Tiffykins

This is my standard reply when someone asks me why I chose VSG over RNY for my revision. I would encourage you to check out the "Failed WLS" "revision" and struggling and food issue forums on Obesityhelp.com before you change your mind. The VSG was my 2nd, and final WLS. I could have easily had RNY, but I fought to have VSG as my revision from the band. Some factors I considered in deciding on VSG. The pouch that RNY offers is similar to the pouch with the band. Least to say, a pouch sucks, I love having a normal tummy, just less capacity and still fully functioning. 1) No blind stomach left behind that can be difficult to scope yet can still get ulcers and cancer. 2) 2 years max on calorie/carb/sugar malabsorption, but a lifetime of vitamin/nutrient malabsorption. What are you going to do without malabsorption, it's called adaptation, and it happens with all intestinal bypass surgeries except for the DS which is more extensive with the "true switch", not just bypassing a portion of the intestine 3) I had a pouch with the band, and it sucked. I'm pretty fond of my pyloric valve and the sleeve let me keep it. I love having a normal functioning stomach, just smaller in capacity. 4) Regain stats and #of RNY patients seeking revision truly scared the poop out of me 5) I have too many friends in real life that struggle with Vitamin deficiencies post-RNY, and most of them either never got to goal, or have gained back a significant amount of their weight. 6) The long term complications with RNY were too numerous for my comfort level. Bowel obstructions, not able to take NSAIDS or steroids ( do you realize how many conditions/diseases are treated with steroids or NSAIDS? It's downright scary what steroids do to a pouch if you're ever faced with a debilitating disease or condition that must be treated with steroids. 7) I researched gastrectomies that had been performed for stomach cancer and ulcer patients, and found comfort in the long term results and minimal complications of patients that had lost most or all of their stomachs had dealt with over several years. 8) I was a volume eater, and knew a restrictive only procedure would work for me. That was my thought process when I got the band, and I thought I could beat the odds on complications. Sadly, the band only lasted 8 months before I had to revise. 9) I did not want to have food or medication restrictions. I chose WLS to have a "normal" life, and I think it's normal to eat a couple of Cookies. With RNY, I wasn't willing to go through the possibility of dumping if I wanted to have a couple of cookies, or a slice of cake on occasion. Plus, knowing only 30% of RNY'ers dump on sugar, is it really worth it if you can still eat these foods without consequence, and still have to deal with malabsorption of nutrients and Vitamins for the rest of your life? ? ? I lost all my weight with the exception of 7lbs with the sleeve. It's been a fabulous journey, and I'm easily maintaining with zero issues.

Ohhhhh huney, I didn't even venture to the DS board after they attacked me on the revision forum back when I was having issues with my band. Now, when they come trolling in over on OH at the VSG forum, I tell them that I'll take my half-ass sleeve with my amazing 138lbs weight loss, and easily maintaining without any nutrient/vitamin deficiencies, and NOT having to take 30 Vitamins a day just so my body functions properly. I know there are a couple of DS'ers that never made goal, and some that have regained because white carbs are WLS proof, and they sneak up on the best of people. Those few people that struggle with DS are banished from posting and instead of getting support they get bashed, and beaten by their own kind. When they do the DS, I'm convinced they switch something else too. It's like a mental switch of superiority, and that they are all invincible and shit. Well, believe me, I'm going to be that bitch in about 3 years that goes back and posts, "HEY what's up biznatches, here I am still skinny, and still healthy, so stick in your oily buttholes ! ! !"

Kassie, did you get any answers from the poster that stated it is a covered procedure outside of MTFs? I sent a private message and asked here, but obviously, I'm not getting a reply. If she did get her VSG covered by Tricare prime OFF POST/BASE, please share the details so we can share this information with the other military spouses that really want VSG and do not have an MTF to go to that performs the sleeve. This is vital information, and if you or Fancy Huh could post some details, and steps to get it approved outside having it at a military hospital, it would be greatly appreciated.

I took vitamins before surgery. There's plenty of research articles out there that prove we can not consume enough micro and macro nutrients from food even with a varied diet, it is just not possible. Plus, the portion of the stomach that is removed with VSG is responsible for making the intrinsic factor which makes B12 absorption readily available by the intestines. Well, we don't have that part of the stomach so we're kind of screwed if the b12 we are getting in from food is not being broken down by the intrinsic factor and being pooped right out. I take a sublingual b12 a couple times a week. There are neurological and physical ailments that can come with a B12 deficiency so if you aren't going to take anything, please be aware of this major concern with VSG patients. It's documented thoroughly and you can research it on pubmed.com or springerlink.com Iron is another big one that people with altered insides suffer. Unless, you're eating tons of iron rich foods, spinach (fresh or lightly steamed), red meat etc then you can't be taking in enough. A comprehensive blood panel is definitely a good idea at least every year. You really don't want to deal with taking more vitamins, or worse iron infusions and b12 injections to get your levels up. A little preventative maintenance can go a long way in my opinion. I always make sure my surgeon pulls my B12, folate, Vitamin A, E B, B12, D and D3 and E along with copper, selenium and zinc to ensure that I am staying within normal levels. I eat some form of red meat almost every day of my life, and eat 2-3 medium size 1.5-2 cups of fresh spinach salads weekly, and my iron is barely over low normal levels with a count of 48 (normal range is 30-124 (my by lab ranges), and luckily my hemoglobin and hematocrit are normal levels or I'd be taking additional iron. Least to say, I'm going back in March to see if my iron level has come up, if it's not on the way up, I'm definitely going to increase either my lean red meat intake, or start taking an iron supplement to stay ahead of this number. I'm with you on restriction changing if I'm stressed. I was like that pre-op so I'm not surprised by tighter restriction if I'm stressed out over something.

I run on anywhere between 1200-2000 calories a day. It varies and truly depends what/how many times a day I eat. Some days, I run super low on calories, and honestly I don't feel any different. I also do not just lounge around every day, all day, but I do little to zero formal exercise. On days, that I do workout, or if I'm going to be running around, volunteering, up and moving, I take beef Jerky with me, and I get in 300-500 calories just from beef jerky. Most days, I eat 3-4 times per day. Now that my weight has stabilized, I rarely have to eat 5-6 times per day to hit those calories goals of 1500-1800 calories. I'm still losing inches even though the scale isn't moving downward. It's just kind of weird how the body works. During my losing stage, I did adhere to the 600-800 calories, and no more than 30gr of carbs, and I never felt better.

Yeah, that's for one serving for that specific recipe. I wouldn't drink it only because the carb count outnumbers the Protein count. It's just what worked for my weight loss, and my personal goals.

Pretty soft and super flabby with a bunch of hanging before surgery. When I'd sit down, my belly would cover majority of my thighs. . Once you get cleared to do ab/core workouts, I highly, highly suggest hip hop abs for at home work outs for the ab/midsection. I contribute my belly shrinkage to those DVDs. I swear by them, and honestly, they are not tough on the knees. It's very basic, and you can turn the music down if you're not a fan of pop music. It's not hardcore hip hop, it's more like the Pussycat dolls, pop songs, Beyonce etc etc.

Beans were considered mushy/puree for my stages. Some days things worked, and other days they didn't. Like scrambled eggs, most people love them, but they set like a brick in my stomach even at 19 months out. So, everyone is different, and even some different brands settle different for me. For example, the Wolf Brand chili with beans do not work as well for me as my homemade chili. I'm not sure why, but my chili is super thick, chunky, but for some reason the canned chili just doesn't "feel" as good as mine. Same goes for mashed potatoes. Logan's steakhouse mashed potatoes hit my stomach and it's uncomfortable, but mashed potatoes at chili's are fine. I don't know why, but it happens. If something doesn't feel good today, try it in a week and see how it feels. Take out the cheese or salsa and see if that works. It's a lot of trial and error in the beginning.

Puddings, yogurt, cottage cheese were all considered full liquids on my program. Mushies/purees/soft foods were all the same. Deli meat can be chewed to nothing so it wasn't stringy or dense like a chicken breast.

No one should get offended, I sure am not offended to talk about girly bits. So, here I am 145lbs smaller, and I carried 90% of my weight in my abdomen. That little fat pad is gone, but there is a little extra skin there, nothing that hangs down, nothing droops, nothing that gets in the way, and when I lay down, my bone pops up. I talked to my PCM about it when he did my well woman, and he assured me that with my tummy tuck, it will be completely resolved. I know one lady that had some plastic surgery on her area, body contouring is what they called it. They liposuctioned the fat out, and tightened the skin during her tummy tuck and lower body lift. She now has painful sex because the bone protrudes and she has problems wearing under garments because she continued to lose body fat after her plastics. She said her clitoris is constantly exposed which might not be a problem for some, but I can't imagine trying to walk around with no skin covering my parts. My stomach does not hang over my girly bits either. I can stand in the mirror and see everything clearly even though I have a bit of a fat roll on my lower abdomen still. It's there, I see it, my husband sees it, it's not a flap or anything like that, but it's there. My body keeps changing, and my fat has redistributed a handful of times since getting to goal so I'm thinking that I'm definitely waiting a few more months to have plastics. I've been at/below goal for a year now, and only 19 months post op so I figure if we don't get pregnant by June/July, I'll be 2 years out, and can go ahead with plastics.

It's still not the "best" option, it's less expensive quality, and not as readily absorbed without an acidic environment. My PCM refuses to even suggest to people without WLS to take calcium carbonate. Carbonate needs an acidic environment to break down and be absorbed properly. If you read the information on carbonate vs. citrate, it's really a better option to take the "best" option even without altered internal organs. I've heard several patients say their surgeons are "happy" with them taking some form of Vitamins that something is better than nothing. It's just my opinion that if we're going to take additional supplements, we need to take good quality, adult supplement/vitamins that give us our best chances of not having deficiencies. And blood levels for calcium will not necessarily guarantee that you aren't deficient in calcium. A bone density scan is really the only way to determine how our bones are "aging". I am not trying to discourage anyone from doing what their surgeons recommend, but I do not believe surgeons are gods, and I want to take care of my body the best I can after going through with VSG. My band surgeon would tell people that Flintstones are just fine, but admitted the reason he said that is because most adults gripe and complain about vitamins so Flintstones taste good, and people will take them.

I didn't even add the sugar or splenda. From myfitnesspal.com I didn't add sugar or splenda. Breakfast Calories 280 Carbs 42 Fat 1 Protein 25 Carnation Instant Breakfast - chocolate No Sugar Added, 1 packet 60 12 1 5 Pet - Fat Free Evaporated Milk, 8 tbsp (30ml) 100 12 0 8 Flash - Instant Nonfat Dry Milk powder, 0.5 cup (23 g) dry 120 18 0 12

I'm the oddball then because I still am purely fascinated by these shows. I never watched people eat pre-op, and I still don't watch people eat. My mom has the band, and she now gets repulsed watching obese people eat. But, for me, I could care less. I know that seems cold and heartless, but I'm too worried about what I'm eating to even notice anyone else. I'm still a fat girl stuck in a size 2 body. Mentally, I still have fat tendencies, and my husband has even recognized some of my behaviors. I still go to buffets, and still get way too much food. Cool thing is that I bring lots of food home.

LOL LOL my mom thought the same thing. She thought I just had it pulled back and highlighted. It's super short in the back, my entire neck is showing, and it's super stacked up the back with the longest layer being about 4 inches long. I color my hair at home, but really suck with highlights so I always have those done professionally. I'm super stoked to have this style, and seriously, it's the easiest thing in the world to style. I just blow dry and go, and of course, I could get more creative, and pump it up more or less. I can also flat Iron and slick it down on the sides. BUT, that Texas girl in me loves me some big hair so I like it stacked and kind of poofed out like she styled it because it does hide that it's not that thick anymore. At least, the volume is coming back, and some of the volume and natural body that I had before I lost so much hair. Thanks everyone so much ! ! !

Awwwwwwww thanks so much, but I don't like them anymore. I got some more samples, and they tasted funky now. I'm hooked on their regular Calcium chewables now.

Go back a food stage. Pain is not normal, and it's typically a sign that your body is just not ready for that consistency. Just because we're released for those foods, it doesn't mean our bodies agree. I was on clears for 2 weeks, 1 week full liquid, then mushies forever LOL. I stuck to mushies for nearly 3 months because solids took forever to settle with me. I would eat 3 meals a day with mushy food like chicken tuna egg salads, deli meat with cream cheese, and then one meal a day with soft meats.

I take the Celebrate calcium citrate Plus 500. 2 chewables per day. I like the taste and texture. I have the berries and cream flavor. I used to like the lemon Calcet chewy things, but they lost their luster. For me, the Celebrate work perfectly, it's a measily 2 chewables, they dissolve quickly, and don't taste like chalk to me. The cherry flavor and berries flavors are my favorite. https://www.celebratevitamins.com/shop/calcium/calcium-plus-500.html I also take their Mulit-Vitamin with Iron, YUMMY. Again, just 2 chewables per day. I take 1 calcium wait a couple of hours, take another mid morning/early afternoon. And, I take my multi at night after dinner. You just have to make sure that your calcium and mulit with iron are not taken within 2 hours of each other since the iron prevents the calcium from being properly absorbed.

I was to do 4 meals per day with a minimum of 15gr of Protein per meal. This ensured protein goals were met. I didn't have room for Snacks, and didn't bother with Protein drinks since I was able to get my protein from food sources. It's amazing what the body can do when it starts burning fat for energy, and utilizing all the stores we have built up in our bodies. The no snacking thing is to help stop grazing. It's an ugly habit, and the further out you get, the more you can eat, plus, it's mindless, head hunger eating that leads to slow weight loss. I struggle with grazing now that I'm further out so I rely on my "losing stage" habits to keep me in check. Having a few things here and there adds up, and over the course of the next few months, you'll find that you can fit more in. The focus early out is to maximize weight loss. Some decide to snack and have zero issue with losing, but for me, it's a mental thing, and I had to nip snacking completely. Of course at 19 months out, it's a lot easier to eat more. Around 6-7 months out(I was at goal), I had zero issues eating plenty of veggies. I'm not a fruit eater, never have been so it's not something I worry too much about.

I'm so sorry your surgeon ignored the issues for so long. A stricture, if found early, can usually be quickly repaired. I hope they can get you to feeling better, and wish you a speedy recovery. I hope your regret is short lived once your issues are actually properly addressed, and corrected.

I love the Celebrate chewables with Iron, and their calcium citrate plus 500 chewables as well. For both of them, I only have to take 4 chewables a day which is more than half of what I was taking between my other chewable (GNC solotron chewable with iron which I still love), and Citracal petites. As for Protein, it's not going to keep your hair from falling out. Hate to be the bearer of bad news, but no amount of protein will keep your hair intact. Focus on fluids, and once you get to mushies, getting in protein is so much easier. Plus, you can add greek yogurt to sugar free pudding or Jello powder for added protein minus the carbs/calories of regular fruit yogurt. It's loaded with protein and that will help. Iron should be in your multi. Make sure you are taking Calcium Citrate (at a minimum of 1000mg per day preferably 1500mg if you aren't able to eat a lot of dairy yet), plus you should be taking a sublingual b12 because the portion of the stomach they remove is where the intrinsic factor is and it's necessary to break down b12 to be absorbed by the intestines. Also, if you are taking a multi with iron, it can not be taken within 2 hours before or after your calcium as the iron interferes with the absorption calcium. If your multi doesn't contain iron, then you'll have to take yet another pill if not 2-3 per day. I switching up my regimen right now to see which I like better. Right now, I'm taking my calcium in the morning, 1 chewable first thing in the morning, another one with lunch then I take my multi right around dinner time and another one right before bed. I switch it up sometimes with the multi in the morning, and the calcium at night. For my 18 month labs last month, my b12 was double the high, so I've cut my sublingual dosing down to twice per week instead of every other day.

Feel free to contact me anytime here, or on FB or call or text. Whichever works best for you ! ! !

Thank y'all so much ! ! ! It's really not thick at all, it's just a lot of layers and creative texturizing with her little razor. I'm super in love with it because it's super easy. I especially love it because I can seriously just blow dry it and go. Cutting it off brought out a lot of my "pre-op" volume that I was used to having, and it really makes me happy that my hair is coming back. The stylist did comment on all the new growth coming in all over. She could see all the hair coming in so that is a big positive since it's been a year since the big shedding stopped for me. Fingers crossed my volume, and bouncy hair comes back. I was super concerned the mister would hate it, but he actually loves it.

I just had to do low carb (little to zero white carbs), high Protein, and just ate meat, cheese, and green veggies, big salads when I could. Both times, my liver looked fantabulous. I had over 100lbs to lose with a BMI close to 50 and never had to do the all liquids thing since studies show that doing low carb/high protein for 7-14 days is sufficient to shrink the fat on the outside of the liver. It won't actually shrink the size of your liver as it takes months to shrink a true fatty liver. But, it does shrink the slippery/slimey fat deposits on the outside of the liver, making it easier for the surgeon to move it out of the way with the trochar.

I think plication is something to consider if you only have that nagging 50lbs to lose. I think you really have to decide what you want long term. For me, I didn't want to feel hungry, which I know all the stuff Dr. Watkins posted about Ghrelin, but there are studies out showing ghrelin plasma levels remain low for traditional VSG patients vs. band and vs. RNY patients which both (like the plication) leave the fundus portion of the stomach. I'll be honest, I didn't want to diet for the rest of my life. I had to diet HARD with my band when it allowed me to eat. What I'm saying is that I'm 19 months and I never diet. I do eat what I want in smaller portions, and yes, I am mindful of what goes in my mouth, but if I have to diet then why go through the hell of surgery to just continue to "work out, diet, and deprive myself" of foods? ? ? The results of plication are not very positive with some that have had it. I've gotten messages from a few members that wanted my opinion before they had surgery, we talked pros/cons/ etc etc and now they are disappointed because they aren't losing and they can eat larger portions than what I can at almost 2 years out. It's not as restrictive as the sleeve, and with your expectations, I would really read as much as you can, and know exactly what you are getting into with both surgeries. For me, I never considered WLS as a reversible option, even with my band, I wanted to work that thing to death, it unfortunately failed me miserably. But, once I found the sleeve, I knew this was it. Removal of hunger, immediate and permanent restriction, no food or medication restrictions, what isn't there to love? ? ? Some are scared of throwing away that portion of the stomach, my response is always and will always be "What did that big, stretchy, hungry monster do for you all these years?" For me, it did nothing but allow me to eat huge portions of food, and I kind of felt like I was divorcing an abusive partner LOL LOL. Good riddance, and I haven't missed it since. I do wish you the best in your research. Think long term, not just the first 6-12 months, think 2-3 years, and will you be looking at a revision to go full sleeve because you don't restriction like you had hoped for, or you get hungry all the time, or heaven forbid you have to diet for the rest of your life. I'm willing to work to keep my weight off, but I'm not willing to diet for the rest of my life to maintain. Without the perks of the sleeve, I can tell you that I'd be dieting.