CaliKat

you can DO IT!

The first few weeks post-op I did have some moderate acne. I attribute it to "flushing" out the system. Now its much better and I am not getting the cystic acne I used to. The few month pre-op it was HORRIBLE- I think it was because that was when my eating were just disgusting.... I am drinking a lot, a LOT! I drink almost 2 gallons of the diet lipton citrus green tea a week on top of my other fluids. I also think that the drinking is helping my skin stay elastic and happy so if I do get the occational break-out, it can heal quicker. If you do find yourself with topical acne, get a good "spot treatment" from a good cosmetic line. I use either Burts Bees Tea Tree oil or the Origins Spot Remover.... works like a charm. But if you have cystic acne, then I would recomend a derm, cause theres not too much you can do that deep down.

They will work- just keep em thinned with water or FF milk. Also try powered Bear Creek soups- some of them are very low cal/fat and are delish

its a pretty easy install & removal. I believe they go thru the correted artery (neck one) and insert via a long "tube" using local anestesia a few days before the surgery. they keep it in there until most of the risk has passed a few weeks after surgery and its a quick local anestesia removal. my cardiologist said it was pretty routine if you have history of clots and is minimally invasive. You cant really see it or feel it. Also- in the long run its cheaper cause you dont have to do hepprin shots as often.

Palo Alto/South Bay sleever here. Almost 11 weeks out. I was a self-pay so can't help you on insurance questions.... But have had a pretty good experience so far and would be glad to chat about anything. OR... Even get a small hike going for us Bay Area Sleevers- maybe a Sunday late morning open space hike? Rancho San Antonio, walk the bike trail along the ocean in Pacifica or do MT. Diablo? Interested?

The old adage that "time heals all wounds" rings true here. Give it time and you will be back to coffee w/ cremer and even a few fries. Most sleevers find that a few months post-op or in maintenance, they can indulge in whatever they like- in reduced quantities of course. Sounds like you are venting, still in mushies and such. I totally understand. When you are cleared for "normal" foods, things will slowly return to a new normal and then you can start venturing outside the realm of Protein shakes and pureeds. Hang tight and follow your post-op.... You will be eating some normal things in no time.

I weigh every day. Why? Its like a small victory to start the day- its like an "atta girl" every single morning... like a daily inspiration to keep going. Its the reminder that I CAN DO ANYTHING if I have the tools and put my mind to it. Who wouldnt want that? I have a post-it above my scale of my heaviest weight and I look at that darn number every day before I step on the scale and after and am so proud of how far I have come. Whatever works for you- work it. Your sleeve & journey is YOURS. Keep on keepin on- losers!

First things first. Pick your surgeon. Mexico, US, Mars.... Whatever.... Pick a surgeon that meets YOUR criteria, standards and comfort. THEN figure out how to afford the surgery. My best advice is to NOT choose on cost- this is your health, your LIFE, shouldn't you make the decision based on what is GOOD for you and not what is cheap? If Mexico is your choice, than awesome... You can probably find the money somehow now. If a US surgeon is your pick- either find/make the money, wait and save or take a loan. If you pick a good surgeon, one with a good reputation and good stats and you do the pre/post-op diets as prescribed.... You will be mitigating your post-op complications. Keep in mind that nothing, NOTHING (not even choosing the best surgeon in the world) can eliminate all risk of complications. Best of luck on your journey.

I'm a post-op-non-burper too! Pre-op I would burp all the time (never in public) if I had stomach gas.... Now post op I cant! If I try it feels like I may bring up solids instead of gas. I think it has to do with the aggressive haital hernia repair I had done same time as VSG. Not sure though. I miss my burps cause the "rock gas" feeling I get if I have gas or ate too much is terribly painful!!!

Im waiting fo 6 months. I have a whole strawberry patch in my garden and each day I watch the birds pick and peck at those ripe, sweet berries! I envy those lucky birds! Next year they are all mine!!

I'm betting it was 1/4 of a cup- 2oz. Not 1/4 of a teaspoon. Don't sweat it.... You will work your way up to your 64 ounces/day. You may only be able to get a few oz down at a time... But with each day it will become easier and easier. I can drink 12oz in just 30 minutes now- at 2 months out.

I haven't told anyone at work and don't plan to. I took a week off work (no explaining needed) and hoped and prayed I didn't have a complication that would keep me out longer. Thank god I didn't! If I did have an issue, I was planning on telling them I had a medical procedure that had complications and use FMLA to cover the additional missed time. I would not have gone into details. I am a bit unusual though.... I am the only employee at a satellite office of a large practice- so I don't have co-workers.... Just clients daily (who dont notice) and I see my boss about once every 3 months!!

In my case- I will eat anything post-op. Just in small quantities. I just try to make compensating choices- like I had a McDonald's breakfast burrito this morning (tore 1/2 the tortilla off) and plan on doing a big ole hike this afternoon to compensate. I'm kinda a slow loser (4/4/12 sleeve date) but feel the quality of my life is better if I don't stress the small stuff and make this a lifestyle change and not a "do this until I hit goal" thing. But we each gots to do what we need to to make it happen for ourselves- whatever works for ya.

Palo Alto (sleeved 4/4/12) Dr. Cirangle @LapSF

Im gonna be a bad example and say this: I eat whatever the hell I want, when I want and however much I want. Heres the kicker..... since surgery, I only want a tiny bit!!!! I order a cheeseburger- eat 2 bites (bun, pickle, onions included) and im done. I get green curry and fresh rolls and 1/2 a freshroll & 2 tablespoons of curry later im full! I bought a Butterfinger and only ate 1/4 of it in a week! My advice to the pre-op's is not to go all "hog wild" on the "food funerals" and eat yourself sick in the months, weeks or days leading up to your surgery. Cause in a few weeks- you can eat those foods again and enjoy them just as you did before (unless your tastes change). Be dedicated to your pre-op diet, make absolutely no deviations from your post-op diet and when you are cleared for normal foods and are meeting your excercise, Protein and Water goals..... have the "forbidden foods" and love the hell out of each bite (cause with your new stomach, you wont have many!)!!

Hydration is super important. It enables your body to heal, your brain to function and your organs to maintain your health. If 8-10oz total all the liquid you are managing daily, I would talk to your surgeon.... cause this will be bad news in a few days if it continues- ending up in the ER with an IV drip is gonna suck. Maybe try taking "shots" of Water every 15 min? Pour 1oz into a cup and make it your mission to get one down one every 15 min.... that may help the mental part of it (most people are too nervous about stretching and popping a staple they underfill- which is better than overfilling- but still detrimental). Keep on keeping on- best of luck.

I wash mine with vinegar (1/2c + 1/2c water) each time I use mine. The key is to always let it dry. I have a bent wire coat hangar that I use to insert the hangar into the bladder to make sure the sides don't stick together and the whole thing can dry. If Water is left in there, it will begin to mold, mildew or grow alge. GROSS!! You can taste the slimy water if it's not clean.

1. Pick a few good GREAT surgeons. 2. Yelp, google and VST Forum search the surgeon. 3. Pick the one with the best stats that you are comfortable with and the one you can rely on. 4. Mentally prepare yourself for the post-op diet. Its no joke..... physically, its pretty easy.....mentally its a trip. 5. Follow the post-op instructions faithfully and as your life depended on it- cause it does. 6. After all of this- realize that a leak may/can occur even if you are the most perfect patient with the most perfect patient. Its a risk we all take, but information, education and preparedness can make all the difference in the world! Best of luck to you.

pepperoni chips! greek yogurt dip (sweetened with torani syrup) for fruits pre-made meat & cheese roll-ups SF protein jello SF hard candies (for the love of all that is holy, dont accidently swallow!) jerky babybell cheeses

Target & Walmart both sell them. I buy several inserts so I can keep one in freezer and/or incase it gets slimey! I use mine lots, probably 3-4x/month without problems. I do swish and spit to eliminate air for the first drink.

Isnt the "bulb" a hernia? I didnt know it was possible to be re-sleeved. Best of luck and keep us updated, I am sure most of us are curious!

@cmullinvegas- wow! Have they given you any ideas as to what's going on? I hope you feel better soon. It scares me to see people have complications this far out when they have done so well (as you have).

Im a self pay here in California and my surgeon said that he will fix it while he is in there- no extra charge. Ask your surgeon specificly. For what its worth... The millions of pages of informed consent i signed for the surgeon detailed the hernia repair info- no charge. He did end up finding and repairing hernia.... No extra bills!

My surgeon said excercise should have no impact on calorie/carb/fat intake. The only thing that you should have more of is Water. At 8 weeks, my surgeon says 600-800cal and keep the carbs under 40.

Target sells Champion brand althletic wear and there is a HUGE selection of active wear. They have a yoga-ish tank top with built in sports bra (for us with large girls that need to double bag it!) that is also formfitting lycra so it quells the jiggle in the belly. The prices are good and the clothes are cute.