Tiffykins

3 months for raw veggies and fruits and nuts. The only exception was melon without the seeds.

It's pretty standard to realize your sleeve has matured, and become 'used' to accepting larger quantities of food. I noticed around the same time as you. I think the key for me is avoiding the sliders, and I also realized that I do not have to chew food to mush anymore so that actually helps me feel restriction. I'm 20 months out and still can not eat an entire chicken breast if I only take 20-30 minutes for my meals. Now, if I purposely stretch my meal out over 45-60 minutes, I can fit more food in. I've been eating pretty much the same amounts for the last year. My surgeon scoped me when I had my gallbladder out at 8 months post-op, he said my sleeve looked perfect, we talked about capacity, and he agreed that my sleeve was at max capacity. It varies some day, and if I drink warm fluids before my meal, I can have a few more bites.

I'm 5'2", and at 150 I was in a size 8-10 depending on the brand, and cut of the jeans. Now, at 125-130lbs, I wear a size 2 rarely a size 4 anymore. Size vary, and have changed dramatically over the last 10-15 years. Vanity sizing is extremely popular. I know at 125lbs 10 years ago, I'd be no where near a size 2, but I'll take it for today's sizing. I started at 270lbs and 150lbs was my goal weight. I mainly wanted to get to single digits in the size world. I never imagined getting this "small".

The majority of nutrient/vitamin absorption occurs in the intestines so it doesn't matter be it chewable or pill form. I'm a big 34 year old kiddo trapped in an adult altered body so I stick to chewables. They've worked for me thus far on my labs, I take Celebrate Vitamins so it's not like I'm chowing down on kid's vitamins. I've always taken high quality vitamins formulated for adults, and have never been led astray. As long as you taking the recommended value of vitamins, and ensuring that your other medications will not effect the absorption, then pill form of vitamins are just fine. My husband thinks it's absurd that I still use chewables, but it's what works for me. I figure if I'm going to take vitamins, I might as well enjoy it. I have zero issue swallowing pills, I don't gag, nothing gets caught, I'm just lazy and like my chewables. Plus, I have found the perfect combination of a multi with Iron and a Calcium citrate that I can work with and give me everything I need in just 4 chewables per day. Not to shabby considering my other regimen had me taking 8 per day. Here is a great little reference diagram that shows where all the various "stuff" is actually absorbed. It's for RNY patients since they have malabsorption, BUT, it's a great reference for all of us. We don't have to worry about malabsorption with the exception of B12 so make sure you are supplementing B12 either sublingually or injectable.

If the gummy Vitamins gives you 100% daily value of the recommended vitamins/nutrients then, yes it's okay. The labeling for most gummy/chewable vitamins is usually 2 gummies/chewables per day to get the 100%. Also, have your doctor pull labs to check Vitamin levels pre-op to ensure that you aren't low in anything before surgery. If your levels are good pre-op, then they should be monitored post-op to ensure that vitamin is still working for you. It's difficult to play catch up on deficiencies so make sure you're getting in what your body needs. You'll need to add a B12 sublingual into your regimen. The portion of the stomach that is removed is responsible for the intrinsic factor that helps B12 be absorbed properly. Without this factor, you can become deficient rather quickly. You can pick up sublingual b12 at WalMart or any pharmacy, just look for the ones that say "sublingual". You'll pop it under your tongue and allow it to dissolve.

I'll keep you in my thoughts during this difficult time. I have actually read other stories similar to yours with the plication surgery, and the pleating causing major damage to the remaining stomach tissue. I do wish you the very best, and thank you for sharing your experience.

Eat some healthy carbs. Fiber filled carbs. Beans were always a good alternative for me. I hated the carbs, but loved the fiber so I bit the bullet when eating them.

It is collagen-based protein, but a little protein is better than none. Grant it, your body is not going to absorb and utilize it much because it's such a low quality of protein. I used the shots with my band surgery because I couldn't stand the taste/texture of protein shakes. With the sleeve, I couldn't use them at all. I tried my best, but they were a no go.

I was weaned off it. Just over a 2-3 day time period and the "dosing"/pumping level was decreased as I started introducing clears. I still drank regular gatorade for some sugar and electrolyte content, sucked on Pedialyte pops for the first week or so to make sure I stay hydrated. My labs were pulled before weaning and a couple of days after just to make sure my body was adjusting.

I've just been introduced to the fabulous world of Pampered Chef, and least to say, I'm in love with so many of their products. I'm not advertising or selling Pampered Chef, but I highly recommend this one tool for us because it's really helped me in the kitchen. It's the Mix and Chop. meats fine enough before using this tool. It's awesome because I refuse to touch raw meat, and with ground meats, you can just press, and turn this in the meat and really breaks down the meat. Like taco bell, taco meat consistency is what I prefer for Pasta sauces and the like. I just hate chewing up ground meat chunks because by the time I chew, chew, chew it has lost all it's flavor. Plus, doing this really allows the seasonings/spices to merry with the meat. Even if you find something similar to this product in another line like KitchenAid I would highly recommend it. It's also great for shredding meat like pork in the crock pot for pulled pork sandwiches, or roasts. I've even used it on baked chicken breasts to mix in a pasta salad.

There's not many things that make me happy in that giddy school girl way, but finding hot clothes that are trendy, fun, and fit fabulously makes me so damn happy. I know it seems so trivial to some, but believe me, NOTHING feels this good. The sweater is a medium, but it's the smallest they had. It's super big in the arms so no my arms are not that flabby. I never would have thought that at 34 yrs old that I'd feel this amazing mentally, physically and emotionally. Yes, I have my down days, but I no longer feel like the "fat girl". I see "Tiffany" when I look at myself. And, I never imagined wearing 4inch heels comfortably.

My question is why bypass? Have you seen the regain stats for the super morbidly obese? Are you willing to trade in a lifetime of nutrient and Vitamin deficiencies for maximum of 2 years of calories malabsorption? What will happen after you start absorbing calories again? Those were all my concerns when I was researching. At least with the sleeve if you do not get to your goal, you can go DS for malabsorption without the regain stats of RNY. Each surgery has it's pros and cons, but honestly the long term complications with RNY are downright scary. There are a few members on OH that have lost all their weight with BMIs over 65. I'm talking 200-250lbs withing 16-20 months post-op, and they didn't have to have a second procedure. I know you are frustrated, but really research the good, bad and ugly of the surgeries. I recommend checking out the struggling, failed and revision forums on obesityhelp.com so you can see for yourself just how many out there struggle with RNY. Best wishes, and hang in there.

http://www.bsciresourcecenter.com/proddetail.php?prod=A4 The cottage cheese test was established to test pouch size. I've done this with greek yogurt. Max capacity was around 4.75oz ounces of greek yogurt in 5-6 minutes.

Hopefully, she won't get hit with the horrible regain stats on RNY, and have her diabetes return with even a 20-30lb weight regain. Because she just traded in a lifetime of malabsorption of nutrients and vitamins to "cure" her diabetes which might come back.

I can only share my experience. There is more to it than the "honeymoon phase" to wait at least a year. Our bodies endure pure hell during the rapid weight loss phase, hormonal changes, metabolic changes, dietary changes etc etc. The key after surgery if/when you get pregnant is to get out of ketosis (most go into ketosis due to high protein/low carb diets. Fetal brain injury can result from a mother staying in ketosis. Also, Vitamin deficiencies in the mother can cause major birth defects. So, it's recommended to wait a year after goal so your body can adjust to all the changes, and give you the best possible outcome for a healthy pregnancy and delivery. It's not even a year post surgery. The recommendation is a year past hitting goal. But, most end up pregnant before even getting to goal. NOW, with all that being said. I was cleared just 8 months post-VSG. I had reached goal, my labs were stellar, and I was eating closer to 1200 calories a day with 100 gr of Protein and 100 gr of carbs. No longer in ketosis and trying to maintain my weight. There were other extenuating circumstances to me convincing my surgeon, PCM and discussing it with the nut that I was going to TTC. Since I am close to 20 months out, I have zero issue getting in 1500-2000 calories a day from food sources. I typically hit 60-100 gr of protein, and the onlyr carbs I try to keep under control is white carbs. I've been below goal for a year now. My labs are still stellar. And, here we are in our 11th month of TTC and NOTHING ha. I go next month to start the fertility assistance program with our insurance. Essentially, it's lab work for me, hormone levels and then they'll put me on Clomid. I'll do that for up to a year, and then we'll have to figure out the next step after that. The mister has already been checked and his swimmers are superb. YAY HIM :cheer2: I've seen more band patients struggle with weight regain and not being able to get it off than I have RNY or VSG patients. The couple of VSG'ers that got pregnant at goal, were able to lose within 6-12 weeks of delivery. They only gained between 17-26lbs from what I can remember from their stories. I have cut myself off from the pregnancy board on obesityhelp.com because I'm pissed we are not pregnant yet. I'm far too obsessive to frequent that board anymore and it's just a devastating emotional blow time after time when I go there to read other people's stories. For me, I wasn't willing to wait. I knew what I needed to do to ensure a healthy pregnancy. Of course, I had my gallbladder removed the same month I was released so that was my 4th surgery in 16 months. My body, I'm guessing, just isn't ready, but I'm not getting any younger. I've done the whole "ohhh I don't care, ohh it'll happen when it happens" and that is SO not my personality. I bawled like a 2 year old in a temper tantrum when I got my last negative result on Tuesday. I go Monday to my PCM to get the referral to the fertility doc. We'll see what happens. . .

If you don't get the referral to the MTF, you can call a patient advocate or visit the post/base patient advocate and request the referral be changed. I've never had one denied, and about to go for my next "referral change" for fertility assistance. I'll get sent to our MTF for fertility even though I see a civilian PCM with Prime, and I refuse to go on base for fertility assistance. All of my referrals have been kicked to civilians, but I requested my referrals to the MTF for my revision and they did it without any fuss. Best wishes ! ! !

I agree with this completely. I never had an issue with dating, or putting myself out there. I was confident, flirty, fun at 270lbs. I gave myself way more credit than anyone else, and I truly believe that my self-worth was NOT related to my jean size. I deserved the best, and refused to settle for less than everything from my friends and lovers. I will say that YES, I get hit on a lot more at a size 2 than I did at a size 24W, but I still attracted men. Many times it was because I carried myself well, and did not mope around in a pity party because of my weight. I have several obese to morbidly obese girlfriends. I was actually a very active member of a BBW and Admirers group in Dallas. I was like the fricken head cheerleader. And, all the girls that didn't get asked out, were the "woe is me" type, they never saw themselves worth more than a piece of a$$, and thought their girly bits were lined with gold and giving up sex would land a man. Well, all it did was land them in more emotional turmoil. I was asked a lot "why don't you date these guys that are chasing you?" Ehhh I knew they weren't going to be there for the long haul, and when I wouldn't go out with them, Guess what happened? ? ? Those same, "I'm not worthy" girls would sling leg then be devastated when the douchebag moved on to someone else. I saw it more times than I care to count. If I wanted to hump someone, I did it on my terms. I didn't do it because I felt bad about myself, nor did I ever believe that I was not worthy because I was fat. I agree that it really has more to do with the sheer fact that after major weight loss people become more confident not only in our physical appearance, but emotionally and mentally, they are stronger, and believe in themselves. Of course, this is all coming from a cocky, arrogant, overly confident former fat girl, but it's what I've witnessed over the last decade of being the fun, hot fat girl ! ! !

I think when you can convince yourself that this is not a diet attempt, you'll see it differently. Believe me, I had more diet attempt failures than I'd care to count, but I really didn't think of this as a diet. I had just forever changed my anatomy. I kind of felt like I had divorced an abusive spouse by having a huge portion of my stomach removed. I no longer felt the urge to binge on food, and I really wanted to be successful. I knew that I would have to make positive and constant changes to be successful. The sleeve just gave me the help I needed that I never had in the past. I do contribute the majority of my success to the loss of hunger, but I am only human. At almost 20 months out, I'm finding some bad habits creeping back in. I'm comfortable now, I feel amazing, and while I know I'm not going to see a huge gain, I do fear letting myself slip back into old habits, and gaining more than my normal 5lbs. It's a slippery slope that I glide across, and I have to remind myself constantly that I did this for one reason; improved future health. Right now, I am struggling with night eating. Not late night get out of bed to eat, I never did that because I like my sleep way too much. BUT, right before bed time, I'm having a snack i.e. half sandwich, some chips with dip, a few pretzels with mustard, etc etc. Not huge portions, but I can't justify eating at 9:30pm when I'm never hungry. I just mentally want it, and I've been giving in. SO, I have to stop, and stop it NOW or I feel an ugly monster is going to rear it's head, and it'll take me forever to get rid of it. I do believe that each one of us will have our own struggles, and there is no way to know what those struggles might be until they hit us right smack dab in the face. I was not prepared for this at all. I was positive I had kicked this little habit to the curb. So, here I am, today recognizing the issue, and setting up some strategies to overcome it. That's all I know to do. . . You are doing everything right. You've got a great game plan, and you will be successful. BUT, you have to believe it, and I didn't believe it until I went through it myself.

Not really. Here's the plan: From this link; http://www.5daypouchtest.com/plan/theplan.html Below you will find a brief list of the menu for each day. Please click the "Read more" links for further detail and hints and tips that will enable your success with the 5 Day Pouch Test. Days One & Two: Liquid Protein low-carb Protein Shakes, broth, clear or cream soups, sugar-free Gelatin and pudding. Read more. Day 3: Soft Protein canned fish (tuna or salmon) eggs, fresh soft fish (tilapia, sole, orange roughy. Read more. Day 4: Firm Protein ground meat (turkey, beef, chicken, lamb), shellfish, scallops, lobster, fresh salmon or halibut. Read more. Day 5: Solid Protein white meat poultry, beef steak, pork, lamb, wild game Read more.

Essentially, it was designed for RNY patients. It takes you back to basics. It's not going to test your sleeve capacity, but it's like going back to the post-op diet for a short time frame. It'll help rid the "carb monster", you might lose weight, you might a break a stall, you might turn into a raging lunatic being back on a liquid diet for the first 2-3 days. I never do it fully. I simply eliminate all white carbs for a week if I feel the need to purge all the bad, and I can lose anywhere between 3-7lbs in a week by doing this depending on which week I attempt it. If it's my ovulation week, I'm the raging lunatic wanting carbs, and if it's my period week, KATY BAR THE DOOR because I'm going to slice someone's throat ha ha ha. So, pretty much there is only 2 weeks out of the month, I can eliminate white carbs. Least to say, I've only done it a couple of times ha ha ha.

Check out this sub-forum for Protein ratings, places to buy samples. #1 piece of advice do not purchase large tubs of anything because post-op, your tastes might change, or you might develop lactose intolerance and you won't be able to drink whey Protein drinks since it's a milk product. http://www.verticalsleevetalk.com/forum/78-protein-drinkspowders/ As for Vitamins, I use and love the Celebrate chewable Multi with Iron, and Calcium Citrate Plus 500 chewable. I have used GNC solotron chewables with bioavailable iron as well and love them too. My labs have always been stellar with both of these vitamins. If you contact Bariatric Advantage, and Celebrate Vitamins, they will both send you sample packs of their products. Celebrate even has a protein with a multi Vitamin that you can mix up to drink. I've never used it, but a lot of people like it. Some people take Centrum complete, or other One A Day without issue. I just prefer chewables and refuse to take children's vitamins. I might be lazy, and like yummy vitamins, but I'm not taking vitamins formulated for kiddos. That's just my opinion, but I figure I went through a life-altering, anatomy changing surgery to find greater health, I want to put the best in my body.

Get the pain meds filled along with a stool softener (narcotics slow the bowels, and you don't want to deal with constipation), see if they'll give you Toradol, it's not a narcotic. . . Or see if you can take some liquid children's ibuprofen just promise them you'll take it with some pudding or yogurt on your stomach.

Have you gone to medical professionals to check for medical issues that could cause weight gain? I really can't believe any decent and moral surgeon would perform surgery on you with only 17lbs to get into a healthy BMI, but then again, I guess you could find someone to do it. I wouldn't put my body through this type of surgery to lose 17-30lbs. No way in hell. My suggestions/advice since you asked, go to your doctor, have some lab work pulled, and then meet with a licensed dietician to get on a good solid eating plan. that will help you lose your weight.

Use a back up method. I know far too many women that have gotten pregnant after WLS and it's not just with the malabsorptive surgery such as RNY that messes with hormonal bc. My surgeon believes that since we have crazy hormone fluxes during the rapid weight loss phase that anything is possible.