Tiffykins

You're risking damaging your stomach, your risking esophageal damage from purging, and numerous other issues. They operate on our stomachs not our brains, and nothing fixes cravings except willpower and common sense to not put things in your body before it's ready. You're body is still healing, and I honestly think you know this because logically it's pretty obvious that your body needs time to heal. Plus, if you've spent anytime on this forum, you know the risks of overeating, and putting foods in there that are not on your approved lists. Leaks, strictures and other issues are major risks that you're inviting in with this type of behavior. You need to consult a medical professional to help you deal with the food issues, and the compulsive eating and purging. Surgery isn't going to fail if you end up in the hospital with major complications, you're going to be too ill to eat anything. You're scared that you won't lose, stop worrying about losing weight, and worry about your staple line, and your future health. Get your head in the game because you're going to totally screw your body up with this type of behavior. Harsh I know, I know, and in all seriousness, this surgery isn't going to stop you from binging and purging, you'll need to seek professional help.

Kid meal selections typically suck so I just order an appetizer or half order of something, skip the sides, or order an entree, and bring 2/3 of the meal home for leftover meals. Most restaurants have been super great about just letting me order a steak, or half order of ribs without the sides and not charge me the entire entree price. It works out great for me since I hate Breakfast foods. I can just microwave a little from the meals I've had out, and have 2 meals for the next couple of days. I'm not okay with announcing to perfect strangers that I chose one of my major organs surgically altered so I couldn't eat enough for 3 people. They didn't charge me more pre-op, and I wouldn't expect them to charge me less or accommodate me just because I chose surgery to help me lose weight.

There is a lot you can do with Greek yogurt to change the flavor. I mainly use it as a substitute for sour cream, and in my casseroles. But, for sweet flavor like the Yoplait without the carbs you can add sugar-free pudding powder, the white chocolate makes greek yogurt taste like cheese cake, and it doesn't take a lot of the pudding powder. You can also use sugar-free syrups like the ones they use in coffees/cappucinos, or you can mix Ranch dressing powder in and add it in tuna, chicken to make chicken/tuna salad. I can't eat it by itself and I have to mix it in stuff. I ate the Yoplait light stuff, but hated all the carbs even though it's typically from the fruit.

LOL I thought the same exact damn thing when I noticed replies to other threads ha ha ha. I just rolled my eyes and shook my head.

I'm probably one of the most demanding patients you'll ever meet. For my next appointment, I would demand to see the surgeon. You paid him a fee (even covered by insurance) you paid him, he needs to see you and address your concerns. He cut on you, he needs to do your follow-up. You really have to be your own advocate in my opinion, and if you have concerns, or questions then tell them that you do not want to see a nurse or a PA, you want to see your surgeon.

I honestly think you need more calories. You're in a different environment, you're lugging gear around, your food options are more limited than say someone that can stay home, or even pack their lunches for work, I just think you need to do what works for your body. During my ovulation week for some reason I crave carbs, and I carb loaded like crazy 2 weeks ago. I bounced all the way up to 128lbs even though I was only eating 900-1000 calories, I gained 4lbs. I went back to eating my normal foods, portions, and I dropped down to 123lbs within 2 days with consuming 1500 calories and around 100 grams of carbs per day. When I say carb loading, I was consuming about 300 gr of carbs per day. Could some of it been Water weight, probably, but I also think it's directly related to my body holding onto weight and even gaining a couple of pounds because of my lack of Protein, calories and overloads of carbs.

Hey Tony, and welcome ! ! ! Congrats on getting your date set, and you'll love the sleeve. I remind myself all the time that nothing tastes as good as being thin feels ! ! ! Honestly, I don't miss the big portions, and believe me I was a food lover as well. You'll do great, keep us posted on your progress, and if you need anything, we're here for you.

Dr. Jossart, first off thank you for taking time out of your schedule to help us. I'm 7 months out, and at goal. I picked up smoking again post-op, and have a true desire to quit. BUT, cold turkey sends me into massive bouts of irritability, and moodiness. The Patches and gum make it even worse. I just scheduled an appointment with my PCM on Friday morning to discuss using Zyban (Wellbutrin) to help me get through the withdrawls. Chantix is NOT covered by my insurance. I have never suffered from depression, or anxiety, and have never taken any form of anti-depressants. I'll be honest that I am scared of the side effects, but the side effects of smoking are more dangerous. I've smoked for the last 15-16 years with a few quits here and there. My main concern is that I will find myself eating/snacking more. I'm a stay at home/wife, and I plan on taking up a new hobby to help keep my mind/hands occupied. Any advice, or insight would be appreciated as to what I can expect especially following WLS on anti-depressants.

Well, you are not alone. I'm super picky as well, and my "fave" foods look pretty much like yours. But, I can tell you that nothing tastes as good as being this thin feels! ! ! You really just have to suck it up and eat what your body needs, not what your mind tells you that you want. Harsh, yes, but it's true. I never ate seafood before VSG, NEVER. I think catfish is the most disgusting food on the planet, and had this major mental hang up about fishing floating around, breathing in poop infested water, HEY it's my food issue! ! ! BUT, you know what, I figured out that I could get 1/2 - 2/3 of my protein for the whole day by eating a couple of crab legs, or 2-3 sea scallops. Plus, finding recipes that I found appealing to my flavor profile preferences really helped. I don't like Old Bay seasoning, but I do like Cajun and Creole seasoning so when I make my baked crab cakes, I use those seasoning instead of Old Bay. When you get sleeved, all these mental hang ups about food might change because things you liked pre-op, may not be pleasant post-op. I still can't eat pork all that well. On the cheeses, I only ate yellow cheeses too, but you know what, those 3grams of protein per Laughing cow wedges made it worth eating 2-3 of those with an egg to get my protein in. They make different flavors, and believe me, you're going to want variety post-op or you'll just be miserable. I personally had to pull on my big girl panties and suck it up. I still don't eat tomatoes, or a lot of fruits, but I do eat green veggies and salads. Your colon will thank you for changing things up. You'd be surprised at what you can conjure up when your body needs food to survive, when you really don't have the option to be picky. Right now, you have the luxury of being picky, being able to only consume 4oz of food gives a different perspective on food all together. You can also check out the recipe forum on here as we've all contributed some sort of recipe that got us through those tough food times. I also stick to veggies that are below 50 on the glycemic index chart to keep my carbs low. I love mashed potatoes, but they're a slider food, and I'm not getting a huge amount of nutrients from them. I'll also let ya know that once I started eating seafood, and more chicken, more non-fat plain greek yogurt in place of sour cream, my good cholesterol went up considerably which is something my surgeon really wanted me to focus on. I didn't have high "bad" cholesterol, but he felt my good cholesterol could improve, and it has because I decided to branch out, try new foods, different preparations, and honestly I eat to feed and fuel my body.

I'm over 16 months out, and still never experience true hunger. I've gone an entire 16 hours without eating anything, and just drinking tea or sugar free gatorade or water. I simply forget to eat. If I'm out running around, running errands, expending energy, then yes I feel this empty, weird kind of hunger, but my stomach never growls, never rumbles, I never get weak or feel like I'm going to pass out. My full signal is the hiccups, one more bite after I hiccup, and that one more bite is coming back up and out.

You betcha ! ! ! Also, you can check out tempeh. I preferred Seitan over Tempeh, but they are both good, easily digested meat substitutes.

I've read some "hocus pocus" stuff on pH killing off the boy spermies, and the girl spermies are able to survive a bit longer in our bodies. I've also studied the shettles method in ways to help pre-determine the sex of a baby. Personally, I think God has all the say in this little factor of life.

It really does get better. I struggled big time with nothing tasting good, and not wanting to eat because I lost not only my hunger, but my appetite as well. I don't understand what people are talking about food issues, when it sounds like it's a physical issue. You want to eat because you need sustenance, you need to get in your Protein, and your body just isn't allowing it. I get that completely ! ! ! You specifically stated that you don't miss the volume, or eating Taco Bell, it's the fact that after 2 bites, your body is done. It is frustrating because mentally you know you need to eat, but your body is not cooperating with your brain. On vomiting, I agree that you might need to check in with your doctor. It's not normal to constantly feel like you are going to throw up. Anytime, I ever felt that way if I was trying out a new food, I went straight back to mushies and sometimes full liquids. I certainly did NOT have weight loss surgery to lose my desire to eat food, or feel like I'm going to puke all the time. I wanted to be normal, or as close to normal as my perception would allow. I don't think it's "normal" to not have cravings, to NOT want Mexican or Thai food. The big difference between me pre-op and me post-VSG is that I can eat a small portion of whatever I am craving, and go about my day. I don't feel it necessary to gorge myself into a food induced coma. I didn't have surgery to deprive myself, and let me make this real clear, I've never once believed that WLS has to be a cookie cutter world that I have to live in. What works for me, may not work for the next person, BUT there is not one person that can argue with my results or my success. Not person can say that "how I did/do it" is wrong, because apparently what I've done and continue to do is working out perfectly for me. And guess what I eat anything and everything, and I have cravings for Mexican, Thai, good fat greasy burger, the big difference is that now I can eat 1 fajita and a few chips with salsa, I can eat 2 chicken satay skewers and 1 spring roll, or I can eat 1/2 of a cheeseburger with **GASP** half of the bottom bun, and be perfectly content. Sadly, they operate on our stomach, not our brains, so no amount of surgery is going to fix all the food issues that we struggle with day in and day out. I also know that my food issues are unique to my BODY, my brain, and that others can not eat the variety of foods that I am able to because those may be trigger foods for them. BUT, VSG does not have to be a "set in stone" you gotta do it THIS way to be successful. There is absolutely nothing wrong with being frustrated, or having these fleeting moments of "what the heck is going on" " I want to eat because I NEED to eat". It does get better, try drinking some warm fluids before eating. I find that it really helped during that healing process. **Sorry for my rant**

It's a vegan/vegetarian meat substitute. http://www.vrg.org/recipes/vjseitan.htm http://en.wikipedia....uten_%28food%29 There are tons of recipes out there, and it's one of those foods like tofu that just absorb the flavors of whatever you cook it in. I've posted a whole slew of recipes in the food forum that you can possibly use the search feature at the top to find those.

I think those "guidelines" are just that, GUIDELINES, not set in stone, and each patient's body works differently. You are also in a different environment, and need to tailor your post-op losing guidelines that work for you. I've gone through 4 nuts, and only really clicked with one. The other 3 wanted me to carb it up to 100grams of carbs, and I looked at them and said "you've lost your mind". I trust my medical professionals, but I also know my body, and myself better than any statistical data that they've compiled. I was told to never eat over 1200 calories a day or I'd gain. Well obviously that didn't work, I dropped down to 119lb at one point, and have to consume a minimum of 1500-2000 calories a day just to maintain. I slip below 1500 calories for a couple of days, and I'm back to dropping 2-3 pounds in 4-5 days. So, the 1200 calorie rule does not apply to me.

The 2 women that I know that have gotten pregnant within the first 12-18 months post-VSG both gave birth to happy, healthy baby boys.

My husband was very supportive, but also gave me the "why don't you try to lose one more time on your own" speech. We don't believe in the word "let or allow" in our marriage so that was not an issue for us. He also knows that I would have done it without his support because at the end of the day, there is only one person that I have to answer to, and it's not my husband. I believe that God knows our heart, and our struggles. He has given surgeons the intelligence and tools to help us succeed in our goals. I'm a firm believer that things do happen for a reason, and all the doors opened for me as well. I know in my heart of hearts that God was watching over me, and ensured that I recovered from my surgeries. If he believes God has a hunger plan for us, then he must know that we as humans are tempted by satan in the same manner. I prayed and even attempted to lose weight with the faith-based Weigh Down workshop, but I failed because I am human. Even with years of praying for strength, and guidance to beat gluttony, and overeating, I still failed. I am an obedient wife as my husband loves and honors me as Jesus loved and honor the church, but I am not so submissive in nature to not go through with something that will give me a longer life, dodge co-morbidities, and have a chance at a healthy, and active lifestyle. I think if your husband can not support you then he is the one with an issue, and not you. Guilt trips are definitely not godly behavior, nor is judgment for a decision that could give you a healthier and more enjoyable life.

Because of the lack of acid, it's difficult for us to absorb Calcium and that is why we need to take calcium citrate and not carbonate. Carbonate needs an acidic environment to be absorbed properly. Also, since we're low on stomach acid, some bacteria can slip through causing gi upset (I haven't had this issue), the long term side effects with a PPI are minimal, and the main concern is low bone density in women over the age of 50. From everything, I've read, and discussed with my surgeon, my possible long term issues with being on a PPI are worth not having future complications of ongoing reflux such as Barretts esophagus and esophageal cancer. I'll pop my PPI everyday to avoid reflux. I have only had a couple of episodes of breakthrough reflux, and it was a horrific experience. I know that Tums/Pepcid aren't going to fix it so I'll stick with my Prilosec and take my calcium as directed to prevent bone issues in the future.

Don't apologize at all. We all learn as we go. Slider foods are foods that don't stay in our sleeves very long. Mashed potatoes, chips, pretzelsand soft foods like cheeses are slider foods. Dense Protein like most meats are more solid, and stick around in our sleeve longer which in turn keeps us full longer. Rice and Pasta are now both slider foods for me. Around 4-6 months out, those foods weren't comfortable for me to eat, they seemed to expand in my sleeve and I could only eat a couple of bites. Now all that has changed, and I'm able to eat more of those foods especially if I don't eat meat before. Over 80% of digestion occurs in the intestines, but we want food to stick in our sleeve as long as we can to give us maximum satiety from our meals. Hope this helps.

Most bandsters would disagree with that little theory because I know more bandsters that suffer with horrific non-treatable reflux than I do sleeve patients. I never had acid issues before the sleeve, not even with my band, and I nipped it in the bud around 6 weeks out when I started getting this false hunger, weird twinge in my stomach after I'd eat. My surgeon didn't put patients on a PPI initially either, but as the trend goes more and more people were having issues, and I think his protocol has changed. I think a lot of people don't realize that the biggest issue is that the staple line is healing, and really we don't need hoards of acid bubbling inside our tiny tummies. I was NPO for 22 days post-revision, so my staple line had a long time to heal, plus I was clears for another 17 days, and only had issues once I hit mushies. I'm over 16 months out now and still take my 20mg Prilosec once a day every morning an hour before eating like i have for the last 14 months. I'm not going off of it any time soon either. I like not being hungry, I enjoy not getting reflux, and especially love that I can eat whatever and not worry about heartburn.

Are you getting nauseated as well? Or is it from what you eating? Have you been able to notice a trend in what is causing the vomiting? I don't know how far out you are, but I think I puked a total of maybe 3 times my entire time post-op(over 3-4 months) unless it was induced from one of the meds I was on during my recovery. If you're dehydrated, it will increase the nausea. Fluids are key, if you can't eat food, you might need to get checked for a stricture. Scary word, I know, but it can be an issue this early. Vomiting is not good for a healing sleeve, and the swelling/inflammation from vomiting isn't going to help you eat. I didn't ever have to wait the 30 minutes before eating to drink because that's typically a RNY/Band rule, not really a big deal since we have a pyloric valve intact and do not have a pouch. Luckily, we just have to wait 30 minutes after eating to drink. It really sounds like you have a lot of swelling, and the vomiting makes it worse. I was instructed that if I did vomit, to go back to full liquids for a minimum of 1 day before trying mushies again. If you have to, go back to full liquids for several days, do it so you can get in something. If I were you, I'd personally be getting a contrast study done on my sleeve to make sure everything is okay internally.

Patients being compliant is a big part of the equation, plus they start absorbing calories again so they really do only have a honeymoon period of malabsorption for calories. I know a couple of RNY people that got to goal, and have been able to maintain their weight loss (I'm not super close with them, Facebook buddies, both are 5+ years out), but they had have complications, 2nd and 3rd surgeries to either deal with a bowel obstruction, pouch dilation, ulcers etc etc. For me, I won't call the sleeve superior, but statistically it's far superior when it comes to long term complications. I'm not sure on weight regain as the stats show a 10% regain rate for those further out. I can see how a major life tragedy to spur a sleeve patient into emotional eating, or compulsive behaviors again. I didn't suffer from either of those to a major extent so I don't really see it being an issue for me. I do love my carbs, but I also love how I feel when I focus on Protein and steer clear of the major junk food. I'm not sure what the future stats will show for the sleeve, but I honestly believe that most of the regain isn't the sleeves fault. It all goes back to what we choose to put into our bodies. I know that I could never possibly gain back 145lbs, but I could easily gain back 10-15lbs. I did bounce up to 128lbs last week, I was pissed, the husband was elated, it was Water weight and gone the next day, but still I hated seeing that I was close to 130 again. It's a mindtwist for sure.

I stayed below 30, and I didn't have time or the patience to deal with that total carb/net carb crap. When I struggled with meats, I switched to seitan and tempeh. Post-op when I was on mushies, I could only eat 1/4 cup of refried Beans, but I counted the carbs. I would add greek yogurt to it to increase the Protein count. I avoided any fruits and veggies over 50 on the glycemic index. Green beans were my choice for veggies, and I never was a fruit eater so I avoided fruit just because of the sugar content.

Hey chickee. . . Surgery is fast approaching, and I wanted to post here just to give you a little boost of confidence. I hope you are doing well, and remember I'm just a text, phone call or email away. I've been slow on emails because my IPhone needs to be updated. But, my texting is back up and running. I hope the pre-op diet is going well for you. If you need anything, let me know. I'm cheering for you from the sidelines ! ! !:w00t:

Ohhhhh and just for shits and giggles, here are some published research articles that show scientifically how the ghrelin plasma level is reduced in VSG vs. the Band and vs. RNY. Both procedures that leave the fundus intact. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18376181?ordinalpos=12&itool=EntrezSystem2.PEntrez.Pubmed.Pubmed_ResultsPanel.Pubmed_RVDocSum http://www.bernhard-ludvik.at/download/pub/2005_ref61.pdf Best wishes on whichever surgery you choose.