Tiffykins

I've got my fingers and toes crossed for you too ! ! !

I was completely forbidden to eat or drink anything for 22 days to ensure my repaired leak hole stayed closed. I wasn't even allowed to use mouthwash, and couldn't use water to brush my teeth. Only enough to wet the toothbrush. They were super paranoid about anything going down my esophagus. The TPN nutrient bag saved me from being dehydrated and malnourished. I had a "pic" line (central line catheter) in my left arm that fed directly across my collarbone (some big artery in there), and then into my heart. I was on that for over 2 weeks. It wasn't pleasant, but it got my stomach healed. I had to add medication (insulin) and certain supplements/vitamins to the bag every day. Even though I wasn't diabetic they had to add insulin. It was chalked full of 1800 calories per day, and I changed the bag daily. I had an in-home healthcare nurse stop in every three days to change my dressing because it's tough to do with one hand, and my husband was deployed and I didn't have anyone to come over and help me during that recovery time period. I had a ct scan with gastrographin contrast Fluid after 22 days, the leak was completely healed, and then my surgeon put me on clears for 17 days. I had to wean off the TPN bag for 2 days before I could have the catheter removed from my arm. Did they put a stent in there to help heal it? I've read a couple of people who had this procedure done, and I couldn't find any information on the net about why this done or how it's supposed to help, but a couple of patients that had stents placed had longer recoveries than I did. I would ask about going on TPN. I think anything going in is going to irritate the leak, and slow healing. I can honestly tell you I never got thirsty or hungry on TPN. I wanted to drink, but I wasn't willing to risk another leak at that point. I was my surgeon's very first leak. He called a surgeon out of Florida State University to get his opinion on repairing my leak. They almost put in a stent, but after reading leak patients ordeal with those things, I'm so grateful they opted to suture up the leak, and put me on TPN. Like I said, it isn't pleasant having that line in my arm, but it saved me. I bought one of those baby umbrella stroller, and my bag of fluids, iv pump came in a backpack that I laid in the stroller, and pushed around my house, driveway and patio. I even took it to Wal-Mart just so I could get out of the house and walk a little more. My heart breaks for you because I know how tiring it is. We're all here for you, and please keep us posted.

I didn't consume more than 30grams of carbs per day during my losing phase, and I averaged at least 5-7lbs loss per week. I know that seems super strict, but it kept me in ketosis, and burning fat constantly. Once I hit 4 months, I added more per my surgeon's suggestion, but I still kept it below 60 grams a day. Some days I would get a few more, but I still never close to 80 grams of carbs per day. I hated sweet stuff so it was easy for me to steer clear of that stuff. But, when I did want something sweet I had no sugar add Fruit bars that were sweetend with Splenda. These have only 30 calories and 8 grams of carbs per bar. So, this was a "treat" for me.

I really don't understand how some surgeons treat leaks. It kind of blows my mind. I had a second surgery to fix mine, and they did buttressing and mattress sutures to fix it. I did have to go home on a TPN line for nutrients for a little over 2 weeks with drains, but hearing of these extensive healing times for leaks makes me shake my head. I'm so sorry that you are having to endure all of this. I know it's so draining emotionally, mentally, and physically. We're all here for you, and praying for a full recovery.

I wasn't cleared for any alcohol consumption until around 3.5-4 months. My surgeon warned me against red, dry wines. I didn't ask his reasoning, but I drink white Rieslings now without issue. Some surgeon stress no alcohol until close or at goal due to the wasted calories and dehydration factor of alcohol.

Daily 1-20mg Prilosec (taken once daily first thing in the morning 1 hour before eating) 1- GNC Solotron Chewable with bioavailable Iron (morning and evening with food) 1 Omega 3 with DHA and EPA (2 hours after Prilosec) 1 calcium citrate (2 hours after Prilosec) Evening - Repeat Omega 3s, and Calcium Citrate Every Other day 1- sublingual B12 25,000mcg 1-2 Tbsp Ground Organic Flax seed (added to my meals)

Since so many people need this information, I thought I would make a thread of all the link from Mac's OH profile. These are my go-to links when I need information. These are all individual experiences from OH, and are chalked full of information. As for the research links, if you get super-geeky (like me), you can find some other articles and links to review for your own research . I will post this in my blog as well so it's always accessible on the forum. 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

Thank you all so very much for your constant support, kind comments and encouragement. I honestly don't know how I would of made this far without y'all in my life. This forum has definitely been a blessing in my life, and I can only hope that I can be as supportive and encouraging to all the members who have helped me along the way.

Standard procedure with my surgeon is 2 nights in the hospital. I know a lot of surgeons are doing this outpatient, but in my opinion the first 24 hours is so vital in recovery. There is a lot of gas pain, overall discomfort typically at the larger incision site, and some patients have difficulty getting fluids in the first week. Lack of fluids lead to so many other problems, and it's just not worth it to be shipped in and out of the hospital. This is major surgery and I would not choose outpatient as an option.

Hi Kerri, and welcome. Congrats on getting your date, and best wishes for a smooth surgery and recovery. Keep us posted on your progress.

I was able to get my 60gr of Protein from food pretty easily once I moved to soft solids and regular food. 3 ounces of lean meat contains 21gr of protein so I really ate a lot of tuna and chicken salad through the soft solid stage. I stuck with 3 ounces of dense protein for a long time. I never found a protein supplement that I could tolerate until my 4 month post-op mark, so I never used them. My surgeon's recommended diet was 4 meals a day consisting of at least 15gr of protein. I found that doable most days.

It's been a long time coming, but I finally have a normal BMI. Not that I allow that to determine my overall health, but it's pretty awesome, right? I am still on restricted activity for another 4 weeks which is driving me crazy, and I honestly think that is contributing to me still losing. I can't work out, and I'm going crazy. If I could build some muscle mass, I could still burn the fat, but not lose the pounds. I'm feeling good, and enjoying food again after gb removal, but it took nearly 10 days for me to be able to eat normally. Other than that, not a lot is going on. I've been shopping way too much, and really need to cut back. I got my wok in this week and can't wait until I get to use it. I'm so stoked for some homemade fried rice and mongolian noodles. Cheers, and I hope everyone is doing well.

I really get tired of sweet stuff so I had been looking for something to do with Greek yogurt. Ran across this recipe and I love it. I use Fage or Okios Plain non-fat greek yogurt and lite sour cream. I eat it with baked pita chips, pork rinds, and have rolled it in some deli meat. I've added diced black olives as well, and it added another flavor component. Caysen ate it on a tortilla with turkey, and rolled it up. He said it was yummy. recipes Ingredients 1 cup plain yogurt (substitute greek yogurt for more Protein, less fat) 1 cup sour cream (light sour cream) 1 teaspoon white vinegar 1/2 teaspoon lemon juice 1 small cucumber - peeled, seeded, and finely chopped 1 green onion 1 garlic clove, minced 1/4 cup crumbled feta cheese 1/2 teaspoon oregano 1/4 teaspoon lemon zest salt and pepper to taste Directions Stir together the yogurt, sour cream, vinegar, lemon juice, cucumber, green onion, garlic, feta cheese, oregano, lemon zest, salt, and pepper in a bowl; cover and chill 8 hours or overnight before serving. Nutritional Information Easy Greek Yogurt Cucumber Sauce Servings Per Recipe: 16 Amount Per Serving Calories: 53 Total Fat: 4.1g Cholesterol: 11mg Sodium: 87mg Total Carbs: 2.3g Dietary Fiber: 0.1g Protein: 1.9g I haven't figured up the nutritional facts for my substitutions. But, for the base recipe you can see that it's low fat, and I figure the greek yogurt decreases the fat even more, and upped the protein considerably.

I have a girlfriend that had RNY and she has to get these injections. Unfortunately, she is severely b12 and b6 deficient, and she has to get injections. But, she has volatile side-effects to the shots. She gets nauseated, and has to go on a bland diet for the first 5-7 days after her shot. She said after the first week she feels great, but it sucks for those 5-7 days. Of course, she is deficient because of her malabsorption component. I wouldn't take the injections unless I was truly deficient, but that's just me. I have been slacking on my Vitamins for the last 2 weeks, but plan on getting back on the bandwagon this week. The 25 gauge needle is pretty thin, but that's a long needle. I always opt for the thigh for intramuscular injections.

Great job, and congrats on your loss thus far. You are doing fabulous, and no lectures from me on vitamins, but I have gotten lax the last couple of weeks and trying to get back top of it.

I'm so glad to hear it was a drama free time. It's difficult sometimes for me to hear comments from people even though I want to believe they have the best intentions. . .

Hey Vicki, best wishes and prayers for you tomorrow.

Best wishes tomorrow for a speedy recovery. Definitely get you some stretchy pants, enjoy the pedi, and keep us posted once you get home. I worn the hospital gown the entire time I was there because if I had my dressing changed or got dirty, I wanted someone else to have to do the laundry. Take care of yourself, rest, relax, and know we're all thinking of you.

Congrats on all your scale and non-scale victories thus far ! ! ! Cheers to many more in your near future ! ! !

Hi Sparkle and welcome to VST. I'm 8.5 months out, and truly eat anything and everything I want. I eat my steaks on the medium side, I eat spicy mexican and chinese/thai food a few times a month without issue, I don't eat sushi, but I've had a couple of avocado rolls, which is all the same minus the raw fish component, without any issue. So, truly I do eat anything and everything. Yes, the quantities are much smaller, but very satisfying. I'm in the maintaining stage, but I still lose sporadically. I just had my gallbladder removed on February 4th, and I am on restricted activity for another 4 weeks. I can not work out, or lift weights, and I think that is contributing to me losing again. I'm not able to build my muscle. I just started adding healthy carbs and higher fats to my diet to help with calorie intake to help maintain. Often times, I hear other long termers state that they fell below goal, and then their bodies just got comfortable at a certain weight and the losing stopped. Best wishes on your research for a surgeon, and keep us posted on your progress.

Sooooooooo glad to hear that you are doing well, and on your way home. Take care, sip, walk, rest and repeat.

Hi Kim and welcome from a fellow Floridian. I really can't answer your questions because my recovery was very different from everyone elses. But, you may want to get a tiny step stool to help you when you reaching high above your head. I know most people take 7-14 days off. The thing I hear the most is that energy levels are pretty low during the first couple of weeks due to lack of food. But, a lot of people are able to get in Protein during the full liquid stage and that helps tremendously. Best wishes on a great surgery and speedy recovery. Keep us posted as your day approaches, we'll save ya a seat on the lover's bench.

Glad to hear it went well for you. It definitely gets easier each every day.