lsereno

After more than two years post-op and almost three years on this board, I've decided to create a blog. I never made one before because I didn't want the responsibility of keeping up with new entries and dreaming up fresh and exciting content to share. But I've come to recognize that blogs, even when they are abandoned, can provide a permanent link to some great information. So, I'm going to use my blog to answer questions that I see come up over and over in the online VSG community. I'll put each topic in a separate entry so they are easy to link to. A bit about me: I'm a retired techie. I wrote techincal documentation for end-users, administrators, and programmers. I also worked on websites and UI design. After retiring, one of my projects was getting healthy. After years of trying to lose weight including a stint with Weight Watchers in person, Weight Watchers online, hiring a personal trainer, hypnosis, and a brief fling with Alli, I decided to try weight loss surgery. At first, I wanted the band. After learning more about it, I decided on the sleeve. I had VSG through Kaiser Fremont in May 2011. I got to my personal goal in March 2012. I've been staying there since. I hope you find the information I provide useful. Lynda

Wow! I'm proud of you! I may be skinny, but I'm still uncordinated and the boulder scramble would be very intimidating for me! Also, any super steep paths worry me going down, not up. I've slipped a few times over the years, including a nasty break on Angel Island on Labor Day weekend many years ago. They had to haul me off in a boat. So embarrassing! Lynda

You may not want to tell them this, but isn't your life more at risk not having the surgery if you unable to take the weight off? I think this is a good time to explain that life is full of risk and we must always equate what is least risky and that sometimes what seems less risky (not having the surgery, driving instead of flying) is not less risky when the facts are examined. But only you know what is best for your family. Lynda

I also recommend weighing and measuring your food and tracking fluids. I use a whiteboard on the fridge. Just make hashmarks for fluids and notations for Protein. Get in at least 65 grams of protein per day and eight glasses of Water. Cut out treats on most days and stick with low fat protein, non-fat dairy, non-starchy veggies, fruit, and whole grains, in that order. You are only done if you decide you are done. It may be slower, but it will come off. Lynda

So you didn't have heartburn? No symptoms and then the scope showed damage? Lynda

I did have hiatal hernia repair during surgery. It was undiagnosed pre-op. I do eat faster and have since about eight months out, but the only food that really tears me up consistently with the heartburn is the spaghetti sauce (and margaritas). I eat fresh tomatoes and hot sauce without an issue. It's got to be some combination, or maybe cooking down the tomatoes. I cook my sauce for at least a couple of hours. Lynda

For me, I usually pay the price the following day. Ranging from bloated, gas, tummy ache, feeling tired, or even depressed (think its a blood sugar thing). So maybe you are ignoring the crappy feelings the following day? The only thing I've found that makes me really sorry sooner now that I'm further out is super greasy, super acidic, or spaghetti sauce. Lynda

My program only recommends a PPI if you have symptoms or if you are taking any drugs known to cause ulcers, such as ibuprofen. BTW, Butter, live the new photo. Lynda

I think it a combination of things. They aren't used to seeing you at a normal weight. When you first lose, it takes time to settle and your face may be thinner than it will be in a few moths. You may be thinner than they are now. I always smiled ans sais "thanks! I feel great!" Who can ague with feeling great? And if they did, I just didn't reply. Lynda

Use a timer or watch the clock. Try to get at least an ounce every 15 minutes while you are awake. Either Protein shake or other Fluid. I used a shot glass as my glass and a liquid measuring cup as a little pitcher. If Water is hard, try herbal tea or flavored waters. Lynda

At 190 calories for two tablespoons, Peanut Butter is a healthy fat or treat for me, not a good source of Protein. Because of the calories, I really didn't eat it much till I was at goal. Now, I enjoy it on a graham cracker as an after dinner snack if my weight is in goal range and I haven't eaten other fatty foods during the day. I haven't tried the PB2, but it has a much better nutritional profile and many people rave about it. Lynda

Second Laura-Vens opinion. It's crucial to deal with the head issues post-op. Lynds

I still have these fears too. At over two years out and 17 months at goal. But I am happy with my decision and that's the most important thing. I simply could not lose the weight and I was worried it was going to kill me. So for me, having the surgery was the best way to improve my health. Think about what your life will be without the surgery. If you do decide to have the surgery, set yourself up for health success by taking your Vitamins, choosing healthy foods, and adding exercise. And getting you fluids in every day. I still track my fluids using a whiteboard on my fridge door. I have my vitamins in a pill case by my toothbrush. I walk with friends 4 days a week. And I plan my meals to get a balanced diet with around 65 grams of Protein every day. Best wishes, no matter what you decide. Only you know what is best for you. Lynda

Everyone heals differently. Will you be disappointed if you are tired and mostly want to sit in a lounge chair and people watch or read? Will you be sad if you see others eating huge meals and you are eating a few bites of very restricted diet? Do you have a backup plan if you have a complication post-op and have to cancel? If you are comfortable with those things, I would do the surgery first. By 5 or 6 weeks most people can get fluids in without a problem. I would plan on bringing Protein powder or ready to drink shakes and something to treat diarrhea and constipation. I ever was motion sick pre-op, but riding in the car bothered me at first(less room for stomach acid?) so maybe something for motion sickness too. Lynda

One thing to note from the study is that at one year, average EWL was 61% and at five years it was 57%. Turn that into pounds so it's easier to see that if I wanted to lose 100 lbs. on average I lose 61 lbs by the end of the first year and when rechecked at the end of five years, I have regained 4 lbs. So for me, the more telling statistic is that EWL is around 60% on average. And it's best to get there in the first year because as the years go by, it's more likely to gain a little back. Key word is a little, on average. Now that takes the people who get to 100% EWL and those who gain everything back and averages them. And of course we are not average here, we're all hanging around because we want to do better. At least that's why I'm still here. I don't want to go off, get complacent, quit weighing, and wake up morbidly obese again. Lynda

Yes! I finally found the chart my doc showed me last fall that shows that it is healhier to have an overweight BMI and excercise than it is to have a normal BMI and not exercise. Here;'s the article: http://www.plosmedic...6ECA89EC79653DD

I don't think the results are much different than this study: http://img2.timg.co.il/forums/1_151963966.pdf The abstract for the article,http://www.soard.org/article/S1550-7289(13)00228-1/abstract, states: LSG was effective 5.9 years postoperatively with an excessive BMI loss of almost 60% and a considerable improvement or even remission of co-morbidities. This study doesn't show much regain later either, EWL was 61% at 1 year and 57% at five years. I know we all want 100% EWL, but the fact is some people are not going to get there. We improve our chances by hanging here and staying accountable. Lynda Lynda

Yes. I am fine with everyone replying. Just this week I had a member PM me with some helpful info on how to mitigate side effects of Calcium supplements because they couldn't reply to my post in the vets forum. Lynda