cajun

There can be lots of hormone changes after WLS so if you start to "yo yo" just let folks around you know not to take it personally...you are hormonal! It shall pass eventually. One day you can be on top of the mountain and the next day, under it!

Lib,
Has your surgeon prescribed a PPI such as Nexium or Prilosec? If not, and if you have reflux (GERD), you can get a stricture from constant acid in your esophagus. It causes a feeling of something stuck in the throat. You may need a modified barium swallow to see how your esophagus works when you swallow. Talk with your surgeon.
Don't let your concerns be disregarded...Don't let yourself become invisible and try to just "grin and bear it"...that 's what many of us do as obese persons, because we feel "less than" our thin counterparts. You had the courage to turn the corner and choose a new life for yourself, so keep moving forward. Assert your right to get good follow-up medical care for your complications. You deserve it. I know you will succeed and soon be feeling better!

"for the first time in 3.5 years, I literally fell asleep in my love's arms."
Tiff, that brings tears to my eyes, it such a sweet, sweet NSV. The best I've ever heard. Nothing trivial about it, just the opposite.
The journey you have been on is so remarkable. You should write a book; I am sure it would be successful.
Soak up the love, Tiff...and enjoy! And thanks for sharing your personal journey.

sugar free yogurt?

Skinny,
Have hope! This is likely a normal adjustment period (a "stall) for your body. You are probably still losing inches, and the scales will show the pounds soon too.
You might want to just start doing a careful calorie intake count, to be sure your calories are not too low, or too high. Sometimes we think we are eating 600-800 calories but it turns out we are too low or too high. Are you exercising? Eating any other carbs besides sweets?
If all that turns out to be according to your doctor's recommendations, just wait it out and you will see the scale moving again soon. This STALL stuff happens to everyone.

Judy,
Welcome to the forum! I can totally relate to all your comments, and am newly sleeved, less than one week. Already down six pounds since the surgery and feeling great.
I hope you continue to come to the board and read as much as you can. I learned a lot of things that helped me prepare well for the surgery. It made me so confident that I was not nervous at all, and am able to deal with what ever challenges crop up along the way. You will too! Best of luck to you!

I'd like to hear more thoughts on this. It has seemed to me that switching back and forth from a low calorie to a moderate calorie diet might really work to "trick" the body and prevent it from shutting down in "starvation mode", ie, plateau mode.
Does anyone know of some research on this concept?
Alex, do you know of any research on this subject???
Thanks.

Thanks Lan2k,
Wow, you are losing the pounds! Congrats!
I am looking forward to that!
Cathryn

Just passed my third leak test with flying colors. Will be home by tomorrow night. Feeling good. Will write more later.

The good news is that all of my 3 month labs are NORMAL. I was very surprised and thrilled. It surprised me because although I do eat some fruit 2-3 times a week, I'm not really getting in any veggies...no room for them after getting in the required protein! I think that the Vitamin Water I'm sipping on all day helps a lot.

The bad news is, the upper GI xray showed that I now have a small traction epiphrenic diverticulum. Bummed. I never knew that the esophagus could have a diverticulum so have been reading research online to learn about it. Luckily I'm not having any symptoms so it's probably going to be just "watch it" scenario. I'll see my gastroenterologist after the holidays to see what he recommends.

Dr Aceves thinks it's from "overeating". He's recommended I go back on mushies and liquids for now and reduce the volume I ingest at any one time, to prevent pressure on the diverticulum. I'm going to see a local gastroenterologist after the holidays. Wish I lived closer to Mexicali so I could get to Dr Aceves' office but it's not in the cards for me.

At three months out, how much of a Protein Shake can other folks drink over a 30 minute period? I've been doing one cup, which is one shake. Now I'll have to cut it back to 1/2 cup. It's going to take me longer to get in everything, but I guess no one every promised that this would be easy. No solids means no Christmas dinner with my family! Double Bummer for Christmas!

Today will be the first time some of them see the new me, 68 lbs lighter! I've not told them so they will be very surprised!

Does anyone have experience with this, or know someone who had it? I'm looking for all the information I can get. Apparently it's rare.

Rebekah:
I am just curious: How can oversewing cause infection?
Also, there is always swelling after cutting out a portion of the stomach, whether oversewing is done or not. Does your surgeon think there is MORE swelling after an oversew than if the staple line is just glued?
Have not had my VSG yet, but am wanting to learn everything I can about this before hand so I ask good questions when I get to the point of talking to a surgeon. Have not seen any literature looking at this issue...if you know of any I'd like to read it.
Thanks.

I guess everyone is different...I am lactose intolerant, but I can eat yogurt, and frozen yogurt just fine, with no lactaid tablets and no gas or diarrhea afterwards. Lucky me. We'll see if that changes post sleeve!

GNC also carries a lot of supplements. I am partial to Jay Robb chocolate Protein powder shakes, which they carry. I also bought Isopure there.

"for the first time in 3.5 years, I literally fell asleep in my love's arms."
Tiff, that brings tears to my eyes, it such a sweet, sweet NSV. The best I've ever heard. Nothing trivial about it, just the opposite.
The journey you have been on is so remarkable. You should write a book; I am sure it would be successful.
Soak up the love, Tiff...and enjoy! And thanks for sharing your personal journey.

pre-surg nsv: I can actually see my belly button! :sad0::thumbup1::thumbup1:

I was able to buckle the seatbelt without an extender yesterday on my flight to San Diego! Have lost 17 lbs on pre surg diet!
By this evening I will have crossed the line into sleevedom!

pre-surg nsv: I can actually see my belly button! :sad0::thumbup1::thumbup1:

pre-surg nsv: I can actually see my belly button! :sad0::thumbup1::thumbup1:

That's a great idea.
It's also important to remember that Calcium can decrease the effects of many other medicines by binding to them or by changing the acidity of the stomach or the urine. So take other meds at some other time of day. Also,taking it with a meal is recommended.

From Wikepedia:
Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs): The PPIs include omeprazole (Prilosec, Losec), lansoprazole (Prevacid), rabeprazole (Aciphex), pantoprazole (Protonix, Pantoloc), and esomeprazole (Nexium). The reduced secretion of gastric acid and pepsin produced by PPIs can reduce absorption of protein-bound (dietary) Vitamin B12, but not supplemental vitamin B12. Gastric acid is needed to release vitamin B12 from Protein for absorption. Reduced vitamin B12 levels may be more common with PPIs than with H2-blockers, because they are more likely to produce achlorhydria (complete absence of gastric acid secretion). However, clinically significant vitamin B12 deficiency is unlikely, unless PPI therapy is prolonged (2 years or more) or dietary vitamin intake is low. Vitamin B12 levels should be monitored in people taking high doses of PPIs for prolonged periods.