Inside2Out

Congrats on your weight loss!!! Dr. Ganta has performed around 100 VSGs and does 3-4 per week.

I love Dr. Ganta at AIBL in Austin! :thumbup: I am 7 weeks post-op now and ::knocking on wood:: have not had any complications. I was a self-pay, so if your Mom's insurance denies it Dr. Ganta has a lower cost than most I checked into. My husband also really liked Dr. Ganta and my husband doesn't care for doctors, so that's really saying something. He has a nutritionist, and fitness (couselor) on staff. Plus, they have their monthly support groups on-site. If you, or your Mom, have any other questions about their facility that I can answer I'd be happy to. :blushing:

I am 4 weeks post-op now. I have lost a total of 31 lbs (including pre-op diet). I am slightly concerned because I have not lost anything in the last week. Then, this morning I got on the scale and have gained 0.8 lbs. Is this normal??? I know you're not necessarily going to lose weight every single day, but the fact it's been a week and then I gained...scares me a bit. Any feedback would be appreciated.

I thought I would be able to eat purees as well (was definitely one of the things I was really looking forward to). However, I found out I'm supposed to stay away from fruit because of all of the sugar. I'm having trouble drinking all of the Water I'm supposed to, so I was hoping I would be able to get some different liquids in me. Thanks for the help, I'll have to keep looking.

I have made it through my 2 weeks post-operative diet! Tomorrow I start the full liquid phase. I need help with food ideas. I know I can have almost any kind of protien and Soup, as long as I puree them. Other than Soups does anyone have any full liquid suggestions?

I am now drain free as well! It feels great to have it out. Having the drain in was not painful for me, but was uncomfortable. My movement was restricted; I was unable to reach above my head comfortably. I guess where your drain is positioned is up to each surgeon. The drain was located on my left rib cage. The most uncomfortable part for me was that the drain was putting some pressure on my ribs. I slept on my side (in my bed) for the first time since my surgery. Yay!...no more recliner nights. :cursing:

I had my surgery this last Monday and the drain will be in 7-10 days. My first post-op appointment is scheduled for this next Wednesday. I know my surgeon will be removing the drain then and I wonder how it feels to have it removed. When my husband empties my drain now it gives me a queezy feeling. Is there any pain involved in the removal of the drain? Also, do you feel better after the drain has been removed?

Thanks, Midwest Girl!!! I appreciate any help. My surgery is scheduled for 03/29/10 :scared0:, so I'll be starting as much strength training as possible tomorrow. I'd like to see if I can firm up any of my existing skin in the next four weeks. :thumbup:

Midwestgirl, If you can share...what are the exercises you're doing? Have they helped so far (I know you're not that far out yet)?

I've heard that too, but I'm not sure how much control I will have on my weight loss after the surgery. I would love to be able to lose the weight slow enough so that my skin will bounce back on its own. But if the weight loss is as quick as I'm assuming it will be, this is why I was wondering if there is anything else out there that can help skin.

Has anyone found anything that will help with excess skin? I know it's inevitable and will happen, but I've seen some people that have SO much loose skin and I fear that's the way I will be because my body is the way it is. Are there any excercises that have been found that may help with the skin issue pre- and post- surgery? Lotions, Vitamins, etc....?

TXAGGIEMOM - My surgeon will be Dr. Sashidhar V. Ganta with Austin Institute of Bariatrics and Laproscopy.

I have Blue Cross Blue Sheild of Texas and WLS is excluded. The insurance company stated they would NOT cover ANY complications post-op, regardless of what they are. I, too, have to cross my fingers and hope for the best. Otherwise, I will be stuck with a HUGE bill...and I do mean HUGE!!! Good luck to you.

Congrats on getting a date set! I haven't had mine yet...don't know when I'll be able to. We have to wait until I can take the time off from work (probably April or after). I wish you all the best with your pre-op diet. YOU CAN DO IT!!!!!!

Congrats on being one step closer! I feel as if I'm still 1,000 miles away. My consult is this Thursday, and I'm already rushing to the surgery date (which has not been set) in my head. I, too, understand what you mean about being obsessed. I have been extremely busy at work...too busy to have a moment to think...and yet the surgery is always there. It's all I want to think and talk about.

Bill-I'm not sure if I truly have any sleep disorder, but I have thought of it. I have not seen anyone about this becuase I haven't seen any "signs". I am hopeful I am this way just because of the strain my additional 100 lbs. puts on, but I guess we'll just have to see. After I lose some major weight, if I still feel this way I will go to a sleep study. Thanks for the info.

I have only been to the seminar put on by his facility, but got a really good "feeling" about Dr. Ganta and his staff. My consult is scheduled for this Thursday, so I'll let you know how it goes.

Thanks, deedee! Hoping my brain will scream louder than my body post-surgery. :-)

tdriver,

Do you know yet when you will be having surgery?

Thanks, Judy. That's what I was thinking, but of course there is no way for anyone to know how your going to feel after the surgery. I would only assume that after losing weight the energy level would increase, but thought I would check. I'm hoping I will be successful in losing the weight I need to, but more importantly (and like you said) doing it slowly. I do not want to have the loose skin issue that many people have when the weight loss is too rapid. Keeping my fingers crossed!

Thanks, Tiffykins. You're the best and I appreciate you sharing any information. I have my fingers crossed and can hoping my surgeon can shed more light on the subject this Thursday at my consult.

Hello again! It's been so difficult to know if I will be successful post-op because I know the key to success is exercise. At this point, when I get home from work I am so drained from a basic day that I have no energy. It's very hard to even get out of bed most days. I know in my head and heart that I need to exercise, and yet I don't seem to be able to. Will this motivation or lack of energy change after surgery?

I know there have been so many posts out there about Hair loss. So, here is yet another one! I am not at all a vain person...truly. However, my hair and my nails are the only thing I feel make me feminine. I know that's crazy, but that's me. Everyone has said it's inevitable and I will lose hair...quite a bit, I'm sure. However, I would like to know if there is anyone that has found a way to decrease the loss. Are there any supplements, Vitamins, or shampoos that can be used prior to surgery to prepare your body...maybe to minimize the loss? Also, is there any change to fingernails?

Is there anyone on this forum that has used Dr. Ganta in Austin, TX? Or is there anyone condisering using his facility? My consult is scheduled for 1/21 and then if I get the green-light I'll be moving forward. Just wanted to see if I can connect with anyone out there.

How does the sleeve change menstrual cycles? I don't have bad cycles (I've been lucky that way) with heavy cramps, bloating, and such. However, my cycles do heavily control how I eat. A few days before my cycles begin I feel as if I HAVE to eat everything that I can lay my hands on. And I crave strange things as if I am a pregnant woman, which if funny because when I was pregnant I didn't crave a thing. Also, does it change anything else about the cycles?

I have hypothyroidism and would like to know if there is anyone else out there that has had surgery that does as well. If so, does it have any effect one way or another on your results/eating/supplements/etc...?