Tiffykins

You betcha Sury. You can do it, Pepcid works a little differently than PPIs. You may want to check with your doctor about picking up some over-the-counter Prilosec and see if that helps. I didn't have any true reflux, but I had the same empty feeling early on about 1-2 hours I had just eaten. Once I went on Prilosec once daily that all went away. I missed a couple of doses this last weekend when I was out of town, and I had the same problem again. It was weird because I knew there was no way I was really hungry.

Sury, I hope the stall breaks soon. Sometimes we have to shake things up by adding a few calories, keeping carbs under 30 grams was my programs direction during the losing stage, change up your exercise program, anything to shock the body, and it may very well get the scale moving again. It'll break, just stay positive and try to not stress. About the hunger, are you on a PPI like Prilosec or Nexium? Some people false feel hunger from acid overproduction.

Vent away because I seriously threw up in my mouth a little when I read this article a couple of days ago. She apparently is also accepting payment to eat. For me, she's just whoring out her fat body for people's entertainment and she doesn't even see anything wrong with it. It's beyond selfish and disgusting the example she is setting for her child. She just makes me sick.

I love these little things. I'm signed up for some coupons from various companies/stores, and I received 10 - $1 off coupon of these products. I was super stoked because they are really great for myself and the kiddo.

I'm in chat for a bit tonight, but probably won't be up too late.

I agree with Milli. While I understand your mom's concerns, my mom called my choice to revise to the sleeve "wreckless" and that I should just deal with the band issues I was having. You have to remember that you can and will lose it with the trainer and nutritionist, but at what cost? Calculate what it will cost for that trainer and nutrtionist for the next 20 years and see which one comes less expense, and which will give you greater long term success. I think I read on the Biggest loser contestants about 38-45% of the "losers" have gained back more than 50% of the loss during their time on that program. 95% of diets fail. Most of us have zero issue losing, it's keeping it off, and avoiding a lifetime of yo yo'ing up and down, and fighting co-morbidities. Personally, and this is just me, there is NOT one person on God's green Earth that could have kept me from doing the revision. If my husband would have not been supportive, I would of told him to build a bridge and get over it. I didn't do this for anyone else, but myself. Grant it, having another child, and being a better, more active wife and mom contributed to my decision, but at the end of the day, my health, my life, my future was more important than anyone else's opinion on if I should proceed with VSG.

I have to agree with DeeDee with the exception my arms look horrible. Grant it, I didn't work out for 4 months post-op (wasn't allowed to do so), my thighs, and tummy look the worse, but the husband and I have noticed significant improvement over the last 2 months. Men's skin seem to rebound a bit more/better than female skin. I use lotions constantly, I drink lots of water. Many people say there's a lot of factors that go into determining how much saggy/excess skin we'll have. Heredity, how long we were obese, how much/fast we lose it, and general health of the skin. I can't bring myself to wear shapers/Spanx so I still have tummy fat roll that I'm just learning to accept. Even when I was super athletic and skinny in school, I had a little pouch on my lower abdomen. Throw in 15 years of obesity, a traumatic c-section and a huge amount of scar tissue across my pubic bone area, I highly doubt my stomach will ever look decent without surgical intervention.

Try it and see. The worse it could do at this point is probably make ya cramp a little bit, then you'll either burp and toot, and it'll pass. Check out these: I have one, and I don't get any air in my sleeve using this one. You literally bite the little plastic thing open, sip just a bit, and the water comes up the straw. No tilting, no sucking hard. I think you could probably find them at Wal-Mart in the sporting goods department or on amazon.com from this link. I paid almost 18 bucks for mine on base at our mini military mall. [ame=http://www.amazon.com/CamelBak-BPA-Free-Better-Bottle-Valve/dp/B0019DCD6Q/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=sporting-goods&qid=1268967184&sr=8-1]Amazon.com: CamelBak BPA-Free Better Bottle with Bite Valve: Sports & Outdoors[/ame]

Hi there, and welcome to VST. Hope all goes well with the insurance approval, and keep us posted as you get more information. I know a lot of people ask about UHC so your experience will be extremely helpful to many others seeking VSG through UHC.

I'm sorry to hear that you are dealing with pancreatitis. I know OregonDaisy on here had issues with her gallbladder that led to pancreatitis. She should be on later this evening, and be able to help you out, or you could shoot her a private message and she'll reply. I hope you start feeling better soon. Keep us updated.

Awwwwwwwww Ruby, I had been wondering where you had been. I'm so sorry you had to endure all of that. Woohoo for R&R, we need an update with details and pictures would be even better when you get a chance ! ! ! Take care of yourself, and let us know if you need anything.

Every surgeon is different, but my program doesn't allow any alcohol consumption for the first 3 months. I drink wine on occasion now with zero issue. I would not drink in public initially. The only reason I say that is because the first time I drank at home. It hit me hard, and quick. That type of situation can prove embarrassing if in a public setting. I know some people say that alcohol burns when they tried it early out, and others have zero issues. Can you shoot someone with Dr. Aceves' staff an email to find out if alcohol that early is okay? If you feel you have to have something, maybe ask if you can have a couple of sips of an alcoholic beverage. It takes me almost 40 minutes to drink a glass of wine so it doesn't hit my system and give me that heavy buzzed feeling.

Hi and welcome Bookleen. I'm so jealous that you're in Ireland. That is where my husband and I are planning on traveling for our 5 or 10 yr anniversary. Even if you don't choose the sleeve, we'll be here to support you. Best wishes in your research. I've had the band, and now have revised to the sleeve 9 months ago. Best thing I ever did for myself.

It's because you are so HOT ! ! ! I saw your FB status, but wasn't sure how to comment. Hope you and your daughter are enjoying the new apartment. I participate in here just because I honestly miss dating, and flirting. Not that I don't love, adore, and cherish my husband/our marriage. I'm just living vicariously through all of y'all ! ! !

Woohooo what great news ! ! !

I have found the holy grail of Greek Yogurt. Okay, well at least I think it's fabulous. Chobani Non-Fat Greek yogurt with fruit on the bottom. It tastes just like any of the Yoplait/Dannon yogurts that I've had in the past. It's smooth, creamy, and not bitter. Here's a coupon code for a Buy 2 Get 1 Free Chobani Coupon. strawberry and pineapple. I found these at our Publix grocery store on sale 10 for $10. It's a little high on the carb count, but I'm assuming it's from the fruit.

Ohhhhhhhhhhhhh I'll try the fridge thing because I found a place that does jerky online, and it has rave reviews. They also have bison jerky YAY YAY. Thanks for the pointer.

I forgot to mention that I still keep beef jerky in the glove compartment of my truck. On days when I am out running errands, and socializing with the girls, I literally forget to eat. So, I always have a nice little snack in the truck that gives me Protein, and keeps me from running through a drive-up window fast food joint. When I finish a bag of jerky, I keep that little white packet of whatever that weird stuff is we aren't supposed to eat, it keeps the jerky moist and fresh. I'll take it out of the empty package, and put it in the new package. It may not be scientifically correct and may not do anything in all honesty, but it makes me feel better about keeping a package of beef jerky in my vehicle for 2-3 weeks.

Hopefully, you're done now. You've turned something very unoffensive, and non-abrasive into a smear campaign against my opinion, and simple facts. I can say honestly that I would only choose Dr. Aceves for my revision if I had to go that route. Why is that wrong? Once again, you turned my comments and opinions into some little witch hunt, and hopefully you feel better about yourself now. Because nothing you've posted have been able to disprove anything I've shared. I contacted coordinators to ensure the information out there was correct. That was the only way to get information. I didn't have another choice. So, yes, I hate the idea of having to use them, what other option is available? I haven't contacted any of the surgeon's offices in over a year, and don't have an ongoing relationship with any of them such as Daisy does with Dr. Aceves. I've also contacted other current patients of his that have been in contact with himself and his staff recently to get the real stats. I wanted to ensure that I wasn't completely moronic so I dictonary.com the words egotistical and narcissistic. WOW, I'm still confused by how you have come to the conclusion that I have either of those characteristics. By sharing, truthful information somehow I'm egotistical. I'll run out and contact all of the patient coordinators, and confirm and post their replies that their surgeons operate out of a hospital or a clinic, if there is a blood bank and full ICU capabilities on premise, if they have certain little letters behind their name that gives some people warm fuzzies, and bougie size, if they oversew, if they keep me in a hospital or am I transported to another facility for a couple of days post-op. That's the only information I used in basing my opinion on Dr. Aceves as I've stated several times. If it would make you get off my a$$, I'll get those replies out in the public for you since that's the only way it seems it would appease your thought process on my opinion of which surgeon I would choose for MY revision. What a load of horse manure this turned into just because I would have made a different choice than you if I would have been a self-pay patient. I highly doubt we'd be having this conversation if I was Dr. Almanza's praises from the rooftops, and this is a prime example why people don't share their experiences or opinions. You've turned it personal, and honestly simply proven my point that you can't discredit anything I've shared. I guess it's easier to attempt to discredit my opinion, and surgeon choice than it is to actually find some falsehoods in the information and opinions I've posted. The reason I don't have the firsthand experience is because my revision was approved by insurance. That doesn't change the fact that Dr. Aceves would be my only choice based on my research. Why is that any different than the research you did before you chose a different surgeon to perform your sleeve? You had to come to a decision on surgeon, and I came to my decision based on what I wanted/needed out of a surgeon/facility. It's a whatever at this point. You just keep turning this around to the fact that I didn't "have" to go to Mexico. I'm grateful that I didn't have to self-pay, but that doesn't change the fact that Dr. Aceves is/was my only choice.

Shell, you're doing really great ! ! ! Keep it up, and enjoy your trip to Mexico.

I couldn't drink out of a straw early on, but for the last few months I have zero issue drinking out of straw. It definitely helps me get in my fluids. I didn't have any restrictions on straws, but early on for me, it caused discomfort.

YAY for vacation, icky on the poo issues, I'm sorry nothing is working to resolve that issue. I hate to hear that it isn't resolving. I hope something gives you some relief at some point because that must be miserable.