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Another patient on here had reflux preop for over a year. Her only symptom was coughing and her doctor never diagnosed the GERD. it was discovered during her VSG (scarring in her esophagus). If you aren't already on a PPI I would ask your surgeon about it. Mine REQUIRED Omeprazole 40mg daily for two months, since reflux is the number one postop complication of VSG.

Not only will you most likely get sick but you could hurt your new stomach and cause complications. You're too early yet. highest weight: 380<br />date of surgery weight: 376<br />current weight 353

I’m a runner. I’ve been a runner since I was a teenager. I’ve run five or more miles three times a week for the past four years and rarely take a day off. Many of my runs have been over ten miles. I’m the crazy guy you’ve seen running in the rain and the snow on the side of the road at 7 AM. I’ve learned a lot from running and many of those lessons I have applied to life in general. I’ve shared much of what I’ve learned about running with many of my patients because I believe that there are a number of parallels between long-distance running and the journey through weight loss. Many of my patients agree. I’d like to share some of these parallels with you to provide you with a helpful way to think about all that you’ve gone through and may still experience going forward. I should make an admission to you first. I’ve never actually run a marathon. It’s something I very much want to do someday but have yet to attempt because of some nagging injuries and such. However, I know enough about long-distance running and have spoken to enough marathon runners to understand the psyche of the marathon runner. Therefore, I feel comfortable speaking of it here. Consider the entire journey of weight loss surgery from before surgery to years afterwards as a marathon. For those of you who are unfamiliar, a marathon is a race of 26.2 miles. The modern Marathon commemorates the run of the soldier Pheidippides from a battlefield at the site of the town of Marathon, Greece, 26.2 miles to Athens in 490 B.C. It is seen by many as the ultimate test of endurance (although there are now ultra-marathons that can go for 100 miles or more!). There are many things one must do to prepare for the running of a marathon. A marathoner has to complete several practice runs and work up his stamina and endurance to get into peak physical condition for the race. A marathoner is encouraged to make dietary changes, especially in the few days before the race. A marathoner has to mentally prepare for the grueling 26.2 run and plot out the course and a strategy of how he is going to make it from start to finish. The process of weight loss surgery is quite similar. There are many steps to take before your big day. There is research to do. Perhaps you will talk to doctors or to those who have had surgery to better understand what you will be experiencing. When you decide that surgery is for you, there are pre-surgical assessments, medical tests and other things that must be done to ensure that you are prepared for what lies ahead. You are instructed to make dietary changes in anticipation of your surgery…perhaps a liquid diet for a week or more. And certainly you must mentally prepare for all of the physical, behavioral and emotional changes that lie ahead. For the most part, your surgery date is the starting line. You’re nervous. You’re excited. You’re hopeful. Similarly, the marathoner heart is pounding long before the starting gun is fired. The gun is fired and suddenly…they’re off! The first few days after surgery, you’re just trying to do as told. Listen to what the surgeon, the nurses and other professionals’ tell you and get home from the hospital as soon as you can. The marathoner is just putting one foot in front of the other and trying to find a good pace…a comfortable groove. Nothing fancy, just moving ahead. The first few weeks after surgery are like the marathoners first few miles…nice and easy. Learning to chew, learning what to eat and what not to eat…adjusting to the new pace of eating and making other changes in your life to improve your chances of success. Much of the journey lies ahead and thinking too far ahead can be daunting. Keep your head in the present. At some point, there will be bumps in the road. The runner may have a side-stitch, a cramp, pain, fatigue, a pebble in his shoes; some complications to be addressed. The marathoner understands that some of these discomforts will come and go. Sometimes, if you just let it be and shift your focus to other aspects of the running experience and away from the discomfort…the discomfort goes away. It is important that the marathoner not panic about the situation. The journey through weight loss surgery will also have its discomforts. Like the marathon, many will simply come and go. Some days may be more difficult than others. On some days eating may be more difficult than other days. On some days, cravings will seem stronger than others. In most instances, the discomfort will be temporary. Avoiding “catastrophic” thinking is the key. I am speaking of the mental demons that we all must deal with. Often while running, it seems as if a little devil appears on my shoulder whispering negative comments in my ear. “You’re never going to make it.” “You can’t do it.” “What were you thinking trying to run so far!?” “You’re not into it today…just go home and try again tomorrow.” Weight loss surgery patients also hear the voice of a little devil who attempts to derail you. “How am I going to avoid eating some of those foods that I love?” “What am I going to do at the holiday barbeque…I’m going to go nuts!” “I can buy a pint of ice cream and just have a little…what’s the big deal.” “A few cookies couldn’t hurt.” Part of your preparation for the marathon of weight loss surgery needs to include maintaining a positive attitude that can help you last the equivalent of 26.2 miles and to develop strategies for coping with these mental “cramps” and “side-stitches.” What am I going to tell myself when and if things get a bit complicated? What you tell yourself is immensely important in determining how and whether you will reach the finish line. Believing that you can cope with some of the temporary and unpleasant bumps in the road is essential for your success. Many of my patients initially get quite deflated by setbacks or slips. Most times, they are engaging in what I call “black and white thinking.” In this way of thinking, eating one serving of ice cream immediately becomes “I’m sabotaging my surgery!!” One day of feeling deprived or hungry becomes “My band isn’t working!” or “I’m never going to be able to live this way!” It is dramatic, exaggerated and self-defeating thinking. The marathoner’s mindset needs to be focused on “how I can” not “why I can’t.” There is nothing propelling the marathoner forward other than his or her own desire to persevere. He can stop with one step, but CHOOSES not to. He tolerates the discomfort. You also can stop. You can “cheat.” You can avoid getting your band adjusted. You can eat around the bypass. You can drink your calories. You can eat sweets. But you won’t finish the race and you’ll feel terrible for it. Several miles further down the road, the marathon becomes a strange combination of harder and easier. The marathoner has plenty of discomfort. Discomfort is probably an understatement. His body aches, his feet burn and his mind is often numb…but at the same time, he is beginning to almost taste the finish line. There are fewer miles ahead than behind. There is a mild euphoria as he considers that he might actually make it!! The surgery patient has lost a lot of weight several “miles” into her race. Perhaps most of the weight has already been lost…or maybe it’s already all off and now she’s focused on keeping it that way. But perhaps there are still some discomforts. Maybe some people continue to make annoying comments, or you have some body image concerns, or are experiencing other sources of anxiety and insecurity. It will be ok. Keep the focus on the here and now, avoid catastrophic thinking, and address what needs to be addressed. Try to taste the finish line. It’s not much farther now. This is where the analogy ends. The marathoner raises his arms as he crosses the finishing line and gasps in a combination of exhaustion and euphoria….I did it!! It is an incredible accomplishment. He is finished. But as a person who has had weight loss surgery, you will always be running your race. Through time, your pace will hopefully become more predictable and steady, but the journey of weight loss surgery never truly ends. There are always “side-stitches” and “cramps” and little “pebbles in your shoes.” Rub out the cramps. Take a few breaths to relieve the side-stitches. Step off the track for a moment and shake out the pebbles in your shoe. Focus away from whatever the source of discomfort. There’s no timer anymore so there’s no rush to the finish line. Take each day as it comes, some better than others. Just keep a steady pace, a clear focus, and a positive attitude and you will successfully cross a thousand finish lines. Important lessons to remember: · Stay focused in the present. Avoid thinking of how far you still have to go. Instead, focus on how far you’ve come. You cannot effect change in any moment other than the present one, so thinking about and certainly worrying about the future is in many ways both pointless and counterproductive. It only creates anxiety and ruins the present moment. By focusing in the present, you will get to the future faster than you think. When I run, if I focus on the fact that 90% of the distance lies ahead, I immediately feel tired and overwhelmed. When I simply take it one step at a time and enjoy the run, by the time I next think about my distance I’m that much further along and confident that I’ll get through it. · Keep your “qi” (pronounced “chee”) about you. Qi is the circulating life energy that in Chinese philosophy is thought to be inherent and flowing in all things (it’s like “the force” in Star Wars). I think of qi as being a peacefulness, and being at one with the world around me. When I run, I feel more alive than at any other time. I am at one with the world around me. I am moving through the world and feel the world moving through me. Live in the current moment and allow yourself to experience all that you are experiencing. Be present in the present. Avoid thinking of what is wrong or what could go wrong. Instead focus on what is wonderful right now. · Most of the physical and emotional discomforts that you will experience on your journey will come and go. Maybe not right away or even today. But most discomforts do not last forever. Just as many of the runner’s side-stitches and cramps work themselves through, so will yours. · Avoid focusing on small and meaningless detail. Don’t weigh yourself incessantly and get down on yourself for every calorie. Do not become overly disappointed if you do not achieve these silly and arbitrary goals. The marathoner can choose to obsess about his slightly slow pace and tragically turn a remarkable event into an unbearable trek. · Believe that you can “stand” some discomfort. Telling yourself “I can’t stand it” will lead you to not stand it. The marathoner perseveres through extraordinary physical and psychological challenges to reach the finish line. It is not an easy path. Your path too will be littered with obstacles. Trust in yourself and believe that you “can stand it” as well. · Focus on the journey and the big picture. The transformation. The accomplishment of weight loss surgery is not in losing a certain amount of weight. It is about being able to make positive, meaningful change in your life that is now possible at this lower weight. Success isn’t achieved through a number on a scale; it’s by being able to live the life you’ve always dreamed of. · Enjoy the run, not just crossing the finish line. In every moment of the race and in every moment of your journey…take a look around. Breathe in what is beautiful and enjoy each moment. Don’t live your life only in anticipation of crossing the finish line. When you have reached the finish line, I promise you that you will look back and think very fondly of the race you’ve run. :thumbup:

also for the newbies - I am 13 months post-op. I want to echo the first 8-10 weeks are the hardest - stay with it - hope for smooth sailing but expect setbacks large (complications) and small (food upsets and problems) Find a few things to eat that go down easily and stick with those for a while. I ate cottage cheese for lunch and sometimes dinner for months! It tasted good and went down easily, find what works for you. Take it one day at a time and don't obsess about the scale! Best of luck - there is light at the end of the difficult beginning times!

I had 4 weeks of liquids after surgery, so it could be worse than your 2 weeks The reason is because your stomach has been sutured, manipulated, and wounded. If you don't follow your post op diet exactly, you are putting yourself at very high risk for complications such as ripping stitches in your stomach. Your stomach needs time to heal.

For the past ten days, I have been experiencing constant dull nausea in my lower abdomen. It worsens when I eat (so I'm only getting about 400 calories a day) and sometimes I have to lay in bed because sitting and eating can increase the nausea. I messaged my bariatric surgeon last week and only heard back from his nurse on Monday. She was rather dismissive, saying that I might have the stomach flu and I should write again in a few days if I'm not feeling better. I also messaged my PCP who does not have a bariatric background, and she hypothesized that it might be heartburn (I don't think so -- I have no pain in my chest or upper abdomen) but said if the nausea continued, she would see me in her office. But again, she's not familiar with the surgery and possible complications, so might not know what tests to order. I spent time researching through Dr. Google and got worried about internal hernias, which could be life-threatening if left untreated. Apparently, sometimes the only symptom is mild nausea. Or maybe I have an ulcer. Am I worrying too much? Has anyone else had a long episode of nausea (lasting over a week) that resolved on its own? Or was from another cause? As you can see, I am already seeking proper medical advice, so only would like to hear anecdotal information and suggestions. Thanks.

I am doing ok now. Unfortunately I had some complications. You always think I will be fine those things won't happen to me. But sometimes they do. I won't stress you out with the details. Just know that you will probably have some hiccups along this journey. I thought once I was done fighting with insurance things would get easier. It hasn't. There is always opposition just in different forms. Don't let anything stop you from achieving your dream.

I was sleeved on the 26th so I'm like two or three days out I'm not sure. I feel pretty good and I've gotten up and done laundry and showered and sip sip sipping but I am resting a lot. I hope that's OK. Getting a little bored but not really feeling like talking to people or doing anything complicated.

Begin walking exercise now, it will help the recovery process go smoothly. After the operation, you will be asked to not take caffeine or carbonated beverages. I had a 6 diet Coke a day habit before surgery. I went cold turkey 6 months before surgery and had major withdrawal syndrome with severe headaches that lasted over a week. This withdrawal syndrome is common with people. It is better to go cold turkey now and suffer for a week than add this complication right after surgery.

HI, this is my first post! I had my surgery May 16, 2014. I have lost 40 or so lbs. Right now I am having a problem eating the right things. And I am getting bored with all the food. I would rather munch than have a meal. Are there any recipes that are easy and healthy? I have searched and most of them are complicated. I want to master the basics now, then a little later get technical. Also, I am having a hard time exercising, I just don't want to do it most of the time. How do I motivate myself? I am such a mess!!!

I got my approval! My surgery will be done on March 21, 2011. I'll be going through the Mehta Bariatric Center in NJ and having the surgery done at Somerset Medical Center. Has anybody else used Mehta? He does the surgery with a single incision at the belly button. Now I am nervous. But I am still going to do it! They could have done me in January, but we are going on a vacation in February and my hubby insisted that I wait until after we get back in case there are complications.

If you have fainted, you should have been in the E R already. Since your doctor appears to be associated with Lennox Hospital in NY City, I will assume that you have a bariatric team that you can contact. If you are feelng so physically weak and emotionally hopeless so early out, I would suggest that you take advantage of their expertise. They should have advised you that bariatric surgery can wipe you out physically and mentally and should have left you some means of reaching out to them Please be pro-active and trust in their knowledge. At eight days I was on purees and at two weeks I started soft foods such as the scrambled eggas and tuna that you mentioned. Maybe they would at least let you start pudding or applesauce...something like that. What's done is done, and as you have aleady seen, your sleeve is working even though this part of the process is unpleasant and inconvenient. Barring complications, it just gets easier from here. The worst is already over. The best way to avoid those complications is to get those fluids and Proteins in, and let your team know you are in distress. I hope that they can give you the boost you need to hang in there. Hugs from Miss Mac in Chicago.

hi , my band was place wrong from the beginning. so i didn't have a chance to enjoy the fruits, of the work i was going to put to losing the weight. i chewed tums for my heartburn, and gas. but,with all that i was going threw, i had other problems , i didn't know about , everything showed in the x-rays , but, no doctor, bothered telling me, like a big kidney stone, gold stones, which all this complicated, so much of my health and brings down your spirits, in trying to lose the weight.. since , your sick all the time ,you need to find out what else you may have , when i had problems,it was hard to chew the food small very small, cause, i was so hungry, and eating to much, then i became allergy, to some foods, as soon as. i put the food in my mouth i vomit it out ,i could hardly hold down any thing, so i couldn't eat alot of foods, trial and error, i didn't eat the same foods that made me sick the first time around, you'll get to hate them, chicken, pork, steaks,meats, in very small portions.. then came drinks, i was down, to potato's and yogurt, milk.. but, slimfast helped a lot, also. because, they were liquids .. at times i didn't want to eat, in fear of getting sick. Try to find a doctor, or buy your x-rays and see for yourself . in what could be wrong ........ Hoping you find relief sooner then later. and don't get discourage. just be careful.take Vitamins no matter what...... ------------------------------------------------------------------------ margie, band,4/5/04 emergency removal, 1/23/08 THUR PRAY AND SUPPLICATIONS MAKE YOUR PETITIONS KNOW TO GOD.

No doubt he was trained by a Mexican surgeon.. as Dr. Rumbaut had done over 3000 Bands before your doctor ever did his first, and was hired by Inamed to teach the technique to the US docs. There are fabulous Mexican surgeons... better than any in the States... and there are those that are crap. Same goes for US surgeons. You cannot say that erosions or slips are only seen in Mexican surgeon's work.. nor can your surgeon. Just go the Complications board.

Hello everyone. Haven't been around for a while--real busy w/work, etc. But I'll try to stay more connected. The revision went fine, did I tell you that they were able to use the same holes that were used for my band? The recovery was longer than after banding, 2 weeks home; 3 would have been better. I'm doing well. So far I've lost 35 lbs, which my doctors insists is good, but I feel like a slow loser. I know it's because I "only" weighed 210 lbs. at time of revision. Still, I'm pleased with my ability to eat, believe it or not, more normally than I did w/the band & I think if I stick to my food plan, which is basically the same as when banded, I can get to goal within a year. If you go back & read my posts, you'll see that I had an unusual condition that necessitated being unfilled, and even then I had problems w/a lot of foods (tuna, chicken, hamburger & others). So, now I'm on a full foods diet. I can eat chicken, chile, hamburger, sushi (no rice, I have it rolled w/cucumber), cooked veggies & most fruits. I haven't tried steak yet, but I will next time I'm around it. I need to get 60 grams of Protein a day & 2 liters of Water. I supplement my food a whey Protein Drink most days. Also must take bariatric multi-Vitamin & extra Calcium every day. A huge treat for me was a grilled tomato topped w/melted cheese on a piece of whole wheat toast. I would have PB's on that w/my band. I had one minor complication, a stricture, which is is caused by scar tissure & causes a narrowing where the stomach & intestine meet--2 painless endoscopies later (they use the scope & inflate a small balloon at time of endoscopy) , 3 weeks apart & I was fine. I'm not one of those people who gets full after a bite or two of food, but my portions are small. I feel satisfied after 1 scrambled egg w/melted cheese on top. The denser the protein, the faster I get full. One very interesting thing: things that I didn't find sweet enough before, i.e. sugar free Jello pudding, now is just fine. That's really the only sweet "treat" I have, I don't crave sweets at all. Not ice cream, not Cookies, not cake. gone. It has something to do w/the bypass procedure; not sure it lasts forever, but for now it's very good. I'll take it while it lasts! (that's not to say it doesn't look when I see a candy bar or ice cream, but it's a passing thought, not a craving at all.) I love my surgeon. He does bands too. All his patients love him, he answers emails within 24 hours & if one has an urgent problem, the office connects you to him or his partner AT THE TIME OF YOUR PHONE CALL. Amazing, huh? I go to a support group @ the hospital he & his partner operate ,and the group is split between bandsters & RNY'ers. And guess what? We all get along. So, that's my progress so far. Take care, my friends. Karen

I haven't felt right since coming home domain the hospital 2 Wks ago today. Last Saturday I went to ER to have an incisional abscess open up and drained. I'm still dealing with this infection. Dr prescribed antibiotics. I also have the open hole in my upper abdomen that's still open. My RNY journey hasn't been a good one thus far. Not feeling happy about my decision to have the Surgery yet. I know eventually I will but dealing with complications from this type of surgery kinda dampens it. Anyone else dealt with an infection after Surgery? Needing support through this hurdle! Thanx

Hi all! I just went for my 10 week appt. I am down 52 pounds! I have had no complications, and I am feeling great. Hope everyone is feeling great and ready to take off some pounds this July!

Amf1025 good to hear your process has been fast. My first appt is on Feb. 8th and I haven't learned what the requirements will be before surgery. I also want to be healthy for my kids. I'm not so worried about the actual surgery but the life after. I don't want to have complications or feel sick all the time when my kids need me to be active. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Sorry in advance if my story scares anyone. The first night I tried to sleep on my side was in week 3. I had this weird sensation that I can only relate to a feeling like when I was pregnant and had little arms flailing around inside me. This was unfortunately my intestines flip flopping. They twisted like one of those balloons you make animals out of. As my meals progressed to more solid food it created a full obstruction and I wound up in the hospital for 10 days and had to have a second surgery to correct it. The worst part was my Dr kept insisting I must have eaten something I shouldn't have to cause the blockage, that is until he got in there and saw what had happened. I also reminded him that I had been emailing him since week 4 suspecting I had a problem. It was not anything I had done but just a freak thing, I tell people this because it is a potential complication to be aware of.

I had a revision on September 10th with no complications at all. Any surgery has risks attached to it. Maybe review with him what he is afraid of, what complications maybe he is just a fraid to lose you. It has been the best decision I could have made and have no regrets. Good Luck.

I'm 4 days post op and my glue is starting to come off. I'm kind of freaking out because it's only be 4 days & I don't want any complications! Is this normal?? I just need some peace of mind if it is, and if it isn't what should I do? (ER, call doctor, ect.) Thanks so much!

Yes, I think I paid the hospital about $84.00. Their bill was $43,000 but allowed amount was about $7600. It was the copays of all the different billers that added up to the total. I never met my catastrophic cap so it wasn't that that limited the amount I owed. That's why its difficult to find a dr. that takes Tricare. But they are out there. The allowed amount is low, but the cost to the insured...you can't beat it!! I had private secondary ins at the time, more trouble than it was worth, it paid zero. Now I have a cheap supplemental plan that will pay the difference if I need to have any thing going forward, or complications. You might want to check on one before seeking the surgery if you aren't too far into it yet or maybe for afterward in case of complications. Don't think that's likely, but I'm one of those people that likes to be prepared for anything! LOL!! Good luck to you!!

My physician has us do a strictly liquid diet from Physician's Weight Loss for 3 weeks prior to surgery. It was tough, but so worth it to get my band without complications. He said my liver looked great and I was a textbook patient.

I definitely would encourage you to WALK!!! I was in pain when I went home and I feel my stomach time to heal because I just always took my pain medicine and laid around until I realize I didn't want to go back to the hospital for dehydration or complications so I made myself walk. As far as sleeping on my tummy it was a month for me it was even hard for me to sleep on my side but I am definitely pumped I am a month post op and all I want to do is exercise but I been sluggish because of my vitamins I am not yet good with that and still is learning but all I can say is that when you start to feel better your going to be so PUMPED to do what you have to do! GOOD LUCK[emoji1491][emoji813]️

I was in your shoes last week, I was still skeptical but went with it. I am just so happy now that I did. The diet sounds way may complicated than it turns out to be. As for me I just make sure I get everything in and it is working out well. You will find your routine as the post above stated and it really is actually fun....sort of... to watch yourself develop a new eating pattern with really very little stress and a ton of happiness. Good luck and let us know how it goes.