Macy6

I too have to wait the 6 months. When I jumped in, I dived in full force and about ran myself ragged the first month getting almost every test under the sun done. There was no reason to move as fast as I did, I was just so excited. I have slowed down a bit. I still have a follow up sleep study, EKG, blood draw, and upper GI to get done but I haven't set any of the appointments, but the sleep study. I will be getting them done in the next month, in case there is something I need to follow up with, but I have really taken this time to obsessively read this forum, I search for topics of interest and go back a couple years to get other perspectives. I have read my surgeon required book "The Expert's guide to weight loss surgery" By: Garth Davis I have also researched and read: "Successful Weight Loss with the Gastric Sleeve" By: Guillermo Alvarez and "Stranger Here, How weight loss surgery transformed my body and messed with my head" By: Jen Larsen I also have watched three of the four parts of the documentary "The weight of the nation" by HBO http://theweightofthenation.hbo.com/ I also keep myself busy with FB groups dealing with weight loss surgery It is important to me that the day I step into surgery that I have lost at least 30 to 40 lbs. My surgeon is requiring 5lbs, but the more you loose, the lower your BMI the safer the surgery is. I want to make sure that the day I walk into surgery that I have left no stone unturned, that I have researched it all, I have read it all and that I am ready for what is to come. The wait is hard, but I am in shock that I am already 1/3 of the way into the wait. It is flying.

It seems to be a common occurrence. I agree with laura-ven, maybe a change up in your foods would help. I have not gone through surgery but about 4 years ago I went vegetarian cold-turkey. It was rough, I literally went from having a normal breakfast and lunch with meat to BAM! dinner, no meat. I went nearly 9 months before I cheated and had a meat product. Let me tell you though, that first 30-60 days was the worst. It seemed like my neighbor decided to BBQ everyday, every time I went to a friends house they were cooking my favorite meat dish, and fast food smelled so amazing every time I drove by. I promise you, it gets easier, the food loss gets easier, the smells quit bothering you, and when you do end up cheating the taste and texture is completely different. The first thing I had non vegetarian was a fast food cheeseburger, my first thought was.... gross soggy cardboard. It will give you a new appreciation for the foods as you bring them back in to your diet, in a newer, healthier way in smaller portions. Hang in there.

That is so good to hear. I had the worst experience with a tooth pull and after pain this past fall. I thought for sure I was just going to die.

I haven't had surgery.... YET!!! BUT I will tell you that they won't put the catheter in until you are under, once it is in you shouldn't have any discomfort from it, if you do that is the time you are going to talk to your nurse and let them know and they will be able to help you from there. When they remove it, it "should" be painless.

Someone mentioned making faux rice out of cauliflower.... I am not sure if I read it on here or another FB page or what. It may be something to look into. http://video.about.com/lowcarbdiets/Low-Carb-Cauliflower-Rice.htm

You are doing great! Hang in there, and definitely take your measurements! Make sure you do it in multiple places, if you only focus on one or two areas a loss of half an inch might be discouraging, but if you are measuring your neck, chest, waist, hips, thighs, calf and ankle a half inch loss in all those areas will be so much more encouraging.

I have this problem due to my gall bladder, there are certain foods that get me, and other times it is a fluke. Because of how quickly it is leaving your system there is probably going to be a lack of calories/nutrients that are absorbed, but if it is happening infrequently it shouldn't pose a problem. You may want to keep track in a journal of the item you ate, and the components. So if you had shrimp ceviche, write down everything you put it in and then if it 2 weeks it happens again and there was one common ingredient you may want to try to avoid it.

Hello, I went in to my first appointment with the surgeon requesting bypass. My surgeon recommended the sleeve for me too. I walked out a little frustrated, VERY confused, and unsure of what to do. I did some online required education, found this forum, and it would take a lot of convincing to get me to go any other route! Good Luck on your journey!

I went back and read some of your past posts. It seems like you are probably a little overwhelmed, being a mom, a wife and taking care of yourself after having surgery. You aren't feeling well, because you just had surgery, you are tired, you are healing and the thing you used to turn to has been ripped away, even if you wanted to cheat you can't right now. A few days ago you posted you were struggling getting in your fluids, are you also struggling with protein? You need to give yourself some time, you need to make your husband realize that you need more help right now, do you have family or friends close who could help out with the kids over the weekend? just to give you a few days off? Don't regret, you can't change it now. You have to look forward and take everything step by step. As of yesterday you were down 23lbs, and 35 in total since pre op diet? You are doing amazing, your healing is a little compromised because of life, it is to be expected. You have to get yourself healthy in order to keep the rest of your family healthy. If it means leaving the dishes for a few days, the laundry for a week, or sending your husband and kids out for dinner every night then do it. You got this! You are a mom!!! You are strong, you will get through this! Your priority right now is you, get your water in and your protein and take care of yourself.

I have not but there is a forum for surgery in Mexico http://www.verticalsleevetalk.com/forum/114-self-pay-mexico-vertical-sleeve-surgery-new-forum/ and pretty popular post about him http://www.verticalsleevetalk.com/topic/57453-dr-fernando-garcia/

---I lied--- I'd still ask you PCP. Avoid: Reduced drug absorption/bioavailability—Avoid these supplements when taking this medication since the supplement may decrease the absorption and/or activity of the medication in the body. Calcium, Copper, Iron, Magnesium, Manganese, Zinc (if taken at the same time) Dandelion* Fennel Yogurt

From what I just read its the calcium that needs to be avoided. I would check with your PCP but it seems like the Iron would be OK, but anything with calcium needs to be taken, like you said, 6 hours before of 2 hours after. The calcium can prevent the Cipro from being absorbed. So 6am-Cipro and any non calcium minerals, 10- calcium minerals, 1pm- calcium minerals, 7-8pm- Cipro and non calcium minerals. You may take in less calcium than preferred for the 6 weeks, but the Cipro would more than likely take preference for this time.

I have had it happen in the past when I lost a significant amount of weight. I think the important thing is to not be afraid to ask for help, seek the help of a counselor and your PCP if necessary. It took a long time for me to come around and in the process I ended up gaining back all of the weight plus more. In the end it was with the help of a counselor that really helped. I think it is difficult to process all of the emotions related to weight loss, the excess hormones and the physical changes you are going through.

How many calories do you think you are taking in? I have seen on other posts where people have suggested upping your calories, slightly, to accommodate for the exercise. If you are taking in 600-800 and burning 400 or more working out your body may be freaking out. Maybe try bumping your calories slightly, make sure you are getting in a post exercise shake? Keep up on your water and don't give up.

I was wondering about gallbladder too. I hope they get it figured out soon and you have a speedy recovery!

I have this grand plan in my head (that has not panned out yet) That if I take a month and cut back to 1800 calories and drop to 1500 the month after and then the last two months get really strict about what I am eating that it will better prepare me. Unfortunately one of the reasons we are in the positions we are in is the fact that this is an incredible struggle. hang in there!

My Dr. is requiring me a 5# weight loss (to shrink the liver) and I was told by the nutritionist that they will weigh me before the start of my 10 day pre op diet and the last day and if I don't loose that they will postpone. My Dr. told me to loose as much weight as I could before surgery, the lower the BMI, the less you weigh the safer it is.

I can understand this. I tend to obsess about my scale when I am doing any type of weight loss thing. I then avoid it at all cost when I am not. My Dr. wants me weighing weekly during this 6 months supervised weight loss time and I said that I was fine with weekly but wanted to avoid more. She said she wanted it to quit being an obsession and just normal. I know it will be hard for me not to weigh daily, multiple times a day, after every pee and poop and naked and clothed... he he... after surgery. I guess I can understand why my Dr. wants me to start not obsessing now. I am weighing once a week, and I am going to avoid anymore, or any less. I think as someone with an eating disorder, and history of weight gain that it is probably pretty important that I weigh weekly, for the rest of my life, to stay on target.

Do you have to do a new sleep study? With it being a few years ago it could be a new thing. This past year my energy has dropped immensely. I thought it was because 9 months ago I became the full time caregiver to my 90yo grandmother, she has dementia and bad sun downers and she wakes me up 3-4 nights a week 1-10 times in any given night. I also put on 30lbs in the past 9 months due to stress and lack of activity. Well I just found out I have moderate sleep apnea, I was shocked, I have been known to snore if I roll on my back, but I am an avid side sleeper, I don't wake up (or at least can't tell) but let me tell you this I am exhausted all of the time, any given time I could lie down and take a nap. I have my titration sleep study on Friday, I have heard it helps a lot... Here is hoping!

My NUT has things like SF Jello and Popsicles and V8. There are a few other things too, however she emphasized if I needed have the snacks I needed to be calling her and letting her know exactly what I was eating and that I still needed to come in between 800-1000cal.

My sister in law and brother decided to stay kid free. It was a shock to most the family, especially my mother, as hard as it was to come to terms with it we have all been very respectful of their decision (their reasoning is they enjoy their freedom and enjoy traveling) I had my son young (I was 18 he is now 13) I get asked all the time when I'm having another, why didn't I have another, and told I'd better get on it soon if I want another. I'm adopted and I would love to be a foster mom someday and maybe adopt a child, particularly with special needs. I have 8 months left in school and I really want to go on for my Masters. I've already put my son thru the craziness of my bachelors and I have no intention of jumping into my masters until he graduates high school. Not to mention I started school when he was 6, I'm ready to have some time to be a grown up, maybe date, hike a mountain, or sit on a beach with out worrying about school. I'm also a little selfish in I want to be able to travel and buy my son nice things and it makes it a little harder when you add more kids in. Someday? Maybe, right now? No, do I (or you) need to explain that go anyone? Nope!

You look beautiful! He obviously has some sort of hang up or insecurities with this. You keep doing great but most importantly do not let him hurt your self esteem. You do not want to look back in 5 years unhappy and overweight because of him.

Oh I have had those from Effexor. Horrible! Hope you feel better soon.

That is awesome! My profile pic is from Hawaii and will for sure be my before pic! It was so sad to be in such a beautiful place and feel so terrible!

Someone posted these on a FB group.