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Helicobacter pylori (H pylori) infection is asymptomatic is a very high percentage of patient (75-80% show no signs at all!). So I'm not surprised you didn't know.... Have you had acute gastritis (inflammation of the stomach) in the past (or recently?), or a history of peptic ulcers? The H pylori bacterium can be the cause of either/both! You mentioned that you were diagnosed with a blood test. What put your doc on that track? Stomach pain, nausea, vomiting? They usually use an antibody test when trying to diagnose via bloodwork. Sounds like he/she is wanting to confirm with a biopsy during your upcoming endoscopy. That's a good safe back-up to ensure they are correct! And it won't hurt to see what condition your stomach is in prior to surgery (I'm assuming you're pre-op.....sorry if I'm wrong!). Sometimes, treatment consists of a combination therapy. They'll use a proton pump inhibitor (such as Omeprazole (Prilosec), together with an antibiotic Biaxin (clarithromycin) and often will double up the antibiotics and include Amoxil (amoxicillin) as well. You will want to ensure you've had a long period of recovery after this treatment before your VSG. You want everything to be in tip-top shape before your put your poor stomach through any more distress! And of course, the antibiotics will most likely leave you with some gastrointestinal side-effects and discomfort. I have used Bio-K Plus probiotic supplement on several occasions (including after my VSG) to repopulate my intestinal tract with healthy flora and get my digestive system back to normal. After my VSG, I wasn't sure if I could tolerate dairy products, so I use the Soy version of Bio-K Plus, just to be on the safe side. I was expecting it to taste horrible (it didn't smell great...), but surprisingly, it reminded me quite a bit of a pina colada! Best of luck with your endscopy tomorrow. Let us know how things go!

I did alot of research about this, as it was one of my primary concerns. My surgeon (Dr. Kelly) told me that he would not charge me anything for his services in the event of complications, but that the hospital would charge for tests, extra nights stay, ICU, etc. In the end, I rolled the dice and took the chance. Dr. Kelly didn't mention having any sort of "extra coverage" that would pay for any of this. The "traveller's insurance" can include medical, but if you read the policy carefully, you will see that it explicity excludes any medical care or treatment that is required due to "medical tourism". I purchased travel insurance (including medical) with my air fare, because I was going to San Diego 2 days before my surgery and wanted coverage if anything happened to me between my departure from home and my arrival in Mexico. But I knew that the travel insurance wouldn't cover ANYTHING if I was in medical need after the surgery (unless I was hit by a car or something like that.....). There are "medical tourism" policies available. See some info below: - http://www.onlinemedicaltourism.com/medical-tourism-insurance.html - http://www.surgicaltourism.ca/insurance/ - http://www.globalhealthcareconnections.com/medical-tourism-insurance/ There is ALOT more info on the web. Try using "Medical Tourism insurance coverage" as a search term in a search engine. Some of the companies only cover certain countries. Most will have a fairly low cap on how much they will pay out. All of them are VERY expensive. And some will only cover you if you are in accredited hospitals (read their policy carefully before you buy it!). I chose to forgo this significant additional expense because I had great faith in my surgeon's experience, his promise to take care of me in any event, and in my ability to return to Canada (assuming I could travel) for follow-up care (we have national healthcare here that kicks in, even if we have surgery outside of the country).

I thought you were going to end the story with........"and then I woke up"....! Sounded like a nightmare! Glad it was just batteries on the fritz! LOL

My return flight was at 3 pm (coming back from San Diego to Toronto). We left the hotel early (8 am) so that no matter how long we were stuck at the border, we would be in plenty of time for the flight. I was coming back on a Saturday morning, so the return traffic to the US was lower than it would be on a Sunday (people going home after visiting for the weekend), or on a Monday (people going across the border for work or business). Dr. Kelly, Omar and Cecey are VERY on top of this issue and make sure you have PLENTY of time to catch your flight. Just be sure to remind them several times when your flight leaves. They will coordinate your return along with anyone else who is flying home that day.

I like having this for lunch (just finished eating it!): 2 oz. roasted or smoked turkey breast 1/2 raw tomato 1/4 yellow or orange pepper 1 triangle of Kiri Laughing Cow cheese 1 Melba Toast (multigrain) Calories - 178 Carbs - 26 Fat - 4 Protein - 27 Fiber - 3 Sodium - 700 or, if you're trying to avoid carbs, you can omit the Melba Toast Calories - 168 Carbs - 10 Fat - 3 Protein - 25 Fiber - 1 Sodium - 525

Hi Paul. Welcome to VST! I am also a Dr. Kelly patient (sleeved 1 month before you!). Reading your story was like reliving my own fantastic experience. I agree.....you just can't say enough good things about Dr. Kelly, Cecey, and Omar. My trip was stellar and my recovery has been great. I'm so glad you made this decision to improve your health now, when you're young and a new husband/Dad. You will never regret the fantastic quality of life that lies before you.....and your family will be forever blessed to know that you will be with them as long and has healthy as possible. We love food, but we love our families and our lives more! Keep up the great work and the awesome attitude. We're here to support you and cheer you on!

You are certainly WELL under 250 now my friend.....and onderland is just teasingly within your grasp! Keep up the good work......I'm anticipating a happy dance fro you VERY soon !

That is SUPERCALAFRAGLISTICEXPIALIDOCIOUS! I haven't been at onderland since 1989 (I was 19 years old....I am now 42!). I'm a long ways away from it yet (only down 43 lbs, currently at 275 lbs), but I can't wait to join you! By then, of course, you'll be steady at goal for a LONG time and an old pro at maintenance. Well done!

Cool! Yesterday my husband and I went shopping at a large mall near our home that has just redone their food court. He wanted to check it out. We ended up eating dinner there. I ordered a "mini" Tom Yum soup with chicken and had about 1/3 of it and he was desperately craving the "mini pecan caramel cheesecake" cup. So we shared it! I had about 3 small spoons and he had the rest. Logged it in MFP also (best estimates, anyways) and it didn't hurt my day either! This is exactly what I've been telling people.......you don't have to say goodbye to things you want and/or love. You just have to fit then into your new lifestyle in small portions! Glad you enjoyed the day!

Luckily, I'm not hairy at all on my torso........so uh, no. No experience with this! LOL Sounds like you're a candidate for body waxing or laser hair removal........one is more "ouchy" than the other (waxing), but not permanent, should you decide you like the "fur". Also, both are kind of expensive. Laser moreso, but it is permanent so it's an upfront cost (usually you would have to do quite a few sessions to get a large area like the torso completed).

That is FANTASTIC! My best friend and I both live in Toronto, but she visits Vancouver at least once a year to visit her sister-in-law with her husband. They both do the Grouse Grind nearly every time they go. Several years ago, I went on a self-directed 1200 calories and exercise regime and lost 100 lbs. My friend told me that if I got to my goal weight, she would take me to Vancouver and we could do the Grouse Grind together. I ended up gaining back most of that 100 lbs (and even with the 100 lbs down, I was still 95 lbs away from my goal weight). I'm hoping to hit my goal weight in the next year (43 lbs down, a bit more than 140 lbs to go....). Perhaps around this time next year, she and I will be doing the Grind ourselves! If so, I'll let you know and maybe you can join us! Just don't make us look too bad when you leave us in your dust. LOL

liquid diet is BRUTAL. Especially the first couple of weeks! I was desperate to chew on something too. Some great people here on the forum (it's PACKED with fantastic people!) suggested that I get some sugar-free popsicles. You can "chew" them and get some nice flavour, and they are cool and make you more comfortable in the hot summer. What feels like starvation may in fact be acid production. I thought I was hungry in the beginning too, but I started taking a double dose (2 pills/day) of a PPI (proton pump inhibitor), such as Omeprazole (Prilosec) and it cleared that right up. Now I don't really get hungry, just "empty". I have to remind myself that it is time to eat (got to get that Protein in!). I am on regular food and and expanding my repertoire of tolerated foods. It gets better every day. And my normal taste buds are coming back! In the first 4-6 weeks everything tasted weird, I had a bad taste in my mouth all the time and I was pretty miserable. Even the weight loss wasn't enough to bring me out of my pissy mood very often! Now I'm feeling MUCH better! I joined a gym and I'm swimming, walking and quite active (especially compared to pre-op!). You can get through this! Buy some Water flavour enhancers (such as Crystal Light and/or Mio), keep trying different types of Protein shakes (a big challenge, but you'll eventually find one you can stomach, and maybe even enjoy).

Okay.......LOL.......I can't resist asking........... Beaver nuggets? Please tell me this is NOT what it sounds like.

We were sleeved on the same day! May 14 for me too, and I've down 41 lbs (including 11 lbs pre-op from the 2 week liquid diet).

sugar-free doesn't mean it's calorie-free! And probably filled with sugar gylcols which are not good for you in large quantities. One or two bites/licks is probably okay, but I wouldn't buy a carton of it and keep it in my freezer..........too tempting! Much more importantly, ice cream (even sugar-free) has strong potential to be a "slider" food which can become a self-sabotaging device for you now and later on. You can eat larger quantities of it without feeling the restriction your sleeve is designed to provide. Finally, this is the best time for you to develop your good eating habits that you must have to succeed long term. If you can, try to avoid temptations from your "pre-sleeve" life until you are much further into your food stages and weight loss. By then you will have the great habits that will sustain you long term and you can, on rare occasions, partake in a small indulgence such as ice cream, etc. Not gospel, just my 2 cents worth. Good luck in your early steps. It does get better once you're on mushies.......hang in there!

I'm only down 40 lbs (another 140 to go!), but my husband actually pointed out to me yesterday that he thought I had lost weight in my feet! I looked down and he was right! I could actually see the boney part in the top and my toes were much more slender. So weird! My loss so far is most noticeable in my face and my waist. Still waiting on my hips, stomach, and mega thunder thighs to get the memo......

I'm just starting to do more real exercise. I'm 8 weeks post-op and I've been doing quite a bit of walking, but it's time to turn it up a notch. I've been swimming a few times in the last 2 weeks which definitely works the cardio. And I want to start doing resistance training very soon. So yesterday I decided that I would work my legs and glutes by climbing the stairs at work. All I can say is thank goodness the stairwell is enclosed and deserted! I was a panting, heaving mess after 2 floors (4 flights of 10 stairs). This 278 lb body is still a lot more than my legs want to carry up stairs! I rested every 2 floors and made it to the top floor (8th) (I work in a short building). I could barely walk down the stairs to the bottom.....jelly legs! And today, I'm feeling it in my quads and surprisingly, a bit in my calves as well. But it's a good twinge. Makes me feel like I'm doing something!

Honey, it is time for you to lose that "baby fat"! You can do this! Stick to your guns. Just think how proud your kids will be of you for your resolve, determination and for finally doing something for YOU (and them too!). And they can finally meet the "skinny you" that has been living inside their "big mama" all these years!

Thanks for the tip JLewis! I took a look at BJ Bariatrics and I would have loved to order their sample pack! They don't ship outside the U.S.

I love sashimi (sushi without rice!). Really it's just pieces of raw fish, but very very high grade fish. It's my favourite! I've been eating sashimi for weeks now (and I'm only 8 weeks post-op). With a bit of sashimi soy sauce and some wasabi. Yum! A great way to get your Protein in. If you like sushi, you could give sashimi a try.......

I have tried the Cinnamon Swirl. It was "okay", but nothing to really write home about. I'm having a very hard time finding a Protein mix I like and can actually use more than once. I was using Precision All Natural 100% Protein whey Isolate (Double chocolate Chunk) for several weeks preo-op and a couple of weeks post-op, but I just got so tired of it, it was getting harder and harder to choke it down every morning. It is sweetened with Stevia and not too sweet. The vanilla version of that same brand I found REALLY sweet. At present I've been drinking the Oh Yeah shakes (ready to drink). They are also too sweet for me, but it's about the best I've found so far. I desperately want to try the unjury, Syntrax and Costco's Premier shakes, but I am in Canada and can't get the Premier's here. I would have to pay A LOT of money for the Unjury and Syntrax to be shipped here, and I don't want to commit all that money only to find out I can't stomach it! If I could get a sample of two of each, I would be happy to pay for that and then pay whatever it costs to ship full size amounts, as long as I liked them!

I just wanted to caution you against planning for a fast return to work without a "back-out" plan. I had my surgery on May 14, 2012 and was out sight-seeing and shopping 3 days later. I had pre-booked the following week off, just in case I had any complications or was still needing healing time. I actually felt much more tired the 2nd week! I didn't take naps (though I should have) as I was convinced that I needed to "condition" myself for my return to work the next week. And I work in an office, mostly at my desk all day! There were several difficult aspects the first few weeks back to work: 1. Getting ready in the morning It took me MUCH longer than I was used to to get ready. Showering wiped my energy out, and I invariably had to lay down for a good 10-15 min afterwards to regain my strength to get dressed and out the door. 2. Learning how to "fit in" my liquids and planning for lunch I'm usually a fast drinker/eater. That doesn't work when you're newly sleeved! I normally grabbed my Breakfast "on the go" when getting ready for work, and wolfed it down in the car. Not after I was sleeved! I had to take tiny sips (too much in a sip or too many sips in a row and it was serious pain!), and just figuring out how to properly mix my Protein shakes in the morning was taking up valuable time! Also, I must now pack my lunch! In order to keep everything fresh (and best suit my tastes/mood for the day), I now pack my lunch in the morning. This is also new for me! I was eating from our little cafeteria or going out to eat every day. Expensive and fattening, but so very convenient! Now I had to make sure I had the right ingredients at home; the right (clean!) containers; a cooler bag; ice packs, etc. Phew! So much change! 3. Optimizing my "choices" I usually just grab a drink (pop!) when thirsty. Well our little cafeteria has a limited choices for sugar-free drinks that are not carbonated. You can only drink so much "diet iced tea" or "G2 Gatorade" before you start to go mental (especially when you're on full liquids for a couple of weeks post-op). So I had to make sure I had other options with me. Either Crystal Light powder sticks, Mio, etc. And of course if you're not lucky enough to have a Water cooler around your work, you need cold water too! Again, more planning! I'm not trying to scare you.....I just want you to have a realistic idea of what you'll be dealing with post-op as it relates to going back to work. And these are only a FEW of the issues. Don't get me started on bathroom visits (I had "intestinal issues" for a few weeks post-op!); explaining your lack of eating to your colleagues while maintaining your privacy; acid reflux, burping, nausea, fatigue, etc. And finally, of course, a very high percentage of us fly through the surgery and recovery without any complications (I'm one of them...except for the "intestinal issues" and some sleep disturbances). But there is a small percentage of patients who do have complications that can vary in degree. Please do have a contingency plan for your return-to-work if your recovery is less than optimal. Good luck and happy surgery! Making room for you on the loser's bench..............

Hmmm, we probably need alot more information before we can help answer your question about when you'll lose weight! When was your surgery? What is your current food stage (liquids, mushies, soft foods, solids?). Are you tracking what you're eating (carbs, Protein, calories, etc.)? Are you exercising (depends on how far post-op you are...)? Are you drinking enough water/fluids (at least 64 oz per day)? If you're close to your surgery date (less than 2 weeks post-op) it's likely you've gained Water weight during your surgery. It can take up to 2 weeks to lose that "gained" weight and start losing from your pre-op weight. If you can answer some of the questions noted above, I'm sure we'll be able to give you more insight into what might be going on with you (though of course, your best source of accurate information is your surgeon and nutritionist!).

Have you ever been diagnosed with an Ovarian cyst? I have right-sided pain like that a few days before my "time of the month". My cyst grows during TOM and then shrinks back down to nothing afterwards. I've been told it's not a medical problem that requires treatment, but I sure do hate the pain I get for those couple of days!

Shellbell, you will have that.......I really hope! Regardless of your weight! I am 42 years old. I spent most of my life single. No boyfriend in high school, sporadic dating in university. I met my future husband when I was 35 and we were only together for 6 months. It wasn't the right time for us. I was about 270 lbs at the time, and he was probably around the same (but he's 6'3" and I'm 5'4"!). Our break-up had nothing to do with our weight(s). Then, suddenly out of the blue, he emailed me 4 years later. It was one of those "movie moments". I saw his email on my Blackberry. I get a lot of spam all day long so I am always deleting emails. On the Blackberry screen you can't see the whole person's name or subject line.....I actually hit "delete" for his email, but you have to confirm the deletion. I second-guessed myself, and kept it (I didn't know it was from him....I thought it was spam!). Turns out he was apologizing for his behaviour when we had been together 4 years earlier. He had changed his life 180 degrees and wanted to say thank you for giving him a kick start. Long story, short (too late, I know!), we started dating in January 2009. In December 2009 while on vacation in Jamaica, he proposed during a candle lit dinner on the beach. And we were married in September 2010 (I was 40 years old and this was my first marriage!). You can see pictures from our wedding in my photo gallery (in my profile). I was over 300 lbs when we were on that beach in Jamaica. He didn't care. He loves me for who I am, not what I look like. Now we're both losing weight (me with the sleeve, him with the Atkins) so we can be healthier and live a long happy life together. It took me all these years to find (and re-find!) my soulmate. I'll be damned if I'm going to let my health tear us apart! It's possible that your path hasn't crossed "his" yet. And you may not have a smooth road (we didn't). But when you find your partner, you'll know it. Perhaps losing the weight will give you the self-confidence you need to feel like you deserve that great guy? Who knows. Either way, I hope and pray you do find your life partner, when the time is right. And right now, it's the time for you to concentrate on getting yourself healthy and making yourself happy with who you are (all over!).