Tiffykins

This was my only point. All the other crap is really just internet drama. I'm not going to apologize for something that anyone else has a problem with when reading an internet message board. The owner of this board posted an explanation, and if he had a problem with the tone, the thread would have been closed, or deleted. Obviously, his reply didn't indicate that my post was out of line. Like I've stated over and over, plus it's in the FAQ Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy Surgery (VSG) Forum - FAQ: General Forum Usage, if my posts/opinions bother people so much either ignore me, report my posts, or realize that it's the internet and take it with a grain of salt and go about your happy life.

Oh that sucks DeeDee. I caught some nasty chest cold and it took me 3 weeks to get over it. Have a blast shopping, and hopefully you'll be able to vacay this summer ! ! !

Andrea, you're gonna do great. I took the compression stockings home with me because they just throw them away after every patient. I received Lovenox (anti-coagulant) pre op, and post-op. I promise you will be able to have a regular meal. It'll be small quantities, but you can eat a variety of food once you are cleared, and comfortable with different food options. My dinner last night consisted of 2 ounces of chicken, with alfredo sauce and 1/2cup of angel hair spaghetti noodles. I drink soda occasionally (once to twice a week). I don't like beer, but had a couple sips of champagne without issue. Soda obviously is empty calories, and some think it'll cause the stomach to stretch, but it hasn't changed my sleeve at all. I can't eat anymore now than I could 2-3 months ago. I don't think I eat normal size portions, but my portions are satisfying. If I eat super slow, like 60-90 minutes, I can fit more food in especially slider foods like potatoes, rice, Pasta. I've been limiting my meals to 30-40 minutes because I don't want to start up bad habits again. meat is still capped out at 3-5ounces. Steak (cooked medium), ribs I can get in about 5 ounces. Chicken/ground beef or venison it's about 3-4ounces. I eat 2-3 ounces of meat, some veggies, and I can even eat part of the inside of a soft dinner roll. We went to the local steakhouse, I had 3 small ribs, spinach/artichoke dip with 4 tortilla chips, a few bites of mac-n-cheese, and a few bites of loaded mashed potatoes. I drank wine before my meal, and took a couple of sips during. It took us an 1 hour and 20 minutes to eat all of that between the appetizer of dip/chips, and then dinner came and I finished the rest of my meal. I really don't feel like I'm dieting or missing out on anything. I probably don't eat like most post-ops, but it's what works for me, and it hasn't affected my loss. Just this week, I increased my calories and carbs again, and I've lost 4 pounds. I'm not quite sure I'll ever figure out this maintenance thing. I had the same feelings you are experiencing. I didn't want to feel deprived because I knew that my past behavior when I didn't allow myself to have stuff for a long period of time, I would end up binging on all of my favorites. So, deprivation doesn't work for me. I have been able to keep my indulgences in check, but it's what keeps me sane.

Dan, many congrats on your wonderful success. Glad to hear surgery and recovery went well. Those little victories are going to keep coming. Keep us posted on your progress ! !

Shontel, I am right there with you. My husband met and married me at my heaviest of 270. Now, today at 128lbs, life is different. He never was a boob man, but now he completely neglects my upper torso. The other parts are great, he's attentive and loving, but we just had this same conversation, and I got the same "pause" response. John also liked thick women, but I was the heaviest he had ever dated. Anyways, I find that I need more reassurance from him now. When I was fat, I never questioned if he found me sexy, attractive, hot. But, now I'm left feeling pretty unwomanly some days. I've even been having sex with a shirt on again. We've been together 4 years, married for 2, and I'm absolutely broken about this. God love him, he tries to reassure me, our sex life is better than it was when I was fat, but I'm letting the missing boobs really bother me lately. The excess skin, saggy arms aren't bothering me, but the loss of nice, round boobs, is really weighing on me. Plus, my wrinkles have surfaced. I hate it and will be checking into Botox. I'm vain, I get carded for cigarettes, but I see the wrinkles and think "holy crap, I really do look 33 plus". Vent, whine away. I'm right there with you, and I hope we both can find some peace and reassurance during this time.

I've been thinking about you today, and can't wait to see your update. . .

Seriously, build a bridge and get over it. Bottomline, the owner of this site posted in this very thread and you still want to sit here and go back and forth. What happened to your theory of "agree to disagree and move on"? Apparently, that's not the case here. I never stated I was perfect. You've turned it personal. You've insulted my doctors which I have never done. Once again, why is this such a huge issue because I have different standards and expectations from a surgeon and facility and have stated that I WOULD NOT choose any other Mexican surgeon/facility for my needs. I never once have told anyone they are an idiot for going to any particular surgeon. I've never once suggested that any of the positive experiences were simply paid posters or coordinators trying to drum up business. I've never once bashed Dr. Almanza or any of his patients. Yet, it keeps getting turned into a little witch hunt about my own personal opinion. Which if you aren't aware of, I'm entitled to have one just as much as you are. Did I mention self-esteem? No. Did I mention anything about victims of abuse? No. I've been in both situations, and instead of getting my feelings hurt over internet forum member's opinions/thoughts, I pull on my big girl panties and get over it.

I hope they consider high cholesterol a co-morbid. I can imagine that would make approval easier. I actually know 2 ladies here that strapped ankle weights under flare leg pants to make the BMI requirement. Obviously, I'm not saying it's okay, but with the insurance companies rules/regulations, I can see where people would take drastic measures to get approval. Fingers crossed, prayers for you. You're fabulous, and I'd miss your posts if you didn't stick around.

Nopers, I just updated the latest version yesterday when I got the alerty. But, I didn't change any of the settings.

Thanks Alex ! ! ! I actually figured out a way to avoid it. I decided to switch over to Mozilla Firefox, and haven't had the hyperlinks showing up in the threads. So, for anyone else that finds it annoying. You may want to go that route to avoid them all together. I'm excited to see the overhaul you've mentioned.

Thank ya bunches. I really like the idea of the onion flavored ones. And, John wants some fruity ones. I can eat bread, but it's kind of "ehh" if that makes sense. I just don't find it flavorful anymore.

When you become part of the adminstration/moderator staff, you can scold me for my comments or tone. Until then, you can choose to ignore me, report my posts and then allow the admin team to deem what is appropriate support and when something is offensive. As for this thread or any other, obviously they can be deleted. I find it comical that anyone would take what a perfect stranger says on the internet and let it hurt their feelings or insult their decision in their own surgeon choice. No one can make any other human feel a certain unless they allow it. As for anyone being afraid to disagree with me, seriously it's the internet.

Find somewhere for y'all to go minus all the nakedness. . . I think it'll be a blast for you, and you're right, it will be great motivation. I know when John when I had my revision, losing 60lbs was my goal before he got home. It was very motivating to drop the weight before he returned from the deployment. Least to say, it worked, I dropped 80lbs. I'm super stoked to hear all about it. Ohhhhhhhhhhh yeah, since he's military. Disney is having an awesome deal for military members. And, October is an awesome time to go to Disney. Less kids because of school, fabulous food/drinks/entertainment/close to beaches. I can find you links for the special. He probably doesn't even know about it. But, it's like a 4 day pass for $99 bucks ! ! ! Normal rate is close to $350. Plus, there is a hotel at Disney that is dedicated to military members, and the charge per night is based on rank. Shades of Green? Resort on WALT DISNEY WORLD Resort official website is the only Armed Forces Recreation Center (AFRC) located in the continental U.S. Shades of Green? on WALT DISNEY WORLD? Resort is a military resort serving the U.S. Army, Navy, Air

It's real, and y'all are doing fabulous ! ! !

WOMAN, if you go, I'm tagging along with you. Just kidding, in all seriousness, I would have to pass on the trip, and honestly, he's not gonna find Mrs. Right down in Key West at that bash, he might find Mrs. Right Now, but no girlfriend. As for your eating/drinking, you'll be able to eat normal foods and have a drink so don't fret about that. There is no amount of body paint that could conceal my flaws, but a nice tankini and sarong may help. Not everyone is gonna be completely nude. I say "don't freak out about it until the time comes." You'll be fine. Just breathe.

Amazing ! ! ! Many congrats on getting your speedy approval.

I showed this to John a couple of nights ago, and I think we're going to try them this weekend. Do they stay fresh in a ziploc baggy? Like if I make a few, would they keep in a ziploc baggy if John wanted to make a sandwich out of them while I'm out of state next week?

I have only said that I have certain requirements, and made the same comments regarding the sleeve being an outpatient procedure here in the US. You don't see any of the members that had their surgeries on an outpatient basis here in the US, or any other facility coming out and saying that I'm rude, brash based on my opinion that I would not choose to have this surgery done on an outpatient basis. The operative words here are "I", "my standards". I've said my opinion or choice of surgeon was because of my specific needs as a revision patient. I don't think any surgical clinics should be shut down. I've never once mentioned that even about Dr. Almanza. All I've ever stated is that their specific facility didn't meet my needs, and I would not choose them to perform my revision. I can't recall one single time of discarding anyone's great experience with Almanza. As for my gallbladder, obviously a lot of bariatric patients need their gb removed at some point. But, I also know that not every patient has to have it removed. I have more issues eating post GB removal than I did with having VSG. So, while you would like to insult my surgeon's choice to leave my gb, I'll stick with the fact that my surgeon based his decision on years of experience, and training. I didn't ask about my surgeon's ancestral background because it wasn't a concern of mine. I've never once insulted, bashed, or claimed that Almanza is not good, qualified, highly trained surgeon. I've never questioned his licensing, his years of experience, how many surgeries he's performed. I don't know Dr. Almanza so it's not a fact of not liking the man or even questioning his surgical skill. All I've stated, once again, for the upteenth time, that I would not choose him because of the the clinic he operates out of. I choose to stay around because the friends I've made here were my lifeline during my recovery. It's the internet. I'm not going to lose any sleep over your or any other member's attempt to insult my age, my posts, or my opinion. Perception is 9/10th of the law, and if you choose to perceive my opinions as rude, tactless and/or brash, that's your cross to bear not mine. Not everyone is going to get along. Not everyone is going to agree. Not every single member here has to get along. It doesn't happen in real life, and it sure isn't going to happen on an internet message board. Support site or not, everyone has the right to post as they choose.

It creeps me out too. Especially when these weird Chester the Cheetah video ads pop up for CHEESY POOFS. It's evil, I tell you pure evilness.

The sleeve is the first step to the Duodenal Switch procedure, not bypass/RNY procedure. I had the band first then revised to the sleeve. I replied to your PM about my experience with the band and now life with the sleeve. 1 in 4 band patients will need a second surgery within the first 5 years to either repair a slip, reposition a port, or remove it completely. The band has the lowest and slowest weight loss results. The band is not reversible. It will forever change your anatomy once it's placed. Fills/unfills - are often time consuming, and lots of appointments until you get to your sweet spot with restriction. If you are on lapbandtalk.com, check out the complications forum thoroughly. Most stand alone sleeve patients do not have to go through with the 2nd part of the surgery. That is why the sleeve is gaining so much popularity. Because surgeons realized that it can be successful as a stand alone procedure. Hope this helps.

Also, to prevent being offended, or upset with any of my posts. There is a great feature here. You can block or ignore my posts. If it's that big of an issue, then block/ignore me. You won't have to see my posts. That may be easier in the long run because everyone wants to see it as me not liking a particular surgeon instead of realizing that I can have an opinion based on what is best for my life, my situation, and my comfort level. I'm grateful that there are so many patients that have had great experiences. I don't think me making a statement about what I expect out of my surgeon choice is dissing or implying that you didn't make an educated decision based on your needs/desire from your surgeon choice. Anyone can go to User CP and find the link that says "Edit Ignore List" from there, type in my name, hit okay, and VOILA' no more of my post will be visible.

No, it wouldn't be okay. But, if someone types Dr. Ortiz in their post and it goes to any doctor other than that specific surgeon, really? What's the deal? ? ? My comments are directed at the advertising antics used on this board. I would make the same comments if it was about any other surgeon. I don't need a repeat of anything honestly. This is posted in the correct forum for Forum suggestions, and assistance. No digs on Almanza, I have never spoken badly about him. I have never bashed him. I did say that the standard of care provided by that particularly program is not up to my standards. Again, it's my opinion, and I'm just as entitled to have it like anyone else that has chosen to use him and that program. I promise it's not that I don't like him. I don't know him. But, I do know that I would not use that program because of reasons stated over and over. It's not personal, and anyone gets offended, they can either take as a dig on Almanza, or they can go back and read my posts on several occasions as to why posts are deleted for this particular program/facility. You'll see that my frustration, and issues are not with Almanza. It's the unethical, tacky antics that are exhibited here.

Ha ha ha, it's even worse, my husband is "billy bad ass" cop in the AF LOL done 4 tours overseas, seen/heard things that I can not even begin to fathom, but heaven forbid he get a splinter. No offense intended, I promise to any of the male members. My husband was/is a momma's boy, and I've tried my best to make sure I nurture my son enough, but not too much to where he can't take care of himself without a woman in his life. Seriously, 4 days after GB surgery (I was restricted to no driving for 2 weeks), I had to get dress, and drive to Wal-Mart (1/2 mile) because John caught a chest cold from the kiddo, and he didn't know what to buy for himself, and I didn't have anythng in the house he could take to help his symptoms. I don't mind taking care of him, but I can't handle the "woe is me, I'm dying" stuff.