Dooter

I posted this one when I was pre op. At one time it was labeled "hot," so there must have been a lot of interest in the answer: http://www.verticalsleevetalk.com/topic/28743-how-does-the-stomach-heal-together-from-vsg-surgery-can-anyone-tell-me/page__p__245266__hl__+staple%20+heal__fromsearch__1#entry245266 I asked how the staple line actually heals. I wanted to know if it becomes a bound together unit, or if the staples forever did all of the holding together.

Yikes, I get worried some days, because I am only 6 weeks out, and on "soft food," but so far nothing gives me trouble, and I can eat a decent sized bite (maybe half the size of bite I used to) and I don't have to wait very long between bites. Admittedly, I've made myself feel a bit sick a few times, but now I know exactly where my cutoff is. I can already hold close to 6 oz of food. I kind of wish I was still taking an hour to eat something and getting full at 2 oz. That was comforting to me. I must be a quick healer!! Take advantage of these early stages if you've got the added restriction of surgical swelling!

I live in the land of tortillas (New Mexico..) and they are PAAACKED with carbs. I would not recommend a regular one. If you are totally jonesing for one, I'd recommend the "low" carb tortillas. And not too many.

I HIGHLY recommend you read Lilee's post!!! It's AWESOME encouragement for the stalled!!

Like salve on a burn.....thank you, ladies..... :wub:

Yep. Totally normal. I was convinced at one point that i wouldn't live through it! I had NOOOO medical evidence to back this up. I'm very healthy other than needing to lose 200 lbs. I was on a TOTAL emotional roller coaster before surgery. All the same thoughts you describe. I even thought I should give it one more good try without surgery! HAHAHAHAHA....yaaaa, right. Even if I lost ALLL the weight on my own....I'd gain it right back without surgery. I've proven that to my self over, and over and over and over and OOOOVER!!!! Haven't you??? If you've come to this point, then I'm sure you have. You'll be ok, and you won't regret the surgery. (A lot of people get "buyer's remorse right after surgery, but just mentally prepare for that and you won't.) Some of these emotions you just have to go through. I think it's all normal.

That is SOO awesome!!!

Ha! My book from the doc actually says that vinegar helps with cravings!! That's funny that you went there. It's like you knew or something....

I think the internet age has made many forget that behind the black and white words and little thumbnail pictures, there is a REAL flesh and bone person with feelings. We tend to feel safe behind our keyboard and just let the mental diarrhea flow onto the screen without realizing we'd NEVER talk to someone that way in person! (at least I HOPE! Some may still do that....) A see a lot of people say on here "just say this, just say that! Who CARES what other people think, it's none of their business!" Well....some of us have personalities that include tact and thoughtfulness of other people's feelings, and try to maintain relationships whether they are co-workers, or friends and family. It's ok to preserve someone's feelings if you want to. In fact, I'd encourage it! Ok, it's late and I'm starting to ramble. And Forensikchic- you have to stay, because ....you're a forensikchic...and that ROCKS!!! (I was a criminology major in college for a while;) ) And...you have much valuable advice yet to dispense!! G'night! :x

YUMMMMMMM!!!!!!

WHOOOOOAAAAA!!!!!

How far out are you? I am six weeks today, and I have been very hungry lately. I thought I was going nuts, then yesterday I was told that it takes a couple months or so for the Grehlin (hunger hormone) to completely leave the body. As weird as hormones are, I believe it. I cling to this hope that the hunger WILL be gone soon. The good thing is....if we go crazy on some binge...it can only last a couple minutes!

I've heard that it's quite typical for a band patient to throw up. With the sleeve -typically- if you throw up, you've done something wrong- eat the wrong food, too fast, too big of bite.... I've not thrown up once except in the hospital caused by some post nasal drip. (eew). I was NPO, so the goo made me barf. Other than that- no problems with the yarg.

Oh ya, and some people get the plain and makes dips out of it- like savory flavors- ranch, onion, and the like. And some use it in place of mayo or sour cream. There is a lot you can do with the plain stuff.

I never had a taste for it before (except the Trader Joe's full fat and sugar version- SOO good, but so bad! ) Now that I've been off of sugar for 6 weeks, it ALL tastes good to me! I love the Chobani blood orange flavor, The Dannon Oikos is REALLY good, and The Fage (fa-yeh) is good as well. I'm sampling all the different brands right now. The protein in them is great. They all generally have 12-14 or more grams per carton, and the calories are usually around 120-140. If that's your whole breakfast, then that's not a bad deal! If you struggle getting in protein, this is a great way to do it. I don't mix it with anything at this point. I just eat it like it is.

WOW!! GReat job!!! You must be in terrific shape!! I bet your doctor is afraid you'll put him out of a job.

<siiiiggghhh> I hear ya......I hear ya.......

"oh..my stomach's just not feeling quite right today. I'm ok! How are your kids doing? Did you ever buy that truck you were talking about??" Smoke and mirrors...divert the attention. People love to talk about themselves, so just keep asking questions...

I had some sugar free hard candies around. It kept me sane. At first you will feel like you want to kill the first person that says the wrong thing to you. Please resist this urge. After a certain point, you just won't care that you can't eat anymore. And by all means, if they say you can have 5 shakes, drink AALLL 5!! I don't care how hard it is. If your body has full nutrition from these, it will help immensely!! You will feel satisfied (assuming you can tell your head you DON'T want a cheeseburger!. You'll do great!

I also recently pulled a couple pairs of jeans out of the back of my closet and was able to button and zip them!

OH YA!! That's happened to me on a few occasions!

Yes ma'am, they stay where they are. They are so small though, they are scarcely bigger than a hair! I imagined these big ol' staple gun staples!! The scar tissue grows over them and it all becomes one little happy family down there.

The metal taste will go away. That's a temporary thing. As for the rest, give your doc a jingle in the morning and see what he recommends you do for intake. Make sure you're not drinking anything too too sugary.

Antiperspirant! It's not just for pits anymore! Seriously. works wonders.

I think we can endure the liquids for a couple weeks, because we can see that help is on the way! There is a light at the end of the tunnel. My motivation was that I did NOT want an open incision surgery because of a large liver or worse...he would cancel the surgery if i had not shrunk the liver enough! We don't normally have this type of motivation to stick with a "diet." My pcp was glad I did this. He said once a person reaches a BMI of 40, there is little chance he/she will take it off and keep it off without surgical help. My BMI was 55. (not much lower yet, but getting there!) If any of that helps....