Lisalu

So, I've been doing some research--not peer-reviewed journals, just what I can find online. Here's my conclusion about tummy stretching: No one really knows. I've found surgeon's sites that warn against this possibility and others that say it is not possible. Anyhow, how would they test this? Bougie size isn't that helpful since different surgeons cut closer to the bougie. So when someone needs a re-sleeve is it because their stomach stretched or because the surgeon left a bigger stomach? Maybe a researcher could measure stomach capacity at 2 months with a barium swallow (oh yum) and then at 2 years, but I'm not aware that this has been done.

Donna, Kansas, Tiffykins, Ya'll got it right. Reality TV in general makes me want to barf. I watched part of the biggest loser once and got enraged. Since when is emotional abuse entertainment? It's all so fake and overly dramatic and did I mention STUPID? I'd rather read a book--keeps me from getting so mad that I break the TV screen with a projectile.

I didn't have a lot of support going in. The only member of my family I told was my sister and that was because I wanted to have the surgery in OKC where she lives. She didn't think it was a wise decision and she worried about me. She didn't support me emotionally that well but she really supported me in practical ways like taking care of my son, letting me stay with her, etc. I love her for it. Most of my friends were against the surgery; they thought it was too drastic and again they worried about the risks. They were able to support me emotionally though, once they knew I was determined. I sought support from two women I knew who had they surgery. I believe that those who were against the surgery really love me. They were worried about me and concerned that I would be undergoing major abdominal surgery. I hope you can feel your family's love and concern but still do what is right for you. There ARE major risks to this surgery. There are also serious risks to being 150 lbs overweight. As for me, I'd do it again in a heartbeat. Good luck.

I'm one of those people who thinks EVERYTHING tastes better with cilantro, green onions and lime. Man if they can make MENUDO (cow stomach soup) taste good with those things, anything will taste good. (My apologies to any Mexican-Americans out there. I know menudo is a revered.)

Oops, I lied. Netrition sells DaVinci brand.

Netrition is more (7.49) but only 4.95 for shipping. I'd have to crunch the numbers to see at what quantity supplement warehouse becomes cheaper. How much are they at Sam's club?

My surgeon told me that there wasn't any evidence connecting hair loss to low protein or biotin intake. I know that is the opposite of what many of you were told. If he's right, that explains why some people get all their protein in and still lose hair. Maybe it's like saggy skin or stretch marks: luck of the genetic draw.

me neither, no drain tube.

Man, I should have researched first, then posted after. Here's a link from this board and Tiffykins weighed in on this isue. http://verticalsleevetalk.com/tell-your-story/5688-stomach-stretching-question.html

NtvTxn, thanks for this post. I'm 4 1/2 weeks out and wonder the same things. Tiffykins: eagerly awaiting your research. Hmmm, maybe I'll do a little myself.

I did my monthly weigh-in yesterday. 169.2. That's 16 pounds since June 28 (2 days pre-op) and 14 since just before my surgery (1 day clear fluids 1 day nothing by mouth.) I feel OK. My "goal" for August is 10lbs but I know I only have partial control. I'm doing most things right (could be exercising more) and trying to remember that this is a marathon, not a sprint.

Ha! I've run into these types too. Was she normal weight or heavy? A week before my surgery, I had to have labs done. The order came from Weightwise Bariatrics. The phlebotomist saw the order and then proceeded to tell me about 2 people she had known who had had weight loss surgery. One (according to her) had her health ruined; the other DIED. Sheesh, talk about insensitive. Sometimes we just have to shake our heads and laugh---and then later vent here.

I know that the CDC recommends 5 servings of fruits and vegetables a day. Will this ever be possible for me again? Is it necessary for good health? I'm OK with taking Vitamins but not thrilled about taking vitamins instead of eating enough veggies because evidence shows that the vegetables are better for us. Could I do vegetable juice shots (non-starchy only)? How many vegetables are recommended for us? Thanks in advance for any insight about this. Lisa

I made portabello/broccoli Soup last night--yum! I simmered 1/2 cup broccoli and 1/2 a large portabello cap (diced) in about 1 1/2 c chicken broth until super tender. I blended them with 1/4 a block of mori-nu silken tofu (extra firm). It was excellent. I had it for dinner but could eat less than 1/2. I had onther 1/4 for Breakfast this morning. I feel better. When I don't eat enough veggies I feel yucky and sick. My digestive track feels better. So I'll probably have to take Protein supplements longer if I use my meals for veggies, but right now it is worth it!

OK, that's my fear today. Factors contributing to my feeling: 1. Someone took a picture of my last week at an inservice. I saw it and if I'm that fat now, whoa! Gosh, I've got a long way to go. I just look so old and flabby. 2. I'm a month out and I do get hungry. Perhaps it's acid but I'm being treated for that. 3. I can eat 1/4 cup mushy chicken no problem. 4. I'm bloated from miralax but all thunder, no storm. 5. No good reason, just a fear.

Donna, I know what you mean. I too am having trouble determining what is the just right amount of food for me. Of course the idea is to lose weight but it doesn't make sense not to eat until you are comfortably satisfied. I mean I can do that for a while but not for the rest of my life. If I could eat just what any diet proscribed with no regard to hunger, I wouldn't be obese.

I've had pain in my back (lower left) for about a week now. I thought it was a pulled muscle but I'm beginning to wonder about a kidney stone. Anyone had one post surgery? It's not the excruciating pain I had when my gallbladder duct was blocked but I don't want it to get worse!

Cristinka, Wow, your BMI is under 25 now. If you lose 40 lbs, that would put you at a 19 BMI---very low normal. I don't think you could've found a doctor to operate on you in the U.S. I lived in Germany during my teens. Teenagers there were much thinner than in the US and even though I had a healthy BMI, I felt fat. So if things are like that in Moldova, I can understand why you want to lose. Still, I don't believe it would be healthy. I know that this may sound harsh, but I do not mean it to be. If I were your doctor, I might treat you for Body Dismorphic Disorder. I think you might be in danger of developing anorexia/bulima. Take care.

Can you trace the dumping to something in particular you ate? I hear dumping is terrible but it would probably do me good if I got it from eating sugar. Not that I've eaten sugar post-op but previously it was my downfall.

Cristinka, I'm afraid I didn't understand your post. How tall are you in meters and how much did you weigh in Kilograms? I don't want a language barrier to keep me from understanding. Thank you.

OK, I've been thinking about how post-op diets and restrictions vary so widely. Here are a couple of my programs more unusual features: 1. Immediately after surgery, don't lift more than 75lbs. (Huh? You think I can lift 75lbs now?) 2. No Soup again, ever. (Really, no soup? EVER? I can limit my soup intake because it is a slurry food, but none EVER? I can't/won't do that.) 3. Protein is not important during the first 2 weeks post op. Anyone else have something fun and unusual to share?

How fast is racing and do you have other symptoms. Both PE (pulmonary embolism) and leaks can cause rapid heartbeat, but there are plenty of other symptoms.

Please quit calling yourself a wimp. Goodness knows why some things hurt us more than others. I can get a root canal with adequate lidocaine and feel no pain. My sister is in horrible pain no matter what they do. I'm not tougher than my sisiter, just luckier I guess. I did well after surgery but yelped out loud when they tried to put the IV in. I don't know if I had an unskilled nurse or it just hit a nerve. Hurt like h#ll. I doubt you're a wimp, but you are in pain. I'm glad you are getting it checked out.

I went to my first support group Monday and I was sorely disappointed. It was run like a weight watchers meeting (minus the weigh-in, thank goodness). Newbies had to sit through a half hour orientation. I research a lot, so I actually knew most of what was in the orientation. Not interactive at all, just lecture--ugh. Then the same very nice but kind of naive ladies ran the meeting. We talked about food almost the whole time. Lots of testimonials about yummy Protein shakes, etc.There was a good learning piece with questions and answers and break-out groups, but that was about food too. (It was good because at least it was interactive.) Lots of what I consider pseudo-scientific nutrition advice. Again, I research a lot, so when someone tells me that my Protein Drink will denature after I open it, I want to say, "so what?" Cooking denatures protein too, but we all eat cooked eggs and meat and we absorb those OK. I didn't want to sound like a know-it-all (my tendancy anyway), so I kept my mouth shut, but I didn't hear a lot to help me. I think I need OA instead of this group. I need to share my experience with others, but not to talk about food. All the food talk is triggering to me and this isn't a diet. This is about me learning how to use food to quell hunger instead of trying to use it to tamp down my feelings.

Gotta love that doctor!