2BSkinny

Wow, that stinks! Have you tried prilosec or another PPI? Maybe your surgeon can help you? I've never had that issue but I certainly feel for you! I'm sure you will get better over time but I sense your frustration that at 10 weeks you're still having problems. Good luck!

Congratulations, you look awesome. Best wishes on your continued success. Lisa

At my heaviest I was wearing a 20/22 just prior to surgery in Oct 2010. For several years I have kept a few tubs of my nicest, most expensive and mostly classic styled clothes in smaller sizes so I could wear them again when I lost weight (many were actually still new). While cleaning out our garage last weekend and unpacking the last of the boxes from our move two years ago, I ran across those tubs. I was so excited to go through all these awesome garments until I realized that each and every item was too big for me. Because I don't see myself as a small person, I never would have imagined not fitting into my "small" clothes (10-14). So the moral of the story is.....if you have boxes of small clothes, pull them out early and try them on often. You'll be surprised at how your body changes so quickly! Lisa

Grocery shopping with my kids is never a pleasant experience. After picking my 13 year old son up from an event yesterday I was forced to take him with me to pick some things up for a party we were having last night. Rather than making deserts, I decided last minute to pick up a variety of things from the bakery section of the grocery store. Everything looked wonderful and I jokingly said to my son "it's never a good idea to let me run loose in the bakery while I'm on a diet". My son replied "Uh, mom, you don't need to be on a diet anymore and should be able to eat this if you want to. Just saying..." I have always felt bad that I was overweight when all the friends moms looked like supermodels. Hearing my son say I shouldn't be on a "diet" anymore was priceless! Lisa

Thanks everyone for your comments and well-wishes! It's great to be able to share successes (and failures) with others who understand. For those of you still undecided or waiting for surgery, this is without a doubt, the best thing I've done for myself. Lisa

Hello! I understand your frustration. I, too, was a very slow loser for the first month. If you keep your Protein and Water intake where it should be, the weight will eventually begin to melt away. I'm almost 11 mos. post op and have lost about 80 lbs since my day of surgery. Even at a month post op I seriously questioned my ability to shed the pounds other VSG patients do. While others were losing 20+ lbs per month, I was losing 5-10. In the end, I couldn't be happier and I know you will feel the same next summer! Best wishes on your journey. Lisa

That's a great question, Rootman! For me, I am 13 lbs lower than my goal and I still think about how "bad" I look. When I was 240 lbs., I would have given anything to be 100 lbs lighter and would not have cared one little bit that my inner thighs sag a little or the skin on my tummy hangs. For whatever reason, even at goal I don't see myself as "done". I hope someday to find peace. With luck you will think about vacations, personal goals not related to weightloss, or maybe you can focus that extra time and energy volunteering in some capacity.??? Best wishes on the final stage of your journey. Lisa

Hi. Yes, I've noticed I can no longer cough as I used to. This was very disturbing to me when I had a severe chest cold and bronchitis which led to pneumonia. I'm now down about 95 lbs and at the time I had lost a total of about 80-85 lbs. I do believe that once I healed completely from that period of illness my lungs were stronger and therefore my cough had a little more force to it. Now that I've read your post I'm totally curious to see how my cough is at the moment, but I just had my gall bladder removed and coughing hurts! I'm interested to hear what others have to say as well. Thanks for bringing this up! Lisa

I began having issues with my gallbladder shortly after the birth of my daughter in 2005. In 2009, an ultrasound and HIDA scan revealed I needed it removed and my PCP gave me a referral to general surgery. I let the referral expire after 30 days because I "felt" better and basically chickened out. So, I had my sleeve surgery on 10/26/10, just over a year later. I asked my surgeon to please remove the GB at the same time and he refused, saying there is no proof that I would ever need it taken out and he is not one to perform unnecessary procedures. My understanding of the GB is that once it has stones and is not functioning property if at all, it will NOT get better. Additionally, I asked if I would be taking Actigall like many other post WLS patients and he said "no", that it tastes terrible and the risk of getting stones without it is only 1%. Fast forward to today. I just arrived home from the hospital having my gallbladder removed, and bile ducts and liver x-rayed. According to him I AM the 1%. I feel like it should have been removed during the VSG surgery last year. On vacation in Germany the end of June I had a TERRIBLE attack. It lasted nearly 10 days. I began feeling better on 7/5 and had blood work done on 7/8. My liver enzymes were crazy high at that time, indicating a common bile duct blockage. A week later my enzymes were normal, so during my 10 days of hell it is likely my liver was in very, very bad shape and had fortunately recovered to some extent before my first bloodwork was done. I'm quite sore, but the actual surgery went fine today. Unfortunately, I am suffocating because my uvula (dangling piece in back of throat) is swollen to the size of a large grape. The anesthesiologist felt horrible, saying it's from the breathing tube sitting on it the wrong way. I cannot swollow well, cannot breathe normally and cannot talk. Though my surgery site feels as well as can be expected, my throat is killing me! I feel like it is closing in on me. Talk about feeling anxious! It will likely be this way, and maybe even worsen over the next couple days. I've been directed to go to any ER if needed so I can have another round of IV steroids. My whole point to all of this is...... 1. If you have gallbladder problems prior to VSG, INSIST on having it removed at the same time!!!!! I would not be enduring this HELL if he would have listened to me. 2. I would probably insist on taking Actigall even if you didn't have problems prior to surgery. Anytime you can prevent this is, DO IT! For now, I'm afraid to sleep for fear my throat will close up and I will die. I don't wish this upon anyone! Lisa

Did your uvula ever heal? I had VSG in Oct 2010 but just had my gall bladder removed on Thursday 8/4/11. During my most recent surgery the anesthesiologist must have knicked or otherwise severely stretched my uvula, too. It is driving me beyond crazy. In doing a google search of this condition and how long it takes to get better, I ran across your old post. How are you doing now and how long did it take to feel better and what did you do to help? Thanks! Lisa

Thanks for your thoughtful reply. The pills might have prevented you from needing your gall bladder removed, or might not have. You'll likely never know, but if I was offered the actigall I certainly would have taken it, too! (especially given my history of malfunctioning GB) In any case, I'm very glad that you haven't needed this additional surgery. Maybe this can help other VSG patients insist on learning more about the health of their own gall bladders before WLS. Avoid another surgery if possible is my motto of the day..... Lisa

Be glad you had a healthy gall bladder going into surgery! And, yes, the uvula complication is highly unpleasant, to say the least.

As nasty as the actigall tablets are (from what I hear), be glad they were prescribed to you. Take them and hopefully keep yourself out of the OR! My anesthesiologist says the swelling should subside within about 3-4 days post-op. Online I'm reading 1-2 weeks. Let's hope my doctor is right! This side effect is for the birds! Thanks for your well wishes... Lisa

Still not doing well today. I was back in the hospital yesterday for more IV steroids to try to reduce the swelling in my throat. I cannot breathe or swallow well and have a choking/gagging sensation constantly. My uvula is huge, very long, and drags down my throat. The breathing tube must have snagged it and stretched it beyond belief. Again, if you can avoid having an extra surgery to have the gall bladder removed, do it. If it isn't healthy to begin with, have the sucker removed during VSG. No, my throat issue is not caused directly by the cholecystectomy, it is simply a risk you take every time you have a breathing tube placed in you. The fewer breathing tubes placed in you, the lower your risk! Thanks for your kind words of compassion and encouragement. I sure hope to feel better soon! Lisa

Yes, please do use me as an example to your patients. It's not that the cholecystectomy surgery is so dangerous, but there is absolutely no need to suffer from the potential horrible complications if it is not necessary! Have the GB removed at the same time as the VSG! I hope that I have helped someone else NOT go through what it happening to me. Lisa

No. The "pain" in my throat has nothing to do with my gallbladder. It is simply a complication from the surgery. The breathing tube caught my uvula, stretched it and created a monster out of it. I am constantly choking and gagging. Additionally, I can't eat (swallow) or breathe well. If I didn't have to endure this second surgery, I wouldn't be dealing with this horrible complication.

Gayle, you're too funny! I feel good, okay very good, wearing small sizes. However, I still don't see myself as "skinny". I look in the mirror and see the same ole, overweight me. Not sure if everyone goes through this, but I hear it can take 18 months to see yourself as you really are when you look in a mirror. You were wise in setting your goal lower than mine. It was always 160 but I'm thinking now maybe 130???? You will see just how quickly this whole thing happens..... Lisa

I spent about a week eating at my favorite restaurants before I started the liquid diet. At the time I really thought I was mourning the upcoming "loss" of these restaurants/foods. The beautiful thing is that I eat everything I want to, just in limited quantities. I'm 8 months post-op and don't deprive myself of anything I truly want. You will likely get to that point in your journey as well. So, saying goodbye should really be more like "see ya later". Good luck, Lisa

You WILL be able to enjoy that bbq with friends and eat pizza again! I am 7 1/2 months out and about one pound over my goal. I eat what I want. I had a slice of pizza last night for dinner and have been to several pool parties/bbq's over the past couple weeks. Sure, I don't eat "much", but I eat what I want. I enjoy what I eat and stop when I am full and the food no longer appeals to me. I am not missing out. Most of the time I focus on getting my Protein and stick to a "lower" carb diet, but I don't hesitate to eat what I want a couple times a week or on special occasions. I am still successful and you will be, too!!!

Wow. It sounds like you've had a horrible day. I, too, doubted myself and my surgery during the first couple months post-op. Hang in there (like you really have a choice). It really does get better. I'm almost 7 months post-op and finally feel like this is the best thing I could have done aside from losing weight and keeping it off all by myself (which wouldn't have happened). Best wishes on a positive outcome tomorrow. Lisa

I'm now a little over 5 months post-op and am doing great. A good friend had gastric bypass surgery about 6 weeks before my VSG. Though my surgeon claimed the bypass is the "gold standard" in WLS, I am convinced my stubborn nature paid off in getting him to perform the VSG on me against his advice. Though my weight loss is not spectacular compared with others on this board, it has been mostly steady. My friend with the bypass has not lost any more weight than I have, considering the 6 week head start she had. Additionally, I eat whatever I want within reason and my friend has only a limited menu of acceptable foods. Though I am somewhat carb, calorie and fat conscious and attempt to maximize my protein intake, I still eat pasta, sandwiches, potatoes, and an occasional dessert. My friend cannot eat many of the things I eat with no problem. She also spent last weekend in the hospital with a blockage. To say she was sick and in intense pain is an understatement. All this leads me to believe that I made the best decision ever in choosing to have the VSG!

Absolutely, we must all choose what is right for us as individuals! My friend didn't have a choice because her insurance would not pay for VSG. My surgeon had performed the sleeve but didn't really believe in it and pushed RNY. Hopefully his attitude will change as her sees more and more people achieve positive results. I did waiver somewhat on the VSG vs. RNY but stuck to my guns in the end. All along I've been waiting for my friend to lose more weight faster and it hasn't happened yet. The day I wrote this post I finally reaized that I had, in fact, made the best decision for me. I suppose I was hoping that others who are on the fence might appreciate a direct, real life comparison. I sincerely thought my friend would see significantly better results than me and that just hasn't been the case. Lisa

You look amazing, happy, vibrant and yes, YOUNG. Thanks for sharing your success! Lisa

Though I understand where you are coming from, try not to focus on worry or regret. I had my surgery last October and I've only lost 48 lbs. So your 34 lbs.in only 2 months sounds AWESOME to me. Like you, I have endured more than my fair share of hunger since being sleeved. For the first 3 months or so I would have called my hunger a serious problem. I began taking Prilosec, which has helped, and though I am still hungry often, I feel like I've made some improvements after the 3 month post-op mark. When I get hungry now I eat a small handfull of natural almonds, a small light yogurt or a Laughing Cow cheese wedge. Each of these things fills me up just enough to not feel sick. I then try to redirect my thinking to doing something productive to avoid wanting to eat more. This seems to work for me most of the time. As little as I'm eating, as healthy as I'm eating, and as much as I'm exercising I find it extremely painful to see the scale not move very much. I always lost weight faster BEFORE I was sleeved, and I never worked so hard for it! What I have to remember is that I never stuck to any weight loss program for as long as I've stuck with the sleeve. The beauty of our surgery is that even if you are slow to lose, you can't really give up. I will never be able to binge like I used to. Keep a positive attitude and try not to be so hard on yourself. Best Wishes, Lisa