JoiaRox

I've been advised that calories, carbs, etc. don't matter - get my 70g of protein in and 64oz of fluid each day, and that's all I'm supposed to worry about! If/when I stall, cutting carbs back to no more than 50g per day is advised...but even that's not long term. My doc is one of those who, like me, doesn't think I should be on a "diet" or that I should be "limiting" any foods or macronutrients. I am healthy, losing steadily and will reach my goal by putting protein first and eating small portions...which is exactly what the sleeve is intended to do.

I came into this forum, initially, looking for research - and, sometimes, finding answers to questions I didn't know I had. I didn't need to post questions because I read the same information OVER and OVER on here. I'll admit, this site's usefulness post-op is waning, as the "OMG - I'm three days out and I ate pizza...is that bad?!" and "I have pain - why?" questions dominate the threads around here. Not only is redundancy an issue in this forum, but common sense seems to be lacking as well. In the words of someone way more famous than me, "ain't nobody got time for that." Any questions, concerns, etc. I had were THOROUGHLY vetted through the internet (all of it - not just this isolated support world) before taking further questions and clarifications to my doctor/nutritionist/PA. I have support through Facebook, friends on this site, real life family/friends, the support group I attend once a month, etc. I'm with Justin on this one.

I have a fellow sleever nearby - I'm sure she'd join in, and we can co-host at my house!

Got the band in 2010. It slipped a year later, and I lived with chronic vomiting for 2 years before my insurance would cover it's removal (switched jobs twice in that time frame). I was sleeved in 2013. Knowing what I know now? I never would have gotten the LapBand - I was just reading an article that states LapBand's complication rate is 50% now. With a number that high? Oh, hell no.

A lot of people celebrate the mother of the birthday child - after all, it was quite a day for her, too! You can give a card to your mother, framing it with "and because this day is a celebration of your hard work, too, I have a card for you!"

I live in Germantown, MD and would be happy to host one month - perhaps we can have an initial meeting at your place, then plan from there? Given the traffic in the area, I would suggest that we do a Sunday early evening thing - i.e. 2nd Sunday of each month at whatever time works best for people!

Thanks!!

I'm moving there tomorrow!

Yes.

Doin' well! Although, I won't be a "Virginia sleever" for much longer - moving to Maryland on Wednesday! My surgeon and his support crew are all in Reston, though, so I'll be poppin' in every now and then for follow ups and support group!

Be careful with bread/doughy products - even at 6 weeks out, they're tough to "swallow!"

You'll find out really quickly, post-op, when you've had too much...cuz it comes right back out!

FYI - I have the same name on MFP

I added you, although my "diet" may not be helpful!!

Ditto - high BMI, no co-morbidities. Covered.

Something to consider: even if you "only" lost 50-75% of your excess weight (many find more success than that), would you honestly ever get to that loss WITHOUT VSG? If you can, then go for it. Maintain it. Rock on with your awesome self! For me, I couldn't. After failed diet attempts for nearly a decade, it was clear that I needed some help. I tried a LapBand in 2010 and was sleeved in June of this year after my band irreparably slipped (through no fault of mine). My family is rampant with comorbidities, so my future of unhealthy diseases raging through my body was almost certain if I didn't get this weight off. Almost 7 weeks post-op and losing slowly but surely (that's typical with people who have had a previous WLS), and I'm okay with that! The success rate, in my opinion, is determined by your effort in the kitchen and in the gym. It's definitely possible to reach 100%!

I concur with what's written above - ask your surgeon! Mine says no alcohol for 6 months (frankly, I don't want the empty calories anyway), but I was allowed caffeine immediately (drinking coffee right now).

I can handle a few bites of spaghetti...chewed really well! Also, search the internet for substitutes for your favorite spaghetti dishes. You may find you enjoy other ways to have "pasta!"

I also own a small thermos - it was perfect for purees at work!

I love my BariWare lunch box (bariware.com) - it's perfect for bringing a variety of foods to work in small portions, yet all in one container! I also love my shaker bottle - perfect for days I want to bring protein powder with me, then add water later.

You overcome the fear by researching and trying to get all of your questions answered through your doctor (when possible). Complications do happen, but are rare. I chose to have a positive outlook and accept what was coming, because getting sleeved and losing the weight had a much lower risk of harming me than carrying the excess weight did. I'm now almost 7 weeks post-op, had a speedy textbook recovery, and am slowly, but surely, losing the weight!

Taking Vitamins when you're not getting all of your nutrients from food is always a good thing - surgery or not. Most people don't eat a balanced diet, which is why the Vitamin market is such a big business. Having said that, I wasn't told to start taking vitamins until I was post-op.

At 6 days post-op, you're probably burping to rid yourself of excess gas from the surgery - and "eat" what?! 6 days out, aren't you still on some sort of liquids? You'll start getting the "full" signs when you're on to more solid foods in a few weeks.

Mmm...now I want some chorizo.

To be honest, I had some experience with restriction and full signs with my LapBand as well. Although that experience was less than stellar, my current doctor (the one who diagnosed my slipped LapBand, then sleeved me - NOT my original asshat of a doctor who banded me) doesn't believe that anything I did caused the slip. So, sneeze on!