former_vbg

That's really cool. Your daughter looks great! How did you load the picture?

Great picture, looks like you were really enjoying yourself! Congratulations!

Barrel racing is awesome! Pole bending, keyhole, the whole bit. It's just YOU, THE CLOCK, and your HORSE!!! I got addicted to showing Arabians, but I do miss doing the time events because of the politics of showing judged classes. I can't figure out how to post pictures here on my posts- but would love to see other's pics if they have figured it out! And, if someone can tell me how that would be even better!

That is fabulous NSV and SV!!! :-) What kind of horse did you get? It's so liberating to be out riding isn't it?

My Dr. used a size 30 bougie and I was very happy with this. I'm just past 2 weeks out, but I can't imagine being able to even eat a whole hamburger. Like others have said, discuss your concerns with your Doc, it's your body!

I don't really pay attention to the brand I use. I also pay more attention to the carb content than the calories. I also use so little of it, I don't think it really matters.

She didn't make the news because of her failed Gastric Bypass procedure, but the horrible media sure made a point to put it in their news article. She's about to loose her house to foreclosure. I'm not sure I feel sorry for her financial woes if she was living on borrowed income - but I do feel sorry for her that the press can't seem to leave things like her weight alone. I have to wonder how much her weight re-gain has to do with her lack of generating new income. I know myself how much I withdraw from social activities when my weight increased. I can't even imagine what it would be like as a celebrity and having to face the ridicule by the media and such knowing that her WL procedure didn't work. I think this is a classic example of why people are afraid to tell friends, family and others that they are having surgery. The UNINFORMED people classify all weight loss procedures in one category and focus in on what they want to remember without really knowing the facts. The last thing people going through this need to hear is those who automatic dismiss them that their surgery won't work. Little do they know most people do their homework before they embark on such a life altering decision. http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-2012918/Wilson-Phillips-singer-Carnie-Wilson-fight-foreclosure-Hollywood-home.html?ITO=1490 I do hope Carnie can get back on her feet.

Unfortunately I don't think so. Either 2plus years of 40plus BMI or 35 with 2 or more co-morbidities. I think that stinks because for people that are borderline, it just delays the indevible (sp?).

I had my sleeve using Aetna PPO. If you look at their policy bulletin, that should be your guide. You will need to show 2 or more years of a 40 or higher BMI. If you want to read their bulletin, just go to the Aetna site and type in "Vertical Sleeve policy bulletin" and it will take you to their bulletin. So, if you can get the documentation for when you were 40+ BMI the past 2 years you should be ok.

You already know your daughter is not old enough to realize what she said is hurtful to you, especially at this stage of your journey. I remember when i was about 10 years old and said to a cousin who was very pregnant how fat she was. Another family member did talk to me about saying stuff like that and of course at that age I should have known but at the time it just flew out of my mouth without thought. I remember it to this day in shame. Your daughter won't likely remember that moment- but just do your best to think about how you are improving your health so you will be there for her as she grows up. Even more so, that you will be able to enjoy those events WITH her and not just a bystander. From the looks of your ticker and your post you are doing FABULOUS! Just keep moving forward and do your best to focus on what you know is right for you.

I have experienced the same thing. My surgery was 6/22 I dropped quite a bit the first 2 weeks (29#) and then when I started incorporating similar items, things have stalled out. I even gained 3# and all I'm doing is eating a scrambled egg, a little cottage cheese, apple sauce, and such. I'm hoping my body is just adjusting and things will start moving again. I can't see how I can gain on what little I am eating, much less what I am eating- but from reading other people's posts it seems to be normal.

From when I researched surgeons, he was very highly regarded for his surgical skills. Do you live in Canada? Whether you had the silastic band or mesh matters because most of the time they can remove the silastic band, whereas the mesh can no longer be removed as it is integrated as part of your tissue. Having mesh does make you a higher risk for leaks with this surgery, but if you use a capable surgeon your risks shouldn't be that much higher. My surgeon had that surgical ability, just HORRIBLE bedside manner. My surgeon was going to try and cut through the mesh, but decided against it. Instead he cut narrowly around it which I was completely fine with. Not many surgeons have the skill much less experience with working around the mesh. Many surgeons will not admit that and just try to convince you to get a Gastric Bypass. I was like not only NO, but H -E -L -L NO..... Feel free to PM me if you want to know any other details.

How does the Sleeve compare to the VBG? Well..... most of my stomach was surgically removed is the difference. Did you have the mesh or silastic band? I'm doing fine so far, just be sure you find a surgeon with experience at doing VBG revisions.

It started a little Friday, but I have noticed more so today a piercing pain below my naval button maybe 3 to 4 inches below my naval button. If I sneeze, it is murderous pain. If I hold that area, it's a little better but not much. Lifting my left leg to get in/ out of the car is painful, bending over is also painful. It kind of feels like an open slit that particularly when I bend over or sneeze gets expanded causing more pain. It subsides mostly to non existent if I lay flat. It also feels a little numb in that area. I don't have a temperature, and no other symptoms. I never had this pain until the past couple of days. Just wondering what might be causing this pain now. Anyone ever had this?

Thank you. My gas pain finally went away completely a few days ago.

I'm a female and absolutely no chance of being preggers. LOL Thank you for thinking of that though. I just am not sure if there is anything down there that far that they would be stitching or not.

No, because it just started yesterday. I figured since I'm not exhibiting any other symptoms, it can wait. The other problem is that I had surgery out of state and his office is HORRIBLE about handling these kind of questions. The surgeon's take is basically, "if you are really worried, then go to the ER". I called him after I was released a couple of days after hours due to what turned out to be extreme gas pain (had increased since being discharged) and that was his response. His bedside manners are HORRIBLE.... He and his OR nurse will be in surgery Monday and so I know they won't be able to answer my question on this either. Probably my best bet is to ask my PCP who is handling my post op care. It's just that he may not know if this would be something urgent or not since he didn't do the surgery. Just hoping maybe someone else might have experienced this.

I did the same thing, gaining 15# in a pretty short period of time using the surgery as an excuse that I'll loose it. I have, but I wonder if my number would be lower if I hadn't gained those 15#. Either way, don't beat yourself up- like others have said here- many do the same thing.

I came across this article and thought it was interesting. I'm barely more than 2 weeks out from surgery, so need to do a test like this- but thought I would share for others who want to know what the size of their stomach is who might be further out from surgery. http://www.bsciresourcecenter.com/proddetail.php?prod=A4

I had surgery 6/22 and I've been off FT through today. I work in IT and my work is letting me work 4 hrs / day from home next week, then 6 hrs/day the next week from home and by then I think I should be good back in the office FT from there. It's not so much about being able to do the work, but my incisions still hurt and sitting at a desk for hours on end would be quite painful. I'm quite thrilled because I'm still trying to figure out what mushy foods I can eat. I've never been one to bring my lunch and knowing that will be a requirement going forward for at least awhile, it is going to be a huge adjustment.

Well, I can answer that I had a drain placed immediately from surgery- but I was revised from the VBG to the sleeve not the lap band. Basically, the drain is used to help carry out excess drainage. They left the drain in me for a few days after I was discharged from the hospital. I was nervous about having it removed but it wasn't that bad actually- mostly just uncomfortable. Not sure if that helps.

Question for you guys. I bought a 1/2 gallon of milk last night - first time since I've been home from surgery (day #12 now). I'm single, live alone- and never previously a big milk drinker (well I was as a kid). Anyhow, when I do buy milk I have always bought 2%- can't stand the taste of anything else. When I was comparing labels last night, I noticed very little difference between the non-fat all the way through 2%. At least not enough difference for me to deal with the taste issues. Anybody have any thoughts on this?

LOL, too funny. I haven't been doing any of the Protein shakes- just can't stand any of them and so I was looking to other things to provide protein sources and such. Plus I kind of had a craving for milk for some reason and I'm not typically a big milk drinker.

It sounds like you have gotten some good feedback already, but thought I would add my 2 cents. I'm a pretty tough cookie when it comes to pushing through pain and inconveniences and such. I also happen to love camping and honestly I can't imagine camping right now and having to deal with figuring out how to get what my body needs. It's been challenging enough just being home.

You really need to follow the post-op diet your doctor gave you. Not only will you risk the healing of your staple line, but the last thing you want to do is try to eat around your new stomach (especially so early). If he didn't order you on Clear Liquids, you should strongly consider doing that for at least 4 or 5 days before you introduce any mushy foods. Macarooni shells doesn't really qualify as mushy foods. When you are ready, instead try apple sauce, cottage, Soups, yogurt, etc. Does your docs office have a nutritionist? If so, I would really recommend calling them first thing in the morning.