Tips for beginners

[jackiemc1987 127]

Sleeved 3.23.15 pulp free orange juice and Welch's 100 % grape juice goes down amazingly and bananas add Water to the grape juice tho its pretty thick

[CanyonBaby 1,852]

Be careful of juices as you get farther down the road, lots of calories/carbs. Good luck to you!

[Tauruslady5 154]

Morning.

OMG....why are you drinking OJ and Juices .......................LOADS OF SUGAR...........Sugar turns to Fat !!!

This is a definately NO-NO, and was told during the Pre-Surgery Stages.

Right now you should only be drinking liquids (no red liquids). You are in the healing process of your surgery. You shouldn't even be eatting a banana.

Weeks 1-2 = liquids ONLY

Weeks 3-6 = Soft Mushy/Pureed Foods (no nuts/seeds)

Weeks 7-12m = Introduce foods one at a time (very slowly) Try to avoid nuts/seeds if possible.

Stay Away from Cookies, CRACKERS, CAKE (Carbs are not really healthy, the turn into surgar which, again, turns into fat).

Eat Slowly. You should take a bite of food, and put your utensil down, wait about 30sec to 1 minute and then take another bite.

Your stomach is healing and takes a good 6 months to completely heal. Drink lots of Water, if able to do so. Drink slowly and DO NOT gulp.

Also, remember you have a BABY tummy. You need to think how you would feed a newborn baby. This is how you will be eatting.

Relax, Breathe, and enjoy your new self.

Have a Sparkling Day !!!

[CanyonBaby 1,852]

@@Tauruslady5

I have recently discovered a lot of folks who have had WLS are not given post-op plans (can you imagine?), and aren't aware of the dangers that can result from doing the wrong things at the wrong (right?) times! In fact, I was just made aware of this the other day by a good friend who is going to Mexico for their surgery, and hasn't been given ANY plans, pre-op or post-op. What can we do? As we are not the doctors, nurses, or dieticians, we can only offer our experiences and suggestions, and hopefully that will help. I'm with you, your advice is excellent!

[JamieLogical 8,727]

I was only allowed juice in my Clear Liquids stage if I mixed it with Water, for a 50/50 blend and I was told to phase them out as soon as I possibly could once I was onto full liquids.

[Tauruslady5 154]

@(member="Canyonbaby")

How sad that is. I believe those who are going to Mexico are desparate. I feel that the surgeons in Mexico are just in it for the money and not the health of the patient. Where do these patient's go for their follow-ups? How sad. What is something was to really go wrong. Their only choice now is to go to the Emeregency Room in their hometown, which hopefully is trained in helping us who have had the surgery.

I hope these individuals really do listen to us who have already been through the procedure.

@@Tauruslady5

I have recently discovered a lot of folks who have had WLS are not given post-op plans (can you imagine?), and aren't aware of the dangers that can result from doing the wrong things at the wrong (right?) times! In fact, I was just made aware of this the other day by a good friend who is going to Mexico for their surgery, and hasn't been given ANY plans, pre-op or post-op. What can we do? As we are not the doctors, nurses, or dieticians, we can only offer our experiences and suggestions, and hopefully that will help. I'm with you, your advice is excellent!

[JamieLogical 8,727]

I feel that the surgeons in Mexico are just in it for the money and not the health of the patient. Where do these patient's go for their follow-ups? How sad. What is something was to really go wrong. Their only choice now is to go to the Emeregency Room in their hometown, which hopefully is trained in helping us who have had the surgery.

I hope these individuals really do listen to us who have already been through the procedure.

Wow! I don't think you could be more ignorant if you tried. There are MANY excellent surgeons in Mexico who have entire teams of specialists and nutritionists that provide extensive pre and post-op resources. But, just like in the US, there are also surgeons who cut corners to save money and make more money. It's all about doing your research and choosing a good and reputable surgeon, no matter WHERE you have surgery.

I had my VSG in Mexico with a world renowned surgeon. I had many pre-op consults via phone and email with a nutritionist who provided me with thorough and extensive directions for pre and post-op diet and activity. I had a consult with their cardiologist about when to stop and start my prescription meds and Vitamins pre and post-op. I discussed everything with my PCP at home and had her blessing for the surgery and had follow-ups and bloodwork scheduled with her for when I returned to the US. She was also provided with my complete surgical records from my surgeon's office.

I've also had regular follow-up phone calls with the nutritionist and regular surveys sent from my surgeon's office. All of my post-op questions were answered by the nutritionist and surgical staff. At one point I was worried about the healing of the hole where my drain had been and I emailed one of the doctors and he called me within minutes to discuss it with me, in the evenong, on a weekend!

So, before you go making blanket statements about surgeons in Mexico and patients who are "desperate" enough to go to them, maybe learn a little bit first?

[Tamsboyd 40]

Different doctors give different post op instructions. My post op phases are not as long as others. I was sleeved on 3/17 and am only 1 week away from regular food. I'm on soft foods right now and can start regular food slows after week 7. I do agree that fruit juices are very acidic and lots of sugar

[CanyonBaby 1,852]

@@Tauruslady5

I sometimes wonder the same thing, then I realize I think that about the surgeons here where I'm at...they churn them through SOOOO fast! But I feel I have an awesome follow-up team. We don't see the surgeon again after we are out of the hospital, unless there is a major issue. We just go for several follow-ups to the primary nurses and dieticians. My pre-op was carefully supervised, as was my post-op diet, and we can call/e-mail the team anytime we feel the need.

As far as the Mexican surgery, I think the doctors there (from what I've heard) do a good job, but I just don't hear about follow-up plans. Who do they call? Who do they follow-up with, to make sure there are no complications? Anyone? What if there are complications? Will the U.S. hospitals/Doctors take care of complications after foreign surgeries? I don't know, I would hope so. The "need to treat" thing, maybe. I heard several theories on going to Mexico and other places, such as price, insurance won't cover the surgery, even the "I want it even though I may not really need it, and no one here will do it". I guess people will do what they need to do, and they should know best what is right for them. I can't judge that, because I am not them, in their situation. But I do wonder sometimes....

[Miss Mac 6,262]

I had no restrictions on red stuff. My post-op diet progressed quickly, too. My surgeon developed the bariatric program at both The Cleveland Clinic and the Loyola University Medical Center (where I got sleeved). This doctor also teaches bariatric medicine, bariatric surgery, and robotic surgery at Loyola.

The plan he gave me was:

Full liquids as soon as I got home.

Purees started at week two (including pureed banana)

At three weeks I started soft foods. This is when I had my first intact banana, but could only eat two bites to feel full.

At the end of the month (4 1/2 weeks), I started whole cooked foods as tolerated.

At three months, I could eat raw veggies, but did not tolerate them, so I waited unti six months.

[Tauruslady5 154]

Hi everyone.

I have seemed to upset one of our writers on this post. Very sorry if I hurt your feelings. It was not meant to be that way.

I stated my opinion, not needing a reply. I have been on this site since my surgery, and most have had their surgery in Mexico only to complain that they do not know what to do next with their care. I would say about 85% or more having this issue.

If a post is posted and asking for information then I feel I can give information (only). I am not advising anyone to do what I have learned and followed since my surgery.

Also, name calling is so childish, as I would assume we are all adults here. Someone is not Ignorant because they make a statement.

I have and still continue to do my research/educaiton on the Gastric Slevectomy finding out more about the Mexico surgeons and those in the states to see how and why they differ in the Pre and Post surgery planning.

So, again, sorry if I offended you.....

Have a sparkling day..............

Annamarie

[imsoglad56 402]

Hi everyone.

I have seemed to upset one of our writers on this post. Very sorry if I hurt your feelings. It was not meant to be that way.

I stated my opinion, not needing a reply. I have been on this site since my surgery, and most have had their surgery in Mexico only to complain that they do not know what to do next with their care. I would say about 85% or more having this issue.

If a post is posted and asking for information then I feel I can give information (only). I am not advising anyone to do what I have learned and followed since my surgery.

Also, name calling is so childish, as I would assume we are all adults here. Someone is not Ignorant because they make a statement.

I have and still continue to do my research/educaiton on the Gastric Slevectomy finding out more about the Mexico surgeons and those in the states to see how and why they differ in the Pre and Post surgery planning.

So, again, sorry if I offended you.....

Have a sparkling day..............

Annamarie

You are not advising anyone to do what you have learned? Bull, that's exactly what you did.

Also, saying someone sounds ignorant isn't name calling. It's a statement of opinion. You did, and still do, sound ignorant. And where, pray tell, are you doing all your research on "Gastric Slevectomy"?

[JamieLogical 8,727]

Also, name calling is so childish, as I would assume we are all adults here. Someone is not Ignorant because they make a statement.

Pointing out ignorance isn't name calling. You are ignorant about the process of having surgery in Mexico and the level of care available. That's a statement of fact. If you had more information about it, then you would no longer be ignorant. I'm sorry if you find the term "ignorant" offensive here. In case you are ignorant to the definition of the word "ignorant", here you go:

1. lacking in knowledge or training; unlearned:

an ignorant man.

2. lacking knowledge or information as to a particular subject or fact:

ignorant of quantum physics.

Just like the example given in the second definition applies to someone who is ignorant about quantum physics (Like me! I know nothing about physics!), you are ignorant about surgery in Mexico. Now, there is nothing wrong with being ignorant about something. We are all ignorant about a GREAT MANY subject matters. There is, however, something wrong with espousing ill-informed and uneducated opinions on a web site where people come to seek advice.

Also, with regards to name-calling, I'll point out that YOU were the one who said people who have surgery in Mexico are desperate and/or sad. And while that may be true for some of the people who go to Mexico for surgery, it certainly does not apply to all of us.

[jackiemc1987 127]

Morning.

OMG....why are you drinking OJ and Juices .......................LOADS OF SUGAR...........Sugar turns to Fat !!!

This is a definately NO-NO, and was told during the Pre-Surgery Stages.

Right now you should only be drinking liquids (no red liquids). You are in the healing process of your surgery. You shouldn't even be eatting a banana.

Weeks 1-2 = Liquids ONLY

Weeks 3-6 = Soft Mushy/Pureed Foods (no nuts/seeds)

Weeks 7-12m = Introduce foods one at a time (very slowly) Try to avoid nuts/seeds if possible.

Stay Away from Cookies, CRACKERS, CAKE (Carbs are not really healthy, the turn into surgar which, again, turns into fat).

Eat Slowly. You should take a bite of food, and put your utensil down, wait about 30sec to 1 minute and then take another bite.

Your stomach is healing and takes a good 6 months to completely heal. Drink lots of Water, if able to do so. Drink slowly and DO NOT gulp.

Also, remember you have a BABY tummy. You need to think how you would feed a newborn baby. This is how you will be eatting.

Relax, Breathe, and enjoy your new self.

Have a Sparkling Day !!!

during this stage i was told i could drink 100% juice by my nutritionist with half Water and bananas pretty much mush in ya mouth so i wouldn't know why it would b a problem it goes down fine and it fills me up and i only take 2 bites

[jackiemc1987 127]

Be careful of juices as you get farther down the road, lots of calories/carbs. Good luck to you!

that's why i add Water ????