Malaika

I use gummy multi-vitamins (Costco carries ones for adults; however I am taking children's right now - I just take 3 instead of 1). I also take B12 suspension that I found at Wal-Mart (thanks to OregonDaisy) and they taste really good. Other than that, I am not taking any other vitamins as my doctor did all types of blood work and my labs all came back great.

Hi RYCurtis and welcome to VST. Congratulations, too, on your surgery -- I know what you mean about the liquid stage - it is really tough to follow - each stage gets easier though and before you know it, you'll be eating solids -- just start out slow - and with small portions - you'll be amazed how little it will take to fill you up and make you satisfied.

well, I would have been if I'd seen this post this morning instead of at 4 today - LOL ... maybe tomorrow morning ...

I decided on the sleeve vs. the band after attending a seminar and then doing research on my own. I didn't like the idea of having a foreign object placed inside of me and all the after care that would be required along with the band. I don't know of anyone who is sorry to have had the sleeve; however, I know LOTS of people who have been sorry they had the band - and several of them are on this forum - and I am sure they will pipe in with their opinions.

I returned to work one week following my surgery and other than being tired at the end of the day, it wasn't a big deal, but then I have a desk job. I'm sure the more strenuous the job, the more time you'll need off work. And, btw - WELCOME TO VST!

Pennie - Welcome to VST and congratulations on your upcoming surgery - we are glad you joined our "family" and we'll be here to give you support, answer your questions and listen to your stories.

We went to the bank yesterday and they gave us candy - 2 candy bars (mini-size) - Bearded ate the Hershey and I took the crunch - omg - it was so sickening sweet I thought I was going to gag -- I took water and swished it around and around in my mouth to get the taste out -- I told Bearded -- DON'T EVER LET ME DO THAT AGAIN! I'm almost 5 months out and I still can't stand anything sweet -- I hope it lasts a lifetime!

Deb - First, let me say welcome to the VST family. Second, don't ever be afraid to post anything or ask any questions, no one will judge you - everyone has questions and the only way you learn, is to ask. As for the stomach cancer issue - if you have stomach cancer and they need to remove your stomach - no matter what size the stomach is, you can still live a long and normal life -- you don't have to have a stomach to eat or live. Not only was the VSG surgery my first elective surgery -- it was my first major surgery of any type. The only other surgery I had had was bilateral carpal tunnel 15 years ago and I was awake (sort of) for that. Getting the sleeve was the best thing I ever did to finally put me on the road to taking off my weight and keeping it off - that is always the difficult part - keeping it off. I understand your concern with having elective surgery; however, in the realm of things, this is a relatively safe surgery and it's amazing how quick you recover.

Okalani - check out the thread "Dr. Aceves' information" - there is a list of things to eat at various stages in the pre-op diet- may help give you some ideas. Also, check out the recipe section - I posted one for egg drop soup that is really good and tasty - plus there are other ideas as well.

JENN - that is so ABSOLUTELY WONDERFUL ... I am so very happy for you -- and your DH sounds absolutely wonderful.

Sam-I-Am -- welcome to VST; we're happy you decided to come out of hiding and join us. Congratulations on your surgery. I know how frustrating it is to feel things are "stuck" - I had that "feeling" for the 1st month and finally had a fluroscopy done and lo-and-behold, it wasn't my imagination at all -- it actually was getting "stuck" due to esophogeal spasming. My surgeon told me to stay on mushies an extra 6 weeks. Also, I've figured out that if I stick to warm liquids in the morning, it helps relax the restriction and helps with the spasming. I am now almost 5 months out and I still have the spasming; however, it has gotten better and like I said, I've learned to work with it instead of against it. Try warm liquids before eating anything and see if that helps. Keep us posted!

Hi Kelly and welcome to VST. I am in Vegas too and there are a few others of us as well; however we all had our surgery in Mexicali by Dr. Aceves. Who is doing your surgery? Looking forward to following your success.

:w00t::lol0::sad0::lol0::lol0:Jane - GREAT photo - hope Bill really enjoys the visual :confused1:

Yes, Bill, please shower - am sure those around you will greatly appreciate it! I was showering in the hospital the day after my surgery. I can't take baths for other reasons, so it is not something that I cared about; however, I did want to know when I could swim and get in a hot tub. Thankfully it was still warm enough to do so once my incisions totally healed.

Wow Phoenix, I didn't realize you'd had your surgery that long ago - that's awesome - gives me hope for the future!

Mike, welcome to VST - happy you decided to come out of hiding and share your story. Sounds like you're doing great - keep up the good work. I haven't ever found a protein drink that I can tolerate either so try and get it all in from my food -- although I have sound some tasty protein bars that I can tolerate that are high in protein/low in carbs; however, I don't eat them every day. Keep us posted on your progress - we're here for you!

u'i - welcome to VST. I, too, am happy your WLS is back on schedule - finding the blockage may have been a blessing in disguise in that you didn't get the band and will now have the sleeve. If you are taking horse pills - and they aren't capsules or time released, you can crush them or cut them up small -- I couldn't stand them crushed, so I bought a pill-cutter and cut them. I'm 4.5 months out and still have trouble swallowing large capsules; however, I had a hiatal hernia repaired during my sleeve surgery and have issues with esophogeal spasming, so I am not the norm. Everyone is different, and so are doctor's -- ask your surgeon what his rules are.

Hi all - this site was sent to me by a friend - she's tried several of the recipes and loves them and even bought the cookbook. Not all the recipes are low carb; however there are some that are and I believe most, if not all, are under 200 calories. I signed up for the newsletter and get new recipes just about every morning. Worth a check if you're looking for healthy alternatives. Here's the link: Hungry Girl

Sounds yummy, thanks for sharing. I may have to try this sometime soon.

You'll be fine - it's not really pain you are in from the incisions, it's more tenderness - like sore muscles - you won't have any trouble with anything hygiene related. I had pain medicine the day of surgery and nothing after that. I was up going to the bathroom on my own the same day and had no trouble with any issues in that area -- I took baby wipes to the hospital with me and still use them.

Jane welcome to VST and it's so great to have someone who has had the sleeve more than a year - I think Mac is the only other one on her to have reached her 1 year surgiversary. We will look forward to reading your stories and listening to your advice. Thanks for sharing!

Carol - welcome to VST. I am SO glad you found us - you will find a wealth of information and lots of support here. As far as everyone's story, I would suggest reading the threads in the pre-op and post-op forums; also there are some great threads on Protein drinks and recipes for early out post-op -- and asks any questions you may have - you will more than likely get LOTS of answers. Best wishes for your upcoming surgery - Nov. 3 is right around the corner!

Welcome Haley - so nice to have you join us. Congrats on your surgery, too! And no, you are not the only one who treat their dogs as children - Bearded and I have 2 - Chloe and Riley - and we spoil them rotten -- plus we're long term babysitting a puppy (7 mos) by the name of Baxter and he gets spoiled just like the others "kids" I'd love to have a horse, but don't have the land to be able to do so.

From everything I've heard, i.e., it's a live virus, mercury, etc., there's no way I'd get it -and definitely not 1 week before surgery --let us know what Dr. Aceves has to say about it.

Yes, I find it VERY easy to use and there's tons of food on there.