Malaika

youknowit -- I understand the reason you don't want to go back to Mexicali; however, would it be too time consuming to perhaps travel to SF? Unfortunately the Las Vegas area does not have the best reputation for medical services, and certainly not for speciality services ... I hope you find a surgeon you are comfortable with and who has the experience you are looking for closer to home than Mexicali (although it's only an hour flight to SD and then the ride to Mexicali) ... if I find out anything more, I will certainly let you know. Unfortunately being in the line of work I am in, it's generally not good things that I discover.

Breek - welcome to VST and congrats on taking control of your life and your health - your daughter will be thrilled to have a mom who can do the things she wants to do ... keep us posted on your progess and your surgery date.

HOLY MOLY - you look friggin' awesome ... heck, I didn't think you looked like you needed to lose weight when you and Bearded had surgery ... dang girl you are doing great ... I've never been in a 4 in my life and don't expect I'll ever get there - I'm way too tall I think. YOU LOOK AWESOME and think you should change your name to "SKINNYNOW"

AWESOME Rosebud2 -- can't wait to see you again - hopefully sometime in January -- but definitely February ok?

Get well soon Norma. You're in my thoughts and prayers for a speedy successful recovery.

I drink coffee with coffee creamer in it - I only have 1 cup a day (maybe 1-1/2) and I buy different flavored coffee creamers - I can't stand anything super sweet so the flavored creamers do the trick.

Norma - you will be in my thoughts and prayers - I will be looking forward to hearing about your progress as I know eventually (sooner than later) I am going to have to have bilateral knee replacements due to degenerative arthritis. Good luck with your PT -- I started mine yesterday - it wasn't so bad yesterday but man-o-man when I woke up this morning it felt like someone had tried to twist my arm off! Keep us posted as soon as you are able to do so!

I was taking Nexium before surgery and when I ran out asked my PCP for a script; unfortunately, my insurance won't cover it, so he gave me Prilosec - I didn't notice any issues with Nexium; however, I do notice with the Prilosec I have a dry mouth; however, like Tiff, it is remedied by drinking something when I first get up. Bearded takes OTC Prilosec and hasn't commented about any issues whatsoever. It's less expensive for me to get the RX for only $10 than it is to buy the OTC.

Hang in the ML - you're still freshly out of surgery, so don't push yourself and certainly don't beat yourself up about not getting in the walking - you will be very tired the first few weeks until you start on mushies, that seems to improve one's energy level. Take it easy and allow you body to recover from the major surgery you just went through - you will have a lifetime for walking, swimming and exercising, taking a few weeks off is not going to sabotage your weight loss. Focus on healing, and not feeling guilty for not walking. Healing is your #1 priority right now.

Lan - check your grocery stores for the XOX broth - I found it at Albertson's here in Las Vegas - it's like buillon cubes you add to hot water - they have chicken and beef that I know of; I found it in both the soup isle and with the mexican foods. I know, too, that Sam's sells chicken paste in a large jar for like $3 and it is the same principal as bouillon.

Hannah Welcome to VST and good luck on your upcoming surgery - you will be on the losers bench before you know it.

Bonnie - The majority of complications are experienced by those revising from the band to the sleeve - if you are a virgin sleever, the risk of complications is very minimal. I do not know who is doing your surgery; however, Dr. Aceves has performed over 700 sleeves and has never had a leak - and I am sure many of those were revisions from band to sleeve - I personally know 2 of his patients who were revisions and they are doing fine and had no complications following surgery.

You can do a search for "complications" and it will bring up several posts where members have posted about their post-surgery issues. Also there is a forum VSG Complications Support Group that you can check out. The only complication I had following surgery was esophogeal spasms; however, as Dr. Aceves indicated, I am now almost 6 months out and they are dissipating - I only have a problem now if I drink something really cold when trying to take medication.

Carolyn - there is a forum entitled VSG Complications Support Group - which is where I would logically put a thread if I had experienced complications from surgery; unfortunately, we can't control where members post, we can only hope that they will view all the various options forums, and select the most appropriate one. It would be difficult to go back and move everyone's posts regarding complications to one specific post. Sorry I can't be more help.

Congrats Chandra - keep the faith!

Barbara - Dr. Aceves does not use sutures. He uses glue - and then the incisions are covered with surgical tape and you just leave them on - washing with anti-bacterial soap when you shower until they fall off - generally by the time they do fall off the incisions are healed or close thereto. I had my surgery with Dr. Aceves on 6/12 and my fiance had his on 7/11 - both our incisons healed nicely and are beginning to fade. You're having your surgery on my birthday! If you have any more questions about Dr. Aceves, feel free to PM me.

Brad - WOW - had to reread your post - down from a 5XL to an XXL - that is so totally awesome. Keep up the GREAT work!

Shawna - welcome to the forum, we hope you find what you are looking for here and if we can help you out, just ask.

I agree with Tiffy. I was on the same pre-op diet. If you buy fat-free products, and take the time to compare them to normal products, you will see that the fat-free products have more sugar the the regular - that is because they have to do something to improve the flavor when they remove the fat. I used EAS before my surgery - loved it - couldn't/can't stand it since my surgery - it's too sweet. Don't stock up on too much stuff before your surgery as you may find, as many of us have, that after the surgery your tastes have changed significantly.

I have a desk job - I had my surgery on Friday and returned to work the following Friday - I was fine, tired by the end of the day; other than that did fine. If you're only working PT and don't have a strenuous job, I would think if you took 1 week you'd be fine.

KARA thank you for posting your story and your advice. Glad you are doing better now and hope you continue to progress. Also, welcome to the forum, we're happy to have you join us.

Where are you having your surgery? If you have it done by Dr. Aceves in Mexico there are no stitches to be removed - the incisions are covered with surgical tape and you just wash the area with antibacterial soap until they fall off and then was the incisions the same way until they are totally healed.

Luckily, I have really nice firm legs, but figured if they helped tone the muscle, what the heck ... I don't need new sneaks yet, but when I do, I'll check them out - they at least look like they give you good support which I definitely need.

I didn't start losing my hair until 5 months out - I'll add in the Co-Q10 - I have that and was taking it before surgery -- it's a big capsule, so hope i can get it down. I'll try anything at this point to help slow down or stop the hair loss.

hypn -- How are you doing with getting your food in????