deedee

Good luck! I'll be thinking of you.

Congratulations! I seem to get a little more excited from losing sizes than pounds.

I didn't experience this, but wanted to let you know I'll keep you in my prayers. I'm glad that the VSG had no complications.

I didn't really have a strict pre-op diet, but I did do low carb/high protein for a month and followed it pretty well (although I did have a few "last meals"). It was much easier post surgery to control hunger and cravings versus pre surgery. As for needing to reschedule surgery, you should probably talk with your surgeon...they are all different, mine had me do a 2 day clear liquid diet before surgery. Good luck!

I had a lot of difficulty getting in my Protein during my first month post-op. The first one I found that I could stomach (actually it upset my stomach, but I liked the taste) was Chike Orange/Cream (something like that). At first I actually added in a half cup of no sugar added vanilla ice cream and sugar free orange and vanilla syrup...it tasted like a cream cycle. At some point in my second month (I think) I found Inspire Sangria over at bariatriceating.com. I have found that I can sip it on my 45 min-1 hour commute to work. Good luck! I remember that time as just trying to do my best, it did get much better and although I'm not perfect now at 4 months out, I do a lot better.

Welcome Katrina! Have you had your surgery yet, or are you still waiting? A 38 lb. loss is great! I hope you enjoy this site, I have found wonderfully supportive people who have plenty of knowledge to share.

I am trying to think about what I was eating at that time, and I think that was about it. I had my surgery at the end of summer so popsicles and some protein ice cream too. You may want to post on the food forum and ask for other suggestions. The good news is that this phase will be over soon and you will be able to have mushy/soft food and there is A LOT more you can eat. Good luck!

Welcome to VST! Has the pain increased or gotten worse since speaking with your doctor? Take a look at this link: http://verticalsleevetalk.com/post-operation-vertical-sleeve-gastric-surgery-vsg-questions-answers/936-signs-leakage.html As to the rest of your questions, I'd stress to follow your surgeon's directions. Your stomach is swollen and healing and I believe (can't really remember) I was told it takes up to 6 months to heal completely. If you are following the post-op diet, which I'm sure you are, you have to lose weight. Your calorie deficit is plenty low enough to take off pounds. I was told to wait 2 weeks before weighing myself, but could only hold off for 9 days. When I was still on liquids, I really couldn't wait to have food again. I think what you are going through sounds pretty normal, but we are all different, so if you are concerned check in with your doctor. Good luck and keep us posted. The people on this board are very supportive and helpful.

Dalite, I remember having those same feelings right before surgery. I wish you well on your upcoming surgery and will be thinking of you.

Ashley, I want to wish you luck on your research and journey. The sleeve was not the surgery I started looking into, but in the end it was the best one to fit my life style. I have been very happy with my decision and hope that you will reach a decision that is best for you and your family. When I found the surgeon who I would be using, I too was a little worried because he had only done around 50 sleeves (and he had had one complication). If I wanted my husband's full support though I needed to use a surgeon who was fairly local and was covered for complications (I was self pay). I had to respect these limitations because I did not want to put our entire savings into jeopardy if I did end up with a complication. Fortunately I found my surgeon to be very knowledgeable (he was the second one I had been to) and had a lot of experience with the bypass where he had to perform staple lines (and I read somewhere the bypass staple lines were a little trickier, not sure if that's true). I am not advocating one way or another, but just find a surgeon you can trust. Again good luck, and keep us posted!

I went through something similar--feeling both sad and frustrated as my relationship with food had to change. I learned a lot about myself and how much I used food to comfort myself for physical and emotional pain relief. Now just a week shy of 4 months post-op (not that long out) I'm starting to feel a more normal relationship with food, I'm assuming the type that normal people feel?? Good luck in this transition process!

Welcome Linda! I wish you luck on your journey. Please keep us posted on your progress and ask any questions you have along the way.

That sounds like such a good idea...I think I might have to schedule a one!

I was on clear liquids only 2 days and was moved to full liquids when I left the hospital for two weeks until my first follow-up appointment. I then was cleared to start mushy/soft food (pureed) and remained on that for 5 weeks I think (that was not the norm discussed in my pre-op appointments, but due to a hernia repair I had to wait until my 2 month follow-up before I was cleared for regular foods). If you haven't been having any problems, you are probably okay, but is there any way you can schedule an appointment with your surgeon and/or nutritionist? It might help put your mind at ease to sit down and hash out a plan specifically for you.

Welcome Mburgs! Like you and Moutain_lover, I began with the idea of the lapband as well. After research and one consultation, I decided the sleeve fit me and my lifestyle best. I too never thought wls was for me, I was at my heaviest weight ever (241 lbs.) and knew I needed to do something so began looking into hypnosis for weight loss. Instead of information for that, wls websites kept popping up. It took me a couple of days of searching for hypnosis to finally click on a link for wls and once I began reading the testimonials I started to identify myself in those I was reading about. It didn't take long to decide this should be the next step for me. I'm glad you have also come to the decision, it has turned out to be one of the best decisions I've ever made. I have found this site to be so very helpful with very supportive and knowledgeable people, so ask all of your questions and post your concerns. Good luck on your journey!

No offense taken. You are sharing a story of what can happen when one doesn't comply and I believe it is very important that people are able to read all experiences with the VSG, because even with perfect compliance, complications can and do happen. On a side note, and I hope this doesn't offend you or your family, I hope and pray you guys are able to learn something from this experience as well. I always feel, not that I always do it, that if I have an area of strength (common sense) then it's my job to help loved ones who may lack in that area because I know that I have areas that I'm weak in (finances) and rely on others to fill in the gaps and point things out when needed. Maybe if something like this ever comes up again, providing support and doing research (not saying that you didn't) can help all of you because you then become part of the process and could possibly guide her through it so she is able to make the wisest decisions even if you don't totally agree. It was probably not easy for her going through this without family support. Again, not meaning to offend, but I am a very introspective person and believe every experience in life can teach us something about ourselves and/or others. Maybe that's why I love teaching so much:-) I wish you and your family a wonderful Thanksgiving and upcoming Christmas. Thank you again for sharing your MIL's story.

I picked up my blood results today from my PCP's office. I'll be meeting with surgeon next week, so I'll be able to get his interpretation then. My PCP yesterday afternoon briefly stated that I was pretty much normal. I really like how the print out highlighted the areas that fell out of the normal range. RDW-15.5 % (normal is 11-15 %) high LDL Cholesterol-130 (normal 0-99) high, but all other cholesterol levels are normal including total cholesterol Iron (TIBC)-244 (normal is 250-450) low Vitamin B12-1679 (normal is 211-911) high Vitamin D-111 (normal is 32-100) high My pre-op blood work taken at the end of July found that I was low on vitamin D (18) and they had me supplement with 10,000 IUI per day. I'm going to cut back to 5,000 IUI per day until I meet with the surgeon. They also told me before surgery to supplement with B12 and I think I will just do it 3 days per week now unless the doctor tells me something different. My iron has been low or borderline low since about high school, but before surgery it was okay enough to not have to supplement (that might have to change now, I'll have to wait and see). I was told by the nutritionist before surgery to supplement with calcium, but I've been very inconsistent (not at all in the last 3 weeks), but my levels here are normal. My protein levels are normal. I can't wait until next week when I can sit down and have the surgeon/nutritionist give me feedback on what I need to be doing.

Tonight at exercise class we had to get on the floor for a leg routine and I had trouble getting comfortable because I FELT MY HIPBONES. I don't remember when, or if ever, I've been able to feel my hipbones like this. I was so excited!

Congratulations! What a great feeling that must have been.

Yay! I am so happy for you!!! Good luck on the pre-op diet, your surgery day will be here before you know it.

Welcome Danielle! I had my first surgery and hospital stay in January of 2009 and then my second (VSG surgery) in August 2009 at the age of 29. I was also terrified of the unknown, but it wasn't that bad. My VSG was actually quite a bit easier than the first surgery. Having this wls has been one of the best decisions of my life so far. It sounds like you have excellent support. I wish you lots of luck on the rest of your pre-op journey!

I can't wait until you are back and we are celebrating that date! Take care of yourself and enjoy the holidays. You will be missed.

Welcome Dan! Congratulations on your decision to become healthier, I'm excited to hear about your journey.

Hi Susie, Welcome to VST! I know Tiffykins who posts regularly in the blog section had a revision to the sleeve from the band, but she is visiting family this week. You may want to post this in the "tell your story" part of the forum. I have found these ladies and gents to be very supportive and super helpful. There are many that have revised from band to sleeve, there is even a board in the forum area regarding revisions to the sleeve. I just want to wish you luck on your journey!

Well, I guess I would have to call myself addicted to the scale. The last couple of nights I have been house/dog sitting for a friend and she doesn't have a scale. I have not been able to weigh myself since Saturday and have actually considered going to buy one at target up the road so I could weigh in tomorrow morning. This is absolutely ridiculous because it would not weigh me the same as mine at home, and really what does it matter, I obviously have scale issues:-) I really do need to have other things to focus on besides my weight. It's hard because I'm here alone with the dog and only had time to run a few errands and meet my husband for an early dinner before I needed to come over to take care of her. I now have the rest of the evening in front of me with no cable and my mind obsessing about if I gained or lost a pound overnight...it's a bit pathetic, but by writing this post I just managed to talk myself out of buying a new scale, so that's good.:ohmy: