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iegal

Gastric Sleeve Patients
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Everything posted by iegal

  1. Hi Patty; Reposting response from my VSG guru who used to dispense good advice to me as a newbie like a fairy godmother. _____________________________________________________ This is my standard reply when this question pops up every couple of days. I won't try to sway anyone one way or another, but I'll give you my reasons for choosing VSG over RNY (bypass). For me, it was never an option. The cons outweighed the pros. Some factors I considered in deciding on VSG. The pouch that RNY offers is similar to the pouch with the band. Least to say, a pouch sucks, I love having a normal tummy, just less capacity and still fully functioning. 1) No blind stomach left behind that can be difficult to scope yet can still get ulcers and cancer. 2) 2 years max on calorie/carb/sugar malabsorption, but a lifetime of vitamin/nutrient malabsorption. This process is called adaptation, and it happens with intestinal bypass surgeries. 3) I had a pouch with the band, and it sucked. I'm pretty fond of my pyloric valve and the sleeve let me keep it. I love having a normal functioning stomach, just smaller in capacity. 4) Regain stats and #of RNY patients seeking revision truly scared the poop out of me 5) I have too many friends in real life that struggle with Vitamin deficiencies post-RNY, and most of them either never got to goal, or have gained back a significant amount of their weight. 6) The long term complications with RNY were too numerous for my comfort level. Pouch or stoma dilation, strictures, vitamin/nutrient deficiencies, ulcers, 7) I researched gastrectomies that had been performed for stomach cancer and ulcer patients, and found comfort in the long term results and minimal complications of patients that had lost most or all of their stomachs had dealt with over several years. 8) I was a volume eater, and knew a restrictive only procedure would work for me. 9) I did not want to have food or medication restrictions. I chose WLS to have a "normal" life, and I think it's normal to eat a couple of Cookies. With RNY, I wasn't willing to go through the possibility of dumping if I wanted to have a couple of cookies, or a slice of cake on occasion. The big scare for me is medication restrictions for life. NSAIDS and steroids are a NO GO for life with a RNY pouch. I realize that I may never be diagnosed with a condition or disease that requires steroid use, but it is possible. I want the best long term results with the least amount of complications. Malabsorption is not anything to play with in my mind, and I was not willing to take that risk. __________________________________________________ Personally, I have two friends who have had bypass. One great success but two follow up surgies in last 10 years for complications. The other has had success but a lot of issues. I feel so badly when she dumps - we litterally pull over and she craps in a plastic bag. This still happens at over a year out. At a year plus out the only difference in my life is restriction of how much I can eat. I am a lucky girl and have no regrets.
  2. A great step for all your dreams and hopes. Keep on the boards so you know you are not alone in this journey. Bumps happen along with hazards. Knowledge and a postive attitude which you already possess will be your allies. I love my sleeve and have no regrets.
  3. Aw, a food funeral. Food is not DEAD after surgery. Food will become a part of your life again. What changes is the quantity only. Surgeons only do physical limiting surgery, not brain surgery. I can eat everything I throw down to my gullut once again. Nothing bothers me. Oh, I am a little more sensitive to spicy (really spicy) foods but all else sits in there just fine. What you need to mourn is your relationship with food. Deal with the fact that food will no longer be your first go to friend when you are celebrating an occasion, bored, lonely, sad, just watching TV, socializing and so on. You need to learn to occupy yourself somewhere else and focus on other things around you rather than eating as much as you want. Choices. Focus on protien. Lest you follow me and have a cry fest in front of a buffet knowing I will never be able to gorge again and eat everything I like, twice. Okay, three times. I love my sleeve and have no regrets.
  4. Refreshing that you are so honest about how you feel. Agree with other posters that you have to look how far you have come. Look how close your goal is now. You've been on boards for a while, so you know it has take Coops over two years to hit goal, she was a really slow loser. But she keep, on track and plugging along. Losing is tough business. Pat yourself on the back for all you do and now try shaking things up a little. Take an extra walk every day this week for 1/2 hour, add protien only calories this week or cut your carbs in half for this week only. Does it make a difference? No matter what, don't give in. You are a winner & a real loser, right?
  5. iegal

    Been Cleared

    Um, how seriously do you want this surgery? I begged & borrowed for this surgery. Not recommending you follow me but if you want it you can really make it happen. That initial 10% is not easy, I did as previous posted mentioned and when on liquid diet for two weeks - which was pure torture. Desired results happened with initial weight loss. As far as the $3500, that is a chunk of change. Can you take a loan from your 401K? Best wishes in finding solutions that work for you.
  6. How old is your family member? Did the surgeon tell her on the initial consult she was too old for VSG surgery? Sounds like she is scared and is looking for excuses to back out as many people do. Ask her questions like - where will you be in two years (considering past history) if you do not seriously consider any type of WLS? Do everything with love and understanding. Hugs for loving your relative enough to be a support for her.
  7. iegal

    Cold Cold Cold Feet

    Most of us remember that moment thinking "what am I doing?" while a few of us can same I never doubted my choice. If you do not have a hernia or if you have not had gallbladder surgery, you can take both of these out of your area of concerns. Take this for your position alone. You and your spouse will not always travel the same path on this journey of VSG. Do this for you and accept your experience may be different...for the better. Best wishes. I have no regrets and love my sleeve.
  8. EXACT same thing happened to me. The breast study came back requiring another exam and reading. Only thing I could think of was "really, after all the tests it is my breast stopping me?" Of course I have dense breast tissue. Mine turned out okay. Either way, these tests have either taken you step forward in WLS or in catching C must sooner. Keep us in the loop. You are in my prayers.
  9. iegal

    It Happened :(

    Understand...no one but fat people or previously fat people (me) know what it is to hold onto this weight. We know it is not a choice to be fat. Most all of us have tried every on line diet, fad and support group without long term results. Be encouraged that you will be the one who can be a cheerleader to someone else in the future who needs to lose weight. Forgive those who you can never educate on the battles we face. I love my sleeve and have no regrets.
  10. So nice for everyone to hear ups and downs of surgery. I'm over 20 months out and have gained back about 7 lbs from my bottom weight. How? I eat what ever I want, sadly. I know mentally not to do this but unlike dip40so I have the ability to eat anything without restrictions. Rice, bread, Pasta...all of it without any issues. After surgery I have also obtained quite a sweet tooth which I did not possess before. Bad habits have crept back in like eating quickly which allows more food and then an unpleasant full feeling. Yikes. Bad me. So, do not follow me and just continue to say no to bad food items. After that 6 months a newbie sleever keeps trying to see what you can and can not have. Better just to continue to say no to food items you should just steer clear as you should on any healthy eating plan. While I do not feel I will regain all my weight, yes it is possible to pack back on the pounds. My girlfriends think I look better with these few pounds that my lowest weight. Still under surgeons goal weight by quite a bit but above my personal goal weight. Advice? So stick with a healthy diet always after VSG and do not go looking for trouble, because you will find it..
  11. iegal

    Former Lurker...

    Welcome to no longer lurking - so glad you would post to introduce yourself. Best advice besides reading all you can is jump in often. Also join one of the groups in your local area so you can find other sleevers in Phoenix area. Wish you luck! Only here to cheerlead you on to much success. I have no regrets!
  12. I agree, that pre op diet (mine was for two weeks) was absolute torture. Wish I had a miracle for you, but I don't. The way I survived was simply on will power with the prize of VSG surgery. Each day was one day I lived for, that was it. Didn't look at the 10 days left or food I could not eat. Stay away from the lunch room, go to your car and back during breaks & lunch. Live in the bathtub with a book you always wanted to read. Diet is not only to reduce fatty liver but also to train you for the changes you will face after surgery. I know you can do this because I am the WORST patient ever and made it through. Hugs for encouragement.
  13. iegal

    Who Are You Telling

    Okay - I have a different point of view. Hopefully this does not make me ostracized. You do realize that each person chooses what is best for their own situation and circumstances, right? I didn't tell anyone other than my fiancé and three very close girlfriends. My mom did not know for three months and she lives less than a mile away. My dad still does not know, nor does most of the family. My daughter found out about a month after surgery when she came back from college for a visit and read paperwork I had left out accidentally. Last thing she needed was to worry about her mom while she was out of state and unable to support me. Her focus was to be elsewhere. Emotionally most of my my family & friends could not understand my need for WLS. Mom told me I just needed to "tape my mouth shut", easily said for a woman who has never worn over a size 4 her entire life. Others thought I should give conventional programs another shot. Yeah, like I had not tried repeatedly. How could I explain to them that "trying harder" was not the fix for me? I had VSG for me alone. With a BMI of 33+ I was obese but not obese enough to medically qualify for surgery. So, my weight loss was easily explained away with a initial liquid diet, eating differently with dramatic portion control, exercising more and I stopped eating out. Now my mom knows about. Yes, she was upset I did not tell her but agrees she would have been a barrier in that initial weight loss. Those who do not understand the struggles of being overweight simply could not understand my journey. Glad you all have an audience who accept WLS, I simply did not. I chose my support group wisely. I knew my audience and their levels of tolerance. VSG decision was too personal to share with mere co-workers or acquaintances. Would not change how I handled. It was perfect for me. Listen to your heart so you what is best for you.
  14. iegal

    Problems

    I had a lot of nausea for about four days. Yuck. Have you spoken to your surgeon? Next, try tepid decaf tea (I tried peppermint). Cold drinks did not sit well. Hugs - things get better,so stick in there.
  15. iegal

    Tomorrow !

    Best wishes!
  16. iegal

    196Lbs !

    Congrats and welcome to "onederland!"
  17. Oh hun; Weight Loss is such an emotional journey. I had much more stress with the emotional issues than the concern over how much weight I was losing each month. Our surgeons did surgery on our stomachs, not our brains. You will struggle with self esteem, self doubt will creep in, sabotage, fear, brain cravings for things you do not really want/need, outsiders mocking your accomplishments, relationships with others change and mostly your relationship with food changes drastically. You will find others treat you differently simply because you weigh less. This depressed & angered me becasue I was the same girl, just a few pounds lighter. My world was changing as much as my body was changing. Remember you are emerging into a new you. Accept some days will be good while others will be filled with regret. Things get better - I promise. Slowly, but they do get better. Really. Here to cheerlead you on to those bright days ahead.
  18. Beautiful. Congrats on your success thus far!
  19. iegal

    Random Subject

    I lost a lot of my turkey neck over time. Not saying that I am perfect but much better off with a little saggy skin rather than the load of extra weight. Stick with the VSG plan. You are worth it.
  20. iegal

    Omg

    TAKE THE PICTURES. At almost two years out, I wish I had taken my day before pictures. I now share those "preVSG" vacation pictures to other SoCal citizens who are considering WLS. You will be amazed at your changes. Do not be ashamed of where you are today, please. You are not ugly, horrible or in denial. You are making a change. Be proud of yourself!
  21. iegal

    Kinda Confused...

    Set a timer and take a small sip every 15 minutes you are awake. That full feeling doesn't come right away, your body is learning and does not yet realize 80+% of your stomach is gone. Hormones are still in you from pre surgery. Have you tried sipping tepid decaf tea? Really helped me. Keep with it, things do get better.
  22. iegal

    Tomorrow Is The Day

    Hugs and prayers for you. Wishing you a speedy recovery!
  23. Okay - I had my surgery almost 2 years ago, prices look like they have come down considerably. I paid $18K inclusive of everything including preop/post op liquid diet protien foods, physc eval, nutritionist meetings, weekly support classes for life and also 6 months of Dr. follow up visits. Follow ups were about one hour with surgeon. My surgeon's partner is charging $14K. You can watch my surgeon on Dr. OZ - Nov. 2010 talking about VSG surgery. Regular insurance now pays for my follow ups including labs. No regrets, even knowing if I had waited 18 months I could have saved money. Still worth every penny. I love my sleeve.
  24. iegal

    Fresh Water

    Just be careful of the sugar intake - even in Spenda. Great way to be creative on your fluid intake.
  25. Hi - congratulations on all you the weight you have lost so far. Maybe you are still eating with your eyes rather than when your stomach tells you are full? Are you eating off of a small plate? Satiated is not equal to gorged no matter what your eyes tell you. Yes, I can eat so much more than I could those first six months. Do I feel full? Yes. Am I satisfied? Yes. Do I want more? Sometimes but this is mental, not a physical hunger. I want to eat more because others are still eating - so I still need to practice to slow down so that my smaller portion lasts longer. I think what you are experiencing is lack of mental satisfaction, not physical satisfaction after a meal. Our surgeons operated on our stomachs, not our brains. Stick with the plan - things get better with time. Learn to embrace the new you and find something else that will give you that feeling of satiated. Hugs. I love my sleeve with no regrets.

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