jerryvic

Finally after a discouraging stall, I am now celebrating " ONEDERLAND". People I don't see very often are amazed at the way I look. Doesn't that feel great?

If you are drinking protein shakes then add a tablespoon of Clear and Natural Metamucil. It has no taste and will help because of the fiber. As far as dehydration try improving the taste by adding a small package of Crystal Light. It adds no calories and really makes taking liquids easier.

Dr. Robert Althar, from Pace, Florida (near Pensacola) did my surgery and I could not have been in better hands. I highly recommend him.

I, like several others that have replied to you, did not require any pain medications. I was walking two hours after surgery (I should say I wobbled two hours after surgery not having totally recovered from the anesthesia). I had the SILS surgery (single incision laproscopic surgery) which is about a 1 1/2" incision at the belly button which I think helped in rapid recovery. I only had soreness, especially in getting out of bed, but it was not bad. I think you will be fine to resume your semi-normal activities but like others I suggest you "sip,sip,sip" and DO NOT DO ANY LIFTING of objects for about 3-4 weeks. I felt as weak as a sick puppy for a couple of weeks but it was nothing which I now think is one of the greatest inventions, the NAP, can't cure. Good luck on your upcoming season. Go ________s!!! (you fill in the blank)

When I was sleeved , a culture was done on the removed stomach. I was informed that I had Helicobacter Pylori bacteria in my stomach. This is the bacteria that can cause stomach ulcers. I was given a Rx for a Prev Pak which I am presently taking. My problem is that it changes the taste of everything I eat, it gives me a vile taste in my mouth that lingers, and I get sick when I eat. Sometimes I throw up whatever I have eaten.:001_tongue: I would like to know if anyone else has had these problems taking a Prev Pak?

Because you are a Type I diabetic, there is no cure, there is only better control. With a HbA1c that high indicates you have poor control. I have been there and I know the effort it takes to get the HbA1c down to the 6's or 7's. The sleeve surgery is a tool to help you, but without the effort required it can be defeated. One year ago I had a HbA1c in the 11's. I was eating anything and everything I wanted. I was a Type II diabetic on insulin. Now, I am under better control and am off insulin after the surgery. You will always be on insulin, but after the surgery it will be much easier to control and you will be able to take less insulin and feel better. Please do yourself a favor and do what ever it takes to control this "horrible, horrible" disease. I understand what you are going through. I had the surgery to help me and it did.

Tifftykins forgot to mention the mortality rate of RNY, I have read and had confirmed by my surgeon that it is around 2%. That is two out of a hundred surgeries go bad. With the sleeve the mortality rate is .003% That is an very large difference. I went with the sleeve because of this and the other things Tiffykins commented on. Have you asked your Dr. "have you had any deaths associated with RNY surgery?" " What was the most major complication associated with RNY you have had?" Ask the same things about VSG. Also ask how many VSGs have you done? Statistics can and often are manipulated by the person wanting to prove a point. ie.. It does not matter if he has never had a death associated with RNY if you are the first. I don't want to scare you, but the fact is there are more deaths and complications associated with RNY than Drs will let on. It is your life, so ask him/her. Then make a decision from all the facts you have been given.

MissSparkle, I think if you go to one of the last forums, "Ask Dr Jossart" you will get a wealth of information. I agree with MiniMe that the size of the stomach remaining is important. Dr. Jossart (a prominent San Francisco surgeon) recommends about a size 32 Bougie. Ask your surgeon what size he/she prefers. Anything larger than a 36 or 38 may be too big and you will not lose as much in the long run. Good luck!

<TABLE id=post56891 class=tborder border=0 cellSpacing=1 cellPadding=6 width="100%" align=center><TBODY><TR><TD style="PADDING-BOTTOM: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 0px; PADDING-RIGHT: 0px; PADDING-TOP: 0px" class=alt2><TABLE border=0 cellSpacing=6 cellPadding=0 width="100%"><TBODY><TR><TD noWrap>jerryvic <SCRIPT type=text/javascript> vbmenu_register("postmenu_56891", true); </SCRIPT> Registered User </TD><TD width="100%"> </TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap>Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 53 Gender: Male City: Daphne State: AL </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR><TR><TD id=td_post_56891 class=alt1>Another arthritis medication question for Dr. Jossart <HR style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #d6dadb; COLOR: #d6dadb" SIZE=1>Dr. Jossart, if I understand you correctly, and I hope I do, is that NSAIDS are safe to resume after a week or so. I had terrible gouty arthritis about 5 days after surgery. I tried to tough it out, finally I got prescribed steroids for 1 week, it helped but only when I restarted my meloxicam did I finally got resolution. I have been on meloxicam or seldane for years. Is there a NSAID available that is less prone to cause stomach problems, ie ulcers? __________________ Jerry "I exhort you also to take part in the great combat, which is the combat of life, and greater than every other earthly conflict" PLATO </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><TABLE id=post56891 class=tborder border=0 cellSpacing=1 cellPadding=6 width="100%" align=center><TBODY><TR><TD style="PADDING-BOTTOM: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 0px; PADDING-RIGHT: 0px; PADDING-TOP: 0px" class=alt2><TABLE border=0 cellSpacing=6 cellPadding=0 width="100%"><TBODY><TR><TD noWrap>jerryvic <SCRIPT type=text/javascript> vbmenu_register("postmenu_56891", true); </SCRIPT> Registered User </TD><TD width="100%"> </TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap>Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 53 Gender: Male City: Daphne State: AL </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR><TR><TD id=td_post_56891 class=alt1>Another arthritis medication question for Dr. Jossart <HR style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #d6dadb; COLOR: #d6dadb" SIZE=1>Dr. Jossart, if I understand you correctly, and I hope I do, is that NSAIDS are safe to resume after a week or so. I had terrible gouty arthritis about 5 days after surgery. I tried to tough it out, finally I got prescribed steroids for 1 week, it helped but only when I restarted my meloxicam did I finally got resolution. I have been on meloxicam or seldane for years. Is there a NSAID available that is less prone to cause stomach problems, ie ulcers? __________________ Jerry "I exhort you also to take part in the great combat, which is the combat of life, and greater than every other earthly conflict" PLATO </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE> Dr Jossart, I had the VSG on 20 May 2010, surgery went very well, but 3 days later I developed a gouty arthritis. I tried to tough it out and was told no NSAIDs. I received steroids for a week and they partially helped. Finally, in desperation I restarted taking Meloxicam and things got better. I understand why with bypass patients why they shouldn't take NSAIDs but the VSG is different. Is there a good reason I should not take them if I develop gouty arthritis? Are there any other NASiDs that are less prone .to cause stomach ulcers, etc..? Thank you

Alan, thank you for Terri's update. We are all very happy for her. Having recently gone through the procedure, I understand what she is feeling. Her first thought will probably be , "What the hell have I done?" That will pass quickly. She and I chat often in the evenings, so tell her the Jerry will be the first one to move over on the losers bench. Continued best wishes.

Dr. Jossart, if I understand you correctly, and I hope I do, is that NSAIDS are safe to resume after a week or so. I had terrible gouty arthritis about 5 days after surgery. I tried to tough it out, finally I got prescribed steroids for 1 week, it helped but only when I restarted my meloxicam did I finally got resolution. I have been on meloxicam or seldane for years. Is there a NSAID available that is less prone to cause stomach problems, ie ulcers?

I sympathize with your situation, yes it does appear to be a more potent non-lethal way of attacking myself. You should do what I do, take a fan into the throne room and blow the gas out into areas where it makes other people gag. Ha

If you are still on Protein shakes, and havn't been having regular bowel movements then I suggest adding a large tablespoon of the Metamucil, clear and natural, tasteless Fiber into your shake prior to blending it up. You will never know it is there until you get the pleasant urge to go "Potty" the next day .

I feel great first thing in the morning, but like goodlife, I can't hang. I get tired and have to take a nap. I also am going to bed earlier at night. I really have to force myself to get up and go walking when I feel run down. I have confidence in my surgeon, and he said it will improve.

Shontel, as a dentist, and a diabetic on insulin, and one who takes B12 injections the 25 gauge needle is pretty thin. If you want to use 1" needles that is OK but you have to inject where there is less fat. It is an intramuscular injection after all, not a subcutaneous injection. The trick is to be bold, holding the syringe like a dart, quickly hit the target area. I prefer B12 shots in the upper deltoid area, about 2 inches below the shoulder joint. I is relatively pain free if you do not hesitate, believe me I have had thousands of injections and given tens of thousands. If you are still afraid, rub an ice cube on the target area for a minute or two prior to the injection. Ovary up, and try it a few times, with practice comes perfection.

B12 is a water soluble vitamin, and thus it is very hard to get too much, because you just pee away the excess.

Antibiotics are fine to take if you need them. During surgery a culture of my stomach revealed I had Heliobactor Pilori (the bacteria that causes ulcers) so my surgeon prescribed for me a Prev-Pac which is a combination of 3 or 4 different antibiotics. I am only 21 days out of surgery.

Congrats Kathy, you've waited long enough, I am happy for you.

Terri, I would tell you to enjoy the next 3 days of liquids, but I would be telling a big one. Instead focus on the surgery. I am so proud that the time is fast approaching. Sit back and enjoy the rest, it won't last very long. I am now down 35 lbs in 21 days. Catch me if you can! Seriously, Congratulations and keep posting and chatting. Your sleeve friend, Jerry

Calva 413, believe me when I tell you this, do not worry about the gram amounts of what you will be eating. Why? Because by the time you leave the hospital you will be covered up with do's and do not's. There are lots of books for Bypass and LapBand nutritional requirements, so a lot of information you get may not apply to the Sleeve. I was instructed to get 75 grams of protein a day. More than likely you will be given powered shakes to drink. They will have the amount of protein in grams on the package. Mine have 25 grams, so I add an extra scoop of Whey Isolate Protein (40 grams). By doing this twice a day I get more protein than required. Other "sleevers" have different protein requirements. Every food you eat for a while will be easy to tell the gram amount of protein, carbohydrates, fats, etc.. Good Luck on your journey.

Sleeve buddy, it appears you and Ian are doing well; that is fantastic! I am down 35lbs since our 20May2010 surgery date. I am very happy also. whoo hoo!

Tip of the Day If anyone is having constipation problems, a little trick I use is to add a spoonful of the clear, flavorless, Metamucil to my Protein shakes. I never know it is there, and it keeps me more regular than without it. By the way, in some of the above posts, it appears you guys are progressing too rapidly in an effort to get "real food", I hope you don't pay for it in the long run.

Jim, my name is Jerry Williams. I have had a lot of the same problems you have had. Namely, Stint placement, Type II diabetic on insulin, and High Blood Pressure. I was sleeved on May 20th. I have lost a total of 26 lbs so far. Your start weight was considerably more that my weight of 240 lbs when I started, so you will lose faster. I got the surgery for the primary reason of improving my health, esp. the diabetes. I would love to talk to you telephonically about your time lines for doing away with the insulin and the BP meds. What were the indicators to stopping the insulin? Was it daily testing? or HbA1c? How rapidly did your Blood Glucose levels come down? I will try and private message you with my telephone number if you would be so kind to call me any evening. Thanks, it is great to have another male going through the same thing. Jerry Williams

Anna, you are right, if I eat too fast or forget to chew enough, I get an intense discomfort in the sternum area. If makes me feel as if I want to throw up. I don't like that feeling! I have always been a fast eater, so it is an effort for me to take a small bite, chew it at least 25 times, swallow, put down my fork and wait a minute before I take another bite. It has to do with the peristolic action of the stomach. It has to progressively squeeze the food down, and this takes about 45-60 seconds. Also, I quit eating when I feel the first signs of discomfort and never drink during my meals. Try this it may help.

Personally, I will do what my surgeon tells me to do. I will not chance screwing this up because I make up my own meal plan. If all of you were so successful eating like you did before, why get the surgery?