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Hi my name is Jamie. I am in the very early stages right now. They just verified my insurance. Now it begins..... I have been doing all the research I can right now. Which includes the complications that can come with having VSG. But in doing that I see people who have had bad experiences happen. And of course now I'm very very nervous. I totally understand there can be complications in any surgery. But I'm even looking at the post op stuff. Like feeling sick not being able to keep anything down, feeling dizzy etc. Any advice for someone just starting this journey??? Please & thank you!

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Everyone's journey with this surgery is different. All you can do is choose a great surgeon, then follow the plan. For me, I went to a Center of Excellence. I had no post-op issues. No gas, minimal pain, great recovery.

Good luck to you! It is okay to be nervous, I think some forget it IS major surgery and should be looked at with respect!

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Hello Jamie,

My Name Is Roseanne I agree with u 100% to be Nervous you should be I rushed into this and thought Because A lap-band is removable it was the right thing for me I really did not talk to all the people who had problems and said to myself I will never have a problem I don't care about the things they say about the lap-band I can do it!! well I was wrong The thing is It was the worse chose for me I can't eat good food So now I have to have it taken out and I chose to have a sleeve done.. after really looking into it talking to people and like the girl above me said going to a Center of Excellence makes a really big diffrance Where do you live? make sure your Dr Is good talk to his people in the waitting room ect..

let me know ok..

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You can make your odds of a good outcome better by doing research, like you've been doing. Investigate your surgeon (I know my state shows actions against physicians on a public database; not sure if they all do), investigate your hospital, investigate the various procedures available. Go to an orientation, ask questions. Go to a support group, ask questions of people who've had it done.

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That's great that you are doing your homework and going into this with realistic expectations. I had my sleeve done at the age of 62 and had many serious co-morbidities including being post-stroke. I had an outstanding surgeon who teaches bariatric and robotic surgery, so I was confident that I was in good hands. My recovery has been textbook, with no complications whatsoever.

Post op nausea and vomiting are to be expected. However, I urped up once in the hospital, and did not vomit until six months post-op when I indulged in a sweet pastry. At twenty months out I am still glad I had it done.

Then there are those who damn-near died from horrific complications. It's a risk you take, but you also take a risk every time you get in the car or on a plane, or a horse. Since I am post-stroke and a high fall risk, I take a chance everytime I go up or down the stairs, and I live in a tri-level.

Every time I eat something, I risk choking. Every time I eat something that my sister cooked, I run the risk of dying a hobbible death from botulism (not joking!). Because I live on the Southwest Airlines approach to Chicago's Midway Airport, I run the risk of a plane landing on my patio.

See? We take risks everyday, in many ways. By not having bariatric surgery, you a risking a premature death or at least a miserable reduced qualityof life from the complications of obesity.

So, all I am saying is that for every one person who is openly honest about regretting bariatric surgery, there are a hundred more who had acceptable outcomes are are satisfied with their new life. S**t happens. Are you going to stay in bed and risk bedsores from being afraid to get up and leave the house?

Whatever you decide to do about your health, at least do something. If you decide that bariatric surgery is not for you, then you can at least follow the typical post-op dietary protocols, and move your body every day. It won't killl you and may do you some useful good. I wish you good luck and good health. Hugs from Chicago.

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I'm only two weeks out from gastric bypass surgery, but knock on wood I haven't had any complications at all. I follow the rules: I don't eat too fast, I don't eat too much and I feel fine. You'll be fine too.

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Thanking you for caring enough to reply. It helps.

I think it's normal to be nervous. I am half way through the process and with every Dr visit and test I take I mark it off in a book as a small victory. It helps me to keep a positive attitude. You will be ok. We are all in the same boat heading to the same destination! It helps to know that we're here for each other! Welcome aboard!

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Thanking you for caring enough to reply. It helps.

I think it's normal to be nervous. I am half way through the process and with every Dr visit and test I take I mark it off in a book as a small victory. It helps me to keep a positive attitude. You will be ok. We are all in the same boat heading to the same destination! It helps to know that we're here for each other! Welcome aboard!
. Thank you so much! And it does help so much hearing from all of you. The support makes it better.

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    • Prdgrdma

      So I guess after gastric bypass surgery, I cant eat flock chips because they are fried???  They sell them on here so I thought I could have them. So high in protein and no carbs.  They don't bother me at all.  Help. 
      · 1 reply
      1. NickelChip

        It's possible for a very high fat meal to cause dumping in some (30% or so) gastric bypass patients, although it's more likely to be triggered by high sugar, or by the high fat/high sugar combo (think ice cream, donuts). Dietitians will tell you to never do anything that isn't 100% healthy ever again. Realistically, you should aim for a good balance of protein, carbs, and fat each day. Should you eat fried foods every day? No. Is it possible they will make you sick? Maybe. Is it okay to eat some to see what happens and have them for a treat every now and again? Yes.

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      · 1 reply
      1. NickelChip

        I actually watched cooking shows during my pre-op, like Great British Baking Show. It was a little bizarre, but didn't make me hungry. I think it was also soothing in a way.

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      · 3 replies
      1. NickelChip

        Well, there is actually a formula for "Ideal Body Weight" and you can use a calculator to figure it out for you. This one also does an adjusted weight for a person who starts out overweight or obese. https://www.mdcalc.com/calc/68/ideal-body-weight-adjusted-body-weight

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      2. Clueless_girl

        I did find different calculators but I couldn't find any that accounted for body frame. But you're right, it is just a number. It was just disheartening to see that although I lost 60% of my excess weight, it's still not in the "normal/healthy" range..

      3. NickelChip

        I think it's important to remember that the weight charts and BMI ranges were developed a very long time ago and only intended to be applied to people who have never been overweight or obese. Those numbers aren't for us. When you are larger, especially for a long time, your body develops extra bone to support the weight. Your organs get a little bigger to handle the extra mass. Your entire infrastructure increases so you can support and function with the extra weight. That doesn't all go away just because you burn off the excess fat. If you still had a pair of jeans from your skinniest point in life and then lost weight to get to the exact number on the scale you were when those jeans fit you, chances are they would be a little baggy now because you would actually be thinner than you were, even though the scale and the BMI chart disagree. When in doubt, listen to the jeans, not the scale!

    • Aunty Mamo

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      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • BeanitoDiego

      Now that I'm in maintenance mode, I'm getting a into a routine for my meals. Every day, I start out with 8-16 ounces of water, and then a proffee, which I have come to look forward to even the night before. My proffees are simply a black coffee with a protein powder added. There are three products that I cycle through: Premier Vanilla, Orgain Vanilla, and Dymatize Vanilla.
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      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
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