theosmom

Sleeve of Steel, how did you get your caloric intake up so quickly post-op? I"m pre-op and I think this is a common concern for us newbies. I don't want to be eating 600 calories for life. I think I could be comfortable at 1200 for the rest of my life with the help of the sleeve. But with the major restriction at the beginning, I just don't understand how you can get the calorie intake very high the first few months. This is very informative and thanks for sharing.

Is there anybody who drinks more that 64 oz of Water a day. Or any of you who just drink lots of different liquids each day? I love water and drink tons. Are there some folks who find that months out they can enjoy plenty of liquids with no problem - as longs as they don't do it with meals. I think that's gonna be way harder for me than not eating. Thanks!

I know there are quite a few strength exercises (from one of my past attempts with a trainer) that use a ball and small weights that might be good for when you're first approved for it. I'm pre-op and trying to get all these things lined up in my mind and how and when, etc. I've read people who really worked out and it helped them tighten up and not have a ton of loose skin. Some of it might be age, skin quality, etc. But I just want to do everything I can if I'm gonna take this serious step to change my life completely.

With all the concern over loose skin, just wondering if beginning weight training as soon as possible will help. Anyone have experience/feedback with that? How far out from your VSG did you start weight training? What's the general time frame post-op that people get the green light to exercise in general? Thank you for the info!

I'm going to call his office tomorrow and see if I can do a Skype consult - his website says that he will do that if you're out of town. I would love it if it worked out. I read thru his whole website and it kind of seems like he'll be open to lower bmi. I'd be happy to pay that amount for such great surgeon and to stay in the US! How many nights does he have you in the hospital? Does he do the swallow test with barium/x-ray? How far out are you? Thanks for responding!

I noticed on Dr. Cirangle's website (http://www.lapsf.com), there's a little blurb that says something like "It's smarter to have surgery in San Francisco than Mexico..." I'm assuming he must have a fair amount of out-of-town patients. Does anyone know if he's more lenient about bmi like the Mexican surgeons are? I'm between 30 - 31 and know there aren't that many good US surgeons that will accept a VSG patient at 30bmi. If anyone has experience of info regarding Dr. Cirangle and lower bmi, would love to hear from ya. Thank you!

Does anyone know how common strictures are after VSG? Thank you!

My husband and I eat out a fair amount sometimes due to business trips/conferences, etc. I can't tell you how many times some thinner woman in the group has ordered an appetizer for her entree - say 2-3 scallops or 1 crab cake and I've thought WTH? But, I always wanted to be that woman who could enjoy a dinner without ordering the 12 oz filet and all the sides! The thinner gals would be having a little side salad, having an appetizer for dinner and maybe a one-spoonful taste of someones dessert. If I had that control I would've been doing the same thing and feeling proud and confident of myself and I wouldn't be here now with a closet of clothes in a range of sizes. So, while some people are really worried or disappointed about what it's like to eat out, I'm actually looking forward to it. I told my friend that it will be refreshing to order the "pretty" food (meaning not the gargantuan plate of grub) and eat what I like and take the rest home. My sister who's about 3 months post-vsg, makes 3 lunches out of one lunch out with co-workers and if there's still more left, throws it away. Luckily, she works with 2 gals who are sleeved/banded! It's fun to read everyone's experiences, this forum is great!

Thanks for your responses and setting me at ease. Most important to me is that I am nourished and healthy through out this journey.

So, when you say it goes thru the stomach faster, does it absorb and fortify you? It's not like it's washing thru and you're not getting anything from it, right? Might seem like a silly question, but just want to make sure. Thanks!

I agree, Butterthebean. Everything I've read and researched said get that protein in as soon as you can because that's what's gone help you feel energized, possibly keep you from losing hair and without protein you'd be going thru you're day on several ounces of almost nothing. I realize there will be a time for using lean meats, eggs, etc for that protein, but I'm talking the first 3 weeks or so. I know I personally will be trying to keep my protein intake high from day one and if that means mixing the powder with a few ozs of milk and that's all I can get in, that's what I'll do. Thanks for the replies everyone!

That's a great idea. It's not too thick or chalky that way?

I'm pre-op and wondering how I'm going to drink a Protein drink during full liquid an soft food stage and beyond, if the sleeve only holds 4 oz. I'm really going to depend on those high Protein drinks (Premier Protein, Muscle Milk, etc) during the early days and I'm scared I won't get enough protein if I can't get one little box down. Answers, thoughts, ideas??? Thanks, all!

TheGamer, That's awesome, right? We all want or wanted that control and the VSG can give it to us. I know it won't be easy, but I think if I have the sleeve and strive to re-learn what a portion of food is, I can do it.

I think a lot of us who are contemplating VSG or getting prepared for surgery have a lot of pangs about how much food we're going to be able to eat or how we'll miss this food or that food. Well, I had an Ah-ha moment today! The amount of food we're going to be able to eat after VSG, down the road 5-6 months, is really the amount that most "recommended servings" for healthy people really are. I used to laugh when Dr. Oz would say "a serving of almonds is 10-12 almonds", but he's right! "Normal" healthy/fit people don't eat a whole can of almonds for a snack, they eat 10-15, maybe. They don't eat 16oz of steak, they eat maybe 6oz. So, I realized that I won't be eating the massive amounts I used to, but still able to eat yummy foods in small, reasonable amounts, which is just the "normal", healthy thing to do and something I've not been able to do on my own. It's not going to be the end of the world and I have no need to worry about mourning food. I feel better now that I can see it this way very clearly.