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Hi Dee Dee, welcome Of course you're welcome here! I'm a bit late on my replies this week. So this isn't your first rodeo - it's good you know what to expect! Is there anything you would have done differently your first time that you might do this time? I hope RNY takes care of what the sleeve didn't do for you and that you have great results from it. Congrats on your first loss too! Ty Kirsty;) i hope it works too bc its my last option or being this way in pain for the rest of my life:( the ONLY thing that i would do differently is to have the RNY instead. They knew i was on meds for reflux since 2000 and yet they still suggested the sleeve. I even asked a question concerning that to the surgeon at a meeting we had and his words, "you'll do and be just fine. And I ended up staying in the hospital 8 days instead of 2 and after seeing him my first 6 months he then retired and ive been to 3 others n specialist begging to get help. Finally the last doc said you've been threw enough and here i am! I hate that I have to have the surgery not even two years out but I'm also excited and scared at the same time that there may be a chance that they can fix this and I can enjoy the journey finally. Thank you for asking and God Bless yours.

Good Job!!! I know how amazing that feeling is Bc I recently hit it

I'm interested in this topic bc I work 12 hour shifts as an RN and I was wondering how everyone is managing. I haven't begun the process yet but I'm on my way. Looking forward to the responses

I had a horrible time with nausea for weeks. I also had a hard time with Protein shakes, liquids in general, getting in protein, and eating! Lol. I'm currently in week 5. Some things I've learned: Explore the shakes. Go slowly when trying new protein to find one that works. Try diluting with Water or skim milk if you need to. It took me ages to find a protein that did not make me run to throw up with just a sip (Core Power banana strawberry flavor!). Dehydration will cause nausea. But sometimes it's hard to get the fluids in when you're sick! I had to set up a cycle, because my normal fluids, I no longer liked. I switched to 20 oz of ice water with cut up orange for flavor. 20 of decaf unsweet tea, and 10 or so of Fair Life milk (high protein) - bc I no longer could tolerate my normal water with Dasani or Crystal Lite drops. That was my first step in increasing fluids. Eating too fast or not chewing well enough, or in taking too much (because we do not feel fullness the same) really intensifies the nausea. Good luck!!

I waited about 10 weeks and only could manage about 1/2 glass which made my sleeve unhappy (not quite nauseous but similar). Of course I got no buzz. My doc said to have NO alcohol for one year, and I am going to TRY to pretty much stick to it. Again I will likely have my requisite half glass with Turkey. I would really stay away from beer bc I would not want the carbonation to stretch my sleeve. I used to drink about two drinks per evening on weekdays and much more on weekends.

I'm in Oregon and my PCP is against it and gave me the same spiel. She keeps telling me she is treating several botched surgeries. However, I call bs because she doesn't seem to know very much about it and only has negative things to say. I'm planning on going with my tax refund in the spring. In my early research I called OHSU, the bariatric coordinator there was very helpful. She said they will always treat people in an emergency and they rarely have any emergencies out of Mexico. She did name one surgeon to avoid and said to be diligent in my research. I joined as many support groups as I could find until I narrowed it down to my surgeon.

And let's not bash the mashed potatoes please. I know they are a carb but if you use new (little red) potatoes and smash them with the skin on there is a ton of potassium in them and they do have nutritional value. And if you use grass fed butter (such as Kerrygold that you can get at Walmart) and Fairlife high protein milk that you can get at target, then yum yum and good for you. This is especially good because it is naturally a soft/puréed food.

@@MichiganChic I do want to do it. My mom and husband don't understand it but they don't have my mouth. It's not something you can tell just by looking at me unless I smile really big. I didn't realize how much it affects. I'm a mouth breather, my voice is a bit nasally my teeth don't close all the way down except for in the very back ect... As of now my teeth are even with each other. I never realized that my top teeth were suppose to go over the bottom. I have wanted it fixed for sooooo long but it's expensive! We have good dental insurance now that actually covers adult orthodontics which is rare. My treatment plan price is just at $8000.00 my insurance is paying 5,000 so I'm going for it! That doesn't include surgery so I don't know what that cost will be but I have BCBS Fed and they are really good.

I am one month out and everyday it gets better. I'm sure you have seen posts of people saying this. I felt this way as well and had to learn it the hard way. When I came home from surgery I decided to cook ribs for the family being as though they were eating out when I was in the hospital. When the ribs were done I fed everyone and about 2 hours later all I could think about were those ribs. I snuck into the kitchen ate the smallest rib and thought the same, if I chewed enough it would be ok. Boy was I wrong and I think the experience is what I needed to know that my new stomach had to heal. I am now eating with no issues but trust me you are not the only one!!!

Hello all, im Dee Dee. I just wanted to add and hopefully be welcomed here, I am a revision from the sleeve Dec 30, 2013. Since i woke from that surgery, ive had complications, so this is the method they've decided would help me. Although i lost 84 lbs, ive had difficulties with MAJOR ACID REFLUX, putting it lightly! So, Lord willing, I'm sceduled for Dec 4. Started liquids Nov 21st, did early thanksgiving for family last week. Although I've been down this road, it's still difficult bc of the head n eye hunger, leftover thanksgiving, ugh! Im scared being its my second one and increase chance of problems. But I've prayed for relief so that i can enjoy this journey finally, so tho I'm scared i have faith that this is my answer. I've been more than miserable for almost 2yrs post sleeve and it's time for relief. God bless all of ya'll on this journey and your surgeons. Gl from Virginia!

I have BS of CA also. I was told they no longer require a wait time or supervised diet before surgery so it is up to your surgeon to determine what is right for you. Mine has decided on 4 months. Have you done all your other stuff yet like psych eval and EKG?

Prince George, BC! Where are you?

Almost cried reading this. Way to go. I only hope to be so humble and blessed after my surgery (11/30/15) Thank you. I can assure you that getting the weight off and getting out from under some of the comorbidity issues and gaining CONTROL over yourself is an awesome feeling. There is nothing you'll not be able to achieve if you put in the effort. Best wishes for your surgery.....remember to get the best results through kicking things into gear through your exercise. The more you can do, the better. Don't believe for a moment the bullcrap that the industry tells you about exercise not contributing to weight loss. That is a load of bs. You will burn fat and build muscle in the gym and profit tremendously. Your effort will be rewarded. I've read many of your posts and seen how hard you have gone after your body changing. You didn't just have the surgery and sit around and let it slowly work. You went out and have done some hardcore workout sessions and really amplified what is taking place. I suspect it changes your feelings about things, too. Working hard and not seeing that same effort level from him. That's exactly how it was with my wife and I. 16 years ago she delivered our son. She'd gained weight leading up to the pregnancy and then a great deal during. About a year or so later she became a gymrat. She worked her freaking butt off. It was unreal. I kept eating pizza and pounding down beer and watching every NFL & NBA game on TV or at sports bars. Piling on the weight. She was frustrated but knew I'd come around in time. I really hope your husband is not as stubborn as I was. It took some serious health issues to develop to wake me up and get busy on getting into shape. Now.....my only regret is not doing so when she did. It would have been so much better to walk that road together and not at different times. Keep on killing it, though. You are really doing some impressive work. He'll come around at some point. I pray he does so sooner than I did.

I'll admit it... I was looking into Mexico at first. I almost went thru with it too. Then my hubby and I had a real talk and he said that he was really feeling sick about me taking that chance of getting such a major surgery out of country. What if something goes very wrong, like complications afterwards? We weren't sure if BC Canada would cover it. And not sure if we would be covered if I had to go back to Mexico. It cost more in the end (but really not by much) to have it done in Quebec Canada, but it's my health and my life so it was worth it. In the grand scheme of things a few thousand extra was mere pennies compared to my life. I wasn't willing to risk it. And don't regret a single thing. But I'm not dissing surgeries in Mexico or anything - please don't think that I am. I did have the lap - band done in 2005 in Monterey Mexico and it went all perfectly. Only that my body started rejecting the band a year later so had to have it removed. So I am not saying "don't go to Mexico!!" I just chose not to this time with the RNY. No matter where you go it'll be nerve wracking but it's so worth it! Good luck to you when, what and wherever you decide upon.

Hello all, if this is still active. I'm having a revision to gbp Dec 4...from vsg Dec 30, 2013. Same issues as you all but mine started the day i woke from surgery, ended up staying 8 days. I have lots of chest pains so I'm terrified of gbp bc im not sure how that will fix my pains. They say is part of acid reflux, but i didn't know it could hurt like the feeling of swallowing hard rocks! I pray this works bc I've suffered since day one. Did yall lose more weight after the revision? My surgeon said that i prob would, i nvr got to my goal weight of 140 with the vsg any ways. But whether i do or don't, i just pray that it stops this pain and i can njoy finally my decision to get help in the first place. Gl all and thx for any answers you care to share:)

If it's not too late plz add me 164.6, GW 155. I've been apart of several of your challenges and ty. Unfortunately tho, I'll have revision to gbp surgery on Dec 4 Lord willing, due to continuous problems associated with my sleeve since day one Dec 30, 2013. They decided last month to revise. Started 2 week liquids today, still challenging as b4, but mostly head stuff bc i really don't get hungry. I pray that all goes better and I'll have updates on loss. Gl all and thx either way if I'm able to join you.

Dec 30, 2013 was the day i thought my weightloss journey would change my life for the better. As soon as i awoke, my life was changed, i was in excruciating pain in my chest that they thought i was having a heart attack. I ended up staying for 1 week n a day. It would've been longer but i was scared of getting a feeding tube do i forced myself to drink. To make a long long story short, I'd end up having an egd monthly, upper gi 3 times, sent to specialists to figure out what happened to me. I've been on so many meds, throwing up most nights anything that I'd eaten that day to present, acid reflux an understatement ! Ph tests, swallow test, had 3 different surgeons see me. Finally, lots of continuous praying, i was sent to the surgeon that was suppose to do the surgery initially. After 3 months of her investigating, she decided that i need a revision. So here i am, starting all over again with the stages, minus 85% of my stomach. To this day, i can still only drink about 32 ounces of liquiq per day, forcing that. It hurts to drink, eat, swallow my own saliva, i hate to think of eating or drinking. I lost 83 lbs, put back 10 bc i started eating rice, although it hurt, it was less painful and simple to cook wo wasting it bc i can't eat it! I gave up on exercising and even caring. I told my doc that as well. She's very kind and hard knocks at the same time. There will be 2 surgeons, i am scared, she said id need a drain, i might be cut instead of scoped bc of possible scar tissue from vsg, and a higher chance of leaking. Wow, seems like i can't catch a break. Please pray if you don't mind. I just moved up and fixed thanksgiving so that i could try and eat with my family. Dec 4th, im discouraged but trying to be hopeful. God willing, this will make things the way they should have been b4, if not better! God bless you all and gl. Thank you for reading my story. I hope to have good news postop!

@@BestDayEver i lost 105 bs GOAL!!! my turkey neck was always horrible being an ol' fart of 61 i had more loose skin in my face too "maybe" a wrinkle or two i decided to be really brave (or stupid LOL) and have a face lift!!! at 3.5 years PO i have seen MANY people on the board complain about their turkey necks you are not alone misery loves company i think it is true that the younger you are (35) your neck might not get that bad the sleeve AND face-lift were the best things i have ever done for myself now i look cute as a button keep up the good job while you loose weight, and turkey neck!! good luck kathy

Hey everyone. Update: I never expected so much support! Thank you all.. This is really so uplifting and warms my heart so much.. Thanks for everything you guys have shared with me, even those with tough love. Anyway..on how I'm doing. I ended up going to the er due to pain in my legs specifically my left leg as well as bad chest pain I'd been getting that had progressively gotten worse the night before. They did some ultrasounds and ct scans, everythings fine with my legs but they did find I have Pnuemonia and put me on antiobiotics. It was awful, and made me feel even more miserable forcing down that awful tasting liquid meds daily. Fortunately yesterday was my last day. As far as exercise goes, I've been keeping up with it well but I've been truly disappointed in myself. I haven't exactly been making the best choices of what I put into my mouth the past 3 days or so. I woke up today an a realization hit me. I can't believe the choices I've been making after I've wanted this so badly to change my life and my health for the better. I've been pretty angry at myself all day today. I'm tired of feeling sorry for myself so I vowed that I'm done with all the Bs and crying over spilled milk. Whats done is done, making bad choices have put my life at risk, have put me at risk for leaks and for failure. I can't accept what I've been doing, this next week I'm going to be as strict as I ever been and keep with the rules until I get the Ok that I can start on soft foods. I can't say that I'm exactly 100% happy with how things are going, I still have had my fair share of miserable moments but I can say, looking at my progress that I am glad I made this decision (You guys were right!). I just need to start putting a bit more effort into my health and myself. Anyway thank you all so much again! I've read everything single one of your posts, they have made me laugh and brought tears to my eyes. I can say Its definitely brightened my week! Especially with how bad I've been feeling.. Sending good vibes to each and every one of you <3 hope you're having a fruitful & uplifting day! edit: btw the pain is almost all the way gone! which has been my 2nd favorite thing so far!

Hi cowgirl Jane, I read your thread and can totally relate to you. I was banded in 2007, lost all my weight and then decided to date. I hadn't dated for many years since I didn't like the way I looked overweight. I had a friend that was doing online dating and was listening to her adventures for awhile. I didn't go to bars, I just relocated from NYC to Texas and thought I'd try it. At first I spent time just "stalking" the profiles. Then I did mine. I had a few friends (male and female) look at it for input which helped me a lot. I used eharmony (thinking what they say about "matching people better than other sites".... It's BS and a waste of time with all the questions back and forth) and Match.com. Match.com was the better service for me. A few things that I realized: 1. Dating is similar to a job hunt. It's a numbers game. The more I exposed myself, the more experiences I had... The better chance of finding a relationship. 2. There are all sorts of characters. The first guy I met was a self absorbed, body obsessed big-wig surgeon from MD Anderson. I left that date feeling like shit because I knew I felt judged. But... I decided to get back on the horse realizing "his stuff" is not "my stuff" 3. I also used a dating coach by phone ( she was in LA.) A few tips she gave me that were helpful: - date with your ears and not your eyes (my history since I was a kid was to go out with a great looking asshole instead of an Ok looking good guy. (After she said this I did date a very interesting, fun, no so good looking guy) - date a few guys at a time. This helped me not to get too attached to anyone too quickly (one of my habits). And to see what I liked in a man. After all dating at 49 yrs old vs when I was in my 20's... I was a different person. -no sleeping with any until we had a commitment. Commitment meant anything from being exclusive to each other on up to engaged, etc. -get a handle on what my likes and dislikes were as I went along. As well as my negotiables and non negotiables in a relationship. This really helped me to not waste time. For instance I love animals, had 4 huge inside dogs at the time. I know if someone says they hate animals or are allergic to dogs... Next.... -lastly have fun with it. Did I meet liars.....yes Did I meet boring guys..... Yes Did I meet guys I liked as friends but didn't think anything other than that was possible....yes Did guys not like me that I really liked....yes Did I misread some cues thinking I had great conversations never to hear from them again...yes The one thing I held onto is something Russell Simmons (founder of Phat Farm and music producer) said, "the only failure is when you stop trying" I also had to change my mind from "I can't" to "I can" do this. And try to stay positive. I followed what the dating coach had said about dating a few guys at a time and started having fun. One of them I started liking more than the others and I thought... This may be leading into something.... As I was thinking it.... He called and dumped me as I was getting on a 5 hr. plane ride. Needless to say tears, etc I was about to give up and a guy contacted me asking me if I'd go out with a country boy. I said yes. (He's actually also the CEO Of a bank (I didn't know this when I agreed. I just thought it would be fun to see what a "country boy" was like since I grew up in NYC.) I found being open to new experiences made it a more fun adventure. We went out, had a fabulous time. We set up our second date for the next day. Fast forward..... We decided to become exclusive and got married 2 1/2 Yrs later. I didn't intend on getting married at 50 Yrs old. I really only wanted someone to have a relationship with someone to have fun with, go out to dinners etc. I'm telling you all this because people told me their stories which helped me to keep picking myself up. As a side note: My friend that got me into online dating would look at every guy that contacted her and find fault just from their profile or first conversations. This was based on her fear of dating. My husband (who was then my new boyfriend) pointed this out to her. We suggested she give this one guy she was picking apart a chance... And they are in a 7 yr relationship. When I share my story of dating with people, I'm hearing of so many stories of people finding their mates online. I used online dating but you don't have to. You can find other ways to put yourself out there (like finding a job that I first spoke about) I know how scary, disappointing, and how it brought up everyone of my insecurities. But... I also know when I work through fears, etc... It can and is very rewarding. Whatever path in dating you choose, talk to other people on the path or have gone before you on the path for suggestions, etc. And my grandmother used to say, "anything worth having in life is worth working for" for me working through my insecurities, fears was hard but well worth it. Good luck on your journey. Hope to hear some good stories from you. JosieK

Not sure if iam getting misquoted bc of mispeling errors which i know- this particluar website for some reason always gets stick or froze idk so i have to type on a toxh screen which gets froze while iam typying on this website only. And if i dont type qucikly enogh it erases all my typing and says eroor reported please wait while we redirect you so i apologize its so so anonoyig for me kmcant even proof read it! I guess it only hapens to me lol,

@@jane13 did you feel like your heart was going to jump out of your chest? It is just wierd bc surgery was Monday and this didnt start till yesterday :/ But that is the only symptom I am having, outside of being a little nauseated when I first wake up which I was told was normal.

Me tooooo!!! I thought it was just me bc I could cry and in the next breath want to yell at someone. I had to stop taking my bc pills prior to surgery and not allowed to take them until 30 days out (I'm 3 weeks post op). But if hormones are stored on extra fat then that makes sense. Good luck to everyone around us! ????

Yes I felt the same way! I think in my second week the head hunger started to wear off and it's a struggle to eat anything at all bc of lack of appetite. I'm only 3 weeks 2 days out and btw I have stalled this week which I hear is very common in the third week just FYI :/ . But things have gotten a lot aside with not wanting everything in sight so hang in there!

Ia, 8 days has mine in Mexico rough start ened up in er with tons of x rays and ct scans i was fine tho and your right food is eveywhere I still have to cook delish fod for my man dont want to go out bc i cant deal w the restraunts or look at social media i just cant I started cambless creamy Soups and puddings today let me say ahhhhh so so much better then Clear liquids ive snoke in a few mashed potatoe bites i was fine but thats not the point i spent 9,000 cash i have to stick Thanksgivng coming up soft foods and i will eat sugar and all soft foods lol