Willow216

Your Funny!! Congratulations on your 40th wedding anniversary to you and your wife that is a Truly Wonderful Miletstone wishing you both many, many more!! I get sleeved on Tuesday 3/13, I plan on going on a cruise around September and I was thinking the same thing about the buffet, but I think I would have described it a lil differently . God Bless!

Going in on Tuesday 3/13, the wait was long for approval but the minute I got that date, days went fast! 5'4" 240 Goal - 135

Help I need advice. I am having my surgery 3/13/12 and I wanted to be prepared for when I get home from the hospital so I don't have to leave the house for a while in case I feel "crappy". I have the Protein drinks (isopure) and clear Jello, Protein Drinks, farina and skim plus milk. Is that okay or is there anything else I should have in supply? Also did anyone have a problem getting in all of the 60 to 80 grams of protein in the first couple of weeks? I heard it was majorly difficult. Any info would be Appreciated!! Thanks

I love my Advil too and ask the same, but my Gastric doctor said "Nope" say goodbye to Advil. He recommended to consult with my regular doctor to find an alternative for menstrual pain I haven't done it yet but maybe if you speak to your regular Medical Doctor he can help you with finding something for you other than Advil.

My doc also said absolutely no ibuprophin..

I was worried on the same issues you were, but my doctor stated that by having the VSG your eating habits are forcibly changed, it takes about 3 months to break habits and learn new ones so you have to think that in a few years (worrying about stomach stretch) that you have all new habits now and you mentally and physically won't be eating the same way, your energy level will be risen and you will become more active and your old habits will be basicly a memory so stretching the stomach won't be an issue because you are not going to be the same person anymore you will feel lighter, stronger, more energetic and Loving Life. I had my doubts too but I have been on youtube and probably have heard over 100 peoples testimonies and 99% stated it was the best thing they have ever done and they don't have the same habits as before and wish they did it sooner. The other 1% seemed to have other issues and food was way more then a crutch for them. After the surgery there are hormone changes going on so you might feel depressed etc but that is just for a few days as you heal after that (from what I have learned) that everyday gets better and better until its fabulous!! My surgery is on Tuesday 3/13 and I am counting the minutes. I can't wait to meet the new me!! Many Blessings to you and your Journey, God Bless!

I also seen you on facebook when I was researching and I was also like "Wow"! The transformation is Amazing!! I chose to get sleeved just hoping to get back to my sze 8's (I am now a sze18, 240 5'4"), but I have found a new goal and seeing as you made it to sze 2, I think I can make it at least a 5/6. Thank you!!!

Wonderful!! Exactly what I needed straight forward to the point. Thank so much!! The only issue the dietician stayed on was protein, protein, protein, you don't want to lose that hair do you.. She kinda freaked me out.. But I know when I don't feel well, and I know the first week or so I probably won't be, I am not going to want to eat anything and I don't want to have to worry so much and feel "icky" at the same time. I am a "drinker" (fluids not booze ) I do get thirsty alot so the SF popsicles and Isopure protein drinks (not shake) is what I stacked up on for the first couple of weeks so I am glad I seem to be on the right track... And I must remember to sip,,,Guess that will be something else I will have to worry about...I never sip..LOL You are The Best!! Thank you!

I thought your name sounded familiar and I think I seen you on you-tube I am going to check after this cause I'm pretty sure I have saved your video, I have alot of them, they have such great ideas and information. That ricotta/mozarella cheese bake sounds real good and I am going to keep that one in mind. I did buy a couple of cans of refried beans, I never had them before but I know I'm not going to want to do alot of preparation of foods the first couple of weeks so the easiest is what I am going for. I also have a ton of greek yogurt now and I love them, only thing that after a few days I'm not going to want to look at them..LOL Are you doing anymore videos updates, I would love to see how you are doing!! Grateful as always..

I did buy a case of the Isopure drink Zero Carb also from Amazon (way cheaper then GNC) I get dehydrated as it is without the surgery so I looked into Protein drinks and found this was the best one, thank you for verifying that the were a good choice for me I haven't tried any of them yet until after the surgery, I was hoping I didn't waist money like I did with the protein bullets that I bought, someone told me to buy them for protein since each shot is supposed to have like 42grm of protein but when I discussed it with my dietician she said they were not advised because they are mostly collagen and whatever protein is in them are not easily absorbed, so I wasted about $50 on 2 boxes. I am also not fond of taking meds unless I have no choice so I hope I will not need any meds for too long. Thank you for your help!

I felt the same way in the beginning I researched alot on youtube on other people who had the VSG and to see their experience, I watched probably over a 100 people and 99% of them said once everything is healed you can eat basicly anything you want just after a couple of bites you will be satisfied and won't need to overindulge. This is why I chose to do this option, I have dieted but the minute I got close to my goal I relaxed and had a lil of this and a lil of that and next thing I knew I was back into old habits and weighed more than before. I don't want to give up to much I just don't want to over-do it and this sleeve defeats the purpose of overeating so you can still enjoy life! Best Wishes on your decision!!

Does that mean that one day I might have a little chocolate cake one day... LOL My daughter has just started pastry school and she was so sad that she could not make me a Birthday cake. I told her she probably could just a very little one..

Dear Everyone, Thank you Soo Much for all of your advise and tips, I have learned much and I have gotten some new ideas on the first weeks post op. I was so worried about not getting in all the Protein and worried about food that might cause pain and dumping and blah blah blah! I can't keep up. LOL You all have eased my worries and I'm just gonna take it day by day and use the tips I have gained. I will give an update once I come home and let you all know whats going on! Again Thank you!!! :D

I like that one!!

Totally Agree with "No Regrets", I think I will take her advice also, I have just requested my leave since my surgery is next week and my office is the type that if I tell them they will be like "Great" "Good for you" then when you leave they talk dirt. You can have your doctor give you a note stating surgery but they don't have to say what kind. I am wishing you a safe and successful Journey!!!

I heard Isopure (chocolate) is good, my surgery is on 3/13/12. So I don't want to say to much, it might be good the first day but after a couple of days I might think their Gross.

Hi! My date is 3/13/12 and I'm starting to get anxious! I agree with you, I probably will get more rest at work to since I do a desk job, too much noise at home, my daughter and her two children (4 yrs old and 5 months old) are a noisey little bunch..LOL Do you have any recommendations on what I items of food I should have on hand for the first week after surgery, I have Protein shake, yogurt, Protein drinks etc, but isn't it difficult to put anything heavy in the stomach the first week? I would think food is not interesting after having most of your stomach taken out . Thanks alot for all your help!!!!!

That is what I was wondering about, that first "mushy" meal after the surgery, I would think right after the surgery it would be pretty difficult to eat anything, I think the yogurt would be the easiest thing to swallow and it has the most Protein. How were you in the begining about getting all that protein in, it is supposed to be 60 to 80 grams but after I made my menu's (yogurt, Protein shakes, baby food gatoraide blah, blah, blah and etc) I heard it was gruesomly hard just to finish a small yogurt in one day in the first week post surgery much less the rest of the stuff and still making sure not to get dehydrated. Any advisements? I'm not worried to much in losing the weight super quick, I only have about 100 to 115 lbs to lose and I'm really doing this so my back pain will ease up, sitting at my desk all day gives me the worst tail bone pain so I opted for the weight loss surgery than the back surgery that is way more risky. Still I would love to fit back into my sze 8 Levis again by next Spring..(yeah, I'm a little vain on the inside, LOL ) Again your information is totally awesome!

Wow, they had you walking to your surgery, talk about "The Green Mile" effect, I can understand why you were upset, I'd thought at least they roll you in on a gurney or something. Thanks for telling me so I can prepare myself beside all in all its gonna be worth the walk!! How long did it take you to start getting around after the surgery? I'm hoping to get back to work after 2 wks, I work a desk job and figure since there is no heavy lifting I'm hoping it should not be a problem, I have been on youtube searching the VSG and alot of people said they were able to get out of the house and drive etc after 3 or 4 days. My dietician says I should take off 3 wks but if I have no difficulties I want to be out of that house with no more than 2wks.

Thank you for your experience and opinion of Dr. Dakin and his office your info is invaluable to me. I am nervous as heck! I agree with you on the dietician, I have Ms. Illiana, and I have noted an "air" about her but I'm there to do what I gotta do so I take the information I need and pay the rest no mind . I also have been recently diagnosed with the "fatty liver" but my doctor states that wouldn't delay surgery since the surgery will help get rid of the fatty liver issue, he states most people with an obesity problem has this condition. I also have a small hernia for a couple of years, I haven't told Jill, the insurance intake person, because I thought it might delay my surgery and I have already had to delay it due to the H.Pylori virus they found in my stomach, that delayed me for 3 wks, so I hope they can work around the hernia, it hasn't bother me and I figure I will have that repaired next year after this surgery (I don't want to deal with 2 procedures in one year due to work). I am so relieved at the opinion you gave on Dr. Dakin, I only met him once when I first went in for consultation and he seemed kinda stand-offish to me, my next appt with him is on 3/6 and I hope it is a more reassuring visit . I haven't had any issues with the staff so far but thanks for the "heads-up" just in case. I have seen you photos and you look Great! I will put some of my up but I am going to wait until I lose a few before I put up a pre-surgery photo, I am ridiculously photo sef conscious and after I lose a few I will feel better when I have a better pic next to the "icky" pic, LOL Thank you! It's great to have someone's opinion, experience and your advisements with Cornell Weill and I am way more comfortable than before. Many Blessing to you on Your continued Journey and I'll let you know how it things go! Bye for now.

Hi sthodge, Thank you for your input and if you don't mind I have a question, I am having my surgery on 3/14/12 (VSG) and I am nervous about returning to work, I see you stated you returned to work barely two weeks after surgery, was it difficult to return so soon? Did you feel okay? I have a desk job and I am taking two wks, I know it varies from patient to patient but I would love to return before the two weeks. Any advisement would be so welcome! Thank you and Many Blessings on your Journey!! P.S.: Awesome comment "Wishing flees of a thousand camels infest her pants" So Priceless!! Thumbs Up! 5'4" 250lbs Goal Weight: 135lbs age 43

I am having my surgery with Dr. Dakin at Cornell Weill on 3/14/12. Seriously nervous but he seems like a decent surgeon and his office staff is awesome. Were you in the hospital very long?

I am having my VSG done at Cornell Weiss with Dr. Dakin also on 3/14/12, I have only met him once and he seems like a real good surgeon. Any opinions?

Hi. I am also at the starting line..I have my surgery on 3/14/12, I feel good about it and I am glad that this forum helps people like us learn from the people who had this surgery before us. Remember the first month will be difficult but it is worth it! What I hear the most is from the date of surgery every day is a little easier than the previous and so on, almost every one I have heard have the surgery state they so regret it the first couple of days, but, after that it gets easier and that feeling does goe away so if you start feeling that way, just remember it is just temporary. If you have not done already go to youtube, there is a lot of people who have had the surgery and you get to see and hear the wonderful results, Its Awesome! God Bless your recovery and journey! 5'4" 250lbs Weight Goal: 135lbs

Congratulations!! That is Awesome Progress and you look Fantastic! I too wish they had this surgery when I first needed it. After having my second child I kinda let myself go but only by about 40lbs but when I quit smoking 3 yrs ago "Bam" the weight poured on. Now I have to lose about 115lbs. I could alway lose the weight, but, keeping it off is another issue, not too mention having a desk job. I am nervous about having surgery, but, I'm excited also It might be uncomfortable for awhile but I'm sure it will be totally worth it! God Bless your continued Journey! 5'4" 250lbs goal weight 135lbs (Sorry, I don't know how to do that ticker thing so I will just post my stats)