blondeej

I went for treatment for my horrible GERD and was told I needed a revision to RNY and was shocked, I did not think that was at all what they were going to say. I am a few weeks out from surgery now. I have researched Barrett's esophagus and the risks of untreated GERD to go on and it's scary. They say it's one of the most painful ways to spend the end of your life with that type of cancer. Try and look at it that way, it's self preservation if not for yourself then your loved ones.

Hi. What was your post-op/recovery like VSG versus RNY? Oddly, I am seeing more people say their recovery from RNY was easier. I went back to work 3 days after my VSG in 2012. I will be taking 4 weeks off for my revision because I am older now (lol) and because I can (have the work availability to do so) - having a six year old and husband also that I'll still need to care for. I have a desk job and work from home, so am glad I'll be able to return to work in that atmosphere at least.

I've been stalled for 2 weeks (4 weeks post op today). This morning I saw the first movement since those 2 weeks with a lb down. Praying tomorrow I see some more movement and can kiss this stall GOODBYE and welcome my SANITY back! I even started our own thread for this, come on over! lol http://www.verticalsleevetalk.com/topic/44052-i-propose-we-start-a-thread-for-june-sleevers-that/

I am not 100% sure I am positive what exactly you're asking, but I will try to answer the best I can... lol And obviously I am not a therapist, so I can only speak from my own knowledge and experience. A lot of individuals that have WLS are not people that have been overweight for a few years and decide to do something about it. Most WLS candidates are people that have suffered for many many years with their weight and all that encompasses - their self-esteem, their relationships with friends, family, coworkers and partners. There is a lot more damage that is done to oneself that has been oppressed by their weight for such a long time other than the physical ailments and issues. A lot of people find once they have these surgeries and get to a weight they either haven't experienced since maybe adolescence or maybe can't even remember if there ever was a time they were that skinny - it tends to bring up other issues. Which we are forced to deal with because we don't have our weight and fat and food to hide behind anymore. I am a firm believer that everyone eats and becomes obese for a reason. Do we all love food? Well yea, but every single one of us could say "I got fat because I just LOVE LOVE food and I love to eat!" - well the majority of the skinny population in the world I am sure could say the same thing about their love for food and to eat, but they're not morbidly obese and don't have side effects due to that love for food like we do. So what's the difference? Where's the disconnect? I believe those questions are ones that we all need to figure out in order to be successful long term in this journey. Successful as a whole. And the majority of the time this isn't something individuals can solve on their own, they need to reach out for professional help to guide them to a healthy and sustaining life. I didn't have any huge traumatic events in my life. My parents are still together and in love and married after 30+ years. I had a loving childhood. But I started eating to comfort my emotions at a very young age. I remember hoarding and hiding food as young as 8. I didn't know why I did it then other than it made me feel good. Now that I am an adult I can look back and point out what I think were triggers to my behaviors, and I still need to fix those if I truly want to be at peace with myself throughout this journey. Everyday is a battle in more ways than one. It's how you choose to handle it and persevere which will help determine it all.... I hope that one day I can look in the mirror and truly love myself. All of me. I am a far ways away from that now, but I want to get there. And I want to work for it.

Hey Kitty! I was sleeved in MX 6/11/12. I also had my band surgery done in MX by the same doc in Feb 2011. I (like you I am sure) did a TON of research on these surgeries before making the step and getting them done. I am not a nutritionist, but I bet I could give them a run for their money with my nutrition knowledge. I prepared myself for this due to the fact that I knew I wouldn't be seeing a nutritionist post-op. Psychologically, I could definitely use some therapy (for weight loss related issues and other stuff) - but I am a stubborn one, and did not have a very good experience my last attempt and getting therapy, so I haven't been back since. I know some people search out therapists that specifically deal with WLS patients, and feel it should be mandatory to do that in order for proper care. I am sure it would help, but I am sure someone would benefit from any sort of therapy help versus none at all (I speak for myself here, too! lol).

Hi cissie.... I will be 4 weeks post-op on Monday. I have been stalled for almost 2 weeks as well. I lost over 30 lbs the first 2 weeks post op now NOTHING. I read ALL about the week 2 and week 3 stalls post-op when I was getting ready for surgery - but there's still no way to prepare for this frustration! If you do a search in the forums here for "week three stall" - you will gets lots of results. It's very common at this point in our journey - but it sure doesn't make it any less stressful. I know better than to doubt my sleeve's ability because of this but I still do! I've only been eating 300-500 cals a day too. Protein first, getting all my fluids in, etc. I know I am doing everything right, now just have to allow my body the time it needs to adjust and try to keep my sanity!

Mina - I lost 30 lbs my first two weeks and will be 4 weeks post op on Monday and have only lost about 4 the past almost 2 weeks! I know it's the very common 2-3 week post op stall but it doesn't make it any less frustrating. I actually even went UP 2 lbs from a low I saw last week... I really wanted to be under 300 by my 4 week post op, but it doesn't look like it's going to happen. I'd have to lose 7 lbs by Monday and at this rate my scales not moving at all! Been eating around 300-600 cals. Now I feel for all those people who's threads I read pre-op that were complaining about their stalls - I TOTALLY know how it feels now!!

CowgirlJane - SO GOOD TO HEAR!! I, too, am a avid horseman, have been since I was 10. I haven't ridden in several years due to my work taking all my time and then of course my creeping up weight stopped me as well. I just bought a new colt in April and I can't wait to throw a leg over him. I want to lose about 40 more lbs before I do, so I feel confident with my balance, etc. So I've just been doing ground work with him until then and am also waiting on my new custom saddle to be done. :wub: I hope at 6 mos post-op I can be saying what you are! Congrats!!

Bumping this up (thanks to my stall search I found this) And also wanted to add, my friend that is 8-9 mos post-op told me that while she's ovulating (2 weeks) she won't lose a lb. Idk if it's coincident or not, but my stall started right on the tail of my TOM....

3 weeks out and feel this way often. I attribute it to the fact I am getting very very little calories in still.... If I do too much (like on Sunday when I was outside for most the day in 100 degree heat) - I can wipe myself out for a day or so. I just keep pushing fluids and forcing myself to eat what I can....

I was 3 weeks out Monday and feel the same way. The only hunger I truly have is head hunger. Never actually hungry. Have to force myself to eat, and I am also not getting near enough calories or protein. I average about 300 cals a day. I am super weak and tired all the time! I try try try to eat more and I just can't!

that would drive me nuts! I can't belt 'em out like I used to but I am very grateful for the tiny ones I get to experience every now and then! LOL

Thanks ladies.... I figured that's what it was. And it's making me not want to eat or drink at ALL, which is NOT a good thing! I haven't experienced any real hunger since surgery, so I am having to force myself to eat and it's a very weird weird feeling... lol

Hey ya'll, I was 3 weeks post op on Monday. I've had a pretty seamless recovery thus far, but here lately every time I drink or eat anything I get the foamies/excess saliva feeling. And it also feels like I have a bubble right in the middle of my chest. Which sometimes feels like it will never go away. The best way I can describe it is that I feel like I want to burp SUPER bad, but when I do, nothing come out - or I get food/liquid come up with my attempted burp (sorry for the TMI!!) I think maybe I am eating/drinking too quick and not taking small enough bites maybe? I've been struggling with remembering the small bites an slow.... Maybe I need to go back to more milder foods? I am really struggling with wanting to eat ANYTHING right now. I should be eating 600-800 cals at this point and I am lucky if I get 350 in or so a day. Any of you veteran sleevers out there have any input? I am also experiencing the "common" 2-3 week post-op stall, but we won't even go there! LOL Trying to keep my sanity over that one.

Posted this on the other thread, but wanted to on this one as well! I was sleeved June 11th. As of today down 30 lbs. 56 lbs down total since starting my journey (see signature). My doc was also Dr. Aceves, He did my band surgery too last year. I had some issues 2 day post op with severe reflux in the hospital but it was due to the area where my band used to be, it was super swollen after removal. At about day 4 post op it finally subsided and I haven't had any reflux issues since. I am never truly hungry. My head hungers LOVES to rear it's ugly head though... some days are better than others, but for the most part it still drives me batty. Like today I would KILL for a cheeseburger. LOL Like - Cut. A. B*tch. For a cheeseburger. haha But truly I am not HUNGRY. And due to that I am having a hard time getting enough calories in. I am averaging about 200/day currently. My protein intake isn't where it needs to be but doc said not to worry about it too much right now. And to whomever said they had issues with the calcium chewable pills - ME TOO!!! They make me gag and want to vomit!! So now I break that big thing into 6 pieces and just swallow them. Way easier. I've also learned the hard way to NOT take the plethora of vitamins that we have to take on an empty stomach. Cause if I do I will end up dry heaving and having nausea. This morning I had about a tablespoon of applesauce before taking them and didn't have any issues.

Prayers and thoughts to everyone getting sleeved tomorrow and this week!!

You look GREAT girl!! WAY to go!!!

Anddddddddd reason #498573597536 while I love my Dr. Aceves......

Wolfgirl and Mina - I feel like we are all living parallel lives! lol I am going through the SAME thing. I had NO problem with my protein drinks pre-op. I mean, sure, it's not like I craved them, but I could easily get through them without any issues. Post-op is a different story! It took me 5.5 hours on Friday to get through 20 oz, and that was pure torture. I drank about 2 ounces on Saturday of it but just couldn't stomach it again. I am getting my water in just fine, so I asked my doc and they said the same thing. Just focus on the fluids now and I'll be fine. And I've used MFP for the past year or so - and I am averaging about 200 cals a day, as well. Been eating sugar free jello, some broth (tried Ramen chicken broth last night), sugar free Popsicles and just lots of water. I am SO ready to be able to CHEW something again and get away from all the SWEET. Just yearning for something more bland and a different texture on my palate. Hanging in there though!!

Did your doc not give you some post-op instructions and guidelines?? I have tape over my incisions on my stomach. I was told to just continue to shower regularly with them and eventually they will get looser and fall (be able to be pulled lightly) off.... and I can attest to this because I had the some type of tape for my first surgery and this is what they did. About 10 days post-op they were pretty loose and I made sure they were loose enough to pull off so I didn't rip any of the scab (big no-no). My doc has us start taking our Vitamins and supplements at 10 days post-op. The post-op diet for us is 10 days of clears, 10 days of full, 10 days of mushies then you can go on to normal foods (as your sleeve will allow). If I were you I wouldn't worry about calories right now, you shouldn't be consuming enough to even worry about it. What you should be focusing on is trying to get your Protein in, which will aid in fat loss (versus muscle loss) and also is a natural appetite suppressant. If you're not already, I highly suggest joining a site like myfitnesspal.com or dailyplate.com!! I wish you luck!

Girl, I was SO READY to get out of that hospital and home, I apologize if I was a little glazed over!! lol How are you doing??

YES! You must've been one of the ladies I met when we were leaving?? I was the TALL platinum blonde one!

I am so sorry you're having such issues Alice! Prayers and hugs to you... Today I am exactly one week post-op and have lost 18.2 lbs =)

As of this morning I've lost 16.2 lbs since surgery on Monday. My head hunger is still driving me slightly batty, but I know there's a light at the end of the tunnel so I just try and focus on that!! Prayers and well wishes to the newly sleeved and those surgeries coming up this week!!!

I am right there with ya! Haven't had "real" food in 6 days and counting.... it's seriously maddening.....I don't know how in the hell I can keep this up for 20 more days...... It took me 5.5 hours to get down 20 oz of a protein drink yesterday. My mind (and I think my stomach) is telling me I am so hungry! Guess I'll go suck on another Popsicle.... ugh