Tiffykins

Diane, how very exciting ! ! ! You're right, you are getting one heck of a wonderful birthday present. Keep us posted on your progress ! ! !

Those probably taste better than low carb protein drinks because of the carb count. At least that was my experience with protein supplements.

I'm not familiar with your surgeon, but I can tell you why I chose VSG over RNY for my revision. 1) No blind stomach left behind with VSG that can't be scoped, but can still get ulcers and cancer that is left with RNY. 2) Malabsorption of calories and fat only last 18-24 months for RNY patients, the intestines adjusts and villi is regrown but your intestines never regain the ability to absorb Vitamins and nutrients. So, I didn't see any sense in trading 2 years of malabsorption of calories and fats, for a lifetime of possible Vitamin deficiencies and nutritional issues. 3) Removal of the ghrelin hormone 4) Pouches and stomas are not normal. I had a pouch with the band, and it sucked. 5) Full functioning normal stomach left with the VSG 6) No food or med restrictions with VSG, RNY no NSAIDS, several food limitations with RNY 7) Dumping only occurs in 30% of RNY patients so it wasn't a guarantee that it would happen to me. Bad consequences over something I ate seemed a little self-destructive. If I want to eat a miniature Snickers, I want to eat one, and enjoy it. 8) Pouch and stoma stretching 9) The number of people seeking a revision after a few years with RNY because of regain, pouch stretching, stoma issues, and all of the other problems with RNY patients not just that I've read about on forums, but people I know in real life. 10) Long term complications with the VSG are minimal vs. long term complications with RNY. Best wishes with your decision. Every surgery can be cheated, or eaten around, it's really more about changing your entire lifestyle and choices about food that will ultimately determine your success. Best wishes in your research.

You betcha there's room for you ! ! ! Congrats on getting approval, keep us posted on your progress ! ! !

The caliper test is the least expensive way to measure body fat percentage. I don't know the exact formula, but I had it done when I joined the gym, and it was included in my package. They measure at the upper thigh, that little fat on the stomach right the front hip bone, the tricep and bicep, and back fat was measured.

That's more than cool Lee, that fricken ROCKS ! ! !

Every program is different, but my surgeon recommended less than 30grams of carbs a day, a minimum of 60grams of Protein and 64ounces of clear fluids. I didn't count net carbs vs. regular carbs, a carb was a carb to me during my losing phase.

YAY YAY Tina, I'm so glad all is well with you, and that you are home recovering. Take care of yourself, walk, sip and rest.

Hi and congrats on taking the steps to a healthier and better you. The sleeve is a wonderful and I absolutely love life post-op. As for your questions, I'll answer honestly and openly as I can. 1) I am a smoker. Smoking inhibits healing, and can cause ulcers. Not only that, it increases your risk of a leak due to hindering healing of the staple line. My surgeon knew my smoking status, but I didn't quit pre-op. Could it have contributed to the fact that I did have a leak, yes, but the biggest issue in my recovery and leak issues was because I had a band first that destroyed my stomach tissue. Smoking also complicates anesthesia recovery. Your abdomen is sore, causes more coughing and I had to use a spirometer to help prevent pneumonia. That really sucked because coughing caused major discomfort. I have quit twice since surgery, and am now trying to quit again. I actually went on Wellbutrin to help with the withdraws of nicotine as the patch, gum and cold turkey make life with me pure hell. 2) I had a huge panel of labs, a chest xray, psych eval, and consult with a nutritionist. Some surgeons require an upper gi and sleep study. 3) I didn't have a drain initially. A lot of surgeons use drains to make sure there is no leak, and some pull it before discharge, some require it stay in for about a week. I only had drains due to the leak repair surgery, and they stayed in for over 2 weeks. 4) I was not catheterized for my revision. I urinated before surgery, and was dry when I came out. 5) hair loss can happen to anyone that goes through surgery. It's a pretty normal occurrence. There is absolutely nothing you can do to stop it. It's a combination of anesthesia, surgical stress, and rapid weight loss. I lost hair for about 3 months, and I lost half of my hair. Luckily, I had super thick, coarse hair and no one that didn't know me before never guessed that I had lost all of my hair. The only thing you can do pre-op and during your recovery is to take hair/nail/skin supplements to help with regrowth. Biotin is usually the one most people choose. I didn't do anything to help with regrowth until I started losing. I used Folicure extra care shampoo. I started having new growth pop in while I was still losing. Currently, I look like a chia pet, and have chopped my hair off, layered it and bleached the top to help hide some of the new growth. I kept the back and underneath dark to help give the illusion of depth and volume. Unfortunately, hair loss seems pretty inevitable. There's several patients on this board that got in there Protein and extra protein, and they lost more hair and lost it for a longer period of time than I did, and I didn't get in my protein until I was on soft solids when I could eat chicken and other meat. My main advice is make sure you can handle the mental and emotional aspect of this surgery. It's a huge change, and no matter how much you read or talk to people will you really grasp it all until you go through it. I truly believe going in positive, and upbeat helps. Find strength within yourself, and know that you are doing something absolutely fabulous for yourself and your family. Know that recovery can be difficult, you'll be tested, you'll be exhausted, you might be mad at yourself especially during the post-op diet, but all of that is just temporary. Questions to ask your surgeon: What size bougie do you use to make the sleeve? What are your leak/complication stats? What are your expectations of my weight loss? Do you provide follow up care, labs, access to a nutritionist and psych if needed post-op (especially since you'll be self-pay find out what all is included in that cost)? Do you prescribe an acid reducer such as Prilosec, Prevacid, Nexium to protect the sleeve, how long should I be on it? Post-op diet instructions? Pre-op diet instructions? How many sleeves have you performed? How many bariatric procedures have you performed? How long is the hospital stay? Leak tests, how many and when are they performed? That's all I can think of right now. Best wishes on your consult, and if you need anything ask away. We'll all be here for you through this journey.

My goal weight was set high by my surgeon. He actually measured my ankle and elbow joints, and had a radiologist review I had done a few years ago. They determined I'm actually big boned. Now, with that being said, I was happy with my goal weight of 150. It was obtainable, and I hadn't been that weight since 8th-9th grade. He told me that the BMI chart is not the end all be all. Especially for obese people because being obese are bones are more dense than naturally thin people. Meaning, our bones actually weigh more than someone that has never struggled with their weight. My surgeon told me to keep in mind that body fat percentage is a good tool to measure overall health as well. So, take the BMI chart and our body fat % all into account when determining our health. I'm just at the tip of a normal BMI, but my body fat percentage still has me as overweight. Of course, working out, and building lean muscle will help decrease my body fat. So, while I understand the importance of BMI, it's just not the best, 100% indicator of health. It's just part of the equation. I know a lot of men from OH that always question their goal weight. Us, women, we just want to get smaller, but typically men have a different perspective on their weight loss. I'm not sure how tall you are, or your frame, but take into account all the factors and just not the BMI chart. Just my 2cents on goal weights.

Dood, seriously do not piss yourself. If you do, we are going to have serious issues. I'm excited for you, good luck with the cybershot.

I didn't have reflux before VSG, and now I'm on Prilosec. I won't go off of it for another 90ish days because I'm not willing to risk getting sick, or having the false hunger that I've read about other long term patients experiencing when trying to go off the PPI. I might try to wean myself off at 1 year post-op, but at the first sign of reflux or hunger, I'm going back on it. I agree there is a mixed review of how many people suffer with reflux. Some patients are able to wean of their PPI within 3-6 months post-op without any issue. As for researching your surgeon, have you checked out obesityhelp.com for testimonials, and you can post on the VSG board over there asking for patient's firsthand experience. Also, you should be able to the state medical board website to check for pending or settle lawsuits just to get more background information. That's a big chunk of money to spend, the surgeon should be able to provide you with some testimonials, and be willing to offer true stats to her complications. Also, if you haven't already, find out what all aftercare that 25k covers. You will need f/u labs pulled, and possibly access to a nutritionist. Best wishes in your research. I know there are a couple of long term sleeve patients on Obesityhelp.com that are in AZ, and they can could probably help you with AZ doctors. If you would like me to help you get in contact with them, let me know.

I use photobucket.com to upload pics here, or just store them on my laptop under the Documents folder labeled Pictures. The file could be too big or not the correct type of file. I found that pictures that are uploaded to posts are easiest uploaded from Photobucket.com using the direct link code, and clicking on the little box with 2 grey triangles that is up in the top of "reply" box next to the little font options. For your profile picture, I think you have to upload it from your PC/laptop, of you can try uploading it from photobucket.com If all else fails, post this to "Forum Support/Technical issues" forum that can be found at the bottom of the main page of the forum. Or, you can contact Alex, *susan* or VegasAngel as they are the mod/admin members of this site, and the should be able to help you more. Sorry, for the lack of replies, and my delay in my reply, I was out of state without full internet access, and the skin for VST on my IPhone sucks horribly.

Since Dr. Jossart never replied, I discussed it further with my PCP and surgeon. Due to the gallbladder surgery in February, I stopped taking it. Then the low blood pressure problems started, but have now been cleared to start the Wellbutrin again. Chantix is just too "new" for me to take. My mother-in-law took it with zero effect on her smoking. I'm not crazy about taking anything to be honest. I'm paranoid of crossover addictions especially with pills. I need to quit, I know I need to, I'm just so frustrated with how everything happened when I first started taking the Wellbutrin. Thank you all for your input, advice and support. I think my new quit date is going to be around mid-April. I have another vacation planned to Texas the last week of March, and I honestly can't be around my mother and NOT smoke.