trish4

Hi everyone: I'm about 7 weeks post op and the last 2 days I feel like I'm getting a bladder infection - stinging when I urinate and almost light spasms in the bladder. (Have never had a bladder infection so I'm only guessing). Anyway: has anyone had anything like this after surgery?' I'm trying to drink alot and I bought some cranberry tablets today. Thanks everyone.

3 years after my VSG I find I need a total knee replacement. I am 65+ years of age. Very nervous about surgery because of the VSG and anesthesia. Any comments greatly appreciated.

Gailjingal: Thanks for yoru great responses - you and all of the others have put me more at ease. My surgery is a couple of months away, but I'm needing resassurance and I appreciate it from those of you who have responded. I'm just tryng to think this through and hoping for no complications. Thanks again everyone -

BLKYNgal87 and DeezJeanz: thanks for the response. Yes, I'm going to talk to them about the VSG and that I have the vasalVagal since the VSG - I know what you mean about getting the best anesthesiologist - HOWEVER! generally you have no choice - your surgeon works with who he works with and who he is used to and insurance is another matter. I need to talk directly to all these physicians to put my mind at ease! And as far as explaining to them about the VSG - they have NO NO NO idea what a VSG is - it is so new that I always bring a diagram with me but they are too busy to look at it and again when they find out I had it in Mexico that are like raising their eyebrows!! But Y R Correct - I choose my Mexican Surgeon abnd he was excellent and I just need to "fess up"!! Thanks again!!

Shelle; SouthernSoul; Selena and Kimbernada: Thanks very much for responding. Issue I have is since my VSG for some reason I have this Vasal Vagal thing where under certain circumstances I pass out - sometimes if I eat something [that gives me diarrhea] or if I take a certain medication for pain, I will pass out. THis is what worries me - will I ever come out of the anesthesia? OF COURSE I will talk to the physicians about this - and NO I have no yet told them I have had the VSG because when I do most doctors seem to have a negative opinion of that - plus if/when they ask me where I had it (which was Mexico) they look at me like I'm nuts. (Thing is I could have had it in the U.S., but the Mexico Surgeon had more experience with tthe VSG - it was Dr. Aceves - he had more experience than most surgeons in the U.S. - he was excellent! Anyway: this has me very nervous and I appreciate being able to bounce this off of those who have done what I'vd done.

Need some comments please: I had VSG 3 years ago (Dr Aceves - he was WONDERFUL). I'm over 60 and need some surgery that will require being under for about 2 hours. I'm nervous because I'm worried that the VSG might interfer with the anesthesia??? I'm so worried I'm thinking of cancelling the surgery. Anyone out there have surgery after the VSG? Thanks.

Thanks so much everyone for your replies. I have NOT told my surgeon yet that I have had a VSG - I know, I know. I need to do that. It's just that everytime I mention it to a doctor they raise their eyebrows and THEN when they find out it was done in Mexico - wow! They REALLY raise their eyebrows. I have to get going on this. Again - thanks so much - I am so glad to have someone that has been through the same thing to be able to bounce this off of.

My surgeon's office told me today that she has done "about" 36 sleeves - what does everyone think? Do you think this is sufficient for her to be considered "experienced?" I'm scheduled for the surgery in 14 days. THanks everyone

Does anyone out there know anything about the Vagus Nerves and how they are affected after a VSG? I had to go to ER a couple of days ago due to some chest pain that went to the jaw - I was admitted and after much testing and monitoring the Cardiologist THINKS that my chest pain was actually due to "digestive" issues as a result of the VSG and how the vagus nerves were affected. ANyone know anything about this? Thanks.

MacM: I know you wrote this question some time ago regarding the Vague nerve - can you tell me why you were wondering about this? I had VSG and am wondering about the Vague nerve issue too. Thanks.

BlackBerry Juice - I can so identify with what you are saying. 3 months after my surgery (Dr. Aceves in Mexacali) I had upper GI Study here in US (as recommended by Dr. Aceves) - yep same thing...the Radiologist wanted to know "Why Mexico?" - then he said "Did it cost less" I told him cost had nothing to do with it that I was ready to pay for it here in the states but that Doctors in the States don't have the experience Dr. Aceves has and that when you compare most U.S. bariatric surgeons to Dr. Aceves' experience (with the VSG) there is just no comparison.- the Radiologist was like: "uh huh". I was SO MAD! Afterward I typed a letter to this arrogant Radiologist telling him about Dr. Aceves' experience and education, etc. I then faxed it to the Radiologist - I was fuming! Of course no response. And by the way: I have had NO ill effects from the surgeon - never threw up even once - and all my labs are perfect. My weight loss is slooooow - and that's OK. And by the way - Gaby at Dr. Aceves' Office is totally fantastic - I had this surgeon 5 months ago and that lady is still answering questions, getting info for me - and I mean quick! She always gets back to me the same day. I have nothing but praise for Dr. Aceves and his staff.

I'm puzzled - I'm 4 months out and 4 times I've had diarrhea "attacks" - yesterday I ate at a restaurant and by the time we paid the check I knew I had to use the bathroom - I stopped at 3 bathrooms and the last one I was in a huge department store, went up the escalator, got off the escalator and had diarrhea - went down my legs before I could get to the bathroom - and I know people saw this. I had to ask someone to get me a towel so I could get out of the store - it was awful!! And NO I did not eat too much - does anyone have any idea? I need help. This was humiliating. Thanks.

Jane J - thanks for your response - I don't know what caused it either - it's been 2 weeks - no more episodes. Congratulations to you on your weight loss - 1 pound to go! Fantastic. My weight loss is slooooow - I've lost 36 pounds in the past 4 months (since surgery) and have another 25 to go. Slow is ok with me.

Jamey and Jaffa - thanks for your replies - James - that's what I thought also that I am having some Lactose intolerance (not connected with that awful diarrhea episode - but in general) - my stomach gurgles alot when I have milk. I'm trying soy milk right now. JAFFA - YES I'm still taking the PPI religiously (I've taken one of these for the past 15 years!) - And I do hope I'm not having gallbladder issues - oh yikes! Thanks again. As I say, I haven't had anything for the past 2 weeks and I'm thinking it was something I ate at the restaurant but never in my life have I been so embarressed. I wrote an anonymous thank you note to the store for helping me .

no, not coffee. But the dessert I had was a rich chocolate but I only had a couple of vites. Haven't had this happen since - it will be 2 weeks tomorrow.

I can relate to what all of you are saying. It's this "head hunger" thing - it does not go away with the VSG surgery. I still want to eat to feel better - food has always been my drug of choice. But we have to use our "tools" My issues are 2 things: 1. I need to track what I eat and 2. I need to avoid the carbs. I've lost 36 pounds since surgery in March - I have about 25 to go. After all I've paid (I was a self-pay) and all I've been through I don't want to go "back" - but I need to use these tools including my new stomach.

Re the protein drinks being too sweet - same for me. So I bought some fat free milk and I mix them with the fat free milk. Tastes a lot better.

Anyone have this ? I'm 4 months out and have had 3 episodes of "immediate" diarrhea - twice in public!!! The worst was yesterday - ate at a restaurant and within minutes of paying the bill I had to get to the bathroom and didn't make it - was coming up the escalator trying to find a bathroom - had to ask someone to get me a towel so I culd get out of the store. I've also posted this question on "complications" forum - anyone with any ideas? I'm not eating too much nor too fast.

Thanks for your replies. I think I'm thinking that I eat "such small bites" that no way could it bother me - but probably not so with the sleeve. Anyway: this last episode (last of the 3) here's what I had: I had a few bites of a hamburger that had blue cheese and bacon on it - and a couple bites of a rich desert that had thick chocolate concoction - BUT I'm serious - these were like "nibbles". I also had a few sips of gingerale. Thanks ladies for your help. So nice to be able to go to this forum for help.

I'm 4 months out and have had 3 episodes of diarrhea - twice in public! I can't figure this out - anyone have any idea. I'm not eating too much.

Hey everyone - I'm trying to drink my protein drinks (I always blend lots of ice cubes in mine with sugar free syrup and frozen strawberries or blueberries) but sometimes I can't drink all of it right away. If I put it in a glass and put it in the refrigerator I don't like the consistency - I like the little ice cube pieces to remain. So last couple of days I make it and then put it in a steel thermos and I swear it will stay COLD all day long - I just keep sipping it and when it's gone I make another. I find I'm drinking more protein this way.

Can anyone recommend their favorite protein bar. I had to get some labs done today and then I stopped off at the store - I had been fasting (due to labs) and thought I'd buy some protein bars and eat while I was shopping. I bought what I THOUGHT was pretty good - but I don't think so. I ate it while shopping and didn't feel too good. It's called "Power Bar" "Long Lasting Energy" - It has 230 cal; 9 g. fat; 15 g sugar, 3 g. fiber and 10 g. protein. I thought it had too much sugar and alot of calories - any way: can someone tell me their favorite protein bar - these are probably pretty good to stick in your purse for "emergencies" - THANKS.

Thanks ladies - I'll look for the Atkins Day Break and the Pure Protein Bars - Jane: I looked at your pix album you are a changed person - congrats. What country do you live in?

Today (recommendation of my surgeon) I had an upper GI (just routine - 3 months after surgery). This was pretty yucky! They had me place some dry granules in my mouth and then drink some liquid and this made the dry granules "active" causing my stomach to expand but they told me NOT to burp - then I had to start drinking the thick chaulky stuff - I almost threw up. Anyway: I took my x-ray to show the radiologist the size of the stomach he was dealing with and he wanted to know what I had done and why. I said a "VSG" - he had NO CLUE what a VSG was - so I explained and he wanted to know why I had it done in Mexico - he said: "did you go there because it was cheaper? WHen I said "no" going to Mexico had nothing to do with the price, I went to Mexico because the surgeon there had much more experience than the surgeons here - he sort of just stared at me. WHen he was done with the testing, I asked him how things looked and he said: "well I have to get on the internet and look at what a VSG is before I can write my report.

JillianMarie - hope you are feeling better. I do the same thing as you - the mental hunger - the amount seems so small that we can eat now. We just have to try. Take it a day at a time - some days will be better than others but as long as you are trying it will be OK. The protein shakes that I make help me a lot = they do help the hunger - I always make them with milk and fruit (I know some people would make them with water but I want the calcium and protein and the fruit sweetens them. Also I make them with a lot of ice cubes so that I'm also getting some of the required water. I buy the protein powder from Costco. They are very very easy going down because it is mostly liquid. I know it's hard but just keep trying. Thank heavens for this web site!!! Also if you had this done by Dr. Aceves (I read in one of the posts to you that yuo had it done by "Dr. A") Anyway, IF it was Dr. Aceves - just email Gaby she will help you. She always gets back to you QUICK.