Malaika

Here is a link where you can put in your doctor's name and it will give you information on them, including if there have been any actions take against them. I will try and find more information that may help you, too, and let you know. https://extranet.in.gov/WebLookup/Search.aspx St. Francis is a good hospital - both my sons were born there. It's been around for a very long time!

Although I'm from Indiana originally, I haven't lived there in 13 years and don't know about any bariatric surgeons in Indiana. You might try calling the Medical Board and asking for a referral, or checking with doctor's in your area and ask who they would recommend. I know when I was in Indy recently there were lots of commericals for the lapband - I am sure some of those surgeons must also perform the Sleeve. Good luck in your search.

You could do egg drop soup on your liquid/full liquid stage if you strain the egg out and on mushies "as is." Black pepper is fine as long as your tummy doesn't react to it. Everyone is different when it comes to spices; and what may not have bothered you pre-surgery may post -- you just have to experiment and see how you do with it.

MUSHY!!!!

I can only speak for myself; however, as a moderator I have never deleted any threads or posts and would never do so - everyone is entitled to know the truth. However, apparently, someone doesn't believe that is the case and I believe money speaks louder than truth, unfortunately.

Hi Laurie and welcome to VST - we are happy to have you join our ever-growing "family" ... you will be happy with the sleeve and I bet once you're at goal, you'll be able to start a family. If you have any questions, comments, fears, etc., post away!

I only recall 2 drug stores - one right on the edge of the Hospital parking lot and one across the street from the hospital - I don't recall any other stores within walking distance from the hospital; however, if you ask Dr. Campose or Dr. Aceves, they can tell you for certain.

You can sit on it and bounce when you're "studying" - that helps tone the leg and butt muscles. I also use it to do sit ups - it's a lot easier on the back - it takes a bit to find your "sweet" spot so you don't roll off or feel as though you're going too - but once you do, it's amazing how it helps with the sit-ups and how much you can feel it in your abs. Leslie Sansone's tapes are good, too - I just get tired of hearing her voice so I generally mute her and turn on other music.

Cleaning out the closet again - I have 4 or 5 pairs of nice slacks - size 16W - several 1X tops and some larger XL tops that no longer fit. I also have belts that no longer to fit. If anyone is interested, send me a PM with your address and I'll get them boxed up and mailed out.

Coopersmama - congratulations on your upcoming surgery and welcome to the VST Family. I think you are doing the right thing even if "they" consider you a lightweight -- it's a personal matter and based on your family's history, I think you are doing the right thing. I have told VERY few people about my surgery - it is no one's business in my opinion - when I was on the liquid phase of the post-op, I just told people I had had a hiatal hernia repaired (which was the truth) and left it at that. After hearing my mom's comments about WLS, I am very glad I opted not to share with my family.

My thoughts and prayers are with you - looking forward to hearing from you post-op!

I drink coffee every day - generally 1, maybe 1-1/2 cups and I also make a cup of hot tea when I get to work although I generally only end up taking a few sips of it. Caffeine doesn't really dehydrate you - however, it acts as a diuretic and if you're not getting in enough fluids then it could dehydrate you. I asked Wassa when she started drinking coffee and she told me that Dr. Aceves told her she could drink it "now" (and she said she was 6 days out from surgery) ... I don't drink soft drinks and I drink water all day long, so I figure I'm entitled to have my "vice" of coffee in the morning.

I am one of those who had to switch from XR to those which could be crushed/cut into small pieces. Another option is if you have a RX for 40 mg - see if the pharmacist can give you twice as many in a 20 mg - generally they will be smaller and easier to swallow -- that is what I am still doing with my prilosec.

TennJenn - I am so HAPPY for you - that is GREAT - congratulations!!!!!!

Sandy - welcome to our VST Family - we are so happy you discovered us and have decided to become a member - we are here for you - if you have any questions, fears, comments, etc., don't hesitate to ask - someone will have something to say to you. Congrats on your surgery date - March is just around the corner!

Hi Daisy - Yes, I really read each and every post - before the holidays I was able to keep up with them by reading them in the morning and then in the evenings -- that might not be possible now - I don't feel as though I'm ever going to get caught up - but I will muddle through them as I can. I will have another set back as my dad and his wife are coming to visit 1/15 through 1/18; and they don't know I've had the surgery, so I won't be able to be on the forum when they are here. I will one day get caught up!!!

I would definitely wait until you are at least on mushies. I thought they were gross, too, so Nina suggested that I cut them up really really small (I bought a pill cutter) and swallow them that way - it was better than dissolving them in water. As for your vitamins, if you feel you really need them now, buy some liquid; otherwise, once you're on mushies or soft solids, you can start taking them - I can't take large pills yet so I take adult gummy vitamins. If you have trouble with the large gel pills, you might want to try the gummies - I got them at Costco.

I didn't worry about the protein - I got in what I could - however, there were no protein drinks I could tolerate and I am lactose intolerant. I was more worried about staying hydrated - I worried about protein when I got to mushies. I wouldn't worry overly about the protein - get in what you can - but definitely stay hydrated - that is most important early out from surgery.

Did Dr. Aceves change his post-op diet? When he performed my surgery, I was on 10 days of clears, 10 days of fulls and then mushies. If you had your surgery on 1/5, you shouldn't be moving to fulls until the 16th, that could be why you're having trouble - the soup with tofu (did you eat the tofu?) and the atkins shake - those are not considered clear. As for the hiatal hernia repair, I had that as well and had a horrible time drinking - everything felt like it was getting stuck and it was painful. Come to find out, I was having spasms. Dr. Aceves had me stay on mushies for 6 more weeks and told me that by 6 months the spasming should dissipate. I found that if I stuck to warm liquids it helped to relax the spasms and made eating easier. You might be having the same problem. Try sticking with warm liquids, especially in the morning as you tend to be more restricted in the mornings, and see if that helps. If you absolutely have to have something cold, wait a few hours after drinking something warm and then try sucking on ice cubes or SF popsicles - they give you the cold effect but they trickle down your throat so you tend not to spasm (as much). I am now almost 7 months out and the spasming has gotten better; however, it is not entirely gone (yet). Hope this helps some.

I like A as well Tiff; however, I also like C - will be anxious to see the new do to go with the new you!

Congratulations Carolyn. Awesome results. Everyone is doing so good. Keep up the great work. I've had a rough month - so it's back on track for me today and focusing on getting my last 40 lbs. off. Onderland by my birthday - January 19th~

Happy RE-birthday Kai. You're in the best of hands ... welcome to the loser's bench!

Thanks for the welcome backs - nice to know I was missed. Also thank you all for the thoughts and prayers for my mom - she's a very lucky lady.

Deb, I don't think it matters - it's all so soft and if you cut it small enough it shouldn't make any difference. (Sorry for the delay in responding)

That's awesome Kai - congratulations - and it will be so great to have others on the wing with you - helps to make the days pass quicker if you can get up and visit or have someone to go walking with. Keep us posted on how you're doing when you feel up to it. (Try not to get the last room on the right - the internet reception isn't all that good)