sirensiren

I was told that during my entire journey. In our society, it's OK to harp on people for being "thin", but it's not OK to get on someone's case for being overweight (think about it, if someone at work said "you're losing weight, stop it!" vs. someone saying "you're gaining weight, stop it!", the ladder would not be met well at all!). Sure- you may not be as big as some people, but if you are still significantly overweight, you are still at risk for far more health problems than someone at an ideal weight, and achieving an ideal weight is not going to be any easier with age and the natural slowing of metabolism that comes with it.

I started with personal trainers 8 weeks out and abs were no issue. I think everyone is a little bit different, healing time depends greatly on varied factors like age and other health conditions. I'm sure the strength of your abdomen in general plays a factor too.

Glucomannan is an especially effective Fiber for making the ("normal") stomach feel full, so I am wondering.. is it safe to use fiber to induce some fullness after VSG? Though this may arise controversy because I am in fact talking about synthesizing fullness in an already reduced stomach, I'll tell you from experience glucomannan merely helped a bit with satiety when I had a "normal" sized stomach, if at all. I wonder if there are safety issues anyone is aware of from taking fiber after your stomach has virtually healed? I notice my stomach seems to have a greater and greater capacity every day, and though I absolutely recognize that it is no where near where it was before surgery, I know that now I can go out to eat with friends without it being evident I am eating less (I am at month 7), and I can get through about 8-10 ounces of food in a sitting. I'm getting 1500-1700 calories a day now, and I tend to get hungry frequently. I fight this urge, but sometimes it's hard, and I think perhaps this fiber supplement may help a bit. Anyone else have experiences with fiber? Good and bad?

Thanks! I have taken typical fiber before, but when it comes to a fiber that is known for expanding in the stomach I'm not quite sure- fiber is even recommended to me by my doctor to help digestion. I find that perhaps drier foods (go figure) tend to be easy to eat a lot of, moist foods (cooked veggies, fruit) are not only healthier but they seem to fill me up better. I get about 80 ounces of Water a day, I also do about 20 ounces of juice (green juice I make myself) too.

Jack3d contains DMAA, a stimulant some liken to a gentler ephedrine. I got some off Amazon out of curiosity, but just find it to be mildly uplifting- I prefer ephedrine for work outs myself. DMAA is derived from geranium but it can be pretty potent stuff for some.

I've lost roughly 50 lbs over this past 5 months after surgery (yay!) and I've noticed a small to moderate amount of loose skin. My question is, does this ever just improve on it's own? In theory, I shouldn't be a "loose skin person"- I'm in my 20's, I have a personal trainer, I run, I have a diet almost entirely of veggies and protein now, and I'm decent about getting water in. Did things ever just snap back into place for anyone? I know for certain the loose skin on my formerly DD breasts is not going to retract- that I am certainly going to see my cosmetic surgeon about. I'd rather not have to resort to surgery for my abdominal skin, I am hoping that perhaps time will allow my skin to find it's way back home!

I am hoping that eventually the stomach stabilizes and stops seemingly allowing more and more room...I hope that is at the 1 year or less mark for me! I just had 2 eggs and a little wedge of a granola bar. When I read other peoples restriction, it seems like more- but I think a lot of people feel that way. I started at a BMI of 31 (5'2" 168) and I am now 120 lbs! I am quite happy with that, but I work out a lot, I do not eat sugar, I always start with Protein etc. I realize I have nothing to complain about! I am simply curious as to how much "bigger" my stomach will ultimately get and what it will accommodate.

You can stretch out your sleeve back to your old capacity by eating too much or drinking Water too soon after eating- myth? I am 4 months out, and I notice my capacity grows and grows. I do get fearful that perhaps I am stretching it out, but many think stretching is virtually impossible. I have heard many people claim that drinking water with or too close to a meal stretches out your sleeve. Really? If so, I am doomed. I merely avoid water during meals, 5 minutes later or so, I can sip a bit- and do! Insight?

These are some great replies! THANK YOU! I fear that my habit of drinking Water around my meals was somehow hazardous. I am actually doing great in terms of weight loss, but I notice I can eat more and more and more..and that scares me. I do not want additional surgery in a few years due to stretching!

My close friend recently went to Dr. Garcia after I recommended Dr. Kelly (my surgeon), but she received a call from A Lighter Me that they would have to move her to Dr. Garcia or give her deposit back- she chose Dr. Garcia. She was quite happy with the whole experience- until she had massive drain pains at home, signs of pneumonia (turned out to be OK, thank God!), but she spent DAYS not being able to get ahold of Dr. Garcia. Sandy, or anyone at A Lighter Me. This is NOT alright- these were symptoms of something serious. Even now, Dr. Kelly responds to my e-mails and questions within 30 minutes to 2 hours after I write them. When I had a concern after surgery (a simple medication allergy) he called my within 20 minutes (on a Sunday!) and spoke to me at length about how to go off the medication and what to pick up at Rite Aid here in the states. He sent me an e-mail to follow-up that night as well. I don't think there is a perfect choice of surgeon, but I am much happier with the way Dr. Kelly personally handled my care vs. what my good friend experienced with ALM and Dr. Garcia. I too went through ALM, but my experience was quite professional- I was confident in recommending them to her. I am just glad she is OK, but her incisions are less neat than mine, and one is sewn in a way that will not allow it to lie flat after healing. I can only recommend Dr. Kelly based on my own individual experience- it's rare to hear anyone on this board truly regret going to one of the popular surgeons in Mexico. Most of them are actually very experience, and thrive on the recommendations and raves of patients like us.

I adore cheese! I think another thing we lose perspective of, is how small our capacity for food is compared to the way it was. cheese used to be a huge sin, because (if you're like me) you could eat a ton of it. Yesterday, I felt like a pig because I got through an entire slice of French toast and 2 pieces of turkey bacon- then I realized, I used to be able to eat 5x that! It's much better for you to fill up on a higher Protein, lower fat cheese- but in reality your body needs fat too, and it's doubtful you're getting too much fat (or too much anything!).

Though the sleeve is reported to eliminate 40-60% of your "excess" weight, I consider my goal to be "healthy" range BMI, which I am now. I have a trainer 2x a week and run 4-5x a week each morning. Personal goals are so personal, however! I believe that though a surgery may give you statistical expectations, you should make your own goals personal and about you. At the same time- be realistic. As someone who has been overweight since they were 12, I am ecstatic to be at a healthy BMI for once, and I strive for perfection, but I know in reality I do not have the genetics to look like a fitness model (plus 6 pack abs scare my husband LOL). I'd just be realistic about it, and perhaps consult a trainer and a nutritionist about what your expectations should be. For example: people who are at a very high BMI, they tend to lose a lot of pounds compared to lower BMI patients after VSG, especially in the beginning- some times people with lower BMI get discouraged, but in reality they are likely losing at similar rates percentage wise. (This is a generalization, some high BMI patients are slow losers too). I find a good way to figure out how much weight people lose and what some of the struggles are is to peruse this website and check out various threads on the topic.

When was your surgery? I would ask the staff at the hospital- they would know if something was alarming.

Yesterday I went to the LA Free Clinic for my hypothyroidism (MAN, free clinics suck- I had children coughing on me for 3+ hours in a hot waiting room to see the doctor WITH an appointment!). The doctor was immediately concerned about my VSG (performed in November) and wants me to come back for an EKG, bloodwork, liver function, and all sorts of other stuff. Necessary? I've lost 40 lbs in under 4 months. I ask, because I feel like it's fair routine with everyone to get back to their day to day lives (assuming nothing alarming comes up), after they recover. What kind of follow-up care did you have? What seemed necessary to you? I feel great, I have more energy than I've ever had- the adjustment to the lower calories has resulted in a few dizzy spells which have lessened with time. I want to be safe, but I have a month ahead of me in which I spend my one day off a week sitting in this clinic, waiting to be seen in a closed room with sick people, screaming babies, and other such things you'd imagine at the free clinic. (Unfortunately, I cannot afford to go to a pay clinic- I know all the cheap ones and they are still expensive). What are your thoughts?

My surgery in Novemver with Dr. Kelly went great, I was happy with the service of A Lighter Me as well- sorry to hear that some people didn't have as smooth of a trip due to their coordinators making promises they cannot keep. If you're concerned that dr. Kelly is not qualified in the US (which has similar standards and training to Mexico) you can look up and verify this information fairly quickly. I did confirmed his work in the united states as a trauma surgeon, I do not beleive he is qualified in the USA as a bariactric surgeon. He can certainly still come to the USA and lecture on bariactrics or be involved with a practice. It seems like there are some concerns with the circumstances around his complications in recent months- DO YOUR RESEARCH. Beyond investigating posts on here, call the hospitals he has worked at. Contact people with nothing to gain or lose whether you get surgery with him or not. Certainly, whether a surgeon is a good choice or not can change over time due to all sorts of circumstances or findings, but if a bunch of recent patients are genuinely coming forth to profess their support and admiration of his work- he's probably not morphed into some malpractice monster doctor wielding a crusty scalpel it's not impossible there aren't real issues that have come up, but genuine safety issues are usually easily verified or discredited with a few short phone calls to a medical facility, or though looking up public information provided by medical boards and government agencies.

Glad to hear your experience has been great, dr. Kelly sleeved me in November!

I've been doing great, and eating Protein for me is fun (I love eggs, lower fat cheese, fish etc.)- I enjoy veggies, but find I run out of room and I'm virtually done. My personal trainer (we do moderate intensity kick boxing and weights 2x a week) is a huge advocate of getting a juicer for all his clients. He is especially interested in me getting one, because my food intake is low. When he talked to me about my surgery, and how many calories I likely get a day, his response to be answer "maybe 1000-1200 a day" was a 8O face and the explanation of "when we get advanced with you, you can burn up t 900 calories in a workout, how are we going to get your calories up a bit? I'd really like to see you get a juicer!" (No, he does not personally sell juicers, he truly believes in juicing) Calories up?! Wasn't the point of VSG to keep my calories low?? Pre-VSG, I've avoided juice-I was told that juice is simply the veggie/fruit minus the Fiber, and therefore contained more sugar and could lead to weight gain. But...obviously, I have an easier time taking in liquids than solids. How does everyone else feel on the juice topic?

SMkeller has been passionate about putting down Mexican surgeons on this site in many threads- I recall a few on the topic, including one where he said he would not go to any Mexican surgeon. The reality is, I had surgery with Dr. Kelly 3 months ago, and as someone who works in high end hospitals in Beverly Hills all the time, I can tell you there was nothing "low end" or cut rate about florence Hospital/Oasis of Hope, the care I received was amazing from the nurses and staff that came to check on me. It's not a fancy place with super state of the art machinery, but they are right next to the beach and have better equipment than plenty of places I've been to in the USA (and yes, I know what I'm looking at when I see medical equipment). I had a great experience in Mexico, I was happy with Sandy and Linda at A Lighter Me, and I loved the Lucerna Hotel which they put me up in. As much as I loved my experience with Dr. Kelly, I know ALM has severed ties with Dr. Kelly for some legitimate reasons regarding his medical practices. I also am sure that some of the reasons are simply internal/personal things that don't concern us as patients, and I'm guessing there are speculations that are exaggerated or just rumors. If you're considering Dr. Kelly, call around to the hospitals he's worked with, check his record out, and PM real patients who have seen him recently. The truth is usually some where in the middle in these cases, I don't think it's fair for me to assume because my experience was good that there is no way that Dr. Kelly could be having issues now, and to jump to defend any accusations. I also feel as a happy patient of his, that I owe his practice some defense too- I can say first hand, I had a quick, easy surgery and received a lot of love and care.

I know that 65-80% of the stomach is removed with VSG, but as you heal the stomach becomes capable of holding more contents. When does this stop? I am shy of 3 months out, and I am capable of eating 5 ounces of food (more than half a cup!) and feeling some comfortable restriction. I then stop. I feel like I shouldn't be done healing, and there is likely room for more expansion. I am already at a point where I've actually lost and gained weight. I hear more often than not that significant stretching is a myth. I never take my meals to an extreme degree, or have had vomiting from over eating. I try to avoid testing restriction. I am fearful that if I am capable of eating 5 ounces in a sitting now at a mere 84 days post surgery that this can only increase. I feel like every week I can eat more and more, and I don't like it. I want it to stop.

This is so reassuring! I was afraid I was eating massive amounts of food! The reality is I am staying stable at my weight, and that is a lot better than gaining. I guess 5 ounces at 3 months out is not so bad. BTW You look GREAT Blackberryjuice!

I've found the question of alcohol consumption and vsg posed before on here, but most of the responses were lectures on empty calories or "I don't even like alcohol since the sleeve"- good for you! But I'm not interested in hearing from non-drinkers or about the empty calories. I have dinner with my European family every week, and wine is a huge part of it. Can your stomach tolerate alcohol on the sleeve? Is it painful? When in your journey (how many weeks) were you ok to have alcohol? I have no intention of abusing alcohol, but I would like to have a glass of red wine with my dinner once or twice a week, and occasionally have a vodka martini when I'm out. I do not enjoy sweets or soda, alcohol is my only empty calorie thing I want to enjoy. I don't mean to sound hostile about people that proudly have not had a drop of alcohol since VSG, I think it's great to abstain from something that can become easily unhealthy. However, I want to have some answers about alcohol and VSG!

I think so long as you have enough time to do the pre-op diet (1-2 weeks depending on surgeon and your BMI) you're good. Once you finish your paperwork you're done- so long as a surgeon has space on the schedule I think they would take you. Mexican surgeons are great with lots of experience, do your research and you'll probably be more than happy with your choice and the care you receive!

If there are genuine issues and concerns about Dr. Kelly, the truth will eventually become quite apparent. If patients continually go to him, have a great experience at the hospital and with him, this situation will likely mellow out. I loved my experience with Dr. Kelly back in November, but at the same time I accept it is possible there are legitimate issues that are the cause of ALM and a few other patient coordinator companies not working with him. It's fairly simple to fact check and see if what gottago is saying is correct- I am not going to do it, simply because I have had my surgery and I'm happy with it. I am really happy with the quality of care I received. My friend who I initially referred to Dr. Kelly is now booked with Dr. Garcia instead, and I think that she is in good hands. I would not want to see someone cancel surgery with any surgeon based on speculation or fear of rumors- if you're booked with Dr. Kelly I would absolutely research his license, call those hospitals, and try to get ahold of him yourself even.

It's hard to get a straight answer on a surgical scar treatment on the web- every product seems to have some amazing reviews and some horrible ones, and surgical scars are different vs. acne scars etc. What works for you? What hasn't worked for you? I am 3 months out and I'm finally at a place where I don't mind wearing a bikini (I live in LA, it's almost always bikini weather here- yes, I know you hate me ) or changing at the gym while people are around. I work in skin care, but surgery scars are different from scars I'd treat my clients for (usually ace scars- retinol is amazing, anyone have luck with this on surgery scars?) Mederma? Is it really work 25$ for a tube of "white onion extract" and mineral oil?

Thanks! I think I am going to pick up some Vitamin E oil from Trader Joes today. I also ordered Kelakote on the recommendation of a plastic surgeon I know. I will let everyone know if I'm impressed or not.