TexasT

I'm 2.5 yrs post-op and when I'm full I have the normal full feeling like the old days. No pain. But if I really push it I will get a bit of pain - when that happens I get up and walk around until things "settle" a bit. The first year for sure I had pain when I pushed my pouch to the limit, but not anymore. Best of luck to you!

As someone that's been at goal for long time now, I can say that your stomach will most certainly stretch out over time. Of course, it will never get back to it's original state, but I can eat MUCH more now than I could the first year post-op. I happen to be glad I can eat more now, because it has helped me to stop losing and try to maintain. I would probably be shocked if I saw the size of my stomach now compared to just after surgery. But that's OK. I know the sleeve still works and I'm very happy with my decision to do it. And if you do eat WAY too much and stretch the sleeve you'll feel VERY uncomfortable and will vow to not do it again - just your body's way of teaching you a lesson. If you listen to it and try to not keep pushing the limits, then it will continue to work for you.

As someone who's been at goal for over a year, I can say it continues to be easy and I'm loving life now. Even if I splurge and eat sweets, sodas, alcohol, etc. I don't gain weight since I keep the portions small. And also as a former lap-band patient, the sleeve is a MILLION times easier than that ever was! Love it!!

I had a full hysterectomy at age 41, now I'm 50. I only stopped my estrogen for a few days around the time of my surgery. The pill is so small my doc said it was OK to take. So I never experienced any problems post-op. If it's an issue for you, you can ask for the patches or gel to use for a few months if need be.

And just remember also that everyone's sleeve is a different size. If you are tall, or your stomach is just natually LONGER, then you may have a bigger stomach post-op than someone else. I agree with others - trying to eat chicken in a few weeks will be the true test. When I got to mushies, I couldn't eat but a few bites of eggs while the same size serving of refried black Beans went in fine. Don't get discouraged. The weight WILL come off! Your body just has to adjust to this new way of eating. Best of luck!

I was a revision from the lap-band, so the questions I had would probably be different from yours. Dr. Barker was very good with explaining exactly what the surgery was once I started telling him I didn't like the band (gave it a good 3.5 yrs). I know Dr. Kim and Dr. Davidson have great reviews from others on this site for other DFW area docs. One doc I can tell you to steer clear of though is Dr. Glenn Ihde. New to WLS and very dishonest. You'll want to know how long the doc thinks your post-op recovery will take, how often you should get labs taken to check that you're getting all the nutrients you need, if they have a support group (if you think you'd need it - Dr. Barker has one I know), what their schedule is regarding your post-op diet (how long on Clear Liquids, mushies, etc.), what his complication rate is, how many sleeves has he done, stuff like that. Good luck on finding the right doc for you!

Well, I'm 3.5 wks post-op from my breast augmentation revision and things went fantastic. Dr. Bogdan removed my 31-yr old ruptured silicone implants and replaced them with the new gummy-style silicone. I had a capsular contraction with my last implants, so they were hard as rocks. Now these new ones supposedly feel like natural boobies (though I really have no idea - it's been so long since mine WERE natural, and when they were there wasn't much to them to feel!). Dr. B removed all my old scar tissue internally and also my whole old scar along the fold under my breast. My new scars are so thin and gorgeous (for scars) that I don't think you'll even be able to see them once I'm all healed. I'm happy, hubby is thrilled, and now I have experience with an amazing aethesthic surgeon for when I want to do more. First thing on the list is some type of filler for my cheeks so they won't look so gaunt, then someday a neck lift to get rid of the turkey neck. But got to get back to saving the $$$ again first.

Congratulations on your surgery date. I'm sure you're excited and nervous all at once. Regarding unflavored Protein power, all I've heard of is unjury. Lots of people here love it. I was always able to use the flavored ones with no problem, so I only tried it once mixing with broth and it was pretty lumpy. But the Soup was probably too warm, which is something you have to watch. There are tons of protein powders out there in fruit flavors, etc. so don't feel like you have to eat unflavored just because you don't like chocolate. I drank the ready-made Isopure drinks. They're clear, so no grit and come in fruity flavors. My favorite was the grape - tasted a bit like watered down Kool-Aid. If you have a Vitamin Shop near you buy a few to taste-test and take back those you don't like and you can get a full refund. I did that several times and never had a problem. Best of luck!

I got my band in 2006 and my revision to sleeve Jan. 2010. The revision was done in one surgery - in addition my doc removed my gall bladder and fixed a hiatal hernia I didn't know about either. But I didn't have an endoscopy, which might have found that ahead of time. It can certainly all be done at once, but I think it's a case-by-case thing based on what's going on inside. If all looks well and your doctor still wants to wait, I might go ahead and look around for a new doctor. There are plenty of us who had revisions done in one surgery with no problems.

I agree with the statment that nothing really helps. I was genetically predispositioned for good skin, thank goodness - and I've always stayed out of the sun and never smoked. That said, my cheeks have that hollowed out, sunken look now if I'm not smiling, along with the "marrionette lines" along my nose. I'm 50 and the elasticity is going, going, gone. I use Olay Regenerist products and love them for how my skin feels, so I'm sure what you're using is probably just as good if not the same thing. I'm already planning on having some fillers done to my face as soon as I can afford it. I found a wonderful Aesthetic Plastic Surgeon that just did some body work for me, and the outcome is amazing, so I'm sure he will do wonders for my face. I love being thinner, but I don't like my face looking like someone is trying to starve me. My neck is the worst though - chicken neck all the way. Not sure when or if I'll deal with that, but I'll probably wait untl I'm a bit older. I'm sorry about your friends passing - it does make us stop and questions things, huh?

I remember that they gave me coffee in the hospital when I had the VSG. I don't drink coffee though and didn't try it, so I don't know if it was decaf or not.

Well, I hate to tell you, but 1-1/2 yrs out and I STILL have to pay attention sometimes and not eat too much. I spent 45+ years eating however much food I could stuff in my face, so this new way of eating just takes practice and patience to get used to. Tiffykins used to measure all her food for awhile to make sure she didn't try to eat too much. My hubby usually looks at my plate, shakes his head, and says "You know you won't be able to eat all that." And of course he's right. So having a "buddy" who can help you to keep from eating too much has really helped me. Now I feel like the saying "your eyes are too big for your stomach" actually apply to me in a VERY real way. To make sure I get in all the Protein and nutrients I need, I typically will eat a few bites, wait awhile for it to digest, then go at it again a bit later. That's hard to do at a restaurant when everyone else is finished eating and ready to go, but it certainly works for me at home. With your new baby stomach, take it slow and easy and don't overstress it to try and fit in more food. As time goes on it will stretch a bit and you'll be able to eat more. Right now though listen to your body and stop when you get that full feeling - before you start to feel miserable. It just takes time and practice. Good luck!

Apparently this doctor has not done his research and is only going on hearsay. If he wants to learn about the success rate of VSG he should come here and look at the pictures of those of us that have been at goal and kept the weight off for awhile. He was probably basing his remarks on what he may have seen from bypass and lap-band patients in the past. I'm glad this isn't your regular doctor, or I would be advising looking for a new one. By the way, I take a daily B-12 supplement that dissolves under my tongue, tastes really good, and only costs a few dollars a bottle. On my last labs they said my B-12 was "through the roof", so it works great and no shots to deal with. I get mine at the local grocery or discount store. I'm sure you could probably find it where you are at the pharmacy if it sounds like something you want to try.