iegal

Congrats on upcoming surgery date. You will need someone to assit you during your recovery, escpecially with a child. Not knowing needs of child, I am unable to provide guidance. Have you spoken to your surgeon about how long before you can ...(enter daily activity/movements needed)? What kind of questions or conerns do you have? Best wishes! No regrets.

Hope this reaches you in time MyNewLife; There is an entire thread on this site dedicated to your question. Need Answers? Go to main page of VSG Forum, scroll down to General Surgery Discussion and look for The OFFICIAL What you will need for your surgery thread! Good luck tomorrow! No regrets.

Hello NewJersey Mom of 2; Sending well wishes your way for tomorrow's new beginning along with a hug. No regrets!

Raechelle - congratulations on your surgery last week. Yippee. I too was a self pay for surgery so I can empathize with your concern. Did you have surgery locally or out of country? If you have regular health insurance, it covers (my PPO does) follow up visits even though I paid for surgery myself. Important to drink liquid and not to gulp down Water getting a lot of air which might cause you to burb or have gas. So I never used a shot glass since old habit die hard. If you go online and google VSG surgery diet you will find a couple of differe nt outlines. Not all surgeons are the same nor do they have the same recommendations. Try to get at least 64oz of fluids (impossible for me the first couple of weeks), take Vitamins (get in liquid form) after week one, and then get protien in - approx 60 grams a day. Stay away from solids or mushies for first two weeks as you are healing. Wishing you a speedy recovery. No regrets.

Congratulations on your upcoming VSG surgery. If you go to the main home page here and scroll down to find General Sleeve Discussions - there is a thread posted for The OFFICIAL What you will need for your surgery thread! Hope this helps you out also. Sending happy thoughts your way along with a hug. No regrets.

Hello pnatalie1; A lot of people on this site have used surgeons outside of the US with much success. Boils down to three main quetions. 1) Do you have insurance that will cover VSG? 2) If no, is cost a factor? 3) Is follow up consults a concern? If yes, that would be difficult with an out of country surgeon. With complications, who will you go to? Who will do follow up blood work and nutritional guidance? What support is available after surgery? I was a self pay (insurance denied me for too low of BMI although I met comorbidity contingents) yet still had surgery in US. This was a personal decision and my choice was to pay more money (almost double) compared to what others pay in Mexico. Of course I have a local surgeon who I does regular follow up and I can walk in and seesomeone with any minor concerns. I played it safe but paid through the nose for my concern. While I wish I could have paid less, I still have no regrets on VSG surgery in US. So - what are your priorities and needs? Wishing you the best!

Don't go into shock...but I had VSG as outpaitent surgery and had surgery in the US. Surgery at 10AM home by 6PM. No pain pump needed, no staples, no drain and best of all...no worries. Pain meds not needed. C-section was a heck of a lot worse that VSG. Took my perscription pain medication only once on the third night, and that was to sleep through the night not for pain. Sorry Dr. for abusing drugs as a sleeping agent. Hope you are recovering well.

Please understand this is not an attack on SeeMel3. But she has unintentionally provided a lot of MISINFORMATION in her statements re:the spider. SeeMel3 research was totally flawed and one would hope a simple Google search would have been done by her first before posting this thread. First error: The spider is one instrument with three "arms" which open up after inserted into one incision, not multiple instruments as SeeMel3 states. Next, error you were not the second person in the nation to have this surgery as it has been around for almost a year now. March 2010 to be exact. Read below for correct information on SPIDER surgery. You can even watch a video of the spider. Dr. Quebbemann was first barriatric surgeon to use the spider in the US and was a clinical trial surgeon for this new tool. See thread for backup of this claim. http://slimfitmama.c...er-gastrectomy/ Dr. Brian Quebbemann can be seen on The Doctor's TV Show demonstrating the spider. Here is a video link to that show on The Doctor's TV show. http://www.thedoctor...re&init_id=2870 Alex - this website creator also has a link to TransEnterix article that talks about Dr. Quebbemann's experience with spider. http://www.verticals...-press-release/ To all - if you are considering the spider - get an experienced surgeon who has used the spider already. Too many people like SeeMel3 & their surgeons are out there claiming they are the first or second patient of type of procedure...okay, but what your surgeon means is you are first patient your doctor has operated on with a spider, not the second spider procedure in the nation as SeeMel3 incorrrect states. Also, the Spider surgery usually is more expensive and that extra cost may not be covered by insurance. KNOW THY SURGEON and verify what you read. SeeMel3, your surgeons claim of you being second patient is false- you are in total error. What other lies did your surgeon tell you? Almost weekly I visit with a patient in SoCal who had spider surgery in early spring 2010. Plus I can name several others at my Dr's office who are more than 5 months out of spider VSG surgery and doing exceedingly well. Let this be a warning, before making decisions, seeking truth is critical. SeeMel3, I would be livid if I were you used as a guinea pig by your surgeon. Demand answers from your surgeon about why the lies after you get facts from above links, but more importantly - correct your statements above so no one else is mislead from numerous false information provided by you. Too many of us are trusting in statements made on this forum, so now that you have facts - retract your erroneous information.

The real question is where will you be in six months without the surgery? Heavier or lighter? More or less medical issues? Happier working towards a solution or frustrated at being a failure yet again? By the way - what is the natural way? Would you tell a diabetic not to take insilin because it is not "natural?" Um, most of us here have tried the "natural" method so many times that we can still tell you about each diet we have failed. We are not talking about steriods here. This is your life. Take charge and make a change for the better you. Hugs to you - either way people will not always approve of your choice.

You make me smile will all the good news of yours. Congratulations on such a great 2010 and hopiing 2011 brings more joy.

Hello Pam; Fantastic news...congratulations on such a milestone marker. And yes, I can believe it because you have more successes ahead. WOW. You are walking on a cloud right now and I am dancing for you! Hugs

Congrats on your sleeve. Minor complications - but so ever worth it. I did not have a BM for over a week and then so on and so on. I get excited with two BM a week now. Feeling like a potty trained child where everyone needs to clap for me when I am a big girl. HA HA. Lovely table talk for dinner. "So mom, was today important?" No, but I am hoping something special happends tomorrow. How was school love? and so on. Wishing you a speedy recovery and no more complications Brownbear!

Hello Super; Wow - I think you weight loss is tremendous! I am going to repeat good advice already provided. First some people loose weight slowly, but remember the weight is GONE. I too was a self pay for VSG but double your amount as I did my surgery in the US. Worth every penny I spent. My advice? Cut out the carbs - you have a window of great opportunity for the first six months, or so I am told by my surgeon. Create new habits. First of all you should be careful of what you eat right now so early out. Up your protien - eat eggs, greek yogurt, protien shakes as you are still healing. Try canned tuna fish or soft fish. Eliminate potatoes, rice, bread while you are loosing weight. I put the items back into my diet during the holidays...and my weight loss this entire month is around 5 pounds. Yippee I lost weight, but not like I was when watching what I eat.. I am limiting carbs (as I eat a half a biscuit with gravy) starting tomorrow again so I can reach goal (over 70 lbs) by my six month checkup. Up your Protein also to at least 60 grms. Take your Multivitamins which include a b complex suppliment for B Vitamins (B12 is important). Once you are maintaining - you can have a few chips, bread or potatoes as part of your regular meals...but not while loosing weight. Lastly - are you excercising? Walk, walk, walk. Amazing how much easier it is to move now. Get resitance bands (TJ MaXX has cheap) and go to YouTube to follow some easy moves for home. Those few extra burn of calories will make a difference. Muscle burns more calories than fat and you need to burn the fat. No need to go crazy (I hate the gym) but now I go to walk the treadmill or elipse. Wish I was like LilDiva and moved 45 minutes a day. Love her! Keep your spirits up. You are not a failure, nor is your surgery. You did not gain the weight in a month, nor will you loose it all in a month. No regrets...I love my sleeve!

Yippee Pam - congratulations on three months of a new you. Success is yours!

Changes in just over three months are beyond words. I am thrilled with results of VSG surgery. I can hop onto (or on) the bed without breaking the slats or frame. Yes, I have once beause I now CAN do this. Jumping into my finacee's arms. Feeling my kids arms ALL the way around me with a big hug. Looking at myself in the mirror and being happy with myself and my choices that day. The thought of being able to hike without worrying about being a burden or forcing all to turn around. Natural acceptance of others, not judgement without knowing me. I have not changed, expect physically. Lord, let me be more empathic to all. Fitting into clothes I never thought I would be able to get into or look good in. Shopping for clothes that are not black only. I even bought a top with horizontal stripes and looki good in it. food not being an obsession. Really, I used to go to sleep planning my food excursions for the next day or week. I go to the gym without worrying about others thinking "yeah honey - excercise is good, but stop shoveling in the food" Sharing my victories with those I love. I now have a better understanding of those with addictions like drugs, alcohol or cigarettes. I am a food addict in recovery. Wish my fellow addicts had a tool like my little sleeve to overcome their problems. The money I save on eating out is tremendous. Not being embarassed everytime I enter an airplane and fly coach. I pull that belt tight now and smile. Purging....my closet of course. Twice now. Not huffing after one flight of stairs or feeling a little light headed. Wearing a cute nightie...and the good kind made of lace or chiffon - not made of flannel. Shopping at Victoria Secret...in the store and trying on a new smaller bra. Accepting responsibility for myself and my future.

Be sure to stick to the rest of your diet, it is for your own saftey. Diet is to ensure your liver is reduced in size so surgeon can easily access stomach and not lacerate liver. Best wishes ladies...the sleeve is wonderful!

I was guilty. My last meal was a delightful Fettuccini Alfredo with steak Milanese. YUM. But now, I go to the same restaurant 3 months out and sneak a bite or two from my love. Good, yes. As good as I remember? No. I think I gained weight during from my first consult to the time of start of preop surgery diet. Tomorrow is a test to see how much you want to loose weight permanently. Stick to your preop diet, it is important. No cheating. If I could pass this, I have full confidence that you can too. Remember the goal. The results are amazing. A chin has reappeared. I am wearing a size I have not seen in over a decade or more. I can move easily and being active is actually fun. Yippee for the sleeve!

Good luck on your upcoming new sleeve. Wishing you a speedy and uneventful recovery. Hugs to you. Kimmie - you will not need to wait a whole year to see the new you!

Wish I could truthfully report I did not touch my grandmothers homemade sugar cookies made with Crisco. (yes it was good too) I will know the damage as I step on the scale tomorrow. My pants seem a little loose, but not enough to go down another size. Good news is another purge of the closet is due. Happy with my sleeve and no regrets.

When was your last checkup with your surgeon? Have your been evaluated since surgery? I lost too quickly in my first three months and had a small stricture caused by internal scarring, so my surgeon did an endoscopy using a balloon to correct stricture. Noticed a difference in first week of quantity I could put in my stomach. Before my endescope proceudure after one or two bites I struggled eating or putting anything else in my stomach. If I ate over a long period, I would feel sick. Knew I would throw up if I put in one more small morsel. My liquid intake was lower than recommendation also. Does this sound familar? If yes, talk to your surgeon. If surgeon is out of country - you can contact a local bariatric surgeon. Do not worry because my regular insurance paid for procedure even though I was a self pay for VSG. I am a mere inch taller than you and am frightened for your long term health. Should this not be such serious topic, it would be laughable that we former fatties are concerned about loosing too much weight. Yet your health is in jeopordy as you are in the anorexic category. A now dear friend went below one hundred pounds before she sought help and was able to gain back 50 lbs. Prayers that you are able to find answers.

Contratulations SIMI on your upcoming surgery. I like the Apple Melon Isopure 40grm- think close to a green jolly rancher. Got it at GNC but hard to find as I was told at several locations that this is the first flavor to sell out. . Drink cold because at room tempature it is not as appealing IMO. I still drink these a couple times a week to ensure 60 grm of Protein a day when I am running around unable to preplan my meals. Try sipping half in morning and half in afternoon. Use G2 gatorade in between to get ride of funky aftertaste. Good luck!

Congratulations on such a great story. I am a little confused...you were sleeved 2 months ago and have lost 30+lbs already with a 2 week stall? Are you kidding? Great stats. Thanks for sharing pics. Your smile says it all.