PdxMan

Well, then, since you work in the business, then you know WLS procedures are merely tools to help us with our decisions. Just because you had the 6" sub doesn't mean you have to eat the entire thing. You don't have to eat until you are "full". Next time, just try eating half of it and evaluate how you feel. If you are still hungry, stop and question what it is you are feeling? Why do you feel you need to eat the other half? That is what I have to do to truly understand how I have abused food in the past. Seldom did I eat because I was actually hungry. I was either bored, rewarding/punishing myself or eating out of habit. "It's 6:00 so I have to eat dinner now." I've stopped doing that and for the most part, I eat when my body says it is nutritionally deficient. It hasn't been easy, but it was part of the work I needed to do on me.

Get walking, stair stepper, elliptical, lunges, squats (though they can be tough on the knees) It looks like you are less than a month from surgery ... correct? Oh, just wait, honey. You'll be losing from all places, soon. Don't worry. Lol!!

Congrats and your weight loss and on making the decision to give yourself a great Christmas gift! You look great!

Well, you are over 18 now. I felt no obligation to tell anyone. I told my wife and my sisters-in-law as they were watching my children as I traveled for this procedure to Las Vegas. A couple days before surgery, I told my Mother. That was it. I felt it was nobody's business as to the decisions I make as it relates to my body. I did this because I did tell one other person. A neighbor, who then went on and on asking why I couldn't do it on my own, why I was looking for the easy way out, I wasn't fat enough for WLS ... on and on. I decided she didn't need to know the details of my personal battle with my weight and neither does anyone else. After I got to goal, I did start telling a few people who asked that I had a VSG because I figured they wouldn't be able to criticize since it obviously worked for me. Plus, at that time, I was so much more informed about the whole process and what it meant to me, I could better answer any comments they had. Do what you feel is right in your heart. Trust in yourself. You will find the answer that is right for you.

This is a tough one for a couple reasons. So, first off, please don't read my tone wrong. This comes from a place in my heart where I trying to help. I just don't have the literary skills to express myself and not come off like an a-hole, so ... here goes. When I started reading your post, I was like, "Woa! Why would you even TRY to eat a 6 inch sub let alone add chips into the mix?" I'm over two and half years out and like MonteGirl, I can only eat about half of a 6" tuna sub and I am stuffed. It goes back to the whole thing of just because we CAN eat something doesn't mean we SHOULD. Are you eating slowly taking time in between each bites? When I eat now, I always put my utensil down after each bite and assess how the last bite went. In the case of Subway, I put the sub down, chew about 40 times and wait a few minutes before grabbing the next bite. I might have one or two Cheetos from my kid's bag. I will eat the rest of the sub later. But then, I continued to read and saw that you are training for a half marathon. Well, two years ago I also was running and exercising a lot. I put in no less than 35 miles per week and was running at a fairly decent pace around 8 minute miles training and 7 minute miles for races. When I was in this mode, I could eat a lot more than can now. I attribute that to my body just being able process food far more efficiently. I didn't worry about the quantity or the amount of calories I was consuming because I knew I was training hard and my body needed it to be able to maintain the level of energy I was expending. So, I guess the bottom line is only you can tell whether this is working for you. I don't know the level of training you are doing. I don't know if when you get halfway through that sub, does your body give you a signal that you are full and you are ignoring it because, out of habit, you finish the food in front of you. I know this can be a problem for me sometime where I eat out of habit, not out of hunger. Do you know what your "full" signal is? Do you stop "before" you get full? Why do you eat all of the 6" sub AND the bag of chips?

Welcome to BariatricPal. This is a great forum to research and ask any questions you may have regarding WLS procedures. The search functionality it great to put in search terms you need more info on or are just curious about. There are several sub-forums you have already seen, so go explore and check it out. Welcome again.

Figured out how to merge the threads. I was in Siesta Key a few years ago. That beach is just bizarre. Highly recommend a visit to anyone. Your lucky you got that poison ivy just on your arms!

Having a bad day? Where did I cast judgement? You must be judging yourself and feeling guilty because at no time did judge anyone. Yes, I judged a potato as not having the bang for it's real estate buck, but that's it. I was talking to the OP. They asked me what I thought about mashed potatoes. I gave my opinion. Check yourself. Of course, always follow your medical team's suggestion. If you have a list of suggested foods and are following it, then I'd say you are good to go.

Mashed potatoes ... what is the point? Eating SOMETHING for the sake of eating SOMETHING? I mean, come on ... those things are nutritionally irrelevant for the amount of real estate they take up for a young sleever. No Protein. Amount Per 0.5 cup, diced (75 g)100 grams1 Potato small (1-3/4" to 2-1/2" dia) (170 g)1 Potato medium (2-1/4" to 3-1/4" dia) (213 g)1 Potato large (3" to 4-1/4" dia) (369 g)1 Potato medium (2-1/4" to 3-1/4" dia) (213 g) Calories 163 % Daily Value* Total Fat 0.2 g 0% Saturated fat 0.1 g 0% Polyunsaturated fat 0.1 g Monounsaturated fat 0 g Cholesterol 0 mg 0% Sodium 13 mg 0% Potassium 897 mg 25% Total Carbohydrate 37 g 12% Dietary fiber 4.7 g 18% Sugar 1.7 g Protein 4.3 g 8% Vitamin A 0% Vitamin C 70% Calcium 2% Iron 9% Vitamin D 0% Vitamin B-6 30% Vitamin B-12 0% Magnesium 12% Who here can eat a whole potato? Grab a piece of ham or turkey. Spread a little cream cheese on it. Got Soup? Turkey chili with veggies in it and you can puree it to whatever consistency you need. Got tuna? Put a little ranch in there and put it on a piece of sharp cheddar. It is a huge learning curve, for sure. For me, I had to remember that what I had been doing for the past 40+ years was wrong and I needed to change it. Things only change when you change them.

Sorry but that last statement is not true...You can die as a result of this surgery. The complications can lead to death...I know I almost died. My surgeon was very clear before he did this procedure that I knew there was a small chance that I could die...I almost did!!!! The fact is though that only a small percentage do die....Every surgery is a risk.....even having your teeth removed...There are numbers out there to support it... Some day I will tell my story in print so that I may help educate people about what can happen... But I have no regrets. I see this surgery as a miracle that gave me back my life although a year + out I am still struggling with the complications of WLS... I think you miss understood my last very last point, my dr said I would not die, not the rest of the population , just a conversation pertaining to me; however he did make it well know. That I could die from complications after the surgery for the first 8 weeks! My statement wasn't untrue , not at all! He was talking to me, but I picked amazing drs that are confident an do not do any procedures unless they feel the outcome will be a success! That being said, any procedure can become fatal! Knowing 49 people that have died from wls is insane to all of us! Point is, the lady is a crack pipe! Sorry, I have to agree with RJ here. For your Dr to say that you will not die from ANY surgery is ridiculous and irresponsible. If my Dr were to say that to me, then I would love to see his reaction when I refused to sign the consent forms releasing him and the hospital if "anything should happen". There was an article in CNN today about someone who they are ready to pull the plug on after having a routine tonsillectomy. I recall a fire fighter who died from having surgery on his wrist a few years ago. People do die from routine procedures all the time. For the doctor to say you will not die from this surgery is just plain wrong. And I am talking about you, not the population as a whole. Your statement wasn't untrue ... we believe your doctor told you this. We just believe it is untrue that it is possible to guarantee a person will wake up from ANY surgery, not just VSG. And I don't know if the blogger is a crack pipe, but I will put her in the bucket of a crack pot, anyday. (I know, auto-correct makes me crazy, too) http://www.cnn.com/2013/12/19/health/routine-surgery-complications/index.html?hpt=hp_t3

If you are throwing them back up, then you may also take a look at some other things. How well are you chewing? Are you taking smaller bites? Are you putting your utensil down after you take your bite? Do you evaluate how that last bite felt before taking another? You can't eat the same way you did before and that is a difficult aspect to modify. Doing this will help with reintroduction of foods.

Mine was discovered during surgery as I had no scope prior to surgery. Like Arts said, added minimal time to surgery. Non issue. I also haven't had any issues with reflux. That was a big issue for me pre-surgery.

Uhhh ... no its not: http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/bougie?s=t The 34Fr or 34F part is the unit of measure, meaning 32 french, which is the unit of measure.

Have you contacted your medical team? They are going to be your first, best spot for advice as they know your medical history and what your recent blood work looked like. That would be my first advice. Are you meeting your liquid intake goals they set for you? How about Protein? What is your caloric intake? To prevent dehydration and ending up in the ER, you need to be getting those liquids in. If Water isn't working for you, get some Gatorade or the like. Try different temperatures. Have a bottle with you all through the day. Set a timer on your phone for 15 minute intervals to help remind you. Find ways to ensure you are getting your liquid in. Diarrhea is common post op as your body has no solids to process. This can suddenly change to constipation, so be wary of this. Contact your medical team and follow their advice.

I love the Trader Joes Turkey Jerky. Any flavor.

I don't know what it is about eggs. Must be the high Protein or something, but I was the same way. A lot of folks can handle them fine, but like you, I could not. I can eat them now, but they still do not satiate me the way they used to. I think in part because I loved me some bread, hash browns, sausage and bacon with them, too. Today, I could have about two bites of each, one if I include the toast. This is a whole new process for you. Experiment with foods and find what you can tolerate. Don't push the reintroduction of foods too hard. Their day will come.

Indeed. Getting your liquids in should be your first priority, then your protein, then calories. You can end up in the ER with an IV bag due to dehydration, but being short on protein isn't going to lay you out. I know early out I felt like all I did was sip and eat, sip and eat. Made me crazy. I was dying for anything with texture. But, this too shall pass. Just keep sipping and eating. You'll be fine.

Also know that Protein is more difficult to process. Now, I know it is a liquid, but we're talking about 30 grams of protein here. Heck. I just finished off a chocolate Premier Protein shake myself not 45 minutes ago. I am quite full. From a shake! They are filling, make no doubt about it. More filling than any other shake I have tried. If liquids were liquids, then it is easy to think it should feel just like drinking a glass of Water or Gatorade, but anybody who has had a Premier Protein shake can tell you, they are very filling.

I hear you, Roo. Personally, I think a lot of those test pre-op are completely unnecessary. Myself, I did not have a scope at all. When I asked my surgeon about it, he said he would be looking at everything when the procedure started. If there was something extraordinary, he would stop, but he has done so many of these procedures, there really wasn't anything he couldn't deal with. He was going to get a better, more complete analysis with all the tools the procedure provided anyhow. I also didn't have a leak test post, which, after his explanation made a lot of sense. The tissue is so swollen anyhow post surgery, it wouldn't reveal a leak if there was one. Having a leak test post op come back negative was no assurance that a leak would not develop, so why even do one? Made sense to me. I was self pay, so of course, my surgeon is looking to keep costs down, but when the insurance IS involved, just the opposite can occur. Somebody else is footing the bill, so LET'S ORDER EVERY TEST UNDER THE SUN! At the end of the day, we have to research our surgeon and the procedure ourselves. Have done that, we then need to believe they are going to give us the best care, but of course, questioning anything that doesn't seem right. Everything you have described about your friend doesn't seem too far out of the ordinary which you will see as you continue to read similar threads on this site. Good luck to you and your friend!

Are you starting each meal with Protein? I know for me, it makes a huge difference. Early out, I also avoided the starchy carbs as I have found they are a trigger for cravings, which can easily be misinterpreted as hunger. I wrote a reply on another thread recently where I reflect on eating out of habit rather than being hungry. When I come home from work, I usually have a snack. cheese on a cracker or something like that. But the other day when I came home late because of the office holiday party, I did the same thing. Went to the cupboard to grab the crackers, but the thing was, I wasn't truly hungry. I had just eaten turkey and ham at the party and was quite full still, but out of habit, I went and grabbed something to eat. So, this is something that I have to be constantly vigilant of. I am eating because I am truly hungry or am I eating for another reason? I am my own worst enemy. When I do the right things, though, like eating my lean protein, it is easier for me to put down whatever else I am wanting to put in my mouth.

Not to be curt, but it happened because you just had 85% of your stomach removed. For a few more weeks, your stomach is going to still be swollen from the surgery. Just imagine what things look like in there now. It is not the cavernous entity it once was. With it being swollen, there are going to be pockets of air (gurgles) all over and as you and it moves, these are going to move. Yes, for a while it is going to be a bit uncomfortable. Let's not forget what we just went through. 85% of your stomach ... gone. The uncomfortable issues do pass, but I am almost 2 and half years out and my wife is still amused by all the noises my stomach makes. Small price to pay.

Have you been to Eggface's site? http://theworldaccordingtoeggface.blogspot.com/

Well, this could be a lot of things. Of course, my first piece of advice would be to contact your medical team. If for nothing else, keep them abreast of how you are and any issues you are having. They know your medical history while we don't. Are you able to get your liquids in? How about eating? What are you eating? How many calories are you getting in each day? If you aren't meeting your Dr's quotas on these, this would be where I would start focusing.

Oh no, I am not implying that at all. I love your shares. I'm talking about myself.

Indeed such deep thoughts. So, you know puberty? I have a daughter embarking on this journey right now, so I am learning that I know nothing. Isn't it amazing how, in our children's eyes, the older we get, the dumber we are. I suppose, to a point, that is true. But anyhew, the topic. Like most things in life, there is no finish line. It is about the journey. Just when I think I have something under control, if I leave myself teachable, I learn something else. I think that is the key for me right there. Being teachable. If I believe like I "Got this", then I lose my ability to learn something else. Worse yet, I begin to tell everybody else how to do it, no matter what it is, which takes me and my ego down a dark path. So, I try to enjoy the journey and leave myself open to being teachable.