themselves. I had it happen when I started talking about my band complications and was pretty told that it was my fault, that I didn't have willpower, that I wasn't using my tool, blah blah blah. I was shocked because my complications were definitely not related to my habits. I had a flipped port from very early on, and complications just kept coming at me. Everyone likes to play the blame game until the situation personally affects them or a loved one. It happens. We've all read about it. The ones that have had genuine good experiences are always praised and never harassed. Let one person post a bad experience, and they are scolded for posting or accused of being paid by another surgeon to make some other surgeon look "bad". I'm all for openness, and all the pettiness to be dropped. Unfortunately, some people can't see past their own nose to realize that sometimes things are not always daisies and rainbows.

I buy the generic brand because I can't stand the Cheetos brand of the cheesy poofs. You wanna know what's really gross? I like leaving the bag open and letting them get stale. It's a weird pregnancy thing I did back when I was pregnant with Caysen. He gets so mad when he realizes the entire bag is stale.

Just to let you know cheesy poofs are my sleeve's crack addiction. Seriously, I can eat those like a champ. . . I have some every few days so I don't binge on them and eat an entire bag.

Pain with a leak is unbearable, excruciating, radiating across your abdomen. Fever, and excessive nausea are common with leaks as well.

This right here ! ! ! Skinny people crave foods and Snacks. It's completely normal and acceptable. I figured out a long time ago that if I deprive myself, I binge. Then, the guilt would set in, and I would practically beat myself up emotionally because of my binging. The sleeve makes everything much more manageable. I still crave stuff, but choosing the "right" food first helps, and then if I have any room left, I will have a few bites of whatever I am craving. Of course, all this takes time. Establishing brand new thought processes about food was really challenging. Losing that long standing relationship with food was kind of a mindtwist, but I can honestly state that food is just different for me now. I didn't believe some of the veterans until I experienced it myself. It took a couple of months to just let go, and let the sleeve do what it was meant to do. I attribute a lot of my success to the loss of my ravenous hunger, and the other part would be that I was super compliant the first few months. I didn't really have any other choice. I was hellbent on not failing, and truly taking advantage of how I was feeling. You can do it. You can WIN, and you can WIN big with the sleeve.

Citrate is better absorbed by everyone. With us being on a PPI, the Citrate is definitely the better calcium source. The carbonate won't hurt you, Tums definitely won't, but Tums have sugar (it's what makes them taste yummy) in them if I'm recalling correctly. I will be honest that I'm horrible with my calcium intake. I hate taking those capsules, and will figure out one that I like at some point. My instructions were to take my multis in the morning, wait 2 hours take 500mg of the Calcium and then take another 500mg of Calcium at night. I know you have to space out Iron as well around your Calcium, but I don't take any additional iron so I don't know the regimen.

Many congrats to both of you. Y'all are doing great. I struggled with insomnia as well, and finally broke down and went on Ambien. I only took it occasionally, and didn't suffer any of the weird side effects. I had a 30 day RX, and it took me over 2 months to use it all. I was about 3 months out before I could get my sleep pattern back to somewhat normal. I also napped during the day and that contributed to me either staying up late, or waking up way too early.

I'm sorry he isn't being supportive. Often times, I think it's our loved ones own insecurities that lead them to be negative and condescending. I can't say that I completely understand because my husband has always been 100% supportive of my decision to have WLS. He is a bit stubborn, and close-minded, and we've had our share of minced words about obesity. But, I beat him with knowledge, and I told him, if I could do it on my own, you would not have married a 270lb woman. He knew of all my diet attempts, I even tried while we were dating, and he witnessed me struggle. I think it's finally clicked for him, and he doesn't fully understand why I needed surgery, but he knows that it has worked. I wouldn't let your husband's comments shatter your joy. You deserve to be healthy, and happy. A lot of marriages are strained due to WLS, but most life changing events cause marital issues. It's all in how y'all manage those issues post-op. He'll need to be prepared for both of your lives to be affected. It took my husband months to stop asking "is that all you are going to eat". He was the food police for awhile, and we finally had a "come to Jesus" talk. My weight loss has actually improved our marriage for many reasons. It took a lot of communication, and brutal honesty, but we're more solid today than we were 2 years ago. Best wishes on your upcoming appointments, and keep us posted on your progress.

I completely understand your cancer concern. Cancer runs in my family like our blue eyes. The DS procedure has been performed much longer than the sleeve, and I haven't seen any connection between the DS and a higher incidence of stomach cancer. The DS procedure is the 2 part WLS with the sleeve being the first step.

Lisa, hi and welcome to VST. You'll love the sleeve, and the life post-op that this tool can give you. Many well wishes, and fingers crossed for insurance approval. If you need anything, post away, we'll be here for you.

Just my 2cents on the topic of weight regain. I've read about a 10% "bounce back" after 3-5 years post-op. Eating like a bird, but what is that person eating. Is she eating 5 pringles or pounding back 5 Hershey kisses and then trying to burn 5000 calories at the gym? Then, it makes sense that she isn't going to lose, and if she isn't having her labs monitored, who knows what is going on with her metabolically. I hope that makes sense. I gained 4-5 pounds last week while on vacation. I'll have it gone probably by Thursday. I can see how people can regain, but when someone is exercising, and eating like a bird, it leads to think that there is an underlying cause that hasn't been diagnosed, or that person isn't being truthful with themselves.

Best wishes for a smooth surgery, and recovery. You're gonna love your sleeve ! ! !

Hi there and welcome. Here is a Vitamin comparison chart that was compiled by Jill from OH. She took the time to research the most popular multi-Vitamins used by bariatric patients. Just click on the little spreadsheet icon. You do not have to sign in or sign up for anything to view the spreadsheet. http://cid-afaf4604e9981bb6.skydrive.live.com/self.aspx/.Public/VitsComparison.xlsx I have been taking the last vitamin listed for almost 2 years. It's the GNC Solotron with bioavailable Iron. I love it because it's chewable, and my labs have been fabulous post-op with my band initially and now my sleeve. Once this last bottle is gone of my GNC chewies, I'm switching to the Twinlab multi that is listed on that chart. I ordered all my vitamins/supplements from Buy Discount Vitamins, supplements, Low Carb and More at www.Vitacost.com with the exception of the GNC. My flax seed, Omega 3s, Calcium citrate, and I'll be ordering my Twinlab from there as well. I also order my husband's Protein mix from there because of the flat rate shipping, and excellent customer service I've received from them. Plus, their pricing is really great on many products. I place one big order, and it's here within 3 days.