SParkle

LOL Thats SO funny!

I used to get that (or something similar... )- I would clean it out with e cotton bud and alcohol, then use a special powder I got from the pharmacy on it...they told me not to use cream as you want it to dry out rather than be wet, which can cause more redness.... It healed up really quick and is fine now, no more problems at all.

Thats a fantastic result!! You must be so happy!!

Thank you so much to everyone who has posted on this thread - its a great source of information and inspiration to those of us still in the decision making process. - You can never have too much information before you go ahead in my opinion. From what I've read from everyone it seems that once you're over the initial hurdle of probably about 6 weeks (perhaps including the preop diet as well) that you're doing ok. I really think I will have a huge mental issue over not being to eat proper food, but must get my head around the long term benefits to me. I really feel for those who are having problems....I had complications after some surgery I had 3 yrs back (not WLS) and it really got me down, and although not life threatening as Tiff said, you do come out stronger as a result of it. Maybe its because of that, that I am doing even more research, expecting the worst, so if I have an uneventful healing (barr the food deprivation issue) then fantastic. - Anneartica - if you're not intending on telling him then you could always say its because you're on a diet (he will see you loosing the weight) and you eat/drink Water before you go out for meals to try and help you with your portion sizes when eating out.....??

HI Tracey and welcome Like you I'm in the decision making process, with 2 consults booked, so I hope certainly this year I'll get done. Best of luck with your seminar.. .and looking forward to hearing more from you.

Thanks for the tips - I'll check out whats available over here to compare whats in stuff.

A good tip for healing scars and sun (if you can't avoid it, is to use one of those sunblocks for lips... like a lipstick, so easy to apply and keep the sun away for sure.

Thanks everyone..... Please don't apologise Tiff..... we're all here for the same reason in the end so I see no need... and anyway, you look fab now, so it was well worth it!

Thanks to you all.... I must say having looked at various WLS forums on the web I think this is by far the best and also the most welcoming.... a credit to you all.

I'll not mention that bit to hubby!!! :biggrin0:

Please think about postage around the world as well..... I'm not sleeved (yet!) and have yet to look into what might be available here in Spain, but think I might end up ordering from the UK or US.

Thats good news then! Well done. I am always surprised when surgeons or Doctors are surprised that you know the information or have read up on something, thats quite scary to think some people don't.... and would consider undertaking such a life changing thing without some more information.... but then maybe thats just me being nosy!! Keep us informed - I have a consult booked next week and one the week after with a different surgeon.

This is a great post as I'm starting a list too as I have a consult next week. From previous op experience I am also taking a list of medication and supplements that I take to check if they are ok to carry on with. Be aware most surgeries will not allow any body jewellery to be worn of you have piercings. Also if you are on oral contraceptives don't forget to ask about their compatibility, as for my last op I had to stop taking them

I'm really pleased to see one of my choices in this post... Dr Baltasar in Spain... I've got one appt next week with another and am going to call and book an appointment with Dr B as well. He is at the moment slightly in front for me on information and experience, but time will tell.

I've got the two quotes in from my local surgeons, so will chat everything over with hubby, and prob book a consult with them. Exciting times!

ARGHHHHH.....I really hope I can be unusual then, as my hair is pretty thin already!! Either that or I turn into bandana girl!! :sneaky2:

Some of the research I have done into the VSG says you should leave 15 mins between drinking and eating, and then not drink for some time afterwards. How difficult was it for your post op peeps to stick to this no liquid thing? I have managed to re-educate myself to drink some Water before my meals to ensure I don't eat as much.... and nearly always have water with a meal. I'm worried that if I do go ahead with the sleeve that this might be my weakest point! :confused1:

Having found Tiffs document she posted for dietary needs pre and post VSG I have just been reading it.... whilst eating my brunch (late Breakfast, early lunch). ( I have to say it was brown rice and ratatouille, so pretty healthy). I made myself eat it with a teaspoon and chew chew chew stuff until almost liquid, before swallowing. I have to say I found it really hard and it really made me realise how much I stuff in my mouth normally, and also that I swallow food unchewed - no wonder I manage to eat so fast - I am normally one of the first to finish. I'm getting closer and closer in making this decision ( I think it is already made in reality!!) and maybe, just maybe this might help me on the way, and also help post op if I try and get into these habits now then maybe my transition to a better dietary future might be a little easier. Has anyone else done this or think its a good or bad idea??

I think this is a great post - and highlights what I have just done - I'm considering the VSG and have just eaten a meal as if I had one, very small mouthfuls, chewed beyond recognition before swallowing, and without fluids. It really highlighted to me the size of portion I had served myself, and how I bolt my food normally. I will certainly keep this practise up to try and instill this into my head. If I can cope with this for a while then I think it will help in my decision making about the surgery.

Hi Leelee I'm also considering the VSG and have done some research into prices here in Spain and also Belgium, Czech and back in the UK. Prices in the UK were between 9950 and 10.5k pounds sterling. Belgium and Czech came in about the same at 8k and 8.2k euros. Here in Spain so far I've had a quote for 14k euros. Hope this helps your finance question..... )

I can't help but think we are all here because we are tired of dieting.....but what is needed after the op (which I am considering at the moment, 2 surgeons to see and chat to) is careful dietary habits after the surgery. If you look at the document Tiff posted about the Sleeve Diet Guide, while you can still eat everything in time, you need to make careful decisions to maximise the efficiency of the operation, (and your money!!), but also for your health. The 60% Protein will help to minimise hair loss (something I am petrified about!). I don't think that learning about this stuff and having to calculate some things each day is too much to ask considering where it will get me in the future. If I had bothered to do that in the past I probably wouldn't be here now looking for such a drastic solution! And thats with a history of 21 yrs of battling with diets, yoyoing, and never reaching my goal. But in hindsight everything is so much easier!!

Great source of information - thats my reading for the day sorted! Many thanks Tiff.

Many thanks Jen and Tiff.... I'm just waiting for another surgeon to contact me then I'm going to book a consult with 2 in my area, and see what they say - I'll have a list of things to ask them so this can be one of them!

Hi there Forgive my questions but I'm busy reading up on the VSG before making the decision to have one done... I see people are on a pre op diet - is this to shed weight before the op, or to get into the correct type of eating habits and also display your commitment to follow through with the operation? I'm currently on the Weight Watchers diet (here in Spain) and have lost 17lbs since October.... with my BMI being 35.5, but am concerned that if I loose too much they may think I can do it on my own. (Bad life history like so many I read of yoyo dieting, never reaching goal... etc etc.... I'm sure you know the story!!) :tongue_smilie: