LAN2k

It was the opposite with me. I told everyone even strangers, and had no negative responses from any one of them. I didn't tell them in a way that sought for their approval. I told them in an authoritative manner honoring my capability to know my own mind, (boy was I ever wrong in that department), and body, and of course research so I was knowledgeable about the procedure, risks, etc. I did wait however until I myself was sure and had the process all ready in motion.

Thanks for being honest. I KNOW your heartache. I suggest you look for a support group. Before my sleeve gastrectomy I thought OA (Overeaters Anonymous was a laugh) but after my surgery and being cut off from that freedom of eating foods I literally had a love affair with, I found help in those rooms full of people struggling with their own food/eating obsessions. I'm 9 months out from surgery and approx. 87 lbs down.....I am still not sure that I would go through this surgery again if I knew the emotional toll it would take on me. I suggest you start talking to a professional councilor who specializes in post bariatric weight loss surgery issues and/or eating disorders. Best wishes to you in your journey.

I see. My concern is when you are in Iraq, should any medical issues arise related to your sleeve surgery, will you have a medical facility there? I would suggest that before you depart from the states that you get copies of all of your bariatric weight loss surgery records and certainty that your surgeon here can be contacted by the medical doctors in Iraq. As far as your concern for slow or little weight loss? I doubt you will find your fears come to fruition. You will quickly find out how little you are able to consume and how ill you would become if all you were to eat were foods like Reeses Peanut butter cups. It's good that you are going to have some time here to recover and get accustomed to the changes...which are seriously real. Keep us posted with any of your concerns throughout and best wishes to a successful, smooth uneventful surgery and recovery.

You will be back to work in Iraq? Your concerns are valid. I am concerned. Will you have immediate access to a good hospital facility equip with qualified knowledgeable surgeons in the event that you need care?

Katt I doubt you will ever be able to eat much more than you are eating now. The portion of the stomach which you are left with doesn't really stretch much. I'm 9 months out and I can eat very little. That you are comfortable with what you can eat now is something to be grateful for because it's of no consolation to me that I feel so easily full and often times w/discomfort. I think you will do great.

I haven't had any other WL surgery except for the sleeve so I'll answer from my sleeve experience (July 15 I'll be 10 months out)... 1. 500 calorie a day diet...how and why? Why, because your stomach is a tiny 3-4 oz tube, early out it is in the healing stages and tender/swollen, it's hard to get more than 2-3 oz of anything in there. I agree 500 calories is low, some days I couldn't even get in 500 cals. and it was scary. For the first couple of weeks staying hydrated will be the most important thing even more important than getting in the recommended Protein. 2. Still can't drink Water with meals. No you should not. Some people will take a tiny sip to maybe moisten what's in the mouth, like eating a Soup with some substance besides plain broth. But generally you will need the food to go down and settle a bit before taking in liquid beverages, or water. It was not too difficult for me to get used to--once you learn that it no longer feels natural. 3. New small stomach can stretch like the band pouch. I WISH!! My sleeve is a 40f bougie and I feel like it will never stretch, in fact if I take a bite too much of especially any dense protein like steak, ground beef, or chicken, etc. it sometimes feels like my esophagus will burst before anything will stretch! I took 2 bites of a Hemp seeded bagel with some tuna today at the beach and had some serious pain for 15 minutes I had to walk along the beach and tap my chest before it finally went down. If I would have tried to sip on water the water would have just come back up on me. 4. Can still have same reactions as band...gagging, fullness but still hungry. I don't know about the band, but I gagged for the first 3 months every morning when I brushed my teeth for some reason, (still happens occasionally). When I feel full I do not still feel hungry...I'm done eating. 5. Isn't the lack of Ghrelin supposed to curb appetite? Yes and it has curbed my appetite significantly. 6. Here's a new one...just read some people have this problem...hair loss. I took plenty of Biotin and other nutritionals but lost alot of hair around for a couple of months! It just came out sort of evenly all around and my thick hair got thin as a pin head...it has completely stopped falling out and I think it's growing back now because my thin medium length hair now appears to puff up and out (where the new hair growth is coming in all over my head.

Yep thanks for the update and congrats to your WL success in continued good health! You lost alot of weight in only 10 months...wow.

Unless you continue to graze or eat things like pizza, chips, foods with high sugar and fat content, ie. ice-cream, cookies, cakes, chips etc...I don't think you will have a problem and you will continue to lose. Just follow the fundamental concept of protein first then vegetables, then fruits and other stuff and you really won't have trouble with the foods that can cause weight gain...there just won't be enough room for it! You don't have to deprive yourself either. A treat now and again will not sabotage your food plan as your need to maintain health will be a priority so things should balance out. Hope that helps.

I am a 40 and my restriction is much the same as Tiff's. But some days I just hardly eat anything at all..I'm 9.5 months out from surgery can eat very little.

Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) are a group of drugs whose main action is a pronounced and long-lasting reduction of gastric acid production. They are the most potent inhibitors of acid secretion available today. The group followed and has largely superseded another group of pharmaceuticals with similar effects, but different mode-of-action, called H2-receptor antagonists. These drugs are among the most widely-selling drugs in the world and are generally considered effective.[1] The vast majority of these drugs are benzimidazole derivatives; however, promising new research indicates that imidazopyridine derivatives may be a more effective means of treatment.[2] High dose or long-term use of PPI carry a possible increased risk of fractures.[3] read more here: Proton-pump inhibitor - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Oh duh I hadn't even noticed the sign: "The Man Room".. and I didn't even get it! LOL...sorry, I'm gone...woosh-----------

For one on one therapy it would be best to consult with several who have specialized in eating disorders and/or Bariatric WL patients. Ask your surgeon for references. I have found OA, Over Eaters Anonymous to be a GREAT place for group support. Meet ups are all over the globe and can be easily found locally using the www. Best wishes.

Early aches and pains-there's healing going on inside. Just be aware but calm. Be sure not to lift anything over 15lbs for a while and be gental even lightly massage your aches and pains...plenty of walking, arm stretching, and do follow the guidlines for food and liquid consumption. If of course pain increases contact your surgeon. Best wishes and take it one day at a time.

I've just told the truth, raw and bloody truth! For better or for worse this is what i did and I just hope and pray I will have made the right decision as time moves on. I have not had anyone belittle me in any way. Some have been jealous but I assure them that what I did was very difficult and I might like to undo it at times and try again to battle my weight without having had the surgery. Most feel my sincerity and appreciate it. I also tell them that having lost so much weight has not resolved many self esteem issues I struggle with internally. Yes I shed the fat but I'm still that me inside that over ate myself into a very large and unhealthy person physically. This sort of helps people understand that WL surgery may be a tool but is NOT a magic pill to "happiness".

I too would not have wanted to go through with the surgery after such a terrifying experience. Thank God your mother was by your side and alert! If at some future date decide to have this surgery and you must have it abroad due to insurance issues, I would highly suggest Dr. Aceves. My insurance covered my sleeve surgery so I had mine done by a surgeon local to me...however if money were not an issue, after reading these boards for nearly a year, I do feel that Aceves has a most reputable track record and the facility where he performs the WL surgeries is state of the art. If you are able to get insurance to pay then you can seek out an experienced bariatric WL surgeon (who has done many sleeves), here in the states. I know you feel you escaped death, and you did...what you went through was a major incident. I will tell you that pre surgery I was on a diet (4 weeks before my procedure), It consisted of 2 whey shakes and one reasonable meal of Protein and vegetables, so I would make a hearty salad or dish of broccoli, green Beans, etc...seasoned to my liking...and eat plenty of shrimp, fish, steak, ground sirloin, chicken, etc. Sometimes I'd have an egg omelette with a salad or veggies...etc. I lost 16 lbs in 4 weeks...it got me thinking that if I could do it PRE surgery than if I kept it up I'd continue to lose the weight! It gave me second thoughts as to if the drastic surgery was really necessary. It's just something to think about. The bad experience you had could be enough incentive for you to make the dietary changes you need to to lose the weight on your own. OA, overeaters anonymous is a very excellent support group and they are all over the globe. What ever you decide I am very relieved that you are alive. If you ever do have the surgery I would advise that you make it clear from the get-go that you do not want any administration whatsoever of a drug called Reglan, commonly used for motility and/or nausea. The side effects of this drug are horrific. My surgeon administered it to me round the clock for the 5 days in hospital and then instructed me continue taking it at home in crushed pill form. I suffered for many weeks with such severe anxiety and then found out through this message board from a very informed professional in the mental health field (who worked closely with medical doctors) of the side effects of this drug, one being extreme nearly unbearable anxiety. I was an still am using 0.5 mgs of Klonopin as needed for anxiety and it is in my opinion the best anti-anxiety drug out there with no addictive, or rebound effects. Best wishes to you in your journey and Godspeed through it all.

I had no idea that you had the same reaction Jane! Did you post it at any point? If so can you put up the link! This is no small ordeal. It is something I would not have ever thought would happen. What were the details of your encounter?

I too am sorry I missed your original post. Thank God you are OK! I am also very glad that pcindy gave you her professional opinion. Thank you for posting what happened in depth. I hope we will learn from this. Please keep us informed as to when and where you have your VSG, if you decide to.

I WISH I would feel less restriction and I'm 9+ months out!!! I don't get what my problem is- Last night I ate small slices of steak, and after about 3 maybe 4 ounces I thought I was going to possibly rupture my esophagus-the pain was horrible and my mouth filled up with saliva like right before one is about to vomit. I was really shaken by the experience which lasted about 15 minutes then, thank God, subsided. Today, I could hardly eat even soft warm cereal (had to throw out half of it) Later I had a teaspoon of tuna, followed by 2 tortilla chips, chewed well and then a Greek blueberry yogurt. Three quarters of the way through the yogurt I felt like my esophagus would explode and I stood up in pain. How much longer can I take this? I'm 10 lbs away from goal (135)-at this rate I'll keep losing weight!!! I'm so freaked out about this already. By now I would figure I'd be able to at LEAST feel comfortable eating small portions but instead even the small stuff is giving me pain. WHEN DOES It get BETTER? My bougie is a 40 for goodness sake!

Hey Mary, Thank you for your post. I do think that there is more to a hiatal hernia and its repair than any doctors I've consulted with including my surgeon, have realized. So I am really hoping that I am able to formulate some intelligible questions to ask the gastroenterologist, Dr. Singh, prior to the upper endo, coming up soon. I want you to know that it is not every single day that I have this discomfort. I am quite restricted BUT, I do have days where the foods go down with only a trace of discomfort, (like, "OK I've had enough)....but not the kind of esophageal pain I encounter other times. I really do think that STRESS, the kind that is more like distress, has alot to do with the times that I suffer with eating. It seems that things tighten up when I'm under emotional stress. I'm not too happy about that. I also notice that if I raise my voice as one might when upset, my throat becomes easily irritated. All in all the tissue in my esophagus and throat must be ultra sensitive. So in order to feel alright I've got to avoid stressful situations and if necessary take a 0.5 dose of Klonopin...that reduces anxiety and helps me to relax. We can compare notes as time passes. Hopefully these sensitivities will subside. Please don't worry, I think it's all par for the course, after all we did go to extreme measures by having this surgery.

Hey Jane I hadn't thought of that...I am not much of a drinker but might give it a shot one of these days maybe when in a restaurant!

Thanks beautiful! And, how are you doing?

Maybe a litte lower on the carbs? I don't mean Atkins mode just maybe cut them back to around 60 per day and see if that helps. I have had LONG stalls 2 months even!

Stacie, wow time moves on so quickly it's shocking! I can't believe it's been 6 months already since you had your surgery. I know you went through such an ordeal and it is GREAT to know that you have come through and are in the fine tuning process as are many of us. Today (so far) eating came easier. The restriction seems to come on strong some days for some reason and then there are moments where I almost feel normal (little to no discomfort) when eating. Prayer is good so I welcome your offer and extend a huge hug back to you. Like Tiff has said and put on display, there is not much difference between the 32 and 40 bougie. Tiff's a 32 bougie and seems to eat better than I even when she was about 10 months out. I'll keep updating as I go since I think it is very important that those of us who are out further share our experience. After all we share a very exclusive type of surgery and having one another to learn from is invaluable. Stay well and keep in touch!

Thank you Anna! It's so nice to hear from you. I hope you are doing well. xx