MINI-Me

Your fears are TOTALLY normal! No one should take this surgery lightly - Dr U will remind you that you COULD die. My thoughts ... without surgery, you will die earlier or have debilitately medical issues to reduce the quality of your life. Once I talked with Dr. U I knew he was the right surgeon for me. His confidence totally calmed me. My mother in law is an experienced surgical nurse and she seas also impressed with him. Please feel free to PM me if you have specific questions. Best of luck!!!!!!

AWESOME NEWS!

I have small airway obstruction. I still had the surgery, but they needed to know all they could about my condition before putting me under. It helps the anethesiologist with monitoring stats and knowing what "happy meds" to put in your IV. You should be fine ... but better to know before surgery than have an emergency during the surgery! Best of luck.

AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I saw this topic and just had to share ... I just got back from a 3-night cruise to Mexico. We had 1 day in Ensenada to walk around and sightsee. Know what I did? I wore my bathing suit all day! Of course, it was a tankini with little shorts (to cover the extra skin on the upper thighs) and a long halter top. But, I did it!!!!! Never in my life have I felt comfortable parading around in a bathing suit - let alone walking down streets. But, it was so comfortable in the warm sun and I felt good. VSG was the best thing I ever did for myself. I say rock whatever suit you feel comfortable wearing and enjoy!!!

That is great ... congrats!

So very proud of you. Never doubted for a minute that you would get here. CONGRATULATIONS!

Thank you!

Tiff gave you some great guidance. For me, I did not give up carbs. I ate Protein first so there wasn't a lot of room for carbs. But, I at them. I tried ultra low carb, but t didn't seem to have an impact on the speed of my weight loss. For some, they have to go low-carb, but I was lucky. Best of luck to you. I was SURE I would be the one to fail on this surgery. I am happy to say that I was WRONG!

Since you have insurance ... don't forget this is just the hospital's bill - it is not what insurance will pay. They have a negotiated agreement. Your percentage should be off the negotiated rate, not the billed charges. (Assuming this was a participating hospital.) Do you have an itemzed bill? If so, it may be worthwhile to review and make sure you really had all the services they billed you for. Take a deep breath and be glad you have insurance!

I'm sure this has been covered before, but I couldn't find a direct answer in my research. First, let me state - I am planning on following my doctor's orders, but I would like to know the "why" behind the "no". I am one of the world's biggest Diet Pepsi Fans. I am talking 5-7 cans a day. I understand the carbonation being bad for the new tummy, but not sure why I've been told no caffeine. Does anyone know why we are told to go de-caf? I've been weaning off caffeine slowly (to avoid caffeine withdrawl headaches), but I miss it. Decaf tea doesn't seem as fun. (Probably all in my head!) Like I said, I will follow the plan, but knowing why caffeine is so evil would help me when I want a caffeine fix. :sad0: Thanks!

I went to Dr. Umbach in Vegas as self-pay through Medical Tourism. He was an AWESOME surgeon! http://www.blossombariatrics.com/

So happy for you ... Congratulations Mommy!

I'm not Tiffykins or LILMISSDIVA, but I am almost 16 months out. YOU ARE NOT DOING ANYTHING WRONG! You have the answers, you are doing the right things, it's just a VERY FRUSTRATING time in your journey right now. You are right - your body is healing. It's holding onto fluids and trying to figure out just what in the heck you did to yourself. I know it's not easy, but just hang in there. Keep following your plan - you are so early in the process. Tricks and gimmics may help in the short-term, but you made this change for a long-time change. It's coming - I PROMISE! You are doing awesome! Just keep at it & you will see the scales move again. ((((((((((((((((((((((((( H U G S ))))))))))))))))))))))))

I have hypothyroidism andhave been on meds for ~18 years. I didn't notice any issues with post-sleeve weightloss due to my condition. My meds have been slightly adjusted 3 times since surgery.

A typical day for me on maintenance is: Around 7am: 2-3 Light String cheese Around 9am: oatmeal with raisins OR 2 Jimmy Dean Turkey Sausages & 1/2 Thomas Thin Bagel Lunch: 3 to 4 ounces of meat (usually left over from night before) Fruit Cup (Del Monte Sugar Free) Cucumber slices or carrots (usually 4 or 5 minis) Snack: Mini popcorn bag OR Pepperoni Beef Stick OR nothing (depends on if I am hungry or not) Dinner: 3 to 4 ounces of meat small spoon of side dishes for family (mashed potatoes, veggies, mac-n-cheese, stuffing, etc) Evening Snack: 6-8 ounces of white wine (yes - this is my "hidden" pleasure) Choice of 1: 5-10 M&M's, few pretzels, a string cheese, etc Of course, I fit in liquids throughout the day. Except for the occasional increase (like above), I've been maintaining at 125 - 128 since right after Thanksgiving. I've never maintained that long before - I can't believe how this sleeve tool has changed my life.

Confession time ... Two weeks ago, I started choosing some no-so-good foods to eat while I was PMSing ... carried over to the week of ... and this week too. Normally, I don't say any foods are "off limits", but I keep choices small and few between. But, the last couple of weeks were crazy. YIKES!!!!! So, the scale showed 130.2 this morning. 2.2 over my "top bounce point". I needed this wake-up call to make sure I stay on track. Back to basics starting now!!!!!! Anyone want to be my accountability buddy while I get things back in control?

I found this article ... sounds like it is very useful in headaches/migraines. http://www.netdoctor.co.uk/medicines/100000829.html Also - anti-anxiety pills, according to my doctor, seem to be very beneficial with hot flashes. No, he said it didn't mean I was crazy, but it seems to help alleviate the symptoms - especially with night sweats. Good luck! Not a fun combo at all!!!!!!

You are going to get varying opinions, "facts", and heated emotions on this one. What I can tell you is my story. But, remember, it's my experience and your results may vary. I started back to my Pepsi Max at 3 months. Had a little pressure, but not uncomfortable. I'm 15+ months out now & drink diet soda whenever I want. I use it as a "treat" when I'm head hungry. Doesn't seem to cause any cravings for me & hasn't impacted my restriction at all. Beer? That's another story. Causes a lot of pressure and makes me feel a bit nauseated. I've actually thrown up once due to the beer in my tummy. Why the difference? NO CLUE. But, I'll stick with wine as my drink of choice now. Good luck!

Congratulations!!!! Now, go enjoy some "honeymoon" time!

WOW! What a transformation. GREAT JOB!

That will make me 27 months post-op! I want to be within my "bounce" pounds of 125 - 128.

I have too much loose skin & 5 little scars from the surgery to feel comfortable wearing a bikini. Plus, I'm in my 40's and I'm ok with binkini days being "past due". I do love my tankini though. I feel small & sexy in it. Sometimes it's better to cover up & leave things to the imagination - at least in my opinion. (My husband agrees! )

If you puree the soups, you should be fine. Just remember to chew, chew, chew!

Refried beans with a little melted cheese and sour cream was a go-to for me. I also did low-carb yogurt with unflavored protein powder mixed in. (Applesauce and pudding work well too.) It's higher carb, but mac-and-cheese was TO DIE FOR after not eating "real food" for a while.