LAN2k

Congrats! You ain't seen nothing yet...your weight's gonna plunge and 399.5 is going to be a faded memory before you know it! It's great that your step mom was so encouraged while there to actually have the VSG herself! Wow, that is cool. Best wishes to you both.

Good question. I had to have a blood transfusion and I sure hope the blood used passed stringent testing standards! I had my surgery at a North Shore LIJ Hospital in NY. Knowing the reputation of Dr. Aceves and his facility, I'd bet they are well equipped and the risks would be no different than here in the states. I'm sure someone who has had surgery will chime in here with a satisfactory answer for you.

Best wishes to you on taking the next step in your weight loss journey...Around here you will find support so keep us informed of your progress.

Congratulations on being able to have the WL surgery you prefer! Now you have time to prepare yourself. This message board is a very good venue to explore and ask what you may about the sleeve. I was in the hospital for 4 nights. I left the evening of the 5th day. I hadn't any serious complication just was given a blood transfusion. Most people are in the hospital approx. 3 days and a few have actually gone home the same day...(something I can't personally fathom).

Nikki, thanks so much for opening up like that. I'm with you. xx

You make a good point in asking that question. Speaking from my own experience with the "...(very normal physiological response to the trauma of surgery..." I have had previous surgeries, open gallbladder/hospitalized 2.5 weeks, open upper abdominal incisional hernia repair...just a couple of the major surgeries. Emotional recovery from those surgeries was hardly an issue. I did not encounter any depression or anxiety, only the normal aches and pains of physical healing. The VSG was/is a surgery that altered my entire digestive processes or rather my capacity to eat was abruptly and radically changed. For me, one who really had a "love" for food/eating and activities with people associated with it, I was psychologically stunned and became literally terrified at the reality of what I'd done. This manifested with extreme anxiety and fear and an over-all feeling of doom and death. I've been on these message boards for a while pre and post surgery to realize that I am not the norm...although there have been a few people who have confided in me of their own issues with depression, the majority of people posting on these message boards are not encountering depression as a result of their WLS. It's 7 months and I am much better now but still not fully adjusted. I wept yesterday really hard over the fact that I will never again be able to really eat as I sometimes would like to. But I am off the Remeron and I am managing better.

Good news everyone...I have noticed in the last 5 or 6 weeks a decline in the amount of hair I've been losing. As of my last wash, (after coloring my roots!), I hardly lost any hair at all~I was so amazed, then when I brushed it out before blowing it dry, the brush hardly had any hairs in it! There is no longer any shedding! I had lost handfuls of hair for months but finally it has stopped!! My hair is about 1/4 in over all thickness than it was pre surgery but since the loss has stopped I am hopeful that it will reverse and grow back especially since the warm summer season is approaching and my hair grows fastest during summer months!! Right now I look like a pin head my hair is so thin. It used to take me 45 minutes to blow dry my hair and now it takes about 20 minutes. My pony tail used to be really full and thick and now it is very skimpy and thin......but not for long!

Congratulations Stacy you did it and you have a great state of mind-lucky you! Now just take it slow and be sure to walk, sip and rest!

I am amazed at how ignorant some people can be! Seriously to arrange an "intervention" and then to try to get you to smoke and drink "pop"? To tell you that you will die? That's nuts I mean wow what an eye-opener this should be for you with regard to the people you work with. I'm so glad your husband supports you! You will be fine but maybe it's a good idea to venture into a new job? Sorry but what a bunch of quacks they all sound like...really.

Your looking great! Keep up the good work and thanks for sharing your photos with us.

You are young enough to get back into martial arts-these days the ages in classes do vary. Do you enjoy swimming? Before I lost all this weight I went swimming in the local sound nearly every day and loved it. (Now that I've lost weight and will LOOK better) I'm a bit petrified to go into the water! You might like to ride a road or mountain bike--not boring at all. You've got great self awareness and some good ideas that are possible.

All the best to you Diane. God speed in healing throughout.

Best wishes for a smooth and uneventful surgery and recovery. God be with you every step of the way.

Talk about cold feet. I almost didn't go through with it the morning of my surgery I seriously thought about calling the hospital and telling them to inform my surgeon that I was not going to be able to make it.........ever! It was 5:30 am. I went ahead with the original plan and had the surgery.

Stacie you have been through such an ordeal...it takes time but you will progress. It was very hard for me to eat for the longest time and I had to get on meds that stimulated my appetite cause most everything made me feel yuch! One of my staple/fallback foods is cream of wheat w/a scoop of solgar vanilla bean whey protein powder(it's really pure and easily digested),easy to wisk in,add a swirl of pure maple or agave and a packet of stevia...it's so delicous, and the warm soupy like cereal goes down easy. No whey protein after taste. I also added it (and still do) to yogurt. I mix a scoop into a 6 oz cup of greek vanilla, chocolate or caramel yogurt, let it set about 5 minutes, it completely disolves and I don't taste it but it ups the protein count. As for crunchy...maybe chipping away on a saltine cracker? Roasted or raw cashews, almonds? (Just be conscious of chewing nuts and crunchie stuff well.) I'm just so glad you are finally able to work on eating. Thank God you are out of the dark. Every day will bring progress, just look at Tiffykins, she's been through it. Keep on posting, we are all here for you.

I too am glad that her surgery went well. She is fortunate to have a good friend to be with her.

Swimming is great. I swam often in the local sound last summer, oddly enough when I had the appearance of a beached whale! Now that I have slimmed down believe it or not I'm afraid to go into the water!! What... did this surgery strip me of my courage too?

You've probably read this in other posts from me but I still swear by uncle bens whole or multi grain cream of wheat (i packet is 7 gms protein) add to it a scoop of your favorite whey protein powder-I like Solgar vanilla bean (16gm protein) I mix in a little soy, almond or hazelnut milk and sweeten it a bit with raw agave or an agave/pure maple syrup blend, just a swirl around the bowl. I also use a packet of "Stevia in the Raw" or "Sun Crystals" ...later on for lunch or sometimes dinner I mix in a scoop of the same whey protein powder into my favorite greek yogurt...so between the 2 I've got nearly 50 grams protein...the rest is not too difficult because I can easily eat a piece of fish, or shrimp or filet mignon, tuna (not so easy), chicken (not so easy)...

That's a very healthy and nutritious way to eat! I'm going to start to incorporate more raw foods into my diet, since I feel like I'm not getting enough live nutrition...too much of the food I'm eating is cooked.

Congatulations!! Wow already walking a mile...Great news. It's terrific that you are so excited and happy to have your sleeve. I add 1 scoop of Solgar Vanilla Bean Whey, (16gms protein) to Uncle Ben's multi grain Cream of Wheat (7gms of protein per packet). I also do the same with the various brands of greek yogurt-1 scoop solgar whey to a 6oz container of yogurt. Other than that I still have not attempted to make any type of whey shake. I've been using soy, almond or hazelnut milk to mix in my cream of wheat. Hope that helps. Best wishes to you in your WL journey.

OMG that is a good question and before you make any further decision please stick around to get some feedback on this issue. Many people have self paid for their VSG surgery and are well informed. Best wishes. Ah Tiff! She is a lifeline here at VST.

Angie, best wishes to you with your surgery. From what I can glean off this message board as well as on OH, you have selected a top surgeon who is very experienced and cautious. I hope you will continue to keep us informed and without reservation ask questions! -Lis

There are many many single slim and beautiful woman in this world who have had the same thing happen to them. In spite of youth, good looks and figures they are without, significant others. If you were able to find a guy who enjoyed your company even if for a short while, you will surely find others when your confidence in yourself builds as you see your body taking on a new form. As for being over 50--there is still youth in you yet..I hope you can let go and focus on yourself for a while as you are in for a huge transformation. Best wishes as you move forward.

Thank you soooooooooo much Sheryl. You made my day and it was internally, a struggle. I'm up for chatting anytime. Just PM me. If you want to take it further I'll give you my phone number. I'm so new to the program and reading the BB answering the questions and trying my best to use the tools of the program. That writing tool you know, is what prompted me to start making use of this blog. Thanks again, Love you back--xx Lis

4/16/2010 I had my sleeve done on 9/15/09 and suffered with unrelenting anxiety post surgery. Prior to surgery I was never clinically depressed only took anxiety medication once for an acute bout w/anxiety during a doctor supervised WL regimen that required me to take handfuls of vitamins and phentermine. I lost 76 lbs but put it all back on and then some about 5 years later. After having the sleeve surgery I was so full of anxiety that I needed to get help. I was on the phone and on these message boards crying out for help. My PCP was very supportive and met with me often. Straight away she convinced me that it was OK to take an anti-anxiety medication while healing and that it might help me to get in the much needed nutrition. I tried xanax for about 2 weeks and although it helped me to feel better-- relaxed enough to get in bits of nutrition...when it wore off my anxiety grew even higher. My medication was changed to Klonopin .5mg and with such a low dose it was long lasting and helpful. I started therapy with the psychologist who has a practice and also works with my surgeon. I still had trouble eating even drinking, I'd a aversion, even repulsion towards food. My PCP had recorded one of my symptoms after WLS as "anorexia". I went to 2 psychiatrists, tried 2 anti-depressants, Welbutrin and Zoloft--both trials didn't last more than 5 days--I literally couldn't eat anything, they only increased my repulsion and anxiety. The second psychiatrist was better-I started at a low dose of an SNRI Serotonin Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitor (since the SSRI"s increased my anxiety and aversion to food). The name of the drug is Remeron (generic version-Mirtazapine), 30mgs taken daily at night before bed...Bingo! It worked. I found out about Remeron through this message board...(if you go back and read through my early posts you may find it.) A couple of people on this message board mentioned Remeron but didn't like it because of the side effect of an increase in appetite. When I saw that I figured it could be helpful to me since I had no appetite and fear of eating. My psychiatrist confirmed this for me and started me at a low dose of 15 mg for the first week then upped the dose to 30...I had no weird side effects, just a little groggy at first in the morning. What did happen was that finally I wanted to eat. I desired foods, (not everything) but it was so much better. I was able to eat and had to remember to eat slowly and chew well. Fast forward to this week and I've stopped taking the Remeron, (I do not want to be dependant on any medication indefinately). I notice a minor decrease in my appetite but I am able to eat enough to keep myself healthy. It's been 8 days since I stopped and I am alright so far. I still take a .5 dose of Klonopin as needed for anxiety--that usually amounts to 1 a day whenever the anxiety gets too high. During this whole process of adjustment, I've I gotten myself in a 12 step support group called Overeaters Anonymous. The imposed weight loss compelled me to see I had issues with food and eating that had to be addressed so like a tortoise without its shell, I'm ready to deal with some underlying issues that created my compulsive eating habits etc. For me, I need to fix the inside as well as the outside in order to function well with the dramatic changes from this surgery. I'm 7 months out, 5'7", 158 lbs (25 lbs to goal) and wearing a size 10-12. It honestly feels good to have so much weight off but I still am not at peace with the forced changes in my eating capacity. I pray that will soon come. 4/18/2010 A big part of my anxiety is generated from discomfort in eating. I have lost most of my excess weight and it does feel healthier to not feel that heaviness on my body, although I am just now noticing that in some places I still have pain (like my right hip), which I had thought might be due to all the belly,hip, and rear-end fat I was carrying. There is a definite improvement in my knees, feet, and general mobility. On the down side, I feel I am more vulnerable and must guard myself against any outside illness/infection etc. I'm uncomfortably cautious of what I eat for fear of any food born illness-UGH. I just feel like I can't afford to be sick since my consumption for nutrition is now limited and stomach so small. I'm yet uneasy about the way food feels much of the time when eating. With the exception of soft stuff, I still have to stand often (helps the food move down) and/or stop and wait 10 minutes or so before resuming even a 3 or 4 oz portion of some denser protein like meats and sometimes even fish. This is something that causes me anxiety. I just get scared and wonder if there could be something wrong--Seven months out and I still don't drink plain (even the best filtered/alkaline), water. Water weighs too heavy on my sleeve so I drink Vitamin Water and dilute it with good water--I don't know why but it works. To sum it up I think I am happy that I went ahead with this surgery. I hope that in the final analysis I will truly be healthier and feel peace in that. For now there is always that nagging doubt and "what if" feeling and with every unusual sensation I worry.:cursing: