Malaika

LOL -- Mine is in purple, yes -- but not 4x larger than your's - maybe one size larger -- and all your text in the last 2 posts were the exact same size -- you can go into your user CP and at the very bottom left change your default so it will be the same for every post and you don't have to change it with each post. I think I have mine set on a 3.

Well, what sticks out in my mind from the initial read of this article is that this is with regard to surgery in Europe, not North America. Also, even though they say up to 9%, if you take the % from there study, 1123 patients, 29 with complications - that is only .0258%. We all know there is risk associated with major surgery and we all know that the risk is higher in revisions. However, what are the risks if you don't do anything about your weight and continue to gain or develop additional co-morbidities. To me, surgery is a risk I was willing to take and knowing there are solutions to fixing leaks is good to know. I am also with Cajun in regard to Dr. Aceves' skill and abilities - it is not something that even entered my mind as I trusted him and his skills totally and knew I was in the best hands possible for this surgery.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY SUSAN - hope it is/was a GREAT ONE!!!

Welcome Paula - seems like you've got the posting part figured out - just keep "exploring" the site and testing things - it's not like you're going to really ruin anything - just play around and you'll learn the ins and outs! Congratulations on your surgery date!

And to me they are all the same size! Isn't that odd?

There are several individuals who haven't posted lately and I'm wondering how they are doing. That is the difficult part of "meeting" online - if anything happens to another party, generally, you never know - it's difficult not knowing. We need to pray for Hefty and her family and the others and trust that God is keeping care of them.

Chancie - is it my eyes or is your font smaller these days?

Chezzychee - First of all, let me welcome you to our site - you've found a great place to be for answers and support. Now, as for your boyfriend, it's not his life - it's your's - and you have to do what you need to do for yourself. It sounds as though if you don't do the surgery and lose weight, he's going to lose you anyway - permanently - to death. I think when he says he's afraid of losing you, he's afraid when you lose your weight, that you're going to leave him and move on. He's apparently insecure. I would have been LIVID if my fiance had thrown away anything of mine that I wanted to do and to check out - that is NOT his right. Find another seminar to attend, keep the paperwork at work where he can't get to it - tell him about it and ask him to attend with you. Also, have him read the posts on this forum (maybe not this one since I'm trashing him) and he'll see that the complication risks are low - not non-existent, but low % wise. If your insurance doesn't pay for WLS, check out Dr. Aceves in Mexicali - many of us on this forum have used him and he is so totally awesome. There are other surgeons around as well. Keep us posted on your progress and don't be afraid - you can either live in your fear and continue to gain weight and suffer the consequences of the weight gain or take control of your life NOW and begin a path to a healther life. The choice is YOUR's and NO ONE ELSE!

Deb, with regard to the heartburn, I responded to you on another thread, I believe. I am 51 and have lost 51 lbs thus far. I work out 3-4x a week and so far I don't really have too much extra skin. My arms were never big to begin with, so what is there is just what comes with age more or less - it's not bad or noticeable. Probably the extra skin I do have at this point is at the very top of my legs on the inside where I have, what I call, "pillows." Those are getting smaller but the skin is still there. So far the skin on my stomach has "retracted" with my stomach as it has gotten smaller -- I still have a way to go so I don't know what's going to happen. Also I have heard and read that once you lose weight you should give yourself a year for the skin to shrink back. I think mine has been stretched for so long, though, that it's lost it's memory - we'll see - so far, I am not stressed or distressed over the way my body looks as I am losing weight - we'll see how I look and feel at 75 and 100 lbs.

The jar tells you how many to take - I believe it says 2 - I have those same vitamins and that is what it says -- sometimes I take 2, sometimes I take 3. I figure an extra one now and again won't hurt.

Sweetie333 - congratulations on your surgery. I can't believe they gave you your stomach in a jar! As for the eating, it isn't that bad and not everyone has problems - just take it easy and work the stages - liquids, full liquids, mushies, soft solids and you'll do great! Welcome to VST!

Truthfully, I am not sure what causes the hernia - I guess I've never cared enough to research it and am glad that Dr. Aceves repaired it. I am doing fine, just had to learn how to deal with the spasming and I finally figure that out. Bearded and I are thinking of going to Hawaii for our honeymoon - any suggestions? Don't worry about being turned around - you're doing fine - and it will get easier as time goes on. We're just glad you're here!

I had a bone density test about 9 months ago and it was perfect and the calcium on my labs showed up as normal, so I think I am getting enough calcium in the foods I eat - I'll continue to have the bone density test annually and the labs done every 3-6 months and if either show a change, then I'll start taking calcium. Exercise helps alot, too!

A Thinner Me - welcome to the VST family. Congratulations on making your decision and getting a date. You did the right thing on your pre-op diet when you realized you ate a hot dog - you didn't just say well I've screwed up so why bother, you just acknowledged it and moved on - that is the best attitude now and afterwards - everyone makes mistakes, you just can't let it defeat you. Remember that this is a short-term thing, as is the liquids phase of the post-op diet - it's the long term you need to have your eye on the prize~!

Hi Cathy and welcome to the VST family. I'm glad you were able to get the sleeve instead of the band - I didn't have the band, but there are several on here who have and most, not all, but most, don't have anything good to say about it.

I would seek counseling on this issue as it's going to happen and with the sleeve you will have a hard time to gain the weight back - but why would you want to - find the reason for the fact that you're uncomfortable NOW so that when it happens, you'll be prepared. Maybe Norma can help you-she's having her surgery today I think, so it might be a bit before she posts. You could always PM here.

Yes, it just depends on what coast or time zone you are in - just keep trying, you'll eventually catch someone in there.

I didn't have any nauseau from the surgery - however, I do have acid reflux - which I had before the surgery. Generally the surgeon likes you to be on Nexium or something along those lines for at least 3 months until the stomach realizes it is smaller and doesn't have to produce as much acid as if it were a full-sized stomach - eventually the acid production levels out.

That's an AWESOME idea Cajun - I think I will look for something like that next year - all kids like stickers and they get so much candy it'll be a nice change -- thanks for putting that out there!

They are titanium and they stay there forever - eventually tissue grows over them and you they won't even be seen on xrays - since they are titanium, there's no issue with MRIs, CT-scans or going through any type of security, like at the airport.

We must have bought the same bag of candy Shanda (well, not the SAME bag, but you know what I mean!) I gave in and took a Twix bar - I didn't even enjoy it so wasn't the least bit tempted to have another ... now Bearded on the other hand .......

Dale Welcome to VST - we're glad you decided to join us - it's a great big family here and we're here to help you in any way we are capable. Don't worry overly about the slip-up with the sandwich - pre-op diets are difficult and everyone slips up now and again - the important thing is you recognized it and are aware of it - so put it behind you and next time make a better choice--that is what this surgery is about - not dieting the rest of your life, only making better choices in what you put into your body. Keep us posted on your progress and if you have other questions, ask away!

Natural Vegetable Juices ( example Carrot, V-8 juice ) Protein drinks mixed with water ( example Matrix ) Whey Nectar Protein Mix Cream soups Yogurt Jello-O Boiled pureed fruit ( example apple, pear) applesauce Watermelon, papaya or melon in small pieces Low fat milk 1 or 2% Water, Propel, tea Soy beverages Sugar free pudding Protein shakes and protein powders mixed with milk Soft food should be the consistency of a thick liquid ( no chunks or solid material ) and it should be chewed very well before swallowing until it is a liquid consistency ) Tofu Low fat cottage cheese Cereal Oatmeal Precooked pureed rice Low fat Yogurt Yogurt mixed with fruit very well blended Cream soups Eggs Boiled pureed fruit ( example pear, apple ) Watermelon, papaya or melon in small pieces Boiled pureed vegetables Beans

Okay - I have a few pair of jeans - ranging in size from 22 (maybe 24) to 18 - they're in pretty good shape - most are Gloria Vanderbilt. If you're interested, let me know.

Judy - I too agree with Tiff and others - this is just a speed bump and you'll get over it in no time - it is good they found out your BP was so high and didn't go through with surgery as you could stroke out - everything happens for a reason, even if we don't understand the reasons why. Get your BP under control - and with medication I am sure it won't take long - and then you'll be in tip-top shape for your surgery. Keep us posted!