Motherofskye

Would like to hear from any other motorcycle riders, pre or post op. My VSG surgery is scheduled for Oct 21. I will be sad to be off the bike for any length of time, but I will be sure to watch the races (MotoGP) while at home!

Hi y'all, I've searched and searched in the forum, but I didn't see anything to address this yet: I am 3 and a half weeks post op, I've been healing great, and sticking very close to the prescribed diet, no fancy "experimentations" or anything. I get all my pills, use Protein drinks and get my fluids. After surgery,I was two days Clear liquids, then on to cream Soups and puddings, which I did very well with. I did my follow up appt, and the doc said I could move to mushies, but the transition to anything with more substance than a cream Soup is challenging! I assumed it would be, I'm just wondering how long it lasted for you all, and if I should pull back and take it easier or challenge myself and just kind of get on with it. What I am talking about is this: If I eat a very mushy poached egg, or super mushed chicken from the magic bullet, and of course, chew like hell, and strain it through my teeth and all, the first bite goes down, and there is pain. Like getting stuck or filling the stomach or something. Obviously I cant eat very much more. One poached egg or quarter cup of chicken salad (with low fat mayo) is it, but then I just have to sit there any wait for the pain to subside, which takes like 20 minutes. I try to get up and stretch, swing my arms around, hang upside down, sit, lie, walk, bounce, nothing helps but sitting up and waiting. I get sick of feeling the pain, going through the process of eating and then dealing with the pain, and it makes me not want to eat at all, or just revert to the soups, which I can eat a whole can of, no problem. I have just gone back to soups for the rest of the day, because I don't want to deal with it. It's not a burning, and I've never felt a burning, I've never taken any antacids, because I've always had a stomach of Iron, can eat anything, never had heartburn. This is more of a "just feels like someone's thumb is in there." sort of pain. Instantly upon taking first bite, and thereafter. Would love to hear your experiences with this, usually I wait an hour, have a cup of tea, and then I'm fine. But wow. Might as well just punch myself in the face every time I think of eating! Am I trying to move to fast? Or is this the process of re-training the stomach? Thanks!

Just an update, I am almost six months post sleeve now. Just came back from a long motorcycle tour from San Francisco to Phoenix, AZ and back. Long trip!~ My observations are that all my riding overpants/ riding jeans (made with kevlar, with the armor in the knees) are WAAAYYY too big! Time to buy new gear! Fortunately, it was pretty cold and rainy, so I was able to layer all my oversized clothing, and wore two to three pairs of pants to keep me warm. I was only able to because they were so big! Also, yes, not so much padding on the old butt these days, so there was some soreness, not unusal after 2000 miles! I probably was only cold in the first place because I've lost lots of my "natural insulation!" Had a great time, look great in all the pictures, even with 3 pairs of pants on, and heavy jackets. Here is a pic of me at the Grand Canyon. Life is good.... Also, there was some discrepancy with the way meals were handled. The people I was with would eat a big meal in the morning, ride all day, perhaps stop for a big lunch, and get a big dinner. I would eat what I could fit in the morning, then have to snack at gas stops- cheese sticks, beef Jerky, nuts, whatever. It all worked out, though, and no problems with indigestion or anything... It was a learning experience! How are you guys all doing??

I was on my sport bike 3 weeks after surgery, with no problems. The seat on my bike seemed harder, and bigger, though!

Ha! Went out to breaksfast with the husband today and tried this.... ordered two poached eggs. Took a bite, chewed, waited a minute or two, ate more.... and that did it! Made it through Breakfast, without pain, even had a piece of toast, and it was fine! Eating slowly and small bites is going to take some getting used to, for sure. I never realized I was such a quick eater, or that I took such big bites. Sounds silly, but it's a revelation, what can I say.... a minute or two between bites. Yes, that will take getting used to. At least I won't finish before everyone else at the table anymore! Thanks for the advice and good luck to you!

Seriously! Same problem here, my husband will eat a BIG chocolate bar all dipped in Peanut Butter, cheetos, Popcorn drowning in butter.. brownies, Cookies, I don't think I've seen him eat a meat, vegetable or fruit in the evening ever. Fortunately chocolate was never my main thing... now the buffalo wings, well........I might try and peel them and stuff them in the magic bullet!!!

I think it varies, but my doctor told me to take two weeks. Which I couldn't, but I have a desk job, so I managed after 10 days ok. I would say take two weeks at least. More if you can. I was feeling right as rain by week 3, but then there is the whole getting back on solid or mushy food thing that follows...Im sure others will chime in with their experience. always good to have a backup plan in case you need to stay out longer, too, of course... sleeved 10/21/10

Hey y'all, I think I figured it out. Combination of swallowing air, and... who knew? FEELING FULL. OOOOOHhhh! So thats the pain of being over full! Duh. Need to take smaller, and less air-filled, bites. That seems to be working so far!!!

Good luck! Yes, keep us posted!

Hi everyone! I'm 3 weeks post op, and I'm doing GREAT! My only large complaint is one sharp pain to the left of my navel. The nearest incision is about 3-5 inches above where the pain is, but I'm guessing that's where some nerve was cut and it's affecting the area below. The pain seems to be gravity related, where I don't get it lying on my back, or mostly when sitting up or back, but leaning forward or rolling to either side in bed starts the pain. I asked my doctor about it. He said the incision closest to there was the biggest, and as such, there is a stitch (or stitches?) deep inside there that he used to shut the hole. It feels like I can feel that stitch tugging. Im assuming that this will go on until the nerves rearrange themselves, a month or two? Its weird in that the SKIN in that area can be super painful, just to brush against the skin can be painful, but in the same area, there are Patches of skin that are numb, and I don't feel anything there. That's my clue that there is some nerve damage. It's got to be. Anyway, just wanted to say that I read the thread on wearing wraps and body shapers, and I was inspired to dig through my closet. I found a pair of spanx that I forgot I bought! From above the knee to just under the bust, it feels really good to wear them, to "hold my guts in", and cover the incisions, and it does help defy gravity from pulling on my "stitch" or whatever that pain is. All my other incisions are great, and the scars are healing up great. Be glad for any thoughts on this pain, or to see what any one else did about it, if they had it.... Thanks!

I think for some people it can be that easy, but I also think some people are genetically disposed to have a "programmed" weight, and at least for the short term, will stay there no matter how few calories...this would explain the plateaus.... Also, I think you can short circuit the calories in/ calories out theory by repetative big weight losses and gains, that your body "fights back". I could be completely wrong, I'm just theorizing from personal experience... seems like each time I started another big weight loss plan, it was harder and harder. Maybe it was just psychologically, but there has to be a physiological component to it. And yes, twinkies...ew. I could not eat just twinkies for two months. I'd be so sick of them by day 2!

I read Sharon Osbournes book/ autobiography, and she tells quite plainly how she got the lap band. She also talks about how many plastic surgeries she had afterwards, whole body lift, cheek implants, everything. So I wouldn't be surprised if she had Kelly go for the lap band as well, or something similar. If I discovered this surgery at a late age and thought it could help my daughter avoid a lifetime of the same, I would get it for her! Not sure about Wynona Judd, but she was doing commercials for that fat liquifying stuff, "alli". But yes, who knows?

Oh! See, he didn't tell me the stitches were going to dissolve! That makes sense, and glad to know I will wake up one day and it will be gone! Thank you so much!

I mixed a banana with my Protein shake in the bullet, had the sugar free puddings, applesauce, new england clam chowder (gotta strain it), the Jello, whipped cream, and cups and cups of decaf chai tea with milk and splenda...I also tried thai coconut Soup, it was great...I also tried poached or soft boiled eggs, just the yolk....did ok. I didn't try hummous, but I should have.... Sleeved 10/21/10 Kaiser, south san francisco

YES! I just had to brush twice about an hour ago!!! Once with toothpaste, and once with baking soda! To get some abrasion on there~! Guess i should go see the dentist for a cleaning soon, anyway, but yeah, too much dairy and pseudo-dairy at this stage! Sleeved 10/21/10 Dr. Robert Li Kaiser South San Francisco

Wait a minute- you are already sleeved, and you didn't tell your family? Interesting.... I told everyone I could think of except the people at one of my jobs who are mean and gossipy. Where is the shame in wanting to be healthy for the rest of your life? I am a week post-op today, and while I was fairly healthy and strong when I got it done ( no diabetes or other things), still, I was hoping it wouldn't top childbirth pain and being out of action wise, and for me, it didn't. Total aggravation, about the same. For me, anyway. Please don't ever feel guilt for doing something solely for yourself. As women, we give to everyone and take care of everyone but ourselves, and then feel quilty when we do something for ourselves. Doing something healthy for ourselves helps us to be there for those we love. This surgery helps us live longer, healthier, happier lives with, and for, those we love. My husband was actually VERY scared for me to have this surgery. He was afraid I might die. The only thing that helped him get over that was meeting someone else who had it done, talking to doctors where he works about the proceedure, and learning more about it. Information is key. The more you talk it up, about what you learn about it, the less people will worry. I just would slip a little fact in here and there every night as I learned them by reading this forums every night to my husband, and he got used to the idea. If you've already been sleeved, then it's totally your choice to tell people what you've done or not. It's a personal choice, only you can decide...Good luck!~

if you want higher fashion, then the magazines are Esquire, and GQ. Also, if I were you, I think I would start by looking in the sunday paper ads- Even JCPenney or Sears or whatever, maybe Macys,and see what they have on the models in there- or just go to their websites.....we are going into the holidays, but there should still be lots of "Fall Season" ideas in there of what folks are wearing. Depending where you live, and what your job/social life, there are a few things you cant go wrong with: nice dark jeans that fit really well and reach the floor ( I am tall as well, very hard to find ) white short sleeve unershirt under a lightweight v neck sweater of any color that suits you, but IS NOT BAGGY- not skin tight or stretched, but fits just right (you can throw a blazer or jacket over as well...) probably a pair of courderoy pants -they usually have pleated front.... what else? a couple of long sleeve button up shirts over the white undershirt as well , some rugby long sleeves.... Again, go to the mall and check out what they put together on the window displays. In general, i would say, for all us women AND you men, that as you become closer to a popular sizes, just go for stuff that fits well, IS NOT BAGGY (hard to imagine for most of us), and is not tight- but just fits perfectly. Dont be afraid to spend more for the right length or cut, its worth it to really highlight the fruits of all your hard labor! If you are on a budget, i have found the odd one or two nice things at Ross or Nordstrom rack or other outlets, you could try that, but be prepared to hunt!

Oooh, there is no way I'm getting on my sport bike two weeks after surgery. Although, most of the stress would be on my wrists.. But still! Leaning forward?!? Not sure. Maybe going slow... I will let you know! Start weight 281 Goal 180 Kaiser Daly City/South City Dr. Robert A. Lee

Oh yeah! We are getting really close! Go us! Good luck to you sistah, and yes, you must ride later.... it will help if we actually fit into the protective gear!

Still four days to go, see that you should be home by now, how did it go? Keep us updated!! You'll be in those chaps in no time...

Remember that using the measuring tape is better than using the scale. You will see movement. Concentrate on healing, not losing weight right now....