VSGKirk

Hey Guys, Just wanted to give you all a heads-up if you are pre-op and come back with unusually high or borderline high levels of Iron in your blood. My surgeon, although noted the elevated level, was not concerned. As they were inflating my abdomen, it triggered a vagus nerve response that actually stopped my heart. They introduced Atropine and I came back. They waited a few minutes and decided to proceed with the surgery once consulting with other physicians and a cardiologist. Everyone seemed completely baffled by the phenomenon, especially since all of my pre-surgery test came back so strong. When I reminded the doctor that my iron levels were unusually high and mentioned that my father has been diagnosed with hemochromatosis, a light bulb went off for him. The iron deposited in my heart has messed with it's circuitry. I've had no post-op complications and have healed remarkably well (returning to work 7 days post-op), but I have appointment up the keester with cardiologists and hematologists to get this blood disorder under control. Moral to the story - be informed, disclose all of your family medical history (even if you don't think it's relevant), get tested if you have a close family member diagnosed and don't be afraid to ask questions! Thanks!

You just described my a$$

I have nothing to contribute other than to say - feel better! I know you'll still come out of this stronger than ever

If you have Hulu or Netflix (I can't remember which one it's on) there's a UK series called "Fat Doctor" - very interesting! I also watched all the seasons of "Ruby" on one of those as well. I'm obsessed with weight loss shows!

I was scared - but I attributed that to being a healthy reaction (it meant I actually understood what I was getting into instead of an decision on the whim). I watched hundreds of successful people on YouTube and decided I have already lived long enough in fear, shame, denial, etc. AND I became very aware that if I did nothing, I knew for sure I would end up dead much earlier than necessary. So, as grandiose and this sounds, I think my surgery day was probably the best decision I've made in my entire life (and certainly the best day in many many decades!)

I encourage people to post food pics. I remind them that I have alot of old clothes I can no longer use

Good for you for being strong though and only eating what you knew you should and not embarrassing her. Next time YOU buy and show her what a healthy portion looks like, LOL

I only watch like 1 out of 10 episodes... I get Lexus mixed up with Nevada and McDreary or whatever, ugh. That ginger doc scares me. The Sandra Oh character should have been the lesbian..now that would have been bad a$$!

My partner Eric loves this show... he's such a chick!

I felt great after waking up out of surgery - they had me up and walking - I was alert and coherant. The first few days out, aside from feeling like a did 1,000 situps, I was fine. I had to nap here and there, but - yeah, awesome experience, smooth sailing - haven't stopped smiling. The noises your stomach will make a few days out will be quite entertaining for those all around you. You can check out my video blog about my VSG experience on YouTube - the link is in my profile. Good luck and keep us posted on your progress!

I know a few bars where you could make a sh*t-ton of money go-go dancing! Great job - you're doing fantastic - I wish this was around when I was your age. Keep up the great work and don't forget about all us (almost) little people when you hit your goal in a month or two!

Double elimination!!!!!!!!! that.is.all

I prefer to cut the IsoPure too - great job so far and I wish you continued success!!

Some of yours (and Fyre's) best work is off-topic!

A solid program would have explained the liver thing to you either before or while providing the pre-op diet plan to you. This site is TOTALLY for providing support, tips and tricks - but what I'm seeing are more and more patients being left to fend for themselves during this process (and seeking medical advice) and it's, well, frankly and a pet-peeve of mine. We are all rooting for you - for real!

Music to my ears! You'll do great

This is what I call a "Red Flag" post/question... And this is absolutely no reflection on you Shakur, and let me explain why: 1) If your surgeon (or the nutritionist) didn't take the time to explain why the Protein shakes were an important part of the pre-op plan, then you need to find one (or a program) that puts more emphasis on patient education. The better educated you are, the better outcomes (both safety & weight loss) you will most likely have. 2) If your surgeon did explain, and you chose to seek the advice of total strangers in hopes that you will get an answer that you'd rather hear than the advice your surgeon gave you, then that might mean your program/surgeon hasn't done enough to earn your trust or help provide you the support psychologically to be in the right place for this major change. You're a stunning woman and would love to see you happy & healthy first and foremost. You deserve nothing less than the very best!

I think you are giving birth... j/k (I thought a little humor would ease your worry!)

No cocktails for me either. I still go out occasionally, but do not find I need to drink to have a good time. It's surely not as wild and uninhibited, but wild and uninhibited got me to 350+lbs and miserable. I do have a wine tasting trip planned about 5 months out - but even then, we'll see! I'll be more interested in the cheese I think!

Jason - same boat here (well, minus the wife and kids and marathons) - but Ioved eating huge meals (especially at night), going out with friends and getting plastered (seriously, I loved getting wasted) - I haven't missed food at all, and now when I go out with my friends, it's a little weird (being totally honest) but I wouldn't trade how I feel today for the largest burrito in California or the wildest weekend in Vegas. I feel great and I'm going to be a-okay...actually more than a-okay - I can't remember being this content in most of my adult life. Best decision I have made in a loooong time and haven't stopped smiling!

That would be A W E S O M E !

Don't think I didn't think about ordering one when they came out!

I bought a juicer, but found purchasing the fruit and veggies to go into it to be too cost prohibitive. I don't have time to seek out farmer's markets, etc (I live in two places throughout the week). I finally left it at work and my co-workers use it all the time and give me their leftovers or extras

I used sugar free mints as well - made me feel like my breath was less funky.