Tiffykins

Hi David, and welcome to VST. The stomach tissue that is left is very muscular as the portion that is excised and removed is the stretchy part. If you can imagine wrapping a piece of actual leather (like what they make wallets out of it) around a marksalot marker, it will stretch around it, but there isn't much "give" in the material. The first couple of months your stomach will hold very small portions. Over time, the stomach doesn't necessarily "stretch" but it relaxes to where you can consume more than 2-3ounces of food per meal. I can eat quite a bit more than I could at the 4-5month post op mark, but I am still highly restricted in my food intake. We can still suck down 3000 calorie milkshakes because it'll pretty much just slide through. So, we still have to make better food choices than when we did pre-op. Good luck on your final tests, and keep us posted on your surgery date.

Personally, I would not answer the phone or door if they came by. They are simply trying to scare you because of their own ignorance. Not that they are not intelligent/smart people, but they just do not know the specifics therefore they are ignorant. You've done your research, you can do this, and there is no reason for them to try to sabotage your efforts to a better, healthier, more fulfilling life.

I still experience this very issue at almost 10 months post-op. Grant it, things are a little different now because I can eat more than I could at 3-4 months out, but it doesn't change the fact that I still think I could fit more in. Also, there is a learning curve, and well I've figured it out. But, sometimes, I am left with a not so pleasant feeling after taking that one last bite. I haven't had to puke in a long time, but it sure doesn't feel good when I overdo it. String counts as a soft food, but I preferred the babybel cheese or the Cracker barrel 2% milk extra sharp cheddar cheese. Maybe it's just a texture thing for me, but string cheese kind of sucked for me. The laughing cow cheese wedges worked great too. You may want to take smaller bites, sit your utensil down in between bites, and count to 10 before taking another bite after you swallow. You're still really early out so it's pretty normal to be experiencing this feeling especially when transitioning to new foods.

Pretty much washing the food down is pretty much the issue. Also, if you accidentally drink too much it could cause vomiting. I occasionally sip during and after a meal. It just kind of depends. It's tough habit to break the further out you get the more you can fit in, and drinking with your meals can lead to more calories consumed during the meal, or shortly after.

Ohhh I didn't even think about that. Outside entrance like on the sidewalk.

Ohhhhhhhh that's right.Total DUH moment on my part.

If you haven't already, you could check out, http://theworldaccordingtoeggface.blogspot.com/ She is a RNY patients has lots of yummy recipes for different food stages, and some tips on WLS in general. Also, Fatty Fights back is a great WLS blog. You would have to go way back through her archives because I think she's 2yrs out, and she had VSG. I'm not a book reader, but I love word puzzles, and mindless internet games. The closet clean up is a great time filler. You can come do mine if you wanna! ! ! Just kidding, and fingers crossed you don't have too long to wait.

Many congrats on day 5, every day gets better and better.

John congrats on choosing the sleeve. The weight loss results that are now being published are showing equal to or better results with VSG for the first 2 years out vs. the RNY patients. Plus, the regain stats are less than those of RNY patients that are 5+years out. I'm not the norm, but I've had amazing results with the sleeve by simply being compliant with the dietary guidelines and tweaking those guidelines when things slowed down for a little bit. You can do it, and the sleeve is really a fabulous tool.

I was just thinking of him and Mini-Me lately. Neither have been posting as much, I hope y'all are okay, and come back soon ! ! !

Leak/complication stats? Bougie size and do you oversew? Goal weight? Pre/Post op diet? Will I have access to a psych and nutritionist if needed during my recovery? Aftercare, labs are pulled when, and what labs are pulled? How many nights in the hospital or outpatient procedure? Leak tests do you do them, and how many? How many sleeves have you performed? Who do I contact for emergencies? Do you have a PA/Nurse to help if I can't get in touch with you? Make sure to ask if you can continue taking your meds/prescriptions and if you are on any time released/extended release meds, most surgeons recommend switching to the regular release for a few weeks post op due to the coating on XR tablets. Vitamins which ones should I take, and when can I start taking them? I have posted a chart with Vitamin comparisons so you can see which are best for your needs post op. Most of us need a high quality/complete Multivitamin, b12, and Calcium citrate. Do you prescribe an acid reducer or PPI? Nexium/Prilosec/Protonix/Prevacid are the most common ones prescribed post-op even if you didn't have reflux before surgery, we can experience acid issues post op because our tummies are not used to making a smaller amount, so it overproduces acid like we still have a big stomach. Hope these help. Good luck with your consult.

He needs to teach his technique to all the surgeons then because my husband would love for that to be removed as well ha ha ha.

Don't fear it told me the same weight for my age, height, and gender. I'll never see 110, and if I do, I'll be furious. Today, I'm weighing in at 127, and I'm actually trying to gain 3-5lbs. The average weight for American woman in my category is 137, and I feel good at 130-135 which is best for my frame and body type.

Just click on that hyperlink that says Months 1, it'll open a new window for you to input your own personal information. I think that's what you're asking.

Nikki, woman you gave me goosebumps ! ! ! Seriously, the little hairs on my legs are standing up because I am so elated for you. I am so proud of you for enduring the stalls, and not giving up on yourself. I knew you could do it, and continue to make amazing strides in this journey. I seriously think you are amazing, and through all of it, you've trudged on, and never gave up. You, my dear, are simply fantastic, and great inspiration to many. You're gonna get to goal, and are rocking a new body already.

Anna, try to remain calm. I know it's scary, and you are stressed. Please know I'm praying for you, and I hope that you feel better soon. Some people have a rocky first few days. Don't be scared to take in tiny sips, make sure to ask for meds, and let them help you.

During rapid weight loss, most patients experience up and down mood swings. It's really common. Along with the changes and challenges we're facing every day, our hormones are out of whack. Estrogen is stored in fat cells, and when we're losing weight fast, it's all being released into our bodies. It does get better, but my PMS crankiness right before my period is actually worse now than it ever was before surgery. It'll come in ebbs and waves.

It'll be a great weekend pre-op. Mentally, just push all the negative out, and only positive thoughts, feelings, and realize things will be really different for a few weeks. Will they give you a pre-op diet? If so, stick with it, so the post-op diet is a bit easier for you. Take care of yourself, enjoy your family, and I am seriously stoked for you.

Here's a great article that explains hair loss with any surgery is possible. It may not be as bad with other surgeries, but it is a possibility. Telogen Effluvium: eMedicine Dermatology Major surgery is cited as one of the main causes for hair loss to occur post-op.

Definitely mixed with Water, crystal light, propel waters depending on the flavors you ordered. You can also order sugar-free syrups like Davinci or Torani to add a little flavor to it since mixing them with water can sometimes be pretty blah.

Our insurance is a little different. We have an old style HMO, and yes plastics can be covered if medically necessary. I will be able to have Tricare pay for a Tummy Tuck. I started having my PCM skin irritation on my lower abdomen in January of this year. I have some pretty deep stretch marks from my pregnancy almost 12 years ago, and that skin is the most sensitive. I do not have on going rashes, or boils of any sort, but documentation is the key. Although, I have zero personal experience at this time because I'm not seeking plastics until we have another baby, I have 2 friends down here that had their panni removed and covered by Tricare, and they personally paid the plastic surgeon his fee to do a full tummy tuck and some lipo. Tricare covered all the OR fees, anesthesia, hospitalization (1 overnight stay), and other fees associated with the surgery. One of them had implants done at the same time, she paid right around 7k for the full TT, lipo, and implants. The other only had to pay around $1500 or $1600 for the TT and lipo she had done. Both of their procedures were performed by a civilian surgeon. There are a lot of requirements that have to be met for our insurance to cover plastics. Typically, we have to go through a few psych evals, and counseling to ensure that we "need" them in addition to the physical ailments that come with excess skin.