BellaHugz

This Frequently Asked Question addresses the need to take vitamins and calcium post-op weight loss surgery. How to pick'em and why you need'em.
 
My surgeon wanted me on a multivitamin, calcium and B12 post-op. His office carries the Bariatric Advantage brand of vitamins, but said any good brand of multivitamins were suitable post-op.
 
Just be sure to wait a few hours between taking a multi with Iron and calcium. Iron inhibits the absorption of calcium.
 
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Keep Pimpin' that Sleeve!
 
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Tomorrow is my surgery. I feel like I'm going to wake up and it's Christmas. The future is bright! I can envision a HEALTHIER me now - being more active, less self-conscious about how I look, how I'm always the biggest in the room, etc. People keep asking me if I'm scared or nervous. I can honestly say I'm not. I've put a ton of thought and planning in to this. I've followed my Center's directions. I've lost weight pre-surgery. I have amazing support. And I want this BADLY. 99% of weight loss is MENTAL. I've got this and I will be successful. I'm excited to fit into smaller clothes, shop for amazing jeans at The Gap or Levis (no offense Lane Bryant and Macy's Plus Size, but this girl's MOVING ON), walk up a flight of stairs without feeling like I will fall over, tie my shoes with ease, use a smaller bath towel and have it wrap around me, sit in an airplane seat without the buckle being all the way extended, go sideways to fit around people and not worry about bumping in to them...I could go on and on. Wheels up - let's do this!

I am on day 2 of my pre op liquid diet. I have to do this for 2 weeks. My husband, who is having the sleeve done with me, only has to do 1 week. Our surgery is August 5th.
 
I wanted to cry today when I heard my stomach growl. But to be honest I cannot remember the last time I heard it growl. I am learning a lot about this body of mine. That is when the pity party started. I feel like crap. How could I have let myself go this far? How come I did not stop the overeating when I only had 50 pounds to lose?? I went through a list of how, why, when....you name it.
 
I then realized that I am being given an opportunity to get my life back. To enjoy things I have not been able to do. To go places I have been uncomfortable going. I am going to be new.....it is all going to be worth it. And the best part is I have my husband there for support. He will be my partner through this new stage of our lives. We will be a team.
 
So I decided to go wash some clothes. To give myself a change of scenery. To wash clothes I may not be able to wear again someday....

A bougie is guide that is used to help the surgeon size your new stomach. Once you are under sedation, the bougie is passed down your throat and into your stomach. The surgeon cuts your stomach around the bougie. Typically, surgeons now use between a 32 and 40. The smaller the number, the smaller the guide's circumference. Early out, surgeons used bougies as large as 70.
 
There is a huge amount of controversy about bougie sizes. But bougie size is not the only factor in determining how large you stomach will be. Some surgeons oversew the staple line. Some cut closer to the bougie. Some people have longer stomachs. All these factors affect how much smaller your stomach is.
 
And your stomach size is not the only factor in your success. How compliant you are with your program and how resistant your body is to losing weight are important aspects to consider as well.
 
The pic I've included of bougie sizes is one that periodically makes the rounds on this board and others.
 
 
If you want more details on bougie size and it's effect on your success, read Carmelita's blog entry on this over on Obesity Help:
http://www.obesityhe.../2011/03/31/-2/
 
Lynda