Tiffykins

I could start mushies about the same time. Mushies, purees, solid foods were all in one category for my guidelines. Anything that I could put in the blender, or chew to mush counted. chicken, tuna, egg salad and deli meat with cream cheese were my staples. I had refried or pinto Beans on occasion for some Fiber and different flavors. I added plain non-fat greek yogurt to anything and everything for added Protein. I could have soft poached, scrambled, deviled eggs as well, but scrambled eggs (even at 18 months out) sit extremely heavy in my stomach regardless of how well I chew them. It doesn't hurt, but they did early out.

Too bad the IP Board is gone. . . Now my screen is inundated with lovely ads for everything from Victoria Secrets, and Ostomy products ! ! !

It does get better. I hated going without a bra post-op. So I purchased a soft cup, front closure sports bra in a size bigger than I needed. BEST investment EVER. It gave light support without me having to reach around to snap it, or pull it over my head. The first 2 weeks are the most miserable. Hang in there, it gets better ! ! !

If I were you, in your situation, I'd find another doctor to support you, and your surgical desires. You should not have to fight for the surgery you want, you should not have a surgeon that doesn't want the very best for you, and your future health. I would question her reasoning of why she doesn't "like" VSG. Is it because it's not the money maker that RNY is? Is it because she's not experienced with VSG, and is not confident in her skill level? Is it simply that she doesn't want to perform the surgery? I would NOT allow anyone to cut on me that didn't support me. Plus, once you're out, and asleep, you are vulnerable to them. I've read that some surgeons make their patients sign a consent to get RNY if VSG can't be performed. If I went to sleep, and woke up with RNY pouch, and intestines rerouted, I'd throat punch someone. Do not allow a medical professional bully you. They are doctors, not gods ! ! !

I had it Carrie, and it was adhesions pulling on my muscles and fat. I had hoards of scar tissue around my port, and had a lot of adhesions due to the leak repair, and drains being placed on 2 different occasions. It only happened occasional, and it was the same sharp, shooting pain that you are describing. I had all the adhesions/scar tissue taken down during my gallbladder surgery at 8 months post-VSG and since then have had minimal pain. I have sensitivity at my port area if I hit it just right even this far out.

I absolutely loathe the sales associates at GNC. And, I have to remember that they are exactly that "sales associates" nothing more, nothing less. She sounds like a twit, and ignorant. Everyone has a horror story about WLS, just ignore the comments and move on about your journey. Hopefully, there is another GNC close to you that you can purchase your Protein from. . .

Most insurance companies will not pay for breast implants without a medical necessity such as deformity or after other breast surgery. Our insurance will cover breast implants, but I have to claim mental defect, and have to jump through major hoops and they may still not cover them. I know a few ladies that have been able to get them covered, but it takes some time. I do have extra skin under my arms, and I can claim some skin irritation under the skin so we'll just have to see what I can get covered.

DS= Duodenal Switch, and VSG = Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy I've heard of a lot of VBG surgeons getting sued over quack job surgeries, and messing up the surgery.

The VBG surgery can be revised to the sleeve. It's risky just like with any revision so I would make sure your surgeon has revision experience. The issue will be scar tissue, and how much stomach tissue is salvageable once the VBG is taken down. RNY to VSG is super risky, and not recommended, I know of only 3 surgeons that perform RNY TO full DS. Most won't do a malabsorptive procedure(RNY) to a restrictive only(VSG) procedure unless there is something wrong with the RNY pouch and even then it's super complicated and not recommended. Reattaching that intestine is pretty tricky, and extremely complicated. Best wishes in your research. I know several VBG patients that have revised to RNY with success but they struggle with regain, and stoma issues. Keep us posted on what your surgeon says, and fingers crossed that you get good news ! ! !

Pork rinds were my "go to" crunchy food during my losing stage. The spicy ones are my favorites. Plus, I used them as a binder in all recipes that called for bread crumbs such as meatloafs, or meatballs.

HOLY GUACAMOLE LADY ! ! ! You look fabulous. . .

My tastes for my old timey favorites are all but lost. I can't stand McDonald's cheeseburgers and mcnuggets anymore, and pre-op, I'd slam down 2 of those double cheeseburgers easily. Taco bell still has me with their bean burrito, no onion, but I can only eat 1/3 of it. I don't even like Papa Johns or pizza Hut pizza anymore. I do still enjoy most "sit down" restaurant meals. Those little southwest eggrolls from Chili's are my favorite. I just peel off most of the tortilla shell and eat the insides. I think it's crazy how much things have changed. A lot of it has to do with the sheer fact that I can eat such a small portion, that small amount of food better taste divine.

The one thing that honestly makes me smile every day is when I stand in the bathroom, blowdrying my hair, and the light from the bathroom window shining in between that permanent triangle in between my thighs and girly bits. It's kind of cool, my thighs still touch at the top when wearing jeans, but it's just the little peak at the roundest part of my thighs, and it's only about an inch or 2. I have a huge gap in between my thighs and kneecaps now LOL. Edit to add: And the fact that I can have sex in any position without my fat getting in the way.

Ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh I'm getting my girls replaced big time. I can not stand not having boobs. I don't feel feminine without a bra. I hate looking at my flat chest. Most people do not believe they look "this bad", but believe me, they are horribly ugly. I would almost get boobs over a tummy tuck at this point. I'm starting the consultation portion of the insurance hoops after the 1st of the year.

Prilosec (omeprazole) is sold OTC and RX Generic form. Protonix is also an inexpensive PPI available by RX only, but the co-pay is my standard generic co-pay of $3.00 Prevacid is sold OTC, and by RX as well. Zegerid is sold as RX in most pharmacies as well OTC. I take generic Prilosec 20mg RX once daily, first thing in the morning, and wait 1 hour to eat per the label. Most PPI need to be taken on an empty stomach for maximum efficacy. You can pick up Prilosec (omeprazole), Prevacid, Zegerid all over-the-counter at any local pharmacy (WalMart, Walgreens, CVS even grocery stores will carry them) There are coupons on coupons.com for Prevacid, and Prilosec every week.

Hot liquids and alcohol relax my sleeve. It worked with the band too, and I know some RNY'ers that use the same trick. Cold liquids definitely restrict my volume. I drink most everything at home at room temperature, and if I'm out I typically get easy or no ice.

I agree with the turkey breast idea. I have the "cajun injector" and they make a yummy marinade that's roasted garlic and herb, or you can make your own. I use OJ, lots of spices and butter when I don't have any ready made marinade. Green bean casserole made with greek yogurt, and cream of mushroom Soup is yummy. If you can tolerate cauliflower, I love roasted cauliflower mock mashed potatoes with cheese and bacon.

Oh my birthday weekend was a tough one LOL. Started off Friday with Breakfast with my girlfriends, had a small chicken fried steak patty (about 3-4oz) with white gravy and ketchup, then had 6oz of beef Jerky throughout the afternoon, had french onion Soup (cup) and 1/4 of a chicken/provolone cheese panini, Friday night (from the above picture), we went to a steakhouse, had a few bits of that salad, that huge Sangria, and then had 5 cheddar/bacon covered french fries, 2 bites of my son's mac-n-cheese, more salad, more sangria, and then 1/2 of an 8oz sirloin steak cooked medium. I highly doubt it was 4 ounces after cooking, but it was half of the steak. I was really full, not uncomfortably stuffed, but full. Then Saturday, I can't remember what I ate throughout the day, but that night we went to The Melting Pot(fondue place) for my dinner. I had some veggies (carrots and broccoli) with the cheese course, I'm guessing 1/3 of the house salad, 2 cups of hot tea (remember this is my way to fit in more food), then came the main course, I had duck a la orange, filet mignon, a couple bites of chicken, and then dessert, OMG it was yummy. It was a 2.5 dinner experience so I never got full, never got the hiccups, and did sip my tea throughout the night. Now, onto the bar scene. I checked our bank account, and added up how much I had to drink. I ordered rum/cokes all night, and had 1 raspberry vodka shot. I had 8 rum/cokes over the course of 4 hours plus that one shot. YEP 8 rum/cokes, and 1 shot, I was drunk, admittedly, but not black out, pass out drunk, I was still trying to get "randy" with the mister on the way home LOL. The scale didn't move, up or down. Not a single solid ounce. I had a twinge of a headache when I woke up at 6am after getting home at 1:30am, popped a couple ibuprofen and my prilosec, and went back to bed until 8ish. Woke up, started cleaning house, and feeling like I do every other morning. Had my coffee, made the mister breakfast, and then we just lounged around all day.

I agree 100% with that doctor. I used to be a full-bodied, dry red wine girl all the way, and thought white wine drinkers were wimpy girls. I still can't bring myself to drink white zin LOL, but I tank the hell up on Rieslings and Moscatos. I have lost my taste for all red wines with the exception of red sangria. Now, that's a drink LOL.

After 13 years of friendship/relationship, I would think he would want to be more involved, but it could be fear or the thought of you changing after all this time that has him "clammed" up on the subject. I agree that giving him some the medical links, explanations, and guidelines might help him understand and he might open up to you more.

The main difference is the OTC I bought from WalMart was a tablet form, and RX generic form is a capsule with little pills on the inside. I did not notice in difference in how I felt the week I took the OTC generic tablet form from how I feel when I take my RX. I did get discomfort around my sternum, kind of like a twinge, or "pang". It was false hunger, and happened an hour or so after I ate. I'm not sure why there is such a difference, but it could just be how your body is reacting to the medication. I don't think you're overreacting at all. I was hypersensitive to how I "felt" every day of my life for the first 3-4 months. Any new change, or occurrence had me wondering what was going on inside my body. I logged everything I ate to make sure I could note any intolerances and then avoid those foods for a little bit then try them again.

I only had heartburn on rare occasion after a big night out as well pre-op. It was a burning feeling with some icky burps. But, post-VSG, all I had was discomfort, and a gnawing feeling after I'd eat something. I take a prescription generic form of Prilosec (omeprazole), and I've taken the OTC form of Omeprazole as well without any change. I accidentally let my RX run out, and had to wait to get it filled so I bought some OTC. I have had a couple of cases of what I call breakthrough reflux, and it's been when I've eaten poptarts and one episode of reflux after jalapeno and chipotle ranch dipping sauce/dressing. Out of all the crazy, spicy food I eat, stinkin' poptarts had me having a major case of reflux. I still take my Prilosec every day at 18 months out only because I don't want to deal with reflux, or false hunger. For Prilosec to work with maximum efficacy, it's recommended to take on an empty stomach an hour before eating, or 2-3 hours after eating. I take mine first thing in the morning, and wait an hour to eat.

Many congrats on getting your sleeve ! ! ! Take care of yourself, sip, walk, rest and repeat. . .

I'm there with you. I was reviewing some pictures and realized that I had nice boobs UNTIL I lost those last 25 pounds.

I drink right up until I take the first bite, then usually wait 30 minutes after a meal. There are some meals that I sip through only because I can at this point. I couldn't sip or drink with a meal without major discomfort. I do sip with meals a lot when we're out eating. I don't "drink" with my meal, it's more like little sips. Since I still don't get hungry, it doesn't change how I "feel" nor do I feel hungry any sooner.