Tiffykins

Nikki, I'm sorry you're discouraged. You've had phenomenal results thus, and if you feel DS is the way to go then we'll support you. But, please do not feel like a failure. Have you been tested for insulin resistance? Have you had your follow up labs pulled? The craziest thing has happened for me with this journey. I increased my calories to 1100-1200, and I started losing again. I was trying to maintain, but I lost. I don't know what gives. I know you're mentally and emotionally tired, but don't beat yourself up over this. Find an amazing DS surgeon, and don't settle for anything less than the best. DS for me was just not an option with all the Vitamin and supplements required to not get deficient. I read about it, but 20-30 Vitamins taken over the course of a day was just too much for me to even consider. Don't give up on yourself. While researching for an amazing DS surgeon, try adding some healthy carbs in your diet, and let the stress go. Stress will just hurt your body, and give you frown lines, and wrinkles at least that's what my momma told me. Hang in there, and know we're here to support you.

Hi Rose, it's so great to see you post. I'm elated to hear of your progress, and your post has brought a smile to face. Keep rockin' your sleeve, and don't be a stranger around here.

Boy, those military hospitals and their paperwork, huh? I think my eyes went cross-eyed with all those forms, questions, diet logs, authorization forms, etc etc. I thought to myself "am I having surgery or filling out my entire medical history?" It is overwhelming, and can be a stressful time for pre-ops. With that said, all the emotions you are processing are all normal. My advice is to prepare as much as you can mentally for surgery. Not so much life after surgery, for now focus on getting comfortable with having surgery. For me, the actual surgery did not concern me. I had armed myself with so much information that I was confident. I just knew this was going to work for me. Anesthesia always bothers me more than the actual surgery. But, I have found ways to deal with my anxiety about going into the operating room. The anesthesiologist usually meets with you before they wheel you back. I discuss my concerns, and tell him/her that I want a sedative before they give the anesthesia cocktail. I'm also claustrophobic when it comes to having the mask put on my face so I tell them not to put the mask near me until the sedative has kicked in. I pray a lot before for peace, comfort and grace. I go to a "happy place", and honestly only think positive thoughts. May sound crazy, but I honestly believe this helps me wake up in a better frame of mind. I usually ask for valium as my sedative before going into the OR, and they always accommodate my requests. Being positive, and not allowing negativity to enter my mind really helps with all the "what ifs" and " oh Lord, what am I doing?". I've 4 surgeries in the last 16 months so I feel like I've been through all the emotions. Believe in yourself, lean on your own personal faith, and know that we're all here for you. We may not be sitting beside you, but we are here for you in spirit.

I didn't lose any hair with my band surgery. I lost about 23 pounds within the first 2-3 months, but never had hair loss. I lost major amounts with the sleeve. I just recently noticed a little more coming out in the shower and I'm 3 weeks out of gallbladder surgery. I'm not sure if it's just normal shedding, or if it's a result of another surgery.

You got it. I hope all goes smoothly, and update us when he gets home.

It was covered because the VSG is covered at military facilities that offer the surgery. It's not covered with civilian surgeons or medical facilities at this time.

I had a Lband before and one of my old scars were able to be used. I have 2 (1 from lb and one from my revision) right below my sternum, 1 larger incision about 2 inches long (it's where my port was, and were they removed the excised portion of the stomach), and 2 little bitty lap sites on the left side of my abdomen. Here's a pic of my lapband scars about 6 months after my lapband placement. I was still fat here so sorry for the grossness. The one incision/lap site on the left did get infected, and was an open wound for about 3 weeks so it scarred darker than my other lap sites. I now have over 15 scar on my abdomen. I had the revision, then 2 days later the leak repair which required new lap sites, and on 2 separate occasions I had to have drains placed in my abdomen, and then on February 4,2010 I had my gallbladder removed with 4 new incisions. As you can see I'm about 2 shades darker than pastey white, most of my scars are all faded, and getting smaller every month. Most of the lap and drain sites just look like little pink dots. I did have the 2 scars under my sternum kind of keloid (raise) a bit, but my dermatologist said she could fix them if they became bothersome.

DO IT ! ! ! You'll love it.

That's so insane because I take Alleve and Advil. When I had my root canal done in October (just 4 months post-op) I used a percocet for a couple days because the tooth was severely infected when I had it done, then switched to 800 mg Ibuprofen without issue. I did make sure to take it after I had eaten something, but my surgeon cleared me to take NSAIDs. I've never heard of VSG patients not being able to take them, and a lot of appeals with insurance are won on the basis that a patient has to take NSAIDS for another issue. RNY/Lband patients can't take them because they don't dissolve in the little pouch.

Long-term Sleeve Experiences - 2 Years on January 15, 2010 9:11 pm Diligence-is-always-required Stalls-Happen Update-from-a-2-Year-Post-Op-VSGer 2-year-surgiversary-and-feeling Two-and-one-half-years-post-op TWO-YEARS-YALL Just-Passed-My-2-Year-Surgiversary questions-for-post-ops-2-years-out-or-more 2-years-out-food-amount-info anyone-2-years-out Happy-2-year-anniversary-to-me 2-years-post-op-TODAY 2-5-Years-After-a-VSG Everday-life-at-2-5-years-out 2-1-2-year-update Has-it-really-been-2-years 2-1-2-year-update Two-Year-Surgiversary 2-year-update-portrait-of-a-heavyweight-a-bit-late Two-year-surgiversary 2-and-1-2-years-later 2-years-since-my-surgery-any-advice-on-face-lift 2-year-post-op-pics Two-Years-Before-amp-After-Pic 2-year-update-portrait-of-a-heavyweight-a-bit-late Thought-you-might-enjoy-an-update-with-a-few-pics Busybusymom-is-back-2-years-post-op TWO-YEARS-BABY Any-old-timers-still-lurking-the-boards Long-term Sleeve Experiences - 3 Years on June 8, 2009 10:43 pm Three years out Three and a half years after Vertical Gastrectomy My Story A quick 2 year and 3 year VSG update Third Year Surgiversay Not always easy but always worth it Very Discouraged 3 years out Links for researching the VSG on March 15, 2009 11:18 pm Here are some links I've collected when I was researching the sleeve. ASMBS position paper on sleeve - includes reports of early studies LapSF Educational presentation to FACS - includes some 2 year results LapSF Two Year Study LapSF Five Year Study - abstract only LapSF Five Year Study - presentation (requires Windows to play) Literature review on the sleeve - requires $$ to get the full text unfortunately Sleeve best for over 50 crowd Video of a sleeve with lots of education discussion Video of a sleeve that is more about the operation Ghrelin levels after RnY and sleeve Ghrelin levels after band and sleeve Diabetes resolution in RnY vs. Sleeve Comparison of band to sleeve - literature review Here are several links of individual results, and some research articles. Within some of the articles you have to pay for the articles, but it's a nominal fee if you want solid research evidence. The results vs RNY are pretty neck and neck 5 years out with the exception of regain, and 2nd surgeries (revisions due to regain, and most of the see to shorten the common channel/intestines/Stomaphyx/Rose procedure) sought by VSG patients, and nutritional/vitamin deficiencies and complications are much lower in VSG patients that are further out than some RNY patients. There are far more long term complications associated with the RNY procedure, and higher chance and proof of regain with RNY than the sleeve. Best wishes in your research.

Can you get a copy of your policy?

Grey's and Private Practice are old reruns, so I wanted to chat a bit tonight.

Ohhhhhhhhh poor Mini ! ! !

For the one with the gym bag, can you offer to work out with him? I tell everyone about my surgery. One of my dear friends here is seeking the sleeve because in the last few months, she's seen me drop 60 pounds. We bowl as partners on the league, we eat out 2-3 days a week together, she sees how happy I am, she knows the ins and outs of the surgery. When she confided in me that she had some bloodwork done, and at the ripe age of 38, is pre-diabetic, we started talking seriously about her having surgery. I believe everyone should know about this procedure, but not everyone is going to be open to it. So, I would not talk to the other guy because it seems a little intrusive, but you could offer to work out with the "gym bag" guy, and see if that spurs any conversations.

I heard that if you mix the Protein Powder with a little cold, cold Water to a paste consistency, and then add it to the warm liquid slowly, it prevents the clumping. Kind of like adding cornstarch or flour to hot gravy to thicken it.

I never considered using any of these type of programs because you literally so little for the first couple of months, a lot of fod would be wasted.

YES YES and more YES ! ! ! I can eat hearty, thick, rough lettuce, fresh spinach, but if I take one bite of romaine or iceberg it's coming back up. I still don't eat corn, or carrots.

The first time I nibbled on a chicken nugget I was okay, and I just realized I can eat those Snack size mashed potato bowls from KFC with the little fried popcorn chicken. I haven't had any issues with the snack bowl, maybe the carbs and gravy hide the grease LOL. It's weird going through this entire journey. I ate a pickle with lunch today, no skin, and here I am an hour later burping up pickle. I'm just about ready to give up on pickles.

Can we please get this thread STICKY'D? The information gets asked for daily, and it would be easier to find if it were sticky'd. Thanks.

http://verticalsleevetalk.com/pre-op-post-op-diets/1822-dr-aceves-information.html Here's the best thread for pre & post op stuff with Dr. Aceves.

Congrats on getting your date. Some people take extra comfy clothing. I took a sports bra that clasped in the front. heating pad, Ipod, magazines, books, gasx strips, are other common things I see on people's lists.

Oh wow that does sound scary. I'm sure my husband would feel the same way if I had gone through something like that. I'm sorry you had a bad experience, and hope you feel better every day. We all bruise easily when they give up anti-coagulants to help prevent blood clots. If you continue to have problems with bruising easily post-op, and didn't before, please seek another opinion. Some patients have reactions to heparin and lovenox. I have a very rare clotting disorder that doesn't even have a name, just "idiopathic clotting disorder" they can't figure out what is causing it, or why I have it. Anyways, please take care of yourself, sip, walk, rest, repeat. Keep us posted on your progress.

Awwwwwwwwww okay, that makes sense. My program limited our juice intake to 4 ounces a day if any at all. I think some recommend juice because it tastes better than water, and at least it would help with the hydration.

Congrats Anna ! ! !