AmyInOrlando

My "Bible" is Successful Weight Loss with THE GASTRIC SLEEVE, by Dr. Guillermo Alvarez.

My surgery was August 1st. I've lost 25 pounds since starting the 2 week liquid diet on July 18th. I've been on soft foods since last Saturday. Tomorrow I start Phase 4, regular solid food. My goals are: Calories 600, Carbs. <40, Fats <30, and Protein 70 grams / day.

I'm eating my first egg right now...... I mashed up a hard boiled egg with 1 tablespoon of Dukes low fat mayo and a half teaspoon of Mt. Olive, no sugar added relish. I've eaten approx. half and I'm starting to feel full. I'm 4 weeks out today. I've lost 25 pounds since the 2 week pre-op liquid diet. I'm still having difficulty figuring how much is too much till I actually feel it in my chest. I'm eating slowly and taking tiny bites. I use a demitasse spoon, and drink using a sippy cup most of the time. I can't tolerate more then about a 1/2 Tablespoon of liquid at a time. I've never vomited, had occasional reflux, but mostly feel it in my chest when I've eaten too much. Hard to believe 2-3 oz could be too much, but it is depending on what I'm eating.

I'm 4 weeks out and have no appetite. I have to eat by the clock to make sure I get all my protein and liquids in. Last night for dinner I had 2 oz of Talapia and 1/4 cup of cauliflower with laughing cow light cheese. I don't know if I ate too much, didn't chew enough or ate too fast (I did eat most of it over 30 minutes). This morning I've had no appetite at all. I've tried my hardest to get down 1/2 a cup of Greek Yogurt. It's actually an effort to eat today. On days like this, I usually wind up getting all my protein in by drinking protein shakes at the end of the day.

I was writing everything down because I'm technically challenged, but I started using MyFitnessPal this week, and even I can figure it out. It's really easy. Tracking really keeps you focused. Just another tool in our tool box.

Once your incisions are totally healed, you can massage them with cocoa butter. Apply Mederma, (I use the Target brand). My incisions healed beautifully. I'm sure in a few months, all but one will be totally invisible. The largest one will be a faint horizontal line about an inch long. My surgery was Aug. 1st.

I was sleeved on August 1st. I'm doing great. I haven't been hungry once since surgery. I've reached my goal of 70 grams of protein and 64 oz. of fluids everyday. I get full pretty easily, and sometimes have to divide my 4 oz meal into 2 meals. I'm having 6 mini meals instead of 3. No regrets... it was the best thing I've ever done for myself.

I named my new little tummy "Ally", after my hero, Dr. Alvarez.

If I can only eat one or two ounces and feel that lump in my chest and hiccup, I can stop eating. But if I don't try again after a while, I'll never get all my protein in. Should I keep trying, or just stop and consider my meal over? This happened to me tonight with baked tilapia.

I'm a Registered Nurse. I chose Mexico because my insurance company would not approve my surgery. I did weeks of research on the internet to make a decision about which Physician I was going to choose. I decided on Dr. Guillermo Alvarez in Piedras Negras because no matter how hard I tried, I could not find one negative post about him or his practice. He also uses a full service hospital with an ICU and all the diagnostic equipment to manage any complication that could occur. He also keeps you in the hospital for 2 nights. I had an amazing experience. I would recommend him to any friends or family members that would consider this procedure. Not only is he a gifted Surgeon, he is compassionate, sincere and attentive. At 3 weeks out I was still getting emails with reminders about dietary changes and an invitation to contact him at any time with questions or concerns. 10 days out I was having some problems related to a hiatal hernia repair that was done at the same time. I sent him an email and he responded with a phone call. How many Dr's do you know that would call you on a Saturday evening just to reassure you and answer any questions you might have? He has a very interactive Face Book page and web site. He has hundreds of videos on "youtube", and has written an easy to read informative book. I really can't comment on any other Surgeons or facilities in Mexico. I can only share my own experience.

7 years ago I had lost 150 pounds with diet and exercise. It was not the first time I had lost and regained 100 pounds. This time, over the course of 7 years, and for many reasons I gained back 75 pounds. When I saw the scale quickly approaching the 200 pound mark, I knew it was time to do something drastic. That's when I decided to have the surgery. When I scheduled my surgery, I was 198 pounds. I then binged my way up to 204.8. I started the pre-op liquid diet a week early, just to stop the bingeing. The day of surgery I weighed 195. I was able to lose weight.... I'd done it all my life, only to regain some or all. I didn't want to do it again. I needed a new tool In my toolbox to lose the weight for the LAST time.

For those people with Thyroid issues, or on Thyroid medication. Tofu and other soy products are contraindicated. I'm not saying NEVER eat soy products, but they should be limited. I love edemame, and some Morningstar products, but they can interfere with treatment of hypothyroidism. (Google it, to find out more)

I'm just 3 weeks and 1 day out, and my Doc used a 32Fr. bougie. I have not been hungry at all since surgery. I have to make myself get in all my protein. I have less difficulty with just flavored water. I start soft foods tomorrow, and hopefully I won't have any difficulty. I seem to have more problems with the protein shakes then blended soups or greek yogurt. I love not being hungry, but having to force myself to get my 70 grams of protein in is not fun.

Does the fit bit work on an elliptical machine?

My Doc. required an EKG (done within 30 days) in addition to the completed medical history form to be faxed to him before I was approved for surgery. No one can hold a Physician responsible if the Pt. was dishonest about disclosing a significant medical history. Does everyone read every line in the surgery and anesthesia consent? I know I didn't, but I'm a Nurse and was well aware of the risks. Some Physicians do more of a work up in the US, and some things may or may not get picked up. I had a hiatal hernia. I was asymptomatic, so it was never diagnosed. Dr. Alvarez found it and repaired it during my surgery. It's sad when we hear about deaths occurring, but it's noted as a risk on the consent form. The truth is, you have more of a chance of dying driving to your Dr's office, then you do having surgery. The risks increase based on your co-morbidities. After surgery, it's up to you to follow your post op instructions to lessen your chance of complications. Having 3/4 of your stomach removed is major surgery.... not a bandaid procedure. I chose to have my surgery in a full service hospital in Mexico with an ICU and other specialties to deal with any complication that might have occurred. I chose not to go to a surgical center with an off-site recovery house.

I'm a Nurse, and I work 3-11:30 PM. I was just sleeved two and a half weeks ago. I'm still on liquids, but I will start on soft foods next Saturday. Before surgery, my problem was eating late at night and then going to bed. Now because of the surgery I no longer will be able to eat late at night because of the reflux. That is a good thing. Late night eating will be my first bad habit to change. My question is, how do people working evening shift manage meals? I only get a 1/2 hour for dinner. With the new sleeve I have to eat slowly. I start back to work tomorrow. This week it's easy, but what happens next week when I start eating soft foods? I was thinking I'd eat breakfast when I get up, dinner before I go to work, and something quick and easy like tuna or egg salad, cheese and ham or turkey slices, and then drink a shake later before I get off. I'm just hoping I can get all my fluids and protein in on the evenings I work. Any tips from eve shift workers? Thanks.

I've tried the Tasso Greek Yogurt Bars. They only have 80 calories and 6 grams of protein. I've only tried the coconut, but it's really good. Sugar Free Fudgesicles are good too, only 35 calories and 2 grams of protein. The Sugar free popsicles are only 15 calories each, no protein, but very refreshing. All great ice cream alternatives.

My Thyroid pill is tiny. I take it with water 1st thing in the morning. I take my Cymbalta after I've had my 1st protein shake. I'm 3 weeks out and have no problem swallowing the Cymbalta capsule. Thyroid meds work best on an empty stomach.

I had surgery on Aug. 1st. I'm back to work and doing great. Looking forward to starting soft foods on Saturday. I'm not having any problems getting my fluids or protein in. I'm so happy with my decision to have this procedure done. It can only get better from here.

What about eating the meat, veggies, tofu, etc. first, and then saving the broth for later in the day? You get the flavor when you're eating the "stuff", and if you love the broth, have it for your next meal.

My Doc recommends 600-800 calories / day. I try to stay at 600 because I'm only 5 feet tall, and I'm almost 61 years old. I'm almost 3 weeks out. Once I start exercising, I may increase my caloric intake depending on my weight loss and energy level. I'm getting 70 grams of protein everyday. Once I start on soft foods, i'll start monitoring my carbs and fat grams as well, but right now I focus on protein, calories and fluids. I drink at least 64 oz of fluids / day.

I had my surgery in Piedras Negras with Dr. Guillermo Alvarez, and my experience was totally different. I did not have to wait for anything. The Nurses were very professional and attentive. We were checked on every 2 hours at least for the first 24 hours after surgery. Meds were given automatically. We didn't have to wait till we were in pain to ask for pain meds. All questions were answered promptly. We were checked by Dr. Alvarez or his assistant several times a day. Post of instructions were explained clearly. The facility was clean, privacy was maintained at all times, and all our needs were anticipated and taken care of before we even had to ask. I'm a Nurse, and all I can say is I wish patients were taken care of as well in my Hospital as I was taken care of by Dr. Alvarez and his staff in Mexico.

I'll be 61 next month. I was sleeved on August 1st. I go back to work this afternoon. (I'm a Nurse) I sure hope I'm ready. I'm still on full liquids. Have no problem getting my 64 oz. of fluids on or 70 gms. of protein. I had a hiatal hernia repair done along with my VSG. I've had some difficulty with shortness of breath with exertion. My Doc says it's because of the hiatal hernia repair. I'm looking forward to starting soft foods on Saturday. The first 10 days were really difficult for me, but I'm getting my strength back slowly. I used to be able to do the elliptical machine for an hour. I haven't exercised on a regular basis for more then a year. This morning I started with 5 minutes. My plan is to increase by 1 minute everyday. I'm also planning on swimming once my incisions are totally healed. Some of my steri-strips are still intact.

My new rule is... No eating in front of the computer. Fluids are OK. Just something I need to do for me. No more "mindless" eating.

WTG !!!