Rootman

Just a few days, if you're comfortable, else stick tot he side and back.

Not quite 2 years out, Dec 6 2010 so have a few months to go. No regrets, best thing I've ever done for my health. I have stayed at 205 pounds down from 375+ and arrived there in about 10 months post-op. I am completely healthy now, BP, blood sugar, cholesterol, heart rate all are EXCELLANT now. I am VERY active now, whereas I was nothing but a couch potato pre-op. I rode my bike over 40 miles today. I swim for an hour a few days a week too. It has made the most profound effect on my life. I would do it again in a heartbeat and highly recomend it to anyone who is morbidly obese.

I was fat, unhealthy and getting worse. I was slwly and surely killing myself. So my reason is: I just wanted to live.

So where they something like this?

I'm not a doc either and I call BS on this. It is PERFECTLY fine to drink from a straw. This is IMHO just a silly old wives tale - and my apologies to any silly old wives that read this

I had a bout or two, I USED to have dry heaves for agonizing minutes as my stomach cramped and tried to squeeze every last bit of bile out of my poor tummy. The times I've had it post-op I threw up a small mouthful of vomit and it was over, I can dare say it was a "better" experience post-vsg than prior. That's just my experiences may vary.

I'd wait at least the above mentioned few weeks, perhaps longer, it's pretty acidic and may be a little too much on your still swollen stomach. Just go easy and if you get upset or nauseas then STOP, one sip more and you could be driving the porcelain bus

If you told me that I'd be rinding my bicycle for 30 mile trips a few times a week. I'd especially scoff at you if you would tell me that one day I would take a 55 mile ride like I did last Saturday. I could not beleive it as the miles just racked up further and further as I headed to a trail system about 3 towns south of us, the GPS trip computer I use registered 54.94 miles when I hobbled off the bike in the driveway. 2 years ago I would be wheezing and panting at a trip around the block! If you're still undecided about a VSG I can tell you it has DRAMATICALLY changed my life. I am a totally different person than I was 2 years ago and MUCH more physically fit. I'd recommend it to anyone! Best thing I'vve EVER done for my health.

Yes, one of the BEST articles I've read, no hype or goofy non-info just straight talk. It's just good sense to take advantage of the honeymoon period to not only lose weight but develop good eating and exercise habits. As many have pointed out the VSG is a TOOL and not a GUARANTEE. Just some personal braggin': My honeymoon lasted about 10 months then all of a sudden I could eat a lot more and the weight loss just ground to a veritable halt. It took another 4 months to lose another 15 pounds and that's it, I've been stuck at 205 since then. I'm 6' tall so 205 is still overweight but I do make it look good, pretty flat stomach and I LOOK thin. I've actually reduced in size since then, my clothes and rings are looser. I'm now comfortable in pants 2 sizes smaller. I appear to have gained more muscle but stayed at the same weight. All my life I've always been heavier than I look, even when I was a young skinny minny. My mom used to say I had Iron in my legs.

Congrats! You are no officially less than half the woman you used to be - PHYSICALLY!

Cha-Cha-Cha-Chia Pets! Yep, the same seeds they use on those dopey clay figures are good for you. They puff up and soak up a lot of water, the are relativly hard to digest so a lot of them make it trhough the gut and carry the moisture with them and increase bowell regularity. They have a bit of protein too but I don't really think they would add much to your dietetic needs.

Umm, AFAIK the stasndard for ANY VSG is TRIPLE row staples, while I readily admit that I am not an expert what he is telling you just does not add up. Yes, the control is finer but with a VSG there is just not THAT MUCH control needed. As long as you are happy and peaceful with the decision then go for it. Is there a cost difference that you will have to bear?

Yes, it is laparoscopicly done which means it is done using tiny incisions, the abdomen puffed up using CO2 gas and operating at the end of small arms - as opposed to an OPEN type surgery, cutting you open and using his hands. The robot adds another level to the laproscopic procedure, the thing isn't what most would refer to as a "true robot" - it's not like Bender or CP3O running around doing the operation. It's more a of a delicate and precise remote control, the "robot" isn't doing anything autonomously, it evens out and controls the surgeons movements to make it more precise. In the example I gave above a prostatectomy is done commonly with these "robots", too much rooting around with tools or a sudden slip and your manhood is a shriveled up history (did you guys just pucker up while reading that, I did while writing it ) From what I've seen the VSG is pretty simple, look for videos on Youtube for it, I don't mean that it's so simple that I can do it myself, it's still a highly skilled surgical procedure, it's just tat there doesn't seem to be much involved that really warrants it's delicacy OR expense - and YES there is a premium up-charge on robotic surgery. I have a friend who just had his prostate removed roboticaly and the insurance would NOT pay for the difference over traditional surgery, he had to cough up the difference himself. With the less movements and poking around of the robot I suppose pain would be a bit less and healing a tad quicker. I mean there is certainly no harm in doing it this way, I just really have to question the possible motives for doing it.

Wow, my first thought is WHY? I mean the supposed advantage over traditional lap surgery for other surgeries being done robotically is supposed to be accuracy, like in prostate surgery so as to not damage surrounding nerves. This requirement is just not there for a VSG. It's pretty simple, place the stapler along side the bougied stomach and pull the trigger. I get a nagging feeling that someone just wants to play with his new robot - and possibly help make payment son it. Just MHO though.

Congrats - on BOTH accounts. Yep, when you're ready, just take it easy and no gymnastics.

Yep, been there done that and I'm an old man. My big break down came post-op, I was in a hotel room leaving the next day and just started howling and carrying on, I could not help myself, had a few minor episodes after that but nothing like that one. Talk it over with your loved ones too, it usually helps. remember it's YOUR decision.

Remember noting in nothing out. Especially if you had a longer liquid pre-op diet and perhaps a laxative prior to surgery. Watch it though, everyone responds differently, some go completely the other way and have diarrhea. I personally have had issues all my adult life and have found Chia seeds to be an excellent relief. They might be too much for you right at this point but if things fail to get moving keep them in mind.

For me there was NO real pain, just a lot of bloating and nausea, which took about 2 months to get totally over. I've had ingrown toenails that were MUCH more painful then the VSG. JMHO.

At least wait til you're out of the recovery room Badum-Dump! All kidding aside, just take it slow and remember that there are other positions other than man-on-top and other forms that produce desirable results. And if you're a sweetheart and just not ready perhaps you would satisfyy his needs without a, um, "full monty".

Congrats and the best of luck in your new adventure, keep us informed on your progress.

Just stick with it, you will be craving stuff like crazy and it'll drive you nuts but the effects are worth it. You will shrink your liver and get your colon clean - which you'll appreciate post-op when you won't have to push to go to the bathroom. Best of luck!

Well it dos NOT get any easier as you age - as people like me will attest to. YES, you are pretty young but I'd rather see someone as young as you do this then subject themselves to decades of obesity. Had I known how miserable being fat was for 30+ years I would of JUMPED at the chance to do this at your age. As Ugot2laff points out, you're a big girl now and this is YOUR decision. Weigh all the benefits and risks and make your decision.

Probably a side effect of entering ketosis, you are now burning up the "dirty" fat that your body has so carefully squirreled away for years. It can also make your BO worse too. Besides the strips try a tongue scraper and liquid mouthwash a few times a day. It will stop in a few months after you start adding calories and have lost some weight. It varies with everyone so there is no firm timetable.

I had my last blood test done last April during my annual exam. 2 years in a row mine were very low, 133 total, 64 triglycerides and 53 HDL. My doc actually suggested ADDING some more fat back in my diet. I was in the mid 200's overall and triglycerides pre-op, not bad but not good either.

What JH said above, mine got a LOT better and is now a LOT worse. It is independent of WLS but CAN be affected by surgery or anesthesia, there is no "rule of thumb" or "rule", each person is different.