Tiffykins

You're doing so wonderful and I love your attitude about everything. You've done amazing thus far, and you'll reach your goals.

Chicken salad with lots of mayo was my saving grace for chicken. I found chicken thighs to be much easier to digest. I can eat steak and rib meat like a champ, but sometimes chicken does seem heavy to me even now.

Thank you all so very much. I honestly believe this is the 3rd best thing to ever happen to me. Obviously the kiddo and husband take priority, but this is something I did for myself and my future health. I have zero doubts that this was the best decision. I would do it all over again, complications and all, I would do it again without hesitation. Thank you all for sharing this journey with me. I absolutely love the sleeve and believe it is an extraordinary tool that saved me a lifetime of health hardships.

Hi Kara, and welcome to VST. My main concern for my revision was my surgeon's experience with the sleeve. Technique is a big part of how successful patients will be after surgery. 1 out of 10 patients getting a leak is pretty high, plus only 10 sleeves is kind of scary. No one expects to have complications, but with that little experience and you being self-pay, I would have really have to evaluate and re-evaluate my surgeon choice. That's just my 2 cents. I had a leak 2 days post-op my revision from band to sleeve, they suck. I was a revision, and my surgeon had over 500 staple lines under his belt, and I had damage to my stomach from the band that wasn't found until he got in there. My risk for a leak quadrupled for being a revision patient. I was/am my surgeon's only leak out of 500 staple line between VSG and RNY. The sleeve is a great tool. I've been extremely successful with the sleeve, and live a very normal life 9 months post op. Have you been tested for insulin resistance? The only reason I ask is because of your struggle even with exercising and dietary changes. If you are insulin resistant, you can have slower/lower weight loss even with the sleeve. My complications due to the leak cost almost 300k. Luckily, everything was covered by insurance.

I'm finally in chat tonight, come on in everyone ! ! !

Happy birthday, and congrats on the 50lbs loss ! ! !

I'm really stoked for you. I'm glad you have been able to enjoy food again, and once you're through the post-op diet, you'll get to enjoy so many foods that the band never let you. Best wishes, and I can't wait to hear an update from your experience.

What amazing results ! ! ! I'm so glad you posted here because we have some new members that are just beginning their journeys, and their starting weight is close to you. So, you are a great inspiration to all of us. Keep up the great work, and keep us posted on your continued success ! ! !

I only had 1 week of low carb/high protein as a pre-op diet. Every program is different. It won't hurt you to start a low carb/high protein diet, but if you want to stick with their recommendations it's what they have found works best for their patients.

Congrats Shontel ! ! ! I have a friend that loves Couch to 5K. I really suck at jogging, or running, and find it really awkward so I can't get into it. I've tried and tried so many times, and just can't do it. Good luck and keep it up ! ! !

I'm not a Dr. Aceves patient, but I had one done at 8 months just because I was out for gallbladder surgery. My surgeon likes to do a scope between 9-12 months post-op, but doesn't require it unless a patient is having issues. Congrats on your cholesterol dropping. I was super stoked my good cholesterol increased quite a bit at my 7 month follow up.

YAY YAY YAY I'm so glad you are doing well ! ! !

I found this out this week. Since VSG is NOT approved surgery outside of an MTF, if you have complications directly related to your VSG surgery, and seek medical care outside of an MTF Tricare can and will deny coverage for such services. In my own personal situation this can be tricky because I see a civilian PCM, and am not required to be seen on base for any issues. Just as a precaution to anyone out there having VSG done at a MTF. All of your follow up care will need to be done at that MTF. Sometimes, it's difficult because I know we have to PCS so this is definitely a concern that I will have to consider in the future when we get orders. Just an FYI. This information came directly from my surgeon here in Florida. Annual labs can be done by your PCP obviously, but they need to know exactly what labs to pull including the Vitamin levels. Hopefully, Medicare will start covering VSG so Tricare can follow suit and this won't be a huge concern. Just because it's done at an MTF does NOT mean it is approved service by Tricare.

Best wishes Rob, I think we all get a little consumed right before surgery. Stay focused, and know you are going to do fabulous with the sleeve for the LONG HAUL.

Corn and potatoes are high carb. Also corn is difficult to digest. I still don't eat corn, because if I do, hours later I burp it up. It's pretty gross. Your stomach is healing. Progressing your diet can cause stress on your staple line, induce vomiting, causing stress on your staple line, food can get stuck in the staple line thus causing stress on your staple line, long story short, it's a big risk of causing a leak which is extremely painful, long exhaustive recovery, and other complications. Stick to the program in just a couple of weeks you can try out more solid foods. Let your body heal properly.

That's the only true full signal I get now. It can also happen if I talk a lot during my meal.

Hi Kylie, and congrats on getting your date set. Good news is that bread doesn't have to be "good-bye" food forever. . . That's the best thing about the sleeve ! ! ! Best wishes, and keep us posted on your progress.

Wooohooo excellent NSV ! ! !

Hey Tonya, hang in there, day 2 always seems worse than any other day. Hopefully, you're getting some meds to help with the nausea. Hang in there, and keep us posted.

I know it's late, but I'm awake so I thought I'd open up the chat tonight if anyone is around.

Best wishes, stay positive, and post when you can with an update ! ! ! We're scooting over for ya on the loser's bench.

My confession for the day: Today at Ross, trying on my new dress, I asked the dressing room clerk (probably in her late 40's to 50's) what she thought of the dress and shrug, and she said " you look damn sexy " and I actually believed her. I must have blushed, or she could tell I was embarrassed, and she said "no seriously, you look fabulous in that dress". It was a great little moment between me and stranger that didn't have any idea that I had surgery. These little victories are what make the grey days oh so very sunny ! ! !

I've been going through the same thing since right before Christmas. I know how you feel, and I had to come to the realization that some people just have to make their own path, we can try to help them along the way, but as they blindly walk that path, and we see all the dark and danger, all we can do is be there for them when they allow us to be. My heart hurts bc I know you're hurting. Focus on you, your studies, and your future.

Yes, it's very possible. Check out Chancie's posts, she is one year out and she's dropped 172lbs. She posts frequently in the "monday morning weigh-in" thread. I started at 263 the day of my revision, and today I weigh 130lbs. So, in 9 months I dropped 133lbs. I'm only 5'2" so my starting BMI with the band was over 49, and I only technically lost 7lbs with the band. There are many patients that started close to your pre-op weight and were able to lose close to that amount. The sleeve is very successful as long as you are willing to make the necessary lifestyle changes to be successful.

Some people add the unflavored protein powder to their soups just to get in some protein. You can also pop an egg white in the soup, nuke in the microwave for a little bit, and that adds 7 grams of protein. I left out the yellow as that is where all the fat, and cholesterol are in eggs.